Page 25 of Bond & Protect

‘I found my grandfather’s journal. It seems like he fought this monster before with his wolf pack at the time, and it’s only in ‘unity’ that they managed to fight.’

‘So, we can do this then?’ Liam gasps. ‘Wow, that’s great news. I’ve been worried…’

‘Same, especially because I’ve also read that the fucker feasts on flesh.’ I shake my head again because it sickens me every single time. ‘And we don’t know how hungry it is.’

‘So… I do have to ask…’ Sydney jumps in once more. Only he sounds a little more cautious with his words now. ‘Why are we doing this in secret? Shouldn’t Mila know about this? After all, she’s a part of our bond now, isn’t she? Why shouldn’t she know?’

I know this isn’t going to be easy to explain, but I try anyway. ‘I don’t want her to get hurt. I’m sure you guys don’t want that, either. I want to keep her as far away from the monster as possible. I won’t be able to focus on the fight if she’s aware.’

That’s especially true now. She’s told me how the monster affected her and I don’t ever want that again. That numbness is too much for me, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. Finally, the others seem to understand what I’m saying because they solemnly agree with me one by one.

We know that we can do this now, which is the main thing, and we know what’s at stake, which puts a big strain on us, but I'm sure it is one we can overcome.

Determination runs through us as a group. I meet the eyes of the other guys, seeing the same emotions in them just as they hit me too. We’re going to do this. We have to do this. It’s the only way.

10

MILA

Something is going on. Trying to work it out is exhausting when none of the guys are being open and honest with me, but I’m determined to figure it out. I have a feeling that this isn’t something to worry about. It isn’t the guys pulling back from me or anything like that. If that was the case, I’d be destroyed from the inside out. No, I believe it’s them trying to keep me safe somehow. But what they’re actually doing is making me furious.

I’ve found myself alone in the cabin far more than I’d like. I’m lonely even if someone is watching over me because I know I’ve been left out. No amount of poking or prodding will get them to admit anything to me. It’s driving me up the wall.

I even do something I didn’t think I would, and I reach out to someone in my life before this. I thought that once I’d cut ties with everything that’s happened in the city, I wouldn’t go backwards. I suppose this is slightly different because it’s my mom, but still, I feel odd as I text her.

Mila: Mom, I miss you. It’s been so long xx

Mom: Mila, oh my goodness, I’ve been trying to get hold of you for ages. Where are you? X

Guilt flows through my veins as I scroll up to look at the endless messages that have been ignored. I haven’t had a chance to message her, but I don’t think that’s the main reason I haven’t replied. I don’t know how to explain what I’m doing here.

Mila: I’m hiding out from my stalker, Mom. I told you I would have to do that xx

Mom: I know, but this is really hard for me. I’m so worried about you all the time xx

Mila: I’m in a safe place. A place which is special to our family xx

I hope that isn’t too much, but I don’t want to leave my mother panicking about me. She has enough going on in her life. She can simply relax and continue enjoying her life. She doesn’t need to be involved in any of this. This is my mess. All of it.

Mom: Will you be coming home to see me soon? Xx

I don’t know how to answer that. I don’t know when I’ll be back. I don’t know if it’s even possible for me to return, especially with the new situation in my life. I don’t know how my mother would take knowing that I’m kind of in a relationship now. Not just in any relationship, but with four men. Four wolves… yeah, the shock might knock her off her feet.

It’s probably for the best if I continue to hide out here for a while. Once this whole monster nightmare is over and done with, I will work out what to do then.

Mila: I will be over to visit you as soon as I can, love you, Mom xxx

Mom: Love you too xxx

I sigh at my phone screen for a few moments, waiting to see if anything is about to come through, but it doesn’t. Of course it doesn’t. Mom messaged last and I didn’t respond. That conversation didn’t fill a hole that I thought it might because I couldn’t tell Mom everything.

I’m still alone, still out here by myself, with no one to talk to. It sucks.

Amos is down the stairs, but I haven’t the strength to talk to him. He’s very tight-lipped at the moment, more so than any of the others. I get the impression that he wants to prove himself to Elias and impress the other guys. It’s very frustrating.

This should be a really blissful time of my life, to be honest. I should be soaring higher than air, basking in the honeymoon stage of this relationship. If it wasn’t for the monster, we would be loving life right now. We would be having the best time of our whole life.

I roll over onto my front on the bed and huff loudly. I guess this isn’t working out for me. Much as I’m sick of trying to get answers, just being here alone sucks. I hate it.

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