The Last Wolf Standing

Chapter Twenty-Three

Days went by and all was well, my body had healed properly and my brother along with Nick returned in good health in the time period that he had given me.

"So what's the deal you guys managed to get?" I asked, leaning against Zack while we were seated on the floor.

"The alpha, Kay Griffin was so happy that we delivered him to her that she said she would pay any price we wanted. So we told her about how we needed funds and a safe place for those affected to tell their story. Vance tried to hurt her once so she was more than willing to facilitate our efforts. She said that we should send all of the offenders to her and not to worry about them bothering anyone ever again." Cole exploded with all of the information of his trip, "We also asked them to be our allies in case our pack faces any threats from a bunch of rogues or even another pack and she agreed."

"We finally have everything. I just took a little trade to get it." Daniel sighed happily.

"Did they kill him?" I wondered

"I hope that they do." Nick deadpanned.

The chatter went onto various topics from Cole taking back his alpha position and our parents to new places being built in my old town. Zack fit in nicely with everyone and all of the conversations were carefree. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

After a while I began to feel a bit famished so I got up and went into the kitchen. I heard whispering when I left so I assumed that the boys didn't want me to hear what they were saying but I didn't care. I boiled some water and took out a box of rice and six steak tunas. I put the rice in the water and let it cook, adding multiple spices that I saw my mom use when she used to cook for me. I heard the boys in the other room comment on how good it was smelling and I beamed to myself.

When the rice was finished I moved it off of the lit burner and moved it to a different one. I took out a frying pan and placed it on the lit burner to let it heat up. I seasoned the fish with salt, pepper, onions, curry and other spices to give it a nice flavour. I added oil to the pan and put the fish in. I waited until the first side got a nice colour before flipping it over. I did this for each piece of fish

The fish finished in a matter of minutes and I quickly got everything plated and called the boys to eat. They complimented me on how good it looked before taking up their plates and going back to the living room. Zack kissed me on the cheek and whispered a thanks to me in my ear. I blushed and let my hair cover my cheeks to avoid him seeing.

"Little Bit, you sure know how to keep us happy." Nick chimed with his mouth full of food.

"Thanks, Freak." I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Hm, I would say something but your boyfriend there might take offense." He winked.

"I might just act what you say." Zack added, I looked back at him with an incredulous look.

"I should have kept you guys separate." I rolled my eyes at them.

"But you didn't so this is all your fault." Jaden said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Ah, you don't have to worry. We're leaving soon. We will be out of your hair in no time." Daniel whispered.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I'm devastated that you guys have to leave so soon." I whimpered. Zack wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his chest.

"I'm sorry, Maddie. I have to get back to the pack and be the leader that I was born to be." I breathed.

"I know but I'm just sad to see all of you go. I have to pay you a visit soon and bring Zack to meet Mom and Dad." I smiled at the thought.

"You can meet our girlfriends too." Jaden beamed I just rolled my eyes.

We all finished eating and washed our plates before heading outside to relax by the edge of the forest. The guys told me that they would leave in a couple days and I wanted to spend as much quality time with them as I could because I didn't know exactly when I would go to see them. It could be weeks or even months.

I tried to hold back the tears while I thought about them leaving, I had such an attachment to them that it was hard for me to let go. I didn't really have time to think about all of this when I was fleeing my home but having them back and not being under pressure to escape allowed time for me to think all of the thoughts that wounded my heart. Cole saw that I was upset and walked over to me and pulled me to my feet.

"Let's dance." He whispered.

"You know that I don't know how to dance?" I frowned.

"That's sad but you just have to suck it up and dance with me." He responded and wormed a hand around my waist and started to move.

I stumbled as I tried to find my footing. I could feel all the guys watching which made me self-conscious but Cole was not about to let me back out of the dance. He took my hands and placed them around his neck and tightened his hold on my waist. I laughed at the determined look in his eyes.

"Nick, play a song for us please." He requested.

We waited in silence for a few seconds while Nick chose a song to play for us. He played a Luther Vandross song that made me melt. I lost myself in the music and let my brother lead the dance, spinning and stepping back when he indicated that I was supposed to do those things. We danced until the song finished and when it was done I just stood there and hugged him, tears falling uncontrollably.

"Shh, it's going to be okay." He comforted me. He ran his fingers through my hair soothingly. I sobbed and clung to him for dear life. I didn't want him to go.

He held me like that until I stopped crying, I felt like I was being ridiculous but I couldn't help it. I needed my big brother but his pack needed him too and I would never be selfish enough to ask him to stay that would just put my former pack at risk.

"I'm going to be fine. I'm just going to miss you, that's all." I murmured.

"We're going to miss you too but you have someone here that really cares about you and I can tell that you care about him too. If only you could see how he looks at you. Don't let him go. I asked him to protect you and to keep you close while you were cooking." Cole confessed, "He likes you, you just need to let him in. I know this must sound weird coming from your big brother but I wouldn't let you stay here if I didn't think that you would be safe and with him you are more than that."

"You're cute when you're being so protective." I kissed his cheek.

I walked over to Zack and sat next to him. I placed my hands in my lap but he took my right hand and held it and looked at me intently.

"You know..." He trailed off, thinking about what he wanted to say next. "We never actually went on a date."

"Oh, we didn't?" I smiled. He nudged me playfully before taking a huge breath.

"Will you go out with me?" He asked and my heart fluttered.

"Of course." I accepted then hugged him.

He let out a sigh of relief before tilting my chin and kissing me.

THE END.

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Well this is the end, sadly. It's been really fun writing this story and actually conpleting it! I had set out to finish it before Christmas and I did just that :) I finished on December 6th, 2015. I'm posting this on December 22nd, 2015.

I'm going to miss writing Maddie's story but I feel as though I ended it on a good note. I coukd possibly write a one-shot here or there in the future :)

I just want to thank all of you for reading and staying with me through this very long journey! Thank you for all of the support you showed me and I really hope that you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. Have a good night (or day) and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Kelia