Wendy

We went back to my cousin's house to get my bag. I honestly don't even think I'll need it. There's barely anything in that bag. The motorcycle ride wasn't filled with wheelies and talking. He surprisingly drove safely, but neither of us said anything. I think we've made enough conversation for the day.

I still can't believe that this is happening. Maybe I shouldn't have told Shane. Maybe keeping it a secret would've been better. If I didn't tell him, then we would still be at Ben's Burgers, Barbecue, and Bar. Who the hell named that place?! Actually, that doesn't really matter because the food was fucking amazing.

Sorry, off-topic. Anyways, its hard not to think about what could've happened if I didn't tell him today. Obviously, he would've found out eventually; but is sooner always better than later? No. Its not. You don't want to die sooner. You probably want to die later. Maybe later was the better option for me. I feel like I'm just a burden now.

I could've prolonged all of this; or maybe just avoid this whole situation. 'You know that wouldn't do any good' Liz butted in. 'He still would've found out. And he would just be mad that you kept it from him' Now she has something to say! She was quiet the whole time in the diner.

But she does have a point. He would be angry if I kept this secret from him. 'Later might sound better; but its really not' Liz told me softly. I frowned. Why does she have to be right all the time?!

We pulled into the driveway of Ralph's house, ending my conversation with my wolf. We got off the bike and Shane helped me take off the helmet. He slid up the face shield on his helmet, so he could speak. "Do you want me to wait here?" he asked.

I shook my head and put the helmet in the seat compartment. "Can you actually just pick me up tonight?" I asked. "I want some time with Maddi and Ralph before I leave" I said quietly.

Shane nodded in agreement. "I'll be here around seven" he stated. I gave him a small thanks before he put the plastic shield back in place and got on his bike. I watched as he revved the bike and sped off.

Theoretically speaking, I could grab my bag and just leave. But I'm pretty sure Shane would go look for me. After all, that's what his father taught him.

"Wendy?" a voice called out. I turned and saw Maddi standing in the doorway. "Are you gonna stand there all day? Come inside" she urged.

I hesitantly made my way towards her. I don't know how she'll feel when I tell her that I have to leave. Shane and I agreed to just tell them that I'll be living with him. Which is believable. I'm just not sure how to break the news to them. They'll probably think its because of that whole thing with Ralph. I'm still mad and hurt about that, but not to the point where I'll never talk to him again.

It was a fucked up decision. He chose his friends and mate, instead of his mourning cousin. He chose having fun, instead of being a good cousin. He chose to have a nice dinner and gifts, instead of picking up the phone. He chose to not even tell anyone about my parents.

Some cousin, right?

Stopping in front of Maddi, I spoke quietly. "Can we talk in the kitchen?" Honestly, their couches aren't the most comfortable seats. "With Ralph" I added. Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but she nodded nevertheless.

I took deep breaths as I walked into the house and straight to the kitchen. I heard Maddi going up the stairs. I probably should've helped her. It must be hard moving around with another freaking person inside of you. Her footsteps suddenly stopped. I think she was less than halfway up the stairs.

"Ralph!" she shouted. "Get your ass down here!" she demanded. I listened as my cousin's quick footsteps echoed through the house. "Wendy wants to talk to us in the kitchen" Maddi told her mate.

A little while later, they both appeared in the kitchen. Maddi sat down first, and she made Ralph sit down two seats over. Wow, she's serious about that no touching thing. "I'm moving in with Shane" I blurted.

Maddi gasped and a frown appeared on both of their faces. "Wendy. If this is about-"

"Its not" I interrupted Ralph. "I just think it would be better this way" I said softly. "The baby is due soon, so you'll need more room for everything" Okay, that's a shitty excuse. But its the only thing I could think of.

Ralph and Maddi shook their heads. "We have a nursery. There's more than enough room for you and the baby" Maddi stated.

I opened my mouth to argue, but it was Ralph's turn to cut me off. "Look. I know what I did was messed up in so many ways. And I'm so incredibly sorry for it. I should've been there for you. And-"

"Damn right" Maddi mumbled. Ralph's head snapped towards her. She didn't even look sheepish about him hearing her. She actually looked mad. "You're a fucking idiot" she stated bluntly. I wanted to laugh; but it would probably be inappropriate, so I pursed my lips. "You shouldn't leave your family alone when they just lost someone. Is that what you're gonna do when our baby is born?" she questioned angrily.

I watched wide-eyed as she yelled at my cousin. "What are you talking about?" Ralph asked, much calmer than his mate.

She narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "If I died after our baby was born, would you just go out and leave them alone to deal with it?!" she spat. Whoa. This conversation just took a really sharp turn.

I'm not gonna lie. Its fascinating to watch my cousin get yelled at by a pregnant woman. "Of course not!" Ralph exclaimed.

Maddi rolled her eyes, looking like she didn't believe him. "I'm not so sure about that. You left Wendy alone; how can anyone be positive that you wouldn't leave our baby alone?" her voice was back to its normal volume. But she was still glaring at him.

