"Come on sleepy head it's time to wake up. You've slept long enough." I stir from my beautiful dreams dancing in my head. I hear Mary calling me to wake up me up. Her weight on the bed made the mattress sag. I smile and roll over pulling the covers over my head giggling and hiding. "Oh no you don't come on now you've been asleep since yesterday. Come on sweety...I have yummy coffee." She cooed me trying to coach me out from under the covers. I could smell the sweet coffee she promised and I finally gave in sitting up.
"Ok fine. But coffee first...Please." I say throwing the covers off me. "How did I get into bed?" I ask as she hands me the cup of coffee that was promised. Smiling I sit up and look out around my room. I see my bag and I see Antony's bag. I assume Antony is staying in my room with me. A smile forms on my face at the thought of him staying with me. I sit up sipping my coffee and take everything in.
"Antony brought you in and put you into bed. John and I got up here a few hours after you two arrived. We all agreed that after you didn't come down for a while that we would all go to bed." She pauses taking a moment to think. Shaking her head she changes the subject. "So you stayed at the bar huh? What Eirik have some secret rooms hidden away for his pleasure?" I shake my head no and just continue letting her ramble on. " So anyway, John and I took one of the guest bedrooms. I hope that's ok. I also, kinda, started going through the closets looking for a dress. I think I found one for myself. But we need to find one for you. Oh also we are going riding today and having a picnic over at the . Please don't flake on that. I'm really looking forward to seeing John on horse back. It should be quiet interesting."
"Breath sweety breath. It's ok to stop for a minute and take a breath." I say as Mary rambles on about how long I've been sleeping and how much fun everything is going to be. Though, at that point I stopped listening to her. All I could think about was getting a nice warm shower. "Is it really cold or anything outside?" I ask as I look around. Mary has a confused look on her face.
"It is cold but it's not real cold. Nothing snow worthy. Why? We are just riding out to the cabin right? We can let the boys start a fire if you want. We all can get closer to nature." She eyes me and something seems like she wants me to ask her what she means, but oh well I don't care. " You and Antony can get some alone time together. You two seem to really be hitting it off. And you're really cute together." Mary says following me into the bathroom.
I never really cared about privacy with Mary. It wasn't like I was shy with her. We were basically sisters. I strip out of my work clothes and climbed into the shower. As I bathed and washed my hair, I looked out the tinted window and to the openness of the back yard. It was a nice day. Though, everything was dead as winter was beginning. I figured jeans, a simple black t-shirt, a pull over hoodie, and a pair of boots will do just fine. I could hear Mary still rambling on about something but the shower drowned her out enough to where I couldn't understand her. I finished my shower, grabbed my towel that was hanging on the hook, and dried off. Stepping out I wrapped my towel around me and looked at Mary.
"So do we have anything else planned? Did you pack the food?" I asked as I went back out into the bedroom. Heading straight for my closet and Mary takes a seat on the queen Anne chair in front of the bed. I rummage through my closet looking for my boots and jeans. Mary throws me my panties and a bra.
"Just things to roast by the fire really. John and I plan on taking the horses around the property." She says smiling sweetly at the entrance to my closet.
"That's fine. Just make sure when you get to the cabin that y'all have what you need " I say puling on my jeans and snatching a shirt off the hanger. I pull on the shirt and the hoodie and step out of the closet.
"Also, John and Antony has some friends that are in town. They are having a party. You know 'man' stuff." She says making the air quotes. Shaking her head she just laughs. She goes back to her seat on the Queen Anne chair.
"Really? That's very interesting. I had a few guys at the bar talking about coming into town for a get together. They were all really cute too. Oh, and they are southern." I say still digging in my closet for my riding boots. "OH MY GOD WHERE ARE MY FREAKING BOOTS!" I yell as I sit on my butt and look at the mess around me.
