I just wanted to really really send love to all of you - the comments on the last chapter were absolutely unreal and made my heart warm. 

Because they were so amazing I thought I'd upload early and give you guys this new chapter!!! 

SURPRISE! 

Return of some of your fave characters - just in case people were a little wary on whose who :

-Lee is Scarlette's younger brother 

- Tom is Kristie's best friend and as most people remember him 'the gay one' (Which fyi he is not the only queer character in this book you just haven't met some of them/been told because I don't feel it necessary to point out everyone's sexuality! Three cheers for the bi life x )

-Cam is Elle's other best friend from childhood (he's a rogue) 

Just thought I'd give a little reminder so I don't have to answer people's questions on whose who - although this far in the book I'd hope you remember them on your own haha! 

LOTS OF LOVE X 

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CHAPTER 56

"It's called an Alpha's Oath, it's usually reserved for acts of revenge for an entire pack or wedding vows."

I look over at Scarlette as she relaxes back on her towel, completely unaware of the mental freak out I'm currently having. 

"And that's why you told me that it's 'not a big deal'?"

She glances over at me and starts chuckling, lifting her sunglasses so that I can see her smiling eyes in the sunshine.

"It's Trent," she muses,  "I thought you'd have already realised that he doesn't do anything half-assed by now."

I open my mouth to retort but I don't really have a response.

"Yeah, I guess so," I shrug, lying back on my elbows in defeat, "It's actually not that surprising, is it?"

Scarlette shakes her head and settles down, sighing as the sun hits her bikini-clad body. 

The two of us had decided to go down to the beach for the day - considering we were coming to the end of the good weather for the year we thought we would make the most of it. The boys hadn't joined us, they were all up and out before I even woke up - Trent had called them all away and had asked Scarlette to stay with me so that I wasn't alone. The area of the beach that we're on isn't used by the public and is private property of Trent's - which was news to me. All the rest of the town seems to go to the other side where the cafe's and shops are and it's a bit more kid-friendly. Scarlette thought it was best that we stayed here considering the safety aspect and the fact that I hadn't been introduced to the whole pack yet - apparently it would cause quite some excitement if I just appeared somewhere. Plus, considering the bikini that she had given me to borrow, I didn't think we were exactly dressed for meeting the extended family.

"Heads!"

The call comes from the water and I immediately put my arms up in front of my face to shield it, expecting a hit. Luckily, Scarlette has already stepped in front of me and caught the ball with one hand before it can, her sunglasses scattering to the ground. 

"I told you if you were a pain I was going to send you on errands!" she screams at the teenage boys who are standing shouting apologies, "Do you want me to tell our Alpha that you almost hit your Luna?"

Of course, when we said that we were going to the beach we were begged by Lee and his friends to take them with us to avoid a day of work.  I didn't have any issue with it but it sounded as though they were meant to be doing other chores around the packhouse and somehow Lee convinced his sister to let them do it later in the evening. She'd been holding it over their heads ever since - making them get us fresh drinks and snacks frequently was one of her favourites, along with scaring them shitless with threats of Trent. 

"Sorry, Luna!" They shout and I roll my eyes, shoving Scarlette a little as she laughs and throws back the ball, making sure to aim for someone's head.

"It's fine guys," I call at their retreating figures, "And I've asked you to call me Elle!"

They wave off my shout as they run back to the water, their laughter echoing back to us on the sand and I huff, throwing a handful of sand at Scarlette's legs as she sits back down beside me.

"I hate you for using that."

"You should really get used to the nickname," she teases, "It's not like Trent is going to let people not call you it."

"But it's so formal," I whine, collapsing back, "We aren't even officially dating yet, let alone anything else."

It's not that I didn't like the idea of being equals with Trent and having a place to really call home, it's just that I'd never been in charge of anyone before, let alone an entire pack of people - well not people, werewolves.

Yeah, no pressure at all.

"We're an all or nothing kind of breed, get used to it."

