He Found Me

Chapter 8: Better Than Fine

Him

It was about three hours before I saw any sign of Everly. I spent the time pacing back and forth, being sure to stay in the shadows in case anyone came out of the building. I kept my senses tuned for her scent, making sure that she was still inside the building. Every once and awhile, her scent would become stronger and tell that she was coming to closer to where I was. I would stand, preparing to immediately follow her, but then her scent would retreat again and I would sit back down in the snow and wait.

I felt a bit pathetic and weak, sitting, soaking wet in the snow, waiting. This wasn't how an alpha male was supposed to act, even if he was about to give up his title. I should march in there and take Everly away, demanding answers as I went. I was not only her mate but her alpha as well. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't want to scare her, especially when she was already on edge with me. I just needed her to be safe.

It didn't matter that I couldn't see her. My wolf and I were content to just be near her, to be able to breathe in even a little bit of her delectable scent that we had missed so much. I had forgotten how strong our bond was.

But then, finally, her scent became extremely strong, so strong that I could tell that she was leaving. Good, I was beginning to worry that she was going to stay there all night.

Everly walked out, a content smile on her face. She looked happy which immediately made it feel like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Seeing her made me feel like I had been deprived of oxygen and now I could finally breathe.

My wolf saw Everly and immediately wanted to go to her and hold her, but I held him back.

We followed her down the same path that she had taken before and then got into my car when she got on the bus again.

I followed her down the same path back to where she got off the bus near the cafe. She began walking, wrapping her coat around herself tighter and bringing her hands up to her lips to breathe on them in an attempt to keep herself warm. It was still snowing outside. It wasn't as bad as earlier but it was definitely cold enough to keep everyone in this area indoors, wrapped up in a blanket, in front of a fire. I wish I could've wrapped my arms around her and kept her warm. I definitely had enough body heat to spear because of my wolf. I could easily walk around in this weather and not feel a thing. My body ran at about 107 degrees at all times.

But because Everly wasn't in contact with her wolf for whatever reason, she didn't have the same body heat anymore. As I looked at her, I couldn't help but worry about how cold she must be. I wondered if she could sick because of this weather and the lack of her wolf.

I almost expected her to stop in the cafe once we came to it, but she just gazed in it and continued walking. I was hoping that she was going home now. I needed to know where she lived so that I could keep an eye on her.

She walked for another ten minutes before coming to a stop in front of a small apartment building. It was rundown and disgusting looking, even worse than the building that Margeret lived in. She walked up the steps and took out her key to let herself in. So this was where she lived. I didn't like the looks of it. But at least she had somewhere safe and warm where she lived. That was enough for me.

For now.

I watched her go through the door into the apartment building. Soon I would be able to take her home with me and then she wouldn't be living in this dump anymore.

I considered sitting down again and waiting. But I knew that I would probably be waiting all night if I did that. I needed a plan. I needed somewhere to stay. I knew that I couldn't stay back on pack grounds if I wanted to keep my sanity. My wolf and I would go insane with worry by being so far away from Everly.

I took out my phone and called a number. It rang for a few seconds before someone finally picked up.

"Jace," Margaret breathed out. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. I actually-"

Margaret cut me off. "Okay, good. Because Carly has been texting me all day, sick with worry about you. She said that you weren't responding to her and that you had your mindlink blocked off and she wasn't sure what to do. You need to have better communication with your poor sister. You know that all she wants to do is help and-"

"Yes, Margaret, I know," I interrupted. I had already heard this spiel from her today. "I already texted Carly back and everything is fine now. I actually have a question for you."

There was a pause. "Okay..." Margaret said.

"Is there any chance that I could stay with you for a little while?"

"Like in my apartment? With my family?" She asked.

"Yeah, if that's okay. I could always find a hotel too-"

"Jace, of course it's okay! I would love to have you! You might have to sleep on the couch in the living room but that shouldn't be a problem," Margaret said, enthusiastically. "But why do want to stay in Carlton? You're always talking about how you like the pack grounds so much better."

"I, um, well, something happened. It's hard to explain over the phone. I just need to stay in Carlton for a while."

"Jace, is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything is fine. Better than fine in fact. I'll explain everything later."

She paused and I could tell that she was debating on whether or not to push me for more information. After a few seconds, she said, "Kids these days. So secretive." She sighed. "Okay, as long as you're safe."

"Thank you, Margeret. I really appreciate this."

"Of course, Jace. We're family. When do you think you'll be here?"

I ran my hand through my hair. "Probably sometime during the night tonight. I have to go home and grab some stuff so it might be a while before I get there."

My wolf growled at the thought. He didn't want to leave Everly. I pushed him to the back of my mind.

"You haven't gone home yet?" Margaret asked. "What have you been doing?"

I really didn't have time to explain everything right now. "I promise I'll explain everything later, Margaret. I should get going."

She sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll see you later then. Just mindlink me when you get here; I don't want to wake the kids."

"You got it. Thanks again, Margaret."

"Of course. See you soon, Jace."

She hung up and I put my phone in my pocket. I looked longingly at the door that Everly just went through, wishing that I could go to her. But I knew that the best thing for me to do for now was to go home, pack a bag, and come back as soon as possible. Now that I knew where she lived, it would be easy to track her down again.

I began to walk away. "I'll be back soon, Everly. I promise." I turned and ran to my car.