Semua Bab Winter: Bab 81 - Bab 90

We pulled into the pack house driveway and I was surprised to see quite a few cars around. The pressure on my chest felt heavier when I realized not a single one of these cars was Caspian’s. Getting out, I left my backpack behind and Caleb even waited for me to walk with him to the door. Did he think I would run? Looking around, I wondered if it would be an option.“Inside, Winter.”Nodding, I walked into the house. What used to be a safe place for me now felt slimy. It felt like I didn’t belong here anymore. Nor did I feel welcome. Stepping into the kitchen, Luna Ember smiled and started to pull me into a hug, but I stepped back. Caleb growled but I didn’t care. Not after everything.“Winter…I know it may not seem like it now…but we really just want the best for you.” She stopped trying to hug me, at least. “I know it’s hard to see now, but trust us.”All I wanted to say was no. I didn’t want anything to do with any of this. This was wrong. Everyone knew it and I didn’t understand why

I sat in the passenger seat of Mrs. St James giant black Wagoneer. We had left the pack territory a while ago as we drove north. Outside of telling me I looked lovely and asking me to buckle up, she didn’t say anything for the entire drive so far. There was some jazz playing lightly in the background and I looked out the window, everything outside being completely new to me.“Winter.”My head snapped to her. “Yes?”“You will be meeting with the entire Council. I will not be with you. You will be on your own and a few of them aren’t happy with an extra meeting today.”Nodding, I listened carefully to her. She wasn’t looking at me, her face serious as she watched the road. It was her in work-mode. A heaviness to her tone.“You cannot argue. You cannot treat them as you would your pack. While you might rebel against the Alpha, but you cannot do that to them. They would just as easily decide that you’re not worth it.”It wasn’t a matter of seeing me as a child wasting their time. She was

I didn’t know what to say. This all was so overwhelming. I sat there, staring into the coffee table. My mind was going a million directions and unable to settle. The mug of hot chocolate was placed back in my hands and I instinctively took a sip. It was the taste of home. The same feeling when I smelled the herbs drying or damp soil from a garden. The same feeling I had stepping into this room.Taking a breath, I finally spoke. “Before…I ask anything else. The reason I came here was because Alpha Damian and my father were trying to mate me off to another pack. They said that y-you signed off on it. I wanted to state my case. At the very least that I should be allowed to meet with Caspian when I turn eighteen. To know…before I’m mated off to someone…”“You have no need to worry about that.” Councilor Augustine growled. “You will not be going anywhere. Not unless by your choice.”“We also didn’t sign off on it, for what it’s worth. They never came to us.” Councilo

“Well, sweets, that’s up to you, isn’t it?” Councilor Daeva came over, brushing her fingers through my hair. “What do you want to do? The two of you, because you are fated mates. You have to decide on what you want to do.”“Maybe not tonight? Maybe tonight we let them talk it out here?” Councilor Estella chuckled. “The poor dears are exhausted. Winter’s been through enough today.”“I already sent back Brittany. It’s why I was late coming back. She was hesitant, but I told her we were making sure Caspian was here and she was more amiable to the idea.” Councilor Daeva giggled, sounding like chimes every time she did. “And are we having them sleep together in the same room? Scandalous.”“Daeva, you’re the one who can see their mate bond. You’re the last one who should be saying that.” Councilor Augustine chuckled.

“You have got to be kidding me.”Krista smiled wide. “What are you talking about? I saw this and it screamed you.”“Krista.”“Winter.”“Kris.”“Winny.”I slammed my palm into my forehead. “We don’t have time to get something else, do we?”“How dare you! This is perfect! You will look like you’re going to go into battle! Complete with battle ready shoes. I thought you would be happy with them. They aren’t even that high and they are the thick heel.”Throwing my hands up, I gestured to the dress she had set out. “The boots are the least of my worries at this point! Krista! This is over the top!”She took my hands bringing them down and holding them together. “I promise you, it’s not. You could be like me.”My eyes side over to her dress. She was right about that. Bo