She had a point, but it didn't make it any easier.

When I woke up this morning Trent hadn't been there - again. I knew that they all got up early in the mornings but I thought maybe he'd have had a long lie on a Sunday, or at least after everything that happened last night. 

But the only thing that was waiting for me this morning was an empty bed and a disappointed heart. He hadn't even left a note or anything - instead, he'd just gotten Scarlette to let me know his plans. 

I wasn't angry at him, I just was a bit pissed off.

Okay, maybe I was angry.

When I'd explained to Scarlette why I was annoyed and told her about last night - minus Trent crying (I didn't think he'd really want that shared with anyone) - she'd rolled her eyes and scoffed, going on a rant about how all the men in the pack were utterly useless when it came to 'social norms' on how to treat a girl and that they're all small-brained animals who needed someone to show them how to interact with other species. It had been an entertaining speech for sure.

"I think Kristie and Tom are here."

I follow her gaze to the left of us where Kristie's bright yellow car is pulling up to the beach, music thumping as she parks while tooting her horn at us.

"How could you tell?"

A figure jumps out of the car and waves their hands above their head, a shout of excitement following as they charge over, trying not to fall in the sand in the process.

"And where the fuck have you been, Miss Williams!"

Laughing, I clamber to my feet just in time to open my arms and grab Tom as he crashes into me, picking me up off the ground. 

Being away from school had made me realise how much I really missed my friends and their overdramatic personalities - even while living with supernatural creatures, my days still weren't as exciting without them and phonecalls didn't really have the same satisfaction.

I shriek as he jabs at my sides, going on about how bad of a texter I am and how much drama I've missed at school in my absence while I scream apologies. As we both settle down and he puts me back on my feet his green eyes turn soft, his expression losing all humour.

"I'm sorry about everything that happened and I'm glad you're alright. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling."

My eyes widen as I struggle to come up with a response, my mind flitting through everything that's happened in the last couple of weeks and what exactly he could be talking about. 

"I - uh - yeah, it's been hard."

He nods his head solemnly and hugs me to him, his hair brushing my face.

"Honestly, out of all the houses to pick for a random attack, it had to be yours! And your poor neighbour too! I'm just so grateful that you weren't in the house at the time and your dad was away on business, y'know," he pulls back and kisses my forehead, "Lucky timing."

So that's what the story was. Trent had done a pretty good job in the coverup then.

"Oh yeah," I agree quietly, thinking about Mrs Grenway and her caring smile, "Lucky timing."

"Hey, Tom," Scarlette says as she stands up beside me, her eyes looking over to Kristie's car, "Did someone else come with you and Kristie?"

There's an edge to her voice that catches my attention and when I see the boys in the water straightening up and making their way over, my heart starts racing. 

"Oh yeah," he grins, "Kristie basically forced him to come, you should have seen it - Elle you would have laughed, it was a classic Kristie and Cam fight."

Cam.

I hadn't seen him since the incident at the mall, and before that Mrs Grenways funeral - in fact, I hadn't really spent time with him since before I moved in here.

"Actually, I better go help with our stuff before they both kill me."

His grin lets me know that he's totally oblivious to the bomb that he's just dropped as he spins around and runs off, shouting to our other friends.

As soon as Tom is out of earshot I grab Scarlette and hold her in place, my eyes already begging her not to flip out as her own body shakes. 

"He shouldn't be here," she snarls, eyes locked onto him even from so far away, "He's a rogue, he can be killed for trespassing."

"Kristie doesn't know that," I explain, "He's our best friend,  she and Tom don't know anything about wolves."

"He should know better than to come."

"It's not his fault - Kristie can be pretty stubborn when she wants something."

"Trent wouldn't like it."

"Trent's not here."

There's a sharpness in my voice that even I'm surprised at and it seems to stop her from wanting to storm over and chuck Cam out as she takes in my frown and stills.

