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Chapter Quote:

"Are you going to apologize for slapping me?"

~Shay Doran, Nightshade

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Chapter 14 

Caleb 

All the color drained from Elsa's face.  Even her sapphire eyes seemed to get lighter, icier.  Lily watched my little sister carefully.  I didn't think Elsa would attack me but I'd been gone for almost seven years.  A lot can change.  I would know.

"You- you're alive?" Elsa stammered.

"Well he's not a cardboard cutout," Lily remarked.  I sent my girlfriend a brief, disapproving glare.

"All this time... how..." My sister walked up to me in a daze before throwing her arms around me in a bone-crushing hug.  Her body started shaking and it took me a second to realize it was because she was crying.  I held my sister while she got it out of her system.  Admittedly, a few tears fell down my face.  It was wonderful to see one of my family again, especially the person I was closest with.

After about five minutes, Elsa pulled back, wiping tears off her face.  She sniffed and gave a small laugh before saying, "I can't believe it's you."

"I can't believe how tall you've gotten.  You were always so short," I laughed.

"Everyone was short compared to you, even Hunter.  I think you're actually taller than dad now."

"Caleb, I'm going to head upstairs.  I'll make sure we add an extra cheeseburger to the order.  I'll see you later," Lily said.  Before I could respond, she headed upstairs.  Elsa watched as my girlfriend disappeared before slapping me on the chest.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

"Where the hell have you been?!" She demanded, hitting me on the chest again. "Why didn't you call us?  Why didn't you let us know you were alive?  What the hell were you thinking leaving us like that?!"

Elsa hit me in the chest after each question.  I finally managed to back myself far enough away from her to where she couldn't reach me.

"Why don't we sit down, and I'll explain everything.  Just promise me you won't hit me again," I said.  My sister nodded.  We sat on the couch together.

"Explain yourself," She ordered.

"What are you, an alpha?" I joked.

"Considering Hunter is future pack leader, and Josilyn is his significant other, and since I'm closest to her, I'm pretty much guaranteed to be her second, so when they're not here, I act as alpha.  Now explain yourself."

"You've changed Ice Princess," I noted rather solemnly. "I suppose some of that's my fault."

"It didn't help with you leaving, but I changed after Anna died.  I'm not the happy-go-lucky kid I used to be.  Life changed me.  Now start talking."

"In response to your first question, I went to Canada.  I travelled as a wolf most of the way so I crossed the border easily.  It took me a few weeks to get there though.  A couple found me.  A pair of Guardians: Michael and Elaine Stark.  They took me in.  There were three other kids around my age there and-"

"Was Lily one of them?"

"Yeah.  She was the future alpha."

"Was?"

"We're, uh, dating now, so we're both the future alphas, even though there's only one more member of our pack now."

"Are they here?"

"No, but they should be here soon.  He went out to get some fast food.  I don't like him being out by himself but I figure he's safe as long as he's in the car.  He-" At that moment, the front door swung open.  Spencer threw the keys on the coffee table.

"Hey Caleb, I got you the extra cheeseburger Lily told me about.  Oh, by the way, be careful, I smelled-" Spencer looked up, halting in his speech.  His eyes fell onto my sister.  Shock registered on his face. "Elsa."

My sister blinked in surprise. "Spencer?"

"Um, hi... h-how long have you been here?"

"About ten minutes.  You're a Guardian?"

"I guess there's no point hiding that from you now.  You're obviously having some bonding time with Caleb so I'm just going to... yeah.  I'll see you at dance tomorrow."

"O-okay," Elsa said.  She watched as my second hastily made his way upstairs.  I turned to my sister and asked, "What was that?"

She looked at me guiltily. "What was what?"

"I may've been gone for a while but I'm not blind.  You like him."

"Have you seen how attractive he is?  Anyway, that's not the point.  That's the other one in the group that took you in?" I could tell my sister was trying to change the subject but I wasn't going to let it slide.

"Yeah.  Him and another girl, but she passed away... do you like Spencer or something?"

