Chapter 27

                                    

                                          



Chapter 27
                          
Althea's POV
                          
"Get off me!" I growled aggressively. I only wanted Arlo. I needed him. I burned and ached everywhere for him. 
                          
"Finish me. Please." My wolf begged him through our link. He was so accessible now, so easy to communicate with. I didn't question his emotions, I felt them. He raged for me just as much as I did for him.
                          
Jake held me back as I dug my nails into his hands, subtly fighting his hold. Sam had shoved Arlo, trying desperately to get him out of the party, out of range of prying human eyes. But Arlo was too fixated on me. He heard my wolfs plea to complete the bond and wanted to answer her cry. 
                          
"Out. Now." Sam commanded in his Alpha voice. It didn't work, Arlo broke free of Sam's hold and rushed to me, pulling me into another kiss. I groaned at the pure spark between us. 
                          
"I will finish you my sweet girl." He promised through our link. 
                          
"Take her outside. I can't think straight." He spoke aloud to Jake. I was immediately dragged discreetly to the garden. As soon as the fresh air hit my skin I was riding my high. My heat pulsed with need for him, he was mine. 
                          
"Thea." 
                          
I turned and finally saw my mom, standing there next to Jake, watching me lose myself into the euphoria. It felt like I was on drugs. 
                          
"Mom, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I love him, I've always loved him. Probably since before I was born." I rushed out. I didn't recognize my own voice. I've never sounded this elated. 
                          
"We obviously didn't give them enough time to get it out of their system." Jake deadpanned as he watched me desperately try and catch my breath. They remained silent, waiting patiently for me to calm down.
                          
I turned and stared at the blooming garden, the deep royal colors of velvet furniture placed strategically near the wisteria. Everything was so vibrant and beautiful. 
                          
"Thea." My mom repeated. I turned back to her, this time actually noticing the disapproving look on her face. Finally feeling the drop of reality in my gut. Oh my god. I touched my mouth, warm blood smeared my lips and chin. My hand dropped to my neck, feeling over the healing gash that was pouring blood down my beautiful dress. I stared at my red stained hand and slowly came down from my high. 
                          
Arlo marked me. In front of everyone. My family, my friends, pack members. Everyone. I caught the gaze of my mother again, she had softened when she noticed the realization in me.
                          
"I'm sorry." I whispered. She shook her head profusely and made her way to me, pulling me into her arms. She didn't care that my blood had gotten on her pretty cream dress. She held me tight, still shaking her head. 
                          
"Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered. Her tone was curious, not angry, just curious. I hugged her tighter. 
                          
"I should have known." She breathed before letting me go.  
                          
"I understand the pull. But why would he..." she went to touch my healed neck, looking at it as if I had been branded by the devil. 
                          
"Cain got in his head." Jake spoke up. My mom flipped her gaze to Jake.
                          
"You knew about them?" She asked him. He looked slightly ashamed for his help in keeping my secret. 
                          
"I told Arlo to tell you. For years I begged him to go home and tell you." He tried explaining. 
                          
"He's known this whole time." She whispered. I watched as the gears turned in her eyes. She let me go, no longer putting me in question. Her eyes narrowed as her jaw clenched.