The Pack Rebel

18. Gratitude

Declan's P.O.V.

Parker walks away from us and goes to get the door. Stepping aside, Parker reveals Axel and his two friends on the other side of the door. The three of them slowly walk in, and the terrified looks on their faces speak a thousand words, without them having to say anything.

"We'll continue this later." My mother says, she turns the ultrasound machine off, then hands Cleo a towel to wipe the gel off her stomach. Wiping the gel off her stomach, Cleo readjusts her shirt, and sits up. Julian hands Noah to Mckelty, they walk out of the office with Parker right behind them. Parker closes the door behind him. My mother moves the ultrasound machine back to where it originally was in the room. Cleo gets up from the couch and stands next to me.

"Have a seat boys." I gesture to the couch, the boys quietly shuffle over to the couch and sit down. They keep their eyes to the floor as they get situated on the couch.

"Before we get scolded and punished, just know it was my idea to sneak out of the manor and go search for you. The boys and Parker had nothing to do with it, the idea was all mine." Axel quickly takes the fall for all three of the boys.

"With any normal situation, I would scold, yell, and punish those responsible. But, since this was a very unique and otherwise harrowing situation, I am going to look past it, and simply say thank you." Cleo places a hand on my shoulder and she lightly squeezes it. I take hold of her hand and hold it down by our sides.

"Just so we understand, we're not in trouble, right?" Axel asks still keeping his eyes to the floor. I let go of Cleo's hand and kneel down in front of the boys.

"No, you three are not in trouble. The three of you are still however on a probationary period to see how well you boys work with our pack. And I owe you guys an apology." I explain, all three boys suddenly look up at me with wide eyes.

"I am truly and extremely sorry, for the nature of how the three of you found me earlier. I was not in control of my own mind or my wolfs mind, nearly taking the three of you out, was never my intention. Coming home, was the only thing I was trying to do. As Cleo mentioned earlier, I was scared and had been awake for so long, I couldn't tell who was trying to help me and who was out to get me. I know it will take time for you boys to have any sort of trust towards me, and I understand that. Just know, that I am truly sorry for how things transpired earlier today." I apologize, then stand up and go back to Cleo, she lightly smiles at me, then holds her hand out. I take her hand and intertwine our fingers together.

"As you said, it will take us time to have any sort of trust towards you. But, we do forgive you, just please don't do that again. One near death experience was enough for us." Axel says, I hear Cleo lightly giggle at the last thing Axel says, I roll my eyes and shake my head.

"I can't make any real promises about it. Since, I'm not even sure how that happened in the first place." I explain, the boys stare at me with worrisome eyes, I open my mouth to speak, but Cleo speaks before I get a word out.

"No more twenty-four hour perimeter duties for you. That should keep you from doing whatever that was out there." Cleo pulls her hand from mine and wraps her arms around my right arm, then lays her head against my arm.

"Well, if you'll excuse us. We have to get back to completing the chore list." Drew explains, I nod then gesture my head toward the office door. The boys get up and quickly make it to the door, Axel opens the door and they rush out onto the hallway.

"It'll take them some time to be able to look at you and not see the side of you that they saw out there today. Just give them some space, and they'll come around." Cleo lightly nuzzles her head into my arm, I grunt out a small laugh then look down at her.