The Awakened

by Amanda Carol

  He really thinks this is his fault? I make sure to have a good grip on the towel, and I pull the blanket closer just in case, then I sit up and narrow my eyes at him.

  “Hey,” I breathe.

  His eyes snap to mine and stay there. He’s careful not to look down at the rest of me. Ever the gentleman.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. Apart from us, the only other people that know are Bennett, Abby, and Ciera. And we all just found out not even two hours ago.” I reach out, placing my palm on his cheek. He closes his eyes and leans into my touch. “Don’t do that. Don’t blame yourself.”

  “But—” He sighs, opening his eyes to look back up at me. I give him a small smile.

  “No buts, Hunter St. James. I’m not going to ask you to stop communicating with your pack telepathically because it gives me headaches. It’s going to be hard for you to not do that. So, if that means that I need to deal with this until we find a cure or something, then I’ll deal with it. Just don’t stop being you.”

  He removes my hand from his face and kisses my palm.

  “You’re amazing. You know that?” He smirks at me, flashing me those dimples. Again.

  “Yep.” I chirp. I glance down at his wet shirt. “I’m sorry I got you all wet.”

  His eyes glow an even deeper blue as they travel down my body. I feel the blood rush to my core and I bite my lower lip when his heated gaze meets mine. My entire body comes alive under his stare. His look alone sets my skin on fire.

  He knows it.

  I know it.

  “What’s your favorite color?” I blurt out, unsure where that came from.

  “What?” He blinks, the heat slowly dimming in his blue eyes. He closes them for a brief second and runs a hand down his face.

  “What’s your favorite color?” I ask him again.

  He opens his eyes and looks at me.

  “Green.” His voice is low and husky.

  I quirk a brow at him.

  “What? Do you not like green?”

  “No, it’s not that. I was just expecting your answer to be blue,” I joke. I grip the towel again. “Close your eyes.”

  He does what he is told, and I get up from the bed and make my way back into his bathroom, but I don’t shut the door. Even though we just met, the connection I feel with him goes deeper than lust. I trust him.

  “Why would you think my favorite color is blue?” he asks from the bedroom.

  I remove the towel from my body and thoroughly dry myself off.

  “I don’t know. Blue is the usual answer, I guess,” I say loudly so he can hear from the bathroom. I put my clothes on that I had picked out and start to towel dry my hair.

  “You ask a lot of guys that question?”

  I jump at the sound of his voice in the doorway.

  “Oh, my God!” I shout, my heart thundering in my chest. “What if I wasn’t dressed yet?”

  He shrugs, leaning his tall frame in the bathroom doorway. He crosses his arms over his chest. I get the impression that he wouldn’t have cared either way. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have cared either.

  I suck in a deep breath. “No.”

  He quirks an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with my answer. I roll my eyes and turn and reach for my makeup bag that I had set on the bathroom counter.

  “You don’t need that.”

  I lift my eyes and meet Hunter’s through the mirror. He’s standing right behind me.

  “You look just as beautiful without it,” he elaborates.

  I smile at him through the mirror, then zip up my bag and turn and face him.

  “I haven’t been with anyone since my parents died. So, I’m a little rusty on the whole getting-to-know-you thing,” I whisper.

  He lets out a soft chuckle. “I have a question.”

  “Okay…” I drag out.

  “What’s the tattoo on your ribs mean?” he asks, reaching forward and gently touching the left side of my ribs as I grip the bathroom counter. “I caught a glimpse of it earlier.” He pulls his hand away and runs it through his hair.

  I inhale sharply. “It’s my parents’ birth and death dates in Roman numerals. Declan and I both have the same one.”

  A look of understanding crosses his features and he doesn’t say any more.

  The timer from the kitchen goes off.

  “C’mon. Lunch is ready,” he says.

  “Give me a minute? I’m going to brush my hair and then I’ll be down.”

  He nods and leaves. I quickly brush my hair and then run my fingers through it, so it isn’t flat. One last look in the mirror, and I'm satisfied with everything. I clean up my mess and hang the towel up on the rack. I grab my bag and make my way downstairs. I set it down by the stairs and head to the kitchen.

