Chapter 32

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been playing everything over and over in my mind, but I can’t make any sense out of it.

The fire that burns between me and Creed is unreal. I feel the deepest connection with him, and our bond is the strongest. Is it because I spend more time with him, or is there something more that I’m missing?

He is the only one of my mates that has touched me. Maybe that’s why my connection to Dawson and Rowen isn’t as strong.

It’s weird. I really enjoy the time that I spend with Dawson. He’s gorgeous, sweet, caring, smart, and down-to-earth. Any girl would love the opportunity to be with him. He makes me open my eyes to the world around us, and I’ll admit I never realized how bad the divide between supernatural races was.

The bond pulls us both toward each other, but it’s like we have developed this deep friendship connection. He has never tried anything with me. He hugs me, and holds my hand, but nothing more.

My body wants him, and I can tell by his facial expressions that he feels it too. I wonder what stops him. Does my wolf bother him more than he lets on, or is he scared of Creed?

If it’s the lather, he doesn’t need to worry about it. Creed is still possessive over me, but we have an understanding. He agreed to back off and let me get to know all three of my mates, and I agreed to stay with him a couple of nights a week. The compromise is completely in my favor, but I let him think he has control over something.

I also agreed not to see Rowen alone for now. He hasn’t lost control of his wolf lately, but something still isn’t right. For my own sanity, I don’t allow Creed to come with me when I see Rowen, but Dawson always comes with me. The two of them seem to get along good, and Creed seems to trust Dawson to keep me safe.

Somehow, Dawson has become the middle ground. He’s someone I can trust and lean on, he’s open to my other two mates, and him and Creed seem to have some kind of understanding.

I won’t call them friends, but Creed nods when he sees me with Dawson. He walks away without fighting, or questioning me, so I know he’s trying. He seems confident that I’m safe with Dawson.

I often wonder if something happened between Creed and Dawson that I don’t know about. Neither one of them will ever tell me, so I try not to analyze everything. I’m just thankful that they all quit fighting.

I’m anxious to get to warrior training today. I haven’t seen the boys in a couple of days, and they haven’t given me any updates on their investigation. They have to be getting close. The boys are true to their word. I know they will tell me whatever they find. Even if I don’t want to hear it.

The night they went after Rowen they did rough him up a little, but they didn’t let it go too far. Instead, they listened to me and looked for signs that something was wrong. Drake agrees with me that there might be something wrong with his wolf. Ryker and Ezra, on the other hand, just plain don’t like him.

As I walk to the training ground, I keep replaying everything in my head, but I’m not getting any clarity. We’re only a couple of weeks from our winter break. I thought by now I would at least understand what this mark means, or at least have an idea of what I’m supposed to do. Instead, I’m even more confused than I was before I left home.

I looked around the training grounds and luckily there are only a few people here. Most importantly, I spotted the three I was looking for sitting on the small hill. Their huddled together like they’re in the middle of the most serious conversation they have ever had in their life.

“Hey Bell, where have you been hiding?” Ezra noticed me first, and the other two turned to look at me.

“I’ve been around. I haven’t had time to talk to you guys. Have you found anything out yet?”

“We’re still digging, but we do know who and what Creed is?” Ryker looked at me with a serious expression on his face.

I smirked, “So do I. Keep it to yourselves, you promised me you would.”

Ryker nodded, “we will, but be careful. His family is dangerous. I don’t know what role Creed plays for them, but I’m sure he’s not innocent.”

“I know, but sometimes you're forced to do things you don’t want to do to survive.”

Ryker nodded again, “or you lie about it to impress your mate?”

I stared at Ryker for a minute before nodding. He’s not wrong for questioning Creed’s motives.

“I trust him. I don’t think he’s lying about anything.”

The boys glanced at each other before turning their attention back to me. Ryker spook up first.

“Rowen Moon is from a medium-sized pack in New Mexico. He is the Alpha’s oldest son, and they are known for being aggressive and vicious to anyone outside their pack.”

“OK, but that just described 80 percent of wolf packs in the U.S. How do they treat their pack members?”

“That’s what we’re working on now. We need to find an inside source.”

“OK, just keep me updated. I have a movie night planned with Dawson and Rowen tonight. I’ll see if I can get any information.”

Ezra raised his eyebrows and smirked, “You’re watching a movie with both of them.”

“It’s not like that,” I smacked his arm. “I don’t know if I can trust Rowen yet, so Dawson always comes with me when I hang out with him.”

Ryker and Drake both smiled, “I’m glad you finally listened to something we said.” Drake added.

The professor just showed up, and we turned our attention to him, so we could hear his instructions.

I smirked. Every time the professor tells us to partner up, Isaac looks over at me with a nervous expression. I’ve got to give him some credit. He’s still a jerk, but he took the defeat well, and he doesn’t harass the other kids nearly as much as he used to.

The rest of the day went by fast, and I was excited to see Dawson and Rowen tonight. Dawson knocked on my door right on time.

I smiled and opened the door. “Well, hello handsome.”

Dawson tilted his head and smirked, “I know you didn’t open that door without checking who it was.”

“Of course not,” I smirked. I’m horrible at checking the peephole, and Dawson knows it.

I locked the door, and he grabbed my hand as we headed to Rowen’s room. I prefer to hang out in his room until I know if I can trust him or not. His room is only a couple of doors down from the boys, and Creed is on the floor right above him. If he tries anything I don’t like, I have plenty of back up.

“What’s on the agenda for tonight? What movie are we watching?”

“I’m not sure,” Dawson shrugged. “I let Rowen plan this one, I’m just along for the ride.”

I laughed, “I’m glad you are. I enjoy spending time with you.”

Dawson kissed my hand. “Me to sunshine.”

“I need you to be honest with me, Dawson. What do you really think of Rowen?”

He laughed, “I’m trying to figure that out myself. He’s different when you’re in between us.”

Dawson shrugged his shoulders, “I see Rowen in class, and I’ve even eaten with him in the dining hall. He’s friendly, sociable, and doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. However, when the three of us are in the same room, he always seems tense, and like his friendliness, is forced. I kind of figured it was a wolf thing, and me being too close to his mate was affecting him.”

I nodded, “It’s possible. I kind of want to test that theory.”

“What do you want to do?”

I smirked, “you will see.”

Little does Dawson know. I’m also testing him. I want to know why he hasn’t even kissed me yet or made any attempt to.

Dawson gave me a curious look, but he didn’t argue.