“Fine. Not nothin’, but I don’t wanna talk about it. Will’s inside. Can we just hang out and drink beer and pretend?”
“Did Will already speak to you about Da?” I nod in response. “Okay then, tonight we can pretend. But you’re going to have to come clean to me at some point, Con. Whatever it is, it’s eating you alive.” With one last pitying look, she turns and enters the pub, going in search of Will.
“I know,” I whisper before following.
Fifteen
March 2021 - One Year Ago
Phoenix Campbell
Cee:How soon can you meet me? It’s urgent.
Me:I’m at work, I don’t have a class last period though so I can probably get out by 2:30? What’s wrong? xx
Cee:Can’t tell you in a text. I’ll be at the barn from 3
Me:Are you ok tho? You’re freaking me out?
Cee:I’m ok, I promise.
Well, that’s ominous. It’s almost the end of lunch now, and at least I only have my year elevens to go. I’d been planning to stay late today because I’m drowning in marking, but it’s safe to say I won’t be able to concentrate on anything until I’ve spoken to Cee.
Things have been better between us these last few weeks. We’re still definitely overdue some serious conversations, but with him taking on less weekend work, we’ve finally been able to steal more than a few hours together at a time.
Since I moved into my new house a month ago, we both live alone now, so we’ve been able to have video calls most nights before bed. I didn’t even realise how much I needed the extra contact until I had it. Hearing him talk about his day and what he’s been building—in his own voice—has brought us closer somehow.
I’m trying not to get too panicked by his texts because Cee does have a slight habit of blowing things out of proportion. I don’t want to stress myself out if it turns out to be nothing too serious.
An hour and a half later, I make my excuses to my department head to duck out early. My last class of the day was not particularly effective in distracting me because we were doing mock exams.
It’s raining heavily when I leave the school building, so I make a dash for it to the teacher’s car park. Still, my clothes are soaked through by the time I dive into my Jeep. I shoot Cee a quick text to let him know I’m on my way and turn my windscreen wipers on as I reverse out of my spot.
It takes me around forty minutes driving to get off the territory. Spotting a passing place further up ahead, I dump my car there for now since I haven’t passed anyone for a while.
The sky rumbles with thunder and a flash of lightning cracks through the dark clouds. After I’m undressed, I stuff my clothes into my backpack. Shifting quickly, I pick up my bag with myteeth and start running in the direction of the barn. I can get there faster in my wolf form than in my car, and the dreadful weather will help keep me out of sight of anyone braving a walk today. Most humans who see a wolf shifter in the distance tend to tell themselves they've just seen a large dog, but we try to keep out of sight as much as possible.
Running through the trees usually calms my mind, but my thoughts are spiralling over what Cee could possibly have to tell me that he can only say face-to-face. Having spent most of the afternoon telling myself it’s probably nothing, my stomach is churning with worry as I get closer to the barn.
Cee explained to me a few weeks ago how his dad was really starting to pressure him and Will to set a date, but he promised he would find a way out of it. What if he couldn’t do it? What if a date has been set? There’s no way I could sit back and watch him marry someone else.
What if he’s decided he’s never going to leave his pack, so he needs to leave me instead?
Maybe I’ve been pushing too hard for us to be together in the open, and now he thinks he has to make his choice before he’s ready. But I can’t see why he’d need to discuss that with this level of urgency.
Truthfully, I’d rather spend the rest of my life in the dark with Cee than not have him at all. These have been the best few years of my life. When I’m around him, I get to laugh and be silly. When I’m at home or with my pack, I’m the Alpha’s son, and everyone expects me to always be responsible and serious. If Cee wants to talk in person, then it can’t be too late, right?
I’m out of breath and panting by the time I nudge the barn door open with my head. I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast in my life.
Cee's already here; he looks cosy in an oversized hoodie of mine and some grey jogging bottoms. He wouldn’t be wearingmy clothes if he was breaking up with me, would he? As his eyes meet mine, though, my stomach drops. His eyes are red-rimmed and puffy. He looks devastated.
I shift quickly and run towards him.
“I’m so sorry. I fucked up,” he chokes out, handing me a pair of shorts and a hoodie to shove on.
“Why are you sorry? Don’t be sorry. Whatever it is, we’ll work through it,” I tell him desperately.
“You need to get Jasper and Jade to a safe place and not tell anyone where they are, not until the baby comes.” His fingers dig into the flesh on my arms as he speaks.
