{Chapter Eight}
To say that I'm nervous would be the understatement of the century. The air around me feels heavy and makes it harder to breathe. My thoughts are scattered like there's a circuit shorting out somewhere. The only thing that is able to fight its way through the fog is fear. Primal Fear. I twist my fingers to stop my hands from trembling. My gaze never leaving my lap. Every part of me is screaming to run and never look back. To not take the risk that they won't rip me to shreds the second they see me. I've been in Seth's car for ten minutes, sitting outside of Sam and Emily's. I can hear the sounds of laughter and plates being set on the table. The delicious aroma alone is enough to make my stomach growl in protest and lures me out of the car. I freeze at the door though, unsure if I should just walk in. I'm about to go back to the car when Emily appears in the doorway.
"Mia? Are you coming in?" she asks.
"Um...I don't think..."
"Come on. I'll make sure the boys behave themselves."
Before I can protest any further, she leads me into the kitchen. The silence that sweeps across the room is stifling. Then chaos irrupts as Sam launches himself at me. I close my eyes and brace for impact, but none comes. I crack an eye open and am shocked to find Emily standing in front of me, her arms spread wide.
"Enough, Sam."
"Out of the way, Emily. I don't want you to get hurt."
"The only way I'm getting hurt is if it's by you. Mia is not going to hurt me."
"She's one of them," he growls.
"She's one of you."
Sam stares down at Emily, silent as she continues.
"It was not her fault and I'm not about to let your arrogance or pride cost us a friend. She lost control, something that I'm sure you know all about."
Sam flinches at Emily's last words, his eyes tracing the scar on her face that he put there. He sighs, his shoulders dropping before he looks at me.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Emily is right."
"He hesitates for a moment before sticking out a hand for me to shake. I eye it before grasping it in my own.
"Truce?" he asks.
"I nod, "truce."
There is a collective sigh of relief and before I know it Jacob has me in a bone-crushing hug.
"I'm so glad we didn't have to kill you."
"Not as glad as I am," I say.
Paul nudges Jacob out of the way, "move it, Black. You don't get to keep the pretty girl all to yourself. Especially not when the real person she wants to see is right here."
He winks at me and I laugh before pulling him into a hug.
"Miss me?" I ask.
"Like you wouldn't believe."
He steps away and I look around noticing that even though Gabriel had walked in, he's not here.
"Where's Gabriel?" I ask.
"The Elders called a meeting with him. I guess they want to go over the terms of your stay and what to do about Asher," Sam says.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means that the Elders are still being the blind cowards that they always were," Gabriel says walking in.
His hair is tousled like it has been the victim of a few too many hand run-throughs. His shoulders are set as if he is ready to swing at anyone should they get in his way.
"That was a short meeting, what happened?" Sam asks.
Gabriel takes a seat at the table, his hand running through his hair.
"Goddamn Henry Waters happened."
"Henry Waters? He hasn't been to a council meeting in over a decade," Jacob says.
"Well he decided to be present for this one," Gabriel says.
Emily sets a beer down in front of him and he nods in thanks before taking a long drink.
"Son of a bitch cut my legs out from under me. Started going on and on about my reputation as an Alpha, asking why they should trust me when I let Asher get out of hand. I always knew Waters had it out for me, never thought he would use Asher as a way to get to me though. I warned them about Asher the second I thought something was wrong, but they didn't listen. Their damn pride refused to let them believe that one of their own would betray his pack, his alpha, or the reservation."
"Paul scoffs, "they dropped the ball on that one then."
"So, what does all that mean for Mia? And what does it mean for us in regards to stopping Asher?" Jacob asks.
"Mia is safe, at least from them. They agreed to the Cullen's terms. As for Asher, they don't give a rat's ass. They say that since he was banished from the reservation and the pack, he is not their problem."
"But he is a threat to the reservation," Sam says.
"Not as they see it. According to them, he's a threat to Mia and Mia is one person so.."
"So, the reservation comes before Mia," Sam says.
"Which means..." Paul says.
"Which means that they don't care if Mia lives or dies as long as the reservation is safe," Jacob says.
We all look at Gabriel and he nods, confirming Jacob's statement.
"Well, that's just a load of bull..."
"Lunch is ready!" Emily calls out.
We all grab a plate and sit at the table, the conversation turning to something lighter. After everyone is finished Gabriel gets up to leave.
"I'm going to head out. See if I can find anything on What Asher's next move is. I'll call if I find anything."
He pulls me into a hug, "don't go anywhere alone. I don't want you making things easier for Asher."
"I won't," I say.
He lets me go and heads out the door. After a few hours of goofing off with the rest of the guys, they head on patrol. I head upstairs to my new room. I just clear the doorway when I am slammed against the opposite wall, a hand tight around my throat.
"Did you honestly believe that you would be safe from me here?" Asher growls.
He squeezes my throat and I claw at his hands trying to loosen their grip.
"That those mutts could protect you from me? That I wouldn't find you here?"
"Please," I choke out.
His grip is still tight as he steps closer to me. His body is pressed against mine and he buries his nose in my hair.
"No one is going to keep you from me. No one."
His lips press to mine in a show of brute force and I struggle to get away from him.
"You are mine," he growls.
Suddenly he is ripped away from me and I collapse to the floor. My hand rubs my throat as I gasp for the breath that was withheld from me. Seth throws Asher across the room. Before Asher can get up, Seth is on him. He throws punch after punch and grabs him by the throat, lifting him in the air.
"You will never touch her again," Seth growls.
Asher laughs, "afraid she likes it too much, lover boy?"
The growl that rips from Seth's throat is one of a predator. Asher smiles at the sound, blood dripping from his nose. Seth's whole body is shaking uncontrollably. It will only be a matter of minutes before he loses complete control, I know it and Asher knows it too. Seth tries to calm himself down and the distraction gives Asher time to break free. He twists Seth's wrist until Seth is on his knees. He locks eyes with me and smiles before plunging his hand into Seth's chest. Seth lets out an earthshaking roar.
"She might love you, but she will always belong to me. I'm in her head, lover boy. How long do you think it will take for me to have complete control again? For me to convince her to rip your heart out and eat it? Everything she is is because I say so. Everything she does is because I allow it. Every thought she has is because I put it there. Her heart might be yours, but her soul is mine."
I find the strength to get to my feet and hiss in pain. My only thought is to stop him from hurting Seth. I charge at Asher and we go crashing through the window. The last thing I hear before darkness takes me is the sound of Seth screaming my name.
Author's Note: I told you guys it was going to get a little more exciting. I'm super excited about the next few chapters because I new character is introduced. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! Happy reading-Jess