Chapter 4: Honest to God talk

 Chapter 4: Honest to God talk 

Ari's POV

I watched my brother's face as he struggled with disbelief and then another emotion I couldn't decipher. I think it was a surprise. Storm was surprised that someone like me could fail at something so mundane. 

I chuckled…it was a sad sound but it was all I got. 

"And that look right there was why I stayed away from you, from our parents and from the pack. Because everyone expects me to be Ari freaking Thunderbolt Black, the future of the Bayblue pack…pride of his parents…hero! Role model! Savior! It was too much, Storm and I cracked, okay? I couldn't hack life outside the pack and I was miserable. I failed most of my first year courses and slipped right into depression…"

 

"Why didn't you say anything?" He asked me.

 

"What was I supposed to say, Storm? What was I supposed to do? Let you and everyone else down? On what grounds? What would be a good enough reason to give to you, our parents and the pack? So, I did what I have always done, I pushed on and eventually, it sucked less…but I wanted to be better than 'barely hanging on' when I came home…. imagine my surprise, when I showed up and instead of my vibrant little brother, I met you…broken! Barely hanging on too! Suicidal!" I said through my clenched teeth.

I didn't know I was crying until it fell down my cheeks.

Jeez! Oh God! 

I felt the wave go through my body. I had no idea I was holding in so much until right now but I had to shove it back into a box and focus on Storm but one thing about glass boxes was when shattered, it was not repairable.

I stared at my brother…or at least, at the imposter occupying his body.

"I wasn't going to light it. I just wanted them to feel just a little bit of what they are putting me through! The overwhelming pain and the constant feeling to hide under a rock! Why should I be the only one feeling this way? Why should I be the only one hurt and drowning in my grief while they kiss each other and stay happy? No! I had to right that wrong. They will pay for what they did to me and Belle. I had a mate and they threatened her life because she had an omega wolf and to them that's as good as having no wolf and they forced me to reject her. I swear to you...They will curse the day I was born to them and they will know grief for the rest of my miserable life, Ari! I swear!" He yelled and sobbed at the same time.

 

Normally, a punch or a slap or a million and one other things for threatening our parents would suffice but having gone through hell and back, I did the one thing I wished someone had done for me. 

 

I pulled him into a hug and kissed his hair.

 

"I am so sorry about your mate, Storm. I am sorry, you had to go through everything alone but I am here now. Everything will be alright, little Dude" I reassured him.

 

"No. No, it won't. She got engaged to the crown prince of vale. I lost her, Ari. Nothing will ever be the same again. I lost her and…and… I am drowning. I need help!" He buried his face in my neck.

 

"Okay…okay, let's get you some help then"

 

He stopped and looked at me. The look said if anyone had the ability to help him it was me. It was a huge responsibility that I accepted willingly. In the long run, it was the best decision of my life. 

 

"Will you help me get her back?" 

 

"If that is what it takes to put you back together, then I swear this to you…I will find Bella for you and I will give you a chance to make everything right, okay?" I placed both hands on his face.

 

"Really? But…but what about our parents? They won't like…like… it" he stammered.

 

"Then I guess, we have to keep it to ourselves, won't we? But before we get you to Bella , we have to get you some help, bro. She's a princess now, buddy; she got to have some standard than….this!" I said and laughed. "We are up against a freaking crown prince, little dude…we need all the help we can get and I have a feeling you will love Costa city" I held his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.

(I have never been a religious person. I always pretended to give thanks to the moon goddess when we were younger to avoid our fathers wrath but right at this moment, I am thankful…right this second, I am thankful for the gift that keeps giving. I was thankful for Ari)

My brother left his mind for me to invade again. I didn't let him know that I heard what he said… i just smiled. Being the savior sucks but for him…gladly.

 

"R-really?" He asked me. 

 

"Yes, it will be good for both of us Storm"

 

"But Mom…Dad, they won't let me leave. They will break off my link to the pack if I dared; you know what that means…don't you? I won't last a week in Costa city. I will lose my mind eventually and turn feral"

 

"What are we going to do?" He asked me.

 

"Chill, I have got a plan but I may have to throw you under the bus, little dude. Now come on, we should head back before Alpha sends a search party after us" 

 

Every little piece of joy disappeared when I mentioned going back home.

 

"Can't we hide out in the forest for the rest of our lives? Everything we need is here because Alpha and Luna aren't. It is the perfect family for me, a life away from the people who destroyed my life"

 

I saw his hesitation even before he was vocal about it and I said "We could stay five more minutes to enjoy the meat then we really have to go. As we wait, how about you tell me about this girl that got the soul of my little rascal brother. Tell me about Bella" 

 

Just little sparks on dry leaves, the joy that previously left Storm’s heart started up and spread like wildfire.

 

I believe he could talk about Bella for hours and not take a sip of water.

 

" Bella…Bella … Bella is like a whirlwind. She always leaves destruction mostly in her wake yet somehow leaves everyone she ever met better than she found them…."

As he talked about his mate, I wondered where mine was. Was she safe and happy? Was she the balm I needed to be whole? Was she the ray of goodness and sunshine I desperately needed? 

I closed my eyes and I said a little prayer…wherever you are, please don't be broken.