Contingency~TW/TO~ Lahey

Chapter 8: Naked

"Where are we going?" Isaac questions, breaking the silence that fills the car. And probably because I had turned left instead of the usual right that leads us back to my apartment from the parking lot of Derek's loft, "I'm taking you to Scott's."

There was nothing left for us to do except take care of Boyd's body, which Derek volunteered himself to be in charge of. Lydia had shown up later than the other two, possibly because she saw Aiden on her way up to the top floor or from the heels she was wearing. But the look in her eyes when she saw Boyd... She put the pieces together and knew Aiden had been a part of it. So, fraternizing with the enemy should no longer be an issue for us. 

Glancing over at Isaac in the passenger seat, a look of confusion washes over his face, "Why?"

I flip my turning signal on again and sigh, "Because the Alpha pack lives one floor above me and I can't risk them killing you next." I have already thought through the events of what would happen if Isaac stayed over. Their goal is to eliminate Derek's pack one by one. I'm not content with the idea of Isaac staying in the same building as those that want him dead.

"But I thought I was staying with you tonight?" I could detect the hurt in his voice from my decision. I didn't want to hurt him, just protect him. I want nothing more than to have him stay with me tonight, but his safety comes first.

"After tonight, Isaac," I sigh again, "I can't have you under the same roof as the enemies. It's too dangerous."

"Renee," he says softly, but a sternness forces its way through the gentle tone. "They won't come after me. They want Derek to do it, and you and I both know he won't. And if they try something, you'd be there with me. I need you right now."

Peering into his eyes for a few seconds before placing my attention back to the road, I saw every emotion flowing through his orbs. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes and I'm on the edge of doing the same.

He needs me, and I am about to send him over to Scott's. Yes, his safety is more important to me, but I didn't even consider his needs, and he needs me.

He has a point when stating I will be by his side. And they do want Derek to be the one to eliminate his pack. It's a risk, but them attempting a surprise attack seems slim since they've already attacked tonight.

I swallow down the pain bubbled in my throat before speaking, "Okay." My eyes lock with his for a split second before once again returning to the road. I turn the car around and head to my apartment in silence whistle holding onto his hand. Our fingers interlace with each other and he holds on tight. From the corner of my eye, I can see his shoulders relax when I cave in to his persuasion. The things I would do for this boy.

✵ ✵ ✵ ✵ ✵

I twist the knob after unlocking the deadbolt to my apartment. I allow Isaac to enter first into the darkened hallway that leads into every room as I scan the outside hallway one last time for any lurking alphas. With no one in sight, I walk inside and lock the door back for precaution before turning to find Isaac's muscular back facing me. I watch his tense shoulders slightly shake as he gets consumed by his overwhelming emotions.

"Renee," he says quietly with a whimper at the end. With long strides, I step in front of him and wrap Isaac into my arms, holding onto him tightly as he slumps down against me. He is almost a whole foot taller than me but manages to stretch down far enough to place his head in the crook of my neck.

Tears fall from my eyes in streams from the loss we just encountered and from seeing Isaac in this state. Never will it be easy for me to see this side of him. He deserves nothing but happiness and I fear that if we stay here any longer he will never be happy. This town has been torturous to us, but convincing him to leave seems impossible now. He has made more friends in the past half-year than he has in his whole life. He already attempted once to flee town but turned back around. He isn't going to leave Scott and I still feel obligated to stay because of my promise to Kol.