Alexia Eden

by Sophie Summers

  I arrive home and luckily the weather isn’t too chilly, I take my bag and head into the house. I see moms hand bag on the counter near the door so I know she’s home. I go straight to my room and throw my bag on the chair in the corner of my room.

  I’ll unpack that later.

  I lie on my bed and send my friends a message telling them I’m home. Hopefully I can have a little nap before they arrive to fetch me. I put my earphones into my IPod and get comfortable when Georgina decides to come into my room looking like she just woke up, still in the clothes she obviously passed out in. I take out my earphones and wait for her to say something snotty.

  “Don’t look at me like that Alexia.” she snaps as she walks and sits on the bed next to me looking out the window, she tries to smooth her wild hair and wipe her messy mascara from under her eyes.

  “Like what?” I ask, raising an eyebrow and leaning on my elbow but still laying on my bed.

  “Like I disgust you…” she’s says in an almost whisper.

  I decide not to comment on that and change the topic because at this moment I am rather disgusted in her.

  “What happened last night? Weren’t you supposed to stay at your boyfriends?” I ask her emphasizing the word.

  “We had a fight, so Amber picked me up for drinks then I stayed at her place. I came in about ten minutes before you walked in. Where were you by the way?” she says while she plays with her fake nails.

  “I went to visit my friend Alex again. What’s your shift like? I wanted to go see them again this week.” I tell her.

  “I’m working evening shifts throughout this week but you can take the car and I’ll just get Amber to take me. You’re spending a lot of time with them Lexi, how do your friends feel about all of this?” She asks.

  “Thanks. They don’t mind, I’m actually staying over at their house tonight.” I tell her and her eyes widen with surprise.

  “You’re staying with them tonight? Did Jackson’s parents agree to it?” She asks.

  “Yeah, Frankie was the one who actually suggested it.” I tell her.

  “Why they hell would they want you there?” she says in a repulsed voice.

  “Why the hell wouldn’t they want me there? What’s so wrong with me?” I yell getting angry.

  “You’re just…YOU, nothing special. I don’t even see why their kids are even friends with you. They have a lot going for them and you...you are just going to end up like –” I interrupt her as I get off the bed.

  “Like what? Like YOU? A druggie alcoholic who acts like they’re sixteen, slutting herself around to all the guys at the bar? Embarrassing ME in front of MY friends!! I don’t even know who you are anymore? I fucking HATE this person you’ve become! Just when I think you’re the mother I had when dad was around, you turn into this!” I say gesturing towards her.

  She’s now standing and her eyes have darkened, her breathing is labored and she looks crazy. I lose all the courage I had moments before as she stalks over to me. She raises her hand and SLAP! She hits me with so much force I fall over my side table and lampshade next to my bed, shattering the glass frame that sat on my little bedside table that held a photo of my father and I. I turn over slowly on the floor facing where she was standing but it’s all starting to blur, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing stars because little dots blur my vision, I don’t hear anything and my sight is slowly fading.

  Where did Ronny come from? Jax is there too and he looks like he’s shouting at my mother, her head is facing the floor and now she’s crying. I see feet right in front of my face and the person bends, revealing Drakes beautiful face. He’s talking but I can’t hear the words.

  I can’t believe she slapped me, she isn’t that big of a woman, where the fuck did all that strength come from? It definitely has something to do with being part werewolf.

  My stomach is stinging and as I put my hand over it I feel wetness, I look down to see my trembling hand covered in blood.

  All the sound comes back at once and I hear Jax yelling, Georgina sobbing and Ronny saying she’s going to call Frankie.

  “Lexi can you hear me? LEXI are you okay? ANSWER ME!” Drake stops yelling then looks at my hand and the small pool of blood that is now seeping into the cheap floor boards beneath me.

  “Oh God! Jax! She’s bleeding! A LOT! We need to get her to the house NOW!” Drake screams and tries shifting me but I scream out in pain, I see Frankie run into my room, he towers over her and yells at her about controlling herself then he slaps my mother. Scarlet runs to me and starts pushing the hair out of my face that’s now covered in blood.