"Oh please.  But I do have a question: it's obvious you didn't want any of us to find you, so why let someone so close to you get close to me?"

"I found out you were in dance class, and since Spencer knew how, I thought it'd be a good way to have someone look out for you and also to get information on how the pack was doing.  How close did he get to you?"

Elsa hesitated. "He became good friends with me, that's all.  And he got what you wanted him to.  I kind of told him all our family issues with the exception of us being hunted.  You do know about that right?"

"Yeah, that's why I'm here.  The people who are hunting you again, they're the ones that killed Michael, Elaine, and Callie, the girl I mentioned.  Spencer, Lily, and I were out of the house when it blew up.  That's the only reason we survived.  We've been tracking them since the beginning of summer.  Our sources led us here."

Elsa glanced down at the couch briefly.  She looked back up at me through her eyelashes. "Why didn't you tell us you were back?  Why didn't you ever come back?"

"I... I never should've left Elsa, but when I did, I felt that there was no turning back, that I couldn't turn back.  I truly thought at the time that my leaving was the best option for all of you.  Then Hunter wouldn't have to deal with anyone trying to take his position as alpha, mom and dad wouldn't have to deal with two sons who couldn't stop dredging up the past, and you and Ember wouldn't get caught in the middle.  I made a mistake though.  I realize that now," I admitted.

"That doesn't answer my question about why you didn't come back...  Was it because of her?  Lily, I mean."

"Partially.  I also was really embarrassed and couldn't bear to face all of you afterwards.  And I knew if I called, mom and dad would come after me and I didn't want them to.  I didn't deserve to go back home then and I don't deserve it now.  I'm sorry Elsa.  I have no plans on staying once we finish this war.  That's why I never contacted you or anyone else when I got here."

"I kind of figured you weren't going to be staying with you not contacting us or anything... but I wish you were.  How long are you going to be in town?"

"Until the Hunters move."

"Can I come visit you again?"

"Of course, just... don't tell anyone about me.  Please."

"Not even mom?  She misses you so much Caleb.  After you left, she and dad... their relationship became really strained.  I think they were on the verge of divorcing to be honest.  And dad thought that Loren and mom were having an affair so that didn't help any of the matters."

"Seriously?  Holy- I mean, I didn't know I caused that much trouble with leaving.  But is everything okay now?"

"If I said no, would that get you to come home?"

"Elsa."

She sighed. "Yes, they're all fine now."

"They are?  Are you not?"

"No, I've been fine too," my sister remarked. "Just trying to wrap my head around all this.  And just wishing you'd come home.  You know mom and dad would let Lily and Spencer stay too."

"You don't know that."

"Dad said that when you came home, they'd welcome you with open arms.  I know you don't want to, but at least consider coming to see them?"

"Elsa, if I go to see them, they're going to do everything in their power to make me stay and while I love them, I am not staying.  Once my pack and I finish what we started, we're heading back up to Canada and we're rebuilding what we lost."

"I understand."

"Hey, don't you have school tomorrow?"

"Yeah but I have first period off.  I don't start class until nine-twentyish.  I'm fine.  So are we just going to sit here and let those burgers go cold?"

I laughed. "No.  Let's eat."

The two of us got up and I grabbed the bag of food.  Elsa and I sat at the bar, happily munching on our cheeseburgers and fries.  Elsa wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "How long have you and Lily been dating?"

"About six years.  We started dating at the end of the summer that I left," I informed.

"She's pretty.  I need to apologize for being a bitch to her though.  Can I come over tomorrow or some other time?  Get to know my future sister-in-law?"  I choked on the fry I was swallowing.  My sister grinned. "Kidding.  But I do want to get to know her.  I want to know my brother's girlfriend."

"But you don't want to know his second?" I countered.

"I know your second.  And he told me about what happened to you, Lily, and Callie.  About the house explosion.  I'm sorry about that."

"He told you about that?" I snapped my head up.

"Yeah.  We hung out one Sunday, went up to the park.  We talked, that's all.  I could tell something was bothering him so I managed to get it out of him.  What's the face for?" Elsa queried, taking a sip of my drink.