Ralph frowned and ran a hand through his short hair. "I wouldn't. I would never leave our baby alone after something like that. Family should be together through things like that" he stated.

"Wendy is your family too" Maddi blurted. They both turned to me.

Great. Now their attention is on me. Please note my sarcasm. "I know. I made a huge mistake by making you go through that alone. I thought that your friends would be with you. But I didn't think about it being Christmas" Ralph said quietly.

I sighed. "This isn't even about what you did. I'm gonna be living with my mate because he's my mate" I stated. Slowly, I eased off of the stool. "He's picking me up at seven, so we can all do something before then" I suggested.

Maddi nodded her head. "Yeah. Just give us a minute?" she asked kindly. Nodding, I walked out of the kitchen. I feel bad for leaving Ralph in there with her. But at the same time, I want to watch her yell at him again.

*****************************************************************************

A few hours later, Shane picked me up on his motorcycle. My bag was in the seat compartment, as we sped out of Ralph's driveway. I already said goodbye to Maddi and Ralph after we watched a couple of Disney movies. Ralph cried because Mufasa died. He said it was allergies, but we all know the truth.

I won't lie. I shed a few tears. That movie just gets to me. Simba thought it was his fault. Its so sad. A few tears leaked out of my eyes as I remembered it. "Are you crying?!" Shane shouted over the sound of the motorcycle.

"It wasn't Simba's fault that Mufasa died! Scar was an ass-hole!" I exclaimed. Shane's back vibrated as he chuckled.

We got to our destination about twenty minutes after that. Once again, we both got off the bike before Shane helped me take off the helmet. I grabbed my bag and we put the helmets into the seat compartment. We walked towards the door and Shane opened it, letting me go first. I thanked him as I walked inside.

The first thing I saw was a small living room. There was a T.V., an L-shaped couch, a love seat, and a small coffee table. Coffee sounds good now. "Shane?" a soft voice called out. I looked towards the sound as a small older lady emerged from one of the doors. "What are you doing, boy? Come give your Grammy a hug!" she demanded.

Shane walked past me and gently wrapped his arms around the woman. "Hey, Grandma" he said softly. She smiled and pulled his head down to kiss his cheek. "This is my mate, Wendy. The one we talked about on the phone" he stated.

I smiled at her as I walked towards them. I held my hand out for her to shake, but she just stared at it like it was some unknown species. Gosh. What if she doesn't like me? Suddenly, I was yanked towards her. Her small arms pulled me close to her body as she hugged me. Chuckling, I hugged her back. "Its nice to meet you" I told her as I pulled away.

"Come. I'll show you to your room" she said with a smile. I glanced at Shane who nodded for me to go with her. We walked down a long hallway and into a nice room. It was already decorated with a navy blue theme. "This was Shane's room when he stayed over" she informed me.

Nodding, I gently sat my bag on the bed. "Thanks for letting me stay here" I said gratefully.

She waved me off. "Nonsense. That's what family is for" she stated. "My grandson has told me about your... situation, and I agreed to help" I guess I should explain what happened at the diner.

*FLASHBACK*

"When are you turning me in?" I asked Shane.

He frowned and shook his head. "I'm not" he declared. "My father told me that family always trumps responsibility. No matter what. Family comes first" he reached over the table and grabbed one of my hands. "Mates are family from the day that they meet each other. Nothing changes that" he whispered.

His thumb gently ran circles on my skin as he spoke. "I'll protect you. I'll find some way to get rid of the Mark. There's no way in hell that I'm gonna let you leave my life" he said sternly.

I sighed in relief as a small smile spread across my face. "Thank you" I said softly. "But I'm not sure that you can get rid of a Royal Mark. Its supposed to be permanent" I reminded him.

He shrugged. "Sharpie is supposed to be permanent, but you can wash it off" he pointed out. I chuckled as he brushed my hair behind my ear. Sparks were spreading on my hand that he was still holding and my cheek, where his skin brushed mine. "I'll find a way" he insisted.

I didn't argue with him, but I didn't agree either. I'm pretty sure that there's no way for it to come off. But on the bright side, Shane will really stay with me.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Which brings me here. At his grandmother's cabin. Shane wants to find a way to get rid of the Mark; but he doesn't want to risk my safety by having someone find out about it. So I'm basically isolated with his grandmother.

Not that I mind. She seems nice. I just don't want to waste Shane's time if he tries to find some miracle to get this thing off of me. I guess I don't have as much faith as he does.

___________________________________________________________________________

Whoa! Plot twist... Lol... I'm lame, I know...

I need to name his grandma... She can't be nameless... Who knows names for an old lady?

Anyways... This update took forever. Blame it on math! Math takes too much time.

On the bright-side! Rejecting a Princess has over 2 millions reads. How awesome is that? Its pretty awesome. I will stalk whoever says otherwise and I will take all of their Nutella.

Hehehehehe

Kayyyyzzz Byeeeezzzz

~A.J.