Page 58 of Shadow Wolf
“No, that's fine, you need to take care of him first. We understand that. Clare asked us a lot of questions today, and we answered them. She told us about you, and your family there. We told her we would work it out, if she wanted us back, that we knew that you are part of her life and come to you guys there.”
I let out a deep breath and continued, he needed to know it all if this was to ever work.
“We wanted you to know she left here very emotional. She was more overwhelmed by everything I think, and I wanted you to know. If you speak with her tonight, or tomorrow. That was a lot for one day.”
I could hear him exhale deeply and groan.
“I knew it would be hard on her, but this was what she needed. She needed to see you both, either for closure or for more. Look honestly, I think a change of scenery might be nice for my mom. To be honest, my brother needs somewhere to have a childhood… while he’s young enough to be young.
“I know it would be a lot, but if things work out with you all… it’s hard to share the person you love with others, but we’ll work that out when it comes down to it. Look, my mom needs rehab, she needs to be away from here where she can score. If you could speak to the alpha…”
“Done and done.” Jett jumped up again grabbing the phone and running out of his room. Obviously, to his father to ask.
I let out a deep sigh and looked up at the ceiling. This could happen, we could be a family again.
***
‘Hi,” I said as I knocked on Clare’s door. Her face lit up with a huge grin.
“Hi,” she patted the bed and I was grateful she wanted me in here. Mom said I could say hi, but I couldn’t just go in and make myself at home in Clare’s room.
I knew that I wasn’t going to push her, it had only been one day. I wanted her to have all the space she needed, but my wolf also needed to see her, make sure she was still here so he didn’t go crazy and shift, barge in and attack her with face licks. She hated that, but I loved it. She secretly loved it too.
“I spoke with Frankie today, he told me you guys called him last night.” She was happy with that; I knew it was the right move. We needed to start the bond with Frankie if this was to work, and we spent a lot of time chatting with him last night.
“His mom won’t leave. She wants to stay there.”
My heart sank, I could feel her sadness, she wanted him here. She wanted to be here, not there.
“That's okay, we can make arrangements to be there in Colorado, we can get a place big enough for all of us.”
She let out a deep sigh and rested her head against my shoulder.
“It just wouldn’t be the same, I’ll talk to her. Tell her how nice it is here, there’s the ocean, that would be a nice change. She doesn’t want to go to rehab. But she doesn’t want to come here, either. You can’t force someone to rehab, they have to want to go. And it breaks me that she won’t do it, even for Alley-cat.”
“Alley-cat?” I questioned.
“Alex, Frankie calls him Alley-cat. It’s cute, he is adorable for a twelve-year-old. Frankie has raised him to be a nice gentleman.”
Frankie truly was a better person than Jett and myself. I moved further on her bed, trying to get comfortable and let her hug me better.
“Is it okay if I lay here?” She nodded on my chest and my arm wrapped around her.
“I like it, I need it.” She whispered and I made sure to hold her tight. I played with her hair and sang to her. Her breathing was evening out, and eventually she fell asleep. I didn’t want to leave her, but mom called out to let her sleep and to come eat. She was forever feeding me.
“She’ll still be there; she’s here for another two days. Leave her for now. She needs her rest after the big day yesterday.”
It was true, it was a big day, and she needed all the rest she could. Because I decided today, I was taking her to the cliffs… if she lets me.
Chapter39
Clare
They took me to the cliffs, I loved it up here, it was crazy high, and you could see out so far into the water. It was cold and I hugged my jacket tighter to my chest.
“Come here, I’ll warm you up.” Jett sat on the log, his arms wide and I smiled. My feet moved towards him before I registered what I was doing. But by the time I got to him I didn’t want to think about it. I wanted to feel his warmth. I slid into his lap and he kissed the top of my head like always.
I spent time talking with Frankie today. He told me if anything happens with them, that he loves me, and hopes they treat me right. That he would talk to me tomorrow before I get on the plane back to him. That he wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear what happened in detail, but I was happy to discuss it if I wanted. Either way, if I chose them, he chooses them too.
