Inevitably Yours

MICHAEL

My mom didn’t feel well when we got home from the mall and spent the rest of the night in her room. I made Tyler and myself bowls of cereal for dinner, so we didn’t have to disturb her.

I warred with myself over calling Quinn that night as I laid in my room alone. I wanted to hear her voice, ask how her day was, listen to her ramble about what was going on in the book series she was reading. She usually failed at telling me about the stories without giving everything away; she tried not to spoil them just in case I wanted to read them later, but I didn’t mind.

The part of me that knew I had to create distance stopped me from calling her. I held the small gift box in my hand, thinking about it. School started soon, and we would be together at least one class a day. Rumors were already snaking around about us. I had to keep space between us, but how did I stay away from her? How would it not come off as cold or cruel if I were to try to ignore her?

I fell asleep at some point in the night but woke to someone shaking me before the sun had come up. “Michael,” someone whispered. I blinked my eyes open, staring at my mom standing over me. “Wake up.”

“What?” I grumbled, trying to pull myself out of sleep. I couldn’t have been out for more than a few hours.

“He replied,” she said quietly. She had an envelope in her hand. I immediately shot up into a sitting position. I went to grab it from her, but she pulled it away.

“Lawrence will be returning soon. This doesn’t exist, do you understand me?” she whispered. “No one can know, Michael.”

“Give me the letter, Mom,” I hissed. She looked down at it conflictedly before passing it to me.

“Please be ready for training before he gets back,” she said. I nodded, but my eyes were on the letter in my hands. Melvin replied; my father really replied.

I carefully opened the envelope, pulling out a single folded sheet of paper with scrawling handwriting on it. I took a deep breath as I unfolded it, but Eros piped in.

“You shouldn’t read it so openly,” he said.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“I am not waiting to read this,” I argued.

“Go lock yourself in the bathroom. You could flush it if Lawrence comes,” he said.

“I’m not flushing the only thing I have from my father,” I growled at him.

“Do you want to get caught? Do you want to even think about what he might do to you and your mom?”

He was right, so I scrambled off my bed and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I unfolded the letter and took a deep breath.

Michael,

I’ve read your letter and your mom’s. I want to say you shouldn’t have contacted me but I hoped this day would come. I always had faith you would figure it out.

I am sorry I cannot help you. I am not a savior to come rescue you from Lawrence. I lost more than my title the day he challenged me.

You should know that I have always loved you. From the moment your mom and I found out you were growing inside her, I loved you. Maybe even before. She found a way to sneak me a baby picture years ago, but that is all I have of you. It brings me joy to know you are growing into a strong, smart wolf.

If you were ever to get away from that pack, I would always have a place for you. Your mother, too. I couldn’t risk your lives by coming back, but I would never turn you away.

I doubt that bastard will ever let my offspring take the Alpha title back. I hope you are prepared for that. You shouldn’t reply to this unless you are prepared to run. Lawrence has always been a sadistic bastard, and he will take you leaving as an insult.

I am sorry things happened the way they did. I am just happy your mother could keep you safe and alive all this time.

Melvin Galbraith

I read the letter over and over again, memorizing the words. I was equal parts excited, confused and angry. He wanted me but wouldn’t fight for me. I had a place with him, but we had to escape from Lawrence to find him. He didn’t answer any of the questions I asked in my letter either.

He was alive, though, and that meant that there was something out there for me other than this. Realization hit me like a train; I had two very different paths in front of me.

I could leave. Find a way to convince my mom and brother to come with me. Get away from Lawrence and his abusive tyranny. I could meet my biological father and find out who I really am. I could get my family away from all the hurt. But I would have to leave Quinn behind. And what would my future be?

I could stay. I could put up with the torment and find out if Quinn is my mate. I could keep shielding my brother from Lawrence and be here to make sure no one hurts him. But what would happen when it was ‘time’ for me to ascend to Alpha? What if things got worse?