  After we eat lunch, we go into the living room and watch TV. Well, the TV is on, but we’re talking.

  Or we were. I blink my eyes open and glance up at his TV to find that some car show is on. I’m not sure how I ended up with my head on Hunter’s lap, or his hand on my waist, but here I am praying to the gods that I haven’t drooled all over him. Then his lap starts…vibrating? I sit up slowly and my eyes drift up to Hunter’s face. He’s fast asleep.

  I take a moment to really look at him. Dark lashes fan his face and his shaggy black hair is perfectly messy, laying across his forehead. He looks relaxed. He told me over lunch that his dad is making everyone work double shifts and team up until the vampire who attacked Sloane is found.

  Then three things happen simultaneously: a sharp pain runs through my head, Hunter jumps up from the couch like a bat out of hell, and Bennett rushes through the front door.

  “God damn it, Benny!” Hunter shouts, breathing heavy.

  I have my palm on my head, breathing through the pain that’s starting to go away almost as quickly as it came. Hunter sits back down next to me and puts his arm around me.

  “Are you okay?” he murmurs.

  I nod.

  Hunter’s eyes flash as he turns his gaze to Bennett. “You knew she was here. Why didn’t you call me on my cell phone?”

  “I did call you. Three times, to be exact. And I even texted you. Don’t wolf out on me because you didn’t check it.” Bennett comes over and sits down on the coffee table in front of me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

  I glance up at him.

  “I’m sorry, Blondie. When your man here didn’t answer, we got worried. I only used one word, though.” He shrugs.

  I hear a soft growl from next to me and I narrow my eyes at Hunter, who’s giving Bennett a death glare.

  Bennett rolls his eyes. “Will you calm your tits, Hunt?”

  “I’m okay, I promise,” I murmur.

  I grab Hunter’s hand and he turns to look at me. When I give him a reassuring smile, he instantly relaxes.

  “Why are you here, Bennett?” Hunter sighs, removing his arm from around my shoulders but still holding my hand.

  “Because it’s six-fifty and our shift starts…” He pulls up his wrist and pretends to check the time on his invisible watch. “…like, forty minutes ago.”

  “Shit!” Hunter exclaims and is on his feet quicker than my brain has time to register.

  “Again, calm your tits. Knox called and said that he and Axton got held up on the way back due to an accident. They’ll be here by seven-thirty.” Bennett explains, and Hunter lets out a harsh breath. They both look dead on their feet. “But your dad wants to talk to you, like now, so you still have to go.”

  Hunter scowls at him, then continues to put his boots on.

  “Why don’t you have to go?” I look at Bennett.

  He turns to me and smirks.

  “Because…” He drawls out the word. “One, I am not the Alpha’s son, therefore I am not the Beta. And two, someone has to take you to your training sesh with Z.”

  Right. I almost forgot Hunter was the Beta wolf. Hunter finishes lacing up his boots and stands up from the bottom step that he’s sitting on. He grabs his keys o
ff the hook by the door, puts them in his pocket, and then strides over to me.

  “Zayne has my number, so if you need anything, have him call me. I’m going to be back late, so feel free to come back here after your training session. I mean, if you want to.” Hunter says, then kisses my forehead. Then he turns to Bennett. “Make sure she gets to Z’s safely.”

  “Dude, it’s a five-minute walk,” Bennett laughs.

  Hunter shoots him a look, then closes the door behind him. Bennett then turns to me and raises his eyebrows.

  “What?” I shrug.

  Bennett’s lips kick up into a grin.

  “Was I interrupting anything?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

  “No. We were just sleeping.”

  I get up and walk over to my bag and I am happy to find that Abby packed my Converse, so I throw them on. I haven’t decided if I'm going to come back here yet. I know Hunter offered, but is it too soon to spend the night? I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. I’ll worry about that later, after my session with Zayne.

  “Uh-huh. Sure.” Bennett laughs again.

  I shrug, heading for the door. “Believe what you want.”

