Chapter 59: Fun, free, live.

Bella’s pov.

‘Alpha, your friend is at the gate, she says her name is Brooke?’ One of the guards at the gate mindlinked me right as I finally got myself to stop crying.

I didn’t know why I was beyond upset at the fact John went to the kingdom.

He said so many times he’d be back, that he wasn’t staying for long.

But two weeks… it feels like forever.

I just opened myself up to him again and it’s like he’s the one closing himself off to me now.

‘Let her in,’ I grumbled back before closing the link down, not in the mood to see or talk to anyone today.

I walked down to my office, leaving Megan with Teeran. Again.

Before I could even take a seat behind my desk, Brooke was already busting through the door.

“Girl! What the hell! Where have you been? What’s been going on? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for what feels like forever!? I thought something bad happened to you, hence why I am standing here, pissed as hell!” She shouted between gasps for breath, making me roll my eyes.

“I’ve been dealing with a lot, Brooke. My daughter? My ex mate. My pack? I’m not always free and I don’t even look at my phone, I mindlink my pack members so I don’t really need it…” I started to say, feeling slightly annoyed with her right then, “I’m preparing for my rejection ceremony and the king and queen just left this morning. I’ve had a lot on my plate. I still do. So whatever you need to say, say it quickly.”

I tapped my fingers on my desk impatiently, waiting for her to say something, anything.

She opened and closed her mouth, guilt all over her face.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve known. You’re an alpha, a werewolf! You obviously don’t have the time that I have. Again, I’m sorry. How are you doing? Rejection ceremony? You’re actually rejecting Garrett? For real? I never thought I’d see the day… I’m proud of you, Bella. For real, this is a huge step forward for you and Megan. You guys deserve it,” she said with a small smile, rubbing her arm while looking around my office.

“It’s okay, Brooke. I just… I’ve had too much on my mind, it didn’t even come to me to check my phone or anything. I’ve been in fight mode for what feels like ages. Garrett is a huge threat to us right now, I had to have the king agree to be there, at the rejection ceremony. I’m scared he’ll try something… and I can’t have him doing anything. The higher elders are wise, but they aren’t strong. I needed the king… and John, to be there,” I rambled on, not even taking a second to catch my breath, wanting to just get it all out in the open.

“About John…” she said with a twinkle in her eyes, obviously she’d catch onto that, “how’s that going for you? I knew something was there, it was quite obvious with the way you both looked at each other. Only someone blind and stupid wouldn't be able to tell. I like the way you guys look together, it seems natural. Unlike you and Garrett. I never liked him, he gave me the chills!”

I laughed at the look on her face, knowing just how much she didn’t like Garrett.

No one liked him.

I, myself sometimes wonder if it was just the bond.

If my ‘feelings’ weren’t even my own…

He never did make me feel the way John does.

John makes me feel free, like I shouldn’t have a care in the world…

And Garrett… he made me feel like I was always wrong, like I never did anything right.

“Earth to Bella? Are you in there?” Brooke yelled in my face, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Goddess! Do not yell like that in my face again… seriously. That wasn’t cool!” I said through clenched teeth, my ears ringing from the loudness of her voice, “I’ve got sensitive ears! You know I can hear you when you whisper. So don’t yell in my face! I was just thinking about something… sorry. What were you saying?”

“I said… are you okay? How do you feel about everything? Do you need me to stay? Do you want me to be at the ceremony?” She asked a bunch of questions, some I didn’t know how to answer…

“I don’t know. I’m fine, I guess. You can stay for however long you want, it’s up to you. I’m sure Megan would be happy to see you, she’s just with Teeran, the new person that helps watch her. It’s been good so far, that I can be happy about. A lot of stuff has happened to her… she kind of closed herself off to the world. She’s finally opening back up now, especially with Teeran around. She really likes her… I do too. You should go there now, you can meet her,” I mumbled as I started pulling paperwork out of my drawers, still having so much to catch up on, “I don’t have the time to talk anymore, I really need to get this done. I’ve fallen too far behind. I can’t leave it to sit anymore. John isn’t here to help me either so I got to pick up my slack without his help.”

“Okay…” she said slowly, taking a few steps towards me, “you can always ask me for help, you know that right? I’ll always be there for you. Even if it takes me time to learn the things you need to do. I’ll go see Megan now and meet the girl, Teeran? Anyways, it was nice to see you, Bella. It’s been too long, we need to try to plan something together soon. I’d like that.”

I smiled as I watched her go, because I missed her too. And I’d love to get out of here and go party or do whatever.

As long as I could feel free again.

I don’t even remember the last time I felt free, or had genuine fun.

John won’t be back for two weeks… maybe during this time I’ll have fun. Go do things for myself.

And not worry about everyone around me.

Even if it’s only for a day.