Chapter 13 Chapter 13
ELLA
I sat in thought at the kitchen island, taking a break from my work before cleaning up dinner.
“So tonight, I’m thinking we watch some violent movies and binge on cookies.”
I looked up to see Declan. He hopped up on the counter and faced me.
I smiled, still thinking about what Zane had said and how he had treated me.
“Earth to Ella?” Declan knocked on my head, and I snapped my face up.
“Hmm?”
Declan laughed.
“Where’d you go?”
“Oh, I’m just tired.”
“Has Zane been giving you any more trouble since you put him in his place?” Declan teased.
“Nope. He even apologized.”
Declan gave an exaggerated gasp.
“My, my! You garnered an apology from the mighty alpha himself?”
I shoved him and laughed.
“Stop it, he might hear you!”
“So about tonight?” Declan asked.
“Maybe tomorrow. All that extra work today left me exhausted. And I still have to help clean up,” I said as I ran a hand through my hair.
Declan gave me a wink.
“Alright, just cookies then?” He pulled a box of chocolate chip cookies out from behind his back.
“You are literally the best person ever,” I sighed as I took a bite of a cookie.
“Seriously, are you an angel?” I teased.
“Nope, just the best friend ever. You don’t deserve me,” he joked.
I nudged him and we both laughed. I could feel my troubles fading away.
“Here, take a few more and I’ll walk you home.” Declan smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“Thank you, Declan.” I smiled at him as we began walking down the hill.
“For what? Gracing you with my rugged good looks?” he teased, making me laugh.
“Thank you for being my friend and always making me laugh.”
“You’re like a little sister to me, Ells Bells. I’ll always be here to take care of you and Sophie. You two were the only ones who accepted me when I first joined the pack.”
“Still, thanks all the same, Dec.”
Declan kissed my forehead and smiled at me.
“Goodnight, Ells.”
“Goodnight,” I smiled, waving at him as he made his way down the road to his own cabin.
I hesitated on my way to my place. It felt like I was being watched. I looked around but didn’t see anything, so I shrugged and opened the door. Suddenly, I heard a low growl.
I turned around to see a figure in the shadows.
“Who is it?” I asked hesitantly.
“It’s just me, Ella,” the figure said before stepping into the light.
“Zane.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“Do you often go around letting people kiss you?”
Not this again. I rolled my eyes and stood up straight.
“Zane, it’s been a long day. I’m exhausted.”
“Answer me, Ella.”
I huffed, frustrated we were having this same conversation.
“No, Zane. I don’t just let random wolves kiss me. I’m not some easy girl that lets anyone touch her!”
“Then why did you let him?”
“Who? Declan?” I shook my head.
“Declan is my best friend, more like a brother. There was nothing even remotely romantic about that little peck on the forehead.”
I stepped forward, now angry.
“What is it to you, anyway? You seem to keep forgetting that you rejected me. You gave up any claim you had on me two years ago. And I’ve been doing just fine on my own! So back off, Zane!”
Zane let out a quiet growl before stomping off.
I pushed through the front door and into my bedroom.
“Seriously?” I yelled as I threw myself on the bed.
“So much for Mr. I’m-trying-to-change! The nerve of that guy!”
I took a breath and tried to calm myself. I thought back to our conversation, the look in his eye.
He almost seemed jealous. I shook the thought away. He didn’t want me. I was nothing to him.
“I’m nothing…,” I whispered as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke still exhausted and drained. I dragged myself to the kitchen, took the biggest mug I could find, and filled it to the brim with coffee.
“Rough morning?” Mom asked as she walked in, grabbing her own coffee.
“I’m exhausted,” I replied, attempting to rub the sleep from my eyes.
“Well, how about as soon as we get breakfast made you can come back here and take a nice long nap before lunch prep? It’s just breakfast, we can manage one service without you.”
“I might have to take you up on that, I’m dragging today,” I replied, yawning as we made our way up the hill.
“You’ve been working hard lately. I’m grateful for the lighter workload, but you need to make sure you take time for yourself as well.” Mom rubbed my back as we entered the pack house.
We made breakfast and I grabbed myself a muffin before heading back down the hill. I collapsed on the bed and drifted easily back to sleep.