Bloodlines (The New Order 2)

Chapter 23

There was one thing odd about the rogue that was found at our doorstep. I couldn't read her mind or her thoughts. It was unusual. I couldn't read minds of those people that were stronger than me but a rogue certainly wasn't. So why couldn't I?

The mark over my neck throbbed, sending pulses throughout my body. I smiled to myself and covered the mark with my hand. My mate's mark. Cain's mark no longer mattered. It was Knox's scent that covered me now.

I closed the door to the guest bedroom and walked away. The woman, her name still unknown, slept in a comfortable bed after the nurse had examined her. There were no wounds over her body, an odd case for the nurse. She gave her a couple of herbal medicines that helped her wolf to heal quicker and then left.

I chewed the inside of my mouth, wondering why Cain wanted me to meet Gideon earlier. Was it because of this?

A tight hand came wrapping around my wrist before I was dragged upstairs. "It's time for you to sleep." Knox whispered in my ears. "You've been awake for longer than you should be. Get some sleep. If anything happens, I'll wake you up but until then, I want to see you in your bed, sleeping." He pushed me back over the mattress, forcing me get under the sheets.

"Are you sure? I can stay awake for a while longer." I leaned up but he was quick to push me back once more.

"Shut up."

"Okay," I sighed, removing my shoes and slipping my legs under the sheets. "I'll sleep, only for a bit."

At this point, my mind was running wild at the lack of sleep. I feared Knox kicking out the woman from the house and forcing to leave the town and then Gideon killing her before Cain would help him to bury her body.

I needed sleep.

"Just promise me you won't do anything—" I grabbed his hand and stopped him from scurrying away to his pack matters. "—when I'm sleeping."

"Asides from your tearing your clothes and taking you, I don't think so I'll be doing anything else." He swooped in and placed a kiss over my cheek before leaving the room.

I woke up to the sounds of my own grumbling and strong arms wrapped around me. Gentle fingers caressed my back. I turned over, diving straight into Knox's embrace. He smelled good, like everything I had ever wished for. For the following couple of minutes, I didn't dare to open my eyes. This momentary peace wasn't going to last for long. I wanted to relish it before snapping out of the trance.

There was a voice in my head, irritating me and reminding me that I didn't just have one mate.

There were two more.

I wasn't made for one but at this point, I wished I was.

"What's the time?" I asked him, my voice soft and still asleep.

"It's almost eight in the evening. Do you want to wake up?"

"Mhm," I pushed myself closer to him, my mouth only inches away from his neck. His stubble brushed against my cheek while his hand rested over my back. "I don't want to."

"But you have to," he paused, drawing his hand away. I instantly sensed tension. It was here, ready to consume me once more. "Your family has been calling me, starting with your Dad who has been dropping threats left and right as if its the only thing he knows to do. Are vampires this vicious? He promises to cut my throat open and bury it. Your sister has called me as well, she sounds worried. I spoke to her, unlike your Dad, she wasn't threatening me. I told her you're with me, safe."

My eyes snapped open and the moment of peace tore by itself as soon as I heard the words leaving his mouth.

I sat up, his arms still wrapped around me. My tired eyes shot a glance at him. "God," I groaned to myself and ran a hand through my hair. "Can you give me your phone? I'll speak with Nat."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, she's my sister." My hand stretched, palm upside, waiting for a phone to be placed over it.

He pulled his phone from his pants and handed it over to me before drawing himself away and getting up from the bed. "Take your time. I'm going to head downstairs and check on the rogue you bought into this house."

"Thank you," I whispered as he left from the door.

After inhaling deeply, I dialed Natalie's number on Knox's phone and called her while also taking notice about my Dad's messages that were in his phone. They were countless of them along with a dozen calls, all missed.

Dad was so sure that I had fled back here, Thornwood, without saying a goodbye because Knox had threatened me to come. He nor Mom were aware of what grandfather had done which only meant one thing.

Grandfather was working alone. My parents weren't in this.

I thought wrong.

"Candice," my sister breathed out as she attended my call. "Is that you?"

"Yes," I responded. "Sorry I couldn't get on phone earlier. I was resting. Knox told me you called him and you were worried about me?" My brow rose by itself.

"Yes, I called." She did sound concerned but I wasn't sure. What if my entire family was into this with my grandfather? How could I trust any of them? "You left, abruptly. I looked everywhere for you and then that guard—Simon, he also left. I didn't hear anything from you so I thought something might have happened but I'm so glad to know you're alright!" She exclaimed with a hint of relief in her voice.

I scratched the back of my neck in confusion. Uncertainty fell deep inside me and I drowned into it. What was happening?

"Something happened, Nat."

"What?"

My heart swelled at the thought of it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her—to believe her. "Where is Grandpa?"

"He hasn't been here in a couple of days but Dad spoke to him last night, he's leaving the state and heading elsewhere," She replied. "I feel like something happened between you and him during that walk. Neither of you came home."

Running.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes back before telling her the truth. It took a couple of minutes but it was all out and in the clear.

"I can't ever leave Thornwood, Nat. Not again. I made a mistake ever coming home and I don't know what Grandpa intends to do with me but its not right and I believe our parents are in it as well—at least Dad must be," I paused to take a breath before continuing, "I know this sounds bad, terrible even. I don't want Dad to ever contact me again."

"What about me, Candice? Are you cutting ties with me as well?" She rasped.

My mouth trembled, I shook my head instantly, without a thought, "No, of course not. I trust you and I hope I'm not wrong. We can talk whenever you want but you've to understand I'll be keeping my distance from our parents." I told her.

Natalie understood me and I understood her. She was my sister and I knew I could trust her no matter how bad things were going to get with our parents. I told her to pass a message to Dad, to let him know what happened and to stop him from contacting me ever again—until I wanted to. This all happened because of my family.

They lied to me, over and over again, on every little thing. I didn't want to be a part of anymore, not after what grandfather did to me.

I ended the call and freshened up before heading toward the guest room where the female rogue was kept. From the bottom of my heart, I hoped she was still inside and alive.

When I stepped near the doorway, I found Knox. He was leaned against the wall, taking to the female rogue who seemed a lot better. She was seated, near to him.

Something twitched inside me. My brows collected and wrinkles appeared in my forehead as I saw the smile curled on Knox's face. My heart pounded in my chest. The mark on my neck burned in untamed jealousy and I clenched my jaw. 

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