#Chapter 73: ying the Waiting Game


    #Chaptér 73: ying the Waiting Game


    Ryan is sleeping when we return. I take the opportunity to spend some time alone writing in my room. I think a good way to work all of this out is to write about it. I miss drama, so I decide to turn the events into a script.


    I write until I fall asleep and dream about rogue werewolves and dangerous attacks. In my dream, Alex is in trouble, and I can''t get to him. I wake up during this dream and decide not to take it as a sign.


    I hear voices down the hall, and I emerge to find Alex putting on his socks and shoes. Ryan is already geared up and waiting in the chair by the couch, the same backpacks from this morning at his feet.


    "You leaving?" I ask.


    "I was going toe get you before we left to say goodbye."


    I fold my arms and lean against the wall. "That''sss it? Goodbye?"


    "Well...I mean...we''ll be back."


    I walk back down the hall. We haven''t talked since he came back this morning, and I''m worried about him. There are so many things I want to ask him: like does he know what happened to him? Does he think Ryan could be the culprit, or someone in his own pack? What happens if they get caught? As far as I know, there''s no backup n, no calvary waiting to go rescue them.


    There''s a knock on the door; I know it''s Alex.


    "Come in."


    Alex skulks over to the bed and sits down beside me, his leg touching mine. "I really was going toe tell you bye."


    I can''t look at him, so I look at my hands as they rest on my knees. ''Then leave."


    "Well...yeah. You knew we were going."


    "Buuut...you''re ill."


    "Uh, yeah...I mean, I am...but I feel better."


    I try to keep my words clipped so I don''t cry. "Makes it more dangerrr-rous.''


    >>


    He exhales and sounds tired, weary. "I have to go, Cynthia. We have to find these wolves before something terrible happens."


    I lean my head on his shoulder. I know he has to go, but I worry that my nightmare wille true. He''s not at full strength and this mission is already so risky for just two werewolves, even if they''re strong.


    "I worry. About you."


    Alex puts an arm around me and kisses me on the head. I feel static between his lips and my skin, hollowing out my heart even more.


    There''s so much more I want to say, but I want him to go while it is still light out. “I love yoouu, Alex Hewlett," I say, my head still resting on him.


    Alex pulls back and looks me in the eyes. "I love you, Cynthia Boston."


    He leans in and kisses me softly, one hand cupping my chin as the other rests on the small of my back, pulling me


    closer.


    43 BONUS


    napter 73: ying the Waiting Game


    I don''t want his moment to end because my deepest fear is that it may be ourst. Sure, I''m afraid of the werewolves hunting me, but if I died with this kiss on my lips then it would be a sweet death nheless.


    He breaks our kiss and tucks a stray hair behind my ear. "I''lle back to you," he promises.


    "You better."


    I give him a kiss on the cheek, and he walks out of the room leaving me on the bed. I don''t get up, instead listening to the front door open and close because I can''t bring myself to watch him go.


    I stay in my room, crying a river of sadness and regret.


    Once I''m empty and dried out, when I feel like I can be any type ofpany, I go out looking for Rita. She is sitting at the little ck wrought iron table on the back porch, looking out into the woods beyond.


    Still staring out, she says, "They''re gone."


    I pull out a chair at the little ck iron table and slide in, slumping down to sulk. "Can you..." But I can''t finish the question because my mind is stumped. I can''t remember...


    She turns to look at me, her brow furrowed. "What?"


    "Can you do...the mind thing?"


    At first, she doesn''t understand. "The mind thing?" She thinks for a moment. "Link? The mind link?" "Yesss...that''s it. Sorry."


    She shrugs. "Don''t be...how would you know anything about that? But to answer your question, no. I''m not old enough to link over distance like that. I would have


    to share blood with him. Or..." she squirms a little in her chair, "have consummated our bond."


    Gross.


    "Do you ask because you want me to keep tabs on him?"


    "In case he. Calls for help."


    "Sorry, princess. No can do."


    That was the only thing I could hope for, and now that option is dashed.


    As if reading my mind, Rita adds, "If he gets into trouble then his parents will know. That''s how th before, I mean. They''re the reason I''m still alive. I owe them everything..."


    und us-


    Rita pushes herself up by the arms of the iron chair. "It will start getting dark in a couple of hours. We need to be secure inside before the sun goes down, so I''m going to check all the doors and windows. Make sure they''re locked. You should go inside."


    I nod my agreement and follow her in.


    I spend the next couple of hours alone in my room, on my phone. I have to plug it


    into the outlet to charge, so I''m restricted to the bel.


    I call my mom and pretend like everything is okay, intentionally sounding upbeat


    to keep her from worrying more than she already is.


    "How much longer will you be?" she asks.


    "I don''t know. Maybe not long.""


    #Chapter 73. ying the Waiting Game


    "Well, I miss you, honey. I''m thinking about you every day?


    "Me, too, Mom. Love you.


    "I love you, too, baby."


    After we''re off the phone, I think about what a blessing a curse like my stutter can be. While it has normally caused me grief and insecurity throughout life, it also allows me the excuse to get out of talking on the phone. Mom is already used to carrying the conversation, so she doesn''t find my silence suspicious.


    Since I have very little else to do, I check in with Hailey. She''s still with Lenard. They''re still happy. I tell her the same is true with me and Alex. The sad thing is, aside from all of this rogue drama, everything I''m saying would be true. I mean, Alex essentially chose me..


    That idea hasn''t really sunk in until now. Alex told Rita he doesn''t want to mate with her, and he has continued to share his feelings for me. He really does love


    me!


    My heart wants to burst out of my chest with excitement. The thought that-if we survive this I may actually get to be with Alex, is exhrating.


    I imagine what it would be like. Us holding hands when we walk, cuddling and kissing, caressing and...


    My mind wanders to what it would be like to mate with Alex as a human. His tight, muscr body is so inviting. I just want to run my hands over it, explore it...


    But this fantasy is shattered when I hear someone beating on the front door. Today''s Bonus Offer