Chapter 45

After the long chat I had with my dad and a good night’s sleep, I feel a lot better. As I walked into my uncle’s house, Tate the tornado was running full speed ahead. Dropping cookie crumbs on the floor behind him.

“Bella, Ezra said I could have his whole box of cookies.”

I laughed, “I can see that. Did you get any of them in your mouth?”

Ryker walked through the door behind me. “Hey buddy, are you causing trouble already today?”

Tate shook his head no, “Ezra gave me his cookies.”

Ryker looked at the vanilla frosted cookie, “You’re a lucky boy. Ezra doesn’t ever share his cookies. He even calls them Ezra only cookies.”

I shook my head. You guys are weird. Ezra and my cousin Zadie finally came downstairs.

“It’s about time, we should have been at the gym a half hour ago, slackers.”

“Calm down, Drakes not even here yet.” Zadie yelled at him.

“Bella, do you want to see my dress for this weekend?”

I smiled, “Yes. Sweet 16 are you excited?”

“I’m nervous,” she said as she pulled me upstairs to her room.

“I know I’m a witch like mom, but what if I do have a wolf too? What if I meet my mate? Anything can happen.”

I laughed, “It’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see what happens either, but please don’t get your hopes up for a wolf. You have magic like your mom. It’s very unlikely that you have both.”

Zadie nodded, “I know. I’m not expecting anything. I think I’m more excited to be able to meet my mate. If he’s in this pack, he should be at the party Saturday night.”

I laughed, “It’s possible. Is there anyone in particular that you’re hoping it is?”

Zadie smirked, “well there is a guy in my math class that stares at me all the time. He’s cute, and 6 months older than me. I often wonder if he knows something that I don’t.” She smirked again and I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s possible.

I missed her. She pulled out a beautiful form-fitting long red dress while she excitedly explained all the party preparations to me.

“It’s perfect. I can’t wait to see it on you.”

“Drakes here are you two coming?” Ezra yelled to us.

“Be right there.”

Zadie hung her dress back up, and we headed downstairs to meet the boys. The five of us trained together all the time before we left for college. Zadie and I usually stuck together while the boys did their thing, but we always had a great time.

When we got to the gym, the boys took over the fighting ring while Zadie and I started with the punching bags. After a while, we switched, harassing each other and taking cheap shots the whole time.

It's a great stress relief, and I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Once our muscles were burning, and we all needed a break, we sat down on the ground together while Drake passed us bottles of water.

“I was excited about meeting your mate. I wish you had brought him home with you.” Zadie said before taking a sip of her water.

I nodded and sighed, “I wish he was here with me too.” I didn’t know what else to say. I needed to change the subject, so I told them about my conversation I had with dad last night.

The boys started going to council meetings with our dads about a year ago, and they all agreed with what dad said.

“I guess I never realized how different Green Ridge is. I mean I’ve heard people talk about the way other packs view things differently, but until I talked to Dawson and now dad, I guess I never believed it.”

The saying that was painted on the wall caught my attention, and I couldn't stop staring at it.

“One pack one family, magic, wings or claws, we fight for all.”

“Guys, what if we can do more?”

“What do you mean,” Ryker asked.

“Well, we’re the only pack that accepts different supernatural species, and obviously we only have so much room on our territory. What if we could create more packs like ours?”

“I’m not sure if I’m following you.” Drake said as he put the cap on his water.

“Well, I know our parents want you three to take over Green Ridge, but what if we could start new packs? We could find Alpha’s to run them, and they can help take in the abused rogues and other supernaturals that don’t have homes. If we could start it, other people might join in, and we could have packs across the country that are like Green Ridge.”

Drake shook his head, “I like the idea of it, but I don’t think it’s possible. We don’t have the resources to make it happen.”

“I know funding is going to be an issue,” I nodded.

“What if we can get other packs on our side?” They’re all looking at me like I’m crazy. Maybe I am, but I feel like I need to do something.

“I don’t know, Bella. I’ll have to think about it and see if we can come up with a plan. I think we will be biting off more than we can chew.” Ezra said while shaking his head.

“OK, it was just a thought. Something to think about.” I smiled.

We started walking back to our houses. Maybe I should have thought about it more before I said anything, but I can't stop thinking about it. Luckily, Zadie changed the subject. She started filling the boys in on their jobs for her party on Saturday.

I love seeing how excited she is. I just hope she doesn’t get her hopes up for a wolf. When two different species mate, their offspring is usually one species or the other. Ezra is a Wolf like my Uncle Gavin, and from what we can tell, Zadie is a full witch like my Aunt Violet. Tornado Tate is only 8. He hasn’t shown any signs either way yet.

Mom linked us all, “We’re still preparing for the meeting on Friday. Lunch is ready at the Alpha house. We're all out back.”

“On our way,” Ezra linked back.

I smiled as we walked into the backyard, our parents were all on the back porch bickering back and forth in a friendly way as they went over everything for their meeting. The younger kids were all playing in the yard. My twin sisters were chasing Tate yelling about him putting something in their hair.

It feels good to be surrounded by family. If it wasn’t for this gaping whole Creed left in my heart, I would feel complete.

I shoved the thoughts away and continued making my plate with a cheeseburger and pasta salad.

I sat down next to Zadie and the boys. Tate came running up to the table for his drink.

“What did you do the girls buddy?” Ryker asked him.

Tate smirked his toothless smirk, “It was just noodles. They ask for it.”

I started laughing, “you just wanted them to chase you. You're just like your brother. You’ll do anything for a girl’s attention,” I rubbed my hand over his head.

“Hey don’t blame me. It’s not our fault girls can’t stop chasing us, right Tater?” Ezra smiled and winked at him.

Tate smiled, “Jacie, I only want Jacie.”

The smile fell from my face, and I just stared at him as he ran back over to play with the girls.