Page 98 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“I can do it openly,” I said, my heart thumping, but I needed to be brave.
I knew the pack was probably already talking about me behind my back with the entire two-mate situation,but I would not let it put me down. If Liam was willing to do this by trial, something he didn’t want to do, then I would also testify.
I’m willing to do so at the trial,I said softly.
Perfect. So, uh… what are you up to?He asked. I smiled at the awkwardness in his tone.
Thinking about you and playing with myself?I said as seriously as possible. His pause of silence made me unable to hold back my laughter.Haha! Did I make you blush?
I don’t blush,came his reply, but I could tell he was pouting.But I know how to make you blush.
Oh, don’t play that with me, Blue Eyes,I said, glad he wasn’t there in person.I’m at Taylor’s! You are disturbing me!
Cool, enjoy, but one last thing… I didn’t expect you to have a Brazilian wax. It’s really sexy... I like it. Scratch that; I fucking love it, and it’s a damn turn-on.
My eyes flew open, my cheeks burning at his words, and I wasn’t able to reply. His chuckle came through the link.
Have fun,came his triumphant farewell, leaving me red-faced and completely speechless!
Taylor and I watched another movie after. We talked about our sucky situations as we ate all the snacks and even grabbed some beer from the fridge, comforting each other when we needed it and laughing at our lame attempts at singing. Yes, we were both tone-deaf and sounded horrifying, but we had fun and lots of giggles. Taylor was an amazing friend, and although we weren’t close as children, it felt like I had known him forever. I mean, I did, but not like this.
The credits of the second movie had ended, and the TV had switched off, but Taylor and I were still awake, lying side by side on the bed and staring at the shadows that were cast across the ceiling thanks to the moonlight shining through the cracks in the curtains and tree branches.
“Raven…”
“Yeah?” I said, yawning as I rubbed my eyes sleepily.
“You know, when we were little… when I was weird and awkward, that shy kid no one wanted to know or play with, you used to always greet me and talk to me…”
“You were not weird; you were cute and adorable,” I insisted, trying to keep my eyes open.
“Mmm, you’d think that... but you were this little, tiny girl, like the smallest one in the pack, and everyone used to say you had a growth issue... cause you were like six, wearing two-year-old clothes...” he said drowsily.
“Yeah… I remember… I’m sure it was three years clothing….” He chuckled sleepily.
“You were like a damn little doll… walking and talking yet so damn doll-sized… well… you always had this big smile on your face and always talked to me, complimenting me on what I was wearing, my hair… saying good morning… and although it was something small, it made my day… so, thank you….” He yawned, turning onto his side to face me. “I never even knew your name for many years…”
“Hmm? You didn’t?” I asked, turning my head to look at him.
“No, I used to call you the girl who looks like a doll… until I heard Liam calling you once… I’m older than you, but I was timid, and back then, you were so brave… you still are. You’re damn perfect, and no matter what you do, I’m going to support you, okay?” His eyes fluttered shut, and I yawned again.
“Mmm, thanks… I’ll always support you, too…” I remembered saying before my eyes fluttered shut and sleep welcomed me into its folds…
My eyes flewopen, my heart pounding. I sat up, looking around the room. It took me a moment to realise I had fallen asleep at Taylor’s. His back was to me, and he was snoring lightly.
I looked around the dark room, brushing my hair off my face. How had I woken up? Something didn’t feel right… I slowly got off the bed, not wanting to disturb Taylor. I walked across the floor, careful not to step on the chocolate wrappers and rubbish that we had littered all over the floor before I tip-toed to the window. Taylor had left the top one open to air the room that had smelt of take-out, but it was fairly silent outside. The distant sound of an animal and the rustle of the leaves in the trees were all that I could hear.
I peered out past the tree that stood in the corner of Taylor’s garden, and my eyes fell on my old bedroom window that was just across from Taylor’s. I was about to turn away when my wolf’s uneasiness made me look back at my old house… almost as if urging me to pay attention to it. She wanted me to go there. Why? I could feel her restlessness, and I frowned, glancing back at Taylor, before I slowly unlocked the window and slid it up silently, flinching when it made a slight squeak. I paused as Taylor groaned and turned over, falling back to sleep.
I blew out a breath and slowly climbed onto the ledge, lowering the window as much as possible behind me before I jumped to the ground below, landing lithely. I stood up straight, ignoring the sharp poking of the stones beneath my feet, and padded towards my parents’ home, jumping over the low fence. Mom lived alone now. Was she okay? My heart skipped a beat as a horrible thought came to my head.No… don’t think like that, Raven.
I walked around the house, my heart pounding despite trying to push that thought away. Should I just do the doorbell and see if she was okay? Wait... it’s night-time, she’ll be asleep…
I stared at the dark house, hesitating before I turned away, but once again, my wolf’s restlessness made me turn back. Since returning to the pack, she had been a little more active, and I didn’t want to shut her out if she was trying to tell me something. I needed to respect that.
Okay, calm down. I’ll mind-link her.
Mom?