"Trent is off doing... whatever it is that he's doing and I want to spend time with my friends, who I haven't seen because he doesn't think it's safe, and that's going happen here or away from the safety of the pack." I step back from her and cross my arms as I wait for her response, "You can decide because I am not pushing my friends away." 

She looks me over slowly, her mouth turning from a frown into a grin as she lets out a whistle in the direction of the water. Lee and his friends look at her in shock but stop heading towards the car and turn back to us, making their way over.

"You know," she smiles proudly, "For someone who doesn't want to be called it, you certainly fit the role well, Luna."

I blush at her comment and turn away, ignoring the way that it makes my stomach curl in excitement as I leave her to deal with the younger boys who are already arguing with her on her decision and shouting objections. 

Cameron is the last person to leave the car, shielding his eyes from the sun he steps out cautiously, his apprehension obvious. When he sees me rushing over, he winces and he holds up his hands in apology, preparing for my onslaught of reprimands about him being here. 

But as I step up to him, I push his arms out of the way and wrap my own around his waist, pulling him into me in a tight embrace. He's frozen for a second as if he's waiting for something to happen and then he returns the gesture, hugging me close.

"God, I've missed you," I say, my voice muffled by his shirt, "It's like losing a limb, I swear."

"Don't let your new man hear you saying that," he mumbles into my ear, "I think I'll get made into a rug."

I mean it's not exactly far from the truth.

"I told you she'd want to see you," Kristie scoffs, slamming the car doors behind her before she gives me a one armed hug and a kiss on both cheeks, "Stupid boy thought you'd start ditching us for your new friends."

She misses the tension that her words cause as she leaves us alone, heading to the group of people who are all introducing themselves to each other. I look at Cam and my hurt is clear on my features as he sighs and wraps an arm around me, trying to make me feel better.

"I didn't mean it like that, I just didn't exactly know how to tell her I wasn't wanted because these people are pretentious pure-"

"Cam."

"Sorry," he winces before shooting me his apologetic and puppy dog-like smile, "I suppose anything I say offending them hurts you now."

"That's not fair," I state, pulling my body away from him and halting, refusing to get closer to our friends while we were having this discussion, "I'm here for my safety, and it's not like I had anywhere else to go-"

"You had me," he interrupts and my mouth snaps shut. His words seem to surprise even him as he winces and looks away from me, muttering under his breath.

"Look it doesn't matter. How are you feeling? After that guy at the mall and everything."

The change of subject is like a breath of fresh air and we seem to both jump at the opportunity to move on from the tense conversation as we make our way over to my friends. 

I loved Cam, I couldn't even begin to imagine my life without him and it was true that maybe we'd distanced from each other the last couple of months but it's not like I didn't still see him. If anything I could spend more time with him now that I didn't have Matt hanging over my shoulder; so why did it feel like he was so far away?

You already know the answer.

Was he going to hate me forever? Was he never going to forgive me for my feelings for Trent? 

"Elle, I cannot believe you've landed such a good gig," Tom calls to me, snatching me out of my dreary thoughts as he motions to our surroundings, "Beautiful beach that's got no screaming children on it, a stunning house literally five minutes away and..." 

He lowers his sunglasses and looks over at Lee and his friends who are setting up a volleyball net.

"Such welcoming boys you're living with too."

"They're also about fifteen," I inform him awkwardly, resuming my place in the sand. 

Tom turns in shock and everyone begins laughing at his flabbergasted expression, Kristie cackling the loudest as we make fun of him. Of course, he blames his bad eyesight and lack of glasses for the comment but after a while, he gives up in trying to defend himself and just starts to whine about how his body didn't look like that at their age. 

Twenty minutes later and he's still not over it. 

"But they're so muscular!" 

A cough makes him turn to Scarlette with an apologetic smile as he takes a drink.

"Sorry I know he's your brother but... is there something in the water here? Honestly, I'm yet to meet a boy that doesn't look as though the 'monkey gym' at their playground was a literal gym."

