Chapter ten

Nudge

Whenever we stopped to rest Michal watched my every move, even when he was a giant wolf. It was a little creepy the way he watched me; he was probably still embarrassed about last night. Max was a little worried. She didn't know for sure whether we could trust any of these people. For some reason I felt drawn to Michal and felt like I could completely trust him. I decided that I would try to talk to him the next time he phased back to human.

My chance came when we were heading back home, when he had actually taken his eyes off of me long enough to go get some pants.

Shaking in my boots, I made my way over to where he sat on the ground, watching my every move again. "Hi," I started, feeling kinda silly. "We didn't really have that great of an introduction last night so I thought we could start over. I'm Nudge."

His skin pigment turned a shade darker as the blood-flow to his cheeks increased. He was blushing! "I'm Michal. Uh…sorry about last night… I kind of made a fool out of myself and I was worried about how you took it."

I felt the rush of blood to my cheeks as well. "It's fine, but why were you so nervous? You looked like you really wanted to talk to me but completely lost your nerve when you came over."

"I did, but your right I lost my nerve. I don't know what happened," he admitted sheepishly.

Smiling uncontrollably, I plopped on the ground beside him—trying to seem casual. "Well what did you want to talk about?"

"I just wanted to introduce myself and have a chance to get to know you better. It kind of sounds weird but I really want to know more about you."

"I don't even know you," I said wondering why he was so interested in me. "But you really seem to…you know, like me, and no cute guy's ever been into me, you know?" Then, realizing what I had just said, I averted my eyes with embarrassment. My entire face burned and I felt sweat form at my temples. "Not to say you're cute or anything—" My eyes widened and I whipped to face him again, noticing his fallen expression. "No! That came out totally wrong! I mean, you're, like, the hottest guy I've ever seen!" More burning, more sweat, more embarrassment. "Er, no, I mean—" Finally, giving up, I sighed. "I'll shut up now," I muttered, burying my face in my knees.

"I don't want you to hide from me," he said as he moved in front of me and gently lifted my chin so that I was once again looking at him. "And you have no reason to shut up. I like talking to you."

"Why though? I mean you must have someone else that would be way better to hang out with then me. I'm not even that interesting."

"I guess it would seem that way to someone who didn't know," he said, seeming like he wanted to say a lot more but didn't quite know how to. "And I find you very interesting."

"Someone who didn't know what?" I asked hoping he would tell me. I had a feeling that whatever he was avoiding telling me was connected to why he always seemed to be watching me and why I felt drawn to him.

Before he had a chance to reply to my question Max walked over.

"Nudge can I talk to you for a minute,"

"Sure," I said before turning towards Michal. "I'll be right back. I'm still expecting an answer." I turned to follow Max away.

After we had walked far enough away so as not to be overheard Max stopped and turned to face me.

"So, what's with you and that guy?" she asked referring to Michal

"I really don't know. I was just trying to find out the answer that question. He's been watching me all day…Now that I think of it he looks at me the way Jacob always looks at Renesmee." I said trying to piece it together but having no luck.

"So you have no idea why he keeps staring at you like that."

"I don't but I think he was going to tell me before you interrupted."

"I don't want you hanging out with him. We don't know anything about him and I don't like how he's been watching you."

"Yes mom," I said sarcastically.

"Watch your tone young lady"

"I don't care what you say I am going over their to finish my conversation and you can't stop me." With that I turned on my heel and stormed back over to Michal sitting back down beside him.

"What was that all about?" he asked me

"Oh Max is just being paranoid. She doesn't want me talking to you for some reason. I don't care though she can't rule every thing in my life. She needs to let me make my own choices sometimes."

"Won't she be mad that you are talking to me when she doesn't want you to?"

"She'll get over it, I'm not a baby anymore and she can't treat me like one. So to repeat my earlier question, someone who doesn't know what?"

"You see since I'm a werewolf…" he started then looked over to where the other wolves sat glancing at us and snickering. " Um…you know what never mind." He said getting up quickly and starting over to them the last thing I heard him say was "idiot". How could I have been so stupid I should have followed Max's advice. I got up and walked back to where some of my flock was.

Iggy's POV

Were where they? The flock had been gone all day. They're never gone this long. I bet they took off searching for Fang without me. Maybe they got caught… No, they're too smart for that and I don't think it was the school that attacked us. Max's mom got home hours ago but she hadn't seen them. She told me not to worry because they can take care of themselves. It didn't make me feel better and as the hours went by I got more concerned. I don't care if my wing isn't fully healed tomorrow; I'm not being left behind again.

"Ms. Martinez," I called.

"What is it Iggy?" she said as she walked into the room I shared with Gazzy.

"Have you heard from the flock yet? I'm really starting to worry that something happened."

"No I haven't heard from them, but I'm sure they'll be back soon. By the way, how's your wing?"

"Better. I think I'll be good as new tomorrow."

"You guys and your quick healing," she said jokingly hiding her worry. "Well you really should get some rest; you've had a rough couple days."

"Alright. I guess me being up worrying won't solve anything anyway."

"There shouldn't be anything to worry about anyway they are all able to take care of themselves."

She then left me alone but I knew that neither of us would get any sleep until the flock was home safe.

Another couple hours passed before I finally heard my flock trying to sneak back into the house being as quiet as possible. Suddenly I heard a yelp coupled with a cry of pain and a thump. So much for sneaking in; they where going to hear it now.

"OUCH, watch it." I heard Total say loud enough to wake the whole house.

"Sorry Total, I didn't see you there." Angel said

After that I decided to get up and go downstairs. I wanted to get an update about the search, find out if they knew anything more. I also heard Max's mom and Ella get up and head downstairs.

"Max where were you, do you have any idea how worried I've been?" Ms. Martinez started sternly but before she was able to continue she started crying. "I thought that the school got you four again, I don't know what I would have done if that happened." She said as I heard the shuffling of feet and wrinkling of clothing and assumed that she had moved closer and pulled Max into a hug.

"I didn't want to worry you but I found out that Max 2 and Omega are at least partly responsible for Fangs disappearance. I had to look; I can't stand him being gone." Max replied sounding on the verge of tears herself.

"Do you think that he's at one of the school's?" I asked wanting to get more information. I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault that he was taken. If I had been paying more attention I would have heard our attackers in enough time we may have both got away, at least stood a chance in the fight.

"No, I don't think that Itex has anything to do with this. I have a feeling that Fang was wanted for something else I just don't know what that is or why they took him." Max answered.

"We will find him Max as long as we don't give up on him we'll get him back." I said wanting to make her feel better. But I knew it wouldn't help.

We all felt lost without Fang.