Six

As the days grew brighter, and the slushy snow started to disappear, I found myself training outside more with Drew on the grounds. Dominic and he had reached some sort of arrangement about my training schedule and I was constantly exhausted. I couldn't even enjoy watching a movie with the guys without falling asleep on one of their shoulders.

By Friday I was wrecked but I still made myself presentable. I was not going to miss date night. Wearing my hot pink hoodie dress, paired with white leggings, I brushed my hair, put my fading blue hair up in a ponytail and walked out. I got halfway to the door when Gemma let out a hopeful sound as she scratched around her in her jungle gym, which I'd spray painted a dark green. The first level housed her bed, food and water and her litter tray and could be locked so she could play and we wouldn't have to worry about her wandering off. Dom had decked the three other stories with ladders, climbing ropes and toys. As it was, I heard her skidding down the ladder, crying pitifully.

'No baby, you stay and play.' I called out shutting the door.

Minutes later, I was walking into Dom's apartment, trying not to feel guilty, watching my guy whipping up a storm. I saw a bowl of fried rice, some sweet n sour pork and satay skewers placed on the table. In the center of the table, there were two long white candles that were giving off a nice coconut scent. I couldn't help but smile a little. He knew I loved coconut scented things.

'You're right on time.' He said walking over to hug and kiss me. 'Where's Gemma?'

'Um it's date night? She's with dad. I caught him cuddling her this morning. It was so cute.' I replied with a giggle. Grinning, he led me to the table.

'I was in the mood for Asian food.' He said with a smile. I sat down and he walked back to the bench and brought back a huge bowl of a stir-fry of some kind.

'It looks and smells awesome. It looks like one of you boys knows how to open a book.' I said eyeing Anna's red cooking book. Anna was lover of food and because she had lived all over the world, she'd accumulated hundreds of recipes and finally after much encouragement she had put them all together along with photos and self-published four books filled with delicious recipes. I'd had a bit of a look days ago just after they arrived, but I was glad Dom was finding a use for them.

Snorting, Dom jabbed a skewer at me. 'I read.'

'Comics don't count.' I retorted picking up a sweet n sour skewer biting into the juicy, tender meat.

I moaned happily. 'Anna will be so impressed.' I gushed. Dom grinned.

'I'm glad you like it.' He said ducking his head to eat. After we'd cleared the plates, he handed me a glass cup filled with strawberry mousse and we sat on the sofa to talk which ended with a passionate make out session that left us breathless, when a knock came at the door.

'If it's one of my brothers...' he muttered to himself as he pushed off of me, casually adjusting his crotch which made me go beet red. When he opened the door, I saw Drew with a carry-on bag. He looked apologetic but he strode in while I eyed his duffel bag with distaste.

'You're going on a mission?' I asked.

'Uncle Matt needs me. I've already been away for a while and since he's gone up to Seattle to start another command center, he's asked me to come up.' He said sitting on the edge of the sofa.

'But, we've barely gotten to know each other.' I hated sounding selfish but I couldn't help it.

'Hey, kiddo, it's not forever. Besides, in a few months you'll be graduating. You'll probably be posted with me soon enough.'

'You're kidding right?' Dominic asked angrily.

Drew didn't answer immediately. 'Belle is ahead of her classmates. She's already in the older class and she'd be top of her class if she didn't have the Danshov's to contend with. Belle will have a choice of where she goes.'

'No, I meant about her joining your unit. Belle stays with me.'

'You know possessiveness isn't great qualities in a man, right Belle? Besides, how would our father feel about you shacking up with his friend?'

'Alright, get the fuck out of my apartment.' Dom growled. With a roll of his eyes, Drew sent me a sharp look and stalked out. I made to follow but Dom grabbed my arm. 'You can't be serious.'

'I'm not. Allie and Abby want to be a girl hunting team so yeah, I'm fine with sticking around, but if you think you can make me choose between you and Drew, you don't know me very well.' I replied yanking my arm out of his grip.

His eyes widened and I knew I had deeply hurt him. 'Belle...'

'Stop it.' I snapped jogging out the door. Drew was already heading down the stairs when I crash tackled him. We rolled down the staircase cursing at each other. In the end, I landed on his back while he grumbled to himself. A few warriors seemed to find this hilarious and Seamus and Niall arrived, pulling me to my feet.

'If you're trying to injure me to stop me from leaving, you didn't do a good job.' Drew said as he stood up and pulled his tee-shirt down.

'I'll break your leg next time.' I taunted.

'Aw lass, what's wrong?' Seamus asked with a wink.

I faked a pout. 'My biggest most annoying brother is leaving me.'

'You don't crash tackle us when we leave.' Niall smirked.

I snorted. 'I bake you cookies.'

'And the best cookies they are.' Seamus said wrapping an arm around me for a few seconds before he and his brother departed. Shaking his head, Drew took my head and we strolled through the corridor.

'I'll miss you.' I blurted and he smiled.

'I will too, and I'll text and call you all the time. I'm sorry about you and Dom. I just don't like you being with him.'

'It's because he lied to me about you right?'

