Chapter 35

I bit my lower lip and looked around at the boys. I’m not sure what to believe right now. A part of me feels betrayed, but another part of me wants to believe Creed. Ryker and Ezra have had doubts about him from the start. What if the mate bond is clouding my judgment?

I turned back to Creed, “I need time to think. I’m not sure what to believe right now.”

Creed swallowed hard, “OK, but I’m not going anywhere. I told you I’m keeping you, and I’m in too deep. I can’t walk away.” He shook his head, and I swear I could see a tear forming in his eyes.

“I’ll give you some space, but please don’t shut me out. I’ll be here anytime you need me, and I’ll protect you until the day I die. You know where to find me when you’re ready.”

I nodded, and a shiver went down my spine. Why does my body want to fall into his arms? I shook the thought away. It doesn’t matter how badly I want him. I won’t stand by and let them hurt innocent people.

I looked over at Drake, and it was like he read my mind, “Everyone out. We need to have a family meeting.”

Creed nodded and Ryker walked him out. I turned to look at Ezra and Jacie, but she wasn’t attempting to move.

Ezra finally rubbed his hand on her thigh, “that means you to. I’ll call you later.”

Jacie nodded, “Oh OK, good luck with everything Bella. I’ll stay home after class tomorrow. We can have some girl time.”

I nodded, and she gave me a tight hug before leaving. I don’t know what was said in the hallway, but Ryker had a confused look on his face when he came back in.

I sat down on the couch next to Ezra and ran my hands over my face.

“I don’t even know what to believe or think anymore.”

Ezra patted my knee, “cheer up Bell, you don’t need him. We’ll get to the bottom of this, and make sure everyone remains safe.”

“You don’t understand the dreams I’ve had, and after having the Moon Goddess show up in one of my dreams, I know they were premonitions. How do I stop the images from becoming reality?”

“Hold that thought, unless you want to keep repeating yourself.” Drake said as he started loading up his computer.

“I’ve already messaged dad. He’s getting everyone to the Alpha house now, and I’m starting the video chat.”

“Come on Drake, I don’t know if I can handle listening to my dad right now.”

Drake smirked, “Bella, we need their help. Uncle Damian just worries about you, last time wasn’t so bad.”

“I know, but talking to my dad and uncles about my love life is not what I want to do right now.”

Drake smirked, “I’ll admit it, I’m glad it’s your love life everyone is involved in and not mine.”

I groaned, “alright, let’s do this.”

Drake nodded and made the video call. It only took uncle Kain two rings to answer. Drake sat his computer on the coffee table and sat on the couch next to Ezra. Now all four of us can see everyone on the screen.

“What happened? Are you kids alright?” My mom started.

“Yes, we are, but we found out some information about one of my mates that well, I’m just not sure what to believe.”

“OK, we're all here. Let’s hear it.” Mom smiled at me.

I didn’t hold back. The boys already know everything. Clearly there is nothing left to keep secret. I told them who Creed was, about his father’s plans, and about what Creed said about him and his brother’s plan.

Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I told them about all of Rowen’s actions, the night he broke my arm, and about how he treated Creed tonight.

I even told them about how Creed fixed my arm. I made sure to tell them how supportive and kind Dawson is. I don’t know why it matters right now, but everything in my head needed to come out. I just couldn’t stop.

By the time I finished, there were seven stone-faced statues staring back at me through the screen.

“Um, say something, anything.”

“Why is Rowen still in the picture after he broke your arm?” My dad glanced between me and all three of the boys.

Really, that’s what he picked up on out of everything I just said.

“It’s not their fault, dad. I wouldn’t let them do anything to him. I still have a feeling something is wrong with his wolf. Even tonight, Dawson pointed out that he’s different when I’m close to him. I paid attention before everything happened tonight, and I think he’s right. When Rowen talked to Dawson without looking at me, he seemed fine. Then, when he looked at me, he would tense up like something was wrong.”

Dad shook his head, “Giving him the benefit of doubt is risky, Bella. He could hurt you again before you ever figure out if there is or isn’t anything wrong with his wolf.”

“I know, but I’m careful. I don’t go anywhere around Rowen alone. Dawson is always with me.”

“OK,” my dad nodded.

“Trust your instincts, kid. I’ve been drilling that into your head since you were a baby. You’re a wolf with magic. You have stronger instincts than most wolves. If you trust yourself, you’re always going to know what to do,” Josiah said.

I nodded, “After tonight, I don’t know if I made the right move by protecting Rowen, but something still doesn’t feel right about, well, the extreme punishment that he deserves.”

Josiah and Uncle Kain both nodded.

“Let’s get back to Creed,” Uncle Kain said. “What are your instincts telling you about him?”

“I don’t know yet. It all just happened. I want to believe him, but after the dreams I’ve had I’m not sure what to do.”

Uncle Kain nodded, “You know I got an email from Cyrus Attora a couple of days ago asking for a meeting. I haven’t replied to him yet. I couldn’t think of a reason for the Dragon prince to request a meeting with me, but I’m going to set it up now. I want to see what he has to say about all of this. At least we know that he contacted me before any of this info came out. His true intentions should come out.”

I nodded, “but what about my dream? What if he comes there to follow the king’s plan?”

“Bella, in your last dream, Creed was the one getting hurt, right?” Aunt Violet asked.

“Yah,” I swallowed hard. “He was chained up and screaming, covered in blood and bruises.”

Aunt Violet nodded, “and in your dream about Green Ridge, you couldn’t see who was attacking us, right?”

“Right, I could just see the battle, and everyone I love falling with blood on them.”

Uncle Gavin ran his hand through his hair, “What if your dreams are not about what Creed and Cyrus are going to do, but about what will happen if he disobeys the king?”

I just stared at the screen for a moment, “Creed and Cyrus are his scapegoats. It doesn’t matter what they do. The king is going to do it anyway, and he’s setting them up to take the blame.”

I looked at the boys and could see them coming up with the same conclusion the more we thought about it.

I shook my head, “Think about it. The king sent them on specific missions but hasn’t made a move yet, even though Creed or Cyrus haven’t done it yet. Not only that, but he sent him the map through the mail and gave him the money to buy stuff to make the bombs. He wants all the evidence to point to Creed.”

I took a deep breath, “Then there is Cyrus, he has him sneaking around to different packs hoping that he gets caught and someone sees him acting suspicious and causing attacks. The king has a whole different plan in mind. Something bigger, and he’s setting up his scapegoats, and causing a distraction, so no one sees it coming.”

I could tell by the look on everyone’s faces that they were all considering what I said.

I shook my head, “We all just fell right into the king’s plan. Rowen had already given the Dean all the information he said about Creed. They’ll search his room and even when they don’t find anything, all eyes will be on him, waiting for him to make a move.

“I think my dreams are what is going to happen if Creed stops the king’s real plan.”