In Reach?

Mira’s POV

“Come on guys. Let her come along.” I hear Aubrey’s voice as I’m coming down the stairs.

“You know we can’t risk it.” And that would be Noah’s voice.

“I’ll still be able to keep an eye on her anyways.” I see Theo standing against the counter with his arms folded.

“No. If something happens to,- if something happens, Alpha will be pissed.” Noah is sitting at the table with his feet up.

“If what happens?” I make my presence known. But seriously though, if what happens? I know they are talking about me, but what annoys me is that they’re talking like I’m some closeted-bomb builder.

They all look at me.

“Nothing.” Noah is never convincing enough. I’m beginning to not even really listen to him these days.

Thank goodness Aubrey is always to my rescue. “We’re going into town. But he doesn’t want you to come.” She puts emphasis on the word ‘he’ as she points directly at him, making sure the whole room knows who she is talking about.

“Why do you always have to make me sound like the bad guy?” He sits up straight now. “It’s not just me, Liam is the one that made these orders. I’m just following them.”

“Theo said he’ll be there too.” She nods her head in his direction.

“My answer is no.” He looks directly at me, but with a sly grin. What does he have planned?

“Noah….All of us are going into town. Why do you want to leave her here alone? I’m pretty sure Alpha is not going to want to watch her, and that would just force Theo to stay, and he really wants to go.”

Wait. Noah wanted to leave me here, alone, with just Liam. Why??

“Come on Noah. Just go ask Liam to change his rule. Just for today. You can’t let him ruin this potential girl’s outing. Just go talk to him.” Aubrey is actually begging Noah right now. “Don’t let Liam ruin this.”

“Don’t let me ruin what?” We all turn our heads as we look at Liam, who is standing behind me.

“Alpha,” Aubrey seems to be getting gutsier by the day, “Noah says you don’t want Mira to come with us into town.” She points at him again, causing him to jump up out of defence. “I’m sure you’re busy and wouldn’t want to look after her alone. Besides, Theo will be there too.”

Liam raises his brow at this and looks at Noah, who seems to be avoiding his look right now.

“Of course it’s fine if she goes.” Aubrey squeals as she makes her way to me. “Besides, I think I’ll join you guys. There are a few things I need to get as well.” This has me looking back at him, but he’s already on his way back up the stairs.

“Ooo, I bet this is going to be just a breath of fresh air for you.” She can say that again. “Come on Theo,” she gestures with her hand, “we can drive with you. Noah and Liam can take the other car.”

“No.” Noah says too quickly, making Theo give him a curious side glance. “I can drive you girls. Theo can go with Liam.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” Aubrey steps forward and shoves her thin finger on Noah’s chest. “You almost ruined this from happening, I prefer to not drive with you in the same car. Come on Theo.”

She pulls me by the hand as we go out the side door to the garage, with Theo following.

In the car

Liam’s POV

“So mind telling me what that was back there at the house?” Liam focuses on the road as he drives.

“Whatever do you mean?” Noah is looking out the passenger window like an annoyed puppy.

“Noah, what’s up with you? Weren’t you the one practically scolding me about keeping her locked up. So shouldn’t getting out do her some good? Why would you try to force her to stay when all of you would be going anyways?”

Noah though gives me a stupefied look, like I'm the one being ridiculous.

“You know, I don’t even know why I bother.” He shakes his head and looks back out the window.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what? This has nothing to do with me anyways. I’m just going to sit back and watch, while I let the crumbs just fall where they may.”

“Noah, for goodness sake. What are you talking about?”

“Oh, something tells me that you will know what I mean. The moment you stand frozen in place, not believing what you see; not knowing what to do, you will think back to this moment. You’ll think back to the moment I got on your ass about you making up your mind about Mira.”

“Really, are we on this again?” I take a glimpse at him, and he actually looks frustrated. “And you’re right. It has nothing to do with you. Besides didn’t we have this conversation like only a few days ago?”

“Oh you will be surprised with what can happen in a few days.” He snidely says.

“Is there something I should know?”

“Oh I don’t know. It has nothing to do with me right.” I can clearly hear the attitude in his voice but he’s smiling like he’s anticipating his words.

