Page 74 of Shrouded in the Dark
I sighed. “No, I haven’t. That’s going to be something you have to do, Felicity. What changed? You still haven’t told me. You don’t even look happy when you say his name anymore. Did you meet someone at the family thing?”
She looked to the side. She was a really bad liar. “Sort of? It’s really hard to explain. I still want to see Axel when I come visit at the end of the summer.”
I bit my lip, the sharp pain helped me focus on her and not the black that was edging around my sight. “Felicity. I like Axel,” I said it softly, but I knew she heard it when she whipped her face back to the phone. If I didn’t tell her now, I might not have the courage to tell her again in the future.
“What?” She laughed. “That’s a joke, right?”
I shook my head. “I’m not joking. I really like Axel. I’ve gotten to know him, all of them really, the past month and a half. They’re kind.”
“How can you like Axel? We were practically dating during school!” She pressed her lips together. “Becca, you can’t like him. You just can’t.”
“I know you liked him, Felicity, but you just said that you found someone new you’re seeing. You have been avoiding Axel almost all summer.”
“It’s not like it was my choice!” She was frustrated as she snapped at me. “I have to be with him. He’s mine, Becca. You need to back off.”
Uh, what? My spine stiffened.
“No. You treated him like trash this summer. You’re as good as ‘broken up’ when you acted like his feelings didn’t matter. I love you, Felicity. You’re my best friend. I was hoping that this would go better, but it didn’t.” I offered her a tight lipped smile. “I’m going to hang up. We can talk when you’re ready. Tell Wyn I say hello.”
Hanging up on her was probably one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. I stared at the phone in my hands. I’d made my choice and I wouldn’t regret it. These men made me feel safe, but more than that, I felt like I could really be myself around them and they wouldn’t care if I was broken.
There was a knock on my door. Jasper opened it slightly before stepping in.
“Hey, hun.” He had a soft expression on his face as he looked me up and down. “You know we heard that. I just want to make sure that you’re okay.” He grinned slightly. “You made Axel blush. I got a picture for you.”
I snorted out a laugh. “I’m okay. Or, I will be. Could I have a hug?” A hug sounded really good right about now.
“That,” Jasper stepped in front of where I sat on the bed before he knelt on his right knee, “I can do that.” He didn’t hesitate to wrap me into his arms.
Sighing out the breath I’d been holding, I relaxed into him. He kissed my cheek before slowly pulling away.
“Even though we would all love to keep going where we’d left off, we need to go hunting again. Your stepfather sent a text to Seth while you were in here. He gave us a location he’s almost a hundred percent sure that this rogue is hiding out at. It’s about ten miles north up the mountain. He’s probably still recuperating from the wounds you gave him.” He brushed his thumb along my lower lip. “You’ll be safe here. We won’t be gone long. If we find him there, we’ll take care of him. If not, we’ll wait for your stepdad. His ‘friend’ should be here sometime in the evening. He agreed that you staying here would be safer than having you coming along with us into danger.”
My heart gripped in fear as I took a deep breath. They had to do this. They were really the only ones who could. Unless the Venandi showed up, but Gary said those guys were bad. They’d try to kill the guys, too.
“Okay. I promise to stay inside.” It would do no good to argue. I wouldn’t be able to offer any kind of support. What happened with the monster earlier had been a lucky chance.
We both stood up. He held my hand tightly as we moved to the living room. The others were standing, waiting for us. Seth stepped up to us and pulled me into his arms. Jasper went to my back, enveloping me between the two of them. Cody, not to be outdone, jumped onto Seth’s back where he reached around to touch my cheek.
I laughed at his antics as Axel came forward to join the group hug. My eyes closed in happiness as we all stayed touching each other for several minutes. Wishing for this to never end, I gave a sad noise as they stepped back together.
“We’ll be back before you know it.” Seth cupped my cheeks. “We’ll have our cell phones with us. You can call us if you need anything, alright?”
“Mmm.” His hands were so warm, I really didn’t pay attention to what he said.
“Becca,” Jasper chuckled from somewhere behind me. “I like this version of her. When she didn’t like to be touched sucked. This is much better.”
“I like her however she wants to act.” Cody was still monkeyed on Seth’s back. He stuck his tongue out at Jasper and I giggled as Seth removed his hands from my cheeks.
“Are you sure one of us shouldn’t stay here?” Axel crossed his arms.
“I’ll be fine,” I said before anyone else. “You know what that thing did to you. It’s better if you all are together. That way no one gets hurt. I’ll be fine inside the house.” I touched Axel’s arm. “Could we talk for just a minute?”
He gazed down at me as he nodded. “Of course.” Uncrossing his arms, he took my hand in his and pulled me further away from the guys. They’d still hear us, but I appreciated the gesture.
“Axel, I know you heard my conversation with Felicity. Are you okay? Was it alright that I told her all of that?” My questions came out rushed as I started thinking that he might be unhappy that he hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to her on his own.
“Of course, it’s alright.” His gravelly voice was soft as he kissed my fingers. “I’m not sure when it changed, exactly, but the longer I’ve been away from her with no contact, I can’t exactly remember why I liked her so much in the first place. That’s never happened before. No one has ever taken me away from my pack. We’d all agreed years ago that we would stick together until we found a mate that would fit with all of us. I was extremely selfish. I have a lot to make up to the guys.”
