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Chapter 10. Alone Again.
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2021-08-11 08:06:35It had only been three days since Brodie left me at the edge of the woods but it felt like an eternity.
My mother tried to ask me what had happened between us but I sat silently whilst pushing my food around my plate. The glances shared between her and my father did not go unnoticed, just unacknowledged by myself.
My appetite was gone, but I intensified my running routine, secretly hoping to bump into Brodie. So far it had been pointless.
As I went on my third run of the day, I wondered why it bothered me so much. Brodie was the future alpha and up until a few days ago he didn't even know I existed. I'm sure he would forget about me in the same space of time.
As I approached the edge of the forest I slowed my pace. The combination of more exercise and less food was making me tired. I stopped and rested against a tree, bent over slightly with my hands gripping my thighs.
With my eyes closed and my head bowed, I focused on my breathing and the slowing beat of my heart. The strange sensation of being watched started to creep through me.
Not wanting to appear that I knew that someone or something was there I continued to slow my breathing then decided I needed a natural way of looking up to have a look without making it obvious.
I had a water bottle with me that I'd dropped when I stopped to rest. Picking it up, I straightened to take a deep drink, my eyes sweeping the area around me. For an instant I swore I saw a shadow moving out of sight. Shaking my head at the thought I took off again, ready to go home.
Stripping off and stepping into a hot shower, Talia felt the anxiety of being watched and the knots in her muscles flow away with the water. She took her time washing and rewashing her hair. Before long her stomach started growling at her.
Sighing, she stepped out of the cubicle and wrapped herself in a towel. She dried herself quickly and through on some shorts and a tank top. She sat in front of her mirror to dry her hair.
Talia combed out and tangles and reached over for her hair dryer. As she did, she caught sight of her reflection. Her healthy skin looked a little sallow and her bright eyes were dulled with dark circles framing them underneath.
Pursing her lips at the unwelcome sight, Talia quickly dried her hair and went down to eat something. She would not let some argument with someone she barely knew affect her this way anymore. Talia was not wired that way.
Violet and Lachan were in the kitchen when their daughter appeared. She grabbed a plate and started piling her plate high with chicken, potatoes and several different vegetables. At the table she poured herself a glass of water, sat down and started eating heartily.
Her parents watched her then looked at each other, bewildered by the sudden turn around in Talia's attitide.
Talia had her fork midway to her mouth when she noticed her parents looking confusedly at her then each other.
"Guys, are you eating or what?", Talia asked. "This is really good Ma.",she started eating again, which seemed to unfreeze the stunned Violet and Lachan. They filled their plates and joined Talia at the table.
"So...... Ali? I take it you're feeling better?", Lachan started, unsure of what to say.
"Did you and the young alpha sort everything out love?", Violet tentively inquired.
Talia snorted at this and replied, "There was nothing to sort out Ma.", She gestured with air quotes when answering. " I'm feeling much better thanks dad. Just over doing things I reckon."
"But Ali......surely something happened. You've been... Well.. You haven't been yourself.", Violet sighed but continued on, "Did he do something or say something to you? You can tell us we won't..."
Talia held up her hand to her mother mid sentence to stop her, " Nothing happened okay. He obviously decided that he didn't have time for someone like me and I'm fine with it. I'm used to it. "
Violet looked sceptical but held in her opinion. The rest of the meal was ate in silence. Talia cleared away the dishes and went back up to her room. Her exams were only a couple of weeks away and she wanted to study as much as possible for them.
She pulled out her biology notes and put in her earphones, picking a random playlist, she settled in for a night of anatomy and plant life.
Talia was singing along as she read and took notes on anything she thought might be in the exam. The eerie feeling of being watched made the tiny hairs on her arms prickle but she ignored it. She was safe in her room with her parents just down the hall.
Hours ticked by and Talia had fallen asleep with her music still playing and her notes all around her. She was oblivious to the shadow that was lurking in a nearby tree watching her.
She turned in her sleep so that she was facing her window. The shadow lingered, taking in the peaceful features of the slight girl in the bed. Soon, almost grudgingly, the shadow decided to climb down and leave her to sleep.
