Those In The Forest

Part 78: Hazel

We were back in front of the cabin. Reagan was wide awake and talking to Bryce. From what it sounded like, they were bonding.

          Karina rushed to the front of the door, preventing us from proceeding. Despite the fact that there were more of us than her, if she wanted to, she could wipe us out without even breaking a sweat.

          "What did we agree upon?" she asked in a snarl.

She reminds us of our place. We have been testing her rank lately. And it was mostly not on purpose, but we have someone we need to take care of. Reagan is our main priority. It's not entirely our fault; our primal instincts get the better of us.

          We wanted to talk more through the bond when she called out to us, but our Elders advised us to take things slow. We said one thing just to let Reagan know she was heard, but after that, we were told not to say anything else.

          Clenching my fist at my side, I looked at our bedroom window. It was open, and even if it wasn't, I knew Reagan could hear us.

          I would like to know if Avah and Lennox informed Reagan of the rule they placed upon us. I wonder if Reagan fought back, wanted to see us, or was upset enough to want us to stay away.

          The fact that her conversation with Bryce came to a halt told me everything I needed to know about her ability to hear us below her.

          Ivy huffed. "This is torture. She is awake. She called for us. You said two days or if she agrees."

          "She hasn't agreed." Celia reminded us.

          Rose laughed hysterically. "You haven't given us the opportunity to see her."

           Celia raised a curious brow. "Didn't I? When you talked through the bond to let her know she could hear you, did she say anything back? Even now, with her listening in on us, has she run down here to be in your arms?" She tilted her head, awaiting our responses.

          I didn't know what to do. So, after a long staredown with Karina, I began pacing back and forth in front of the cabin.

          "This isn't fair." Iris barked.

          I heard a harsh sigh, but it did come from our Elders. It came from upstairs, from Reagan.

          "It will hurt all of you, but Lennox and Avah were right. You need to heal properly before you see them. If they truly love you like you say they do, they'll understand." Bryce's voice perked up my ears.

          I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at my mates, knowing they heard it too.

          "You're right."

          I closed my eyes when I heard REagan's voice. It was the first time we've listened to it aloud since she was taken.

           Her heart was racing. Faster than ever.

          "I need time," Reagan spoke through the bond, just for us four.

          Those three little words almost sent me to my knees.

          I glanced at my mates, who were on the brink of tears. "Is that truly what you want?" Rose asked softly through the bond.

          "Lennox told me I almost attacked you all when I was... when I was one of you. I don't know how to control it, I literally almost flew through a wall not that long ago because I don't know how fast or strong I am. I don't know what I would do to you all, and I'm not certain you four will be able to control yourselves after seeing me like this." She said in a cry.