Cross My Heart

Chapter 7

"What do you mean 'real parents'?"

"Oh they haven't told you yet?" The grin fades and turns into more of a concerned look. I shook my head. He started to drum his fingers across the tabletop.

"Well princess, looks like you have a pretty big topic you need to discuss with them." His fingers stopped drumming against the tabletop as he gave me a devilish grin that sent chills down my spine. 

"Other than that, what are you here to help me with? Why is everyone being so mysterious lately?" I huffed out. I sat back down into the chair across from Dante. He leaned forward and motioned for me to come closer.

"That, my dear, is a conversation for another day." He whispered into my ear. I was getting real sick of everyone telling me that everything would be explained at a later time. I crossed my arms and leaned back in the chair. I opened my mouth to protest but before I could, Dante waved his hand in the air and the room disappeared. 

When the smoke cleared, I was left standing in the pack house at the exact spot that the smoke appeared. Everything had gotten super weird lately and my wolf had been no help trying to piece this all together. First, Mia protects a rogue, which she absolutely never does. Rogues are wolves that have been exiled from their packs or that have lost their packs and not been accepted into a new pack. They're always considered dangerous creatures regardless of how they got their rogue status.

I shook my head at the thoughts before opening the door to the pack house. I sighed in relief when the bag of toiletries were still sitting on the steps where I dropped them. 

I gathered everything up in my arms and rushed out in the direction of the clinic. I wasn't sure how long I had been in the black smoke room, nor if Jacob was back in the clinic yet. I felt Mia pacing around in the back of my mind, like she was anxious for something.

The clinic came into view before I could urge her to tell me what was wrong. I made my way to the nurse's office. Before I could even speak she smiled and opened the large white door that lead to the patients rooms. I assumed Jacob was in the same room as before since no one wanted to show me the way.

I made my way back to the same room that I had found empty only hours ago. Jacob was laid in bed with an IV tube going to his hand. He had some bruising around his eyes, as well as a swollen lip. He was now in a hospital gown instead of the bloody mess Kade had him in.

Mia growled at the memory of how he was in the dungeon. I guess I let it slip as Jacob looked up at me before giving me a toothy grin.

"Hey Princess." I furrowed my brow at him. What was up with everyone calling me that today? Maybe it was a coincidence.

"Hey." I made my way over to the chair that was situated beside him. "I brought you some things to freshen up with."

"Thank you. I suppose asking you to help me would be out of the question?" I felt my cheeks heat up. Lately, Kade has been overly affectionate with me and now Jacob was flirting with me! I mean I'm not ugly, but I'm not the prom queen either. At least that's what I think. Guys usually stray away from me. Other than the occasional smile or wave, this is the most attention I've gotten.

I playfully smacked his shoulder. He gave me a fake scowl before laughing.

"I didn't know what size clothes you wore or I would have brought some too." I looked him up and down as if I was thinking. "Although, you totally rock that hospital gown."

He rolled his eyes at me then looked down to the bag that was in his lap. He begun rummaging through it, piling the stuff on his lap as he pulled it out. His face dropped, the room seemed to have grown cold. A shiver ran down my spine.

Jacob stopped pulling the stuff out of the bag and looked up at me. Tears had started to fill his eyes as he smiled.

"It's been so long since I've been able to take a proper shower. Let alone have any of this stuff." 

"What do you mean?" I was shocked. No one should ever have to go through not having their basic needs met. Regardless of if they're a rogue or not.

"When our pack was destroyed, we were taken as captives. Those of us who survived were considered strong and valuable assets to the rogues."

"Wait, we?" He nodded.

"There's more of my pack members out there. We were all split up as they thought we would conspire against their leader."

A rogue leader. Now that's funny. Mia snorted at the thought of it.

"We can worry about them later. We need to worry about getting Kade to accept you into the pack first." He nodded.

"What if he won't?"

"He will. You may have to work as an omega to prove your loyalty. It's not much but it would be a start and you'd have a new pack." I shrugged my shoulders. He looked like he was having a deep conversation with his wolf.

"And if he doesn't?" I smiled. 

"Let me talk to him about this. I'm sure we can get something worked out." I gave Jacob directions on how to reach me if he needed anything else then made my leave.

The walk back to the packhouse was somber. My thoughts kept spiraling around the fact that Jacob, along with countless others, had been forced to cooperate with the rogues. What had their leader been telling them all this time? How have they been able to keep them from revolting against their so called leader? I made a mental note to ask Jacob all of this at a later time. I didn't want to overwhelm him right away.

Kade was standing on the stairs outside of the packhouse when I arrived. He was talking on his phone to someone in a very angry tone. I was just out of sight so he didn't notice me coming up. I watched him sniff the air before telling the other person he would call them back.

"I know you're out there Liv. You can stop hiding." He pinched the bridge of his nose before looking around for me. I stepped into the tree line. I wasn't sure if I wanted to face him yet. My anger hadn't subsided and I didn't want to do anything rash. He could easily use his Alpha command on me if he really wanted to make me come out though.

I knew I had to talk to him though. I couldn't stay mad at him forever. He was only doing what he thought was best.

I sighed before making my way out of the tree line. He looked straight at me as I walked closer to the packhouse.

"We need to talk." I said sternly as I walked closer to him. He nodded and took my hand in his. We walked through the huge double doors that lead into the house. He lead me up to his office and closed the door behind us. I took a seat that was in front of his desk while he took the one behind it. 

"I know where this is going," I opened my mouth to say something. He held up his hand to stop me. "Let me finish. As I was going to say, I know you have grown quite fond of your new found pet." Mia growled at his condescending tone.

"He's a person! Not a pet Kade!"

"I'm just saying. I know you want him to join the pack, and I trust your judgement. Your father and I have agreed to let him join the pack under the rank of Omega. He will have to show us he is trust worthy before we can do anything else." I nodded. Kade may be a stubborn asshole at times, but at least he is a fair leader.

"I figured as much. I told him that as well."

"Liv, I don't like you getting so cozy with this wolf. We don't know his true intentions yet. Besides, isn't your 18th birthday in a few days? What if you're covered in his scent? I don't think your mate will like that very much." I froze. The whole mate thing had slipped my mind. What if my mate rejects me because I smell like a rogue?

"I'll be fine Kade. I'm not even sure I'll find my mate. You still haven't found yours yet, so I figured I may not find mine right away." I shrugged my shoulders. Kade's eyes changed to black. His wolf didn't like to talk about his mate seeing as he still hasn't found her. I had considered asking him to choose me as a chosen mate but every time I bring it up, he tells me the moon goddess has his other half out there somewhere.

"You never know what will happen. Anyways, back to the Jacob thing." His eyes went back to their normal color. He untensed a little.

"When can we have the ceremony?"

"We'll hold the ceremony soon. I want him to rest before throwing him into something like this." I nodded.

"I'll let him know." He smiled and nodded.

"I have some pack business to attend to first, but I would like to have lunch with you when I'm done."

"Deal." I stood and walked out of his office. I need to let Jacob know of the news. I guess I could call instead of making another visit today. People may start to get other ideas if they see me in his room all the time.