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I sat in my father's office with a sullen expression on my face. I haven't slept well in the past few days and it's affected my temper."Brodie...", my father begins, "As you know I've been getting complaints about the way you have been conducting yourself the last few days. What do you have to say about it?"I shrugged my shoulders in response. "There's not a lot to say dad. I'm fine.", I'm staring at my hands with my head bowed."You are NOT fine Son. Honestly, you are next in line to become Alpha of Bloodrose. You can't go pissing people off just because you haven't got your own way!", Hudson knew that Brodie was too much like him. If he didn't like something, he sulked like a child. A trait that needed a lot of work to suppress it."It's not like that dad. She.... Talia told me she plans to leave. She can't. She can't leave me!", the anguish was clear in Brodie's voice.Hudson looked at his son with sympathy, "Where is she going? Does she want
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Talia was anxious to talk to Brodie. The butterflies returned the instant she saw him. He was coming over.'Keep it together and hear him out', she mentally coached herself. She stood there and watched as Rose stepped in front of him, touched him.Talia thought he'd brush her off and come to her so she waited and watched as Brodie's expression changed to, from that distance, what looked like happiness.Her heart beat faltered and a crushing pain seemed to take over her. Is Rose his mate? Why her of all people? Well, she wasn't going to hang around and watch.Talia took off running, her feet carrying her instinctively as far away as she could get. Like a bat out of hell, she flew, faster than she had ever ran before.Her brain couldn't comprehend where she was. Only after her lungs started to protest did she slow down and take in her surroundings. Talia had headed to the forest and subconsciously ended up in the spot where she and Brodie had k
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Talia woke with a start. She fumbled around to look at her alarm clock, the numbers shining too brightly in her half wakeful state.It was 06:15. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep now. She lay for a few minutes, staring up at her ceiling. There was a small spider in the far corner. Talia focused on it while thinking about yesterdays events which seemed all but a dream now. Trying not to think about her meeting with Brodie later was proving harder than she anticipated, his face constantly weaving through her ponderings. The butterflies in her stomach returned with a vengeance at the slightest thought. Talia mentally shook herself and with a low growl, kicked off her blankets before making her way through to her bathroom. She made up for the quick shower the night before by staying under the cascading water until she felt the temperature change. Grabbing a towel off the heated rack and wrapping herself in it's warmth, she padded back to her
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School passed fairly quickly for Talia.The final exams were due to start next week so all of her classes consisted of prep and revision of all the topics that were likely to come up on the papers. She was relieved that she had managed to avoid Rose and her cronies but some of the boys took notice of her new look. Glances of astounded admiration followed her down the halls. For someone who had always faded into the background, this new found attention made her uncomfortable. The unwanted stares were not just because of her change of clothes. Now that her class had come of age or were fast approaching, the idea of mates and mating were in the forefront of many minds. Talia gathered her belongings as the final bell of the day rang. A mixture of excitement and trepidation filled her from her very core, she was heading to one of her favourite places to meet Brodie. Hurrying down the street, she ducked in the door of the cafe, cursing herself for not
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The next morning Talia woke up feeling refreshed and happier than she had in days. After showering and dressing, she headed down for breakfast. "Hi Honey. Did you sleep well?", Violet spoke to Talia while her back was to her, engrossed in preparing stacks of pancakes. "Actually,I did Ma. I feel great this morning.", she replied as she poured herself some coffee. Talia grabbed a plate, inhaling deeply, and stole several pancakes of the top of the stack already made. "Hey! I'm almost done. You couldnt wait?!", her mother laughed at Talias impatience. Talia laughed along with her mother, popping the 'p' when she simply replied "Nope." Looking at her daughter for the first time since she entered the kitchen, Violet noticed the change in Talia immediately. "I take it you've made up with the young alpha then?", she attempted to appear innocent as she asked. "Yeah. We talked it out.", Talia sighed dreamily. This took Violet by surprise. She h