  “Look, all jokes aside, I’m happy that he has you. Hunter hasn’t had the easiest time being the Alpha’s kid. His dad has always been tougher on him than any other wolf in the pack. He deserves some happiness, and from what I can tell, he’s finding it in you. And I know it’s only been a few days, but everyone can see the connection that you both have.”

  Bennett’s honest confession catches me off guard and I stop dead in my tracks.

  “You really care about him, don’t you?” It’s not really a question, more like a statement.

  He nods. “He’s my brother from another mother. I’d do anything for him, as he would for me. There’s a lot of pressure on him since he’s the Beta.” When I quirk a brow, he raises his hands. “That’s his story to tell.”

  We start walking through the Compound again. It’s starting to get dark out, so the twinkling lights are starting to light up.

  “Hey, so if you guys have that telepathic ability, why do you use cell phones?” I ask, thinking back to when Bennett called the two wolves the night we got here.

  “I mean, we do live in a place that has witches too. They don’t have access to the link. It’s only the wolves. I used the phone to call Jasper and Kai because we didn’t know how much you knew about us. It’s not pack law to keep the telepathic link a secret, but we try not to tell people about it. Witches can use dark magic to try and sever the link,” Bennett explains as we continue our walk down the path.

  “Oh. That makes sense. How many witches know about it here?” I ask, curious.

  “Not many. Kora and Ciera do, as well as Kat, Abby, Luna, Z, and of course Grace. That’s about it.” He shoves his hands into his pockets.

  We approach a cabin, which I assume is Zayne’s, but Bennett reaches out and stops me.

  “Hey, look, I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have used the link to get Hunter.” Bennett’s gaze shifts to his feet and he rocks on his heels.

  “It’s fine. Like I told Hunter earlier, please don’t hesitate to use it if you need too. It’s what you’re used to. I’ll be fine.”

  I give him a reassuring smile as his amber eyes meet mine. When I think about it for a second, I realize that not once since I’ve been here have I seen Bennett’s eyes glow like Hunter’s do.

  “How come your eyes don’t glow?” I ask him.

  “I’m always cool as a cucumber.” Bennett winks, and I giggle.

  Suddenly, his cell phone rings from his pocket.

  “Yo,” he answers, glancing at me. “Yes, she’s right here and we just got to Z’s.”

  Zayne walks out of the cabin holding a blonde-haired little boy. I smile and wave, and the little boy smiles but then hides his face in the crook of Zayne’s neck.

  “Alright, I’ll let them know. Do you want me to kiss your girl for you?” Bennett laughs as I shoot him a dirty look. I’m pretty sure I hear a growl right before Bennett hits the end call button on his phone. “Knox will be joining you tonight.”

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Because we can’t practice indoors. My sister would freak!” Zayne says, setting the toddler on his feet.

  “Hey guys, I’ve got to go. Knox will be here shortly. Peace out, Girl Scouts.” Bennett throws up the peace sign before shifting into his red wolf and taking off.

  “Who’s the little guy?” I walk up the steps and lean against the railing.

  “This is my nephew, Micah.” Zayne kneels down next to the small boy and I do the same.

  “Hi, Micah,” I coo at him.

  I don’t mind kids. I used to baby sit our neighbor’s toddler to make extra money. He turns his hazel eyes to me and grins as he reaches out and touches my cheek. I make a move to play bite his little fingers and he giggles and turns to his uncle.

  “He’s such a cutie,” I chuckle.

  “Yeah. He’s my favorite little man.” Zayne hands a toy truck to Micah, who goes off to the side of the porch and starts playing.

  Zayne and I both stand. I go back to my position on the step, while Zayne just puts his hands in his pockets.

  “It’s just my sister, our grandmother, and me. Micah’s dad wanted nothing to do with him and our parents were killed just six months after he was born. My grandmother helps out when she can. But she’s got bad arthritis, so it’s hard for her to take care of Micah.” Zayne looks down at Micah as if lost in thought, then shakes his head. “Anyway, Alexander took our family in years ago. And they help when they can, too. We have a free place to stay, but my sister works to make extra money for Micah’s needs.”

