The Wild One

Chapter 26

Lea's POV:

"No, I want read a bit before supper. I'm going anywhere.", I said for the millionth.

After the run, I came here to the library, to start up my reading again.

I realised this morning that sitting in Archer's room all day wasn't going to bring my mom back or solve anything.

So, I'd gone out on the run with Archer and his dad and that did it.

I felt more at peace now with my mom's death. I felt like I could finally move on.

"Please? I'll even buy you ice cream.", Archer tried again.

He was trying to talk me into going out to Mickey's.

"Hmm... No.", I said and read further.

I was reading a bit about mates and what roles they played in wolf life.

It was pretty interesting. Especially when I got to a part about marking.

"Why not?", Archer asked again.

"Cause I don't want to."

"Come on. Just one hour. Please?", he tried again.

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Fine, one hour. Then we came home, right?", I say.

"Promise.", Archer says and pulls me up.

I take the book with me as we upstairs. I really wanted to read more about this marking thing.

We got dressed quickly and then headed outside.

The car was waiting for us on the outside on the mountains, so we had to walk a long distance.

When we got there, I got in the driver side and started the car.

I haven't driven it for a long time, but it started without hesitation.

Archer got in and I reversed back onto the dirt road.

"You sure about this, Archer? Can't we just go back home now?", I asked.

It was already getting late, the sky growing darker by the minute.

I shifted around on my seat a little and looked at the road ahead.

I had no idea why I was feeling so anxious, but I started snapping on my last band.

"Nothing's going to happen. We're just going to have a drink and maybe some dinner and then we'll go home.", Archer said and I nodded.

We reached Mickey's just as it became night.

I got out and locked my door. Archer came to my side and took my hand.

I instantly began to feel beter until we walked in the door.

"Well, look who it is. Lea, back from the dead and Archer, the back stabbing friend."

It was Luca and the rest of my former friends. I just wanted to turn around and go home.

I wasn't ready for this shit yet. Archer squeezed my hand as I took a deep breath.

"So, where have you been hiding, Lea? Went to your place. Nobody there. Weird, huh?", Luca continued.

"I've been recovering in a convalescent home in Seattle.", I lied.

"Oh, really? And what about Archer here? Was he recovering too.", Luca sneered.

He was nothing like I remembered him. He'd become a real hateful person.

"I was on a trip with my dad in Florida.", Archer defended.

"And what about your mom, Lea? She with you or his dad?"

That hit a raw nerve. I let go of Archer's hand and walked up to Luca.

"My mom is dead. She was attacked on her way to see me. She died on the way to hospital. So have some fucking respect.", I spat at him.

I could feel my wolf fighting to be freed, but I fought her back.

Now was not the time or place for me to shift.

I turned my back on Luca, just as he said,

"Oh boohoo. Nobody believes that you know. She was probably out playing whore somewhere."

I spun around and punched him through the face with as much force as possible.

He fell to the floor, blood pouring from his nose.

I bent down and sneered at him.

"Never, ever mention my mom again or you'll be sorry. You may have no respect for the dead, but I do and you will not disrespect my mom like that.", I said and stood up.

I had to get out of here, my wolf was getting harder to control the longer I was in here.

I walked to Archer, grabbed his hand and ran back to the car.

I let him drive this time, I was too upset to concentrate on the road.

He must have felt it, because he stepped on the gas and we flew back through the trees.

We got to the entrance in record time. I was out my seat and near the entrance when Archer caught up to me.

"Lea, I'm sorry. I didn't know he'd be there.", he said.

I turned to him and just nodded.

We got to the clearing and a sense of peace filled me.

I took off my shirt and jeans as I walked.

Then I closed eyes and let my wolf free.

I shook out my fur and then took off running to west side of the clearing.

I didn't think about anything, I just let my paws carry me forward.

After about twenty minutes I stopped and turned back, walking slowly towards the house.

I felt a lot better now that I've run a bit.

I reached the steps and found my clothes in a neat pile.

I shifted back and got dressed. Then I went straight up to my room, not even bothering to go eat dinner with the rest.

I found Archer laying on the bed and staring at the roof.

As soon as he heard me, he came to me and hugged me tightly.

I put my arms around me and thanked my lucky stars to have him as my mate.

"You okay now?", he asked and I nodded.

"Let's get some sleep, okay?"

"I'm just going to go shower first. I feel a bit sweaty after my run.", I said and pulled away.

He nodded and went to lay down on the bed again as I grabbed my things.

The shower helped me a lot. It helped to unclench the tension in my muscles.

I just stood there until the water turned cold.

I toweled my hair until it was only damp and then got dressed in my sweatpants and favourite top for bed.

I switched the bathroom light off and stumbled in the darkness towards the bed.

I slid in under the covers and curled up next to Archer.

He put his arm around me and stroked my arm till we both finally fell asleep.