Chasing October

Eight

The room that I was lying in was cold and white. I tried to sit up, to figure out where I was, but a hand held me down. Turning my head, Sam smiled at me, rubbing my arm with his thumb. My mouth parted, ready to speak, but no words came out. Reaching for the water, Sam handed it to me gracefully, helping me hold it up.

"What happened?" I muttered, clearing my throat as I finished the water.

As Sam took it away from me, I felt the push at my barrier, and I held it back. "Well, your body needed some time to the adjustment of coming over to my pack." With the look of fear on my face, he cracked a smile. "Don't worry, it went successfully. You have just been sleeping the last few hours. With your connection to Garrett, it was harder for you. Luckily, however, you two did not start the mating ritual, and that was why it was successful."

"So what's the reason they're pushing at my barrier?"

He shrugged. "I suppose my pack really just wants to fully talk and meet you now. Say hello, Star."

Hesitantly, I lowered the guard, and was swarmed with tons of emotions and thoughts. As I tried to hold them back, Sam chuckled, and I heard his voice above everyone else.

Give her some time to adjust, please. She is not used to a pock this size.

Everything went silent after that, and one by one, I said hello to some of his pack, leaning against the pillow when everything had gone quiet. Sam didn't say much when the link went silent, and I stuck my barrier back up, turning to look over at him.

"You okay?" I asked, a frown plastered on my face.

He nodded, staring at his hand. "I just keep getting Garrett's thoughts every now and again, and he isn't happy. Once, he even considered an attack against me, but his beta talked him out of it."

Sliding up in the bed, I swung my legs over, getting a funny expression from Sam. Glancing down, I blushed and tugged the blanket over me swiftly, hiding my underwear. "I am so sorry," I whispered, burying my face in my hands in embarrassment.

Sam laughed and stood up. "Don't worry; I will bring you the clothes that Cecily brought over."

"I thought she was mad at me?"

"I suppose she has gotten over it."

Hope filled my chest as he left, and I pulled my phone off of the side table, seeing the few missed calls. None were from Cecily, and I quickly called my parents back.

"Hello?"

"Hey," I murmured, smiling as Sam brought my clothes in. "You guys called?"

"Just wondered how everything went. We felt the link sever and were making sure you are okay."

"Yeah, I'm okay. Sam said my body started to reject it at first, but it's going pretty smoothly now. How is everything there? Did the pack find out about Garrett yet?"

My father was silent for a second before sighing. "They've been talking about finding a new Alpha. They believe that Garrett is unfit to rule over us."

"I see," I muttered, sliding on my pants. "I'm not sure what to say about that, dad. I would talk it over with Kyle before anything is set in stone."

"I will kiddo. For now I have to go. Call us later, okay?"

Agreeing, I hung up and finished dressing, the shirt smelling like Sam. As I started to walk towards the door, he came back in, a warm smile on his face.