Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I remember the whole first year at the academy I couldn’t find my feet. Everything I did was wrong; I was getting beat up in every challenge. They would pick me first in events because they knew I was weak. I tried very hard to master the techniques they were teaching, but I just couldn’t get it. I was bullied. This got the attention of Commander Kyle.  He sent for me asking if I really wanted to be there and did I really think it through about becoming one of the elite warriors there. That pissed me off because I always knew what I needed. Everything came to a head when the main bullies, a pair or twins, Saskia and Saxon called themselves taking me deep into the Phantom woods to die and what happened there changed my life forever.

“Flashback”

“You just need to toughen up, we’re really doing you a favor.” Saskia said as she held one of my arms in a vice.

“You’re a soft little bitch and there’s no room for you in the Werewolf academy, especially when you haven’t even shifted yet.” Saxon huffed. He was always the crueler one. 

They threw me down on the ground, laughing about how they knew the way out and wished they could watch me scream and cry about being left in the woods. What they didn’t know is these woods were alive, there were creatures in here that by design would drive you crazy and kill you. I did my research before coming here. I knew what was out there.  The spirits get in your head and make you crazy, then you face your worse nightmare, and this information came from the few who survived being here.  Saskia and Saxon ran away trying to get out before nightfall, but they never made it. As I sat with my knees pulled up on my chest. I heard it.

“What’s wrong darling, are you sad?” I looked up to see nothing and no one. “I know what’s bothering you. Nobody wants you, you’re nothing and they won’t give you a chance. I can be your friend. All you have to do is let me in.”

“Let you in where?” I asked with a shaky voice.

“Inside of you. Let me in and I’ll make everything alright.”

“No. LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“Flashback over”

“I knew I’d find you here!”

“Ahhh shit! LaLa! You ass! You scared the shit out of me!”

“Sorry sis, but I knew when they said you took off exactly where you’d go; and I was right.”

“This place always smoothed out my crooked.”

“I know. I’d come here after you left to soothe my soul too. I really missed you.” He smiled.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

We sat here for a long time in a comfortable silence until I smelled him.  Shit, I didn’t want to be bothered with him. So, I stood up to head back home when he came through the clearing.

“Hey Lance, can I talk to Phoenix please I need to clear some things up.”

“Sure. You good Phee?”

I was ecstatic that he considered me first before leaving. “Yeah Lala, I’m good. I’ll see you at home.” He took off into the woods. I’m now turned toward him with my attitude firmly placed.

“Before you say anything and get mad again, I’d like to apologize.” My antennae went up quickly.

“Again, for what?”

“For everything. I was an ass.” I scoffed at that. “And I can’t believe that Amy was against me this whole time, and she let harm come to our pack members on purpose.”

Things with your Luna are none of my business, but you having a block up as an alpha is irresponsible, especially when there is a threat against your pack.” I said with all the attitude I could muster.

“My parents know that I rejected you.” I shook my head like ‘and.’ “They are not happy with me. I’m sure the whole pack with know soon.” He looked out across the water with an emotion I couldn’t read. “I suppose I have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Not on my account.” I said with absolutely no emotion.  He sighed. “Yes I owe you an explanation too.” He said and I was intrigued.

“How so?” in all the time I’ve known Gael he never looked at me with anything other than disgust and distain. This time he walked right up to me and looked me square in the eyes and I mirrored him right back.

“I never hated you Major Greeley. I was, however, caught up in what other people thought of me. Being the Alpha’s son puts pressure on you to be the best at everything, have the best of everything and I fell right into the bully category. Amy, for some reason always hated you. Now I see it was jealousy, but what I can’t figure out is, I would have these moments of clarity and start to feel really guilty at what we’d been doing to you. Then like magic, I just didn’t care.” He looked away then. I started to speak, and he looked at me again with so much intensity that I winced.

“You know my wolf was always against any mistreatment of you. You were who he recognized as his mate, and he’s been adamant about that fact ever since. He’s always hated Amy and never took her as his. He’d never let me….finish inside her or mark her.” He took a step closer to me and the intensity created a heat between us. “He hasn’t let me shift since you left.” My eyebrows went up. That is serious, when you are not on the same accord as your wolf.  It makes you weaker. Your wolf is your other half and gives you strength, especially an Alpha, his wolf is stronger than all others. I found I took a small step back. “You know, I don’t know why I’m telling you all this now, but I felt the betrayal pains and they brought me to my knees. I had to take a very large pill to ease the pain. Only Amy and Doc Simmons knew it. So, I know you’re not a virgin.” I smirked.

“You don’t think you were the only one who got to have a little fun, huh? Also, you started it. The betrayal pains from you and her were no walk in the park either; and I was a rejected wolf when I had sex, you cannot say the same.” Now I looked at him with an intensity that could burn down the world. He took that step forward and I could smell him, but I didn’t break eye contact with him.

“I wish I could turn back time and do better. I regret everything I’ve ever done to you.”

“Do you now?” I licked my lips and watched his eyes follow my tongue. He was so close his scent was making me dizzy.

“Yes.” He said breathlessly. He looked like he wanted to kiss me, and Goddess knows that wasn’t happening.

“Well sometimes, Alpha, there is too much water under the bridge and all that we have left is regrets.” With that I turned to walk back to the packhouse. When he appeared right in front of me. I sighed. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“I won’t stop until I earn my mate back.” He startled me with the determination on his face. I walked around him and turned and walked backwards.

“Good luck with that, Alpha.” I turned and sprinted into the woods.

Gael stood facing the water for the longest and the feeling that kept building in his heart was determination to win Phoenix back. He wanted her, but then again, he always wanted her. He didn’t know why he did what he did, but for some reason he felt free and the longer he stood there the more he and Ronan connected and boy did it feel good. He felt Alpha strength, and wisdom coil into his very being. The resolve in his soul would not relent and before he took his last breath, he would claim his mate and make her as happy as she should’ve always been. Ronan stood up proudly in agreement.