"Really? Southern?..." She trails off and starts muttering under her breath something that I don't hear. "Hey I'll be right back I want to see what the boys are doing." She gets up and heads for the door.'
"Yes and yes, and I'll be down as soon as I find a pair of boots." I call after her. I hear the door shut then I hear her running down the hall. "Hmm oh well guess she forgot something. Now where the hell did I put those stupid boots?" I get up from the closet and sure enough there they are. I stand on my tip toes and grab my boots off the shelf. I pull one on and hop on my other foot trying to put on the other boot. Once I have them both on and I'm satisfied with everything I turn and look at my closet. "Oh my God, Ms. J is going to kill me for leaving this place a hot mess. Maybe I can get Mary to help me clean it up. I head for the door and make my way downstairs. Walking into the foyer I head straight for the kitchen to get more coffee. Just before I walk into the kitchen I hear everyone talking through the door. I stand there for a moment eavesdropping.
"Look she knows Marcus, Sean, and Jack are here. They were at the bar..." Mary was yell whispering at someone. I assumed it was the boys. I tried to hear what they were saying but I couldn't make out what the boys were saying. After a few moments I heard Mary speak up again. "She's need to know." Then I heard someone slam something on the counter.
"Enough...No...just enough." Antony said in a harsh tone. Harsh enough I flinched and I don't flinch.
"No you need to tell her or I swear I will." Mary says
I backed away from the door trying to decide if I should go in. Before I could make up my mind on what to do Antony came out of the kitchen nearing knocking me down. "Jesus Lili I'm so sorry are you ok? I didn't know you were there." he says grasping my arms in his hands keeping me up right. I'm stunned and don't know what to say. I don't know if I should say something or if I should just keep my mouth shut. I just stared at him. Then Mary and John came out and I must have had a deer in head lights look because they all just stared at me.
I finally spoke. "No I'm fine...ah… bit startled but I'm fine. So what's going on? Is everything ok?" I say straightening up my hoodie as Antony releases my arms. I try to make small talk and make like nothing is bothering me. Then Eirik's words ring in my head. Running a marathon around my brain. Everyone starts milling about John and Mary grab the basket, Antony takes my hand and we all make our way out to the stables.
The stables are a brisk 20 minute walk from the house. Mary was right, it was a really nice day today. All of us were comfortable, well most of us. Eirik's words were screaming in my head and I just couldn't wait to get on horse back and just ride. We approached the stables and the horses were already out and ready, waiting for us. Mary and I checked the horses and I was surprised to see Antony checking his choice of horse. I smiled shaking my head thinking ' Wow a man that knows his stuff about riding.' Still I could hear what Mary was talking about. I really wish I didn't know anything about anyone. My life was simpler when I didn't know anything. I went to my horse and took the saddle off. I didn't feel like riding with a saddle. I wanted to ride bare back. I hadn't ridden bare back in so long. I walked my horse over to the gate, climbing the gate, and getting on the back of my mare. I pushed the gate open again with my foot and turned her to go out into the pin and then out into the open to head towards the cabin.
"Ok everyone ready?" Mary called out. Her and John followed out with Antony bringing up the rear. Smiling and happy John had the basket on the back of his horse, Mary came trotting up beside him. Antony came over to my other side sandwiching me between him and John. Plastering a smile on face we all took off. "Lili we will meet you and Antony at the lake." she called out one last time before her and John turned heading in the opposite direction of the cabins.
"Come on Antony we can go this way." I say turning my horse and kicking her flanks gently to make her start trotting, then a full on gallop. I honestly didn't want to race I just wanted to clear my head. Right now, that was riding. Either my bike or riding horse back, it always cleared my head
"Where are you going?." I heard Antony call out as he spurred his horse on to catch up to me. "What did you think I couldn't ride?" He asks. " I guess Mary nor John decided to tell you I grew up with horses." He calls out as he tries to keep up. I push my mare faster and deeper. I realize I'm not headed for the cabin. I'm going deeper into the woods. I stop and look around.
