Chapter 33 Back Home
thirty-three
Back Home
*MARCELLUS*
Ever since Lori and Benjamin went to that party, they seem to be so much closer. He still hasn’t marked her yet, so I assume they are going slow, but I am the last one to judge. Silas and I needed five years to be ready to commit to each other.
I have also noticed Benjamin getting better at his training every day. Even Lucian commended him on his progress once, which says a lot!
“I think we got everything,” Benjamin says while staring at the list we’d prepared for our new pack members. “When is Silas going to pick us up?”
“In a couple of minutes,” I say, taking a look at the list as well. “Lori, you are coming, too, right?”
She nods. “Benji said it would be a help.”
“He is right,” I assure her, happy with the progress she is making in the pack. ”Oh, that reminds me, any news from Nova?”
“She’s only messaged me once in the last couple of days,” Benjamin explains. “Seems like she is meeting Julianus regularly, but they are taking it slow.”
“That’s not bad news,” I say. “I am glad to hear that.”
“I am so happy for her,” Benji says. “He is a good guy, isn’t he?”
I have no idea what to answer, before settling for the truth. “He is like all of us here,” I say.
Benji seems to understand me perfectly and nods. “So, he deserves a second chance?”
“I believe so.”
“How come you aren’t joining us today?” Benji asks the inevitable.
“I have a meeting to attend to,” I say, surprised by how effortlessly the lie leaves my lips. Goddess, all this hiding has taken a toll on me. It’s like I built a second life that I am keeping away from my other one, and from the people who matter to me.
I glance at my watch, wondering why Silas still isn’t here, as he is usually on time.
He is one of those guys who like to be ten minutes early wherever they go.
But then, he just met his nephew and had to put him into Liam’s hands.
The latter has found a pack for the boy and his mom, and we all hope it’s enough for now to diffuse their traces.
“If we don’t leave soon, we are going to run late,” Sheila pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Let me give Silas a call. Maybe he is stuck in traffic,” I say. “Meanwhile, why don’t you all wait in the car? I am sure he is going to be here soon.”
I wait for Benjamin, Lori and Sheila to get into the car before I grab my phone. I am about to call Silas when I see his name pop up as an incoming call. “Hello, my handsome mate.”
“Marc,” Silas says, his voice so serious, I feel dread settling in me.
“What happened? Are you okay? Are you safe? Should I come?”
“No, no, I am sorry for worrying you,” Silas hurries to explain. “It’s just that we had a tiny emergency. One of Aloysius’ goons was snooping around, and we had to hide so as not to be spotted. Listen, I swear I am heading home now. I will call your brother and postpone the meeting.”
I look at the jeep that’s packed to the brim, and at Benjamin, Lori and Sheila who are waiting in it to go and meet the new pack members. I think of how effortlessly I just lied. “I will go,” I say.
“No, I promised you that-“
“Silas, I know you promised it, and I know we could postpone it, but it’s time I face my past,” I declare. “It’s time to stop hiding.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I say. “Our new pack members are more important than my fear of the past. It’s really time to finally make peace with it.”
“This might sound weird now,” Silas says quietly. “But I’m incredibly proud of you. Stay strong. I will be there as soon as possible. Love you.”
My heart warms at hearing his words. He is not one to overly display his feelings with words. “I love you, too,” I say. “Drive safely.”
I hang up, making my way to the jeep. “Change of plans,” I say while sitting on the driver’s seat. “Silas is running late. He will take over for me here, while I head out with you to Blue River pack.”
“Awesome!” Benji says.
Sheila casts me a worried gaze. She and Micah are one of the few who know my history.
I was reluctant to share it with anyone at first, even during our time as rogues, but eventually I came clean to them.
They deserved to know the truth. I just nod at her now.
Don’t worry. It was my decision, Sheila.
She smiles. That’s why you are our alpha.
Because I am not running away anymore?
No, because you are you, and put your pack before your own needs. That’s why we all love and respect you.
I smile at her. Thank you.
“Are you okay back there?” I ask Lori and Benjamin.
