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9
Becca
Theo stood tall and proud; his shoulders squared back as his expression changed from devastated to neutral. He’d closed me off the moment I said last night was a mistake. I didn’t mean that I had regrets. Theo was my mate and I spoke the truth when I gave myself to him, but I didn’t see how my family was ever going to accept him in my life. We had been together for nearly six years and still my family had yet to approve of his presence. I was constantly forced to choose between the man I loved and the other important men in my life that were my only family.
My father held me tight in his arms as if the entire world was now back in alignment and there was nothing to worry about. He stood back and smiled as Lor and Elias practically crushed me in their relief, but it changed nothing. For some strange reason I expected all the trauma, questions, confusion, despair, and anger to melt away the second I was home. It didn’t.
I had never felt more lost and alone.
My heart ached and my gaze turned in the direction that Theo went before he disappeared into the trees. For a few seconds I was tempted to shift and chase after him. The impulse was quickly squashed beneath my brother’s insistence that I follow them home.
Dinner was a somber affair as my brother Lor and my father discussed pack matters. The alphas were in control and I was left on the outside as Elias jumped in with his opinion. In the past I enjoyed these impromptu meetings. Tonight, I felt stifled by the trivial conversation that was insignificant compared to recent events.
“I find it highly distasteful that you’re all avoiding the most important and pressing topics that face our clan. It’s not just our pack affected. The rogue shifter that murdered almost half a dozen wolves and bears left our clan hurting and vulnerable. He didn’t act alone despite the word of the bear clan alpha. My kidnapping is proof that The Society plans to keep targeting shifters. I was beaten, caged, and forced to endure hours of torture yet you sit here and ignore these issues as if we shouldn’t be taking action.” My chest heaved as my emotions churned. Three men stared at me as if they couldn’t believe my words. “I’m disappointed that I need to be the one to point out that the packs need leadership and we need to eradicate the rest of this radical group before more of our people end up missing or dead.”
Elias’s jaw dropped as Lor smiled, respect visible in his icy blue stare. My father shook his head as if in disbelief and opened his mouth to speak when I slapped my hand on the table.
“There’s no discussion about this. Only a plan of action. Decide what you must do and how you will lead our people. If you don’t, we won’t make it another year in our ancestral home.”
All three began to speak at once but I didn’t stick around to listen to their arguments. My father and brothers were good men and once they were done arguing I knew a decision would be made and a plan put in place. I did my part when I made the Harlow men focus. The rest was up to them.
I left the through the back door and wasn’t sure if they noticed my departure. I knew my family loved me, but they were often clueless about my desires and needs. I supposed that was partially my fault. Since my mother’s disappearance nearly ten years ago I’d made it my personal mission to care for my father and brothers. I did the majority of the cooking, planted a garden and tended it, and organized most of the social activities within our pack. It had become a habit to put myself last and I let that happen.
Laughter caught my attention as I walked across the backyard of Cole and Briar’s house. They were cooking dinner together and kept finding little ways to touch one another with light caresses or stolen kisses. Briar waved as I crossed beyond their property line and headed south toward the creek. Some small part of me wished I would bump into Theo, but I knew it would be a bad idea. He was angry with me and I was certain that he didn’t want to speak.
The creek was lovely this time of day. The sun was beginning to descend, and the bright array of colors reflected upon the glassy surface. Rocks were strewn across the shore and I stooped to pick up a few. Skipping them across the water I was reminded of hiking with my brothers in my youth. The Baxter brothers were often seen with Lor and Elias. The group of teens had a gift for making mischief but when I tagged along, they managed to behave themselves. Renleigh and Briar Lovell were often at my side as we did our best to ignore their wild antics. That was years ago now, long before Renleigh died. Cole and Briar had found their way to one another and were happy.
I envied their connection.
For the next few days I continued with life as if the last few weeks hadn’t occurred. I smiled at the right times and convinced my father and brothers I was moving on. They didn’t dig too deeply, and I didn’t have to lie. We all pretended that my red puffy eyes weren’t proof that I was dealing with everything poorly. Denial was much easier than giving into the despair that held on with sharp claws and stole my peaceful rest in the darkness of night.
It was after breakfast the following morning when loud banging interrupted the family meal. Lor opened the door to a frantic Elena. Elias ushered her inside as she rubbed her belly and began to pace anxiously.
“Have you seen Theo?”
Shaking my head vehemently, I answered her with trepidation. “No. Why?”
“You’re certain?” She asked again, her gaze roaming over my father before turning back in my direction. “I need to know for sure, Becca.”
“No, I haven’t. Is he alright?”
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip, a small sob escaping her throat. “He hasn’t been home.”
“Since when?” Lor asked, folding his arms across his chest.
She frowned. “Since the moment he brought Becca back. We haven’t seen or spoken to him. Not once.”
Trembling, I sank into a nearby chair. “How is that possible?”
Her jaw locked as our eyes met. “You tell me.”
Guilty, I looked away. “We had a small disagreement.”
Elias whistled low. “He probably got pissed. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon.”
Elena smacked him as I smirked. “Don’t be stupid, Eli. This is serious.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