"Where are we gypsy?" I ask my mare patting her neck as we slow down. I look at our surroundings trying to see where we are. Though nothing pops out. "I know I'm still on the property but where the hell am I?" Before too long I hear hooves coming up behind me. I turn Gypsy around and see Antony come riding up behind me. Smiling and I maneuver Gypsy around and face the direction I heard Antony coming. A few moments later I could see Antony riding up. Smiling I make Gypsy start towards him.
"There you are. I was wondering where you had run off too." He said as we meet up and stopped.
"Yeah I don't know where Gypsy was taking me. I rode and thought we were going to the cabin, but this surely isn't it." I said looking around still trying to get my bearings. "I think we are on the far edge of the property. I don't normally go back here. I leave it wild for the animals." I continue
"Come on lets go. We need to start the fire and eat some s'mores." Antony says taking my hand. "I'm sure John and Mary are waiting for us to show up." He trots off and I follow closely behind.
After what seemed like a few wrong turns we made it to the lake. I could see the cabin with a bon fire in the front and I could see Mary hopping around. The sun was setting quickly along the horizon casting pinks, oranges, and reds along the sky. Though, behind us the night sky was closing in and fast. Covering the world in its inky darkness. Smiling to myself I urge Gypsy on and Antony follows.
We make it up to the cabin and dismount walking up to the big beautiful bonfire. Antony grabs my hand as we walk up together. John is putting a few chairs around the fire and Mary comes bounding out with a tray of goodies to make s'mores. Taking my seat I look and watch everyone. Still I see something, something just below the surface of everyone. But I don't say anything, not right now. I just want to have a peaceful night.
"Come on you two it's time for S'mores." Mary calls out as she takes her seat next to me. I see her concern flash over her beautiful face. I know she knows something is wrong with me but I won't tell her and she knows not to ask. At least, I pray she doesn't ask. We all sit around the fire and make s'mores laughing and talking about work, the kids both Mar and John deal with at the school. As wild as I know Mary to be for her to be school teacher just blows my mind. It always has. We spent hours out there the boys disappearing from time to time, coming back with more wood for the fire. I reclined sorta in my chair looking up at the moon and the stars. I love nature, whether I'm by the ocean on the seawall or here at the lake listening to the wild animals. I looked up towards the sky while everyone around me melted away. They became like the adults on Charlie Brown. I notice in the distance a lone wolf howling. I look around to see where it could be coming from. I'd heard wolves before but it was long ago. I notice that everyone around me got still and the boys looked at each other. I could feel the tension in the air growing thick like sand. I jump up out of my seat and head towards the front door of the cabin just to breath. Looking at everyone and they are still looking at each other. Going inside I head straight for the kitchen. I put my hands on either side of the sink and hang my head down. Something is up and no one is talking. I look up and see the boys are now gone. Puzzled I find Mary standing alone. Looking around her I see clothes on the ground. In my mind that gives me a choice. Either the boys went swimming or John, and Antony are wolves. My brain is screaming the latter.
Stepping away from sink I hear thunder crash and lighting follows close behind lighting up the cabin. I stand there steadfast, not flinching. Making up my mind I head for the bathroom to relax a little. Entering the spacious bathroom I was at the back of the cabin. Kicking my shoes off I step onto the cool wooden floors. I take care of personal business while letting the tub fill with warm water. I tie my hair up and clip it into place. I make sure I have my towel ready and I climb in slowly sinking into the warm water. I lay there letting the warm water relax the tension in my body. My body knows there's a fight coming. Just letting the warmth surround me and the ache leave my muscles. At some point during my bath I heard the rain finally fall. The drops hitting the window and tin roof created a soothing and peaceful melody. The water had turned luke warm and I decided to get out, toweling off, and change into a set of clothes that was kept at the cabin for when I would stay out here instead of in the main house. I kept my hair tied up, pulled on some comfortable jeans, an over sized shirt, and a sports bra.