“We are fine,” Lori reassures us. “Thank you for bringing me along.”
“I am really glad you joined us,” Benjamin says, gazing at her through his lovesick puppy eyes. Goddess, do I look like that when I am with Silas?
“I was distressed at first,” Lori says. “But now it feels like an honor to join you.”
“How is your project going, Lori?” Sheila asks, as I maneuver the jeep away from the pack grounds and towards the road that will lead me to my home pack.
“I made a list of how I could renovate the pack house and the group homes for now,” she says. “And there are a few cottages deeper into the forest that have been deserted for a while.”
“Yeah, they were like that when we arrived,” I admit. “Pretty much completely abandoned by the person who owned the area before. They are really derelict, though.”
“I think I could work on them,” Lori says. “They are located at a beautiful spot, and maybe it could be for future pack members who enjoy the quietness.”
“We are happy with anything you’d contribute,” I say. “How about you meet Silas and me for an actual business meeting next week. You can present us with your plans, and we’ll see how we can budget them and what to prioritize.”
Lori seems to glow at my suggestion, her eyes beaming. “I would love that. Thank you!”
The closer we get to my old pack, the more silent I become. Sheila takes over the conversation, engaging with Benjamin and Lori, and I am thankful for her doing that. My own thoughts are running way too wild to contribute anything to this discussion.
Blue River Pack still looks the same as I remember.
When we pass the borders, I am met with the familiar view of the mountains and the river alongside them.
The closer we get, though, the more evident it becomes that there have been some changes.
The buildings look more modern, and I spot some new ones that look like some pack members are working in.
The road is a lot better, and from what I can see, the guards have upped their equipment as well.
Seems like Eugene really worked hard over the last few of years.
I halt the jeep in front of the pack house, taking a deep breath. Sheila frowns at me. Are you okay?
No, I reply. But there is no time for doubt and anxiety now. Let’s get out.
Sheila and I exit the car at the same time, Benjamin and Lori following suit. I take in the familiar scent of the pack where I spent so many years. My whole childhood. Not all memories are bad, I have a lot of good ones, too.
I have no plan for how to deal with this. I have no idea what to say or do. Until a couple of hours ago, I thought that Silas would be coming here, giving me time to prepare for the inevitable – for my name to resurface again and my family discovering my whereabouts.
I notice the door to the packhouse opening and Eugene stepping outside with my old friend Elliot.
Right behind him are Mom, Dad, and Floyd, the former beta, who I thought hated me, until he became the one to save me.
I easily take up the familiar scent of my family and wonder if they do also.
More pack members join us, some out of curiosity and some to help us with our task at hand. I recognize a lot of faces.
It takes a while for them to recognize me, though. When I left the pack, I was a teen, and since I left, I have bulked up, trained a lot, grown out a beard, and my hair is more unruly. Eugene halts in tracks, his eyes meeting mine, and he just stares.
Goddess, give me strength.
“No way!” Mom whispers. “It’s… impossible…” She chuckles, but it’s not an amused laugh, but sounds more hysterical. Dad takes her hand, squeezing it lightly.
Before anyone can react, though, I hear a squeal from the crowd, and a young woman pushes through. “Goddess,” she yells, instantly pulling me into a hug. “It’s you, Marc! And you look fine and healthy. I am so happy to see you.”
“Flo!” I blurt out. “Man, look at you! You look amazing!”
She draws back, her eyes widening while she stares at my neck.
“And you are marked. I mean, this is a mark, right? It has to be.” Yeah, the way Silas marked me looks different, but the spot at my neck is too obvious for it to be anything other than a mark.
She turns to Sheila. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to jump your mate. It’s just-“
“It’s not like that,” Sheila assures her. “I am just here to help with the victims. Alpha Marcellus asked me to come along.” She emphasizes the word alpha.
“No way,” Flo whispers. “You are an alpha.”
“You know, fate’s a bitch sometimes,” I joke.
“So is the goddess,” Flo jokes right back.
