Chapter 24 (Part 1)

Random thing, but I just loved the ending of the last chapter. I think it sort of foreshadowed what's going to happen in this chapter. I made this chapter longer than the others because it's big and even so, I had to make a part 2. When I finished writing this I was so excited to share it I didn't edit so I'm sorry if there's spelling mistakes or grammar errors. I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter because I worked really hard on it.

And I dedicate this chapter to Stacie888 because she made a fantastic banner for this. So thank you very much!

And lastly, thank you to everyone who comments and votes and fans. You guys are just the best :)

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Chapter 24

Evan’s POV:

I’m back! My room is clean, I’m freshly shaven, my mood has improved, and most importantly, I have Sutton. Thank goodness it’s holiday break and we have two weeks to spend together. She came to me three nights ago but yet it seems like a lifetime ago. The only time I don’t see her is at night. She still doesn’t want to tell Jason and as much as I hate lying to him, I’ll do whatever to make Sutton happy. She just needs some time to work up the courage to tell him. She knows the both of us are very close to her brother and she doesn’t want either one of our relationships jeopardized by this. Personally, if it came down to her or Jason, she would win in a heartbeat.

“Thinking about Sutton again?” Kevin teased. Spencer and Scott choked on their laughter.

“Oh definitely. He has the Sutton look.” Scott teased.

“It’s the Sutton look gentlemen.” Spencer announced.

“Shut up! I do not have a Sutton look.” I growled defensively. I was hanging out with my boys at the mall that was a few towns over as Lisa had annoyingly insisted Sutton needed some girl time and we needed to do some Christmas shopping.

“Yes you do! You get this far away look in your eyes and you start smiling and you don’t even realize when someone’s talking to you.” Scott smirked and I shot him a glare.

“Well excuse me if I like to think of my sexy ass mate.” I muttered.

“No worries man, I’m the same way. I just do it discreetly.” Spencer said. I exchanged a look with the others.

“There’s nothing discreet about you and Lisa dude.” Kevin told him, laughing.

“Yeah, don’t think we can’t hear you guys. I can tell you how many times you get uhh…lucky. Trust me, I hate having the bedroom next to yours.” Scott complained.

“I’m not sure if I should be creeped out that you actually count that or smug that the number is so high.” We all laughed at that.

“Well if we don’t start on this list soon, we’ll never get it done.” Kevin muttered, holding up the neat, five page stapled packet.

The girls had been appalled to find it was Christmas Eve and we had yet to go out and get their gifts. They’d been prepared however, promptly shooing us out of the house and handing the list over. They knew us well, meaning they knew as far as us getting them gifts, we were clueless as to what to buy.

“I swear they “need” so many things.” Scott muttered, taking a glance at the list Kevin was holding.

We walked around for a hours, complying with the items on the list. Vanilla scented perfume for Lisa, a peach cardigan for Lilah, boots for Sutton (as if she didn’t already have enough), a new sketchpad for Kat. The list went on and on but as guys that wanted to please our mates, we dutifully bought the gifts. As someone who had never had to do this before, I was a bit shocked to find that girls desired so much. I mean, I knew Sutton loved to shop, but man she really loved to shop.

Whatever makes her happy. My wolf reminded me.

I’ll be the first to admit that walking around the mall with a bunch of shopping bags was embarrassing. Especially since so many people were there giving us weird looks as they hurried by to do some last minute shopping. We finally called it quits and went directly to our favorite place in the mall. The food court. A werewolves heaven.

“Next year, I’m just giving Kat my credit card and she can buy what she pleases. She can just pretend to be surprised.” Scott muttered, dropping at least ten bags onto a table in the middle of the food court.

“Amen, I’m with you on that.” I commented, dropping my own load of bags. I was vaguely aware of girls checking us out, but once you find your mate no one else compares.

“But where’s the fun in that?” We all turned to look at Kevin, shocked.

“So, are you saying you want to do this again next year?” Spencer asked. Kevin thought about it a minute.

“Alright, no. Ok, I’m on board with just giving Lilah my card.” We all chuckled at his momentary lapse.

We were in the middle of devouring our third slice of pizza when my phone began to ring. I grinned when I looked at the caller i.d.

