14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Nyx
Annabelle is surprisingly nice—almost too friendly, if I'm being honest.
I mean, that much was obvious from our first meet in the bedroom. But chatting to her over chocolate milkshakes and chicken wraps has been a pleasant surprise.
I'm still on guard—suspicious about this pack—but this girl talks more than I do, and it's easy to tell that she's genuine. No one would be able to babble at such high speeds and produce lies, and her animated movements and extensive range of facial expressions keep me wildly entertained.
She wasn't kidding when she said the food here was amazing. It's on par with the café at home, and even though I'm technically a prisoner here, it's oddly relaxing hanging out with her. For a moment, I even start to forget about my problems.
"Matteo says he doesn't want kids yet, but I think he's just saying that because he knows that's what I want. You know what men are like—always changing their minds, pretending to agree to keep us happy. Gosh, can't live with them, can't live without them," she rambles, only pausing to take a sip of her drink.
I blink, wondering if she even managed to take a breath during her rant. So far, I know all about her partner, Matteo, and how he's five months older and they mated on her twenty-first birthday—which was only a year ago. Both are full-blooded members of the pack, so they grew up together, attended school with each other, and lived a few streets apart with their respective parents… who are all still alive and kicking.
Annabelle has a younger brother who's turning twenty-one in a few months and her father works closely with Cade, overseeing the town's construction and infrastructure. Apparently, Matteo is also in Cade's inner circle, and because of the two men in her life, she sometimes works for Cade as well—when she's not busy as a part-time teacher's aide.
We bond over our shared work with children, even though the age gap between them is several years. But no matter which way you swing it, children will be children—messy, loud, lovable, and a little exhausting.
"Do you think Cade will want children?" she asks suddenly. I'm taken aback because she makes it sound like I'm here willingly, open to the prospect of not only putting up with him but breeding with him .
The thought reminds me of the heat I felt in his office—not my actual heat, but the feeling in my stomach when he made a comment about taking me. As much as I'm confused and annoyed by everything, there's something hot about consent. What does that say about me as a woman? Consent should be the bare minimum—no exceptions.
Maybe it's because I had assumed that I would be forcefully taken against my will here and hearing him say otherwise was more comforting than I care to admit.
But also… he's horribly good-looking. Among other attributes from what I've seen...
It's really not fair that alphas are genetically blessed. Though, based on what he told me, he's only from a short line of alphas. Still… if I wasn't feeling so murderous toward him, I might actually admit how gorgeous he is. But he can pry that confession from my cold, dead mouth.
I nearly choke out loud on my internal thoughts, quickly bringing my attention back to Annabelle as she looks at me eagerly.
"Uh," I splutter. "I have no idea. You'd have to ask him."
She smiles, laughing like I've just delivered a punchline to an amazing joke. "But we hold the power, silly. It's our bodies. I mean, sure… the world is in chaos. But just because there's a universal, cosmic crisis, it doesn't mean that I'm going to go against my beliefs."
I suddenly get a headache as I start trying to dissect her statement. "Annabelle," I groan. "What do you think is happening here? Why do you think I'm here ?"
It's my roundabout way to assess whether she knows I was abducted. I watch her closely, waiting for her reaction.
She puts her drink down, gazing at me closely. "Alpha Cade brought you here to see if you were his mate," she answers softly with confidence.
I nod sternly. "But not willingly."
When I check to see if she reacts with shock or horror, I'm a bit disappointed to see her smile turn sad. "I know. Matteo was part of the crew that went and got you."
"Oh," is the only response that I'm able to coherently mutter.
Annabelle's face brightens up at my deflated look. "If it makes you feel any better, he got injured."
That… throws me off. The way she's trying to cheer me up by telling me her mate got hurt. When she catches me staring at her with bewilderment, she waves her hand dismissively. "Don't stress about it. He's a tough cookie. And he's completely fine, so I hold no grudges. Besides, I did warn him that was the risk they were facing."
I didn't manage to harm anyone that night so I can only assume that it was Maverick that injured Matteo. She doesn't appear angry about it, strumming her fingers on the table.
"Surprisingly, that doesn't make me feel better," I say quietly. "But I'm still angry about how Cade has gone about this."
Annabelle nods, understanding. "I get it. If it was me, I'd be upset too. But I can also see his point of view in a peculiar way."
"It's a monstrosity," I argue back, though my voice is level and calm. "He says it was just to get me here to talk, but given what's happening out there with hunters, I just can't find a way to fully believe him."
Her face wrinkles with repulsion at the mention of hunters. "I know. It's disgusting what some packs are doing. And I know his method wasn't ideal. But you have two other mates, right?" She pauses, waiting for me to nod, which I do. "I think he felt like he had no other option. I'd probably guess that they wouldn't be open to just letting you come here?"
This time, it's my turn to laugh. "Probably not," I admit. "It was already a mess when I met my second mate."
The rest of my sentence falls flat, the usual upsetting thoughts plaguing me. Annabelle reaches across the table, resting her hand over mine.
"Girl, I don't envy you. I mean, besides being worshipped by multiple men which sounds incredibly hot, I can't imagine how much stress you've been dealing with. And now all this on top of that."
I reposition my hand, clutching hers as I give it a squeeze back. "It hasn't been easy," I confirm. "And I don't know how to feel about any of this—about him ."