  “I know it doesn’t mean much, but I am sorry about your parents,” I say to him.

  It’s true. I hate saying that because I always hated hearing it after Declan and I lost our parents. But I really do mean it.

  A woman with short, light brown hair comes rushing up to the cabin.

  “Sorry I’m late. Where’s Micah?” She walks up the stairs; Micah drops his truck and runs to her. “Hey, baby. Were you good for Uncle Z?” She kisses him on the cheek and tickles his belly, which sends him into a fit of cute baby giggles. Then he wraps his little arms around her neck, and she turns to me, holding out her hand. “You must be Aria. I’m Tessa, but please call me Tess.”

  I shake her hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Micah is super cute.” I smile at him and he grins at me.

  Tess laughs. “Uh-oh, I think someone has a little crush.”

  “Don’t tell Hunter that,” a deep voice says from behind me.

  I turn to see Knox standing there in the same getup as Hunter and Bennett. His dark brown hair is pushed back off his forehead. Zayne laughs, and I turn and glare at him.

  “Does everyone know?” I groan and toss my head and I hear everyone, including Micah, laugh.

  “Yes!” Micah shouts, making everyone laugh again.

  I turn my head to him and put a fake scowl on my face.

  “Traitor,” I say, and he giggles.

  “I’ve always said he will most likely be a comedian when he grows up.” Tess jokes. “Anyway, I’m going to get little man here inside and start the bedtime ritual. Be careful, guys!”

  We all say goodnight to her as she walks inside. Then Zayne leads the way to the woods right behind his cabin. There’s an open clearing with a fire pit in the middle. Knox plops down on a fallen tree, which I notice is far away from the fire pit.

  “Who’s with Grace?” Zayne asks as he gathers up sticks and places them in the fire pit.

  I turn to Knox, who sighs as he runs a hand through his hair and then down his face. He looks just as tired as Hunter and Bennett, maybe even more so.

  “She’s at the barn with Ciera, Abby, and Kat. They are trying to figure out why you—” He points to me. “—keep getting those headaches every time we use our link.”

  Knox doesn’t s
ound bitter or mean saying that. He sounds more worried than anything else.

  “So why are you here and not with them?” Zayne brushes his hands off on his jeans, then walks over and stands next to me. He’s not as tall as Hunter or Bennett, but he’s still taller than me.

  “I’m here under Beta’s orders. I know Grace is safe at the barn.” Knox smirks and runs his index finger under his chin. “Once we are finished here, I plan on taking her back to our cabin and…”

  Zayne holds his hands up. “Whoa, okay. Please do not finish that sentence. We all know you two fuck like bunnies. We don’t need any more confirmation.”

  Both Knox and I laugh.

  Then Zayne turns to me. “You ready to get started?”

  I nod and follow Zayne to the fire pit. He walks around to the opposite side of the pit and faces me.

  “Okay, so how does this work?” I ask, ready to learn something new.

  “You get angry,” he tells me.

  Our gazes lock and he quirks a brow.

  I raise my eyebrows. “Come again?”

  “Fire is different than air, water, and earth. It’s the only element that ties into an emotion. First, close your eyes and focus on the power that’s inside you.”

  I do as he says and close my eyes. It’s easy to find the source of my power now that I’ve been practicing.

  “Now, think of something that makes you angry,” he instructs.

  I search my memories, trying to find something that makes me mad, and I come up blank. I keep searching and, after about twenty minutes, I groan.

  “I got nothing,” I mutter.

  “Bullshit, Aria.” Zayne leaps across the fire pit and lands right in front of me.

  He stalks to my side and leans in close to my ear. I don’t turn my head to look at him.

  “I know for a fact that there is one memory you have that makes you angry. One that boils your blood. And either you don’t want to admit it, or you haven’t accepted who it is that you’re really angry at,” he prods.

  I clench my jaw shut and close my eyes. I know exactly what he’s referring to. I have never let myself go down this road. There are things that I have locked away and kept hidden so deep that I somehow managed to lose the damn key. The last thing I want to do is open that box. But I don’t think I have a choice. Zayne’s found the key, and he’s opened it for me.