"Spencer took you out to the park?" I stated.

"I thought we established that.  It was just a friendly get-together.  I know you're keeping a pretty strict watch on him, and with mom and dad cracking down on my ability to go out, I think he and I both needed an escape.  That just happened to be with each other.  Don't worry.  It's not like I'm going to end up dating him.  Like you said, you're going to leave once this blows over and he'll be going with you.  A long distance relationship wouldn't work between us.  Listen, I should head back home.  When can I see you again?"

"Give me your phone," I ordered.  She handed it over to me without any hesitation.  I put my number in with the name 'Stark'. "Text me or call me whenever you need me too.  I'm going to drive you home.  I'll text you to see when you can come over next."

"You have my number?"

"Just because I left my cell phone when I left doesn't mean I didn't take all your numbers.  I only had them in case of emergency but I might've... called you, mom, and Ember, just to hear your voices."

"I wondered why I kept getting strange calls with no one saying anything.  Were you the one that sent me, mom, and Ember flowers on our birthdays?"

"Yeah.  I always tried to send flowers that meant something, like they had a message attached to them.  Like for mom's birthday the summer I left, I sent her daffodils because they meant new beginnings.  I don't know if she ever figured that out though."

"Knowing mom she did and just never said anything to us about it." Elsa stood up.

"I'll drive you home," I told her, grabbing the car keys.

"If mom and dad hear a car coming up the driveway, they'll flip," she pointed out.

"So I'll pull up right until the bend curves.  And then you run back to that house and text me when you're inside, got it?" I ordered.

"You have certainly grown into your alpha position haven't you?  All right, come on."

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The next day... 

Josilyn 

I was listening to 'See You Again', the piano version by Charlie Puth.  I was obsessed with it recently even if it was sad.  I couldn't sing to save my life but I sang along to it anyway.  I wondered if Thea could see me in her rearview mirror singing to it.  I doubted it though.  When we pulled up to our homes, Hunter was there to greet me with a hug and a kiss.

"How was your day?" He inquired, lacing his fingers through mine.

"It was good.  I didn't have much to do today.  Apparently Sebastian nearly caught himself on fire in chemistry today.  Thea fell asleep in AP Lit, and Elsa was strangely upbeat.  She was texting someone practically all day.  I couldn't figure out who it was but my guess is that it's Spencer.  Those two are so cute together!" I gushed. "Shame he's not a Guardian.  But enough of that.  How was your day?"

"I went to work with mom.  She showed me some new things about running a hotel.  I haven't really grasped the new concept so I'll be doing it again tomorrow.  And then I spent a good hour and a half arguing with dad to convince him to let me take you out for a date tonight."

"Really?!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Did you do it?"

"Yep." Hunter grinned. "I have a reservation at the Dunnraven.  I know you like Italian.  Our reservation is at six-thirty so we'll leave here about six o'clock?  Better to be early than late."

"Says the guy who was late to half his classes during school."

"Shh!" He laughed, kissed me on the cheek, and headed back to his house.  I practically ran up to my room.  Throwing my bag on the floor, I started pulling out clothes one by one.  I wanted to look really good tonight.  I had to wear something that made me look fantastic.

"What's got you in a frenzy?" Diana piped up from my doorway.

"I'm going on a date with Hunter tonight.  What are you doing here?  Everything okay?"

"Thea and Barry are driving me up the wall.  I ran into your brother and he suggested to come talk to you.  He said you're good at helping people," she said.

I chuckled. "I guess I am.  It's more I just listen.  Why are they driving you up the wall?"

"Just being your annoying younger siblings.  Thea won't stay out of my closet, Barry keeps hacking into my twitter.  I've changed all my passwords but he'll figure it out sooner or later.  Mom and dad think Barry's an angel though so they don't believe he's doing any of it."

"What else?  I feel like there's something else bothering you."

Diana sighed, biting her lip. "I sort of like someone who's way too young for me."

"Who is it?"

"Sebastian..."

"Sebastian?" I repeated.

