FULL NOVELXO Chapter Homeward Bound
I fell asleep instantly, not realizing how tired I was from our travels and had already forgotten how my mate dismissed me, keeping me from ripping his towel off and fucking like the wild animals we are when he wrapped his arm around my belly and pulled me into his chest. Just being close to him made my anger dissipate like dust in the wind.
The last few days events played in my head and I tried to envision how big of a part I would play in the future of our pack. Like how much would Bishop actually appreciate my advice and if he would give me full autonomy with the members and trust that what I was doing for them was in their best interests.
Still, the argument he had with Winston when we arrived and the anger he had displayed before we left plagued me. His refusal to tell me what was going on had affected me more than I knew and dreaming about the possibilities was making for a restless night.
I awoke with a startle as thunder cracked outside and lightning danced across the sky. Walking to the window, I pushed the curtain back and watched as the rain fell to the pavement. Humongous puddles of water gathered in the parking lot, threatening to flood the entire first floor of the hotel but everyone was oblivious to the impending doom.
Realizing there was nothing I could do about it now, I sat down in the chair and hoped this new position would help me sleep better. I don’t know if it was the sound of the rain tapping against the glass or the feeling of ease that washed over me but my eyes closed and I fell into a deep slumber.
“Red, we have to get going.” His warm breathe tickled my ear as he whispered.
Stretching my stiff limbs, I opened my eyes and saw his mysterious browns staring back at me. At first, I caught a bit of sadness in his gaze but his expression quickly changed when I ran my knuckles down his cheek.
“Ok. I’m up.” I said as I stood from my spot and found a change of clothes for the rest of the drive home.
Once our things were back in the car, he quickly checked out then he jumped in the drivers seat and took off. We didn’t have much more to go but it still felt like the longest road trip ever and I couldn’t wait to get home to see everyone.
My first order of business was to let them know I was here to listen. If they wanted someone to vent to or needed my help, I was going to be there for them no matter how silly they thought the issue was. Their problems were no mine and I wanted to do right by them.
The last 10 hours heading home, Bishop told me stories of he and his family, both before and after his father’s death. He spoke about him with such admiration and respect that I felt saddened that I would never get to meet him but I knew Bishop had a lot of his qualities just from taking to his mother.
When we arrived back at the pack, Kam and Mik were outside on the porch steps, soaking up the last bit of rays from the sun. Their smiles were contagious and before the car stopped I bolted from the door and ran towards them, wrapping my arms around the both of them.
“Gotdamnit woman, you’re choking me!” Mik said as she laughed under her breath.
“Oh shut up and pretend you like it, just this once!”
All Kam could do was laugh as the two of us bickered like old times. Deacon walked out the front door and grabbed the bags from Bishop as the three of us walked into the house.
I knew he would be busy for the next few hours getting updated about what had been happening with the pack while he was gone so I took the opportunity to go upstairs and catch up with my girls.
“How was Canada?” Kam asked.
“To hell with Canada, how was his mom? Was she a total power hungry bitch?” Mik interjected.
“She was very pleasant.”
Watching as they both stared waiting for me to expand on my answer, I started putting away my clothes and my bags.
“And?” They both said.
“And that’s it. From the moment I got there she was nothing but kind and helpful. Despite all she went through after losing her mate, she is a very down to Earth person.”
“Yeah. For now.” Mik chimed in.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kam replied.
“Exactly what I said, she will be the perfect mother in law until one day her little boy will take your side over hers and the real monster will come out. They’re all the same, judgmental, snooty, posers.”
I had a feeling her reaction was not about my meeting Bishop’s mom but instead to her own meeting with Cole’s family one day.
“What happened?” I asked as I sat down next to her.
“Nothing. He wants me to meet his parents but I don’t know if it’s the right time, I mean we just started being a couple and I think we might be moving too fast. I don’t know, I love him, I really do but I don’t know if I’m the best person for him.” She admitted as she got up from the bed and walked to the window seat.
“Mik, the moon goddess never makes mistakes! Trust me. Do you think I was happy to find out I was Bishop’s second mate? No I wasn’t but there is a reason for that and I will never know what it is but I don’t care. We love each other and that’s all that matters. No one can break us apart.”
Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears and she quickly wiped her nose before it began to run, hiding the fact that my words had affected her in some small way.
Nodding her head she said, “I know, the mate bond and all that crap. I still don’t agree with it but I would never deny what the moon goddess had planned for me.”
Kam started crying as she watched our interaction. She was always the softhearted, mother hen when we were kids, trying to knock some sense into us when we had some insane idea on how to have fun. She saved us from numerous injuries and punishments and was probably the main reason we were both still alive.
Looking at my two best friends, I realized this is what we were destined for. No we weren’t running our own pack but we each would be joining one where our individual talents could really make a difference and maybe even strengthen our bonds with each other’s packs. In that moment, I knew our future would be bright.
Bishop better make sure he does right on his promises to Ember, cause I know she will not be happy if he keeps brushing her off any longer.
So the problems between Winston and Bishop sound pretty tense and have me wondering if it has something to do with Ember or a pack issue.
These three friends are so dang cute and way more like sisters than friends. I hope each one of them can contribute immensely in their new role. Only time will tell!!!