"I know he's being a butthole right now," she whispers, stopping for a brief moment to glance around to make sure no one hears her speak about him that way. "But I promise he's not all that bad. He's actually really nice most of the time."
"The niceness doesn't worry me," I reply, a tight smile breaking free. "One of my mates is as cranky as they come. But it's the way he went about this."
Annabelle leans down, lips closing over her straw. "Mm, yeah. I'm with you there. But at least you know where you stand now."
I lift a shoulder, shrugging. "I guess so. But it doesn't help the fact that I need to decide what to do—and quickly."
"Because your alphas are coming?"
"Yeah. And because I need to go back home. It would have been so much easier if I had more time to process this."
"Definitely," she mutters, pausing as her eyebrows pull together. She looks deep in thought, staring at the corner of the café. As quickly as it happens, she's back with me. "Your alphas are nearly here."
I realize that she must have been mind linked, my heart beating frantically. "Really?"
She nods. "They are about to enter our territory. I'm supposed to take you to Alpha Cade to greet them."
"Greet them?" I repeat, baffled.
Annabelle stands, pushing her empty glass away from the edge of the table. "For when they arrive. We're under strict instructions to be hospitable."
I scan her face desperately, wanting to confirm that she's telling the truth. She gazes down at me, waiting patiently.
Pushing back my chair, I quickly stand. "Alright. Lead the way."
I find Cade in front of the house, this time surrounded by five other people. A few I recognize, but some are new faces.
When he sees me approaching, he mutters something to Sawyer, stepping away from the group.
"How was lunch?" he asks warmly, digging his hands into the pockets of his faded, washed-out black jeans.
I sneak a glance at Annabelle before answering. "It was good."
He nods happily. "Great. I'm hoping you'll wait with me until Lex and Maverick arrive." There's an undertone to his voice that I pick up on immediately.
"So they don't attack?" I question sternly.
"Exactly. And so that they can see that you are alive and well."
I can't help the small scoff that slips out, along with a tiny smile. "Alive, yes. Well —that's questionable."
Cade smiles at me, locking eyes with mine for a few seconds before he turns his attention to Annabelle. "Thank you for your help. You can head off back to work."
Annabelle nods, reaching out to give my shoulder a squeeze. "Thanks for a nice lunch date. Hopefully I'll still see you around."
I watch as she moves past us, heading over the group that Cade stepped away from. She makes a beeline for the man next to James, leaning up to kiss his cheek. His dark brown eyes sparkle at her, as he pants softly, like he just got back from running a marathon. His arm slings around her waist as he bends down to whisper something in her ear.
A rogue smile must appear on my lips as I watch their exchange, Cade lowering his voice.
"You have a really beautiful smile."
Instantly, it vanishes, my face hardening as I throw my walls up despite the weird flutter in my chest. "You're lucky that she's so nice."
Cade laughs, the light-hearted sound making my stomach clench with conflict. "She's lovely. And an absolute saint for always helping out. My office would be very disorganized if it wasn't for her skills and willingness to file all the boring paperwork."
"She's a saint and you're a sinner," I mutter, surprising myself when I realize there's only a small fraction of hostility in my tone.
He nods. "I guess so. Are you ready?"
I glance at the trees, not spotting anything yet. "Yes. But if they attack, I'm on their side."
Cade smiles, flashing me his dimples. "I'm not worried about that," he answers, placing his arm loosely around my shoulders as he guides me over to the group.
I spot Annabelle heading toward the house, leaving us alone with the rest of the males. James gives me his usual sneer, but Sawyer lowers his head with a nod, acknowledging me.
Ezra is also behind them, panting softly as well, while chatting to the other two men about… the weather . I hear them mutter something about it being a perfect, cloudless day after the full moon, and how they can't wait to bask in the warmth later.
I'm puzzled by their chilled demeanors. I expected them to be discussing an impending attack, but none of them appear worried. They look confident, composed, and when the two new faces give me a small wave, I find myself returning it. Ezra also gives me a nod, and from here, it almost looks like he mouths, "Sorry" before returning to his conversation.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I look at Cade. He's standing beside me, eyes scanning the trees as we wait. "My father met Lex's father once," he says quietly, so only I can hear.
"Really?" I ask, floored by the new information. "Good experience or bad experience?"
"Good," he answers. "Dad spoke highly of the Blood Moon Pack."
"And the Night Pack?" I question curiously.
His lips twitch as he fights back a smile. "A little less good . Maverick has never been overly welcoming. He's a known asshole among the alphas."
I snort, amused. "He's a known asshole to others too. But also, there's a side to him that people don't get to see."
He turns to face me, his blue eyes looking like crystal-clear water in the sunlight. "I believe it," he says genuinely. "If anyone was going to bring down those heavy walls, it would be you. Oh, but I bet you clashed hard ."
I'm not sure if it's because I know I'll see him soon, or if Annabelle had a huge effect on me, but I laugh quietly. "You have no idea."
Cade grins, looking like he wants to say something, but he straightens up, whipping his head toward the trees.
Instinctively, I step forward, an invisible force tugging me. It's as if my body can sense them, yearning to touch them.
Then there, through the trees I spot them—a fucking army of wolves, slowing down their sprint as they growl simultaneously, locking eyes on the members of the New Moon Pack, like they want to rip them apart, piece by piece.