  I must have hit my head too.

  Ignoring the commotion that’s going on in my room as I look at the ground in front of me and see the photo that was once in the glass frame of my father and I.

  “I tried picking her up but she just screams, she’s in too much pain.” Drake tells Frankie who rushes to my side.

  “For fuck sakes Drake!” Jax yells pushing past everyone; he hauls me up ignoring my screams of pain.

  Jax holds me tight against his chest, his warmth soothes me and I can hear his heart beat against my ear quicken as he runs.

  “Baby, stay awake… Lexi please I need you to stay awake.” Jax says in a gruff voice.

  “I can’t lose you baby you have to get through this. I need you Alexia. Please, nonono keep your eyes open!”

  Clutching my dad’s photo to my chest, the pain slowly subsides into numbness and darkness takes overs.

  I wake up with a throbbing headache, I feel soft hands putting my hair behind my ear and out from my face. I sluggishly open my eyes to see Jax’s mother moving my hair and wiping the blood off my face gently and Drakes mother wiping the blood off my hands.

  “Oh honey you’re awake! Everyone’s so worried about you. Frankie had to order the boys to stay out of your room so we could get you cleaned up.” Scarlet says looking at me with worried eyes.

  I look at Alice to see the same look on her face. “You got a nasty cut from the frame you landed on, we had the doctor sort you out though so don’t you worry sweetie.”

  I look down and slowly lift the blanket and the shirt I was wearing which wasn’t mine, I see my stomach wrapped in thick bandages, I lick my dry lips and say, “It feels much better."

  “The Doc gave you heavy pain meds my love, you’ve been out a few hours, just let me know when they start wearing off and we’ll get you some more.” Scarlet says moving to sit on the bed next to me.

  I look around the room to see it’s a cream colour with girlie furnishings, the blanket that covers me is in pale pink floral print and the curtains match, definitely not my taste.

  “Where am I?” I ask the two ladies but Frankie walks in and as soon as he sees me a smile forms on his face.

  “You’re in our house, how are you feeling love?” he asks and Alice moves so he can sit on the chair that’s next to my bed.

  “I’m good, is Georgina okay?” I ask remembering him slapping her.

  “She did this to you and you're asking if she’s okay?” he says as his eyes widen with disbelief.

  “I don’t care that she hurt me, I just need to know that she’s fine. I said some horrible things to her and she looked upset, I really didn’t mean to make her so angry with me. I need to tell her I’m sorry.” I beg.

  He looks at me then at his wife and they both smile then he takes my small hand in his large rough ones.

  “Little Alexia...you are something special you know that? You nearly died because of your mother and you still want to know if she’s okay. You are a very kind person, more kind then any of us could ever be. Your mother is fine but there is something I wanted to speak to you about.” I nod and he continues.

  “We don’t want you going home for a while, we want to make sure you recover and we want to know you are safe, the only way to make sure is if you stay with us. We have plenty of extra room in the house for you, if you worry about what your mother would say I’d make sure she agre
ed but I have no doubt you would never leave your mother even after she did this to you, so that’s why I ask you, will you stay with us till you recover?” he asks in a soft kind pleading tone.

  “I can’t leave her alone, what if something happens to her? I’m all she has left…” I say softly.

  “We will make sure Amber keeps an eye on your mother so you won’t have to worry, will you stay my dear?” Scarlet asks me with pleading eyes.

  “Okay I’ll stay...but only until I’m better, then I’m going back home.” I tell them and they both smile.

  “There are some things that you should know if you’re going to be staying with us but I think it would be best if Jackson, Drake and Veronica tell you.” He says with a serious tone.

  “I’ll let the kids in, they have been asking to see you and now that you’re awake, I’m sure you want to see them too.” Frankie smile then they both leave the room.

