Hello people! I'm really, really, really, really, really, really SORRY. I know that I took forever to update, but my life has been kind of hectic. I also want to thank those keeping up with the stories for their patience and the reviewers for, well, reviewing. So, onto Chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides the OCs and the plot.
Frustrating. I always thought I knew the meaning to the word. To me, it was like when I was summoning a spirit & just as I'm about to pull it through, it slips through my fingers. But, no, that wasn't frustrating. Being bombarded with questions about my time with Kit, Simon, Tori, & especially Derek, is the true meaning of the word. If you don't know what I'm talking about, let me give you a little hint. Lacey. That girl just does not know when to quit. I mean, really, isn't it obvious that no one wants to answer your stupid questions? Especially the ones about Derek. Turns out she is quite interested in him. Not like I can blame her, I fell for it too. I shake my head, attempting to clear it of such thoughts. I always have this constant aching in my chest whenever I think about him. Over the years I've learned to ignore it, but these past few days it's gotten too bad to ignore.
I pull my coat closer, shielding me from the chilled air. Despite what some may think, it actually does get cold in the South. Right now I was sitting on the roof of the house lying in one of the lawn chairs. A cigarette rested between my lips & the music from my ipod blasted into my ears. I had slipped up here while everyone was eating breakfast & have been here since. I'm not doing anything, just staring at the quickly moving clouds. The sky has always fascinated me. Zeke says that it was just another weird obsession of mine, but I knew better. It was like, after all that happens to the world below it, the sky was unaffected. I know what you're thinking. "What about global warming?" or "What about pollution?" That's not what I mean. What I do mean is that no matter what happens, the sky is like the one constant. The one thing I can be sure about, that it'll be there when I wake up.
I sigh as the clouds turn a sickly shade of gray, the first sign of rain. Not a second later, tear shaped drops of water fell from the sky, almost as if it was weeping. I slowly walked to the door, soaking up the rain. Hey, it's not everyday I get to stand in the rain in the middle of the city without looking crazy. I closed the door behind me, sighing. I missed the rain. I felt free, which is not something you come by very often in this life.
I slipped into my room & quickly changed into a pair of basketball shorts & a SpaceBalls t-shirt (gotta love that movie). I was planning on just lying in bed all day & doing nothing, interacting with no one. That is, until my stomach started growling. I groaned. That thing just has the worst timing. Going downstairs, things were quiet. A first for this place. Going into the kitchen, I got suspicious. Empty. I rummaged through the refrigerator & settled on an apple.
I turned around & yelped. Zeke stood in the doorway, smirking. "And I thought you were turning vamp on us. Where you been all day?" he asked, pushing me out of the way so he could get an apple himself. Not giving time to answer, he threw another question at me, "Do you know if Annie cleaned out my room or something?" I could tell just by his tone that he doubted it himself. Annie never, & I repeat never, went into our personal rooms without permission. It was one of her rules or something.
"Unless you have sudden short-term memory loss, then I'm gonna assume she didn't." I gave him the look. The one that just about everyone has that clearly states 'duh'. "Why?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. It's just, I could've swore I put my phone on the dresser last night . . ." he trailed off. Without another word, he walked right back out of the room. Well, okay then. I shook my head, clearing it, & walked over to the counter to cut my poor, uneaten apple.
When I grasped the knife handle in my hand, a sudden rush came over me. it overwhelmed my senses & the only thing that mattered at that very second, was the knife & the things I could do with it. But of course, the second passed & I was back in the real world. I dropped on the counter in disgust, apple forgotten, & backed out of the kitchen. Just when I was going to turn around, my back slammed into a wall of flesh. Warm, solid & muscular flesh at that. I only knew this feeling too well.
I turned & was met with angry, emerald ords. Oh Shit. I stood still, keeping my ground, as he stared at me.
"Are you planning on moving anytime soon," he growled through gritted teeth. That just got me even more pissed off. Ever since they got here, he's been acting like some bitter little bitch. And, let me tell you, it was grating on my nerves.
"Well, let's see. I could move and let you pass like a good hostess, or, I could be my stubborn self and stay where I am. Hmm, decisions decisions." I pursed my lips and stroked my chin with my thumb and index finger. Having enough with my antics, he quickly, yet surprisingly gently, grabbed hold of my upper arms and pushed me to the side.
When he passed, our chests brushed against each other and my breath caught in my throat. When this happened, Derek paused for what seemed like a milli second, before continuing his treck to the pantry. I stayed where I was, caught off guard.
It was just from surprise, that's all. I am no longer attractd to Derek Anthony Souza. The reaction to his touch was just mere surprise at his closeness is all. Nothing more to it.
The why are you still thinking about it, a small voice in the back of my head whispered. I hated this voice. It always made its prescence known at the worst of times.
So, instead of starting the mental war that the voice always brings with it, I focused my attention back to Derek.
"Zeke's food stash is under the sink," when he made no move to get it, I sighed and walked over to get it myself. Once I pulled out the overstuffed garbage bag and tossed it to him. He catched it easily and threw a suspicious look my way.
"He'll notice that his food is gone." Yet, despite his worry, he started digging through the 'black bag of wonders.'
"Well, I'm going out for a walk in Audobon Park, so I'll just tell him later that I saw no need for him to have it and used it to feed the homeless on the street. Don't worry it'll work. I've actuall done it before," turning on my heel, I walked out of the kitchen. A second later, I thought better of it and leaned back in the doorway. "Just in case you didn't already figure it out, don't let him catch you."
I finally made my exit, grabbing my purse and coat on the way out.
(Derek POV)
Watching her walk away was the same as it always was. Painful. Each step she took was like a punch in the face. Each step brought back the memories of the day she left.
(Flashback)
My family silently piled into the van as I listened to Chloe packing her things upstairs. I can't believe we were doing this. I can't believe I agreed to go along with this. I mean sure, the reason made sense. This way, I could be sure of her protection. But, what if something goes wrong? What if something happens and we lose track of her.
These thoughts crowded my head, making it hurt slightly. When my family drove off, I took one last long look at the stairs and to walked outside and into the woods. I found myself a spot just in the cover of the trees and out of view of the house, but gave me perfect view of it.
I don't know how long I sat there. Seconds, minutes, hours; time blurred, as did my vision as unshed tears filled my eyes. I blinked furiously, refusing to give in to the agonized howls of my inner wolf.
I was pulled from my thoughts by the slamming from the door. I looked up and saw the most heartbrakingscene in front of me. Chloe, my Chloe, was standing at the end of the drive just staring at the house with a single tear running down her face. I had to fight the wolf to not run from where I was to hold her in my arms and comfort her. To run my fingers through her silky hair and kiss her soft lips.
As a scowl took over her features, she turned on her heel and walked as fast as she could from the house. From me.
Taking a few mintues to collect my self, I stood up and made my way back to the house. Dragging my feet up the stairs and up to her room, I buried my face in her pillow which still smelled of her delicious sent. Strawberries and honey.
I didn't move until Simon came up and brought me a plate of food. With a quiet, "thanks," from me he left me to my sorrow again.
One thing I did promise myself that night; I would see her again.
(End of Flashback)
I found her letter, saying how sorry she was about endangering us and how she agreed that it would be best for all of us if she left. The worst part was the end of it, saying how she would always love me and how she wished me the best of luck in finding my true mate. If she only knew that it was her. It was always and always will be her.
The letter was now in my bag, in one of the side pockets. I read it every night before I went to sleep. As for the necklace that I gave her, it was in my jean pocket. I was running my thumb over it at this very second, eyes glued to the door. The wolf whimpered for his mate. Pleaing for her to come back to us.