Cathie Sanders - Alecia Hunter (best fiction novels .txt) 📗

as James said and within seconds I was laying on the floor, naked, but human. I slipped my robe on and was glad I hadn’t been wearing anything I liked.
“Good job, Cat, I’m surprised you were able to claim your position so quickly. And all three of us were able to hear you which is amazing because we have to concentrate to hear each other in wolf form.” Derrik swept me up off my feet in a hug before he realized what he was doing. When he did he put me down quickly and looked away. I sighed. Then I went to my dresser and found an old pair of sweats and a t-shirt to wear.
“James, Derrik, turn around.” I command because Layla was back in the bathroom. They both turned and I dressed quickly. James was staring at my corkboard so I quickly went to stand behind Derrik. I wrapped my arms around his waist. He turned and shook his head, glancing at James. After that he stepped out of my arms. I frowned. He chuckled and kissed my forehead. Later, he mouthed. I nodded and noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. It was Layla, leaning on the bathroom doorframe, watching us.
“So are we going or what?” she asked going over and lounging on my bed.
“Yes. Cat, I’ll help carry your things. We went to get the van so we could take your stuff with us.” James said going to my bed.
“Is that cat supplies?” Layla asked.
“Yeah, Jinx is coming with us.” I answered picking her up from under the desk and putting her in her carrier.
“Funny. For a second I thought you were serious.” Layla replied.
“Jinx is coming.” I growled. Layla shrugged but I could tell she was mad. Obviously she didn’t like that there was a new leader in the pack. She would have to get used to it though. We all walked downstairs and I looked into the living room. My dad was reading the paper and Mom was watching TV. I could sense that this would probably be the last time I would see my parents. At least for a long time. I set Jinx’s cage down and walked to the couch. They both looked up. The Pack walked out quietly but my parents still noticed the bags.
“You’re leaving already?” Mom asked seeming upset.
“Yeah, I might be back in a day or so but we may leave early. So I’m saying goodbye now.” I felt like I might cry, which surprised me because I wasn’t very close to my parents.
“Well you aren’t leaving forever.” Dad said. That did it. The tears spilled over. Mom got up to hug me.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry. You don’t have to go. You can stay.”
“No, I have to go. I’ll miss you. I love you both.” For a minute the three of us stood there hugging and I thought I wouldn’t be able to leave. Then I heard the door open. I turned, wiping my eyes, to see Derrik standing by the piano.
“Cat, are you ok?” he asked. I wasn’t sure which one of us moved first but we met in the middle. I knew I would be ok once I was in his arms. He gently wiped away my tears with his thumbs.
“I’m fine. Really, I am.” I said turning back to my parents. Derrik kept a hand on the small of my back. My parents stared at us.
“You’ll be ok.” My mom said and I knew it wasn’t a question. I nodded.
“You take care of our little girl, ok? And I want her back here before this summer’s over.” Dad said to Derrik. He nodded and slipped his hand into mine.
“Are you ready? Layla’s impatient to get back to the hotel.” Derrik said quietly. I sighed.
“I think so…” I looked around, realizing how much I would miss everything. I waved to my parents as we walked out the door and when I climbed into the back of the van a few silent tears fell. There were only two seats in the back. Behind them was a large mattress and a space with my bags and room for more. Derrik went all the way back to the mattress and once we were away from the house he motioned for me to join him. I laid in his arms, buried my face in his chest and cried. He rubbed my back and whispered that everything would be ok. I lifted my head to look at him. He stared back and I could see in his eyes how much he hated seeing me cry. He leaned in and was about to kiss me when Layla cleared her throat. She was standing with the side door open and a hand on her hip. I sat up. I fixed my hair before getting out of the van. The little in was on the edge of town. It was a brick building but newer than most because of the renovations. Imprint

Publication Date: 07-20-2010

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