14. Chapter 14
Girl Talk
“Hey Red. You doing alright? I promise he won’t bother you again, and we won’t touch you.”
CJ’s words have me focusing on the guys in front of me again. All four of them are surrounding me, watching me with clenched fists and worried eyes. Someone, I think it’s Erik, is growling deep in his chest. Having them around me does a ton more to ease me than trying to calm my thoughts did.
I take a deep breath, hoping to get more of CJ’s apple scent.
Instead, I get a symphony scents. Each smell is sweeter than the last and a humming purr rumbles my chest. My face turns beet red, and my eyes snap down to my legs as I pray to every god in existence that they didn’t just hear that.
I’ve never made a sound like that before, and I’m not sure what it means.
I decide that I need to say something to distract them from that embarrassing noise.
“Yeah.” My voice comes out in a barely audible whisper. It’s floaty and choppy, so I clear my throat and try again. “Yes, I'm fine. I really just want to go home and relax for a few hours, but I have … well, we have class in a few minutes so …”
“Actually,” Skylar's deep voice is like honey in my ears. Each syllable is spoken soft and slow, like he is using his words to caress my body without ever touching me. The way just the sound of him speaking sends heat rushing to my core, I’d almost believe he is doing exactly that.
“Professor Serena canceled her last class. She has a fledgling going through his first change and she wanted to be home early to get everything set up.”
Shit. His words remind me that tonight is my first shift as well as my birthday. I’m torn about what to think about it. I’m really excited to meet my wolf and manifest, but I’m also scared that it’s going to hurt.
I won’t be alone and Charles and Mandy both made sure to tell me that I can ask as many questions as I want before shifting tonight, but I don’t know what to ask.
James told me this morning not to worry about tonight.
He said that the shift doesn’t hurt and I’ll feel a lot better after ‘getting out of my human skin’. I’m not sure I believe him though.
“We can take you home, Red. If you want, we can all just hang out until the party tonight.”
CJ makes that sound so tempting. Hanging out with these guys is exactly what I want.
But that is also exactly why I shouldn’t do it.
I’m already too attached. I want them too much and I’ve been spending the last week completely avoiding them.
What will happen if I spend the afternoon with them?
Smelling their fruit salad concoction of scents and getting used to their domineering auras?
I’ll get my heart broken, that's what. I can’t be their friend until after I manifest. I’ve told myself this over and over again. Yet each time they try to talk to me or show me even the slightest attention, my heart and body cling to it like it’s the air I need to survive.
“That’s really nice of you to offer, but I don’t think I’m feeling up to it today. Maybe tomorrow okay? I’m just going to call Mandy and see if she can come get me. No need for you guys to go out of your way.”
The guys share a look between them. Erik grumbles in his chest, Hutch shakes his head no, and CJ and Skylar hold the others' gaze for a solid thirty seconds. It looks like they’re having a conversation, but none of them open their mouths.
I wonder, are they talking through their minds? Is that something wolves can do?
I know that in the books I’ve read, sometimes shifters have that ability. But Abby and the Lycans never mentioned anything like that. The implications of what wolves could do with an ability to speak to each other's minds is so crazy, my head is spinning.
“Don’t worry, Red. We were going back to CJ’s house anyway.
We don’t want to miss your birthday party.
” Erik smiles and his whole face lights up.
He is a beautiful man naturally, but when he smiles, that beauty changes into something heavenly.
He’s an angel sent from the gods, his smile confirms it.
Hutch comes around CJ and throws his arm across my shoulders.
Erik takes my hand and the two of them steer me out of the library.
I’m looking around as we walk down the hall, hoping I don’t see Camden or Conner.
I know that after the library, I won’t be able to handle it.
Erik squeezes my hand and Hutch hugs me gently as we make our way to the parking lot.
Hutch guides me to the large, lifted, solid black SUV.
There’s not a spot of color and the rims are just as black as the paint.
Not my usual style, but I can see the guys in it, cruising around the Reservation where no one can see them.
“In you go, Red.” Erik holds the back door open as Hutch helps me up into the back seat then slides in beside me.
Erik walks around the front of the car as CJ and Skylar walk out of the school.
Skylar has my bag in his hand and CJ is talking to someone on my phone.
I didn’t even realize I dropped the bag or phone when I crawled out from under the table.
He is off the phone before they get in the car and both men turn to hand me my things over the middle console.
“Who were you talking to?” I’m a bit hesitant to ask. It was my phone he was using, but he is an Alpha. He doesn't have to answer to me even if he is using my things.
