Chapter 10

SOPHIE P.O.V

I relaxed into the back of Gavin's car. Looking out the side window I saw Gary with concern written all over his face. I smiled and waved. He forced a smile and a wave back, so I quickly sent him a 'I love you' text.

This morning was the craziest of my life. Gavin had been kind enough to fill me in on what happened last night. How they found me unconscious and naked. He mentioned a black wolf looking like it was about to attack me. That part made me a little nervous, was that who I heard in the bushes at the swimming hole?

Talking to Gavin was easy. It was like I had known him my whole life. He could make me laugh and I knew I could be honest with him. After Eric had taken off to collect my things, Gavin and I set about packing their campsite up. We talked a lot and I told him a great deal about me. How I was a loner at school, learning about my adoption and what it was like to read my biological mother's letter. He promised me that after we'd figured out what happened to Dove, he'd help me track down my Mother's past. Before Eric returned, we had just started talking about the pack territory. I had expressed my concern that I wouldn't be welcome, but Gavin assured me everyone would love me. Would they?

Looking out the window now I noticed there were rolling hills far in the distant to right with vast farmlands all around. It did feel a little strange to be travelling away from home but at the same time I was excited to be visiting my first pack.

I grabbed my backpack and checked the front pocket. I had to make sure my necklace and ring were still there. Dove said that was the safest place for them while we phased. I felt safe knowing I still had them.

"So, Sophie are you leaving behind a boyfriend?" Gavin teased and Eric shifted uncomfortably next to him.

I rolled my eyes. "I told you I was a loner. How many loners do you know who have boyfriends?"

"You never know." He mocked "You could have been loners together.

I giggled and shook my head. "Well I don't. I was a true loner, completely unattached." I help my head high. "How about you?"

"Yeah I found my mate almost four years ago now." He smiled thinking about her.

So it wasn't the mate-bond I was feeling with Gavin.

"Wow, that's great. I can't wait to meet her." Oddly, I didn't feel disappointed and I genuinely looked forward to seeing his mate.

"Yeah, she's amazing. You'll just love her."

"And Eric have you found your mate?" I questioned a little too eagerly.

"No." Was all he responded.

"But he has a girlfriend." Gavin piped in. Eric made a low growl in the back of his throat.

"A girlfriend? Can werewolves have boyfriends and girlfriends?" I didn't know. I thought the mate-bond was the be all and end all of werewolf love.

"Often if a werewolf can't find his or her mate, they seek the company of another in a similar situation or if they have been rejected." Gavin replied.

I didn't know what to say other than stare at Eric as he gripped the steering wheel. The two friends began glaring at each other intently which I found very unnerving as on one was focusing on the road.

"Enough." Eric commanded in his dominating voice. It made Gavin look away but it didn't frighten me. He wasn't my alpha…yet.

"Why are you so uptight about it? So you haven't found your mate. At least you and your girlfriend make each other happy."

Gavin scoffed before trying to cover it with him clearing his throat. "He's tight up about it because the mate bond trumps any other form of love, except for our pups of course."

"Pup's? are they babies?"

"Yep their what we call our children." Gavin smiled. Maybe his mate and him were planning on starting a family?

"So what happens if Eric's mate is found? Will he have to give us his girlfriend or dumb his mate?" I was curious.

"He has a choice. Either he can stay with his girlfriend and reject his mate, or he has to dumb his girlfriend. In my opinion Mate Rejection is far worse than dumping some girl you've been shacked up with. It will hurt, both of you." He said the last part staring at Eric.

"Can you both stop talking about me like I'm not here. Now shut up or I'll pull over and you can walk!" Eric roared. Gavin slunk back into his seat and bowed his head. I couldn't believe Eric's reaction.

"How dare you!" I yelled back. Eric's eyes glared at me through the rear-view mirror. "You can't tell me what to do! You shouldn't treat your friends like that either. Gavin was only trying to help me." I was feeling hot with anger. "If you want to pull over fine. I'm quite happy going back home and believing I'm human." He kept staring at me and I didn't let my gaze faulter. "Will you focus on the road!" I yell.

He took the obvious hint and focused back on the road not staying anything in response to my outburst which I was grateful for. I didn't like that he had a girlfriend and I found it strange that I felt this way. What if he were my mate? But wouldn't he say so? My thoughts led me to think of his girlfriend. Did she treat him well? Were they happy? If I was his mate could I let him reject me? The thought ached inside me. I looked out the window so one would notice the stray tears running down my cheeks.

It must have been around thirty minutes later that the car began to slow and we turned off onto a small bumpy dirt road. After jiggling and jumping over the unsealed road I was relieved when we glided onto a bitumen road lined on either side with tall pine trees. The trees stretched off into the distant or both sides of the road. We turned left and found ourselves passing small falling down cottages.