“What’s up baby?” I hollered into the phone. Spencer, Kevin, and Scott exchanged knowing looks. Sutton chuckled on the other end.

“Hey Sutton!” Scott yelled into the phone as he leaned in close to my ear. I swatted him away as Sutton chuckled.

“Scott?” She asked.

“The one and only.” I muttered, shooting him a glare. He just grinned goofily at me.

“Tell him I said hi.”

“She says hi back.” I told him dryly.

“Tell her I said hi!” Kevin practically yelled.

“Me too!” Spencer joined in.

“No, now shut up and go back to eating.” I told them, shooting them dark looks.

“Sutton, Sutton, hey Sutton!” They hollered as they crowded around me, causing a few people to look over.

“Get away from me would ya?” I growled at them.

“Tell Spencer and Kevin I said hi to them as well.” Sutton commanded as she laughed, hearing the commotion they were causing.

“She says hi, not sit back down.” I ordered. They grinned and high fived.

“Nice.” Scott commented, hive fiving with them.

“You. I blame you for this.” I told him. He laughed loudly while I rolled my eyes.

“I hate to interrupt you guy time.” Sutton said apologetically.

“No, no it’s cool. Besides, I think I’ve had more than enough guy time.” I told her, shooting the guys another glare which they promptly ignored.

“Ok, well I just called to-” She abruptly cut off. She was still on the line because I could hear her breathing, but she was silent now.

“Sutton?”

“Hang on.” Her voice was quieter this time, a bit more strained.

“Sutton, what’s wrong? What’s happening? Where are you?” I was getting a little panicked. She didn’t respond right away.

“Sorry, I had just walked in my front door and no one’s home and I just thought I heard a noise. It’s nothing, I’m just over reacting.” Her voice didn’t sound very convincing though.

“Are you sure?” I asked, concerned.

“Yeah, yeah. You worry too much.” She commented. I could hear her moving around in the background and my earlier panic attack ebbed away.

“So I’ve been told.”

“So I just called to ask if you could come by the house on your way back.”

“Why? You want to get a sneak peek on your presents?” I teased. True, I’d followed the list but I also got a few other things just so there were some surprises.

“No, silly. You seem to forget I told you what I wanted so I already know what I’m getting.”

“You never know, I have some tricks up my sleeve.” I told her. She didn’t respond at first but I could hear her breathing pick up slightly. Alarm bells once again rang. “Sutton?”

“I’m sorry, what? I didn’t quite hear what you said.” She said after another minute. She sounded distracted and I picked up on a hint of nervousness in her voice.

“Are you sure everything’s ok?” I could tell my own voice sounded strained. Spencer, Scott, and Kevin were all watching me now.

“Yeah, I think so.” She sounded unsure and I could distinctly hear her hesitant footsteps across the hardwood floors of her home.

“Sutton, you’re killing me here. Tell me what’s going on.” I motioned for the boys to follow me and we quickly exited the loud food court.

We exited the mall and I led them off to the side where no one was around. They crowded around me, concern written across their faces. Sutton hadn’t responded yet and it had taken a good two minutes to leave the mall. I put the phone on speaker and we all listened to the continuing sound of her breathing and footsteps.

“Sutton? Please answer me.” I was clutching the phone tightly and Kevin gently removed it from my hand before I broke it.

“It’s just, I keep hearing noises but no one’s home.” Sutton finally responded and fear gripped me. Luckily Spencer took over for a second.

“Sutton, it’s Spence. Can you tell me what you’re hearing?” His voice was low and urgent.

“I don’t know. It almost sounds like footsteps but I can’t tell where they’re coming from.” There was a muffled sound as she held the phone away from her and called out. “Guys, if it was my parents or Jason or Taylor they would have answered me by now.”

“Ok, Sutton. Listen closely, is there anything different? Any smells that aren’t familiar?” Spencer’s voice still held urgency but it was also calm.

“There’s a smell, but I can’t…I can’t tell you what it is. It’s not werewolf exactly but it’s not human either. It’s like it’s mixed but there’s something else there. Wait-” We all held our breath and I tensed even more. “There it is again. There’s definitely something making a noise.” Sutton’s voice trembled.

“What did you hear? Footsteps again?” Spencer asked.

