Ensnare

Chapter 26

Sorry for the short chapter. Wouldn't have had the desired effect if it was longer. 

    “How did this get here?” I jumped up. I flipped the photo back to the side with the writing. All it said was Stone River, not were. My mother had not been a werewolf, the picture said so. Then why was the picture marked Stone River?  And why was it in the office?

                “I have no idea… What is it?” Matthew looked down at the picture in my hands.

                “This is a picture of my mother. Why is it here?”

                “I don’t know. Unless….” Matthew’s eyes widened. He looked shocked.

                “What?” I almost demanded.

                “Unless the Stone River pack was really after your mother. And then you. Maybe you were a target. They could have been purposely trying to change you for a reason.”

                My heart skipped a beat. What?

                “Wh..what? Why? How? I don’t understand,” It was my turn to sit down. I felt for the edge of the desk and lowered myself onto the wooden surface.

                “They could have been looking for you. That would make sense why they breached the borders the first time. They could have specifically wanted to turn you. I don’t know why, but that might be an idea,” Matthew tried to explain. He didn’t look convinced.

                “I don’t know. It’s just a wild idea. I’m probably way off the mark.”

                “It would explain the picture, but is that even a possibility?” I asked.

                “I don’t know. I have no idea what they want.”

                I nodded. I was defeated. There were too many questions. For now, the most important thing was the safety of the pack. I shouldn’t be distracting Matthew with other issues.

                Matthew wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. We were both unsure what to do next. Just then a crack of thunder sounded. The sky lit up, but the rain didn’t fall.

                A shout came from the living room. Time seemed to slow as I deciphered the words.

                “They’re here!”

                Matthew and I bolted into the living room. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Oakley let the curtain slid shut, his hazel eyes round with shock. In that moment it was as if I could read his mind with a quick gaze into his eyes. Terror and shock bubbled to the surface, echoing in his green-brown eyes.

 The others flooded into the room. I looked around, much to slow for my liking. I felt like I was swimming in molasses.

                With each beat my heart slammed into my chest. I could hear myself breath. Wilbur met my eye as Katie burst through the door. The room was full. I whipped my head around, searching for Matthew. He’d left my side for just a moment, now the spot where he’d stood was empty. Panic ripped through my chest.

                I spun on my heel. The front door was open. Before I could think, I dashed outside. Someone shouted behind me. I couldn’t tell what. I sprinted outside, after Matthew. Buck, Zeph and Wilbur shifted and ran out behind me. Katie and Oakley burst through the door. Matthew was standing straight in front of me. The wind whipped his hair and a flash of lightning illuminated the scene. My knees weakened.