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I made it to my first class by the skin of my teeth. I managed to slip in unnoticed, thankful that no one paid any attention to me.I pulled out my notes ready for the exam prep. The teacher stood at the front of the class, rattling through what may be covered in the exam. I highlighted key points and colour-coded references to make studying easier for me.I sort of lived for this. I'm a geek, a hard-core geek. I wanted to excel at everything I attempted. Not to gloat, I worked at something until it was second nature which was ultimately harder but far more rewarding.The next few classes were the same. Putting in so much effort and concentrating on the task helped me forget that I was going to see Dr. Stewart tomorrow.By the time lunch rolled around I was confident that I had all the necessary study-aids I needed for pack politics, biology and physics.I headed for my favourite spot on the grounds. Dropping my book-laden bag, I slumped down by th
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When I dared to try and open my eyes I knew I was in the hospital. The bed was hard but not uncomfortable and the smell of disinfectant invaded my nostrils. My left hand felt weighed down, so I cracked open one eye to see a much larger, masculine one completely incasing my own.My throat felt like sandpaper, "Water, please?", I was able to rasp out. The raw noise sounded foreign to my ears. I opened my other eye to see Brodie, who had been holding my hand sit up and get a glass of water and a straw for me."I leave you alone for a half a day...", Brodie's attempt at humour could not fully mask the distress in his voice.I tried to smile but my bottom lip felt like it was ready to split wide open again at the effort,causing me to wince."Easy now Rocky. Here, let me help you.", Brodie sat the bed up a little higher and brought the straw to my parched mouth. The cool liquid felt amazing as it trickled down the back of my throat."Thanks. Mmm...
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The sound of someone clearing their throats roused me from my sleep. Brodie and I were still in the same postion in the bed, his arm wrapped protectively around me and I was curled up at his side with my head on his chest. Suddenly, my head bounced of the mattress. Brodie had jumped up when he realised that we were no longer alone, his cheeks were blazing as he mumbled incoherently and straightened his shirt. My parents were standing just inside the room. I could tell that they were struggling to contain their amusement at Brodie's reaction. Sitting up, I stretched fully, not feeling any discomfort whatsoever. Well, except for needing the toilet. "Hey guys, can you give me a few minutes?", I signalled to the bathroom with my eyes. They seemed to hesitate, "Seriously, I'm fine but I won't be if I don't go soon.". I grabbed the pole that held my IV bag and swung my legs out of the bed. "Here, let me help you.", My mother came around to my side. I would
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The conversation flowed easily throughout the meal, like they had been old friends catching up after a long absence. They had moved back to the loungearea infront of the fire, stomachs fit to burst after three courses of delectable food. Mila had brought through a tray of coffee which was appreciated by everyone. Lounging around enjoying the comfortable chatter, Brodie hardly took his his hands off of Talia. He was always touching her in some small way, currently his fingers were playing with the soft, silky curls of her hair. Talia had been explaining to Brodie's parents about her plans to become a doctor, her inherant desire to help others when she started to feel odd, losing focus, her words refusing to form as she continued trying to talk. She went silent, her eyes rolled back in her head as her body started convulsing before suddenly going still. The panicked voices of everyone else in the room sounded fuzzy and far-away to Talia as if she was li
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Talia linked her parents to let them know that they would be eating with the alpha family tonight, shutting it down rapidly again to drown out Violet's squeals and ramblings. Brodie was still wiggling his eyebrows at her, causing her to giggle with delight. She took his hand and led him up to her room. "I know exactly what we could do.", with a coy grin she led him over to the bed and sat him down on the edge. Brodie gulped audibly as Talia bent down in front of him, her tight ass on show for him, through her skin tight jeans, causing his own trousers to tighten at the sight. Brodie longed to touch her, palm her firm cheek but he couldn't work up the courage before Talia had righted herself with a backpack in her left hand, hooked by one finger. "You could help me study?", she was trying to keep the humour she felt off her face, to appear innocent, which was proving to be very difficult. "S..study? You want me...to help you study?", Brodie looked as