“No, no. It was different. Like something was being opened or closed. But it wasn’t softly either. I think-I think whoever is here knows I can hear them now.” Her voice was a whisper now. I took the phone from Spencer and held it tightly, bringing it closer to me.

“Sutton, honey. I want you to stand still and listen. I want you to figure out where the noise is coming from.” I told her, finding my voice. We all waited in silence for her response. Then over the line we heard the distinct sound of a loud bang. Sutton yelped but I didn’t hear her footsteps which meant she was still standing still.

“Evan, I’m scared.” She whispered. My heart clenched at the fear in her voice.

“I know, babe, I know. Tell me, where did that bang come from?”

“The uhh..the kitchen I think.” Her footsteps picked up again.

“Haven’t you seen the movies Sutton? When there’s the girl and she hears noises in the scary house and the whole audience is screaming at her to not go in the house but she goes in the house anyway?” I asked.

“Yeah, why?” She probably thought I was crazy for bringing up this subject randomly.

“Well you’re that girl right now!” I hissed at her.

“Yeah, well now I can see why she did it. The curiosity, Evan. I have to find out.” I could hear the fear in her voice but also the determination.

We all waited, silent. Our eyes were drawn to the phone even though we couldn’t see anything. The only noise was the crackle over the phone and Sutton’s slow footsteps. It was like the calm before a storm.

“Now or never.” She murmured. I tensed, this was it. I don’t know how, but I knew she was about to push open the kitchen door. Scott and Spencer both had a gently hand on my arm and Kevin watched me carefully. We were all frozen in our spots.

“Sutton…?” I whispered. She hadn’t said anything. A second later she let out a sigh.

“Oh. Oh goodness.” She didn’t sound so scared anymore and I could hear her walk across the tile of the kitchen, her heels making a clicking sound.

“Sutton?” I asked once again.

“The window, the window. It was open and there’s a pan on the floor. The wind must have knocked it over making the bang.” We all un-tensed as she explained.

“You had me worried for a minute there.” I told her, letting out a breath.

“Worried? I was scared shitless.” She let out a breathless laugh. I glanced up to see Spencer with a worried look on his face. I shot him a questioning look but he just grabbed the phone out of my hands.

“Sutton, it’s Spence again. I need you to do two things for me.” Scott, Kevin, and I all shared a confused glance.

“Uhh, ok.” Sutton sounded confused too.

“You’re sure it sounded like footsteps right? Before, earlier.” I felt a coldness creep up on me as I realized what he was getting at. The wind doesn’t sound like footsteps…

“Yes…” Sutton had come to the same realization because she once again sounded on edge.

“Look around, is there anything that could have sounded like that?” We all awaited her reply nervously. She finally spoke again. The next minute had all of us gripped in fear.

“No, there’s not. There’s nothing here that would have sounded like th-” Her voice cut off and was replaced by a loud shriek.

The sounds of a struggle came through the line, screaming on Sutton’s part and then a grunt. Something crashed to the ground and a second later the loud thunk signaled her phone had been dropped. We all looked at each other frantically, hearing a static silence. The silence was killing me but a bud of hope spread through me when I heard a set of footsteps. A second later the phone was picked up. Fear spread through me when I heard his words.

“So sorry for your loss, Evan.” The line disconnected and I was left staring at a phone as the pre-programmed operator came on.

I’m sorry but the line has been disconnected. I’m sorry but the line has been disconnected. I’m sorry but the line has been disconnected. I’m sorry but the line has been…

Sutton’s POV:

(A/N, her POV starts when she first calls Evan)

Lisa was right, which doesn’t surprise me. I did need the time to just be with the girls. Well with the exception of Elise, who was out with Jason. We’d spent the afternoon at the pack house lounging around chatting and doing our nails while the boys had gone out. Actually, more like they were forced out. Lisa is one forceful spitfire, I’ll own up to saying that. Though when I’d heard they still hadn’t gotten our gifts and it was Christmas Eve I was right on track with her.

I unlocked my front door and stepped in, shrugging my coat and scarf off. The snow had begun to fall just in time to have a white Christmas, leaving a thick blanket of white to cover every surface. I paused in the entryway to pull my phone out and quickly dialed in Evan’s number, smile appearing on my face just as it does every time I even think about him.

