Chapter 5 The Duffel Bag

*Abby POV*

I groaned as I was drug to yet another clothing store. Don’t get me wrong I love clothes shopping as much as the next girl, but I was getting more depressed with each outfit. Why should I care how nicely everything fits on me? I don’t have anyone to show it off for.

Mariah sighed as she looked at me with sad eyes. “Look, I’m sorry. I know... how you felt about him. But. It's his loss, not yours.”

I broke eye contact, feeling another wave of sadness welling up inside. “Yeah, I know that’s what I should be thinking. But, my heart... it still hurts.”

“And it will, for a little while longer. But have faith. It will get better, with time.” She nodded. “And with time you will see... you are so much better without him.”

“Say it louder for the rest of us.” Stuart smiled as he and Brian were carrying the massive number of bags we already had. “We’ve missed you, Abby. We all haven’t hung out together like this in ages.”

“Yeah, the last time we tried the Ass kept trying to pull you away.” Brian smiled. “He never liked any of us, you know that right?”

“What, that’s not true....” I started before my eyes widened. That’s right! Every time I mentioned one of my friends, he gave me a strange look. I always brushed it off as being jealous since Stuart and Brian weren’t mated yet.... but now...

“It’s because we were all born to Omegas.” Mariah finally said out loud, and behind her I noticed Wyatt stiffen. Did he know this?! “Other than Angie, but she wasn’t much better... because she wasn’t expected to be Gamma.”

“Did he ever say that to any of you? Out loud?!” Wyatt growled.

“Not to our faces.” Stuart said, turning to face him. “But we heard him... that day he was talking to you. Right after him and Abby got together, he said. ‘Now if only I could get her to leave those damn Omegas alone.’”

I gasped and looked at them all wide eyed. And my brother??? He knew???

“But we also heard you, Wyatt.” Mariah smiled. “You stood up for us and cursed him out. You even threatened that if he said anything to Abby about us you wouldn’t give him the Beta title.”

“Well, yeah.” Wyatt smiled. “You five have been thick as thieves since elementary school, and Abby loves you all. I didn’t want to see you broken up.”

“Aww... we love you too, Big Brother!!!” Angie squealed as she jumped up and hugged Wyatt’s neck. “Welcome to our group of misfits!”

Wyatt looked shocked but smiled slightly. I grinned and hugged his other side, I knew he always felt a little left out growing up, only playing with a few kids because of his mother’s influence. Before I knew it, I felt other arms encircling us. Looking around we were in one giant group hug. Brian and Stuart started chanting ‘one of us one of us’ and we all broke apart laughing and smiling.

~~~

*Wyatt’s POV*

“Oh, there is no way in hell I’m following you in there.” Brian announced as we stood in front of the Victoria’s Secret.

“Seconded.” Stuart nodded.

“It's unanimous.” I agreed.

“You girls go ahead, we are going to the Food Court.” Stuart growled as some human girls started giggling at us. “I don’t need images of Abby in lacy underwear in my brain.” He paused and looked at me before sending me a private mind link. <And we need to talk to you, about Mason.>

I frowned but nodded. <Okay. What about that Ass?> I messaged back as we started to walk away. Maybe I can find that macaroon stand while we are walking.

<Do you know the reason he rejected Abby?> Brian asked. <What were you told?>

I growled again. <He picked a chosen mate instead. That’s really all I know.>

<Well, it seems he was offered the Alpha post in the Golden Sun pack. All he had to do was reject Abby and take Melissa, the alpha’s daughter as a chosen mate.> Stuart added.

<Dad never liked that pack.> I admitted. <He doesn’t trust that whole family, and Mason is moving there?>

<That’s the thing.> Brian smirked. <Once you all went upstairs with Abby something else happened. Melissa found her true mate. He is going to be the alpha there. They left this morning, before Abby and you got downstairs.>

<And Mason?>

<He went back to his room I heard.> Stuart shrugged as they got in line with me at the macaroon station. <But we’re worried. He doesn’t deserve Abby, and we are afraid he will try to get her back, to use her to get the alpha position here.>

<But maybe he should be forgiven?> I mused as I started to pick out Delilah’s favorites. <Everyone makes mistakes I mean?>

<But here is the kicker.> Stuart sighed. <After he got thrown in the hall, he ran to Melissa... he didn’t even mention to us that he would fight for Abby. So not only did he reject her, he also turned his back on her by running to Melissa.>

<Abby is too trusting of others, and she has a soft spot for him. We are scared she will take him back and he will hurt her again.> Brian admitted as we went to a table and sat down. <We all thought that she would change him, that he would lose his arrogance and selfishness but instead he changed her.>

<Well, you didn’t see how she looked at him when she accepted the rejection. I think she is done with him.> I said as they walked over to us.

<I hope you are right.> Stuart nodded. <But in case you aren’t...>

<The four of us will protect her heart.> Brian said as he gathered up the bags again.

<Five.> I corrected. <The five of us.>

