" How much longer?" I asked
" Ethan will be here in the next twenty minutes ". He says and I nod before flying myself back on the bed, on top of him. He grunted at the contact but wraps his arms around me firmly and pulls me up to rest on his shoulder where I just seem to fit. I feel his body relax under me, but I still feel waves of sadness crash into me from him.
" You will call me every night?" He asks his voice raspy like he is fighting back emotions. I nod and press a kiss on his neck making him shiver.
"Maybe more than that," I admit , surprised by my own emotion. I can feel his smile against my forehead as he plants kisses along my head. I let out a contented sigh and closed my eyes absorbing his heat and affection. We lay in companionable silence until he clears his throat.
" Ethan's here, sweetheart ". He says with one last squeeze . I nod and stand up trying to avoid looking at him, scared that I will cry.
" Hey you alright?" He asks, rubbing his hands up and down my arms,vibing and looking into his eyes, I see concern, grief and affection staring back at me and I almost lose my resolve . I wrap my arms around his neck and he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me so tightly into him it is hard to breathe.
"I will be here waiting when you get back ". He murmurs into my ears. I nod and let him go, turning towards the door and grabbing his hand. He stands still and I stop to look at him.
" I can't watch you go Rachel, I just can't". He says sadly and I nod in understanding
" Okay". I say looking away from him. He takes his shirt off and walks towards my suitcase and shovels it inside.
" In case you miss my scent". He said with a smile and I smiled back, choking on my sob.
"I really will miss you Gabriel". I say and he wraps me in another embrace.
"I will miss you too, sweetheart ". He murmurs, kissing my forehead one last time . I turned and grabbed my suitcase, looking back at him one last time. He was looking out the window, fist clenched and jaw tight obviously trying to fight the urge to follow me out. I walked out of the room without another word and closed the door gently behind me.
" I walk down the stairs, partly expecting him to chase after me and pull me back upstairs, refusing to let me leave. But he surprises me once again and I don't hear a sound come from him.
"Ready, Rachel?" Ethan asked, taking my suitcase case away from me. I nod and follow him out to the SUV where the rest of my stuff was and it was already loaded. I climbed into the passenger seat and looked back at the pack house . My room is on the other side, so I couldn't see him even if I wanted to.
" Ethan climbs in next to me and starts the car, pulling away from the pack house. After a short drive, I feel us leaving the pack boundary, it's like a little snap in our brains and I feel my bond to my pack weaken. Then I allow my tears to fall, sobbing into my hands. Ethan looks at me sadly.
" We don't have to leave. If you don't want to". He says quietly and I shake my head.
" I have to do this, I have to experience this at least once. It just hurt. I wish things were different and easier". He sighs and reaches out to pat my knee, he has always been the strong and silent type. He never bothers me and never seems to be affected by the rumors people spread . He never treats me any differently and I always appreciate that.
" Me too, you were always a sweet girl. You never deserve any of the treatment Gabriel gave you, but you must be having some kind of effect on him. He picked me for his Beta instead of that asshole Steve. And the fact that he is letting you leave at all like this, that says something". He says in a low and soothing tone. I nod in agreement and look out the window.
"If I stayed, if I became Luna, do you think the pack will ever accept me?" I ask him, because I know he will be honest.
"For the most part? Yes, it's the onesour age, the ones who look at Gabriel like he walks on water that you will have issues with, but you can convince them, you just have to show them how badass you can be". He says with a crooked smile that gives me a little hope.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ethan ". I say and he nods before looking back at the road.
"Anything for my future Luna".
Rachel
As soon as we arrived at the new pack, Ethan and I left for the Alpha's office. The man was obviously older than us, very tall with light brown hair and brown eyes and a seemingly permanent tired face. In the corner of the office was a little book which was basically his carbon copy, coloring quietly . The Alpha stood up when we entered his office and shook our hands. We both bare our necks in submission and took the seat he offered us.
" Welcome ". He said, gaining the attention of the little boy, he came running over and sat on his father's leg. The sight made us smile.
" Thank you for allowing us to visit". I say brightly and the boy peeks up at me with interest. He studies me intently as his father continues to speak.
" Of course, being our ally, who knows when my pack members will need to use your hospital. If we can make it more efficient we are happy to do so". He says kindly and the boy walks over to me.