Falling For You (bxb)

26. New Pack

5.24.20

Alex's POV (1 month later)

When my mind chose to return, I could hear unfamiliar voices talking over my head without making sense. My heart was in shambles and I probably looked like I had been run over 3 times, but it seems that I still have the joy of living.

I managed to coerce my eyes to open, but my surroundings were totally unfamiliar. Oh shoot, did I crawl my way into enemy lands? A young woman opened the door to my bedroom, and she seemed to be pretty normal. I guess I don't mind as long as I'm not with an enemy. "I'm glad that you're awake. We were concerned you were dead."

"Where am I and how long have I been out?"

"This is the Silene Pack, and you've been out for a month. We couldn't figure out what caused your body to give out, but we assumed it wasn't good. What's your name? Mine is Lily."

"Alex."

"Well, Alex, welcome to our humble little pack. It isn't much, but we try our best to survive. You're welcome here for as long as you need, and our alpha will be in in a moment to speak with you."

I looked around the quaint little room, and I wondered what would happen if I just stayed here? Who, other than Ash who was in a life of servitude to vampires, would really notice if I disappeared? When my feet touched the hard wood floor, I felt at home. My body moved towards the window, and I smiled at the swirling snow. Wait... Snow? How north am I?

My bedroom door opened again, only this time I was faced with two women. The taller of the two extended an arm out to me while greeting, "Hi, I'm Tay, and I'm the alpha. This is my Luna, Bailey, so if you don't like it, you can politely remove yourself from our land."

"It's nice to meet you both, and you don't have to worry about me not accepting you. I mean, I'm kind of a pregnant man, and there's only a couple ways that happens."

"Oh my God, Tay, he is pregnant!" Bailey squealed. "Do you mind if I touch it?"

"Of course not." I smiled at the reaction, and I had a feeling Bailey already liked me.

"Tay, can we keep him!?"

"Only if he wants to stay with us. We can't exactly force someone to live here."

With a pair of hopeful eyes burning into my soul, I nodded my head enthusiastically at the offer. Maybe I can get away from the fast living of Half Moon? Bailey cheered before grabbing my wrist to drag me from the room. "I have to introduce you to everyone! There's only about 25 people in our tiny pack, but I swear we're all nice! Our guard, Dianne, was really worried when she found you passed out on our border. We didn't know if you were alive or dead since you were hardly breathing, but I'm glad that you're alive because I think you're really cool!"

"Yeah, thanks for picking me up. I probably would have died all alone out there."

"Well that's what we do here; we all help each other!"

"Um, where exactly in the country are we? I noticed that it was snowing."

"Southern North Carolina. It doesn't really snow much here either, but from what you're saying, it probably doesn't snow at all where you come from."

"No, it really doesn't. When it does, my father likes to roll around in it."

"That sounds really funny."

"He can be."

Bailey lead me into a small dining room, and all eyes were on us. "Guys, this is Alex. He'll be joining us for who knows how long. Play nice!"

I was pulled– seriously what is it with these people and grabbing me– over to a table, and I was clearly already a member of this little group. Everyone's just so friendly, and I could definitely love here if it wasn't for my pack. However, I'm kind of lost without Ash, so I don't plan on going back just yet. For now, I'm just going to kick back here like a normal wolf, and the world can figure itself out.

***

I sat up from my fifth nightmare of the night with quick gasps of breath. Every time I close my eyes, Ash is dancing just behind the lids with his flashy smile and shimmering eyes. I wouldn't mind seeing him if every dream didn't involve him getting hurt, forgetting me, or falling in love with someone else.

I sighed loudly before climbing up to the window in my room. The snow was still falling, and the moon was reflecting the white until it became blinding. I really liked the serenity of this pack, and I looked forward to taking a break for a while. As much as I love my pack, it seems like it's one conflict after the next. The only thing I'm really apprehensive about is raising two children on my own, but I clung onto the little future snapshot I had no matter how ominous it had been. Ash, chasing a little boy in circles, and me watching.

I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, and I whispered, "I know, babies. I miss him too." Tears came to my eyes at the thought of Ash, and I let the droplets flow down my cheeks. They splashed audibly against the window sill, and I leant my forehead against the cool glass while my shoulders shook. I have to let him go since stress is bad for my children, but that doesn't stop my heart from crying out to his.

There was a knock at my bedroom door before the wood was pushed aside, and Tay came into the room alone. "Sorry, I heard you crying. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"I'm as okay as I can be. My soulmate was taken by the Harsin Coven, and I barely made it out. He gave himself up for me, and I miss him so much."

"My family was murdered in front of my eyes by the Harsin Coven, so I know how you feel. I've created this pack to make them proud, but I miss them so much. I wish they were here to see how I've grown up, but they aren't. I'm just glad that I have Bailey here to keep me from going under."

"Ash and I have gone through so much together, and I guess I just took his presence for granted. I thought he would always be there, but now he just isn't."

Tay grabbed my right hand before flipping it over so it was palm side up. "Take this. It really helped me growing up without my parents, and I'm hoping it will help you, too."

I held up the little ring, and it had the engraving they're in your heart in the silver. "Thank you, Tay."

"He's waiting, just like you, to be holding you in his arm again. I trust that he's trying to get to you from wherever he is, and you should too. Good night, Alex."

"Thank you. Night, Tay."