“Mom. She was calling to see if you needed a ride home since she heard our class got canceled.” CJ turns back around and starts the car, but Skylar stays facing backwards in his seat, his eyes on me.
“You … you didn’t tell her did you? About what happened in the library?”
CJ meets my gaze in the rearview mirror for a second before pulling the car forward and making our way out of the parking lot. I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to answer. He waits until we are on the road headed to the house before he answers.
“I told them that you’ve had a bad day but that it wasn’t my story to tell.
I also let them know that you wanted to have a nap before the party tonight.
” He glances at me in the mirror once more.
“You should be good until morning, but they are going to ask and Dad is way too good at sniffing out lies, so I suggest you just tell them. You can also tell them that the guys and I handled it because we did. They don’t want to smother you, they love you and they want to make sure you are okay.
Hell,” He waves his hand around the car, indicating his next words include all of them.
“We barely know you and want to make sure that nothing happens to you. All I’m saying,” He parks the car in the driveway and turns to give me his full attention.
My breath is stuck in my lungs as I look into his blue eyes.
They are so pretty, so captivating. I can see why I’ve heard so many rumors about this pack.
Every last one of them is earth-shatteringly beautiful in their own way.
CJ looks like your typical boy next door with the aura of an Alpha that is strong enough to make anyone pause.
Erik is the big silent type, but just being around him makes me feel warm and cuddly.
Hutch is a joker with the looks of a pro athlete.
I can tell that if I let him stick around, I’ll never be bored.
And Skylar is deceptive in his looks. To see him without ever speaking to him, you’d think he was a typical nerd, so focused on the books that he wouldn’t have time for anything else, but I can see the fierce protector inside.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was the Lead Alpha.
“Is to let Mom baby you a little, okay? She needs it as much as you do.”
CJ hops out of the car when he finishes his sentence and the other guys follow.
I’m frozen to my seat, contemplating if I want to come out and tell Mandy what happened or just let it be over since the boys took care of it.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I do need comfort.
I’m still shaken up and I really just want a hug.
Erik is patiently holding the door open, waiting for me to get out.
I slide over to his side and he wraps his arms around my waist to help me down.
I know that he is a big person, but with his arms around me, I see just how much larger he is than me.
I should feel scared, especially after what happened with Camden, but I don't. I feel safe and warm in his arms. I want to stay here forever, but he doesn’t know that, nor does he want that, so he puts me on my feet and closes the door.
He stands there, and I’m confused as to what exactly he is doing. He isn’t moving, he’s just staring at me. It’s like he is waiting for something, but I don’t know what it is. Finally, I give up trying to figure out what he wants and I go inside.
He follows behind me and I realize that he was waiting for me to go inside so I wasn’t outside alone.
My heart melts at the thought. It’s so kind in a way that so many people take for granted.
I know that my cheeks are flushed but I ignore that when Mandy wraps her arms around me as soon as I’m through the front door.
“Happy Birthday, Little Wolf!” Mandy squeezes me so tight, all the air rushes from my lungs. Now I’m worried my face has gone from red to blue. “I heard you had a bad day. Want to talk about it?”
“Actually,” I pat her back then grab her shoulders and gently push her back a bit so I can breathe. “I kind of do. Can we talk in my room?”
I can see CJ and the guys smiling at me from the living room over Mandy’s shoulder. I smile softly back at them as Mandy grabs my hand and starts dragging me down the hall to the stairs. Charles, James and August are in the kitchen and they all wave, confusion on their faces, as we walk by.
“Girl talk, we’ll be back down in a bit.” Mandy calls over her shoulder as we pass by without stopping.
She drags me up the stairs, my legs working double time to keep up and not trip on the stairs. She doesn’t stop walking until we are in my room, sitting on the bed. She turns so she is facing me then waits patiently for me to start talking.
I thought it would be easy. I’ve talked about so many traumatic events before without a flinch, but now that she is sitting here, waiting for me to say something, the words are stuck on my tongue.
I can feel the tears welling in my eyes and I swallow a few times to get the lump out of my throat.
Mandy scoots over until she is beside me and she puts an arm on my shoulders.
Gently, she pulls me down until my head is on her chest. My arms go around her waist almost automatically and I hold her body to mine as she sweeps a hand over my hair, murmuring soothing words.
She tells me to take my time and that everything is going to be okay.
She says that no matter what it is, we will take care of it.
And her words settle in my heart, they ease the ache that’s been there since Camden first put his hand on my leg.
I can’t stop the torrent of explanations when they come.