Home > Chosen Wolf (The Marked Wolf #2)(5)

Chosen Wolf (The Marked Wolf #2)(5)
Author: Jen L. Grey

He winced. “I was fourteen and didn’t understand what was happening. All I knew was that you had the mark my parents raised me to hate. I didn’t know what to do, so I disappeared.”

“I’m sorry.” I had to stop throwing that in his face. “I only meant …”

“Fate had to make it happen.” Beatrice’s purple eyes turned a shade darker. “It’s part of what made you who you are today. You had to go through the gut-wrenching pain of losing your mate so you could recognize real pain and empathize with others. A good leader must feel the pain of her people.”

“Maybe, but that was kind of cruel. It felt like I wasn’t a whole person.” I never could put that into words until now—until the mate bond.

“Because he’s literally the other half of your soul,” Amethyst said softly. “It’s actually very beautiful and romantic. I grew up wishing I had a soul mate out there.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s two people who fit so perfectly together that their souls merge. You said you kissed that night he disappeared. That’s when your souls connected,” Amethyst said dreamily. “Yes, it might have hurt, but look at the love you two share. It’s breathtaking.”

“Even when I was being an ass at the football game?” Aidan frowned. “It didn’t feel so breathtaking then.”

“No, I admit you were an ass.” She giggled, the sound so light and happy. “But it was because you were both fighting something that couldn’t be fought. You are redeeming yourself, so don’t worry.”

“How do I become the person I need to be?” That’s the one question I needed answered.

“That, dear girl, will take time,” Beatrice reassured. “But you’re already making strides. The first part will be finding the other girls. You weren’t meant to do this alone.”

That we could agree on, but something tugged on my heart. How was I supposed to save them all when I didn’t even know what to expect?

 

 

Chapter Three

 

 

We remained silent in the car for at least thirty minutes. We were driving in circles to make sure no one followed us. The last thing we needed was to bring the wolves to the new location, especially since the witches considered that one home.

It was close to seven in the morning, and we hadn’t even begun the real drive to Columbus. The sun was rising, and I leaned against the back of the seat, struggling to keep my head up, let alone stay awake.

The combination of Aidan’s comforting hand in mine, the lulling sound of the engine, and the adrenaline leaving my body left me feeling too secure. I needed to stay alert and protect everyone.

Right as my body was about to submit to slumber, a loud, shrill sound echoed in the car. It might as well have been a gunshot with how fast I lurched upright and scanned the area for a threat. That’s when the noise sounded again.

Aidan’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Babe, it’s your cell phone.”

Great, now I was jumping at harmless things. What a strong leader I was becoming. I took the phone from my pocket and saw Mom’s name. She never called this early, so I was assuming this had something to do with Jacob. I almost ignored the call, but what if she was worried? I straightened my back and swiped ANSWER. “Hello?”

“Emma!” Mom’s voice was so loud it hurt my ear.

Their static and background noise alerted me that I was on speakerphone, which meant Dad was also there. Looked like they were springing an intervention on me.

“Hey.” I had to be careful. I didn’t want to give them information they didn’t already know. Protect them and keeping them in the dark as much as possible was a priority. They’d already done so much by taking me in and raising me as their own.

“Where are you?” Dad asked in the quiet voice he reserved for the times he was furious.

“I’m with my friends.” That wasn’t a lie. Granted, it wouldn’t really matter if it was. They couldn’t smell it through the phone.

“Maybe someone from the Murphy pack?” Mom accused.

“He turned his back on them for me.” They had to see I wasn’t being reckless.

“Oh, really?” A scrape filled the line like a chair sliding across the wood floor. “Then I have some ocean-front property to sell you in Kansas.”

That’s where I’d figured he’d take this conversation. That was his favorite saying when he thought I’d done something stupid. “No, he did.”

“Come on, baby girl.” Mom cleared her throat. “Guys lie, especially at that age.”

Aidan’s hand tightened on mine. I hated that he could hear the conversation.

“Mom, he did it right in front of me to both his dad and brother.” I couldn’t let her talk about Aidan that way. He wasn’t a normal guy. He was my fated mate and deserved their respect.

“What about when the alpha comes calling and uses his will on him?” Dad asked.

Okay, so Jacob hadn’t told them everything. “His father is the alpha.”

Mom gasped. “Are you saying he’s a rogue wolf now?”

I hadn’t even considered that. Wolves were meant to live in packs. Being rogue drove even the strongest wolves insane. I locked eyes with him. “Are you?”

Technically, no, I’m not. He averted his gaze and stared at the road ahead.

“Of course he’d be right there with you,” Dad grumbled. “I take it you stayed together last night?”

I heard my dad speak, but his words weren’t the ones I cared about. Did you reject your dad?

He sighed and nodded. I did; otherwise, he could find you.

The magnitude of everything he’d given up hit me full force. Aidan …

No, that’s why I didn’t say anything. He squeezed my hand and glanced back at me. You are the most important thing in my life. My dad and brother would kill you in a heartbeat. I had no choice. I’ll always choose you.

“Emma!” Dad yelled.

“Sorry. What?” Right now, I was more concerned about Aidan than arguing with them.

“Is he a rogue wolf?” he asked more desperately. “If he is, you could be at risk.”

You’re not. Aidan nibbled on his bottom lip. Since we’re bonded, I’m not alone. My wolf has yours.

Warmth spread within me. He was right; we were our own pack, even if it was small. “No, he’s not.”

“So he has another pack to submit to?” Mom’s concern bled through her words. “Look, Jacob cares about you. He’s willing to take you back …”

I had to stop her right there. “Mom …” You know what? They deserved to know. “Aidan is my fated mate.”

“This is a joke, right?” Dad said in disbelief.

“No, it’s not.” They would have to accept it sooner or later.

“Jacob said you’d claim that. Normally, I’d ignore his concern since he’s hurting, but this isn’t like you.” Mom sighed. “Honey, Jacob told us you disappeared a few days ago. Are you in trouble?”

I wanted to laugh hysterically. That was a mild way of describing my situation. “Look, something happened, and it’s not safe back at campus.”

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