AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I make it my mission to hunt down the cat.
Throughout the house, I peer into rooms, study the bedrooms. Ian is clean and orderly, his bed made precisely. Weston’s room is clean but untidy. Quint’s room is like a bomb has gone off, and Ross’ room looks more like he works in there. In fact, I can’t even find a bed.
On the third floor of the mansion, in an open room that is filled with sun and light, I find something that breaks through the hard exterior I’ve erected. The floor is carpeted in a pale blue, and the walls have navy and gold wallpaper stripes. There’s a telescope and a bunch of couches arranged in a circle, but it’s the huge patio glass doors and the balcony that pulls me across the room.
I stand there, looking out over the most beautiful gardens. From here, I can see Onyx’s house.
What would it be like to live within walking distance of Onyx? To have a relationship with her? Where I didn’t have to lie and fight to hide everything? Where I didn’t have to say horrible things and behave in an awful manner to make sure she stays far away from me so that she misses the bruises and the scents of alpha on me.
I almost jump out of my skin when something rubs against my leg. I look down and smile. Seek not, the cat shall come to you.
“Hello, who are you?” I say to the cat.
Outside, a dog barks. I glance out the window and see it pulling its owner down the street and snort a laugh. The cat meows, dragging my attention back to her. She’s a tabby looking monstrosity but with the longest hair I’ve ever seen on a cat.
I kneel on the floor and pat her. She’s so soft.
“What’s your name then, huh, darling? Oh, you are a sweetheart.”
“Her name is Bobbi.”
“Bobbi, that is lovely. Hi, Bobbi!”
I glance at Ian and try to calm my startled nerves.
Another cat walks in, yowling at the top of her lungs. I’m so shocked all I can do is stare at her. She’s smaller than Bobbi, with a deep orange coat and small brown eyes.
“And this is Fey.”
“She looks like a little Fey.” The beast in question stands on her back legs, sinks her front claws into Ian’s legs, and starts kneading.
He winces but doesn’t move.
“Are they your cats, Ian?” I ask impulsively with a small smile.
“Ours, the packs, but,” he blushes and avoids looking at me. “Yeah, I like cats. Plus, Ross was collecting statues and putting them everywhere, and he just pushed and pushed. We got Bobbi, and then Fey.”
Ian’s talking to me like I’m a person. I want to cherish this moment forever. I certainly will not point it out…oh, wait, of course, I will.
“Wow, look at us, talking like people.”
Ian heaves a sigh. “Yeah, well. I’ve decided not to be angry anymore.”
“Angry?”
He scowls, and I have serious doubts about his ability to choose how to direct his anger.
“What happened hurt me, but worse, it hurt my pack. I feel like it’s my job to protect the pack from hurt. Thus I failed, and I’ve been mad at myself all this time and taking it out on you. You didn’t have to like us or be with us. It was irrational of me to blame you for what happened.”
He says it in a rush like he’s rehearsed it several times over.
My fingers twist in my pants as I try not to let him know how much those words hurt. “I’m sorry. Ian, I’ve had a lot of long nights to think about where I went wrong and what I can do to make it up to you. The only thing I could come up with was to stay the hell out of your lives.”
“Yet, here you are.” He doesn’t say it maliciously.
“Here I am.”
Ian’s eyes are dark and filled with something I don’t understand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
