And Then There Were Four by Lilith Carrie

A day had gone by, and without trouble from Damian, I fell back into a normal routine.

Even Hale, Talon, and James had made their apologies and explained their wishes to start over and form a better relationship with me. No way did I hold back on showing them how upset I was. That leaving someone in the dark on what everything meant wasn’t acceptable.

Remorse was evident, and even though I was angry I forgave them.

Perhaps, I didn’t feel the bond like they did because I was human. But it was no excuse for me not to be forgiven because for them the bond is like the air they breathe. When I had cut them off for a short time, it was like I severed an extension of themselves.

Realizing that brought forth guilt I didn’t think about– at the time I only was worried about myself.

“Ivy, did you want to have lunch with us today after classes?” James questioned from my open cottage door as I grabbed the last of my items for school.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the hopeful glimmer within, “uh– yeah that sounds like a plan. What did you guys have in mind?”

“We like to go to Angelo’s, the Italian place in town the night before the full moon. Carbs are good for our wolf, and he knows what we like.”

“What’s the full moon do to your wolf?” I replied curiously to know why they suddenly wanted me to come.

His eyes widened in realization, “oh… yeah, I forgot you don’t know a lot yet. I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay.” I wasn’t going to take it personally anymore. “I’d love to know.”

His excitement seemed to spread as he looked around, “full moons are important. Usually, the pack runs together and enjoys in celebrating the moon goddess. It’s just a thing we wolves do.”

The revelation hadn’t even dawned on me before, but to consider the fact they wanted to include me in traditional activities that reflected who they were, was warming. “I would love to go.”

Accomplishment filled me as I watched the smile of joy cross James’ face.

Nodding his head, he quickly took off in a jog towards the house, no doubt to tell the others of my choice. I appreciated the way they were respecting my boundaries.

Eventually, my way of living was going to change.

I would be moved into the main house, and then from there… be the love of all of their lives.

Or, at least that was what I assumed.

Would I be able to attend school Ii ke I want? Or instead, would I move to online education and private tutors? With everything else I had on my plate, I would also have to begin learning how to be a Luna, as Hale calls it.

Luna… to think I am supposed to be someone important… someone regal.

Shaking off the many thoughts I had of the future, I grabbed my car keys and headed toward the garage. Classes started early, and I was looking forward to Caleb’s lecture today.

The topic was about how reserves are created and maintained by the government and private contractors. Like the wolves that I was slowly learning laid claim to a lot of nature reserves. It made sense honestly. Humans were free to maintain adventuring during the day, and the packhouses lay on the outskirts of the reserves for access at night.

Talon explained that not all like this concept, but he had seen it before.

“Ivy!” Kate’s squeal of excitement as I entered the cafe took me by surprise.

“Oh my goodness, when did you get back?!”

Kate rolled her eyes with a smile, “I know I’m sorry I didn’t text you. I got back last night but I was so exhausted with everything that I couldn’t keep my eyes open. So I figured I would just surprise you this morning.”

“Surprise indeed!” The laughter that left our lips was welcoming. I missed her terribly when she was gone, and now that she was back I felt so much better.

Ordering my coffee, I looped my arm through hers and sat down. “You have no idea how much I have missed you.”

“Aww, I missed you too. Why does it sound like something bad happened?” More than anything I wanted to tell her about everything, but at the same time, it was difficult because I couldn’t tell her werewolves existed.

She will think I’m clinically insane.

“It’s all a little complicated.”

My answer wasn’t far from the truth. It just didn’t make sense to tell her about werewolves.

“A little?” She replied. “Sounds like more than a little.”

She wasn’t lying.

“It’s nothing really. I will be okay.”

Concern filled her eyes as she nodded, “well if you change your mind you only have to say.”

The rest of our conversation was filled with light humor about what happened on her trip home, and how she wants to bring me back to meet her family sometimes.

The idea of going to visit was not a bad one to have. She didn’t live far from my mom, and to be honest, I wished that my mother was with me now.

Walking from the coffee shop, I made my way towards the north of campus to attend my next class. Spending time with Kate had lightened my spirits, but I was far from being okay with everything.

Perhaps she was right though. I really needed a vacation.

“Ivy!” Stopping in my tracks, I looked over my shoulder to see Caleb walking towards me.

“Caleb?” I smiled enthusiastically. “Don’t you have a class to teach?”

A laugh left his lips as he shook his head, “not for another hour. Are you headed to class?”

“Depends, are you going to play hall monitor?” I teased.

“Do I need to?” A smirk trod lightly over his lips.

This banter wasn’t unfamiliar to me but stopping it was a must. I didn’t want Caleb to get the wrong idea about me. I saw him as a friend and nothing more.

“Of course not.” I replied, “I am on my way to class though. Did you need something?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he smiled at me shaking his head.

“I just wanted to check on you. I have not heard from you since the other night, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

My mind blank for a moment I pondered what he meant, “oh– yeah. I’m okay, I guess.”

“That doesn’t sound overly confident.” His voice was laced with concern as Kates was.

I knew that I should speak up about what was on my mind, but the thought of burdening others with my issues wasn’t something I really wanted to do.

“I’m–” distant shouting grabbed my attention.

Turning towards the parking lot, I spotted the last person I would expect to see walking across the courtyard headed straight for me.

Damian.

He held his head high, fists clenched, and a sneer across his lips. There was no doubt in my mind that trouble was brewing.

I was baffled by his approach, but it was quickly quieted as Damian reached me ,pulling me behind him and facing Caleb.

“What do you think you are doing?” He snapped, taking me by surprise.

Caleb however didn’t seem fazed by Damian’s attitude. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled, “well hello to you as well Damian.”

“What’s going on?” I asked softly trying to decipher why there was so much hostility.

Damian turned to me with a cold glare, “is this the friend you were talking about?”

My eyes widened in shock, “ he is my friend, yes. Why does that matter?”

“Is he the friend you stayed with the other night?!” Damian’s voice grew a little louder. Catching the attention of people passing by.

“Would you please stop acting like this?” I replied, “you’re causing a scene.”

“She’s right. You’re being unreasonable.” Caleb retorted.

Damian’s anger seemed to flare, and without hesitation, he spun back to Caleb with his teeth bared. “You will stay away from her.”

“She doesn’t belong to you, Damian.” Caleb’s statement was only causing more issues.

“Please both of you stop it…”

The one thing I hated more than anything was people who caused a scene. It was ridiculous to argue over frivolous things. Not to mention so openly where I attended school.

“She is mine!” Damian roared the gold swirl of his eyes not going unnoticed by Caleb and me.

If I didn’t stop the confrontation going on there would undoubtedly be a huge problem on campus, and not one I wanted to be part of. Placing myself between Caleb and Damian, I pushed against Damian’s chest lightly trying to draw his attention.

“Please stop this. I promise nothing is happening. He was just helping me understand some things.”

Damian’s cold glare lowered to me, and for the first time in a long time, I wished I had walked away.

“He isn’t who you think he is, Ivy.”

“What–” looking between the two men I tried to grasp the turmoil that was running through me.

Yes, I don’t know much about their lives or the werewolf kind. But, Caleb has been nothing but kind to me.

“That’s funny coming from someone who steals other people’s mates, and then lets them die.”

The words coming from Caleb’s mouth moved too quickly for me to process.

Frozen in my place, I stared at them both in disbelief.

Did she die?