Blood and Chocolate

Chapter Twenty

I get out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body then walk out. I look around the room and realize that Alexander is no longer in it. He must have left while I was taking a shower.


I sigh as I change into jean shorts with a casual white blouse which I know Alexander is not going to approve because you can see through and the shorts are too short. Lately, he has been trying to control the way I dress and I don't like that one bit. I dress however the hell I want to. It's MY body. I can run around naked if I want to. What he doesn't realize is that the more he tells me, the more ill do it, just to teach him a lesson.



I comb my hair, taking my time. I have been very bored the last couple of days. Alexander has been busier than ever and I hardly see him. It is so boring when he is not with me. Jake has been busy also. I feel like I have no life. I have been carving beer lately, knowing that that is my ticket to have fun but I know Alexander would never allow it.



After I'm done with my hair, I make my way down the stairs quietly, I make my way to Alexander's office and I stop when I hear voices.


"...the pack is weak right now since Alpha Michael is injured." I hear Tony say.


My heart skips a beat at the sound of his words. Calm down, Leila. There are lots of Alpha Michaels right?


I hear Alexander sigh. "Not a word about this to my mate, okay?"


"Yes, Alpha." Tony says and I picture him bowing his head down.


He can't be serious.


"Not a word about what, Alexander?" I ask bravely walking into his office.


I watch as his body tenses the moment he meets my glare. He stands up. "Out." He tells Tony. Tony walks out, closing the door behind him.


I cross my arms in my chest. "Michael is hurt?"


He starts shaking his head.


"I dare you to lie to me, Alexander. I swear that I will run away." I warn him.


He looks defeated. "DarkMoon was attacking and Michael got hurt."


"Ohmygod. When? Is-is Michael alright?"


He walks to me and puts my face in his hands. "He is healing slowly. Apparently, the wound seems to be deep. DarkMoon is no longer attacking but I think they are just planning something now that Michael's pack is weak."


"I have to see him." I whisper as the tears fall.


He closes his eyes and I watch his chin clench. I can almost hear his teeth screeching. "That's not a good idea, Leila. I can't risk you getting hurt."


"He's my brother, Alex. He is the only family I have."


I have a huge lump in my throat and most of it from guilt. I don't want Michael to die. I've been such a bitch to him. God.


"I can't go right now, Leila. By now, everyone knows your my mate and they might attack SilverMoon too."


I squeeze his shoulder. "Then I'll go. Please, Alex. I have to see Michael. Take care of him. Make sure he's okay. Please."


He shakes his head. "I can't risk you getting hurt."


I take a step back and glare at him. "Well, then I'll find a way to go on my own." I turn around but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back. He hugs me tightly.


"I'll send you with Jake and a few other members from the pack." He finally whispers. "Wait here." And then he walks out.


I pace around his office. I am anxious and so is my wolf. I ignore her though I have Michael to worry about. I don't know how much time passes before Alex finally walks in. He leads me out of the house and into a car where Jake is opening the door for me.


Alex hugs me tightly. "Please be careful." He whispers in my ear. "God. I want to get in that car with you..."


"You have to stay, I understand." I whisper.


He pecks my cheek and then forehead and finally my lips. I kiss him passionately already missing him but I have to go to Michael. He needs me.


"I love you." Alex whispers against my lips and then kisses me one more time.


Finally, he lets me go and I get in the car with Jake and five other members from the pack.


And they drive me away from Alexander but back to my past.

____________

It is dark when we finally reach FadedNight. I feel the adrenaline as I begin to recognize my old home. I never thought I would miss this place but I did. I actually did miss it.


The house comes in view and a thousand memories hit me at once. I am once again reminded about my parents death and my crazy, wild life. I remember why I detested this place.


I do notice how it is a bit messy. Dead people, or wolves, on the floor and some pack members clearing it up. I am the first one out the door and into the house when the car stops. Jake at my heel.


Pack members frown when they see me but I rush up the stairs into Michael's room.


"Leila?"


I turn and look at my recent ex boyfriend. He hasn't changed a bit. He does look tired and worried though I know I'm reflecting him.


I turn my gaze back to Michael and realize that the pack doctor is in here too. Michael is grumping in pain and he is sweaty and pale. He isn't the Michael I know.


"What is happening to him?" I whisper to no one in particular.


Ethan is suddenly by my side and so is Jake. "He is healing but it will be painful." Ethan says looking at him too.


I run to Michael's side and place his cold hand in mine. "Michael." I whisper tracing his cheek with my hand. He is so cold. He has a bandage around his torso and I can see blood in it.


He opens his eyes but he keeps shaking. "Lei...lei...leila." He whispers.


