Chapter 46: 46: Homecoming

MAX

The shower’s heat is a blessing. I’m worn out and there’s sand in places it shouldn’t be.

Phoenix is peaceful tonight, the sun’s long gone and the barracks are eerily quiet. It’s just Derek and me, the rest of the place feels deserted.

I head to my bunk, a towel around my waist and another drying my hair. I discard the towels and pull on some shorts, not bothering with a shirt.

Sleep is all I want tonight.

I texted my dad an hour ago. He finally replied, saying everyone was asleep and he was going to bed.

I promised to call in the morning, hoping to catch them before they left for school.

Derek is already fast asleep in his bunk, sprawled out like a starfish with his blankets at the foot of the bed. I can’t help but laugh at the sight, but I understand.

We’ve been uncomfortable for five days, and this feels like a luxury. The lights are off, the only light comes from the moon through the windows.

As I reach to fluff my pillow, a note slips out from underneath it onto the mattress. I grab my phone and turn on the flashlight to read it.

It’s from Ginger.

~Hi Max,~

~I’ve been taken to a family event in Rhode Island. I’m here with my mom and younger sister and won’t be back before you leave.~

~I wanted to say goodbye properly. But it seems that’s not possible now.~

~Please know that I cherished our time together. No one has ever treated me with such respect, it’s refreshing.~

~My mom mentioned that she met your dad once, a long time ago. He was the same, so I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.~

~Take care, Maximus. I hope our paths cross again someday.~

~Yours, Ginger~

The note surprises me, but I can’t deny the warmth it brings. The thought of Ginger sneaking in here, finding my bed, and leaving a note under my pillow is a little exciting.

I can smell her perfume on the paper as I bring it closer to my nose. I won’t leave her a note when I leave, I can’t lead her on like that.

She’s a beautiful, kind woman, and I’d be lucky to have her. But if she’s not my mate, I couldn’t bear to hurt her.

I’ll just make a point to come back here after we both turn twenty-one and I’m done with training. That is, if we haven’t found our mates by then.

With a sigh, I tuck the note inside my training notebook. I lay back on my pillow and close my eyes, sleep claiming me almost instantly.

***

“Oh my Goddess Max, how are you?” Melanie’s voice rings out from the other end of the phone.

“I’d be better if you didn’t just burst my eardrum,” I chuckle.

“Sorry. But seriously, how are you? What have you been up to? Spill the beans,” she’s calmer now, her words tumbling out in a rush.

It’s clear she’s missed our chats. We’ve been apart for almost nine months now.

“I’m good. I’ve been traveling the world. You wouldn’t believe it. I visited our grandmother’s pack in Italy.”

“It’s beautiful but so rural and isolated. Life moves at a snail’s pace there, not my scene.”

“So I guess that means you won’t be moving there to take over the pack,” she states, but it sounds more like a question.

“Nope, Mel, not happening. I’m wrapping up here in Phoenix. I’m flying out in a few days for a whirlwind tour of alpha meet and greets.”

“I’m excited but dreading the inevitable jet lag. I’ve discovered I hate flying,” I confess.

“Really? Why?”

“The time zone changes are brutal, and we’re not meant to be cooped up in tiny metal boxes in the sky. Plus, most flights are packed with humans, so we have to be extra careful about what we say and do.”

“But enough about me! How’s school? What’s new with you?” I ask, hoping she’ll share more but not wanting to push.

“School’s great, I’ve been doing really well. Brock has flown up here a few times to help me study.”

“He’s surprisingly good at biology. I’ve also applied to a few medical schools, and of course,” I interrupt her mid-sentence.

“Wait. Hold up. What do you mean Brock has been flying up there to help you study?” I can’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice, and I’m sure she can tell.

Melanie is silent on the other end of the line. I hear her take a deep breath and sigh.

“Really Max, we’re just friends. He’s been great, helping me study for finals. He cares about my success.”

“I bet he does,” I practically growl into the phone.

“Max!” Melanie’s voice is loud and frustrated. “Stop it, seriously. That’s all you took away from everything I said, which you didn’t even let me finish.”

“You interrupted me, so rude,” she huffs.

She’s right, I know she is. But I can’t help being protective of my little sister.

She’s my best friend and I’d hate to see her get hurt. She insists they’re just friends, but I saw the way he looked at her and I don’t believe for a second that he doesn’t have ulterior motives.

“Melanie, I just worry about you. I don’t want him to hurt you. What if he finds his mate?”

“What if he does?” She sounds angry on the other end of the phone, and I don’t want that.

This is the first time we’ve talked since I left. “Can we change the subject? When will you be home?” she asks.

“All right, fine,” I concede. “I’ll be home mid-June, but only for two months. I have to return to continue testing out of parts of the training.”

“I want to get this over with as soon as possible, it’s no joke. I had sand in places I didn’t even know existed,” I tell her.

That gets her giggling, which was my goal. “That’s better, I prefer hearing you laugh instead of yelling at me.”

“Well, don’t give me a reason to yell,” she teases. “Max, I have to go, I have an early class. Selene and Jaydon are waiting to talk to you too.”

“I love you, be safe,” she doesn’t give me a chance to respond as I hear the phone being handed off and Jaydon’s voice comes on the line.

“Hey bro, what’s up?” Jaydon, always the man of few words. I shake my head, wondering if I should tell him about Italy.

I decide against it unless he asks.

Our chat wraps up in a couple of minutes and Selene takes over the phone. She’s all fired up about her new training routine she’s been working on with Gamma Connor.

She’s got her sights set on becoming a warrior in our pack and she’s not afraid to let everyone know. She’s a force to be reckoned with.

I say a quick goodbye and end the call. I need to check in with my parents later, but right now, breakfast is calling my name.