"Yes... I don't know, he's been really sweet to me lately and I just... it's a six year difference.  It's such a big age difference that I don't know when it'd ever be okay to date him!  Besides, I think he likes Laurel.  He's close to her too."

"Frank and Taki are six years apart in age and you don't see any problems with them."

"But they started dating so late.  I don't want to be twenty-eight when I have my first kiss."

"There's nothing wrong with not kissing someone before then.  If you want to wait for him, then do it.  He's young right now but he won't be young forever.  Just wait a little bit more and see what happens, okay?"

"All right.  My turn to help you.  What do you want to wear?"

"I have no idea.  A dress, definitely.  But I don't know which one.

"Where's that pink dress I got you for your birthday?  I think that'd be perfect.  Just pair it with some jewelry and let me curl your hair and you'll be good to go."

"Oh my gosh, you're a genius!  That dress is perfect!  And you'll really help me with my hair?"

"Of course I will.  And it'll be a good way to distract myself.  Come on!"

Over the course of the next three hours, Diana and I hung out, ironing my dress, choosing jewelry, watching 'The Notebook', and doing my hair and makeup.  Well, she did my hair.  I did my makeup.  After those two were done, I slipped on my dress.  Diana clapped in excitement.

"Hunter's not going to know what hit him.  You need to hurry and put your jewelry on though because you're going to be late even with your boyfriend living right next door to you," she pointed out.  I hastily threw on a pair of silver hoop earrings and a diamond necklace that Hunter had given to me for my sixteenth birthday.  I headed downstairs.  Hunter was talking to my dad in the living room.

"Hi!" I chirped, looping my arm through my boyfriend's.

"Hello lovely," he greeted, a smile breaking out onto his face.  My dad watched us carefully.

"Take care of her tonight Hunter.  Both of you be careful.  Call me or Ren if anything goes wrong," my dad ordered.

"Yes dad," I said. "Love you!"

Hunter then escorted me to his car.  The drive to the Dunnraven didn't take long.  In fact, we got there ten minutes early.  They seated us right then and there though.  Our waiter brought us our drinks and some garlic bread that was to absolutely die for.  Hunter and I chatted about everything.  We never seemed to run out conversation, but when we did, we sat in a comfortable silence until one of us thought of something else to talk about.  I ordered chicken parmesan while Hunter ordered ravioli.  It reminded me of everyone's favorite dishes whenever we came here.  Everyone loved something different.  Noah adored the manicotti while Ember went nuts for the lasagna, and Elsa was obsessed with the baked lobster ziti.

We were on dessert when I noticed something off about Hunter.  He seemed nervous almost.  I took another bite of the caramel apple cheesecake before asking, "You okay?"

"Oh yeah, I'm just thinking.  I wanted to talk to you about something."

I blurted, "Are you breaking up with me?"

Hunter snorted. "No.  Far from it.  And what ass would take his girlfriend out to a super nice dinner just to break up with her?  No, I wanted to talk to you about what's going to happen to our pack."

"Oh?  What about it?" I gave him an inquisitive look.

"I'm going to be alpha of the pack.  With Caleb... with Caleb not here anymore, the position automatically goes to me.  But I need a mate and-"

"You need someone more suitable than me, don't you?" I said glumly, placing my fork down on the plate.  I suddenly lost any appetite I had left.

"No, I want you.  And with everything going on, I feel I haven't been able to show you just how much I appreciate you so I wanted to give you this." Hunter pulled a wrapped box out of his pocket and placed it in front of me.  I hesitated before opening it.  A gasp escaped from me when I saw the simple yet beautiful ring in front of me. "It's a promise ring.  I have one that goes along with it so it's like a matching set.  I just want you to know how much you mean to me."

"Oh my gosh!  This is beautiful!" I took the ring out of the box.  It had a small diamond in the center of it that sparkled in the light. "Thank you so much!"

"Anything for my mate," Hunter said, a satisfied smile on his face. "Now what do you say I get the check, we head home, get into our pajamas, and watch a movie?"

I smiled. "That sounds perfect."

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