Only To Me (Secrets of the Past)

by L Baker

  “Goddammit” he yelled.

  I wrapped my arms around him and he kissed my forehead. Everyone was quiet for a moment, before Ari interrupted.

  “I’m sure you have a lot of questions Christians.”

  We walked back to his desk and he ran his hand through his hair one last time before composing himself. I stood beside him as everyone waited for a response.

  “What else don’t I know, and where is my mother Ari?”

  Eric stayed against the wall with his arms folded, Amarog went back to the window and Ari sat across from him.

  “That’s not a question I can answer Christian. I haven’t seen her in over two years.”

  “Is she alive?”

  “As far as I know. Yes.”

  “So what now?”

  “Well that’s completely up to you, you’re alpha now, so where we go from here, is your choice.”

  Christian looked to Eric.

  “What do you know about the attacks?”

  Eric shifted before speaking.

  “A small militia is headed your way. The Dire wolves are behind the attacks and they want Anna.”

  Christian growled

  “Why?”

  “A mate for a mate” Amarog answered, and everyone directed their attention to him.

  “Why would they want me?” I asked nervously.

  Eric answered before Amarog could.

  “The woman at the party.”

  “The Barlows?” I interrupted.

  “Yes, Silas murdered her husband and their father. She wants revenge.”

  “Mate for a mate.” I whispered, before turning around to hide my fear. I walked towards the mini bar and placed my hands on the countertop. Christian approached me from behind and wrapped his arms around me.

  “I’ll never let anything happen to you, I promise you that.” He whispered in my ear before turning.

  “Why do they want Anna specifically, what am I missing here.”

  Amarog spoke up first, as Ariadna came and wrapped her arms around me.

  “Lorena left because of the Barlows, they wanted you, Christian, and would kill her to get to you. Your father died trying to protect her, and she left to protect you. She figured leaving you with the Gregory’s was safe enough, they would never expect that, and I would be able to watch you from a distance. I can only assume that since you have become Alpha, they have a means to avenge their father.”

  A knock rang on the door and everyone averted their eyes to the disruption. We were so caught up in Eric’s arrival and the disclosure of the past that we had forgotten about the guest downstairs.

  “It’s just me Master Christian” Sara stated through the door

  “Make sure the guards are on watch and tell our guest we’ll be down soon.

  “Yes sir” she replied then paused “Master Andrew has left the premises unguarded.”

  Christian immediately jumped up and snatched the door open frightening Sara.

  “No one knew he was gone sir, they are searching the area now.”

  He stormed past Sara and everyone quickly followed, Sara stood shocked for a moment at the sight of Eric. We all passed her as she stood in the hallway. Downstairs Charlotte was frantic, as my mother tried to calm her down. For a brief second questioning eyes watch Eric as he entered the room with us.

  Christian marched outside and scanned the yard, he questioned the first guard he saw.

  “Where is Kael.”

  “In the woods sir, he’s searching for your brother with three of our men.” He responded

  “I’m gonna kill that fucking kid.” He growled

  I grabbed Christians arm.

  “We’ll find him, calm down.”

  Eric walked up to us.

  “I’ll find him, stay with Anna, he may have went to the reserve.”

  Christian looked at Eric doubtful for a moment.

  “Ok” he sighed “take a guard with you, but be back by nightfall.”

  unexpected

  Chapter 22: Questions

  “He’s staying?” I questioned

  “For now.”

  He had to know I was extremely uncomfortable with this situation because he tried to justify his decision.

  “It’s only temporary, don’t worry, I have it under control.”

  “You better.” I simply stated before going back into the house.

  Charlotte, Ari, and my mother were in the kitchen with Sara. The men were either on guard or looking for Andrew. Walking into the room of ladies I quickly realized that they all knew each other from the past, and introductions were unnecessary. I sat on the couch next to Charlotte, she had a firm grip on my mother’s hand, and uneasiness was written clean across her face.

  “It’s ok Mrs. Gregory, they’ll find him before nightfall.”

  She nodded her head.

  “He’s probably just off goofing around with his friends, you know how teenagers are Charlotte.” My mother added.

  “I’m sure he’s fine, I’m just worried that’s all.”

  She grabbed the glass of wine in front of her, and took a long gulp, then poured another glass.

  “Ariadna may I speak to you in private please.”

  I had questions that I needed answers to, and considering the circumstances it was best to do this privately. We left the other women in the kitchen and walked into the room that held the secret shelves. Ari walked towards a picture of Silas and Lorena and stared silently for a moment. I stood beside her but neither of us looked at each other.

  “Do you miss her?” I asked

  “Every day, she was my best friend. It was just the two of us growing up… when she married Silas I was honestly distraught because I knew she would leave me. Of course that didn’t compare to when she disappeared. I felt utterly lost.”

  “You said that’s it’s been over two years? Did she say where she was going, or did she give you any clue about her whereabouts.”

  She looked at the floor and then turned towards the books.

  “No, we only spoke for a brief moment, she was in a hurry. She grabbed a few clothes and kissed my cheeks. She said she had to keep moving, so they wouldn’t find her.”

  “You knew Eric and Christian were brothers.”

