Finding Course

15 PART TWO

PART TWO
Katherine.

The ride back to Zane's house was done in relative silence. He and Charlie spent most of it linking Jack and the others about what happened. Liam didn't say a word. His gaze was primarily focused on the scenery we passed by. When he and I were being questioned in the white room, Abe was hyper focused on what Liam could smell and sense from me, or more importantly Zane. He could smell Zane on me, see my mark, and explained to Abe that there were internal warning signs to stay away. He had avoided eye contact with me, but it was kind of hard strapped to chairs facing each other. During the whole interrogation I could feel Zane's anger, protectiveness, and fear of being away from me. It was a strange sensation seeing as we were barely mated and bonded, yet pure instincts surfaced certain feelings beyond what I could imagine. Even sitting behind him in Charlie's truck I wished he was sitting next to me. I wanted to be closer to him, to feel him, and the comfort that accompanied his presence.

"Here we go," Charlie announced as we pulled into the driveway. Exiting his truck, Jack immediately rushed over to Zane and started rattling off a report. I glanced over at Sophia who stared back at me with a worried look, and saw Liam standing off to the side awkwardly. I had so many questions for him, how long he was there, what they all asked, if he met any other shifters...but I knew it wasn't the time. Not yet, anyway.

"Should we maybe go, let them figure out all this?" I whisper to Sophia. Before she had a second to even answer me I felt Zane's eyes glaring at me from where he stood with Jack.

"Absolutely not," he said. 'You stay here,' he added through our mind link.

"Katherine, if you're Zane's mate now yo-" Sophia started to explain something but Jack's sound of surprise cuts her off.

"Mate? Uh, think you left something pretty important out of the update there, Alpha," Jack said, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

"Everyone inside," Zane ordered, ignoring his comment. "Except you," he pointed a finger to Liam. "Charlie, get Ian over here and a few others to watch him. Bring him somewhere we can keep an eye on him. I have questions," he said the last part directly to Liam.

"Understood, boss," Charlie nodded and sauntered over to the newcomer. I gave Liam a tight smile before following the others into the house. I felt Zane's hand on my lower back as he guided me to one of the rooms I hadn't been in before. It was an office, crafted with knotty pine to match the rest of the home. There were a few built in bookshelves, a single desk, and a lot of couches and seats. Despite all the available seating, everyone remained standing. Zane sat on the edge of his desk, pouring a glass of what I assumed was whisky. Not sure where to go, I just stood by Sophia. Jack crossed his arms and paced back and forth a bit, everyone staying silent aside from Zane refilling his tumbler after downing the first drink. A moment later, Charlie rejoined us. "Ian's bringing him to the old DeLaurent's place. Matt and Jason are with them." Zane just nodded in agreement and finished the second drink.

"We gotta meet with the elders in like, yesterday," Jack started, still pacing. "I understand the whole experiment bit you explained, but it I'm pretty sure you left out a big fucking piece to the puzzle, Zane." The tone was more casual once it was just our group inside.

Zane glanced at me briefly, silently asking if it was okay to share the details. I gave him a small nod, and reached out for Sophia's hand. He cleared his throat, pouring a third drink. "The drugs I was telling you about? Well they used those to stimulate my instincts around Katherine. I can't even describe it, but my control just...vanished. I tried, really hard, but I just couldn't stop it. I marked her, I...." he paused, looking at me.

'You did what you had to do,' I reminded him through our link.

"We're mates," he stated, looking Jack directly in the eye. "Regardless of how it happened, it did. They used that new bond to do more experiments, a lot of questioning, watching my responses to different things they did."

"Jesus Christ," Jack whispered and looked to me with a sorry expression. "Are you sure you guys are okay? I mean, I...I don't know what to say." Sophia squeezed my hand in comfort as I gave her a weak smile.

"As okay as we can be, right? A shower and a stiff drink might help, but we'll be okay." My voice came out a lot less confident than I intended. Zane just looked to me with eyes softening at my attempted humor and comfort. He held out the remainder of his third, or fourth, drink. I lost track. I accepted, focusing on the burn of amber liquid as I took a tentative sip.

"This is big," Charlie let out, sticking his hands in his pockets. I saw his eyes lingering on Sophia, studying her. They risked a lot going against the elders, and Jack, to save us.

"Yeah," Zane breathes out and crossed his arms. "Yeah it's big. Listen, increase security on the borders. Groups of three, all in wolf form. We need to use our senses to our advantage right now." He looked behind him out the window at the snow covered yard. "I don't know how many, if any, survived the gas that Charlie and Sophia dropped into the building. But, if they did I know for a fact they'll be back. Tonight, I think Katherine and I have some stuff to talk about, and I really want to get out of these fucking clothes," he gestured to the standard scrubs we were issued.

"The elders," Jack started but Zane held up a hand.

"The elders did shit. Charlie and Sophia were the ones who rescued us, not the elders. I understand you were following their orders, I respect that, but I don't respect their decisions or lack of decisions. They'll still be there to discuss next moves tomorrow. For tonight, increase the security and give us some time to recoup from the shit show we just escaped." Jack nodded in agreement and sent us a quick grin.

"I get it. You're right. Take the time you need tonight. I'll come bug you in the morning." Charlie and Sophia hummed in agreement. The guys exchanged a few more words while Sophia and I followed them towards the kitchen on their way out.

"You sure you're okay?" she asked.

"Yes. And thank you, again. I...thank you," is all I could say. I truly didn't know how to explain how grateful I was. She seemed to understand and brought me in for a tight hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest," she added and followed Charlie and Jack out the front door. I turn bed to face Zane, once we were both alone. Truly alone.

"Hungry?" He was clearly trying to break the ice.

"Starving."

"What sounds good?" His voice was kind of guarded as he opened the fridge and scanned its contents.

"Pizza?" I let out a low chuckle. "After all the shit that just happened at that awful place with prepared meals, I kinda just want some comfort food. Pizza. Literally a cheap frozen pizza would make me happy right now."

He smirked, turning to face me. "Pizza, I can do that." He stepped closer and placed his hands on my upper arms. His touch sent tingles through me, and for the first time since we became mates I was finally able to let my body feel something happy with his comfort. Out of survival mode had my adrenaline lessening and allowed more emotions to take over. "Why don't you go shower, I'll throw a pizza in the oven, and we can rest."

"Okay," I softly agreed. He lead me down the hall towards the last door that opened to an impressive master suite. In key with the rest of the house it has knotty pine and exposed beams accentuating the room. "Here," he opened the bathroom door and gestured for me to enter.

"I can use the other ba-"

"Kat. We're mates. Things are going to be different now. For starters, sharing a bathroom is okay." The smallest smirk hinted at showing on his face, but didn't quite come to light. "Towels are here." He grabbed two large grey towels and set them on the counter. Then he placed a washcloth next to them. "I'll be down the hall."

"Making pizza," I said, because suddenly I was nervous and not sure how to act alone with him.

"Making pizza," he agreed and this time he let a smirk show. Once he'd gone, I took a breath and turned the shower on. 'Safe, you're safe.' Nerves still on edge, I undressed and stepped under the spray.