“Uhm, okay. Whatever man”

Mira’s POV

The town wasn’t that far away, - about half an hour drive from the pack grounds. But, oh my, did their shopping centre look amazing. It was huge, and had such a woodsy vintage vibe. I totally felt out of place there. Everyone was so nice there, compared to the city, well compared to any place I had ever been.

It’s official, I’m in Canada. You just don’t get people that are this nice just anywhere. And the Canadian flag we passed at a police station, sort of got me wondering.

Just one question remains,- how the f…..did I wind up here?!

Aubrey tried to get me to go around shopping with her, but I didn’t feel like it. Even though ‘Alpha’ apparently gave his card for us to get anything we think we might need.

Really? I’m not really for the idea of taking freebies. I’ve had to work for everything I have, because I understood at a very young age that people only offer things hoping to get something in return.

So no. I don’t need to do this. They have already given me more than I need.

Aubrey got herself a few things though. And we only walked all the way through the mall three hours later.

Though, I must say having Theo as a shopping buddy wasn’t that bad. He isn’t one to talk much, but even now we have reached a point where our silences with each other isn’t awkward at all.

In fact, in the past few days we seem to have gotten more in sync with each other. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like he just always knows where I am, and lately, it’s like he knows what I’m thinking. And strangely, it is more cool than creepy to me.

He even scolds me for not wearing shoes sometimes. Always going on about how easily I bruise. I don’t really get why I have to wear shoes indoors though.

Noah and Liam went their own way though, so we had to find them afterwards.

We were just about to get into the cars to go back, when Aubrey spoke up. “Would you guys mind if we go the waterfall on our way back?”

“There is a waterfall?” Even nature is making them live a rich life.

“Yeah, it’s gorgeous. But I haven’t been in ages. So, can we go?” She gives puppy eyes to Noah.

He just huffs out annoyed and looks at Liam, who nods his head.

“Okay, let’s go.”

They stop the cars, but all I see are trees.

“Are you sure we're at the right place?” I ask getting out of the back seat.

“Yeah. It’s just a bit further into the woods. Many people don’t know about this place. So I doubt there are people. Come on, let’s go. Noah them might already be there.” Aubrey really looks like she’s the one that’s been dying to get out. She’s so excited.

I just follow her, with Theo next to me.

“So I was thinking that if there aren’t many people. We can go for a swim.” I look up at hearing Aubrey’s daring request.

“What?”

“Yeah, it will be fun.”

“Aubrey you do know that I don’t have a swim suit with me.”

“You can swim in your underwear, can’t you? Besides, these guys are so stuck up, they’re not going to go near that water, if we’re in there. We’ll have it all to ourselves.” She smiles brightly.

But still though, I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with it, being in nothing but my underwear around these guys. Yeah, sure, they already saw me, but I don’t want to make it a regular thing. Not to mention, I really don’t do well in the cold. The thought really get’s to me, I’m practically already shivering.

“I’m good. Maybe next time.” I turn to Theo and he still doesn’t seem bothered one bit by our conversation just now. Most guys would run for the hills listening to girls talk nonsensically about everything and nothing. But he’s just chilled, but here.

I can hear it, I can hear rushing water.

“We’re almost there.” Aubrey hops over some fallen tress and hurries along ahead of us.

When Theo and I eventually get there, we see the others are already there. Aubrey is dipping her feet in the water, while the other two are sitting on the ground leaning against some tree trunks. Liam seems to be leaning back and looking up at the trees, clearly enjoying the scenery. Noah was looking at Aubrey, probably trying to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. He really is a big brother.

But the moment we come closer he swings his head towards us, and gives a curious look.

Uhm, okay.

I don’t know what is Noah’s deal with me today. But I don’t like it.

I hear a soft growl from next to me, and see Theo give Noah a daring look. Is there something going on between the two of them today as well?

As we get nearer to them, I realize just how badly I don’t want to get caught up in the tension that’s building up between the two of them. “I think I’ll go join Aubrey.”

But before I can make my way away from them, Theo gently grabs my wrist, looking at me confused. It’s like he knows I don’t want to go there, like he knows that I don’t like the cold water.

I just gently smile and give a slight nod to assure him, that I’m sure I want to go. I don’t even want to look at Noah, I can feel him staring daggers at me. I just turn around and make my way to Aubrey, to that water I’m praying is not cold.