'No but...Dom was our dad's friend. Now he's following you around and you're doing...stuff with him.' He grimaced and I sighed. 'It's just...going to take me time to get used to it. Hell, I knew the guy when I was a kid.'

'You're going to have to get over it.'

'I don't want him to hurt you.' Drew muttered as we walked outside. I breathed in the freezing air shivering a little.

I folded my arms feeling defensive. 'Maybe he won't.'

'Have you bonded yet?'

I almost screamed in annoyance. 'You know I haven't. I wish people would stop going on about it. Either it'll happen or it won't. It's not that big of a deal.'

He sighed as he walked to a black SUV. 'Just be careful with him okay? Take your time. You're only seventeen after all.'

'Fine, whatever. Why are you driving at night anyway?' I asked while he shrugged looking unconcerned. Instinctively I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around his middle burying my head into his chest.

'I'll see you around, kid.' He said, not answering my question, opening the car door and tossing his duffel bag into the passenger seat. I stepped back and watched him drive away fighting tears. I was still sniffling when someone wrapped their arms around me. I didn't care who it was; I buried my head into their chest and let the tears out.

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Two weeks later, I was done with training for the day, and had checked my phone for the fortieth time today. Drew had gone radio silent since the day he'd left. I'd called the new compound in Seattle, but some woman had answered and had bitterly told me to lay off. So, I had stopped calling.

Knowing Drew had lied to me, I didn't know how to feel about it and now that the Frey's had left to set up a Control Centre in New Jersey, I was left alone seeing as Dom had gone with them. Since then, it had been radio silence. I was starting to suspect something was going on.

I paced his apartment, which I had moved into, thanks to dad getting sick of cleaning up after Gemma who kept pooping on the floor.

'Mew?' Gemma asked, as the werecat ran up my legs, her nails as sharp as needles, using me like a tree. Once she was at my waist, I snagged the little kitten up and cuddled her to my neck.

'What?' I asked kissing her soft fur.

'Mew.' She sounded sad, how I knew that, I had no idea but I sighed rubbed her tiny head before putting her on the couch.

A knock at my door made me jump and I rushed to open the door, stepping back in surprise. Aunt Jordan and Hamid stood, well Hamid towered over his mate like a bear.

'Happy belated birthday!' Jordan trilled pulling me close. Suspicious, I narrowed my eyes. Jordan and Hamid had been hunting in England last time I checked.

'Mew.' Gemma meowed loudly. It seemed I wasn't the only one that wasn't surprised. Suddenly it all clicked. I don't know how it did. First Drew left, and then a day later the Frey's had all left.

'You have got to fucking kidding me!' I spat, ignoring Hamid's cocked eyebrow.

'Sara gave me a werecat to keep me here so they could all go off hunting for the master, didn't they?' I demanded, rounding on her ignoring Hamid's possessive growl.

'Belle...'

'HE KILLED MY FAMILY. I DESERVE TO KNOW.' I screamed at them ignoring Gemma's wail. Jordan's eyes were round and she looked up at Hamid, uncertain.

'They may have a lead.' He said finally.

'Belle, it's so small they didn't want to say until they knew for certain.'

'And they sent you here to keep me here.'

'And to help complete your training. Apparently, you're graduating in a few months.' Hamid said appraisingly as he sat down on my couch. Gemma hissed him at him but he ignored her.

'Yeah, I got upgraded. Let's go back to the tiny lead they found.'

Hamid shook his head. 'I don't know what it is exactly.'

'You're with the council. Spill.'

'Or what?' He asked looking at me as if I was being childish. Maybe I was, but that master had killed my parents and now the people I loved were hunting him. Spinning on my heel, I rushed from the room, ignoring Jordan's calls. I made it to the kitchens, breathless, but my angry tears told Abby everything. Gathering me into her arms she held me while I sobbed into her chest.

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It turns out, Hamid was one tough instructor. Like Dom and Drew, he knew when I was slacking and would push me harder. Of course, I had other things on my mind these days. I had a rapidly growing kitten who demanded attention twenty-four-seven, a ruthless trainer who didn't seem to mind if he broke my body in half as long as I learnt a new move, and the Frey's and Drew still hadn't spoken to me. It wouldn't kill them to tell me they were still alive god damnit. The fire in my body kept me awake. I spent sleepless nights merging with my mori and kicking the crap out of any unsuspecting warrior who decided to put me through my paces. Not even Seamus or Niall would train with me anymore, only Lucious Eric was willing to take me on.

Dad was reading in the library on the east wing when I stumbled in feeling sore, yet thankful for the weekend to begin. I needed two days away from Hamid. Sitting on dad's lap, like I had done when I was young, I leant against him. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed the top of my head.

'I don't like this.'

'I feel the same way. I have asked Tristan for news but there isn't any. It is getting a little worrisome.'

'Why are they locking us all out? They could at least be telling you, unless you're lying to me again.' I mumbled to myself.

'I am not lying to you, but it'll all work out, you'll see.' Just in case he had jinxed it, I rapped on wood three times and got up.

'I better go feed Gemma.' I said walking away.

'Join me for dinner.' Not a request, an order.

'Sure.' I replied over my shoulder.