~~~

*Abby’s POV*

“Oh, great it's raining!” Abigail screamed as we went outside. “I thought it was supposed to be clear tonight!”

“Looks like the Goddess had other plans.” Mariah sighed. “It's a good thing we didn’t get to the salon yet...” She pouted.

“What, we’re not done?!” I exclaimed.

“Of course not! We still have to get your hair done, get you some new makeup, new shoes....” She started counting off on her fingers. “We’re just getting started!”

The rest of us groaned while Mariah and Angie laughed evilly. As we approached the car the loud squeal of tires and loud shouts came towards us at an incredible speed. I felt myself slammed into the side of our car and felt a body press onto me protectively. After a minute the car sped off, the occupants yelling and laughing.

“What the fuck! Damn kids!” My brother growled as he straightened up and helped me to stand. “Are you okay?” He looked at worriedly as I nodded. That was strange. “Next time we come out we should probably bring guards.” He sighed.

“We shouldn’t have to go that far.” I growled but everyone was looking at me and nodding in agreement.

“Yeah, we didn’t think... did we?” Brian muttered. “Sorry. Let’s not... tell the Elder....”

“I’m not a baby I can take care of myself!” I shouted, feeling my aura seep out slightly.

“No, you are the damn Alpha now!” Stuart screamed back. “You need to be careful! Especially when we aren’t on the grounds!”

I was about to protest again when I heard a small pained whimper in the distance that made me stop. Looking over to where the car stopped, I focused as best as I could, the rain was dampening my sense of smell. But whatever was over there was in pain. Ducking around my friends I ran into the rain. What could it be?

“What the hell is gotten into you?!” I heard my brother shout as he followed me. “We need to get back!”

I stopped at the side of the road and looked around, the sound was getting fainter... more pained.... I looked around frantically. I don’t even know what I was looking for! There! A duffel bag! Those bastards threw it out of the car!!!

“Leave that alone!” My brother screamed again. “It could be dangerous!” I wrenched my arm out of his grip and snatched the bag out of the mud. I felt it move slightly and I ripped the zipper open. Inside a pair of pained eyes looked back up at me.

“Meow.”

“Oh... Selene....” I cried as tears fell from my eyes as I looked over the poor cat. It was covered in mud and blood, patches of fur were missing, and I could count almost all of its ribs. “What the hell did they do to you?!” I couldn’t even tell what color its fur was supposed to be, it was stained by mud. The poor creature started shaking again and I wrapped it in my arms protectively.

“Well damn.” My brother whispered. “Come on, we should get it home.” I felt him grab my waist and pull me towards the car.

“What was that?” Angie asked as she looked at the bundle in my arms. “Oh, the poor thing.” She agreed as we got in the car and headed towards home. I felt the cat relax in my arms and softly purr.

“Don’t worry little one.” I whispered at it. “You may have been beaten, rejected, and thrown away... but I’ll take care of you. I promise.”