  The door opens again but this time Jax walks through, when he sees I’m awake he rushes towards me and sits on the bed next to me pulling me to his chest carefully making sure he doesn’t hurt me.

  “Lexi I was so worried! Don’t ever scare me like that again! I love you Lexi, I don’t know what I would do without you! How are you feeling?” he says after kissing my cheek and settling down next to me against the headboard of the bed.

  “I love you to Jax, I don’t know what I would have done if you guys didn’t find me. I’m doing okay. Just a little tired but I think that’s the medicine.” I tell him.

  “I’m glad you’re staying with us till you heal.” He says then he leans over to my ear and says, “Just so you know my rooms across the hall from yours.” Then he winks at me causing me to giggle then wince in pain.

  Just then the door flies open and Drake comes in, he growls at Jax when he sees me cuddled to his side. Jax gets up and walks out the door winking at me and smirking at Drake.

  Drake comes to the other side of the bed pulling me to him and kissing my mouth roughly after he whispers, “I’ve never been so scared babe, don’t ever leave me! I love you so much Lexi and I don’t want to walk this earth without you!” I look at him and see tears in his eyes and it makes my eyes start to water.

  “You L…Love me?” I ask him.

  “Yes Lex, I loved you from the moment I saw you and I was too afraid to tell you but after what happened today I need you to know how much you mean to me. I love you so much, I know you probably don’t feel the same and that you know we have been keeping things from you but we aren’t going to keep anything from you anymore. We want you to know everything. I love you.” Drake says as he sobs into my shoulder.

  “I love you to Drake…” I say, he lifts his head and I wipe away the tears from his eyes and a smile crosses his face. He kisses me again harder.

  “Thank you Lexi, I don’t deserve your love but…thank you…” he whispers as he kisses my forehead.

  “Drake of course you do. Why would you even say that?” I ask him.

  “I hurt you Lex and I could have killed you just like what your mother did today.” he says with such sadness.

  “You didn’t mean to Drake….and remember what happened after?” I say , earning me a naughty smile from Drake. “You took care of me, remember that?”

  “Mmhmm babe, I could never forget that, as soon as you are all better I will take care of you again.” He says in a low voice causing me to giggle cautiously due to the pain.

  “I love you Drake so much…” I snuggle into his side and fall asleep with him running his hands through my hair.

  CHAPTER 22:

  A few days have passed and my body is getting stronger every day, I still have the stitches and I have a bruise on the side of my forehead where I hit the table. I always have someone by my side. The medicine I’ve been given makes me really sleepy so unless I go and eat, shower or use the bathroom I don’t really get out of bed that much. I’ve been missing school all week, but Ronny has been getting all my work for me although I don’t have the strength to do the work I will try catch up this weekend.

  While everyone’s at school Alice and Scarlet have been taking care of me and Frankie has been popping into see me every now and then. He even showed me how to play poker, I don’t know why Chloe said he’s scary, he may look scary but with me he’s nothing but kind and gentle just like Uncle Johnny. The four of us have been getting along quite well and I can feel that they care for me deeply.

  It’s a Friday night and since I’m feeling better, everyone decided that we’ll have that movie night that we missed out on. In the theatre room there is a bunch of beanbags scattered around with cushions and blankets everywhere and it’s quite comfy.

  “Ron, did any of you take my phone on Sunday? I kinda need it.” I ask Ronny as she hands me and Drake a bowl of popcorn. I’m sitting between Drake and Jax, I’m cuddled in Drakes side but under the blanket Jax is rubbing my feet gently.

  “Why do you need it?” Drake asks looking at me confused, he's been rather possessive and protective with me the past week I've been here, not letting me out his sight and keeping me from all the other guys that live in the house. I think he is just afraid I get hurt again.

  “The only people you need to worry about are here and if you want to talk to us then you can just talk.” he says being cocky.

  “I know that but I have other people that I have contact with that are probably wondering why I’m not answering their calls and messages.” I tell Drake as I sit up but his face gets red and his jaw clenches.

