Among The Mountains

Chapter 12

As the night grew later, everyone in the pack dealt with their feelings in different ways.

In the bedrooms, Ember was lying across her bed again as Ruby rocked back and forth while sitting on her knees. She was looking downward with an expression of sadness and disappointment as Ember looked at the ceiling. Ember closed her eyes when a memory came into her mind. It was going back to the day that nearly cost them their rank and put Ruby and herself on thin ice with the alphas.

She remembers part of what happened, and she remembers everyone who was involved in the incident that night. She remembers being talked into leaving the house by Avery because of some bonfire that was happening. She remembers Ruby telling her not to leave because they were put in charge of watching Alara. Ruby was told to lock Alara in a room so she wouldn't run off while they were away. The girls were supposed to stay for only an hour, but they lost track of time as the music and the drinks drew them further into the party.

Suddenly, an argument broke out and the bonfire flared out of control. Everyone scattered in different directions, but a young boy was injured in the chaos. Ruby was able to get to the boy and drag him away from the fire, but she was unable to carry him. Ember saw her and rushed to help carry the boy to their house. They could hear the sounds of a canine as they opened the front door. They hurried into the house to find Alara, who was struggling to control the traits of her bloodline. She saw shaking and sweating on the floor as Ruby came to her aide.

" What are we gonna do?" Ruby asked.

" Get an ice pack for her while I check on the other kid," Ember replied.

The ice pack did little to help the feverish pure blood, who passed out when the ice pack melted.

" What's wrong with her?" The young boy asked.

" Worry about your leg instead." Ember pointed.

" Don't you dare...tawlk to me like that...you don't know..."

The drunken young boy pointed assertively at Ember, but he was too inebriated to stand on his own feet.

When the alphas returned, they were shocked at what happened.

" Chase!"

Raiden rushed to his brother's side, but he dared not touch his leg. It was tender to the touch already. He let out a loud growl before the words of his brother stopped him from storming out the door. Telka's reaction to Alara's condition was no easier to handle as she stared the girls down.

" I smell alcohol on all of you. Where were you?" Telka snarled.

" W-we were—"

" We were at a bonfire. Ruby didn't even want us to go but I wouldn't listen." Ember interjected.

" Was Adam there?" Raiden asked.

The girls nervously nodded yes.

Raiden picked up his brother as Telka carried Alara out of the house. They didn't talk about what happened to Adam ( who got the worst of the punishment), but Ember and Ruby were not allowed to watch Alara anymore nor were they allowed to leave their house for anything except food or meetings for a week.

Ember snapped out of her phase when Ruby called her name.

" What is it?"

" It isn't fair anymore. I thought we were closer than this."

"We're not to be trusted either."

" I know they don't trust us anymore but...that's his brother in the other room." Ruby pointed.

" We know why this is hurting him the most."

Ember looked in the direction of Ruby, who was wiping tears from her eyes. She mentally corrected herself while looking at the ceiling with watery eyes.

" Or maybe it's you that's hurting the most, little sister."

Meanwhile, Avery and Adam were both reeling from what they were told tonight. Avery was packing her belongings as Adam paced the floor with his hands clenched into fists. He was breathing through flared nostrils as he growled.

" I can't believe this. A f * cking pure blood in the pack!"

" I should have known this sooner. She was showing all the signs." Avery hissed.

" If they hadn't been so tight-lipped we would have known sooner," Adam said.

" They should be ashamed. They put us at risk by not telling us."

" That's why they shouldn't...no...we shouldn't be part of this pack anymore."

" What do you mean?" Avery asked.

Adam looked at his mate then he walked over to her and put a hand on her face.

" We're leaving this pack. Before everyone wakes up we will be gone."

" You mean it," Avery said with bright eyes.

" Yeah. I mean it."

Avery smiled in agreement with her mate as she held onto the hand that was resting on her face. She was ready to take the next step away from the pack no matter what came next. She was just glad to look forward to a new start of building a life with someone she cares deeply for.