I go out the front door, standing on the porch. Mary is no where to be found. Everything still appears to be in its place. Now this is strange. I walk to each end of the porch looking for any sign of life. Then I hear it again. The howl of wolves. My blood runs cold as the truth of Eirik's words ring clear in my head. This time there were multiple wolves. When I only heard one earlier. I walk back inside and go straight for the back door. I run out the back door and into the pouring rain. I stand there for a little while listening for any sound other than the wolves howling. Gathering my courage I head out into the woods. I wanted to see for myself if Eirik was right or not. Walking as quietly as I can over the wet undergrowth. I hear voices ahead of me. Staying to the shadows I hide behind a tree once I see human and animal in a clearing. "John" I mouth trying not to make a sound and bring attention to myself.
John I standing next to a beautiful chocolate brown timber wolf. I can't make out what they are talking about. Still I stand there quietly. Watching and waiting. I knew what was coming, but I had to wait and see for myself. As if on cue the timber wolf next to John changes and shifts. After a few moments a nude Antony is standing next to John, having replaced the wolf. I stared at him. It was all I could do. I turned on my heel and ran. Not knowing what I felt. A mixture of anger, hatred, betrayal, and so many more emotions. Rain soaked and pissed off, I find myself back at the back porch to the cabin. The rain hitting the tin roof lets me drown out all the other noises.
A few moments later Mary comes out of the woods, still wearing her same clothes. I heard another wolf's howl. "What the hell is with all these wolves Mary?" I ask, already knowing the answer. "Mary what the fuck where did you disappear to?". I grab her shoulders and make her focus.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry...I never thought it would go this far. I'm sorry please I'm sorry." It was all she was saying. She just kept apologizing. I look around and she just falls into my arms and I hug her tightly. We both hit our knees while I hold a sobbing Mary. My rage starting to subside as I comfort my best friend.
"It's ok Mary. It's gonna be ok. Where are the boys?" I ask looking around, still kneeling in the pouring rain. I finally saw John emerge from the woods and Antony wasn't too far behind him. Both boys were in their jeans. I still didn't want to believe everything. Even though I saw the truth with my own eyes. Still not wanting to admit what I knew was true. I just wanted to hear it from him. John comes up to me first and takes Mary not saying a word. I wait till they both disappear into the cabin to start this shit storm. Standing to my feet I prepare for whats to come. Antony walks up to me, I put my hand on his chest and stop him. "Tell me the truth." It came out so quiet I thought he didn't hear it.
"What truth do you want to know?" He asked as he tried to remove my hand from his chest. He was pissed about something.
"Everything inside me is screaming you're a… a werewolf." It was a bit difficult to get the word out but still it came out on a steady voice. I'm thankful for that. He took a step closer and I took one step back. I waited. I knew the truth just from his silence but I waited none the less. I wanted him to say yes. The rain was cold but I didn't care. I even shivered a little waiting on him to answer me.
"No, I'm not." is all he says shoving my hand off his chest, storming off. I knew right then that he was lying to me. "What makes you think I am something that doesn't exist? What makes you..."
"GO...TO...HELL… YOU… BASTARD. Get off my property. MARY!" I screamed her name turning on my heel. Mary appeared on the front porch. Though as I was about to yell at her. I felt Antony grab my arm. I turn around slowly and glare at him. "How dare you. Don't chu evea touch me again. You lied to me. What do I look like some kind of fool? Do I have dumbass on my forehead? I know exactly what you are. I've overheard bits and pieces of conversation. I knew something was different and it's not just you. Tonight in the woods I saw you and John. I saw you transform" My southern accent coming out now that I'm mad. I turn and pin both Mary and John. " I love you two. You could have trusted me. Mary you knew I know what Eirik is. Why?"
" Lili…" Antony says my name, and I turn back to look at him.