I clean the tears on my cheeks. "Yes, it's me. Michael, I'm right here." I hug him. "You have to get better, you hear me? You can't leave me, Michael. Not you too." My voice breaks in the end and I begin to cry. Suddenly, someone puts his arms around me and pulls me him. I nestle in Ethan's strong chest and begin to cry. I feel Jake trying to pull me away from Ethan but Ethan just holds me tighter. It feels...wrong to be in his arms. I remember how much I used to be in his arms but now it feels like I'm betraying Alexander.


Ah. Alexander. God I miss him so much. I wish he were the one that is holding me. I cry until I run out of tears and then drift into a restless sleep.


When I wake up, it takes me a moment to realize that I am in my room. I get in the shower and change quickly then head to Michael's room.


I open the door and Ethan looks up at me. We stare at each other for a moment. Not too long ago, I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with him. Do I still feel that way? Do I still love him?


He half smiles that smile that I miss and I automatically smile back.


My wolf starts whining but I ignore her.


Ethan was always so good to me. He never disrespected me in any way. I feel a knot of guilt begin to form in my stomach. I cheated on him. Technically, we never broke up and this is how I pay his kindness? I don't deserve his smile. He should hate me.


I force my eyes to look at Michael. Surprisingly enough, he looks so much better than he looked last night. He is no longer pale, there's actually color in his face. He's sleeping but I can hear his heartbeat, it is nice and even.


"How was he hurt?" I ask Ethan without taking my eyes off of Michael.


"He had a head injury along with a few broken ribs. His back was also damaged."


"But how? Michael is always so careful."


Ethan nods. "That's exactly why. I-" he hesitates. "I was in danger. I was losing a fight with one of the other wolves and Michael came to help me. They took the opportunity to hurt him. I owe him my life."


I smile because I had forgotten how loyal Michael is to his pack. how he would do anything to protect the people he loves.


"He looks so much better." Ethan looks at me. "It was you, Leila. You have him the strength to keep fighting for his life."


I snort. "And yet, I have been nothing but a bitch to him."


Ethan walks to me. "Don't blame yourself. Michael loves you and he has forgotten all about that. Now, you should eat something."


I let him take my hand and lead me to the kitchen where a maid is making breakfast. No one is at the table and Ethan and I sit down next to each other. We get served and I realize that I haven't eaten anything for a day. Now that Michael is safe, I am hungry. As we eat, Ethan fills me in at what he has done these past months. Turns out, he left school to train harder. He loves his position as third in command of the pack. I laugh at his jokes now and then. I had forgotten how funny he is.


"But what about you?" he asks after a while. "What have you been up to?"


What HAVE I been up to? It is then that I realize I have no life.


I shrug. "My life is pretty boring. Alexander doesn't let me go out without guards and it is really annoying. He doesn't let me drink either."


"Well at least he has done a good thing then."


I roll my eyes at him. "Whatever."


"Are you happy, Leila?" he asks.


I look up at him and half smile. "Besides the fact that I haven't had a drink for months now, yes, yes I am."


His smile fades a little but he tries to smile again. "Well, why don't you let me get you that drink?" he says standing up. he disappears into the living room and comes back holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. He pours me some wine and then holds his up.


"To you." he says.


I smile and hold mine up to his. "To you,"


We laugh and then crack up laughing. I drink it all in a sip. God, I missed this so much. We begin to drink and joking around. I begin to feel drunk after a moment and I realize how much I've missed this.


"Leila, what the hell are you doing?"


I look up and roll my eyes at an angry Jake. "You want some?"


"No, I don't want some." he growls as he makes his way towards me. "The Alpha prohibited you to drink." he says as he glares at Ethan.


I sigh. "Well the Alpha isn't here besides, I do whatever I want. I don't need to ask for permission."


"Come on, Leila, he's going to kill me!"


"He doesn't need to find out," I tell him. "So get lost, Jake."


"You have bodyguards now?" Ethan asks amused.


"It is not funny, Ethan. Pretty annoying actually. And then they wonder why I run away."


Ethan and I laugh. Jake doesn't leave, instead he takes a seat next to me.


Ethan stands up. "So the fair is here, wanna go?"


I smile and then frown as I look towards Michael's room.


"He'll be alright." Ethan promised. "They'll let me know if something changes."


I smile as I stand up.


My wolf begins to growl. She doesn't like to hang out with anyone that's not Alexander. I would agree with her but hey I need to have some fun. I believe I deserve it.


I hold out my hand at Ethan and, surprisingly, he places a chocolate bar in my hand, just like old times. Then he grabs my hand.


"Leila, don't please." Jake says blocking my path.


I sigh, a little drowsy. "Just keep your big mouth shut, Jake and everything will be alright." I peck his cheek.


He tries to say something else but I am already following Ethan out the door. With my wolf shut and my brain half drunk, all I care about right now is to have some fun and revive old times with the guy I once thought I loved.