Chapter 7

I woke up, in the real world this time, and tried to open my eyes. I was slightly panicked when I noticed that I couldn't but quickly realised that my tears from last night had probably glued them shut. I sniffed around to make sure I was alone before I got out of bed and felt around as I made my way, cautiously, to the bathroom.

I scrubbed my eyes with lots of water as fast as I could, eager to see again. After the fifth cycle, I finally managed to see my reflection in the large oval mirror above the sink. I cringed when I found that it wasn't really pleasant. My eyes were thankfully not red and puffy from all my crying, seeing as I'd just woken up from sleep. My hair was sticking up everywhere and my dress was wrinkled from being used as pyjamas.

I retrieved my toiletries bag from my luggage and took a warm shower. I sighed contently as the warm water helped to relax my sore muscles. When I looked down at my wrists I found bright, angry purple bruises where Logan had gripped my arms last night. For the rest of the shower, I did my best to avoid looking at my hands, the marks only reminding me of what he had done.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face before running a comb through my hair a few times. When it was properly detangled, I slipped a white shirt and a pair of cut-off denim shorts over my underwear. I shoved my feet into my most comfortable pair of shoes, my worn out flats and jogged downstairs. When I reached the bottom of the steps, I made sure Logan wasn't around before going into the kitchen, my wolf and I still not ready to see him after yesterday for fear that I might just scratch out his eyes for those damned bruises.

I looked around the massive pantry and finally decided on a bowl of cereal. When I was rummaging around the fridge for milk, I found some apples and added one of them to my breakfast menu. I want meat. My wolf whispered. I had to look around in the freezer for some sausages but I didn't mind, I was just thankful she was talking. I fried three sausages, three eggs and toasted six pieces of toast, adding that to my food on the island as well.

After finishing off everything, I stuffed the plates in the dishwasher and cleaned up before making my way to the front door. Do you want to go for a run? I asked. I could feel my wolf perk up a little at the mention of being free, though not by much. Yes. She finally said. I was a little happier as well as I pulled the door open and smacked right into somebody.

I stumbled back a little. When I looked up, I met Jen's piercing, blue eyes. "Where are you headed?" She demanded, dressed in a pair of jeans and a peach camisole under her leather jacket. Her blonde hair was piled up on her head in a messy bun and her hands were where they usually were when she was around me, on her hips. I didn't really feel any animosity for her but I was still a little pissed at the memory of her slapping me the first time we'd met.

"I was going out for a run." I answered honestly.

"You're not going anywhere." She said, crossing her arms.

"Yes, I am. I am going for a run, and you are not going to stop me, Jen." I said as I pushed her aside.

She grasped my arm before I could take a step. "You are not going anywhere." She repeated.

I turned at her and growled. I notice her visibly tense as my Alpha power hit her. "You don't order me around." I snapped, pulling my arm from her grip. "Don't forget what I did to you the last time you tried to hold me captive."

"It's not my choice to be here, the Alpha has assigned me the duty of making sure you stay in the house." She said, the defiant expression she's had on her face earlier crumbling. I saw fear in her eyes and immediately felt sorry for her.

I didn't even want to think of what Logan would do to her if I disobeyed his orders so I decided to comply. The guy already thought I was a burden, I didn't need to add fuel to the fire. I nodded and followed her back into the house, my wolf whining all the way. After practically forcing me to sit on the couch, Jen moved to the door.

I felt emptiness from being pushed away from my mate. I had no doubt that if I was left alone, it would only get worse, so I needed her around, whether I disliked her or not. Company was after all, still company, that was why before she could leave, I stopped her.

"You can guard me in here, you know?" I said as I gave her a small smile. She seemed shocked at my words.

"You're not angry at me?" She asked, wide-eyed. That actually surprised me. All this time, I thought she just didn't care what I thought.

I shook my head and laughed softly. "We're kind of even anyway." I said; patting the area beside me on the long, L-shaped white couch I was currently sitting on. She seemed to hesitate for a second before finally moving to sit beside me.

She looked into space as she seemed to take that in, nodding her head. "I guess I deserved that beating. I am sorry Luna." My heart twisted at the word, it was just another reminder of my mate and last night.

"Chelsea is fine, Jen. I'm sorry about being so rough."

"No, need to apologise Lu-Chelsea. I deserved it, if you ask me, you went easy on me, not that I'm telling you how you should punish me. Even my older brother tells me I can be a bitch sometimes." She said as her eyes drifted to the coffee table in front of us.

