I hurried out of the room and saw my purse sitting on the end table beside the couch. I snatched it up on the way to the bathroom. Once there, I closed the door behind me and walked towards the shower. I dug through my purse for my phone and hoped that I was making the right decision.
I was sick of waiting around and I was about to take matters into my own hands. I clicked on my phone and called Zoey. I wasn't sure if she would even bother to answer me, but I was giving it a shot anyways. I doubted that she was even going to pick up the phone.
I was almost rendered speechless when Zoey actually picked up on the other end.
“Zoey, thank God you picked up. Please come and talk. It's really not what you think.”
Zoey laughed bitterly, “Oh, I think it's exactly what I think it is. Who the hell do you think you are, Avery? I helped you when you had no friends. That doesn't mean that you are part of my world—in fact, you aren't welcome in my world at all. Cole is mine, he always has been. We are destined to be mates for life. No one will take him away from me, especially not some pathetic human.”
I could hear the hatred Zoey had for me in her voice. It cut me right through to the heart and instilled a fear that I had never known before. I knew what I had to do. I had to step away, otherwise I would cause a war that I wanted no part in. It broke my heart to say it because I was starting to fall madly in love with Cole, but I had to do whatever it took to keep him safe, just like he was trying to keep me safe.
“Look, Zoey, you can have Cole, okay? Like I said, it's not what you think. I never really liked him in the first place, not the way you do. It was nothing but a fling, it meant nothing to me. It was just a silly one-night stand, nothing more.”
Zoey snorted, “What kind of idiot do you think I am? Don't try to feed me any more of your bullshit, you are just trying to save your ass now that you know that you have a target on your back. I saw the way you looked at him in the club and how you reacted when I told you that he was mine. He is way more than a one-night stand to you. The funny part is Avery you probably never meant anything to Cole. He could never possibly love someone like you. He is an Alpha and you are nothing.”
It was pointless trying to talk to her, I was right about that much. She wasn't going to listen to reason, and I doubted that it would be any different coming from Cole. She would never allow us to be together. She would fight to have me killed and then try to claim Cole for herself. I was about to hang up the phone when a pair of strong arms grabbed it from me.
18
Cole
I grabbed the phone from Avery’s hands. With heightened senses I was able to hear the entire conversation they had. .
“Zoey, I command you to return to me now. RETURN NOW ZOEY, those are your orders!” I demanded as much authority as I could through a phone call and hung up the phone.
Looking at Avery, I shook my head. “What were you thinking?”
“I don't know, I was just trying to stop it all.”
“Avery, this is so much bigger than you. We can't hide. The clan is everywhere, did you really think you could stop it all by yourself?”
She shrugged, “What makes you think that Zoey will return just because you yelled at her?”
I chuckled, “It's not about yelling or getting mad. I am still her Alpha, even if she is mad at me. She may not like it very much, but she cannot disobey the Alpha, not ever.”
Zoey did return begrudgingly. She looked beyond pissed when she walked through my door. She had to obey me though, no matter what. She did, however, come with a few of her friends to witness the transgressions I caused against the clan. Ten other members of the clan stood there with her, trying to understand what I had done.
Shit. The secret was out. As they walked into the living room I stood and grabbed Avery’s hand. I felt her slightly shake next to me and I rubbed my thumb over her hand hoping to calm her. I cleared my throat squared my shoulders and smiled when Michael, Trent and Ryan flanked behind me. Everyone stood in silence to listen to their Alpha.
“I know you all think that I have done something terrible, something unthinkable, and that I can not be forgiven. But that is not my stand here. I am not asking for forgiveness because I don't want you to forgive me. Zoey and a few others let out a growl.
“ I love this woman and nothing is going to stand in my way of being with her. She is who I choose to be with. What happened with Evan was wrong, and I know now that I should have stood up for him. Times are changing. We are not the same clan that was started by the Elders. We need to evolve in order to survive.” I felt Avery squeeze my hand next to me and I knew then that I was a much better leader with this woman beside me. I let out a breath and I allowed my Alpha instincts to take over. My eyes shifted colors and I felt the push of power rush out towards the members of my clan.
“I am still your Alpha. You're either with me or against me. But from this moment forward things are about to change. Do you want to be part of that change or not?”
They just stood there and stared at me, but I could tell they were all lost in their own thoughts. Maybe they were remembering Evan and the price he paid for going against the clan. Or maybe they were thinking it was time for a change. I was surprised when a few of the members stepped forward and then stood behind me without a word. I felt Michael clap his hand on my shoulder. I was lucky to have him by my side. He was sacrificing a lot to do so. Without me, Michael could become Alpha of his own clan. He was loyal to the bone and I knew then he would have my back no matter what and I would have his.
Once those that wanted to be on my side moved over Zoey was left with only a few bears behind her. She let out a low growl.
“Go and tell the Elders, Zoey. See how they react. These bears behind me are my clan now. Anyone not standing with me is now my enemy.” I felt my bear take over and I pushed as much power as I could towards Zoey and the bears behind her. The all swayed and fell to their knees. I could see Zoey fighting my power, so I pushed more out towards her. She grunted in pain and sank down.
“Leave. Now. And don’t ever show your face around me again.”
She glared at me before she turned and left with the others. When they had all left I let out my breath and pulled Avery close to me. I had to feel her body pressed up against mine.
“What are we going to do now?” she asked.
I looked around the room at the other bears realizing the weight of the decision that I was about to make. I glanced over at Michael and he nodded in agreement.
“We are going to leave this area and start our own clan. The Elders will have no say over us now and I will protect you with my life”.
“I am really worth all this trouble?” she asked sadly.
I pushed her long hair behind her ears and kissed her gently. I felt a spark pass between us cementing in my mind that she was my one true mate.
“Of course you are.”
Epilogue
“And you are sure that Cole has left Seattle?” and elder asked.
I felt the gravel under my knees as I knelt in front of them. After all the anger had left me earlier, I now only felt numb. The Elder grunted waiting for my response and I could only slowly nod yes.
“Michael, Ryan and Trent went with him?” he asked.
“Yes” I said.
“Then it is time for our clan to choose a new Alpha.” I watched him slowly stand up from the chair he was sitting in. His dark robes looked heavy on his frail frame. The air around me grew cold and I felt the distinct push of magic fall over my body.
“Cole Maddox is dead to us. He is no longer our Alpha, and is no longer able to control us with his will. These gifts that I now instill on you will help you reign our clan.” I felt his hands brush against my shoulders and I held my breath not believing this was truly happening.
“Please rise” he bellowed to the bears behind us. He pulled me up from my kneeling position and turned me to face the crowd.
“Kneel for your new Alpha….Zoey Richards.”
All the
bears around us kneeled before me. A small smile spread across my lips as I felt the power of the Clan rush into my body.
THE END
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About the Author – Meredith Clarke
Meredith Clarke likes long walks in the trees and drinking sangria. Yeah for real. Like Edward Sparkly Cullen style. She writes alpha male yet cuddly characters and the hot women that love them. Open a book or two, eat a s’more, and cuddle up with the men of Meredith Clarke.
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Furever Mated (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance) Page 15
