Fates | Book 2 ✔️

[2]

"Over there," Damon says in the same even voice he had for me since we left from Aldin's Cove. 

I know he is trying to distance himself from me and I think it's for the best. Though I cannot say I'm not affected it by it. I still crave for his touch and affections. However, it pales in comparison to the desire to be close to Lance. It's close to unbearable whereas his is just a minor thump at my heart.

As we approach the top of the small hill, the Red Woods appears out in the distance. The opening looks like it had been burned, but towards the inside it was unscathed. Opinilo trees are littered across our path, bringing back memories of all the times I've spent here with my grandfather. Some were even of my mother. These woods have something haunting, yet nostalgic, about them. I've always felt this way since I was a kid.

The moment my foot touches the beginning's of the Red Woods, red-haired werewolves surround us with a sense of viciousness about them I haven't seen since my mother passed away. Something had happened to put them on edge like this. Another war? 

 "Michael, it's me, and these people are with me."

His light brown eyes meet with mine in complete disbelief. He stares just a little closer. "... Seth, is that. .. "

 His slow approach causes my eyes to lower to the ground and my heart to speed up.

 "It really is you!" 

He wraps his arms around me and gives me a tight hug. It only grows tighter by the second.

"You're not dead!" 

I tuck my lips in and simmer down the anxiousness beginning to rise in multitudes. 

"Where have you been? All this...time... "

 As soon as he peels away from me his eyes hold the same confusion that was found is Kass' eyes. He looks over to Damon who just sneers at him and walks away.

"You didn't— You couldn't have." I look at the rest of my pack member's confused faces as well. 

"Nevermind that. The Alpha will be so happy to see you! I don't even think words can describe how happy he will be. Parker, Kaleb show his guests to some rooms."

My eyes wander to Parker who looks like he had lost a significant amount of weight along with the life in his eyes that was always once there. His red hair had faded into a dull auburn. By his demeanor I can tell something terrible must have happened to him. His gaze goes from me to Damon's disappearing body. Soon, they meet back with mine causing him to spit.

"I suppose wolves like us just aren't good enough for you anymore." 

Kaleb matches his glare with a sneer of his own. 

"Fucking mix breeds."

"Kaleb, Parker!" Micheal shouts.

"Let them say what they want. I understand how this must look..." I look back at Parker and Kaleb and let out a sigh. 

"By no means did I choose to be with someone else other than Lance. It was an accident."

 Kaleb spits, this time, causing me to close my eyes. I notice they're gone the moment I reopen my eyes and in their place is Kass looking up with so much worry and concern.

"I'm fine..." I say as I let out a low shaky sigh.

 I know she was expecting me to do what I always do when someone decided to disrespect me. To be honest, I'm too tired and overwhelmed to be any angrier than what I already am. I toned down over the years.