Chapter 63

(Tommy POV)

I walked slowly home, trying to think of the best way to explain to the others that we wouldn’t even get to spend one night in the house I had built for us. How was I going to explain to Maya that we had to leave because everyone was scared of her? Even if I tried to spare her feelings, she will know. She was already afraid that this would happen, and now I have to tell her that her fears have come true and I have to hide her away, trapped just like she had been with her father.

When I arrived back to the house I could hear talking and laughing coming from the other side of the door, and it made this even more hard to say. I opened the door slowly and saw Noah, Maya and Eli on the couch watching Star Wars playfully arguing. Maya looked so carefree and happy, so instead of saying anything just yet I walked over and wrapped my arms around her shoulder in a hug. She jumped at first not seeing me come behind her, but once she realized it was me, she giggled softly.

“Hey!” She said resting her hand on my arm.

“Hi!” I whisper to her.

“Hey Tommy, you are just in time! Maya says Return of the Jedi is the best Star Wars movie, but Noah and I are trying to convince her New Hope is the best. Come be the tie breaker!” Eli says with a laugh.

“Oh, New Hope no contest!” I say standing and walking around to join them on the couch.

“Oh, come on! So, no one is on my side?” Maya asked pouting.

“I’m sorry love, but it’s three against one!” Eli teased earning a playful smack from Maya.

“I have a feeling you guys will always agree! So why do I even bother trying?” Maya said annoyed.

“Aw don’t pout baby!” Eli said pulling her into a hug.

She pretends to try and escape from him begging Noah and I to help, but it’s more fun watching her laugh from Eli tickling her so we don’t intervene.
My laugh dies down as I remember the news, I need to share with them. Noah is the first to notice that I fall quiet and he turns to me and looks me over with a concerned gaze.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

I sigh. “We have to leave. Tonight.” I tell him softly.

“What?” Noah asks. “Why?”

“I walked in on Daniel fighting with my dad about Maya, about how he doesn’t want her here. He said that many others feel the same, and they think she is too dangerous. My father thinks we should leave now before the pack becomes too unsettled.” I explain.

“Daniel. I can’t believe he is doing this! Does he not realize he is only pushing Eli further away? Not that he cares I suppose.” Noah rolls his eyes at the thought.

“He doesn’t give a damn about Eli! Never has.” I say feeling my anger boiling up again.

“So, what are we going to do?” Noah asks.

“My father says there is a cabin we can stay in. He built it before I was born, but it’s still in good condition. It’s isolated and there is a protection spell around it. We should be safe there.” I tell him.

He nods and we both look to Maya and Eli.

“She is going to blame herself for this.” Noah says looking to me again.

“I know. But this isn’t her fault, and we need to just keep reminding her of that.” I say.

Noah nods in agreement. Eli soon notices something is wrong and eyes us both.

“What happened?” He asks pulling Maya closer to him as if to protect her from whatever we were about to say.

I let out a sigh and look to Maya. “Maya, I’m sorry but we can’t stay here.”

“What do you mean?” She asks eyes widening with alert.

“Some of the pack have spoken to my father and they are not happy with us. My father has tried to deal with them, but he thinks it would be safer if we spend some time away from here.” I try to explain to her without hurting her.

“They’re afraid of me.” She says softly.

“They’re afraid because they don’t understand you! They are letting their ignorance get the best of them, but we know the truth and we will make them see it.” I tell her firmly.

“No. They are right to be afraid of me! I don’t blame them. Your father is right, I shouldn’t be here.” She stands suddenly and starts to walk away.
I stand and chase after her grabbing her by the wrist.

“No Maya, you are not leaving alone. We are all going together!” I tell her.

She is does not turn to look at me and when I hear a sniffling sound, I pull her into my arms.

“We are not leaving you. We are sticking together no matter what, we promised you that! So, don’t try and run from us.” I tell her hugging her tightly.

“He is right Maya; we are not about to lose you again. We are all going together! So, let’s start packing.” Eli says heading for the stairs.

Maya pulls away from me slightly. “I am so sorry Tommy.”

Her eyes are red and puffy from crying but she looks as adorable as she always does, and I hug her again.

“Stop apologizing, this is not your fault! We want to be with you, as part of the pack or not it doesn’t matter. Come on let’s go pack.” I wrap my arm around her, and we walk up the stairs together.

(Maya POV)

Tommy had given me a pair of large suitcases for my stuff, which only cemented the fact that we would not be coming back for some time. He said although the cabin we would be going to is isolated, there are stores a few miles away. So, we can buy whatever else we need once we get there.

I start adding the clothes I have to one of the suitcases when Noah comes in.

“Hey! How’s it coming?” He asks.

“I am just packing everything I picked now, sorry am I running late?” I ask looking up to him.

“No there is no set time we need to leave, so take your time.” He takes a seat on the bed and watches me for a moment. “Are you ok? I mean I know you aren’t but…I mean are you…ok?”

I smile listening to him ramble.

“I am glad I won’t be alone. Honestly, I never want to feel alone again. That is the worst feeling I have ever felt. Having no one. I am sad that I am some kind of monster in the eyes of the pack, and because of me you guys have to turn your life upside down. So even though I hate being alone, I would pick that over what I have put you guys through.” I say sitting next to my suitcase playing with one of the tags on the shirt in my hand.

“Maya.” He stands and moves to kneel in front of me. “This pack had problems long before you came. The more traditional members have challenged almost every decision Tommy’s dad had made since he became alpha. There has never been an easy time here, and Eli and I have no happy memories here except the ones we made together. Us being friends has been the only thing keeping us here, and you just give us another reason to stay together. I wanted to leave many times, but I never could because Eli and Tommy are my only family and I couldn’t say goodbye. So, I stayed even though it hurt to. But with you, we could go anywhere and that would be home to us. You are the thing that completes us, and we would be happy anywhere as long as you are there too.”

My heart fluttered and jumped at his words. He had been so different, and a lot sweeter to me since I returned. He was baring his soul out to me with ease now, and every time it made me want to kiss him. It was surprising given how he was when we first met, but it was an amazing side of him that I was happy he had finally begun to show to me. I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair gently, and he melted into my touch. I rested my hand on the back of his neck pulling him gently, so he was closer to me, and he wrapped his arms around my waist holding me close with his head against my chest.

It was a simple thing, but when I could feel our heart beats sync with each other I feel the power of our connection and I am glad he is my mate. Our rough start has been long forgotten, and now it was like a second chance to let our bond bring us closer with each moment we were together. I could not wait to be bonded to Noah, so our bond could be sealed forever.

He needed me as much as I needed him.