“What’s up baby.” His enthusiastic voice answered and I laughed softly. A second later Scott’s voice range over, shouting a greeting.

“Scott?” I asked, laughing again. Evan grumbled in response and then the sound of Spencer and Kevin talking was apparent.

“Sutton! Sutton! Hey Suton!” Their voices were loud on my end so I’m positive they were causing a scene where ever they happened to be.

“Get away from me would ya?” Evan growled at them. I laughed once more.

“Tell Spencer and Kevin I said hi to them as well.” I told him.

I could hear Evan relay my message and then the slight growls I heard told me he was arguing with one of the boys. Or all of them. Those boys love to fight, they strike up arguments all the time.

“I hate to interrupt your guy time.” And I did. I didn’t want his friends to resent me for taking up all his time.

“No, no it’s cool. Besides, I think I’ve had more than enough guy time.” I walked forward and started up the stairs, listening to him.

“Ok, well I just called to-” I paused, my head turning to look downstairs.

“Sutton?” Evan sounded a little worried.

“Hang on.” I told him.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and cocked my head lightly, listening. For a second there, it had almost sounded like someone was walking. No one was home though. Jason was with Ellie, my mom and dad and Taylor were out running errands. It wouldn’t make sense for someone to be downstairs. I vaguely heard the buzz of Evan’s voice on my phone and pulled it back to my eat.

“Sorry, I had just walked in my front door and no one’s home and I just thought I heard a noise. It’s nothing, I’m just over reacting.” I told him, dismissing the thought. I’m just being paranoid, it’s nothing. My gut feeling told me though, that it wasn’t nothing.

“Are you sure?” Concern still colored his voice.

“Yeah, yeah. You worry too much.” I told him lightly, continuing on my way up the stairs.

I went to my room and dropped my purse onto the floor, continuing to talk with Evan. I glanced at his present that was stowed in the corner of my bedroom. It was wrapped in shiny red wrapping paper and another gift was sitting next to it, wrapped similarly. As a joke, me, Lilah, Lisa, and Kat had all gotten each of the guys the most hideous Christmas sweater we could find. Evan’s was pretty grotesque, made of wool and white with green and red Christmas trees decorating it.

A sound from downstairs once again took my attention and I leaned out my bedroom door, looking down the hallway. A loosely heard Evan say something but I couldn’t tell you what it was. There. There it was again. I walked to the head of the stairs and looked down, expecting to find a family member but not seeing anyone. My heartbeat sped up slightly and I took a step down, keeping my eyes trained on the entryway.

“I’m sorry, what? I didn’t quite hear what you said.” I spoke to Evan again, hearing him start to panic.

“Are you sure everything’s ok?” He sounded worried, picking up on my anxiety.

“Sutton, you’re killing me here. Tell me what’s going on.” I didn’t answer him right away.

I walked down the stairs and across the entryway, looking down the hall that led to my dad’s house office, the library, and the kitchen. In the time it took for me to cross the entryway, I’d heard another footstep. I stood still, fear holding me in place.

“Sutton, please answer me.” Evan’s frantic voice broke through my thoughts.

“It’s just, I keep hearing noises but no one’s home.” I told him, my voice quieter than usual. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was listening to me.

I guess Evan was in the middle of a meltdown because Spencer’s voice suddenly engulfed the line and fired a question at me. I answered rather distractedly, still listening.

“Mom? Dad? Taylor, Jason?” I called out. Silence greeted me.

“Guys, if it was my parents or Jason or Taylor they would have answered me by now.” I told whoever was listening on the other end. I couldn’t tell if Evan was still listening but I could just make out some background noise so I’m assuming they put me on speaker.

“Ok, Sutton. Listen closely, is there anything different? Any smells that aren’t familiar?” Spencer was once again the one that dictated the order.

Following his command, I took a hesitant sniff and let my wolf senses take charge. There were the familiar scents, mine, my parents, Jason’s, even Evan’s. There was a slight undercurrent though, a scent that didn’t mix well with the others. I tried my best to single it out and pinpoint it.

“There’s a smell, but I can’t…I can’t tell you what it is. It’s not werewolf exactly but it’s not human either. It’s like it’s mixed but there’s something else there. Wait-” I cut off just as another sound reverberated through the empty, silent house.

