Chapter 9

By the time I got home, exhaustion sat heavily in my bones.

The porch light was already on.

Aunt Clara opened the door before I even reached it.

"You’re late."

"There was a goodbye dinner." 

She stepped aside to let me in before immediately pulling me into a hug.

I melted into it quietly.

My aunt had become more than family over the years.

She became my shelter.

The first person who held me after that night.

The first person who made me feel safe again.

"You packed the rest of your things?" she asked softly.

"Mostly."

"Mostly?"

I sighed dramatically. "Okay fine, some things are still thrown around my room." 

"Jolene Rachel Falls." 

I groaned. "Don’t use my full name." 

“That room better not look like a tornado passed through it.”

" It only looks like a small tornado."

She rolled her eyes and headed toward the kitchen.

My uncle Daniel looked up from the couch. "You nervous?"

The question settled heavily between us.

Because he wasn’t just asking about the job.

He knew that.

I swallowed slowly. “A little."

" Okay maybe a lot. But who wouldn't be. It has been years" 

He nodded once like he understood more than I can admit.

Because maybe he. He and my aunt are the only once who knew what happened to me that night in the words. They know the demons I carry with me everyday.

He was one of only two people who knew what really happened after I left Crove Pack seven years ago.

Sometimes I still woke up hearing those voices.

My nightmares are them. They haunt me at night.

Feeling those hands.

Sometimes I still slept with the lights on.

I hated myself for that weakness.

" You don't have to stay if it becomes too much," Aunt Clara said quietly from the kitchen doorway.

Emotion clogged my throat unexpectedly.

"I know."

And I did know.

That was the difference now.

At eighteen, I ran because I had nowhere else to go.

At twenty-five, I was choosing to return.

That mattered.

Even if it terrified me.

......

The next morning came too quickly.

Boxes filled the backseat and trunk of my truck while the early morning wind brushed against my skin.

Aunt Clara stood on the porch holding two travel mugs.

"You'll need coffee."

“You know me so well."

" I practically raised you.”

I smiled softly and accepted the cup.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then suddenly she pulled me into another hug.

A tight one.

The kind mothers give before letting go.

"You call me immediately when you get there," she ordered.

“I will.”

"And if anything feels wrong.. don't hesitate to call. I'll be on my way to you"

"I know" 

Her eyes searched mine with a sad smile.

Probably checking for fear.

Honestly?

I was terrified.

But beneath the fear was something else too.

Closure maybe.

Or unfinished business.

I didn’t know yet.

Uncle Daniel carried the last box toward my truck before shutting the trunk firmly.

"You ready, kid?"

No.

Not even remotely.

But life rarely waited until people felt ready.

I took a deep breath and nodded anyway.

"Yeah,"I whispered.

I climbed into the driver's seat slowly, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary.

This truck had carried me through college.

Through panic attacks.

Through lonely nights and nightmares.

Now it was taking me back to the beginning.

Back to Crove Pack.

Back to my past.

Back to ghosts I never fully escaped.

I rolled down the window as Aunt Clara approached one last time.

"I'm proud of you,"  she said softly.

That almost broke me.

I smiled shakily instead.

"Love you."

"We love you too."

Then before I could lose my nerve, I started the engine.

And drove away.

..... 

Two hours later, I was at the border of Crove pack. I could feel the bond connection through my blood streams. 

I passed by the warriors and was stopped at the entrance. 

"State your name and business here", one of the warriors asked. 

"Jolene Falls. I'm here to see my parents" I said calmly but not feeling the calm.

Recognition dawn to his eyes an they widen. 

"Holy shit" he muttered but I heard him. He turns and went looked at the others

"Tell Jasper his sister has arrived" he tells the other guys.

I immediately offed the engine and stepped out of the car.

I walked over to o where the warrior was standing,

"Is my brother here today?" I asked anxiously. They are the once who wanted me back,they are the once who found me the job..

"Yes...." He was caught of by Jasper's voice.

"Holy shit. Jolene!" 

I turned around immediately and saw my older brother standing there looking older than I remembered. My eyes immediately glisten with tears and before I realized I was running to opened arms and he meets me half way.

He engulfed me into the tightest hug , lifting me off the ground and spinning me.

"Oh my goddess,I missed so much Jolene" he whispers in my hair 

"I missed you so much too big brother" I tell him back.

After a few seconds,he lets me down and I fixed my short denim shirt. I might flashed the warrior but he looked pink and was checking me out.

"Wow... you've grown into such a big girl already" he says 

"Well I'm no longer 18. I'm twenty-five" I tell him

"Well tell that to dad.. Speaking of dad, everyone is waiting at home for you. Let's go" he replied 

"Who is everyone?" I asked suspiciously 

"Well my mate and kids,Jacob and his mate and kids ,mom and dad" he said casually ,like he hadn't dropped a bomb on me.

" You have a mate now?" I asked

" Yeah"

" Well I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me?"I asked

" Well,I didn't decide to go into hiding for seven years,and not contact anyone but then suddenly contact your brothers so they finally know your whereabouts" he snaps and I top dead iny tracks.

He immediately regrets it by his facial expression.

" I'm sorry "I whispered 

" Jo....I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way "he says stepping forward. I stepped back.

" No... don't apologize. I hurt this family,you meant it and it's fine. Can we just go"I tell him calmly 

" No,Jo. Don't be like that"he said again.

"It's fine. Can we go now."I asked not meeting his eyes.

" Sure"he says with a sigh.

I walked past him into the driver's seat and started the car,I waited for him to enter and then the boarder was opened for me pass through.