"Your brother?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes my brother; Ethan." I compared the two of them and realised that they indeed had the same eyes colour; bright blue. "Have you met him?" She asked, looking at me.

"Yes, I have, yesterday. He attacked me."

Her eyes widened. "What?" I saw the panic that filled her eyes at my words; probably worried that her brother was in trouble.

"Don't worry about it. He thought I was trying to attack all of you and was only trying to defend the pack. I've forgiven him."

"Thank you." She muttered.

"No problem." I said shrugging. Now that I saw this part of Jen, she didn't seem so bad. I actually wanted to know more about her. "I worry about my brother all the time too. He can be such an idiot sometimes." I said; laughing at the memory of him in heels.

She gave me a small smile. "My brother is too, sometimes."

I noticed that she still felt awkward around me. "You know Jen, I won't get mad just because you speak your mind, I prefer it that way. Just ask my brother, I have one of the biggest mouths' in my pack. I would actually really like to be your friend if that's okay with you." I said, genuinely beaming at her.

Her eyes widened. "Really?!" She asked. I nodded.

"Do you want to eat something?" I asked, standing up.

She seemed to hesitate. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me into the kitchen; my breakfast from earlier not feeling like enough to satisfy my hunger. I heard her stomach rumble and together we walked straight into the pantry. I spotted a box of pancake mix and picked it up. "How do pancakes sound?" I asked, shaking the box.

She rubbed her flat stomach. "Pretty good."

She traded her jacket for an apron and poured the pancake mix into a large mixing bowl. I got two pans ready while she prepared the batter. "So, how long have you known Logan?" I asked, grabbing the butter from the fridge.

She finished the batter and brought it to my side. "Since we were kids." She said, ladling batter into one of the pans. I did the same in the other and waited for bubbles to appear before flipping the pancake over. I wanted to know more about him, but I couldn't exactly continuously pester her about someone else's personal life.

So, I asked about a bunch of random things first. I found out that Jen was my age and that her birthday was a few months away. I also found out that Ethan was the same age as Logan and that they've always been close.

My worry for my mate lessened a little upon hearing that there was at least one person Logan allowed to help him. That was better than having to face your problems on your own. Though I wanted to be the one to assist him, I had no choice in the matter, so Ethan would have to do.

"Has he always been that way?" I finally asked, itching to know.

"Not really. It started when he was about ten, I think. He got colder and more distant until finally, it didn't feel like I knew him anymore. He even used to shut himself in this house for long periods of time. Just coming out every once in a while for pack meetings and such. The only person he's let himself get close to is Ethan and my stupid brother refuses to tell me anything." She huffed as she flipped a giant pancake onto her plate. The corners of my mouth turned up in a small smile at her comment. She was getting more comfortable around me and I was truly happy that I was on  my way to having at least one friend in the pack.

I nodded as I ladled in my second pancake. "So if I want to know what happened, I'd have to ask Ethan." I stated. She nodded and I made a mental note to do that later.

We spent a few moments in silence as we focused on the pancakes. Her eyes drifted to my hands and pity filled them. "Did the Alpha do that to you?" She asked quietly.

I nodded, my anger bubbled up again. I placed the last pancake onto my stack and moved to the island. I drenched my stack in maple syrup and cut them into pieces, Jen sitting silently beside me as she watched.

I appreciated that she wasn't trying to cheer me up with nice lies like 'it will be alright' or 'it'll be okay' because this situation was definitely not okay. All I really wanted was for someone to sit with me.

It was as if she somehow knew that that was what I really needed at the moment. She ate her pancakes quietly beside me and I did feel a little happier when I realised that she had taken the seat right next to mine.

"Thanks for keeping me company." I said, truthfully.

She nodded and for the first time in our relationship, she smiled at me. "You're welcome. I should be thanking you for being so kind to me." She said as she shoved another forkful of pancakes into her mouth.

I hugged her. "You have no idea how much this means to me, so truthfully, thank you. I'm just really worried." I muttered. She stiffened when I had first wrapped my arms around her but she soon squeezed me in return.

"You're welcome Chelsea." She whispered. When I pulled away she grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "You're going to be an excellent Luna, Chelsea. Don't doubt that, okay?" She had obviously mistaken the cause of my worry. But her words had triggered something in me and before I could stop it, the dam behind my eyes broke.