I racked my head, trying to figure out what it had sounded like. Distantly I heard Spencer ask what I’d heard. No, it wasn’t footsteps. More like the thud or creek of something opening. Perhaps closing. The thing that bothered me was that I had no problem hearing it. In fact, I’m sure even human ears would be able to pick the sound up. Whoever was here knew I could hear them. A shiver crept up my spine.

“Sutton, honey. I want you to stand still and listen. I want you to figure out where the noise is coming from.” This time it was Evan who spoke. I couldn’t deny the instant relief that I felt, hearing his voice.

I did as he asked and stopped, standing a few steps the hallway. A startled cry escaped my lips as a thunderous bang erupted from the direction of the kitchen. It probably wasn’t that loud, but the soundless house seemed to magnify the bang.

“Evan, I’m scared.” I whispered into the phone, letting my fear show.

“I know, babe, I know. Tell me, where did that bang come from?”

“The uhh…the kitchen I think.” I told him. The urge to find the source of the noise was suddenly overwhelming and I took a few steps forward.

I listened as Evan compared me to the stupid girl in those clichéd horror movies and fought the urge to chuckle at that. Though, now I could see why she always went into the house or opened the closet door. The burning curiosity now became a need. A need to see what was happening, who was there. Fear is paralyzing, but curiosity can get the better of you. Ignoring Evan’s attempt to get me to stay put, I pushed forward and continued my slow walk to the shut kitchen door. My heart thudded and I heard no noise on the other end except for their shallow breathing. I guess they realized they wouldn’t be able to talk me out of it. It seemed too soon I was in front of the door and whatever awaited me behind it.

“Now or never.” I murmured into the phone, clutching it. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, tensing up.

The door swung open to reveal…nothing. Nothing unusual. A pot lay upside down on the floor and the open kitchen window let a stream of cool air into the room. Glancing around quickly, I let out a sigh of relief. The phone buzzed with Evan’s voice.

“Oh. Oh, goodness.” I breathed, walking across the floor to pick the pot up.

“Sutton?” Evan still sounded like he was in distress.

“The window, the window. It was open and there’s a pan on the floor. The wind must have knocked it over making the bang.” I reassured him.

“You had me worried for a minute there.” I could hear him exhale and I smiled at how much he cared.

“Worried? I was scared shitless.” I admitted, closing the window as I spoke. A second later there was the sound of the phone being passed.

“Sutton, it’s Spence again. I need you to do two things for me.” He still sounded a little stressed.

“Uhh, ok.”

“You’re sure it sounded like footsteps right? Before, earlier.” At first I couldn’t figure out how this was relevant until it occurred to me that the wind could never make footsteps.

“Yes…” I tensed once again. A chill crept over me and I had the distinct feeling someone was once again listening.

“Look around, is there anything that could have sounded like that?” Spencer asked. I looked around the room carefully, praying I would find a logical answer. I trembled as I came to my conclusion.

“No, there’s not. There’s nothing here that would have sounded like th-” A hand came out of nowhere and gripped me against a firm body.

I shrieked and flung my arms and legs out, flailing as much as I could. A tanned hand kept trying to touch my face but I shook my head from side to side, crying out. My brain scrambled to remember what Jason had told me to do if I was ever attacked. I couldn’t come up with anything besides shoving my elbow into the guy’s ribcage. I did so and was rewarded with a grunt and his grip slackened. I figured this was the only opportunity I was going to get and made a leap, trying to get out of his arms. I guess I didn’t hit him hard enough because before I got far, a hand crept across my face and slapped a fowl, sweet smelling rag across my mouth and nose.

A familiar haze spread across my mind and I felt my body start to shut down. Distantly I heard my phone clatter to the ground and I breathed out. My body collapsed and through my blurry vision I saw only two things, two people. The guy that I had struggled with, who looked down at me with disgust, and a sickly smug Luke. He stood against the far wall, by the door. I watched as stalked closer to me and said something into the phone. A roaring in my ears made it impossible for me to hear what he said but I clearly heard what he said when he kneeled down and whispered in my ear before I felt the blackness carry me away.

Are you ready?