My mom slowly seems to find her voice again, suddenly dashing forward. She stops right in front of me, her lips quivering, as if she isn’t sure what to do or say. “It’s really you. Is it really you? No, it can’t be… It’s impossible. I’m probably losing my mind. It can’t be my Marcellus.”
“It’s me,” I say, feeling like an idiot.
“My boy,” she blurts out, reaching out her hand to touch me as if she can’t believe it’s truly me. “Why did you never call? You could have reached out! I was worried sick. I-“
“How about we discuss this later?” my father interrupts her gently.
I ‘decide’ to be thankful for the interruption.
Bad enough I had to meet them all right here in front of the pack, but we can at least have the discussion somewhere private.
Dad keeps staring at me, opening his mouth like he wants to say something, before closing it again.
“I am so glad to see you again,” he finally says quietly.
My whole head spins from all that’s happening here now. I’ve never liked to be the center of attention, so this is my personal nightmare.
“Alright,” I say, trying to regain my footing before Eugene can act and say something embarrassing, too, or before Dad or Mom can say any more. “I think we have a couple of new pack members we need to attend to.”
Eugene needs a while to answer. “Right, of course,” he finally says, the shock still clearly all over his face. He keeps gazing at me with a weird mixture of confusion, regret and hope. “Let’s go to my office.”
I am glad to finally be able to leave the huge crowd behind. Before I leave, though, I turn to Benji, Lori and Sheila. “Benji?”
“Yes, I am here.” He jumps to my side. “Ready to help.”
“Okay, can you-“
“Yes!” he exclaims.
“You haven’t even heard yet what I’m going to ask you,” I say with a grin. “Wait for my question, consider it for a few seconds and then give your answer. I promise I will survive.”
Benjamin chuckles. “Old habits,” he admits.
“Benjamin is my gamma,” I explain. “If possible, I want him and his mate Lori to load the jeep with their luggage, so that we can transport everything back home.”
“Sure,” Eugene says, waving at some of his warriors. “You heard Alpha Marcellus. Assist his gamma with what he needs.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
He turns to look at Floyd, but before he can ask, the latter nods.
“I will stay here briefly and organize everything,” he promises.
Before he follows the men, he squeezes my shoulder.
We exchange a brief look that only we understand.
It’s only thanks to him I was able to leave the pack, and it’s a secret we both will take to our graves – at least for most parts.
I am sure Floyd hasn’t told anyone, as for me only Silas knows the whole truth.
Seeing how everyone goes to work, Sheila and I finally follow Eugene into the pack house. Relief settles inside me. Finally away from prying eyes and ears, though it also means I am now pretty much alone with my family.
Flo joins us, and on our way, catches me up on some things. “I have been tending to the victims,” Flo explains to me. “Guess who’s become a nurse?”
“No way, really?” I ask. “That’s amazing!”
“And Elliot there is beta,” Flo chuckles.
“I am so happy to see you man.” Elliot finally allows himself to approach me, shaking my hand. “I knew you would be doing fine. I just knew it.”
“Beta, huh?” I ask. “That’s amazing. Always knew you had it in you.”
“He didn’t want to at first,” Flo explains.
“I wanted to be your beta,” Elliot says shortly.
This explains his tension with Eugene. After everything that went down, he probably didn’t want to work by his side.
“That’s exactly why I asked him to take the job,” Eugene explains all of a sudden, gazing at me. “He was a part of you. I felt like I could maybe honor it that way.”
A long moment of silence surrounds us. Now that the initial surprise has worn off, it’s suddenly becoming more and more awkward.
That’s when I suddenly smell him. His sweet, alluring scent fills my nostrils before he actually arrives.
I don’t know how he did it, or how he managed to come here so quickly, but I am just glad he is here.
With confident strides, Silas steps closer to me, with his signature smile when he acts with an unknown opponent– perfectly polite, yet slightly icy and distanced.
He stands so close to me that I can feel his body brushing against mine, and it sends a wave of comfort over me.
“Allow me to introduce Lord Silas,” I say, smiling at him. “He is my co-leader at Sunset Hills, and is leading the vampires there. He is also my mate.”