Chapter 427
It was as if nothing had ever changed. There was no elephant in the room, no awkwardness. Everyone was chatting and getting along. I was stuck in a conversation with my aunt Claire about college.
“That’s amazing Leah and when do you start?”. She asked.
I could feel my grans eyes on me. She was listening to every word smiling and if I’m being honest, it made me kind of sad. There were loads I missed about her, and it still terrified me in case we couldn’t rekindle the relationship we once had.
“In 3 weeks’, time”. I nodded. “I still have to pick up my schedule and other things, but I have plenty of time p>
“That you do”. She smiled. “I’m so excited for you p>
“Thanks”. I smiled. “I’m excited too”. I couldn’t wait to get back into a routine again and who knows maybe I’ll pick up a job on campus. Turns out the gas station wasn’t for me.
Even though I only did the one shift, or half a shift Jake never took me back and it was never talked about again.
“I’m glad you’re going to college sweetheart”. My gran spoke. “It’s nice to see you’re doing well”. “Me too”. I nodded.
I had barely seen George, he was busy in the kitchen preparing everyone’s food. He would show face for a few minutes, fill up wine glasses and then disappear again.
Oddly enough he couldn’t seem to make eye contact with me.
“If you’ll excuse me a minute”. My gran spoke as she got to her feet.
We had been here 45 minutes, and I couldn’t wait to eat. I didn’t have a big lunch because I was keeping room for the steak.
“Are you okay?”. Jake whispered his hand finding mine under the table.
I nodded. Alanna didn’t come with Carter and when I asked where she was, he shrugged and continued to drink the brown liquor in his glass. I wasn’t keeping count, but I already knew he
had a lot.
Jake being Jake told me it wasn’t my business and to basically keep my mouth shut. He wasn’t making a scene or causing bother, but I didn’t miss the way auntie Claire was looking at him, the worry clear in her eyes.
Something was going on with Carter and I wasn’t sure how long it was going to be before he cracked. I had never seen this side of him before, and it was worrying.
“I’m starving”. Jake muttered.
I made a face. Always thinking about his stomach but he had a point I was hungry to. My gran was trying. She had set the table beautifully; everyone was on their best behaviour and the mood was light.
I did wonder if we were ever going to talk about the unspoken truth of my life. Well, parts of it
and all the other things that happened. I wanted the nitty-gritty details of everything.
I wanted to finally know who I really was and of course the story of George being my grandfather.
That was still weird to think. Don’t get me wrong George was lovely, and he treated my gran well, but I wanted to know why they didn’t stay together. Why my gran went on to marry someone else and of course have more children.
If they were soul mates, how were they able to be separated for so long?
I had so many things I wanted to know and yet wasn’t sure if anyone was going to scratch the seal. You know switch the topic onto what put this dinner in motion in the first place.
“So, Jake. How’s things within the pack?” My Aunt Claire asked.
Talking about the pack was always friendly conversation and Jake liked to brag about our pack being one of the best and not to mention strongest.
“Good”. He smiled. “We’ve got new drills we’ve been running and a few current ideas I want to bring to light at the monthly pack meeting. Is Zac coming down?”. He asked.
“No”. She shook her head. “We’re having some issues with rogue wolfs finding shelter on our lands p>
“Ah”. He nodded. “We had that issue once before p>
I bit the inside of my cheek to hold in my laugh. He may never admit it, but Rocco was an asset to our pack and one hell of a wolf.
“Can you share how you got rid of them?”. She asked.
He scratched the back of his head his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “We didn’t they became part of our pack p>
“Wait, what?”. She frowned. “What about the risks or the dangers p>
I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes. Rocco was never a risk. He just wanted to belong somewhere and for his family to be safe.
“We got lucky”. He spoke. “And now he’s one of the strongest among us p>
“Our Alpha would never take that risk”. She spoke. “Outsiders are a big no p>
“That’s cause he’s a dick”. Carter piped up. “He’s always been a dick p>
Oh.