Little giggles bring me out of my sleep and I smile as I listen to Lunette and Henry giggle by the bedroom door. I can smell the scent of raspberry jam on toast and have a feeling the two pups brought me breakfast.
“Be quiet you two. You’re going to wake her.” Chase chimes in quietly, most likely trying to get his siblings under control.
“I am already awake.” I call out, shuffling in bed to sit up. Henry and Lunette look at me with slight pouts and I spread my arms open wide as I give them a smile. The two pups rushing to the bed, climbing in quickly to hug me with one on either side. Chase shakes his head, coming forward with the tray filled with breakfast. He seems calmer, like the power in his blood is considerably under control from the last time I saw him.
“How did you sleep?” He asks, motioning for his siblings to give me some space as he sets the tray across my lap.
“Better than I thought I would.” I admit, taking the mug of tea and sipping on the hot liquid. While I eat, I ask the pups how their training went while I was away. Lunette excitedly tells me that Jett taught her and the other pups some self defence moves and I watch as Chase winces. I have a feeling the older pups were asked to be sparing partners and that Lunette used her new moves on her brother on more than one occasion both inside and out of the training facility.
Henry is next, the ten year old telling me that he and Chase went on a walk in the forest everyday. Chase cuts in, explaining that it was only around the center of the pack and I sigh with relief. Henry pouts at this interruption before I coax him into telling me more and the pup continues to explain how him and Chase helped the Omegas gather herbs, medicinal plants and mushrooms. We avoid the topic of me being kidnapped and I am grateful for that.
I could tell by the way that all three of them clung to me last night that me being gone had bee hard on them. I became their big sister, teaching them to gather in the forest, how to hide when a Rogue or dangerous wolf was near, and baby-sat the younger two when Chase wanted to be a regular teen to hang out with friends when Asteria and Gale wanted a night out on the days Chase wanted time to himself.
“So what should we do today before Asteria and the others return home?” I ask the three, Chase sitting on the foot of the bed now that my breakfast is finished.
“Watch movies?” Henry suggests with Lunette and Chase agreeing.
“Sounds like a plan. Should we get snacks?” I ask. Chase laughs at this question, giving me a “no shit” look as Henry and Lunette say yes to the question and I stick my tongue out at him. Telling the three pups to grab the snacks and I will meet them in the living room. Henry and Lunette race out of the room, leaving Chase and I alone where there teen comes to my side, wrapping his arms around me.
“I am so glad you are safe.” The teen mumbles, his voice cracking as he fights back tears.
“So am I, kiddo. We have Rune to thank for me returning home.” Chase scoffs at this, his blood humming for a moment with anger before he suppresses it. I praise him for growing stronger and learning how to control his emotions as we end the hug and I wipe away a stray tear that falls from his eyes. Chase thanks me, stating he should go down stairs to keep an eye on his siblings and promptly leaves.
Now alone, I quickly change into some sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt. Jasmin told me to be on bed rest for at least a week and I plan to do nothing but laze about Gale and Asteria’s house on her orders and this means comfortable clothing for the next few days. Dressed and ready to relax with the three pups I call my god-siblings, I climb down the stairs only to stop when a familiar scent of mint and vanilla fills my nose. I shouldn’t be surprised as Rune is the cousin to the pups, but part of me is not ready to see him after everything we’ve been through. How I feel about Rune is complicated and right now I need space to figure things out.
“You need to leave.” Chase states, his voice filled with distain. Shocked by the tone of the fifteen-year-old wolf, I creep towards the entrance way to catch a better glimpse and find Chase blocking the door. Rune looks annoyed at being stopped from entering, but he and I both know that Chase is doing this for me. That he is protecting me from the wolf that hurt me more than anyone else has.
“She is my Mate, I want to make sure she is okay.” Rune tries to reason with the teen but Chase doesn’t move. He sounds desperate, like seeing me is the only thing that matters to him right now.
“She is your EX-mate. You rejected her, remember.” I stifle a laughter at the sassiness Chase displays, wondering if he got his sass from Asteria. Before Rune could reply, the door is slammed shut and the sound of the lock clicking into place follows. Silence settles and I debate whether or not to move towards the bathroom when Chase pops up beside me, a sheepish look on his face.
“I wasn’t sure you wanted to see him or not yet.” He admits quietly and I figured he noticed me watching from my hiding spot.
“I don’t. It was a complicated rescue and there are somethings I need to work through before I see Rune again.” I answer, giving Chase a smile. Ruffling his hair, I wrap my arm over Chase’s shoulder and frown. The kid has grown so much since turning fifteen, his werewolf genes kicking in to prepare him for his shift next year has made him grow taller. Sooner or later he will be towering above me.
“So I did the right thing?” He asks, with a relieved smile.
“You did the right thing kiddo. Now, lets go pick a movie before your siblings suggest something.” The two of us make our way into the living room, Henry and Lunette already putting bags of chips and cookies onto the living room table. Chase rushes to the kitchen, coming back with a basket full of juice and soda for us while I decide on a movie.
With everything ready, I curl up on the sofa, Henry and Lunette on the floor in front of the table full of snacks and Chase on the other side of the sofa I sat on while I press play on the movie we chose. I try to focus on the film, to relax and enjoy the moment, but my mind starts wondering to what Rune is doing right now. Why he would come check on me and if he really is trying to make things right between us. I know I will need to talk to him, to get the answers I need and to see where we go from there, but I also need to observe him. To see if his guilt and remorse are as real as they appear.
If he really regrets hurting me and can regain my trust, then I am willing to give him a second chance.