After some time, my feet got used to the water. Or should I say that they got so numb from the cold that they don’t feel it anymore?

Every now and then I look up at the guys and notice that Noah and Theo seem to be getting along now. All three of them are chatting and laughing at whatever they are speaking about.

I’m glad, maybe I was just imagining things. I mean, Noah is an ass when he wants to be, but he has his moments.

Aubrey and I get out and walk to the guys with our shoes in hand.

“You guys ready to go?” Liam asks as he gets up.

Noah’s POV

We all walk back through the forest to where we parked the cars. Aubrey is still walking next to Mira and we’re walking behind them.

I don’t know what is happening between Theo and Mira lately, but it’s kind of creeping me out. The two of them have been doing this thing lately, where it’s like they talk to each other, but with just their eyes, or something.

All I know is, that they seem to understand each other when they’re not even talking to each other. I don’t even know why this is bothering me. It shouldn’t right. This is not my problem. It’s between Theo and Liam. If Liam doesn’t make up his mind, then shame on him, and good for Theo. He doesn’t seem bothered by her presence either. Maybe she will be good for him.

All I know, is that there is going to be a fight coming up, if not, then probably silent heartache by denial. And my sadistic side is pushing through again at the thought of them having to fight it out. I mean, I don’t want this to ruin their friendship, but maybe this will be a wake-up call to Liam. And,… I really, really want to see the two of them go at it with each other.

I can’t help but grin at the idea.

But I still don’t know why Theo is acting this way. He went all feral on me when they came to the waterfall. What did I do, that he just decides to growl at me? But then a few minutes later, he gets all chummy with me again. It’s like he’s having mood swings. I think he should stop hanging out with these girls.

I see Aubrey and Mira hopping and walking along some fallen trees in front of us, when Mira accidentally slips from one and falls.

Aah! We all rush to her side, but Theo practically runs to her, already kneeling down next to her looking at her foot.

“Mira, are you okay?”

“Yeah Aubrey, I think I’m fine, I just slipped.” Theo’s rubbing the cut under her heel with his thumb.

“What did I tell you about wearing your shoes?” He looks up at Mira all seriously.

“My feet were wet. Besides, it’s not that bad.”

Theo huffs an annoyed breath. “You know I don’t like to see you get hurt.”

That’s when Aubrey looks up at me and Liam, probably wondering if she heard right. Even I am looking at Liam, and damn, does he look stunned right now.

Oh shiiiiittt! It’s happening!!. I hear my wolf squeal with excitement in my head and I try to bite my lips to stop myself from smiling.

Liam is still standing there. Still. Looking at the two of them.

“Uhm,” Aubrey tries to break the silence, which those two are clearly not bothered by.

“Do you think you can walk?” Theo asks her as he rubs her ankle, but she flinches a bit. “Never mind.”

Theo then slips his arms under her legs and behind her back as he picks her up. And she doesn’t seem bothered by any of this at all, as she slips her arms around his neck.

Liam is still just standing there, looking at them, with fists and jaw clenched.

Aubrey rushes behind them, as Theo approaches their car, with Mira in his arms.

Great. I’m standing next to a statue. Not exactly what I was hoping for.

But before I could take another step, I’m being shoved against a tree with a very mad-looking Alpha.

“Hey, what the hell man?” I shove him off me

“Was this what all that shit in the car was about? Talking about me having to make my mind up about Mira, before I get shocked.” He looks pissed. But why is he taking it out on me?!

“Maybe. What of it?”

“Well, what do you know? What’s going on between the two of them?”

“I’m not sure either, they just have this, …..this thing.” I don’t know how I’m supposed to explain this.

“What the fuck does that mean?” He shoves me again.

“I told you I don’t know. Theo has just been weird lately. I don’t know if he’s taking your request to protect her a little too seriously or if big boy has a crush on her and doesn’t know it.”

Gggrrh! “And you did nothing about it?”

“Do I have a reason to?” I look him straight in the eye.

But he looks lost for words as he runs his hand through his hair.

“Fine.” Liam calms his breathing. What does that even mean? Fine what? “I have more important things to worry about than other people’s crushes anyways.”

He walks off to the car.

Really? That’s it?

It's a huge understatement saying I’m disappointed by this outcome, but something tells me that Liam isn’t quite done with this. He never just walks away from anything, just like that.