My breathing started coming in short pants. My chest was tight. I fumbled over to the sink, tossing the letter down on the counter and flipping the faucet on. I splashed cold water on my face, and I squeezed my eyes closed, keeping the black dots from clouding my vision.

“Breathe,” Eros said. “Think about Quinn.”

Quinn. My Quinn.

“Blue hair,” Eros said.

“Green eyes,” I continued.

“Freckles,” Eros said.

“Soft, pale skin. Pouty lips,” I said. Her face filled my head, and I focused on her smile, her laugh, her scent.

My breathing eased. I splashed more water on my face, feeling hot.

“One thing at a time,” Eros said. “Let her center you.”

I grabbed a towel and patted myself dry, still leaning over the counter. “There isn’t any good option here. Stay or leave; where does it take me?” I questioned.

“You have to decide what you want the most. I agree; there is no good option,” Eros said.

“Can I walk away from her? Can I leave her here and chase after him? What if it doesn’t work?” I asked.

Eros was quiet. He mirrored my own panic; if we left, there probably wasn’t any coming back while Lawrence was still Alpha. And who knew what would happen in the meantime. What if Quinn was my mate, and she stopped waiting for hers to come along before I could get back to her safely? She is the kind of girl that would crumble at the idea of hurting someone, even if it meant being with her mate.

But things could be just as bad if we stayed. I wasn’t sure I could continue to pretend I was ignorant of everything, especially so close to coming of age. The whole pack expects me to take over in the next year or so. Lawrence won’t give me the Alpha title willingly, and how would he act as time went on? Could he become more volatile and aggressive?

And if Quinn is my mate? There was no way for me to hide it, and I knew that. It would be worse than now. I won’t be able to keep away from her or resist the urge. If I stayed, she would be in so much danger. I don’t know what would be worse: Lawrence doing something to Quinn or knowing that it was my fault that it happened.

I couldn’t leave without my mom and brother either. Lawrence would take my disappearance out on her. He would know that she told me. He could take it out on my Pop or Grandma as well if he realized they pointed me in the direction. I knew he would have no remorse for my mother’s father, but I hoped he would pause before hurting his mother.

Plus Tyler. I could never leave Tyler on his own. He wouldn’t survive it. Too many times, I took the blame for his mistakes. Tyler didn’t have the same resiliency I did; mine grew of necessity while my mom and I shielded him from its brunt. Lawrence would f**k him up physically and mentally.

I braced my forearms on the bathroom counter. Why did it feel like the weight of everything was on my shoulders? Why me?

I tried to picture Quinn’s face. I had to go; I had to get us out. I had to leave her here and find a place for us outside Stary Pack. I had to figure out who I was supposed to be and make a life for my mom, brother, Quinn, and me.

Pounding on the bathroom door made me jump up. “Michael, training, let’s go!” Lawrence shouted. My stomach turned. I flipped the running water off, realizing it was still gushing from the faucet.

“Coming!” I said. I quickly grabbed the letter and folded it to shove in my pocket.

“You have ten minutes to be outside. Don’t make me wait!” he yelled. I heard his thunderous steps move away from the door. I counted to five before slowly opening the door. No one was in my room, but the door hung wide open.

I crossed my room in a few long strides, closing my door quickly. Then I went to my closet. I quickly pushed aside the chest in the back corner to get to the loose floorboard at the back. I stashed the letter and Quinn’s present in the little hole, replaced the floorboard, and moved the chest back. Both of those things needed to stay out of sight.

I quickly changed and headed out of my room, knowing I was pushing my time constraints. Tonight, I had to convince my mom to leave, and we had to do it as soon as possible. Hopefully, Lawrence would find another excuse to leave the pack, and I could get my mom to go.

QUINN

Michael never called. Saturday dragged on sleeplessly into Sunday. My parents came home late in the evening to a spotless house. I spent the whole time switching between reading and cleaning to keep myself busy. I got to all the laundry piled up in the laundry room, washed all the floorboards that got neglected, cleaned my room, even scrubbed the showers. My mom was ecstatic to come home to all the chores done.

