Chapter 17

I’ve been going through this book for hours. There’s a lot of information about past werewolves that were blessed with a mark from the moon goddess. 

They all received different marks with different meanings. From what I’ve read so far, they all have one thing in common. Multiple mates. It’s almost like a curveball the Moon Goddess throws at us. I wonder if she’s laughing at us as we try to figure out what she wants us to do.

In some cases, the werewolf was meant to claim and bond with all of her mates, but in others she was meant to make a choice between them. Either way, the mates were all brought into the werewolf’s life for a purpose. 

I took a break from reading and looked up at the ceiling. Can you just tell me that much? A little hint as to what I’m supposed to do with my mates.

My mind is running in a hundred different directions. How I’m I supposed to know what I’m meant to do. Better yet, what will happen if I mess up and do the wrong thing?

I heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” I yelled.

“Seriously, you didn’t even ask who it was. What if I was here to hurt you?” Creed glared at me as he shut the door behind him.

“Then I guess I would have to hurt them first. Do I need to hurt you?” I glared back at him.

Creed smiled, “Maybe. I am an asshole. I’m hoping you will let me make it up to you.”

Creed sat down on the bed next to me and pulled me into his arms. “I’m struggling with the bear situation. It makes me want to hold onto you and never let you go, but I know I’m also not being fair to you.” He kissed the top of my head.

“Creed, you have to trust me, and let me try to figure everything out. I don’t want anyone to get hurt by all of this.”

“I know, and that’s why I decided to back off. I’m not giving you up, but I know it needs to be your choice if you want to be with me or not. All I’m saying is, I won’t kill the bear.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I guess that’s a start, but what if I have more mates?”

“Do you have something to tell me? It’s taking everything I have to keep my dragon in right now.”

I put my hand on his chest to calm him, “No, I’m not saying that I do. I’ve just been looking through this book, and almost all the blessed werewolves have multiple mates.”

Creed nodded, “so what do we do about it?”

“I’m not sure yet. In the book, some of the werewolves were meant to accept all their mates, while other ones had to choose between them.”

“Well, that’s easy. Choose me, problem solved.” Creed flipped me back onto my bed and laid down, so his body was next to me, but his chest was over mine.

He tangled our fingers together, and heat started flaring throughout my body. Oh my goddess, I want him. I don’t know how long I can keep control of myself.

He lowered his mouth to mine, and we let our tongues dance in the sparks. I arched my back and pushed my chest up against his. My body is on fire, and I need to get closer to him. 

I can hear my phone ringing, but I’m ignoring it, all I want right now is this green-eyed god that’s on top of me. 

My phone keeps going crazy and there’s a knock on my door. Creed pulled back from our kiss and we both looked at the door. 

I nudged Creed to get off me, “Let me see what’s going on. It could be an emergency.” Creed got up and went to answer the door, while I grabbed my phone.

“Crap, it’s my dad.” I stared at the caller ID. Then Ryker, Ezra, and Drake came barreling through the door.

I looked at my ringing phone, and then back at the boy’s. “Which one of you called dad?”

“None of us, but we did talk to Josiah,” Ryker said.

“Did you think to tell him the conversation needed to stay between you?” I yelled at Ryker.

“Well, I would have if he wasn’t at our house. I started explaining everything before he told me where he was. Dad is pissed that none of us called him first.”

“Sit down and get comfortable. If I’m going to get yelled at, so are you three.”

The boys sat down on Jacie’s bed, and Creed sat next to me. I put my finger up to my mouth to tell Creed to be quiet as I answered my phone and put it on speaker.

“Hi dad, sorry it took me so long. I was in the shower.”

“Arabella Volino! What the hell is going on? You’ve been having trouble since you got there and your mother and I have to hear about it from Josiah.”

“Dad stop, I’m safe, I’m not in any trouble. I just met my mates. It’s girl trouble, nothing I need help with.”

“It’s not just your mates. Drake and Ryker said your magic is getting stronger, and you lost control twice.” I heard the door close. I looked up and saw Jacie standing in the doorway with a surprised look on her face. I didn’t even hear what else dad was yelling.

I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. “Dad, please slow down. I promise I’m safe. The boys are with me, and we’re fine.”

“I think you should come home, until your magic is stable again.” I looked over and saw Jacie smiling and making herself comfortable between Ezra and Ryker. 

“No, I don’t want to go home. We can do this. I think my magic and my mates are linked to my mark. You need to give me time to figure it out. I’m meant for something, and I need to do whatever it is.”

“Yah me,” Creed whispered, and I slapped his leg.

I heard my dad growl, “Who was that?”

Creed looked at me and smiled, “His name is Creed. He is one of my mates.”

“One of your mates, as in plural.” He growled again. “I don’t like this, Bella. I can’t stand you being so far away that we can’t help you. It’s dangerous. Do I need to remind you what can happen if the wrong person finds out how powerful you are?”

I shook my head, knowing that I now needed to explain everything to Jacie. She’s sitting there staring at me. Enjoying the show with a smile on her face.

My mom piped in, “Bella, we are just worried about you, and we don’t like being left in the dark. Please call us when something is wrong.” Mom giggled, “It will help keep this hot head calm If we know what’s going on. We love you kids, and don’t forget what your pack is for.”

“I know mom, I love you too. I just didn’t want to bother you guys unless there was a major problem.”

“Um sweety, having two mates and losing control of your magic can become a huge problem, really quick. We need to be aware of it, so we can be prepared to help if we need to. Lean on your pack, that’s what we’re here for.”

I looked a crossed the room. Freaking Ezra, you have got to be kidding me right now. He has his arm around Jacie, and she is leaning up against him. What the, is his hand in her shirt, I can’t even.” I just shook my head and looked up at Creed. 

“I know. I’ll let you guys know if I have any more problems.”

“Bella, are the boys giving you any problems?” Great, there’s more of my family there listening.

“Hi, Uncle Gavin. They have been great. They’ve came and helped me every time I’ve needed them.” I smiled at Ezra, “Although, Ezra has his own girl problems. He can’t seem to keep his hands to himself.”

Uncle Gavin laughed, “I had the same problem when I was his age. His mate will come along and straighten him out eventually. In the meantime, just knock him out if he’s being a punk.”

“Will do.” I stuck my tongue out at Ezra, freaking punk. “I love you guys, but I need to go. I have a ton of homework to do.”

“OK kiddo. Promise me you will be careful and call home anytime, day or night. If something happens to any of you kids, we want to know about it.”

“I will dad, I promise.”

I hung the phone up, “Ezra, get your hand out of Jacie’s shirt.” I shook my head, “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.” Maybe it was a good thing that the whole family was there. At least they all know, and I won’t have to repeat the story.

My phone dinged, and I read the text from Aunt Violet, “Call me when you're alone. Your mom, Siah and I want to know how it’s going with your mates.” I smiled, those three love gossip.

I threw my phone on my stand and looked back up at everyone. “Now that we got that over with, what did Josiah say about everything?” I asked the boys.

Jacie gave me a confused look, “Um, does anyone want to fill me in on what’s going on?”

It’s going to be a long night.