Page 28 of Fallen Wolf
“It’s for you dear, it’s Mr Donovani from school.” I could hear the confusion in her voice.What?Panic rose in my chest, something bad must have happened if he was here.
“You left your homework behind and I’m just here to drop it off.” He called past mom, as I walked around and saw it was definitely Galen. His dark curls were all messed up, like he had been running his fingers through them all day. When mom turned to me, his head jerked a couple of times for me to come closer. I quickly made my way over, and asked my mom to check on dinner for me. My throat was tight, and my hands started to shake. This was going to be bad news.
“Things have gone bad, faster than we thought.” My hand went to my mouth as my eyes widened. “Lexi and packs are worried about you. Your close connection with her might put you and your family in danger.
“I want to take you to the pack, and I was going to send your parents away for a couple of days. But I want your permission to compel them, and I am going to send them to my place in Seattle.”
It was so much to take in, I nodded as he explained where they would be, and how he had security there and it was safe. I felt like I wasn’t even in my own body as I quickly packed a bag with shaky hands. Dad arrived home and I watched as Galen sat them down and compelled them, he made it sound so real.
“You both work so hard and Ada entered you into a competition to win three nights away at a luxurious hotel in Seattle. All expenses paid. Everything has been arranged at work, you are going to pack and take the limousine out the front and have the most amazing time.”
Dad looked at me, I thought he was going to tell me I was crazy for doing this, I knew he was swamped at work, when was he not? But when I saw the huge grin on his face, I felt so happy. Like this was real, like they’d really won this holiday, a much needed one at that. My mom was teary.
“Ada, oh darling I can’t believe you did this. I have wanted a vacation and this is just amazing. Would you be okay here? I feel nervous leaving you.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, of course mom would worry about me. I could take care of myself, but she would forever be my mom and I her daughter.
“I’m all organised to stay with Lexi, so you don’t have to worry. It will be amazing, and make sure you don’t forget to show me how amazing the hotel is.” I held up my phone with a shaky hand. Trying my best to look the part of excited daughter, but deep inside…
I was terrified.
29
Ada
As soon asI saw Lexi I burst into tears. Which wasn’t the best thing to do. The whole of the Lovell’s house was filled with so many people… shifters.
“I’m okay, Ada. I’m glad you’re here, that your safe.” I nodded as she wiped a lone tear from her cheek. There were a lot of ladies here, all of them doing different things, and I just felt in the way. Lexi was talking to some of them, as I stood back and watched to see how everything was functioning and where I could help.
“Oh, Ada. You’re here, that’s great I’ll tell…fuck.” I turned to see who that was, and was a little taken back when I saw it was Mason, his dark hair was slicked back and he was shirtless. He was pack Rawlins. Who would he tell I was here? Galen brought me here, I’d assumed most people knew I would be here.
“Mason? Tell who?” I was really confused. He had never spoken to me before, and he was doing that now… shirtless. Like everyone else here was… I had already seen a fully naked man. And for an older guy his body was in really good shape.
“Just… everyone. I’m glad you’re here so we can protect you.” He left just as fast as he came, leaving me with more questions than answers.
“Hey lovely, you must be Ada.” I turned and nodded to the lady with a kind smile who had approached me. “Would you be able to help raid the linen closet upstairs, blankets, towels… whatever you can find and bring them down here in case we need them. There is a few up there now, but more hands…”
“Make light work.” I finished for her, and she patted my shoulder.
I ran up the stairs, passing a few younger boys who were carrying things down already. I got up to where another lady was taking the blankets and linen out of a huge walk-in linen closet at the end of the hallway. Wow, I never realized this was here. I held my hands out and she passed me a pile of neatly stacked towels.
I turned and started walking, but the towels were so soft and fluffy. I couldn’t help but rest my cheek against them, they smelled so nice too. I wondered if they had a maid here? Who did their laundry? I assumed they wouldn’t do it. Hell, I hope they didn’t make Lexi do it.
I placed them on the dark granite benchtop and Noah appeared beside me.
“Hey, Ada. I’m just heading out. I wanted to tell you that I’m really sorry about what happened last week. I was going to do this in private, but I didn’t want to go out there and have this on my conscience.” He took a deep breath and my heart was pounding. He was going to tell me he loved me…oh fuck. Oh… I didn’t know what I would say… shit. How bad was this? Should I give him a goodbye kiss?
“I’m sorry for the way I behaved the other day, when I told you that you could pet me. That was wrong, I should have known better than to trick you into it and I promise to only be truthful to you in the future. I’m sure there is a lot you don’t know about being a shifter and I promise that I will tell you all you want to know.”
He looked down at his feet... Well that a little was different. I thought I had already kind of forgiven him. To be honest I had forgotten about it with everything that had been going on. But he seemed really upset by it still.
“I accept your apology, and I like that you want to be truthful. I will be too.” He was so tall, and so handsome. The look on his face had me worried.
“Are you going to be, okay? Like shifters heal fast? Right?” He nodded, but that was all he was giving me. maybe his truthful part was that if he had to lie, he wouldn’t speak at all. He moved closer to me and his big blue eyes peered down into mine.
“Ah… I really like you, Ada. I think you know that already though.” I could see he was now blushing as he scratched the back of his head. “Would you like to go to my birthday dinner with me and my family? It’s in two weeks.” He gave a crooked smile as his brows rose high.
“I… oh.” His family? Crap. Wasn’t that like a big step… well yeah if you’re dating. But not like for his birthday, that might be alright. “I will think about it.”
He stepped away and nodded. “I will earn back your trust, Ada. I promise.” And he left. I stood there as my chest tightened. What if something did happen? I would regret not telling him yes. I need to tell him that when I see him.
