To Be Found ♧ Legacies

16 | junk ball leads to junk feelings

Forgiveness was in the air, and Celia desperately needed her best friend.

Jed was walking to the gym when she found him, one of the littles pointed her in the right direction. He was walking with a group of other wolves, all dressed in athletic wear. One of the boys on the end, who Celia recognized as Robert, was carrying a medicine ball, clueing Celia into what they were doing. They were going to play Junk Ball, a game that was a mix of kickball and basketball. The wolves played it with a medicine ball.

"Jed!" She called out, pulling his attention away from the group. Waving them ahead, Jed jogged back to where Celia was standing. A light smile rested on his face.

"Hey, I thought I told you I was going to pick you up from your room."

Celia didn't reply, she instead wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "I'm sorry for storming out earlier. It was unfair of me to be mad at you."

He laughed lightly, returning her hug. "It's okay, Celia. You were angry and I was there. A wolf's temper, right?"

Not exactly, but she smiled and nodded anyway. "I have so much to tell you. A lot has happened in the past 24 hours."

"I promised the guys I'd play Junk Ball with them, but tell me all about it after?"

Celia grinned, happy to once again have someone to talk to. "You mean I'll tell you about it after I beat you, right?"

He grinned back. "Oh, it's on." The two sprinted toward the gym, Celia laughing like a maniac when she tripped Jed and sent him tumbling to the floor.

-

14 to 15. Celia's team was down by one when Rafael came into the gym, halting the game. A moment prior, Jed had thrown the ball at Robert so hard that it knocked him to the ground. Now the ball sat at Rafael's feet.

The moment Rafael picked up the ball, Celia felt the playful atmosphere drop, replacing it a tense and suffocating one.

Jed crossed his arms in apprehension. Celia took her place with all of the other wolves protectively at their alpha's back.

"Foster kid." Jed greeted. "You back for more?"

Celia bit back a scolding glare, reminding herself that a lot of what Jed showed was his mean demeanor.  It was what the wolves wanted and expected from their alpha. Would he beat up Rafael again? Celia didn't necessarily doubt it, but she knew it would be out of necessity. Jed talked tough.

Celia watched Rafael take a deep breath, seeming to gather his thoughts. She knew from experience this wasn't always the easiest. It was probably the hardest part of being in the pack.

"I killed my girlfriend." Celia couldn't help but show her surprise. He wasn't just mourning the person he killed, but he was mourning someone he loved. He continued, "It was an accident. I was behind the wheel and I lost control. When I woke up I was in the hospital. Landon had to tell me that she was dead, and I don't know anything else."

Celia looked down at her feet. Her mind was playing the game: guilt or empathy. Sometimes the distinction could be tough for her. Despite her mixed emotions, she smiled. Rafael was finally part of their pack. A part of her family.

She had pulled herself together when she looked up again.

"Am I a part of the pack now?"

Rafael's expression remained blank, as did Jed's, though Celia could tell by the way Jed's head was tilted that he had something up his sleeve.

"Take a knee."

Rafael frowned, obviously confused by Jed's request. "What?"

"If you're gonna submit to your alpha, you take a knee."

A panicked expression momentarily crossed Rafael's face as he debated what he should do. He sent a nervous glance over his shoulder. To whom? Celia wondered. Following his line of sight, she saw Josie, standing in the doorway, a proud look on her face. Celia returned her gaze to the ground, frowning as she recalled what happened at the mill earlier. When it came to Rafael all she wanted to know was where his intentions lied?

Jed broke into a laugh. "No, I'm just playing. It's your ball."

Suddenly, all eyes were on Celia. The ball was in her hands, literally. Following Jed's subtle orders, she approached Rafael, handing the ball to him.

The few moments she was within an earshot of him, she whispered what she hoped he would take as an apology. "I'm sorry for your loss." When she stepped back she plastered on a fake smile. "You're on Jed's team. Which is good because they need all the help they can get."

"You're the one losing!" Jed sniped.

Celia shook her head, jogging backward to get into position. She didn't once take her eyes off Rafael or the ball.

Let the games begin.

A/N

Hey party people!!

I cannot believe that it has been over a week since I updated TBF. But I guess time flies when youre having fun (or time flies when you are working 24/7). Either way, I hope you all enjoyed this rather short update of TBF! Much more to come soon.

Much Love -- Kate