The Secret Pull

Chapter 18 - Stella

GABBY  -

Sitting on the bathroom floor with my knees tucked to my chest, I wondered. Should I leave or stay and face Paul when he returns? I was still angry but now that I've had some time to calm down I was more afraid of how upset Paul was with me. I knew I couldn't stay in this bathroom forever. I just need to decide what my next move is before he gets back. I know one thing, I need my phone. I opened the door and went looking for my bag.

It wasn't in the bedroom anymore. Maybe Paul took it with him or hid it. I went downstairs thinking it might be there somewhere. I was determined to leave with or without it though. Everything was quiet. I thought I was alone. I was on my way out the front door when I heard an "ahem". I froze. I turned my head to the sound coming from Paul's massive living room. I saw my bag on the coffee table. Stella was sitting on the adjoining sofa with her feet propped up on it.

Damn it!

'

My shoulders slumped in defeat as I turned to her. "Are you going to try and stop me from leaving?" I waited for her to answer. She sighed and slowly swung her legs off of my bag. She stood up to face me.

"Do you really want to leave Paul... or do you want me to leave?" she said softly. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to be searching mine for the answer. I crossed my arms over my chest but didn't say anything. She took a tentative step towards me and said, "I know our history is bad..really bad. I'm not going to pretend I don't remember the horrible things I've said and done." I stood still, willing myself not to take a step back. Although I wanted more space between us, I didn't want to show weakness. I've watched animal planet

"Luna, I wanted a moment alone with you to apologize for the way I treated you. What's important to Paul, is important to me. That now includes you too. So..I want to say I'm so very sorry and I hope we can start again." She tilted her head, exposing her neck in the way I've seen all the wolves do in Paul's presence.

I just stood there. After all these years, I didn't know how to respond to an apology from Stella. She sounded genuinely sincere for once. But I didn't know if I fully trusted it. I was still glad that she made the effort. "I ...accept your apology," I said slowly, uncrossing my arms.

"I also want to thank you for taking care of Bo earlier in the caves." she continued as my eyes widened.

"Bo is your.....You and Josiah..." I stammered in my little haze. Stella gave a slow smile as my mouth hung open. She just nodded her head. Her lips were pressed together trying to suppress a laugh the way I've seen Jess do often. "So you're the reason Josiah is so buff and badass?" I blurted out. Her laughter exploded at that point.

"He started going to the gym with me to keep the guys away" she admitted as we both exploded in laughter. The thought of sweet Josiah back then trying to defend his Stella Cosgrove from other males brought tears to my eyes. We laughed with each other for a minute or two before it dawned on me that she was here with me instead of with them.

"I know you would rather be with them than me. Let's go back to your house." I watched as she raised a skeptical brow. "Annnnnd... since Paul probably told you to watch over me, let's just all be together. You can watch me at your house." I reasoned. Stella stood motionless as she contemplated my words.

"Take me. I want to get out of here," I was trying to sound authoritative, hoping she would comply. I didn't think she was going to agree to it but Stella quickly grabbed my bag, turned, and marched towards the door. Without turning her head, she yelled back at me, "grab your helmet and let's go!"

After a ten-minute ride on her bike, we pulled up to a massive brick cottage that was almost as big as Paul's home. I was amazed to see another spectacular home. These wolves lived well, very well. Her driveway was lined with lights leading up to a massive front door. I hopped off the back of her bike thinking all of these wolves must be rich. The sound of Stella calling out to me pulled me out of my little daydream and I followed her through the open front door.

I walked into a large living room in front of vaulted windows looking out to pitch blackness. In the daytime, it must be a spectacular view. As soon as I turned around from closing the door behind me, I saw Josiah lifting Stella from the floor and into his arms in a big bear hug. I watched them enraptured in a long kiss before reminding them of my presence with an "eww gross".

Josiah turned to me and laughed. He gently put Stella down and turned to me. He mockingly placed one hand on his chest and another behind his back and made a princely bow. "Welcome to our home Luna!" he said with his eyes glistening. I played along and curtseyed in front of him. Stella just rolled her eyes.

"You two are ridiculous!" she chided. "What?!" Josiah feigned innocence. "The last time I attempted to hug her, Alpha threatened to beat me to death with my own severed arms!" he laughed.

"What?!.. When was this?" I stood there stunned. "Back at the packhouse," Josiah chuckled. He threw himself into the sofa behind him pulling Stella into his lap. I just stared at them as they cuddled.

"This is too weird, seeing the two of you together," I smiled.

They laughed. I sat and listened to Josiah explained how they discovered their bond but my thoughts were unsettled. Did Paul threaten Josiah over a harmless hug?

It was very late and after a few involuntary yawns, Josiah walked me upstairs to one of their guest rooms. I crawled into bed thinking about how happy they were together and how angry Paul must be with me. I felt silly for my jealousy over his connection to Stella. But it hurt seeing them together. I could see now that Paul is just as protective of me as Josiah is of Stella. This must be a wolf mate thing. Only now would I regret not being able to sense things with Paul as another wolf could. I wanted to, but I doubt our bond was strong enough for that.