Destined for each other

Chapter 26 Another attack

Vera's P.O.V.

I anxiously followed Ripple as he led me away from the tribe. "So going home to your brother?" He asked breaking the silence. I nodded my head. "You know you gotta tell him at some point." I shook my head and frowned. "I told you I didn't want to join the tribe." He raised an eyebrow. "Didn't want to join? Really?" Hearing the sarcasm in his voice frustrated me. "That's right, I only did it because you said you'd forbid me from seeing Nolan if I didn't." He dipped his head. "Yes, and you trained hard for it and you succeeded. You had some determination to pass and so you did." I opened my mouth but before I could speak he went on. "Don't tell me you didn't want to join Vera, because I know deep down that you did."
"But you—"
"I never forced you to do it, Vera." He didn't let me finish. "You could have refused if you wanted no part in my family." I sighed. "Exactly so I did have to do it." He stared at me for a long moment. "You did it because you love Nolan." I slowly nodded my head. "That's the only reason I did it." He smiled giving me a reassuring look. "You belong here, Vera when will you realize that?" I shook my head. "No, I don't! I belong with my brother Shade!" He scoffed at that. "Hehe, you don't seriously plan on staying with him forever, do you?" I frowned then his facial expression changed. "I'm sorry Vera, I get it. Change isn't always easy."
"Change? What changed?" I asked. He paused for a moment and then looked me in the eye. "You know you don't belong in town Vera, town life just isn't natural no Mon belongs there, to be honest."
"But If it weren't for that town I'd never have made it as an Eevee in the wild."
"I know but now you're old enough to survive and besides you're not alone. You have the tribe and I promise I won't let anything bad ever happen to you." We finally made it to the shore and emerged onto the beach. I was about to walk away but he stopped me with his paw. "Vera wait." I paused anxiously and met his gaze. "Yeah?"
"I hope you do understand Nolan has an Important future with the tribe." I slowly nodded wondering if I should tell him that Nolan didn't want to lead the tribe but chose not to after catching the seriousness in his gaze. He smiled at me. "You're one of us now Vera, hope to see you soon." He dipped his head and then left. I made my way towards town and then stopped when I caught sight of an Espeon watching me. "Solstice? How long have you been sitting here?" To my annoyance, he answered with a question. "Who was that guy and why on earth would you be hanging around someone that old?" I frowned feeling embarrassed. Although I always felt uncomfortable with Ripple he was Nolan's father and it made him feel like family now. "That was Nolan's dad not that it's any of your business. Are you stalking me?" I asked. He shook his head. "I was worried about you! I saw him break into your house I thought you were kidnapped."
"Don't be ridiculous!" I hissed feeling more annoyed. "You shouldn't be watching me at all Solstice!"
"But I care about you!" He argued and then proceeded to follow me home. "Why did you go with them? You don't belong in the wild Vera!" I gritted my teeth together then thought of Kaylee for a moment. "Hello? Why are you ignoring me?"
"Just leave me alone!" I snapped and then instantly regretted it right after. He used psychic to hold me in place so I couldn't move. I instantly started panicking as he approached me. "I've never done anything to you Vera, I don't understand whatever went wrong." He let go of me and I stuttered in fear. "I... I don't know what you mean." He narrowed his eyes at me now looking annoyed. "When we first met I thought we'd become friends. But you just never gave me the chance. Can I ask why?" I was quiet not knowing how to answer. He tilted his head at me. "Why are you scared? Do you think I'm dangerous or something?" I shuffled my paws nervously. "Well, you're kind of scaring me right now." He inhaled a deep sigh and then stepped away from me looking hurt. "I'm sorry Vera, I'll let you go then. But please know that you don't have to be afraid. I can assure you I'd never do anything to hurt you." I frowned something about his tone sent shivers down my spine. I turned and quickly started speed walking away. I could still feel his eyes on me as I was walking away.
What was that even about? You'd never do anything to hurt me but yet you killed my best friend?
I know I don't have any proof that it was him but who else would have done it? Once I got home I was greeted by my brother as soon as I walked in. "Vera! Your home!" He suddenly hugged me. "I was worried about you! What happened?" He asked. Guilt swept over me as I met his gaze. I shuffled my paws nervously. "Shade, I'm sorry I was with Nolan.." He snorted. "That's not what I heard. Did Ripple really come here?" I nodded and he growled looking mad. "Why was he here? Did he make you go back to the wild with them? and don't lie!" I frowned. "N.no I chose to go back with them. I uhh wanted to spend more time with Nolan." Pain flashed in his eyes. "So you just left without even thinking to tell me first?" I just stared back at him awkwardly not sure what else to say and then he suddenly yelled. "I can't believe you think this kind of behaviour is ok! After everything I do to take care of you! And this is how you repay me? Do I mean nothing to you now?" I stared at him desperately. "I'm sorry Shade!" He narrowed his eyes at me. "I know there's something you're not telling me! Why did you go with them?" He asked. I paused for a moment not sure if I should answer or not.
