Chapter 40 - A call from home

***Hopes pov***

We stayed in each others arms for most of the day. Callum dozed off now and then, tired from the night he’d had. The ceremony was scheduled for tomorrow night, that gives us about thirty-six hours.
“Callum, are you awake?..”
“Mmhmm..”
“How come Kevins brother didn’t want to stay in this pack?
“ Its complicated, I wasn’t here, I was away on my training when it all happened.. Kevins brother has Alpha blood, he was the son and heir to the Sunset pack.” Callum started
“To join a new pack is hard on anyone, but for an Alpha..its almost impossible..so he chose to leave..” His arms caress me while he speaks, like he needs to feel me a little bit more than usual.
“What about Kevin? Doesn’t he have Alpha blood as well? They are brothers right?” I ask.
“ Well, half brothers actually. Alpha Sam and his mate Margo were chosen mates..Not everyone is lucky enough to find their destined mate..so they pick a chosen one they like or love…Margo met her real mate, he was an omega, a blacksmith in a neighbor pack and they had an affair…before Sam killed him…Kevin is the result of that affair…Both Sam and Margo went downhill from there. Sam for being betrayed and Margo for losing her destined mate. When the attack came, the pack was in such bad shape, they lost to the vampires in a couple of hours..or so I've been told.”
“Oh..thats awful..”
“Yeah..Kevins brother wanted to take him with him but my father stopped it, explained the child needed a pack growing up.”
“I’m glad, I really like Kevin!”
“Me too..after seeing him in battle..goddess, I was so impressed..I was thinking of letting him step up, to teach the others his moves.”
I thought it was a great idea, I am so curious about this young man.
My phone started to ring on the table beside me, I looked at the caller id, it was Maya. I pressed the automatic choice that said I can't answer right now..feeling a little bad doing so, but I need a clear mind before I talk to her and there is just so much going on…

***Mayas pov***
Its been so long since I talked to Hope. She sends me texts, telling me she is ok and she will explain everything later.
I feel annoyed as I slide the key in to her door.
***“ Can U plz swing by my place to collect the mail and water my plants? XO”***
That was her latest text. Of course I will help her, I would do anything for her, she is my best friend, the sister I never had and I love her to death but is an explanation to much to ask for? This is so out of character for her and that’s what makes me worried, really worried.
As I enter her apartment I’m met with a stale smell and soon I see why. There are dirty dishes in the sink, most of the plants are on the brink of death and not a single ventilation is open.
I walk around, opening windows, watering plants, gather dirty laundry spread around the apartment. I do the dishes and scrub the sink. I open the refrigerator and I throw most of the contents away.
“What have you got yourself into Hope?” I say out loud to my self.
This is not a person who planned a trip, you don't leave your place like this if you know you won't be back for a while.
Suddenly I feel cold, almost nauseous, I haven't spoken to her, we have just been texting. What if someone hurt her or worse and has her phone and is answering so no one will suspect anything?
I pull out my phone and press the home button.
“Call Hope”
I listen to the signal and then the call is cut and I receive a message.
“Cant answering right now, ” Its an automatic answer!
“If you dont call me back right now Hope I am calling the police! NOT KIDDING!”
I send the message and wait 30 seconds before my phone rings.
*“Hi Maya!”* Hopes voice say when I answer the call. Relief is washing over me and I feel the tears burn as i close my eyes. I’m so happy and at the same time furious.
*“Hi Maya?? Is that all you got for me? I’m worried sick and when I came to your place I was sure you were dead! This place is a mess by the way, I want an explanation right now!”*
*“I know,I know, I know and I am so so sorry! Its a lot to explain but I will try.”*
I can hear her bad conscience so I keep quiet.
*“ I kind of met the love of my life, my soulmate actually”* she starts.
I’m baffled to say the least. Hope is not the one to drop everything for a guy, she is the opposite, always thinking at least three times before entering any kind of relationship and often comes to the conclusion that it is a bad idea in the end.
*“I know is sounds weird and so not me, but Maya, Its amazing! He is amazing! I cant wait for you two to meet and to show you Great falls! Its a beautiful…”*
*“ Wait! What?? Great falls?? You are in Great falls??*” I cut her of almost screaming
*“Yeah, I am. Callum lives here.”*
*“Oh, so his name is Callum? And he took you to Great falls so fast that you couldn’t even do your freaking dishes or empty the refrigerator for leftovers? or pick up your dirty sheets from the floor or I dont know, perhaps tell your best friend?!! Sounds like a super duper kind of guy Hope, a guy who cuts you off from your life completely and takes you away from everything you know and love, yeah, sounds like a real keeper!”* I feel the venom in my voice and I feel bad instantly, but I can't help it, a big part of me feels betrayed.
She sounds calm and happy and in love and still she doesn’t care for making people who love her worry and wonder, that pisses me of.
*“Atleast tell me you spoke to your mother? Or did she get texts as well?”*
I can hear her swallow on the other side of the line and I know the answer to my question.
*“Fuck Hope…what happened to you?..dont mind me, I’m a big girl, I'll get over it, but your mom? You know she is worried on a good and normal day, what will this do to her?”*
Hope is still silent on the other side and I dont know what more to say. I’m not her parent or guardian, she is an adult and can do whatever she wants, no explanation required, but to say it doesn’t hurt would be a lie.
*“Call your mom Hope…and text me if you need me.* *You know I love you…”* And with that I ended the call, feeling drained, I slumped down on the couch and closed my eyes.

***Hopes pov***
I hear the click when the call is cut and I take the phone away from my wet cheek.
What was I thinking? I was so happy, everything was a bliss and my path was set so I walked it, without any thoughts about anything else but Callum, Luna and Ambrogio.
I was on a quest with my prince and together we would slay the evil and live happily ever after! Just like in the books I read to the children at the daycare center.
The children, my heart aches as I feel how much I miss them.
And my wolves, Yummie, Handsome, Cupcake and the rest..I haven’t even seen the pups since I helped deliver them…
Reality suddenly strikes me hard and I turned to Callum. I know, with his wolf hearing he had heard everything. I saw the pain and the guilt in his eyes, Mayas words got to him.
“I’m so sorry Hope…”
“Callum..”
“No, I will fix this, I promise!”
“No, Callum, its ok..”
“Don’t worry about anything, I will fix this Hope!”
Callum came and took me into his arms, buried his nose in my hair and stroked my back.
“ Do you trust me?” he asked
“ You know I do” I answered and kissed his neck.
“Then trust me and don’t you worry about a thing. “ He says and at the same time there is a knock on the door. He gives me a deep kiss and my nerves instantly calm down but ignite at the same time
“ I linked Cathy to keep you company” He lets me go to open the door.
“Spoil my princess to day, if you see a wrinkle of concern on her face you are not doing it right” he says to Cathy, kisses her head, gives me a wink and heads out the door.