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Brodie thought about what Talia had read to them and if there could possibly be any truth in it as he walked back to the packhouse. He believed she was special, she was his mate, but for her to be directly decended from not only the first wolf but the Moon Goddess as well was mind blowing. He thought about the stories that he was told as a child. He recalled something about the first wolf had became enranged that there was now a superior line of wolves and he, feeling that he was the alpha of all wolves, set out to destroy them. The tale that Talia had read was a watered down version designed for children, where as the more mature version was a lot darker, with more death and destruction and less happily ever after. Brodie's mind and heart was heavy as he walked through the packhouse doors. He would have to bring his parents up to speed with everything but felt like he was betraying Talia, in doing so. debating with himself, Brodie concluded that if there was
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"Did you really think that would work? Wolves, remember?", Lachlan pointed between his wife and himself. "We have excellent senses.", He looked amused rather than annoyed, which made both Talia and Brodie visibly relax. Lachlan chuckled at pair of them. "It's okay, you're both adults, well almost, and you are mates. Sleeping is easier, isn't it?". Talia wore a tight smile. She would've agreed if she hadn't ended up in another one of her dreams. She took Brodie by the hand and led him to the table, intending on getting coffee for both of them but he turned the tables and gently pushed her into a seat and went to get the drinks instead. Her heart fluttered, such a small but sweet gesture, sent tingles running through her entire body from the tip of her toes right up to her head. "Thanks.", she smiled sweetly as he handed her the cup. The four of them sat at the table eating a breakfast of mushroom omlettes. "Do you either of you know if being born under
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Waking with a start, Talia wiped the hot, salty tears from her eyes. Inhaling slowly and deeply to stabilise her rapidly beating heart. She shuffled closer to Brodie who was still fast asleep. He felt he shifting and subconsciously tightened his arm around her, helping Talia to reach her desired destination. The shadow wolf had told her that he was the reason her parents were dead. She couldn't control the grief and guilt that had overtaken her body. If she had been born a day later, this could maybe have been prevented. Twenty-four measly hours. That was the difference between life and death for the wolves who gave her life. She knew she had two options in front of her. She could wallow in self pity and let the grief overwhelm her, risking the lives of the ones she now loved or she could these emotions to make her stronger, to train harder so that when the time came, she could repay her parents murderer in kind. Talia lay there for a while, unable to fall ba
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After getting over nearly dying with shame and saying goodnight to Brodie, Talia was looking forward to an early night. She climbed the stairs, heading straight to the bathroom. She turned on the taps of the bath, pouring in luxurious, sandalwood scented bubble bath, in the hopes of getting a restful night. Talia padded her way through to her bedroom, picking a pair of shorts and a vest top from her drawers and tossing them on her bed. She grabbed her toothbrush and started brushing her teeth while she rummaged in her vanity for a pair of hair sticks. Letting the brush hang loosely between her teeth, Talia pinned her hair up into a messy bun using the sticks. She tossed her toothbrush in her sink and went back to the bathroom, before the bath overflowed. Stripping off, she stepped into the hot water and slowly sunk down beneath the bubbles. Sighing in pure bliss, Talia closed her eyes and allowed the scented steam to invade her senses, humming softly to herse
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"WHAT?! Say that again? Your wolf, she spoke to you?", Brodie bombarded me with questions. He was even more confused than I was.Not wanting to get into here I said, "Let's go to mine. I'll explain what I can there okay? Plus then I don't have to repeat everything again to my parents. Two birds, one stone and all that.", taking his hand, we quickly walked the short distance to my house.My mother opened the door before we could reach it, fussing about the time, "Where have you two been? I was expecting you a while ago....Don't just stand there, come in.", She ushered us in with a flick of her dish cloth. She looked at Brodie. "You'll stay for dinner ofcourse, won't you dear?", my mother was like a hen clucking around it's chicks.Brodie was still reeling in shock at my revelation. "Uh...Yeah sure, Mrs. Christie. That would be great.", he managed to reply as she pushed us into the house."Tsk. None of that Mrs. Christie nonsense. It's Violet.", she tutted