"Like I said…. you can get the hell off my property and get the fuck out of my life." I say through gritted teeth.
I walk off from him and up to Mary. "Mary you have a chance. Is he alpha? Are y'all wolves?" She looks at me then to Antony, then me and back to Antony. She goes back and fourth for a little bit. "Mary hello answer me please. Mary." I turn to see Antony still in the rain and he nods to her, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, and yes we all are." She answers. "He didn't want to tell you. He wanted to tell the pack, and to see if everything would ok. He wanted to see if they were going to force him to choose." She pauses and I look at her a bit puzzled. "You see John and I are the betas..." I stop her right there.
I look to John and his look said it all. " That's why there are wolves howling, that's why you boys disappeared. Eirik is right." I turn around to see Antony still standing in the rain. "The pack will not accept me." It was a statement. " Why lie? Why string me along?" I ask. I didn't care what his answer was. He still lied to my face. I didn't want anything else to do with him.
"Look Lili we wanted to tell you but by our laws we have to obey our Alpha." John says holding a sobbing Mary to his chest. How could I be too pissed off at them. Yes, I was still pissed off at Antony and wanted nothing more to do with him. But, Mary and John had been in a my life for a long time and technically they were following orders. All in all it was his fault.
"That's fine. I'm still pissed at both of you but not as much as you." I say turning and looking at a very dripping wet Antony. He was now on the porch with us. "John do me a favor get him out of here. As for me I'm gone. Mary, I'll keep in touch with you." I say turning on my heel and pushing past a pissed off Antony.
"Lili wait let me explain." Antony tries to grab my arm but I yank it out of his grasp. "Please let me explain."
"No there's no need to explain. I wanted so bad for you to just tell me the truth. You know what. He actually told me you would lie to me and I stood up for you. I honestly stood up for you. I didn't want to believe it. I would have been ok with you being a werewolf as long as you were honest about it." I pause for a moment and look out at the rain. I turn and step up close to him and continue. " You know I'm done. After all the crap I've been through in my life I deserve at least some honesty. Now I'm leaving and I expect you to be off my property by the morning. As for me, well I'm truly disappearing for a very long time." With that I turned, jumped on Gypsy.
I turn Gypsy around and look on the porch steps where there stood Antony. " I do have one question maybe you could be honest with me on this."
"Anything." He says desperately. I roll my eyes at him.
" The pack has already picked out your female haven't they?" I didn't really want to know but I knew that it was something that I needed to know.
"Yes they have candidates picked out, yes. I don't want them. I want you. I only lied because I wanted to keep us going. I thought that if you knew you would tuck tail and run." He says
"Yea well you thought wrong! You obviously know Eirik is my boss, I KNOW EIRIK IS A VAMPIRE." I pause. "I guess they didn't explain to you just how I operate." I point to John. I guess he had put Mary up in the Cabin. " Look I don't know pack rules, or really much of anything about packs. Except for what I've been told already. My friend has told me that you can't leave the pack since you are alpha, and that a human, me..."
"What do you mean calling that cold blood sucker a friend? That...disease! Yea go ahead listen to him. All he wants is to get between your legs" Antony say stalking towards me.
"Well at least he hasn't lied to me."
John comes walking out into the rain and looks at me. "Look Lili Mary and I are sorry. Rules are rules."
"Yes John I understand. I guess I just want some space. Tell Mary I love her and that I'll come talk when I take enough time to clear my head." I say looking at him.
"Ok please be safe." he says and takes a step back.
And with that I left with Gypsy at full gallop. I wanted nothing to do with anyone there at this moment. I didn't know where I was going to go. I have my apartment, or I could go to the club. It was midnight after all and I could hide out there. I could also drink very heavily there. I knew that if I went to the apartment Antony would show up there either tonight or sometime with in the next few days. I still didn't know where I was going to go. Maybe I could go to a hotel somewhere nice. I didn't know what I wanted at that particular moment.