Chapter 369: 1-2

Biding time until they were away from us, how did I miss this? Like you missed that your father was crooked, that your mother was pregnant… that the Elders were up to no good… that your father and mother weren’t true mates… that Samuel was in a cult… that Estelle bought two babies… should I continue? Max chirped.  I mean it wasn’t until you met our mate that you finally…. I totally tuned him out, as a few pieces fell together for me more. Until I met my mate. Until Philip met his mate. ‘You can’t have your mate…’ Stumped I sat back thinking over Samuel, he rejected Jamie… because Jamie had loyalty to Chelsea more than to their mate bond, Max added already on point with my thoughts. “What is it about having your mate that is forbidden? Why would that matter?” I asked out loud. Racking my brain trying to see why that was important. Philip was devoted to them. Until he found his mate. I followed my father somewhat blindly, until I found Chelsea. The Elders have a good grip on your fathers balls, Max snorted; again, my mom wasn’t his true mate. Nonno and Nona left the pack, one that they had been with since children… hundreds of years ago, but they are true mates… I shook my head, I couldn’t be onto something here, it was too simple, especially when Wolf and his crew would be the perfect candidates for the Elders – No, Max contradicted, Wolf had his mate – “Not anymore though,” the words whispered. Frustrated, could that be the key? Bonds? I scratched my head, “It can’t be that simple-” “What can’t be that simple?” Marlon asked surprising me and Leland was there at his side, both changed and refreshed. Shaking my head, “Chelsea was surprised to see you here,” I avoided their question putting my thoughts aside, “why?” his deep voice confused. “How she handled your daughter-” He snorted, but his eyes betrayed his anger, though it wasn’t at Chelsea, “I don’t know what Lola was thinking – or how we missed this. She – she’s much too old for me to even bend her over my knee but what Chelsea showed the group really was necessary.” “No one here has been aware of what is going on out there, we had tried to tell many over the last month that it is time to bind together, not work against the Luna, but-” “They needed to hear this from Chelsea, no one can be who she is meant to be, say what has to be said and do what needs to be done…” Leland interrupted. Marlon nodded, “I – we – cannot rebel against what she is doing, we follow her and plan to help by leading by example. I cannot stand in her way when I have made grave mistakes of my own; she explained this so clearly to others. We have been here seeking refuge from persecution by the Elders, however we are not alone, there are more that are paying the price – family – everyone connected in some way,” Marlon spoke. “Many have become complacent here but knowing that this is not the last stop has sure changed the tune I believe,” Leland said, “As for the children – many understand that we have been less authoritative than we should have been.” They might be on this page, but I was a firm believer in actions speak louder than words, so I’d wait before I sighed in relief on this matter. . . . Oakley POV Anxious and ready for Kieran to wake up, I sat in his room, my ipad in my hand, reading softly glancing up every once in a while, needing to check to make sure he hadn’t opened his eyes and I missed it. He didn’t. So alone, but still not truly feeling that way because he’s here with me, I read and worry endlessly about his memory. When the door opens I figure it’s either Jack or Chris coming but Uncle Grant comes forward with a plate and glass on a tray, “You need to eat something,” he says placing it in front of me. “You’ve gotten so much smaller since we’ve been here,” I nod in agreement. It wasn’t that I didn’t eat, but that I was so much more physically active here, I walked everywhere, and was never in once place very long unless it was my bed at night. “That sister of yours… man… I might need to train a bit more if I’m going to keep myself in shape,” he teased. Laughing I tucked right into my eggs, humming. Swallowing, “This is so good,” I continued shoveling food in.