I suppose I'd gotten so used to living with the boys and seeing them daily that I had forgotten that they didn't exactly match up with the kids of today when it came to physical development. 

"Are you wanting to know their workout routine?" Cam jibes with a shove and Tom slaps his arm in reply.

"What's your routine Cam?" Kristie adds, "Ever going to reveal who you bought the steroids off of that got you so muscular so quickly?" 

That would be a confusing answer.

"Think he should ask for a refund."

Cam laughs sarcastically while Scarlette snorts from beside me and I try not to laugh at her harsh comment. Kristie throws us a weird look and I quickly straighten up, throwing a shrug at her as I pretend to dig through my bag while subtly knocking Scar with my foot.

"Speaking of steroids," Cam announces loudly, "Where's the rest of the gang, Scarlette?" 

I can feel the girl to my right tense at Cam's insult but instead of doing anything about it she just smiles and winks, her grin almost wolf-like as she runs a tongue along her teeth.

"They're just doing some errands, taking out the trash, y'know the usual. I'm sure you've got lots of experience at that-"

"Okay!" I jump up from the ground and clap my hands together, bringing everyone's attention away from the ever-growing conflict brewing on either side of me and to my over-excited smile, "How about we put some music on and play some volleyball or something!"

Kristie and Tom are up and off towards the speakers before I even stop talking. Their argument of whose playlist to put on the only thing on their minds and completely unaware of the two glaring figures below me.

"Can we please get along for a day?" I huff,  "You guys have zero reason to enemies today; as far as I'm concerned we are just some high school students at the beach. Alright?"

I wasn't about to play Switzerland - I wanted to enjoy myself and have fun. 

With both heads lowered to the ground, the only acknowledgment of my plead is the grumbling from both figures in a reluctant agreement. 

From over my shoulder I can sense other people close to me and I lower my voice, tilting my head towards them as to not make it quite so obvious.

"That goes to you three too," I tell the teenagers who I know are listening, "Cam is my friend and he'll be treated as such." 

The music around us suddenly begins to play and a scream of happiness comes from Tom as he throws his hands up and begins to dance across the sand, Kristie's complaints falling on deaf ears as they set up the volleyball game. 

Tension broken.

"Come on then," Scarlette sighs, holding her hand out as she rises, "Let's see if you're any good, gingerbread boy."

"You know you're also a redhead, right?" Cam comments with a roll of his eyes but accepts her hand anyway, "Just so we're clear."

She drags him away with a laugh as he shoots me a look of panic but I just shake my head at the two of them and enjoy the sight of my friends partially getting along. 

Lee passes them as they head for the net, his brows a deep-set scowl as he stands beside me, eyes never leaving his sister and the person she's attached to. 

"Do you trust him?" 

I watch as Cam laughs at something Kristie has said, his dimples forming on his cheeks as he picks her up and pushes her into the sand, the two of them rolling about like they always have done since we were kids.

"Lee, I trust him with my life," I reassure, placing a soft hand on his arm, "He's one of my best friends."

The teenager watches me for a moment, gauging my expression as if he was waiting for me to crack. But after holding his gaze for a moment he seems to be satisfied with my answer and turns to watch the scene unfold, the shouts and screams let us know that we're in for an exciting game.

"I know," he says quietly, "But Trent is meant to be told anything-"

"They're all busy, they don't need to worry about it."

"But it's against pack rules, he wouldn't like-"

"He won't know."

"But if he-"

"Lee."

He stops his argument instantly, clamping his mouth shut at my pleading tone and he groans when he sees my wide eyes and excessively jutted out lip.

"You're the worst Luna ever and I am not getting in trouble for this," he finally replies and I squeal in happiness, wrapping my arms around him while he tries to push me away but smiles none the less.

"Thank you, thank you!"

"I'm serious," he warns, "I'm not lying to my Alpha."

"You won't have to!" I grin, finally letting him out my embrace,  "It'll be fine! Trust me."

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Oh Elle.