Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Austyn

I wasn’t sure if Leo really meant what he said or if the mate bond was just making him dillousional. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Either way, I couldn’t let myself drown in his words.

“Can you still talk to your wolf?” Leo asked as we drove down a winding road through the woods.

“Yes. After I was injected, I lost her but she came back when I turned 18.” I said, hearing Ember purring in my mind. She was thrilled to be near our mate.

“Can she sense our mate bond?” Leo’s voice grew quiet, unsure.

“She can. She’s the only reason I believed you, honestly. I could hardly feel it.” I knew my words hurt him, but they were the truth.

“But, you could feel it with Kayden?” He growled his name.

“It wasn’t strong, but I felt it enough to recognize what it meant. If it makes you feel any better, Ember hated Kayden. She never got this excited over him.” I said.

“Ember? That’s her name.” Leo’s face perked up a bit.

“It is.”

“Well, that does make me feel better, thanks. And Quinn is excited about you and Ember, too.” Leo winked at me. I felt my cheeks warm up as a crimson blush covered my face.

“We’re almost there.” Leo said after a while. I started twisting my hands nervously, fidgeting in my seat despite the pain from my broken ribs.

“What are they going to think of me?” I said, mostly to myself.

“The pack?” He asked.

“Yes.” I mumbled.

“Are you serious? They’re going to love you.” Leo laughed at me.

“What about when they learn I’m not a werewolf?” I questioned.

“Even then, my love.” He smirked at me, making me blush even more than before.

We pulled up to a large gate guarded by two towers and at least a dozen werewolves. Leo nodded at the guards and they opened the gate for us to pass through. He drove down a short driveway and then into a small parking garage. He snaked through the concrete building until we reached a large garage door. He punched a code into a keypad and the security door opened. Inside was a large, open room with 6 different vehicles.

Leo pulled into one of the open parking spaces and shut off the car. He was opening my door before I even had a chance to undo my seat belt. He offered me his hand and I hesitantly took it, unable to remove myself from the car unassisted. I held my side and groaned as I stepped out of the car.

“What can I do?” Leo’s face looked pained.

“I’m okay.” I was a very bad liar. I tugged my hand from Leo’s and started to walk towards the exit, not that I really knew where I was going. I could practically feel Leo shaking his head behind me.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Where would you like to go?” Leo countered.

“How am I supposed to know?” I mumbled.

“There’s an Alpha and Luna quarters on the top floor of the packhouse, that’s where I live.” Leo explained and I tried to hide my terrified expression,

“But, judging by your face, that’s not something you’re comfortable with. You can stay in one of the cabins near the packhouse. I want you close.” Leo continued.

“Oh, well, thank you.” I stammered, surprised by his offer.

“Anything for you.” Leo winked at me as he led the way through the parking garage and out the side door.

He helped me walk the short distance to the cabin. I admired his pack’s village. There were different sized cabins and cottages scattered all around the grounds. Some of them were grouped together like a family unit and others stood by themselves, like the cabin Leo was taking me to.

I looked up at the packhouse. It was bigger than Dark Moon’s and much more elaborate. It was cream in color with black accents, the exact opposite of Dark Moon’s gothic packhouse. There was a large, plantation-style porch in front and a few small balconies on the other floors. Based on the windows, it looked like the packhouse was four or five stories tall.

The cabin Leo took us to was medium in size, with a front porch large enough to hold a small patio table and a porch swing. There were flower beds on either side of the steps. Leo unlocked the front door and pushed it open, motioning for me to enter first. We stepped into a mudroom with tiled flooring and a storage unit on the side. There was a door next to the bench seat and coat hangers, Leo opened it and revealed a laundry room with an attached bathroom.

Continuing through the house, there was a large living room and kitchen with an open concept. The living room had a huge stone, wood burning fireplace and a sectional couch. The kitchen had two walls filled with upper and lower wood cabinets, and a beefy looking island in the center. The countertops were stamped concrete.

“Everything is fully stocked, but if there’s anything else that you need, just ask.” Leo said as he walked through the kitchen and showed me the well prepared pantry. Back through the living room, Leo nodded towards a tall staircase.

“Upstairs are two bedrooms that each have an attached bathroom, an office, and a large loft area that could be used for anything. I’m not sure….can you do the stairs?” Leo said, looking me over.

“Maybe later.” I mumbled, starting to feel winded from today’s activities. Leo nodded.

“Martha is the head of staff. I’ll have her send one of the ladies here to help you with anything you need. I’m going to also set up a few patrol wolves outside to make sure that you’re safe.” He said.

“I’m not sure about making someone do what I was forced to do.” I admitted. Leo quickly shook his head,

“No, Austyn, our staff isn’t treated like Dark Moon’s. Our staff is hired, voluntarily. It’s just like any other job. Every pack member is provided a cottage or cabin, the staff is no exception. I swear, I would never treat anyone the way Dark Moon treated you.” Leo’s eyes bore deep into mine. I searched his face, trying to decide if I wanted to believe him.

“Can I ask you for something?” I said hesitantly.

“Anything, my love.” Leo smiled.

“Fern, from Dark Moon, she’s the closest thing I had to a friend.”

“You want me to bring her here?” Leo asked. I only nodded.

“I’ll do everything I can to make that happen, I promise.” Leo said.

“Thank you, Leo. And thank you for all of this, you’ve done so much.” I could tell that Leo was struggling with not touching me. He wanted to reach out, he wanted to comfort me, but he wasn’t, out of respect for me.

“I told you, Austyn, I’ll do anything for you.” Leo replied.

“Could I maybe just have some time to myself?” I asked in a small voice.

“Of course.” Leo nodded, seeming eager to give me anything I wanted or needed.

“There’s three wolves outside for your protection.” He added.

“Is that really necessary?” I asked him as he walked towards the door. He looked at me with a dumbfounded expression,

“Yes. Austyn, I’m trying really hard to give you all the space that you need, but I can’t leave if I’m not 100% sure that you’re safe.”

“Okay, I understand.” I nodded, grateful for everything that he’s done for me already. Leo paused at the door, sighing as he looked at me.

“I’ll be back tonight to make sure you’re okay.” He promised.

“See you then.” I offered him a smile and he returned it.

“I’ll be counting the minutes.” Leo said before he walked out of the cabin.