  “Yes, one night Lorena came to our mother, she was pregnant at the time, but she was very upset. She told us she had seen the boy with Isabelle, and she knew he belonged to Silas. She said she could see it in his eyes.”

  “Why didn’t she say anything?”

  “I guess it was a matter of secrecy. Everyone knew Isabelle was heartbroken when Silas left her and made Lorena his wife…He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. Although he was dating Isabelle at the time, he wanted Lorena, and so he chose her. Isabelle married Gabriel, and I suppose my sister didn’t say anything because Isabelle hadn’t.”

  I continued to look at the picture, imagining the entire story in my head.

  “Lorena, is she a witch as well.”

  There was a pause before Ari answered.

  ‘I suppose. It runs through our blood but she never practiced. She chose our fathers wolf over our mothers witch, and decided running was better than spell casting. I, on the other hand, I love the power.” She chuckled levitating a book off the shelf before replacing it back.

  “So Christian, what does that make him?”

  “Well he’s male, so he’s more wolf than witch… Although Eric is the oldest, Christian is more powerful because of our mother’s blood. He has the ability to channel his strength differently. Most wolves are physically powerful, but his advantage comes from his mental power.”

  The new information explained a lot. How Christian rarely lost his cool, and how he was so gentle natured even when things weren’t always favorable.

  “How did he end up with Charlotte and Alexander?”

  “Lorena and Charlotte became really close when she moved here with Silas. They both became pregnant during the mating season. I’m sure you know how big of an honor t
hat is, especially with the decline of your kind.”

  Of course I knew. Our pack prized the women who were lucky enough to mate and produce. They were cared for and pampered because of the gift of life.

  “What you don’t know is Charlotte lost her son, and Lorena lost her husband the same night, Lorena entrusted Charlotte to raise Christian as her own because she feared for his life.”

  She continued to perform with the books, flexing her powers. She pulled multiple books from the shelf and juggled them easily in midair. I watched her closely as she played with them. The fact that she manipulated the items so easily without touching them was mesmerizing, but I had more questions.

  “You said you were happy to finally meet me, why?”

  “Do you remember when Christian was exiled?”

  “How could I forget?” I mumbled.

  “Well, Charlotte called me, she was hysterical and I told her I would care for him. I found him just outside of the pack territory…. He was naked and bloodied, but alive….. As he healed you were the only person he would talk about. You don’t know how many times I had to stop him from barging in here to steal you away.” Her chuckle caught me off guard.

  She begin to place the books back on the shelf with light flicks of her hand. I was sure not to interrupt her finger dance or the story.

  “I masked his scent with a concealment spell so he could bring you to me. It wasn’t until he returned that I realized he had other plans. He told me he had been caught, by Amarog, of course, and he knew Eric would hunt you down until he found you. I preferred him not to come back, but I knew if he was willing to risk his life for you then you must’ve been someone special.”

  I blushed at the admission, and she placed the last book back in place.

  “I had no idea that the secrets from our parents pasts, would come back to bite us in the ass.”

  I said cynically.

  “Sometimes being bitten in the ass is the motivation we need to bite back.” She smiled “Now let’s go check on the lady’s before Charlotte has a fit, she’s always been a character.”

  I laughed at the statement because Mr. Gregory had warned me of this before.

  We walked back into the kitchen but no one was around so we stepped outside to find the ladies standing by the door.

  Christian, Alexander, and Kael approached us, and Charlotte begin ringing her hands together. Alexander was the one to break the news.

  “Eric called, they lost his scent at Rays. They think he may have left the reserve.”

  Charlotte placed her hand over her mouth, and Alexander wrapped his arms around her shoulder and took her inside. The ladies followed but I stood with Christian. The sun had set, and the sky was growing dark.

  Amarog jogged over to us from the woods, just as Christian begin to speak.

  “I think I’m going to head to town, he has a friend just on the outskirts, I’m sure that’s where he’s headed.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea kid.” Amarog spoke “If he’s in town he may be safer there than here. If an attack is near then it would be best if you stayed with Anna.”

  “I’m can’t just leave my brother, not with the Dire wolves out there.”

  “Andrew is smart, he’ll know not to travel at night. For now get Anna inside, Eric and Marcus will be back soon, and we’ll send a caravan to retrieve him first thing in the morning.”

  Christian followed his uncle’s orders and we walked into the house. He held onto my waist possessively, and we walked upstairs to his bedroom. I sat on the bed exhausted from the events of the day, it was only nearing nine but I was tired.

  Christian sat beside me and ran my fingers through his hair.

  “He’ll be fine, he’s smart.”

  “I know, I’m just exhausted, today was eventful enough, and I don’t need this from that little shit, not today.”

  I kissed his hand

  “Everything will be fine, come lay with me.”

  I scooted over to the center of the bed to give him enough space next to me.

  He wrapped his arms around me and we drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 23: Late Nights and Early Mornings

  I slowly stirred out of my sleep. I just couldn’t lie in the bed uncomfortable anymore. Christian laid beside me lightly snoring. I ran my finger down his hard chest, but he didn’t budge. I walked to the bathroom and sat on the toilet. I washed my hands and stripped from the dress I had fallen asleep in. In my bra and panties I realized I wasn’t in my room, and one of Christian’s shirts would have to suffice for now. It was a good thing Christian was so big, and his shirt fell just as low as my dress had.

