The Secret One

7

Chapter 7

Rolling over in my bed, I smell the smell of pancakes. Izzie told Jake and me- I am doing well with putting on the weight. I have only been in the pack for three weeks. I sit up, push myself from the bed, and go to the kitchen. As I approach the doorway, I see Jake flipping pancakes as Anya is fixing eggs, "Good morning, little one," Jake says, acknowledging me. I slightly wave and sit at the bar while they cook, "Do you know how to cook?" Anya says while placing the boiled eggs on a plate. I nod my head yes, but not good. Just enough to get by, "You spoke last night," Jake says. I slightly smile, causing Anya to clap her hands together, "And I missed it!" I shrink back, and Jake laughs, "All she said was no," He didn't tell her about the talk in the room.

After breakfast, Anya went to training while Jake and I walked around the pack lands. He is showing me all the spots where rouge wolves hide. "My pack is wide on land. We are a small pack but cover a big area," Jake informs as we come to one of his broader areas. "Anya was telling me that you built this back from the ground up?" I quietly said to him. "I love how soft your voice is. My sister is right. After my born pack was killed off, the remaining people didn't know what to do. So I stepped up and gave orders. I didn't know it would lead me to become a leader by all means," Jake clears up for me.

"I never knew my dad, so I was close to my mom," I tell him. Jake hums for me to continue, " I was the only child. My mom was a maid to the Alpha of my born pack, Crimson Moon; I don't remember much about my born pack nor my mom," I say, going softer with every word. Jake grabs my hand in the process of speaking, "My mom got killed right after Anya was born. It shattered my dad's heart, so a few months after that, my dad died of a broken heart," The more I find out about Jake, the more I see myself falling for him. I'm still confused; I don't know if I can trust easily. My body tells me to, but my brain wants to fight it. "We need to go shopping for you because even though I love you in my shirts. It would help if you had clothes that fit you," Jake lightens the mood. I look down at his shirt, and it makes me giggle. Going shopping can't be the worst in the world. I nod my head yes. "I will ask Anya and Sloan to join us if that will make it easier for you; Jason will watch over the pack." I smile at Jake's kind gesture.

We climb into the jeep and head out of the pack lands into the shopping area. We pull up to the mall, and it is crowded with people. Thank goodness Anya gave me clothes other than Jakes's shirt and sweatpants. "Us girls are going shopping; you two can follow or shop for yourself," Anya yells as she pulls me away from Jake, making me throw my hand up, hoping Jake would stop her. He smiles and mouths go have fun. I sigh and start walking with Anya instead of her dragging me.

As we weave in and out of stores, collecting more and more shopping bags, I need a break. So, Anya is in a store while I sit on a chair outside the shoe store. A man in the corner of my eye catches my attention. I turn to him but quickly look away as I let my hair fall in my face. I peek through the curtain of hair at the man. There he stands, short with brown hair, wearing a leather jacket. My breathing quickens. Please don't notice me. At this time, Anya walks out to yell my name till she sees how I am sitting.

She hurries and sits next to me. "Are you okay, Ruth?" I shake my head no and point in his direction. She follows, confused. "He is part of the Dark Shadow pack," I speak just above a whisper, knowing he might be listening. Anya's eyes go wide, and she pulls me closer to her. "Are you sure," I didn't reply because the man started walking in our direction. My breathing hitched as he stopped right in front of us. "Ruth, I know that's you. Your hair tells me," I never look up, but Anya stands up, putting herself between us, "If you want her, bring it," Anya threatens the man. "Calm down, bloodsucker; I am no longer with the Dark Shadow pack," he scoffs.

By this time, Jake and Sloan come walking up. Jake showed concern about my body position, "Everything okay here?" Anya lets out a scuff and remarks, "He worked for alpha Waylen," Instead, Sloan pulls me behind him as Axle drips from Jake. "Alpha, I no longer work for him," the man pleads with Axle. "How would I know you are not lying to my face?" Axle challenges. "Waylen would have been here by now. I saw Ruth get out of your jeep, Alpha," The short man stated. I finally made eye contact with him. Steven gets put at bay now, and Sloan and Anya also let up. "You have a fair point," Axle finishes, letting Jake return.

"I left about a month ago now. My name is Steven. I found my mate and no longer had the need to be in a fearful and hated pack, so I joined my mate's pack. Your secret is safe with me, Ruth. You are looking so much better," Steven says, introducing himself. He dips his head in respect and walks away from our little group. Without thinking, I walk up to Jake and wrap my small arms around his waist, bringing him closer to me. Jake reaches down and kisses my head. "Are you okay, little one," I shake my head. "I would like to leave."