Chapter 17

**Elena**

After Matt left, I wasn't really in the mood for anything so we had a quiet evening at home. Finn and Theo didn't talk about him and didn't ask me what we said to each other and I'm grateful for that.

This morning, after Theo left for his training and Finn left to see his parents, I went to meet Gemma and Griffin for breakfast.

I barely had time to sit down when Gemma asked me how come I was spending so much time with Finn and Theo.

"Wait, are you telling me that Theo, Finn AND Caleb are your mates?" Griffin asks me surprised. I nod before taking a sip of coffee. "Well, gee." He leans back completely against his chair.

"And who was that other guy? The one from last night?" Gemma asks me, eager for information.

"You really do see everything." I say, shaking my head, and she gives me a smirk. "Matt...my lawyer...ex-friend with benefits."

"Your life is so much more fucking interesting than mine." She responds by slumping into her chair.

" Stop it for a second. You're married to a great guy and you have the smartest son I know." I tell her.

"That's because he takes after his mother." She says with a smile. "More seriously, Josh and I have fallen into a routine. We work, we take care of Jensen, occasionally a little missionary before bed..."

"Oh shit Gemma! Josh is one of my best friends, I don't need to know how much and how you guys have sex."

I laugh. "If you want I can take care of Jensen for a night. That way it can give you time to do whatever you want." I offer.

"Seriously?!"

"Yeah or I wouldn't have offered. This kid is cool so it should go well."

"It's a good thing you're offering because tonight there's a concert and..."

"That's okay I'll take care of him. You can drop him off to me before you get ready and tomorrow you text me when the coast is clear." I pause. "We wouldn't want to traumatize this kid."

We laugh all three. Theo and Finn aren't likely to be too happy that we have Jensen with us tonight but screw it, my friend needs to spice up her marriage life so if I can help it.

"We need to go shopping. I need to buy an outfit and some underwear..."

"Okay okay I think it's time for me to leave you." Griffin interrupts her by holding up his hands. "Have a good day both of you."

After his workout, Theo texts me to see if I want to hang out but I decline explaining that I'm spending the day with Gemma and babysitting Jensen tonight. I don't worry that the other two will know soon.

We spend the day scouring the stores to find the perfect outfit for Gemma, underwear included. I took the opportunity to find some things for me too. I don't remember spending time like this with another girl in a long time. Gemma and I were friends as kids, but when the boys' bullying became more aggressive, she stepped away. When I returned, she and Griffin confirmed what I had already suspected, they had threatened to go after them too if they stayed with me. They wanted me to be lonely, they wanted to break me but they didn't succeed.

As we are about to enter a tea shop to take a well-deserved break, Gemma runs into someone as we enter.

"You could look where you're stepping." She is told and I would know that voice anywhere.

"Sorry Alpha Eric..." Gemma splutters.

He looks behind her and his eyes meet mine.

"Are you still here?" He asks me as he narrowed his eyes.

" Well yes as you can see but I'm sure Caleb has already warned you that I have no intention of leaving."

He stares at me for a moment before snorting. He walks around us and takes off down the street without another word.

"What a jerk." Says Gemma once he can't hear her anymore.

"Yeah." I confirm as we both walk in.

I always knew he didn't like me or my dad. I doubt Caleb knows this, but Eric was madly in love with my mom as a teenager and they were convinced they would spend their lives together. At 18, werewolves are mature enough to recognize their mates, so it's only when they come of age that it's revealed to them. My parents were the same age, went to the same high school, but didn't hang out together. My father even told me that he never considered dating my mother because she was the girlfriend of the Alpha's son. He turned 18 before she did and when he ran into her nothing happened, until she turned 18. I have heard this story so many times that sometimes I feel like I was even there. My dad came home over the vacations from college and ran into her at the Diner, she was waiting for Eric and he was just picking up his burger order. Their eyes met and they both knew they were mates. They got goosebumps, their wolves howled at the same time and they were unable to break eye contact. They were alone at that moment, even though the Diner was full. Everyone had been transfixed by the scene as many of them had never seen anything like it. They approached each other unable to control themselves and they left together. Eric was mad as hell but he had no choice. By the time he realized it they had already marked each other. The least we can say is that they didn't waste any time. One day I overheard a conversation between my father and Alpha Eric. Alpha Eric was telling him that he had ruined his life and that he wished he had never come back here. He wanted to get rid of him and my mother got in the way. That's my theory anyway.

I am brought out of my thoughts when Gemma asks me what I want to order.