Chapter 38
I step away from Malachi, staring into his eyes. "Screw them!" I declare, using the back of my hand to wipe the wetness off my face. I turn on my heels to walk inside. "Chloe?" Malachi calls, but I keep walking. I enter the house in search of Amelia and find her sitting at the island in the kitchen. She looks up from her phone and her brows draw together at the sight of me. "Chloe, your back. What happened? You look so pale,” Amelia questions, searching my body for the loss of blood or some other sign of injury.
Malachi comes rushing into the kitchen. "Chloe, you can't just walk away from the fact that your parents just showed up," He says, regretting it once he sees the color drain from Amelia's face. I turn around to face him, and everything gets blurry "I don't feel so well” I manage to get out before I collapse. Malachi rushed to me, catching me before I hit the floor.
I wake up to the sun beaming down on my face. I cover my eyes with the back of my hand while rolling over to see if Malachi is next to me, but he’s not and I'm alone. I sit up, pulling the covers off, and plant my feet on the floor to stand. I walk out of my room, and once I'm in the hall, I rub my eyes to help them focus as I continue down the hall, stopping at the top of the stairs. I hear Malachi talking to several people, but I can't make out the other voices. “I want them found. Do you hear me?” Malachi commands. "But what do we know about them? Like Chloe said last night in the field, they need to leave,” Eric, the Omega, tells Malachi. 'Ugh, why does no one listen to me?’ I say to myself.
I stomp down the stairs, obnoxiously letting my presence be known until I come to stand in front of Malachi. "I told them to leave Malachi, let it be!" I growl, and he stands. "They are your family, and we can help them. Sukie could break the curse,” Malachi suggests, cupping my face. I think for a moment and remove his hand. "No!" I say, my expression hardened. When he doesn't speak, I sigh and turn to walk away, but Malachi grabs my arm. "Chloe, I know you are hurt right now, but I know all too well what it's like not to have a mother, and I know you will want her in your life at some point,” He reasons, pulling me back to him. He wraps his arms around me, and I pull back, caressing his face as I look into his eyes. “I love you, but I want you to leave this alone, please,” I beg, walking past him for the stairs and rushing up to Paisley's room.
I open the door to Paisley's room and find she is laying there searching the room for new things. "Good morning, beautiful! I missed you so much, baby girl. I promise I will never leave you and if I do, I will always come back," I tell her, picking her up from her crib and walking to the rocking chair. I sit, rocking Paisley for hours while singing her songs and telling her stories. Then, the door opens to reveal Amelia peeking her head in. "Come in," I tell her, looking back to Paisley as she holds onto my finger while sucking on her thumb as she falls asleep.
"Chloe, what happened last night?" Amelia asks hesitantly. "Well, I killed the blonde and got
attacked by a large black wolf who turned out to be my father, then my mother came,” I explain
casually like it's nothing. "How are they alive?” She asks curiously. "They were cursed and faked their
deaths because they are stuck forever in wolf form. Oh, and I'm half-witch. The end,” I say
sarcastically, letting a small laugh escape me.
Amelia gasps, "WHAT?!" She questions, with her mouth open. "Yeah, that is what my father said because my mom is a witch. That's why they are cursed, because of some crazy witch who is jealous of my mom's powers," I tell her, staring at Paisley as she sleeps. I stand, putting Paisley in her swing, then I turn to face Amelia. "I'm okay. I just want to go back to the way things were before," I tell her, looking down at her baby bump. "How is my nephew in there?" I ask, changing the subject with a smile on my face.
"He is so good. Only a couple more weeks and he will be here right around the time of the Aberdeen ball,” She says, smiling. "Oh, wow, it's been a year already?" I ask. "I know it's crazy and soon it will be your wedding. Have you started planning?” She asks with a huge grin. "Yeah, a little I've looked at dresses, and we picked our honeymoon spot,” I say as my eyes light up. "Oh really, where are you going?" She asks, snickering. "Where Malachi's family came from in Novara, Italy. It's a gorgeous place in the North. I can't wait to meet his grandmother," I tell Amelia. She smiles hearing me talk about it and hugs me tight. "Chloe, you deserve the best. I love you,” She says, still holding on to me.
When we pull apart, she sighs. "I have to get Paul's dry-cleaning, so I'll talk to you later,” She says, giving me a wave goodbye before closing the door. I leave the room after her and walk down the hall to the stairs. Feeling childish, I slide down the banister and squeal as I go. I jump down at the end to find Malachi watching me from his office. He comes out, standing only inches away but doesn't say a word. "Can I help you, Mr. Alpha?" I grin devilishly. "You are a real pain in the ass. You know that?" He states, staring at me with no expression.
"Yeah, but you love me anyway," I say, giving him a wink. He starts to laugh then walks towards me, picking me up and taking me to the sofa before sitting me down to tickle me. "Hey, now! Stop Mr. tough guy,” I squeal with laughter. He stops and is about to kiss me when I get a scent and perk up. "Hold that thought,” I say, holding my finger up. I stand so quickly and run for the door.
Shoving it open, I dart my eyes around, looking for them, and spot them as they appear from around the corner of the house. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" I yell in a growl. “We just want to talk please, Chloe,” my mother begs through the mind link. "NO!! LEAVE!" I shout, walking towards her. "I won't tell you again,” I say sternly.
Malachi comes to my side. "Luna, you need to calm down," He says, putting his hand on my arm. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "What do you want?" I ask, glaring at my parents. “Chloe, we want to make this right,” My mother says in my head. "You have had ten years to make this right. Would you have even tried to if we hadn't met in the woods?" I ask, with hurt lacing my words. “I don't know...” She admits, stopping to suddenly peek around me. I turn to see what she is looking at and find Cypress, but when I turn back, they are gone.