Chapter 38

I felt a little different as I started opening my eyes and stretching. We went so many rounds last night. My body is sore in the best ways possible. Creed must have woken up early. I noticed he was not lying next to me anymore. I smiled, last night was the best night ever. I could get used to his strong arms wrapped around me every night.

I quickly got dressed. Where would he have gone without waking me up? I found my phone and started calling him. What the, oh my goddess, this can’t be happening. My heart dropped when I noticed his closest.

No no no, I shook my head. He wouldn’t do that to me. His clothes are all gone. The only thing left in his closet was a shirt hanging with a folded piece of paper sticking out of the top of it.

I started shaking and threw my phone on his bed. Why would he do that? He can’t just leave. I believed everything he said to me. I meant it when I told him I loved him. I thought he felt the same way.

I grabbed the piece of paper from the shirt and tried to control my shaking hands as I sat back down on his bed. I slowly opened it, I want to know what it says, but I’m nervous.

I’m sorry firecracker. I couldn’t face you this morning. It would have only made this harder. Last night was everything, but he knows. The only way I can keep you safe is by leaving. I need to put an end to this, and I don’t want you involved. This isn’t forever. I’ll find you as soon as it’s over. Let your family keep you safe while I’m gone. One more thing, if anyone that you don’t know starts questioning you, fight with everything you have. Whatever you do, don’t let them get a hold of you.

I love you, stay safe, and I’ll see you soon.

Small drips of salty water started hitting the paper as I couldn’t stop my tears. Why wouldn’t he at least tell me goodbye? I want to hug him, and I want to smack him. I don’t know how to feel.

I grabbed Creed’s shirt off the hanger and buried my face into it. I know why he left it, and he was right. I need to smell his scent. It helps to keep me calm, but it’s not enough. I need him.

We should have waited. What were we thinking? I feel like such a fool. We both knew better. I just got caught up in the moment, in him.

“We’re headed to breakfast. I just wanted to check in to see if everything was going OK. Did you tell Creed about our meeting with everyone?” Ryker linked me.

“Nothing is OK. I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to move. I think I made a horrible mistake.”

“Where are you?”

“Creed’s room, alone. He left while I was sleeping. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye, just left a stupid note.”

“Get to my room now, or I’m coming to get you.”

“Give me a minute. I need to calm down. I’m not sure how to feel, and I can feel my fire boiling inside.”

“What do you mean he left? Like for today, or for.”

“Don’t even finish that sentence, I’ll explain when I get there.”

“OK, the coffee is on, and Ezra just went to get breakfast to go.”

I ended the mind link and tried to demand my tears to stop. Why would he do this? He made love to me half the night in this very bed, and then left without even saying goodbye.

It was both of our first time. It was supposed to be magical and special. It was until this morning. I expected to wake up wrapped in his arms, not alone. I’m hurt, angry, sad, mad. I don’t even know how to feel.

I finally started pulling myself together. If I don’t go to see the boys, they will be banging on the door in a couple of minutes.

I put Creed’s note in my pocket and walked down to the boy’s room. I didn’t even bother knocking. I headed straight for the coffee pot.

“Well, good morning sunshine,” Ryker said.

I gave him my, don’t start with me look, and finished pouring my coffee.

“What happened, Bella?” Ryker said as he sat down on the couch.

“I messed up,” I said as I tried to hold back my tears.

“I messed up bad.” I took a sip of my coffee and sat down next to him.

Ezra came barreling through the door with bags full of take-out.

“Hold that thought. I have a feeling we need food for this conversation.”

I got up and helped him dish out plates, and Drake finally came out of his room to join us.

“OK Bell, start talking,” Ezra said with a mouth full of bacon.

“I don’t know where to start. I know you guys don’t want to hear this, but we had a really great night. We started talking, and one thing led to another, and well, we gave in.”

I looked around at all three of them to gauge their reactions.

“Gave in to what,” Ryker said.

Ezra threw a sausage link at him, “sex, assface.” Ezra started laughing, “She finally slept with him.”

Ryker rolled his eyes at Ezra.

“So, how did you mess up? There’s nothing wrong with sex. We all have needs.” Ezra said as he shifted in his chair.

“You don’t understand, Ezra. It isn’t just sex for us. We shouldn’t have yet. He’s a dragon. They are only allowed to bond with another dragon, and they only get one mate for life. When they complete the bond, their mate becomes part of their den.”

“OK, so it’s like joining the pack,” Ezra said.

“Yep, and what kind of connection does uncle Kain have with the pack?”

I watched all three of their faces turn stone-cold.

“Fuck, the king knows about you.” Ryker yelled.

“How the fuck could Creed be so careless?” Ryker knocked his chair over as he stood up and started pacing.

“And that fuckface just left you here to deal with it by yourself, while he took off to who the hell knows where.”

“Slow down, Ryker. It’s not as bad as it seems yet. I don’t think he knows who I am. He probably just knows that I’m a wolf. I found a note that Creed left me. He said he left to protect me. I think he left to challenge his father.”

“Wait a minute. What exactly did the note say,” Drake asked.

I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to him.

Drake read it out loud, and all three of them were quiet for a minute.

“Bella, you said, the mate automatically joins his pack when you complete the bond. Did he mark you or do whatever it is dragons do? Do you feel any different?” Ezra asked.

“I feel a little different this morning, but I’m still part of our pack. I don’t feel any new connections, and no, we didn’t mark each other.”

“So, are you sure that’s why he left? It doesn’t sound like your bond is complete yet.” Ezra gave me a questioning look.

Ryker looked up at all three of us, “Bella, his dragon had already claimed you. Whatever happened between you guys when he healed your arm? His dragon claimed you.”

“How do you know that? I’ll admit it was intense, and the way his dragon leaned into my touch was crazy, but Creed never told me that. I wonder if that's why our urge to bond was starting to get unbearable. It wasn't just my wolf anymore, his dragon was also pushing us.”

“I know. Creed told me about it when I walked him out last night. He said you were the only mate he would ever have, and he wanted us to know he would never hurt you. He was worried that he would be taking your choice away, and he didn’t want you to feel like you were forced to be with him. He said he wanted to wait until you decided who you wanted to be with before he told you.”

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. I know I didn’t mark him last night. Unless it's different for dragons, Ezra’s right. Even if his dragon claimed me, our bond isn’t fully complete. Why did he leave?”

I looked around at all three of them. Drake ran his hand down his face and shook his head.

“Fuck Bella, did you forget about the prophecy? Does your magic feel any different this morning?”

I dropped my fork, “son of a dick, he didn’t, he couldn’t have. Crap he wouldn't, would he?”