Twenty-Two
I WOKE UP EARLY HOLDING
my sheets close to my body, I didn’t want to get up. Sluggishly, I got out of bed. My closet was full of dresses, useless to me now. My book bag was lying in the back of the closet. That, I can use. I grabbed the essentials, toothbrush, hairbrush, underwear, jeans and shirts. Nothing fancy. I was literally holding back tears. Just the thought of Alec, Alec and his perfect chiseled chest, soft kisses, love, devotion. Why was I leaving? Oh yes, to hunt Derek, the man I still loved also. My life at the moment pretty much sucked.
A soft knock on the door startled me. Glancing out the peephole I was surprised to see my mother standing there.
Without hesitation I opened the door for her to come in.
“I hope you were planning to say good bye before leaving today," she said as she sat on my bed. She inspected my book bag. “This is all you’re taking?"
“Yes, I can't bring everything. And I'm coming back, hopefully soon...." I picked up the book bag and placed it on the chair, Alec’s chair. I frowned at that thought.
“Can I give you money?" my mom asked. I pulled out the five-carat yellow canary diamond. It was sparkling; I had it hidden away in my drawer. My mom gasped as she saw it. I’d always admired it. It was beautiful.
“I think I'll have plenty once I pawn the ring. What do you think?" I asked.
She placed the ring in her palm.
“He has good taste."
I felt the frown creep up the corners of my lips. “He has money. And I picked it out." Looking at it now made me feel sick; it was a stupid, materialistic thing to spend so much on something. It was so insignificant.
“The ring shouldn't matter; it's who I was going to spend my life with,” I said as I brushed my sandy blonde hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. My mom placed a hand on my shoulder. I tensed for a moment. My eyes had begun to prickle with tears. Just the thought of Alec. What was I going to do?
“I don't know if I can do this," I whispered as I sat next to my mother.
“You can and you will! It’s going to be hard. Those feelings don't turn off," she said soothingly, patting my hand. The gesture alone was awkward for her.
“No, I know I'm going to kill Derek.…” I think, hoping I did have that strength. “I meant leave Alec, without telling him … I'm lying to him," I said, tears escaping my eyes.
“He is smart, Aimee; do you really think he doesn't sense it coming?"
“I know he does. He looks at me with such depth, like he's trying to extract that information from me. I don't want to leave him." I flopped backward on the bed and turned over to bury my face in the sheets. Peeking up from the sheets, my mom had an amused expression. She tapped my butt.
“It will work out. You two are meant for each other. Be strong. You will be great!" I smiled up at her. She was stroking my hair.
“Time to get up. You have a long journey ahead of you, and I suspect Marcus is already waiting for you.”
She was right. I did have a long journey ahead of me, and knowing Marcus, he was waiting for me.
The hall was empty as we walked, holding hands. It was a funny feeling, this bond that was growing between my mother and me. Who would have thought? Certainly not me. I would miss my mom, too.
The halls were growing louder as we approached the main court. The school was on lunch break and the Yurnlings all gathered in their little groups talking and laughing. I was holding down the envy I was feeling bubbling in my chest.
A muscular figure captured my eye bringing me back to the present. Marcus stood at our meeting spot; he was watching the crowds with such alertness, his green eyes instantly spotting me, tilting his head to the side.
Iva popped into my head; I wished I could say goodbye to her.
I didn’t even realize I’d stopped walking. I was briefly frozen.
“Aimee?” my mother asked.
“Fine, I’m fine,” I said, taking a deep breath.
My mom kissed my cheek and hugged me tight. “I love my little girl." she whispered in my ear. I was getting choked up. Who was this sensitive woman hugging me?
“I love you, too, Mom." I said; even hearing those words come out of my mouth startled me. Our embrace lasted a moment or so longer.
She released first and I just gawked at her.
“I'll see you soon,” my mother said, as she gracefully walked away from me.
Marcus smiled as I swiftly walked up to him. I'm sure my eyes were red from crying. He brushed a stray hair away from my face; he had worry in his features.
“You okay?" he asked. His green eyes bored into mine, so much concern.
I just nodded. “Okay, let's go. We have to hurry," I said, anxious.
I seriously felt like I was in a spy movie, dodging anyone that would recognize me. Marcus was very stealthy, putting my so-called ninja skills to shame.
We made it undetected to the elevator and I sighed as I placed my hand against the metal wall. Neither of us said anything. I could feel the tension growing.
The doors opened and we, in sync, sprinted through the garage, our feet hitting the concrete with such haste.
Marcus sighed in anger. “I will meet you outside the garage, okay? The car is in the other garage. Just make your way to the end. I'll see you in five." He squeezed my shoulder. Marcus jogged away and I was walking swiftly up the tunnel. I could hear my feet echo in the garage, a soft patter. The light was growing brighter as I was closer to it. It was so sunny. I was eager to be in the warm sun.