"Are we in the territory now?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Yep. This is the outer territory." Gavin said. "I'm just texting your Dad some directions.

I looked at the cottages as we passed and wondered what had happened to them. Some had holes in the roof or panels missing off the walls. Others had broken windows and front doors that just hung there.

"Why are these houses in such bad repair?" I asked without thinking. Eric let out another low growl which I ignored. "If I was Alpha, I would want to see those people living in comfort not just making do." I started at Eric who said nothing.

"We're in the process of fixing them." Gavin said with his gaze fixed on Eric. "That's definitely something a Luna would think about." I couldn't tell if the last part was directed at me or at Eric.

"Me a Luna? Nah, that would never happen. I mean I would have to meet an Alpha that liked me, and I don't see many queuing up at my door." I was being sarcastic but at the same time interested in Eric's reaction.

"You never know." Gavin said with a cheeky grin.

Eric's knuckles were white from the grip he held on the steering wheel. Was Gavin trying to tell me something? I decided to poke some more.

"Can't your girlfriend become Luna?" I boldly asked.

"Yes, she can, and she will." Eric replied bluntly.

Those words felt as though someone had cut me with a hot bladed knife. Was this the mate bond? Was he rejecting me? I was so confused. I really needed Dove. I looked over at Gavin to see his face was irate. I had never seen him like that. I looked away not wanting to focus on them right now.

The houses got denser and a small shopping strip appeared. Straight ahead I could see the pack house in the distance. We drove for another fifteen minutes before pulling up in front of the pack house. It looked like a cross between a stately manor and a castle made of old withered grey bricks. It must have been at least four stories high.

"The pack hospital is in the pack house. You will stay here until you are better." Eric said with no emotion.

I wondered if once he was done with me I'd end up in one of those derelict cottages or even worse, not be allowed to join the pack. I hated the way he was treating me. I had this indescribable urge to hold him and tell him everything would be ok. But at the same time, I hated him. He hurt me and I didn't know if I wanted to be anywhere near him. What was wrong with me?

Exiting the front door came three men. Two were of similar age to Eric and Gavin while the one standing behind them was much older. He had a kind face, wispy grey hair and wore glasses and a lab coat. He must be the doctor.

Gavin came around the opened my door for me helping me to stand. He was truly the perfect gentleman…or was he just showing off in front of his Dad?

"Dad, this is Sophie." Gavin grinned at his father who took my hand.

"Welcome Sophie, it's a please sure to meet you." His handshake was firm and strong.

All eyes were now on Eric as he strode over to the other two men.

"Beta James, anything to report?"

"Nothing Alpha all was quiet." Beta James then turned and smiled at me. "You must be Sophie. The good doctor informed us of your visit." He extended his hand, and I shook it also.

The other man who stood next to Beta James turned and went to stand over by the door. He was tall and skinny with pale while skin, blue eyes, and snow blonde hair. He looked down at the ground not making eye contact with anyone.

"ERIC!" A high-pitched voice called.

All of a sudden, a straw blonde girl in a short figure-hugging red dress came running out tittering on stilettos. She flung her arms around Eric's neck and I instantly became jealous.

"Oh Baby! I've missed you so much!" she squealed.

Eric smiled lustfully at her as his hand moved down her back to her flat bum. I wanted to be sick.

"I missed you to babe."

His response was apparently a shock to everyone outside who all had raised eyebrows. Eric whipped his girlfriend around so he could get a better look at my reaction and smirked before kissing the girl passionately.

My heart jolted in pain and I couldn't help but stager back with shock. Luckily the doctor was standing next to me and grabbed my elbow, or I would have ended up on the ground. My reaction didn't go unnoticed by the Beta or Gavin who both came rushing over. Did they know something I didn't?

"Are you alright?" Gavin asked.

"She's fine." Eric boomed.

Gavin turned to face his best friend with rage in his eyes. He threw Eric's things at him not once taking his eyes off him before turning back to me.

"Here is my mobile number. If you need to talk or anything I'll always answer. I'm off to drop my things at home before calling your Dad. I think I should meet him at the boarder and guide him from there." He patted me on the shoulder to which I numbly nod. Next thing I know he's in his car driving away.

"What's his problem? And who's she?" the girlfriend whispered to Eric.

"She's nobody." Eric replied embracing her again in a hug.

He looked over at me with hurt in his eyes before leading her away. I turned to the doctor and the Beta to see they were just as confused. Seeing Eric and his girlfriend together felt as if a small part of me just broke away and I didn't know if I would ever get it back.