Part Fourteen: Explanations. 

I sat at the kitchen table; an awkward silence filled the kitchen as they all waited for me to explain. They didn’t know about the upcoming battle, and I was afraid to tell them. “They’ll have to prepare soon anyway.” Damian told me, taking my hand in his.

Since we mated fully, he could read my thoughts with perfect clarity when he wanted to, and vice versa. I sighed. “Paul wants revenge. We killed his last female. He contacted me before, recognizing me as the chosen one of the Wolven Goddess. I begged him not to attack, but he wouldn’t listen. And four days ago, as I was walking to my car in the parking lot of school, he knocked me out, kidnapped me, and took my wolf form from me. The Wolven Goddess tried to reason with him, but he only told me that he would spare Damian, because he was my mate, and if he died then I would die, and another chosen one would not exist for thousands of years.

“For three days I sat tied up, only being fed a few pieces of bread and a cup of water. A young vampire named Ray came to my aid, saying that he did not fully understand his masters’ reasoning. They had females sent from other covens; therefore he had no more reason for revenge. He set me free, after returning my wolf back to my body. I owe him a great debt because of that.”

I looked at everyone who stared back at me, my family. They could never be taken away, nor replaced. I’ve grown a bond between each and every one of them. “So…we’re to go to battle?” Ben, one of the many pack members, asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Well that’s a bitch.” Lily muttered, standing with her back to Riley, who had his arms wrapped around her middle protectively.

This made me laugh. “We can take ‘em. I trust Damian has taught you everything he knows about Vampire combat?” I asked no one imparticular.

They all nodded and a rumble of, “Yes.” And, “uh-huh.” went through the crowd.

I nodded once. “Right. Now I need to make a call.” I turned on my heel, releasing my hand from Damien’s and running up stairs.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and found Gabriel’s number easily.

It rang about four and a half times before he answered. “Hello.”

“Hey…I need your help.” I sighed.

“Cat! It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you. What do you need?”

“I know we haven’t talked since the beach, but I need you to do me a favor. Have you any outcasts that you are acquainted with?” I asked him.

“About five that are good friends of mine. What’s this about, Cat?” he asked me.

“Gather them and meet me at the…” I trailed off, sighing.

Would he want to come back after what Damian did? “Where do you want to meet at?”

“I need you to trust me on this, Gabriel. My pack is in danger, now I didn’t want to say this in front of them, but we’re outnumbered. I need you to meet me at the pack house.” His sigh was indication that he probably wasn’t willing.

“Cat…”

“I’ll make sure that Damian is civil.” I added quickly. “Please, I’m asking you as a friend, please.” I begged.

He sighed again, and I could just picture him running his hand through his hair in frustration. “Alright. I’ll gather the others and meet you, but only you.” he insisted.

Now it was my turn to sigh. “You’ll have to work with him as well. In order to defeat them we need to do it together…he knows now that he was wrong, I promise you, he does.” I said, my voice desperate.

“Okay, okay. When do you want me to meet you?” I felt relief wash through me.

“Think you can gather your friends by tomorrow afternoon?”

“Piece’a cake.” He said in a New York accent.

I laughed in relief. “I owe you one.”

“Sweetheart, you owe me two.” He said.