To thank me, she ordered my favorite pizza from outside the pack and sent my dad to pick it up. My brother complained when he got home, but I just ignored him. We usually had what he wanted or what my parents were in the mood for. I wasn’t exactly picky but didn’t often get my choice.

After another sleepless night, Sunday brought family time. My parents took us out to the river for the whole day. My dad fished and tried to show my brother, but he had the attention span of a rock. I found a shady spot and pretended to fish while I relaxed against a tree, my eyes too sore to read. My mom read a book until it was time to make lunch.

When we finally got home, I made excuses and went to my room. I hopefully held my phone while staring at the ceiling, willing it to ring. I had no intention of going to practice in the morning and was heavily contemplating skipping band as well. I was just too tired.

When my phone did finally go off, I was disappointed to find a message from Christy. She asked if I wanted her and Stuart to pick me up for band the next day. I told her I wasn’t going, and she quickly called.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as soon as I answered. “Are you sick or something?”

“I’m tired,” I said.

“Then go to sleep? You’ve been ignoring my messages all weekend; what have you been doing?” she asked.

“Not sleeping,” I said. I couldn’t help being short with her, although I did feel bad.

“Quinn, what is up with you? Is it him?”

“No,” I sighed. “I just have this sleeping thing. Happens a lot.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I would give you a big hug if I was there.”

“Thanks,” I laughed a little. “I’ll try to muster up the energy for band. Don’t tell Stuart, okay? I’m just going to tell our coach I felt sick, so he can’t yell at me.”

“Alright,” she said. “Drink some warm milk or something. Not to make it weird, but I would come over and lay with you if you wanted.”

That made me laugh again. “What?”

“I don’t know. Something about not being alone always helps me sleep,” she said.

“I will consider your offer,” I said amusedly. “I should go.”

“I hope I see you tomorrow, Q. Sweet dreams.”

I sat up in bed. My room was too quiet. I crept over to my doorway and listened for anyone else to be awake. I didn’t hear anything, so I grabbed my pillow and blanket and quietly snuck down to the basement. Without Sapphire in my head, things were too still. I turned the TV on just loud enough that it wouldn’t wake anyone and made myself comfortable on the couch. I didn’t like when things were too quiet. Without my wolf, I felt detached and alone; it put me on edge and made it harder to sleep.

I opened my phone and stared at my messages to Michael. Why hadn’t he called? I thought we had a good time. I know it was late when he left, but he should have said something by now.

For the next hour, I would type out a message then immediately delete it before hitting send. I couldn’t stir up enough courage to say anything to him. His disappearing act was worrisome and not normal. Finally, I shoved my phone under my pillow and rolled over, cuddling into the back of the couch. Maybe Christy had a point about not being alone. It made sense considering wolves were pack-driven animals.

It took a long time, but I finally managed to fall asleep there on the couch. When I woke up, a note was taped to a sandwich next to my head. My mom covered for me for both cross country and band practice so I could sleep. I pulled my phone out to check the time and realized it was already late afternoon.

“Food,” Sapphire g*****d, mirroring the thoughts of my stomach.

“I love it when you come back,” I sighed as I grabbed the sandwich and unwrapped it.

“I don’t like that he hasn’t called,” she said. I ate slowly.

“Me either,” I said. “I get apprehensive when he vanishes. He just snuck out; I would have said goodbye.”

“Well, school starts in two days. He can’t miss that,” she offered.

“I hope,” I frowned. I slowly finished my sandwich. I was still exhausted. I grabbed my things and went up to my room. I could hear the TV in my brother’s room blasting some fighting game; there wasn’t any sign of my parents yet. I crawled into my bed and relaxed into the mattress.

“I wish he would call,” I whispered. “So that I knew he was okay.”

Sapphire was sad but had nothing to say about it. “Just sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

I yawned and stared at my phone hopefully. “Michael wouldn’t be, though,” was the last thought I had before falling back asleep.