  I stepped out of the room, and walked down the stairs quietly. Without much privacy lately, I enjoyed the undisturbed time offered at night. The kitchen was dimly lit from the wall light just above the sink, so I left the room lights off. The clock read 1:47 so I knew everyone was sound asleep, and I could sit alone for a while. I opened the door of the fridge and scanned the food looking for something to drink and snack on.

  “Uhm uhm” and I turned to see Eric standing in the doorway.

  “Such a lovely view.” he said eyeing me in the t-shirt.

  He stood by the door with his arms folded in only his black jeans. I stood in the door of fridge as the cold air hit my back. I shuttered then immediately threw my arms around me, maybe from the cold air or the fact that Eric was staring at me.

  “What are you doing down here.” I asked

  “I am a guest in my own home, but I was thirsty.” he said walking towards me. I stepped closer to the sink to keep a distance between us. He grabbed a water from the fridge and kicked it closed with his foot. I was thirsty but I wouldn’t dare get any closer to him to get back to the fridge. I settled for a glass from the cabinet and turned on the tap.

  His eyes bore a hole in the back of my head, but I stared at the glass of water as I sipped to quench my thirst.

  “God, can you stop watching me like that.” I turned around and snapped.

  “How could I not.” He said walking closer to me. “You are…..beautiful.”

  Timidly my fingers released the glass, and I expected it to shatter on the floor, but Eric caught it in his hand and slid it across the counter behind me. Some of the water had jumped out and landed on my leg. He was so close, I could feel his heat, and smell his scent. I took a side step away from him since my back was already against the counter. He inched closer, so I placed my hand on his chest to shove him back a bit. I couldn’t understand my senses telling me to move away but my body telling me to go to him.

  “That’s close enough.” I warned, but he grabbed my hand before I could push him again. He gripped my fingers pulling my hand to his chest in a tight grip.

  “Can’t you feel it Anna.” He asked calmly as he stared at my face.

  “Let go of me.” I protested in a harsh scowl.

  “You can’t tell me you don’t feel it. My heart beat and yours, can you feel it.”

  I ignored his comment and tried to yank my hand away again, as he continued to speak. “No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to fight it much longer. Sooner or later, your inner wolf will find mines. I’ll always be inside of you.”

  His grip was tightening around my hand as he forced me to feel the pounding of his heart that increased as mines did. I couldn’t, wouldn’t admit it, but I could feel him. He was right, I could feel him whenever I changed, whenever he changed, and when the moon was at its fullest.

  I looked towards the door praying for an escape as I tried to release my hand.

  He spoke in a low whisper that sent chills through my body. His voice was menacing, as his gripped tightened and I could feel the strain on my bones.

  “You’re hurting me.” I whispered through forced words as I choked on my fear.

  He ignored my pleas and continued his intimidating rant.

  “Every time you dream about me, I feel you, I feel the warmth of your body, and the wetne
ss between your legs.” His voice was seductively low, and I couldn’t help but feel the unwanted attraction yet again. I was conflicted, blinded by a bond I couldn’t break, and paralyzed by the fear he inflicted.

  “Get your hands off of me…… Now.” I said braver than I felt.

  “Fine but I’ll see you in your dreams.”

  He walked through the entrance that led to the siting room instead of the door he initially stood at, and I exhaled relieved. Soon after Christian was at the door. “Why are you downstairs in my shirt?”

  “I was thirsty.” I said walking into his arms thankful.

  ‘Are you ok.”

  ‘”I’m fine lets go back to bed.”

  “Give me a minute, I’ll meet you upstairs.” He kissed my cheek and exited through the same door Eric went through. I shrugged and walked upstairs to the room. I slid under the blanket and pulled my knees up to my chest. I was restless so I threw the blanket off me and sat up. Christian was gone for a while, so I waited patiently for him to return.

  When he walked through the door, I didn’t expect to see Ariadna following close behind in a silk slip carrying a small wooden box of unseen items. I pulled the the t-shirt over my knees to cover myself, and looked at her questionably as she placed the box next to me.

  “Sorry to barge Anna, but Christian insisted I come to you.”

  He posted himself against the wall as Ari came closer to me.

  “I need you to lay down Anna, and remain as still as possible.”

  “What’s going on?” I questioned.

  “I’m going to perform a spell, it’s difficult but Christian insisted I try.”

  He nodded at me and I slid down on the bed pulling the shirt down to cover my lower half. I didn’t object, I trusted Christian and Ari so I complied when she told me to lie down.

  Ari hovered above me and turned my head to look at the mark on my neck. She grabbed my hands and wrapped a woven string around them, binding my wrist together. She pulled out a thick twisted stick and told me to bite down on it. She lit a white candle and set it down on the nightstand. I need for you to think of Eric, think of the day he marked you.

  “Why.” I had to ask

  “If I’m to unbind him from you, I need you to picture him becoming a part of you.”