I can't tell him I joined the tribe! He'll get the wrong idea and think I'm leaving!
"Well?" He demanded in a sharp tone. "We don't keep secrets from each other Vera! Just tell me what happened." I let out a sigh of defeat. "Ok, promise you won't get upset?" He was hesitant to respond. "Well, that depends on the matter of the situation."
"I...I may have joined the tribe..." I find myself blurring the words out. Silence followed after that. His gaze was filled with shock he opened his mouth to speak but then quickly closed it again. "......."
My chest tightened with grief now I felt terrible. "Shade I'm sorry! I'm not leaving you if that's what you think!" Now he glared at me with a look he'd never given me before. The kind of look he gave other Mons whenever he was severely pissed off. "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!" He howled in rage. "Vera! This is kind of a big deal! How could you do something like this and not even tell me first? You are part of a wild Mons tribe! What the hell were you thinking? WHY DID YOU JOIN THEM?"
I was frozen in place now trembling a few tears escaped my eyes as I stammered out.
"I... I didn't want to join... I—"
"WHAT?" He didn't let me finish. "Vera," His voice was shaky with rage. "Did Ripple force you to join?" He asked. I paused because I wasn't exactly sure. I shrugged. "He didn't force me to but he told me that if I didn't join then he wouldn't allow me to date Nolan anymore." His eyes flashed with fury. "I see so he manipulated you." He seemed to calm down a bit. "Vera, you shouldn't have joined him." He said, cooly. I frowned "I only did it so I could continue to see Nolan." The Umbreon flexed his claws. "I need to speak with Ripple. He just stepped over the line he may be older but that doesn't give him the authority to tell you that you have to join his tribe to date his son." I frowned. "But he'll forbid Nolan from seeing me."
"Then let him! If Nolan truly loves you then his father can't stop him from seeing you. Anyone will do anything for love." He rested a reassuring paw on my shoulder. "Vera, you have a choice you don't have to do what Ripple says." I frowned as I thought about it. But he's my chief now... 
I didn't dare say the words aloud for Shade to hear that'll only ruffle his fur more. He grabbed his gym bag. "I'm off to the gym now and Vera?"
"Yes?" He suddenly hugged me. "Don't ever take off on me like that again! You know I worry about you, especially after Kaylee was murdered." I smiled. "And I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you before leaving. I promise it won't happen again." He nodded his head. "Why don't you join me today?" He asked taking me off guard by the question. "Me? Go to the gym?" I frowned. "Hmm, I'm not too sure about that.." He gave me a friendly nug. "Ah, come on Vera we'll go for a bit and then we can go for a walk after." I nodded and then followed after him. I couldn't help feeling shy as we entered the gym. I could see some Mons practicing battle moves on each other while others were running on treadmills.
Zane looked pretty surprised to see me there. "Vera!" To my surprise, he got up and hugged me. "Everyone was worried about you. So what happened with Nolan? Did you break up?" He asked with a hopeful stare glittering in his purple gaze. "No, he's done nothing wrong. I wasn't kidnapped like everyone thinks." He let out a sigh. "Well, at least you're back." I couldn't help noticing how annoyed Shade looked with the Jolteon. "Anyway, Zane, we're kind of busy." The Jolteon went back to his workout. After being here for about an hour we left I tried a few new battle strategies with my brother but training isn't really my thing. As we headed out the front door we made our way to the ice cream shop and sat down to eat ice cream. Shade was silent for a bit. "Next time Nolan comes over I'd like to spend an afternoon with him. I would like to get to know him a bit better." I smiled if they could become friends that'd be great. "Sounds good I think you'll approve of him."
"Hm, maybe he seems to be a bit of a troublemaker. But I shouldn't be too quick to judge him either." I finished my strawberry ice cream and then felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Solstice was sitting at a different table in the corner was it just a coincidence? Shade followed my eye gaze and then looked annoyed. "Come on. We should head back home." I got up and cast one last glance at the Espeon. He smiled at me which only creeped me out more. Now I was certain that the Espeon was stalking me. Once we reached home I headed upstairs to my room while Shade went into his.
I sat at the end of my bed. It's gonna be really boring not having Nolan around all week. I'll have to go to him whenever I can tomorrow.