Our most important task was to find a weakness for the Keepers so we could exploit it if we needed to. I had to plan for the worst-case scenario.
Crystal
I had to keep reminding myself to trust Kyle but it was difficult when I had spent so much of my life only relying on myself. Letting someone else in made me feel nervous and out of sorts.
My reunion with my adoptive parents had been emotional.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered to both of them when they engulfed me in a hug.
"It doesn't matter," Liv told me as her wet cheeks wet mine.
"We didn't think we would ever see you again…" The emotion in Robert's voice shook me.
Feeling overwhelmed and emotional, I cried with them. Kyle stood watching from the sidelines. It was his way of showing support but not meddling.
It had taken a bit of explaining for them to understand why I had felt forced to leave. They had also understood the importance of not revealing my secret. Robert swore to do whatever he could to help Kyle and the pack keep me safe.
It wasn't long before I was in the study with Kyle when Cade walked in.
"One night and I miss everything," he said to Kyle.
"You snooze, you lose," Kyle shot back.
Cade's eyes rested on me. I had never officially met him although I knew who he was. He had a reputation for being fair but ruthless.
"It's nice to finally meet you," he said, extending his hand to me.
I shook it timidly as I mumbled, "Hi."
He gave Kyle a look as he held my hand. Kyle's eyes narrowed at the point our hands were joined and his jaw tensed.
"And now you get it," Cade said in a teasing tone, releasing my hand. I didn't understand what he meant by that.
"She's my sister," he argued back.
"That doesn't make a difference," Cade assured him with a slight shrug of his broad shoulders.
"You've been a hard lady to find," Cade said, turning his attention back to me. I dropped my gaze, feeling a little guilty for putting them through it.
"Who are we still waiting for?" Cade asked as he dropped into the seat beside me.
"Keri, Blake, Curtis and James."
Uncle Nate was supervising the pack while we planned what we were going to do next. Minutes later, Keri and Blake entered, followed by Curtis.
"I'm glad to see you again," she said, walking up to me. I stood up and she surprised me by hugging me.
"Thank you," I said to her, needing her to know how much I appreciated what she had done for me. From what I had been able to gather, it had put a major strain on her friendship with Kyle, which I hoped I could help fix.
"Hi," Blake said in a friendly greeting.
Curtis shook my hand and then I sat back down as everyone pulled up a chair.
After James arrived, Kyle was ready to start the meeting.
"As you guys know, Crystal escaped from the Keepers early this morning and managed to save a rogue who had been a pack member from being killed."
I didn't like the attention I received from the people around me when their eyes turned to me. It wasn't a role I was used to. I looked up to see Cade look at me with respect, before my eyes found Kyle. The look he gave me made my tummy feel warm and fuzzy.