I was actually leaving undetected, which seemed unusual. I didn’t see it being this easy. I thought “too soon.” The tiny hairs on my arm started to prickle. My heart rate started to quicken in my chest, in the distance behind me I heard the elevator door open. I didn't need to glance back, I already knew it was Alec or it would be him, he had a knack for finding me.
I began running as fast as I could to the sunlight, knowing he couldn't touch me once I was outside. My breathing nearly stopped. I was so close. My legs burned as I pushed them further.
Alec was fast; I could feel him getting closer to me. I didn’t dare turn around to see how close.
“AIMEE!" he shouted. He was gathering speed. So close, I thought, almost there, a foot away. I could almost feel his breath on my skin; without thinking I dove into the sunlight. Dirt sprayed in my face, literally a mouthful, I wanted to gag, but I stood up, with as much grace as I could.
I glanced around the area I landed in. Lucky it was dirt and not concrete.
“Aimee?! How could you do this to me?" he said.
I brushed the dirt off my hands and turned to face the man I love. His grey eyes were watching me and filled with so much hurt. He stood before me, full of confusion. What could I possibly say to him, to help this situation?
I took a deep breath. “I have to, Alec.”
“I thought you loved me." His Italian accent was sweet as it caressed my senses.
“I do love you, that’s why I'm leaving," I said. I tried to shake my feelings for the moment.
Confusion crossed his face. “That doesn't make any sense!"
“I will always be hunted, Alec! I need to fix things, and keep you safe."
“Are you crazy? Being here is safe! I'll protect you!"
“No one can protect me, but myself. I’m sorry, I really am,” I said, sounding a bit on the crazy side.
“You were going to leave without saying a word to me!” Alec sounded more hurt than angry.
“Would you have tried to stop me?” I asked.
He thought about it a moment. “That’s not the point. What about Iva? You just run away and not think about anyone else? What about your mother?” He was so good looking, even when angry. Alec was standing on the edge of the garage in the shade separating us. I was eternally grateful for the barrier.
“My mom knows. I told her. As for Iva … she will forgive me. How did you know that I left?”
“I had a feeling something was wrong. I went by your room and you weren’t there.”
“So you came here?” I asked.
“Yes. And I was right!”
He did know me that well. I didn’t have him fooled at all.
Alec began pacing the edge of the tunnel, covered in the protection of the shade, running his hands through his wavy brown hair. His eyes flashed toward mine.
The deep heady engine came around the corner, and right on cue, Marcus pulled up in a Mercedes SL600. Sleek and black. I was silently thanking God. Marcus came to a fast stop, wheels still spinning, causing the dirt around me to become alive and like a cloud, engulfing me.
I couldn't look at Alec’s face any longer. I turned from him, opening the car door. Marcus’ face went pale as he got a glimpse of Alec, through the cloud of dirt.
“How could you do this, Marcus?" Alec was yelling over the engine.
Marcus looked at me unhappy at the pain written all over Alec’s face.
“I’m sorry, truly I am.” Marcus said.
Turning for the last time to face Alec, I said, “I love you with all my heart, Alec, remember that!" Blinking back tears, I sat in the car shutting the door. Tears blurred my vision. Marcus peeled the car around to do a 180, the engine revving. I looked out the back window; Alec was visible through the cloud of dirt. Anger burned his features, mixed with sadness now.
What have I done?
“Am I doing the right thing?" I asked, facing forward.
“I think so?" He reached over and squeezed my hand. “Where to?”
I thought a moment. Somewhere that Alec can’t get to me easily, and far away from the ones I love. “Florida,” I said.
This would definitely be an adventure to remember. How would I find a cure for my dad in Florida, and protect the man I love? I sighed. My life would never be easy, but did I really want that?
The road ahead was unknown as we drove over the hill. To protect Alec, the man I love, I chased a man I once loved. The Rogue werewolf, Derek, who abducted me to change me and make me his prize of a wolf bride, the one who would give him a new breed of a child. What would become of him, or me?
The fire was starting to burn a little more fiercely; I could feel it in my core. I was ready. Yes, Aimee, I do believe destiny finds a way to bring you back onto its course.
“Florida?” Marcus asked.
“Yes.”
“Florida it is, boss lady.”
Boss lady. I guess, in a way I am the boss.
Acknowledgements
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This book is dedicated to, first, God, for giving me an imagination, and without God I am nothing. There are some very special people in my life who have worked endlessly with me on this book. My husband and best friend, Joel, who has given me unconditional support and understanding. Lauren Christian and Jillyn Feldman, who created my book cover; without their help I would have lost my sanity. My sister, Aimee, who I named my character after! My parents, Joyce and Stephen McGuirk, who have always told me to shoot for the stars, and never give up anything I start, to push through the hardest times. For my other really close friends, Lauren N., Ashton, and Melloni, who believed that my idea was great and helped me refine it. I’m grateful for all of you, and love you all!
Here’s a sneak peek at
Capture Me
The irresistible sequel to Awaken Me.