As I make my way through the barracks, Derek falls into step with me. “Sounds like your sister’s got a boyfriend,” he teases, a smirk dancing on his lips.

I whip my head around to glare at him. “That beta better pray to God not.”

I know I’m being the overprotective brother again, but it gets under my skin. I should just let Melanie figure it out on her own.

She’s nineteen and more than capable. She’ll be twenty-one before we know it, then she’ll see for herself if this guy was worth her time.

Derek’s laughter echoes beside me until I smack him on the back of his head. “All right, man,” he raises his hands in surrender.

“Sorry. I wish some guy would distract my sister from her makeup and dresses. It must be a touchy subject for you.”

“Anyway, why don’t you like this Brock guy?”

I ponder his question for a moment before answering. “It’s not that I don’t like him. Actually, he’s a pretty decent guy and he’s downright terrifying on the battlefield.”

“He’s the biggest guy I’ve ever seen, except maybe those two Viking gammas that did water survival over in Italy.”

I pause, trying to pinpoint my issue with Brock. “I can’t really put my finger on why I’m not thrilled about my sister and Brock.”

“Maybe it’s because he’s a few years older than her and could find his mate at any moment, leaving her heartbroken.”

“Or maybe it’s the fear that he could whisk her away to the middle of nowhere in Texas. I guess I haven’t quite figured it out yet,” I shrug as we continue our trek to the dining hall, our stomachs growling in anticipation of a hearty meal.

“Let’s just eat and enjoy our day off, no discussions that will get under my skin.” Derek nods in agreement, keeping his thoughts to himself, but I catch his smirk from the corner of my eye.

Sometimes, this guy just gets on my nerves, and today seems to be one of those days.

***

After breakfast, I find a quiet spot to call my dad. I need to discuss some pack matters, and I don’t want any eavesdroppers.

It’s time he starts preparing Jaydon for Italy. I believe that getting him ready ahead of time will ensure he’s mentally prepared for the next few years.

He’s barely sixteen, but in just two years, he’ll be off to alpha training himself. After that, Asolo, Italy will become his new home.

I can’t even begin to imagine what will happen to the pack if this doesn’t pan out, they can’t continue as they are indefinitely, even if they’re doing well under the beta.

***

We chat for about an hour before my mom takes over the phone. She’s excitedly planning a summer barbecue to welcome me home.

I try to remind her that I’ll only be there for a few months, but she’s not having any of it. I give in and end the call.

***

When I return to the barracks, I find Derek slumped against the wall, his hands clenched into fists. His head is thrown back and a deep growl resonates from his chest.

It’s clear he’s struggling to keep his wolf at bay, which means something serious must be going on. I keep my distance, not wanting to startle him, and softly call his name.

His eyes snap open and I watch as they flicker between his human and wolf eyes, his control teetering on the edge.

“Just leave me the fuck alone,” he growls so quietly I almost miss it. He closes his eyes again and I watch as he takes a deep, calming breath.

I won’t push him. Something is clearly wrong; I just wish I knew how to help.

***

I move to my bed and sit down, keeping my eyes on him. After about ten minutes, he unclenches his fists and a single tear trickles down his cheek.

He quickly wipes it away, takes a deep breath, and lets out a sigh. Derek stands up, strips off his clothes, and heads toward the showers.

“Derek, are you okay, man?” I try again to see if I can offer any support. He’s made such progress in controlling his wolf over the past eight months, and I just watched him barely keep it in check.

***

Derek halts but doesn’t turn around. His response is quiet, and I’m left speechless. I’m stunned.

“My sister was attacked by rogues. They raped her and left her for dead in the woods.” He chokes back a sob as he continues toward the bathroom.

I’m left in stunned silence. I can’t help but wonder why my father didn’t mention this, he surely would have known.

That’s my mother’s old pack. We should be sending warriors to help them, and Derek should not have found out this way.

***

I grab my phone from where I’d tossed it on the bed and quickly dial my father back. “Max? Calling again so soon?” He sounds surprised.

“Everything all right?”

“No, Alpha, everything is not all right. Did you know about the alpha’s daughter being attacked and raped at the Half Moon pack?” His silence confirms my suspicion.

“Max. I didn’t want to worry you or stress you out, and I know you’re with Derek all the time.” He finally responds.

“That’s exactly why you should have told me. He just found out over the phone, and he’s devastated!” I whisper-shout, hoping Derek doesn’t overhear.

“Damn. I didn’t expect Damian to tell him like that.” I hear my father muffle the phone and whisper to what I assume is my mother.

When he returns to the phone, I hear her say she’s going to call Amara. “We have plans to help them, Max. I know that’s what you want to hear.”

“Connor is gathering a team to drive down there right now. They leave in thirty minutes.”

“That’s good. But how do I help Derek? How bad is his sister? Is she alive?”

“She’s alive, but obviously traumatized. She managed to send a mind link to Damien and Elijah when the rogues surrounded her, otherwise they might not have found her.”

“They have no idea why she was alone, so far from the pack house. Right now, she’s recovering in the pack clinic.”

“They’re bringing in a therapist to help her. That’s all I know for now, son,” he says, his voice heavy with sadness. “It’s a terrible situation.”

“I’ve got something to share with Derek now, at least. Just give me a warning next time, okay?” I end the call before he can reply.

I’m reeling. My heart is heavy for him. Sure, she gets on his nerves, but she’s his kid sister.

I can’t even begin to fathom the fury I’d feel if this happened to one of my own sisters.

Melanie was once assaulted by rogues, landing her in the hospital, but it was nothing like this. This situation is going to require some serious effort.

We’ve still got two months before we can return home. Derek has to stay strong.