Chapter 37

I grab a hard cider from a 12 pack that Alaric got for Celeste and I. Im not a beer person and neither is she. We found out when we were sixteen we like the fruit based drinks. That year was also the first time we got drunk. Since that was before our first shift, it was easy to get drunk. I literally threw up for 3 hours straight and woke up on the bathroom floor with a splitting hangover. Luckly i wasn't alone in the experience. Celeste went through the exact same thing with me.
I sit along side Silas and take his hand in mine as we listen to Celeste.
“Alright we’ll start over. The last person to have a drink left wins.” She goes back to her seat next to Alaric and we begin the game.
“Ill start us off. Never have I ever drunk dialed an ex?” Atlas smiles and watches as Celeste takes a reluctant drink.
“Low blow friend. Alright, never have I ever had a one night stand.” She smiles knowingly as all the guys took a drink. Im a bit taken back seeing he had a one night stand but seeing how hot and sexy he is. Im not crazy surprised. I cast off my judgmental thoughts and refocus on the game.
“Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.” Alaric chuckles and watches me and Celestes faces heat up as we take a drink.
“You’ve been skinny dipping?” Laughter erupts from my mate.
“When we were freshman, we did in the lake near the pack house.” I explain in defense. “Celeste made me do it with her! To impress some guy.”
This makes them laugh even harder. They are amused someone so inncent did something so shamless.
“Ok, Never have I ever been marked.” I narrow my eyes at Celeste and hers widen. She hesitates but her and Alaric take drink. I knew it. Shes been acting funny since this morning. “Lets see it!”
She pulls down her sleeve to show us the vines surrounding large black antlers. It’s like a balance between light and dark. Looking like some sort of labyrinth of delicate lines and leafs leading to the heart which are the antlers symbol.
“Couldn’t be patient for your mating ceremony huh?” I tease and slightly snort with laughter.
“Shut up. Don’t be such a bitch.” She rolls her eyes and takes a large swig of her drink. “Just because you want to stick with tradition, doesn’t mean I have to.”
“Who said I want to stick to tradition?” I raise my brows. I may be a potential Alpha, but i doesn’t mean have to follow tradition perfectly. I’ve decided I want him to mark me, but I’m waiting for the right moment. Ill admit I’ve been hesitant because of my pack members dislike towards him. I can understand their anger because it was his kind who kill so many of us. However he is not who they think he is. I can literally feel it down to my bones. He is a good guy.
“Really? You’re going to play that card? You have literally shunned guys so you can save yourself for your mate. You had suitors lined up to have a chance with you and you turned down and practically ignored each and every one of them. If that isn’t hardcore following tradition, I don’t know what is.” She rolls her eyes again and turns her head back to the group. “Alright lets continue.”
The rest of the night we continue to play and drink to our hearts content. I only got tipsy at best. Werewolves have amazing metabolism so its extremely hard to get drunk. Celeste hobbles to her room and uses Alaric as support. We’ve been arguing about tradition most of the night and she went through about 2 twelve packs.
We all head back to our rooms and Silas remains quiet on the way back. His face is tired and his eyes are drooping. He will probably crash onto the bed once we enter.
Turns out I was right. He right away throws on some sweat pants and falls onto the bed. I throw on some comfortable clothes and crash onto the bed next to him. Im beat, I could sleep for a month. He lightly chuckles and covers my body with the blanket. He cuddles up next to me and I flip over to face him. I snuggle up to his chest and breathe in his soothing pheromones. His arms make their way around me and brings me closer to him.
Now that I’m comfortable I can feel myself drifting off into sleep.
“Im head over heels for you, Angel.” He say quietly and places his soft lips on my forehead.
I smile and lightly nod my head. “ Me too.”
I fall into a deep sleep comfortable in his strong arms. They are warm and close me off from the world around me.
Morning comes and I’m woken up by light feathery kisses being planted onto my neck and the soft chirping of small birds outside the window. My eyes flutter open and become wide. Well, that one way to wake me up.
I place a hand on his chest and he stops his barrage of kisses. He lifts his face from my neck and gives me a sweet smile.
“Good morning, Angel.” He says with a happy sigh.
“Morning.” I smile back and give him a light peck on the lips. “What time is it?”
“About seven. We should get an early start.” He sits up and stretches out.
“Yeah, we should.” I slip out of the sheets and go into my duffle bag. I take out some black leggings, a light blue tank top, and some fresh undergarments. I go into the bathroom to change out of my pajamas and brush my teeth. I put on some white converse, and I grab my pajamas and go back into the room and see he is all ready to go. We head out and find everyone else is coming out of their rooms. Each one of them yawning and stretching. Obviously they didn’t want to get up.
“Lets get something quick to eat then hit the road right away. I can feel Aiden is quite close but his scent has slightly diverged off course of going south, now he’s now starting to go west.” I scrunch my brows. Did the rogues move? Or is Aiden just choosing a different route?
“It’s odd, and we should proceed with absolute caution. I still say if we get moving soon we should be able to catch up with him before he reaches the rogues.” Silas leads us to his vehicle. We throw our bags in and get into our designated seats. We pull out of the parking lot and grab something to go from a local Panera.
We all get bagels and smoothies so we can get right back onto Aiden’s trail. Which is getting quite close. Which is relieving and at the same time, unsettling.
I hastily gobble down my blueberry bagel and suck down my green passion fruit smoothie. My breakfast fills my stomach and my hunger is now satisfied.
By the time everyone is finished eating we turn on the radio and I hum along to ‘Forever After All’ by Luke combs. I keep my eyes out the window and watch the scenery of open fields and wooded areas. The summer breeze is causing trees and wildflowers to sway and the morning sunlight is reflecting off the morning dew on small plants.
About 20 minutes into the drive I open the window some to get some fresh air, because with so many people in one vehicle it gets quite stuffy.
Just as the window cracks open a particular scent floods the vehicle. I freeze in realization that Aiden is close. Extremely close.
“Pull over.” I manage to whisper and Silas does just as I said and pulls over. The car is now parked on the side of the country road and I quickly unbuckle my seat belt.
I jump out of the vehicle and immediately shift into my large wolf. After the quick bone breakage and growing, I take off towards a heavily wooded area where Aidens scent is emanating from. Everyone one is yelling for me to wait and trying to catch up, but I shut them out. My brother is near and nothing else matters.
I continue to sprint and and run through the tree line. Trees are whipping passed me and his smell is getting stronger and stronger. I find it comforting that I don’t smell any other scents in the area so he’s alone. Even Blanche confirms that she doesn’t sense any other werewolf presence in the forest. About a mile in, I see a dark figure sitting on a tree stump that is giving off a frightening aura. It’s so intimidating that it makes me second guess myself that if that’s Aiden. I slow my speed and decide whether or not to approach. Unfortunately some dried leafs crunch under my feet and the person turns toward me. A cloud finshes passing over the sun and light illuminates the figures face. Revealing that my fears are correct.
“Hello, sister.” My brother says in a low foreboding tone. He takes a step towards me, revealing a sinister sneer. I hope im wrong but he seems far more dangerous and unginged than before. I have a real fight on my hands.