Chapter 67

Wes’s POV

It’s been days. Literal days. Multiple days. And our fated mate still hasn’t returned my texts, not even the ones where I ask her if she got home okay.

Our text conversations have never been too intensive, just simple back and forth. Sometimes I’ll say much more than she will, but she always responds.

These past few days though, she has gone totally quiet. The messages aren’t even showing up as read. I’m torn between being legitimately worried about her and angry at Declan for scaring her off.

I’m also mad at myself. I never should have suggested she meet me at my art studio. I legitimately thought we would be safe there. My brothers know the location, but I didn’t think they would show up unannounced. Declan surprised everyone that day.

I never should have chanced it. I didn’t know what it would cost me.

I can’t let this go on another day, but I feel so powerless. What can I do to convince our mate to speak with me again?

Uncertain on what to do, but desperate to do something, I go and find Hugh. He’s in the living room, staring at his own phone in frustration, like he too is annoyed it won’t ring.

He looks up, sees me, and says, “It’s been days.”

“I know,” I tell him. “Has she at least read your messages?”

“No,” he says, frowning deeper now. “And in my last one, I only asked if she’s alright.”

“She could be hurt.”

“More likely she’s avoiding us,” Hugh says. “And for good reason too, probably, from the way you and Declan botched everything up.”

“Don’t remind me,” I say.

“I will keep reminding you because it is your fault.”

“I’m sorry. I would tell her if she let me, but she isn’t talking to either of us.”

Hugh looks at me for a long moment as if considering, and then he says. “You’re right. This is Declan’s fault.”

Pushing himself up from the couch, Hugh starts walking down the hallway. Seeing he is heading in the direction of the stairs, and presumably toward Declan, I hurry to follow him.

True enough Hugh leads me straight to Declan who steps out into the hallway the moment we stepped onto his floor, like he knew we were coming. He meets us as soon as we step out of the stairwell.

“I’ve already heard your lectures,” Declan says flatly, his gaze and voice sounding bored. I know better than that. He’s just distancing himself from his emotions. He’s good at that, always keeping up an icy front.

His reaction gives me some pause but Hugh barrels on. “She’s not answering us, not even to tell us she’s alright. If something happened to her Declan, so help me –”

“Give me her phone number,” Declan says.

Hugh stops mid-outrage and glances back at me. He looks as unsure as I feel. We both look back at Declan.

“She won’t like that,” I say.

“She’s already not answering your messages,” Declan says coolly. “What do you really have to lose?”

I look at Hugh. What Declan is saying makes sense to me, but I won’t push the issue without Hugh’s support. After all, Hugh doesn’t know our mate the best, as he’s known her the longest.

Hugh curses under his breath. “Fine. We’ll give you her number. But if you mess this up, Declan…”

“I’ll fix it,” Declan says simply, so full of confidence like he truly believes what he says.

We all get out our phones and give Declan the number.

“Be gentle,” I remind him.

“I’ll handle this my own way,” he says and turns away from us without another word.

Ollie’s POV

I’m excited when one of the servants brings me some mail I received that day. The only real thing of interest in a postcard from Ella. The picture on the front is of the ocean, the waves beating along a sandy shore. There’s a pier with pelicans perched on top. The sky is as beautiful, a cloudless afternoon.

On the back, Ella scribbled a note.

It’s as gorgeous as the picture, Ollie. Wish you could see it with your own eyes! Best, Ella.

The words cut into me a little. Gods, I miss my best friend. I’ve truly needed her guidance these past few days while dealing with Jake and the brothers, and everything else. Between Declan knowing my true identity and Conrad having to save me from Jake – who asked me to run away with him!

There’s going to be a lot to fill Ella in on when she comes back.

I already feel like I’ve experienced three months of events, but it’s only been a couple weeks. Gods knows what the rest of the summer will bring.

I turn the card back over to look at the picture. I’ve never been to the beach, never seen the ocean. I wonder if I’ll ever get there.

Crescent Claw pack is totally inland, and Nightheart is in the tundra. The only water there is frozen solid.

There’s so much outside of this pack that I need to experience. So much outside of this room.

I’ve been locked up too long. Even Scarlet is feeling restless.

“We need to run,” she tells me.

In reply, I tell her, “Soon.”

I look around then, searching for somewhere on my walls where I can hang the postcard. Just as I decide on a place above my desk, I hear the burner phone chime with a new message from within my nightstand.

I’ve kept the phone charged and on, always hearing when there are messages but never checking them.

Today, though, I don’t know what it is. Maybe I’m feeling lonely after receiving Ella’s postcard, or maybe I want to live a little on my own. Or, perhaps, I just miss Hugh and Wes… At least the versions of them that are kind to their fated mate. They continue to be cruel to me as myself.

Whatever the reason, today, I walk to the nightstand and retrieve the phone. I open the list of text messages just to see who they are from, and how many have been sent.

There are six messages from Wes. Twenty from Hugh. And the newest, the most recent – one from a number I don’t have yet programed into my phone.

I recognize it though, as it’s one I have in my regular phone.

That’s Declan’s number.

Curiosity overwhelms all else and I press on that message to open it.

You are a coward.

I blink, surprised. If he is attempting to win me over, this is a strange way to do it.

Before I can really react, another message comes in from Declan.

You are letting your fear stand in the way of immense bliss.

Reading that, my cheeks heat up. As I’m frozen, yet another message shows up.

Instead of hiding, even if you intend to leave, we should be using this time to exploring our bond together.

I’m instantly tempted, but I don’t yet move my fingers on the screen. Instead I wait.

My patience is rewarded.

The next and final message has my heart racing.

My brothers have shown you kindness. Let me show you how could it feels to surrender yourself fully to me. I will show you a level of pleasure you’ve never dreamed of.