  Oh no, he’s getting angry…

  “Like Alex.” I say trying to calm him and it works his eyes go back to his normal colour and he relaxes beside me.

  I feel Jax right against the other side of me move from under the blanket.

  “Here’s your phone Lex, it has been going off non-stop.” Jax says hanging my phone to me.

  “You didn’t answer it did you?” I ask him sounding angry even though I don’t mean to.

  “Would it have been a problem if he did?” Drake says snatching my phone from my hand and standing up from the big beanbag we were sitting on.

  “No it wouldn’t have! Give that back Drake, NOW!” I shout at him, following him while everyone looks at us. I sense him getting angry again and when my phone starts to ring in his hand I take the opportunity to snatch it from him.

  “Hello?” I ask whoever is on the line.

  “Angel! Oh my God! We have been calling you all week and you haven’t been answering! Why haven’t you answered your phone?” Johnny barks at me.

  “I’m sorry Johnny, please tell Alex I’m fine, um...I kinda got into an… accident but I’m fine now.” I tell him trying to calm him down.

  “Shit Angel, are you okay? I was just about to send the twins out to get you, they have been going crazy. Damn! I knew something was wrong! You usually phone us frequently. Where are you? We’re coming to get you.” Johnny rambles on. I forget that I’m sitting in a room full of my friends and they are all looking at me with weird expressions on their faces.

  Shit! Can they hear him?

  Looking at Jax’s angry face I reply to Johnny, “No, Johnny please don’t do that. I’m okay I swear. You don’t need to fetch me, I’m staying with my friends and they are taking care of me. Please tell everyone I’m fine and they don’t have to worry I’ll see you soon I swear and I will explain everything to you…I promise.” I plead with him.

  I hear him take a deep breath and let out a sigh, “Okay baby girl, we love you. Please just be safe and let me know when you're coming.” His voice is much calmer and softer and it puts me at ease.

  “I love you guys too! Goodnight Johnny.” I say as I smile to myself thinking of him saying they love me.

  I end the call and look down at my phone seeing it’s full of missed calls and messages from Alex, Johnny and the twins. The room is silent and I look up to see Drake, Jax and Ronny’s angry faces, everyone else is gone.

  “I’m going to ask you this ONCE and you better
answer me truthfully! Who was that?” Jax yells at me making me wince and go closer to Drake only to have him move away from me.

  “That was Alex’s boyfriend.” I mumble.

  “Why the fuck is he calling you?” Drake screams from behind me making me move away from both of their angry glares, I back up until I feel Ronny next to me.

  “Alex has been trying to call me all week and she was worried about me, so he decided to try because he’s concerned for Alex sake.” I stammer.

  “You’re lying to us, I can smell it!” Ronny bellows.

  “Why the fuck are you lying to us after everything we did for you? We take you in and you repay us by deceiving us? You ungrateful Bitch-” I hide my face waiting for Drakes raised hand to hit me but I’m interrupted when I hear cracking and the sounds of clothes ripping from behind me.

  I look through my hands that cover my face when a loud growl erupts, all of a sudden a huge pitch black animal tackles Drake. I only see black but as I step away in shock I see it’s a wolf. I hear more popping sounds and Drake is gone, only his clothes are on the floor shredded and replaced by a huge brown wolf, the black and brown wolves are rolling and fighting each other. I’m so scared I might pee myself, my whole body is shaking with terror from what is unfolding in front of my eyes.

  What the fuck is happening?

  More growling comes from behind me and a smaller blond colored wolf jumps in and tries breaking the two wolves up. All I hear is jaws snapping and the loud feral growls. My entire body is trembling and my heart is beating so fast it hurts. The growling is loud and savage, the clothes my friends were wearing moments before are shredded on the ground.

  Oh my god….they’re all wolves…THAT’S the big secret they’ve been keeping from me…

  When realization hits me, I panic and run as fast as I can out of the room passing Rachel in the hall way calling my name and out the front door. Outside the house I see a couple of wolves lying around and some coming from the bushes.