Forever Yours

Chapter Five

Connor Chase

After closing up at the bookstore, I headed home. It's been a long day, an even longer week, and a long month. I'm exhausted, but too tired to sleep.

My birthday is this weekend, and I have to go to the stupid ceremony. I don't need a mate, I can't afford to have one. But whatever. I make my way home, lost in my thoughts. I go on autopilot once I'm in my shitty apartment. Taking a shower, adding new cuts to my fucked up legs.

It numbs my mind, and makes me feel in control. I'm not in control of any of my choices. But this one? This one I can control. I go to bed, and toss and turn most nights. I can't ever get a peaceful night of sleep.

Maybe I should take him up on the offer of seeing someone.. I know it's the most logical thing to do. I get that. But I don't want to. I don't want his pity. I don't need it.

Well maybe I do. I'm not sure.

—

"You finished them already?" my brows crease, when Ethan Williams comes in and sets the books i've recommended.

"Yeah, they're addicting." he smiles brightly, a smile i wish i had. He has perfect teeth. Brown hair that's styled to perfection and these green brown eyes that are amazingly beautiful. Ethan Williams is stupid hot, just like the rest of his family. He's also so tall, and broad.

I'm not that short, I'm like 5'7 on a good day. But Ethan towers over me. I nod, and walk away. I make my way to the same section I've been offering, and grab a couple more good ones. Then I'm back, dropping the books on the counter.

"These are good too" I mumble, chewing on my bottom lip.

"Okay, thanks" he smiles again, and I scan the books. I do the return, then scan the new ones.

"You have to pay 15.49" I murmured, sliding the books across the counter.

"That's cheap" he says, putting his card in the reader. 15.49 isn't cheap to me. But alright. I guess he does come from a long line of werewolves, and they have money. He might be our alpha for fucks sake, so of course he has money.

And of course he's stupid hot. Whatever.

Before I can disappear again, he stops me. "Hey, i have a question for you"

"Okay"

"I want to set up some sort of clinic for people. I want to start with our pack. For people who can't afford to get health care. We need some volunteers though. It's tomorrow through the weekend. 8-9. You don't have to come the whole time though."

"I have school till 2:30. I can come after" something a lot like pride, and maybe hope bursts through my chest.

"So 2:30-9 okay?" I nod.

"I don't work tomorrow. I can pick up some hours this weekend too" my voice has an edge of happiness. "It's my ceremony on Saturday, but after I can help out. I'd love too"

"That's awesome. The more help we have the better it'll go. Congrats on your ceremony. I'll definately see you there" he winks, and then this time he's the one disappearing.

—-

I've been antsy all day. A clinic for members of the pack that can't afford help? That's right up my alley. And I get to be a part of helping them? That's even better. I am so excited to be a part of it.

And Ethan coming up with this idea? That's even more crazy. Word got around quickly too. I heard some pack members talking about it. Saying they were going or they had family going.

From my understanding it's for checkups, mental health checks, medicines, and emergencies. It sounds like they have a mixed set of staff. The volunteers are supposed to figure out why someone's there, and direct them into the right rooms or areas.

I can do that easily.

There's a building near the pack house that not much was happening in, and that seems to be the building they're using for this clinic.

I make my way there, and head inside.

It's hectic as fuck. There's crowds of people, and lots of talking and directing. I make my way through, but then someone is grabbing me and pulling me off to the side. My eyes connect with Ethan, and to say I'm surprised is an understatement. Why is he here?

"Hey! It's super chaotic, but I was gonna show you where we could use the extra help?" he says, that stupid smile in place.

"Yeah, put me to work" I nod, and then he starts walking. I follow behind him, making my way through the crowded room. He gets me set up on a laptop, and hands me a paper.

"So you call them from top to bottom, when they come up you figure out why they're here, and based on that, you put them on one of these columns. Then write the reason in this column next to their name. Then it alerts our doctors and nurses on who's next for what. It's a lot of people. We had a really good turn out." Ethan smiles, he looks tired, but he seems genuinely happy with how things turned out.

"Easy enough"

"If you need anything I'll be around. Remi is here too" he offers, like that's supposed to mean something to me.

"I don't know him" I shake my head slightly.

"Oh uh yeah. He's super nice and easy to talk to though. So if you need someone besides me he's a good option"

"I think I'll be fine" I pull my one leg to my chest, and lean forward reading over the names. "I can do it"

"Of course you can" Ethan nods, and hesitates for a moment. Then he turns, and heads back into the crowd. I get started right away, calling people's names and typing what they're here for.

It's easy, and stays pretty busy for a good couple hours. Around 5:30 it starts to slow, about 15 wolves in the waiting area. Some my age, and some older adults. We get through them, and by 6 there's just a few waiting to be seen.

Ethan and our current alpha come from one of the back rooms. Alpha Noah is smiling, and Ethan is too. They seem so happy around each other. Our alpha makes his way out of the small building, after clapping his son on the shoulders.

He glances at me as he passes, and I give him a respectful nod. He beams at me, and leaves and that's far as that interaction goes.

Ethan makes his way to me, a small smile curving his lips. "How'd it go?"

"Fast. What about back there?" I pushed to my feet, piling all the papers I had filled out and putting them in a stack near the others.

"A lot of figuring out to do, but it went a lot smoother than I thought. We definately could use all the extra help. So if you or anyone you know this weekend can help please spread the word."

I nod, crossing my arms. "My sister's young, but she could definately help out"

"You don't know anyone else?" his brows furrow, and embarrassment hits hard.

"No, i don't" and with that, i turn away and head out of this stupid building. I don't go far, because I plan to stay late. But I don't need to be in there and talk to someone I don't know about my lack of relationships.

"Hey wait up" Ethan says, following me. What is his problem?!

"What?" I snapped, spinning around to face him.

"I'm sorry, i didn't mean to upset you-"

"You didn't. I'd have to care what you thought for it to upset me. And I don't care what you think" lies lies lies. But they flow out of me easily.

He flinches slightly, and his jaw tenses. But he nods. "Okay, well good" he crosses his arms over his broad chest, and glances around. "I'll see you in a bit then?" his voice is clipped.

"Yeah, I'll be back in, in a second" I nod, and he nods. And then we just stand there for a few seconds before he turns away and heads inside.  

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