Chapter 127 Never Change
1002words
"Luna, Luna, Luna, Adeline," softly echoed in my ears as my eyes drifted open. I felt a large hand gently nudging me, waking me from my slumber. I rubbed my eyes with my fingertips, still groggy and half asleep. As I slowly regained consciousness, I found myself staring into Bailey's warm and familiar eyes. "Bails!" I screeched, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
Suddenly, worry and panic set in, and I pulled away. "Wait, what are you doing here? Where's Jaxon and Sophia?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.
Bailey giggled and rolled her eyes. "You think you'd be more excited to see your best friend. Sophia stormed into the pack house; she doesn't seem to be in a good mood, and Alpha Jaxon, I'm not quite sure. I heard you were returning from some trip with the Alpha today and figured I'd take you up on that offer to visit."
I felt my wolf begin to pace inside, knowing she wouldn't be at peace until she knew where our mate was. However, I couldn't help the guilt I felt over not making time to see Bailey for so long. She would always be my best friend. Life was somehow just... different. I interlaced my fingers with Bailey's and put the biggest smile on my face. "Well, I'm glad you did!" I finally admitted, pulling Bailey out of the black SUV and up the pack house stairs.
As we approached the top of the staircase, Bailey slowed her strides and abruptly stopped, taking a deep inhale of the air. "You... you smell... different," she admitted, her gaze narrowing on mine.
"I do?" I questioned. "Maybe I just need a shower. It's been a long trek from Alpha Christian's pack."
Bailey's eyes widened as the confession slipped from my lips. "Alpha Christian? What were you doing all the way out there?"
I shrugged and continued pulling on Bailey, dragging her into the pack house dining hall and selecting an empty table for the two of us.
I could feel my wolf still frantic that we had woken up without our mate, but I pushed her down, not wanting to rush the time I had with Bailey. She continued to fill me in on someone she had met at Alpha Jaxon and my mating ceremony and how my parents had taken a keen liking to him too.
"Maybe he'll be your mate?" I questioned, a twinkle in my eyes. I didn't miss the small smirk playing on Bailey's lips as Mark stepped toward our table.
He shot me a look of confusion and took a deep breath. "You smell different, Luna," he exclaimed.
My eyes widened, and I felt my palms begin to sweat. "Bailey just said the same thing! Guys—I just haven't showered yet. Don't make me feel bad!" I teased back, grateful when they both changed the subject.
Suddenly, an angry growl burst from my stomach, and I was hit with such unexplainable hunger that I'd never experienced before. My stomach rumbled fiercely, and Mark's eyes shot to it. "Didn't they feed you on your trip?" he questioned, releasing a small chuckle. "What'll it be, Luna?"
"Adeline," I reminded him. "I haven't had the famous Chef Mark pancakes in a long time, now that I think about it." I gave Mark a small wink and watched as Bailey raised her hand, holding up two fingers with a smile.
Chef Mark pushed his shoulders back, evidently proud of himself and his cooking skills. I watched as he disappeared through the kitchen doors and turned back to Bailey, who somehow caught me off guard. She looked aged, tired even. She still had her spunky, upbeat attitude, but somehow looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I reached out and grasped her hands in mine. "Spill," I demanded.
Bailey bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "It's nothing to worry you about. You're the Luna of our pack now," she confessed and exhaled. Not taking no for an answer, I stood up and made my way around the table. I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my body.
"Don't you ever say that. I'm still the same Adeline, and you'll always be my best friend," I comforted, feeling her dip her head onto my shoulder.
A small whimper escaped Bailey's chest, and I could audibly hear her heartbeat quicken. Whatever it was, I knew it wasn't good.
"My mom's been at it again... you know how it goes," she finally admitted.
I squeezed her tightly against my body. "Oh Bailey, you know you can always stay at the pack house. Really. Jaxon is cool with having shifters use the pack house whenever they might need it," I replied, running my fingers through her hair.
I felt a small shake of her head against my shoulder. "You don't understand. It's worse than it's ever been. Yesterday, she smashed a bottle of vodka against the wall in my room because I came home late after seeing Alex... the guy I've been seeing. She said I was a worthless whore who would never find her mate because all I do is sleep around," Bailey admitted as tears streamed down her face.
Just like that, every piece of me began to shatter inside. My own guilt became almost unbearable as it hammered intensely inside my chest. I knew I had always been Bailey's shield, her knight in shining armor in a way. She always found refuge from her home at my family's house, my parents taking her in from the moment we became friends. I knew I'd let her down, regardless that I followed my destiny. I also knew Bailey didn't hold that against me—she was happy that I was finally with my fated mate. The difference was I was safe in his arms, while she faced the brutality of her family's violence with no one left to protect her.
