Avoidance

The rest of the day I was in a fog. Lana and Gemma kept me company for a bit, then they took over all pack duties. I wallowed in my room, not speaking to anyone. I really didn't want to move from my bed so I didn't.

I can feel the sun shining on me. I can't say I woke up because that would imply that I went to sleep at all. I really just laid in bed and tried to wrap my head around the news I had gotten. How could it be that he had someone and I had no clue? Why couldn't I smell her on him at all? A werewolf has exceptional senses and an Alpha's are even better. Is there something wrong with me? Am I sick? Wait a minute, wolves don't get sick. Sky has been silent since we got back to the packhouse yesterday. If she does make a noise, it is a whine or a whimper. I can't stay like this. I have a pack to run and I can't run it while I'm acting like some love sick child. Shit happens and I need to roll with it.

With my newfound determination I get out of bed and hop into the shower. I take some time in there and let the hot water relax my body. When I get out, Lana and Gemma are waiting for me in my room. I chuckle. "A little privacy, please?" I walk over to my bed to sit at the end while Lana and Gemma have found seats on my couch. "No worries. I'm ready to handle pack duties today." Lana looks at Gemma with concern.

"You mean…..after you come back from the office, right?" SHIT!!! The office! While I was giving myself this amazing pep talk about shaking it off and getting back to pack business, I conveniently forgot my actual business. To make matters worse, Justin is my personal assistant. This week, we have a lot of client meetings so we would have to work closely together. If I have Gemma take the meetings, it will be obvious that I'm trying to keep my distance from Justin. My chest is starting to feel tight. I don't know what to do.

'We can find this fucking 'Samantha' and fuck her up!'

'Welcome back, Sky. Nice to have you join me.'

'Fuck off! You aren't the only one in pain after hearing what we heard. I get to mourn too.'

'True, but I don't plan on going on a Samantha search.'

"Gemma, can you be me this week? I just…..I just can't deal right now. I have to get myself together, but I won't be able to take seeing him every day." This is pathetic. Since when do I run from things? The thought of seeing Justin breaks my heart and then I see red when I imagine this Samantha bitch with her hands on him. Hell I don't even know what she looks like, but I know she exists and that is enough.

"Don't worry about it. I got you, girl. We will figure this out." Gemma gets up and heads out.

"Well I guess it's just you and me today, Alpha. I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you around for a few days." I can only nod in response. Lana sighs, gets up, and leaves the room.

~Justin~

I wasn't surprised that Janessa wasn't in on Monday. The way she ran out of my place, I kind of figured that she would need some time. I'm not trying to brag about myself or anything, but she did seem extremely upset. The fact that she was that upset was unsettling for me. I didn't understand how she could be so invested and I also felt like shit for making her feel bad. That part confused me to no end. She is my boss and we shouldn't have a personal relationship so why feel bad simply because she feels bad.

Today is Wednesday and I've had enough. I haven't seen Janessa since early Sunday morning and I'm getting irritated. Clearly we need to talk, but how can we do that if she won't show her face. Gemma has been handling the meetings for Janessa and has been the one directing me. She has been using Janessa's office, so I decide to go in there and get some information.

I walk to the office door and knock. I hear a quiet 'come in' so I enter the room. I must have interrupted something, because Gemma quickly hangs up the phone after whispering something into it. "Mr. Case. How can I help you?" I close the door behind me and take a seat across from Gemma. She has been pretty icy to me lately, but I don't know why.

"I wanted to ask you about Ms. James." Gemma just looks at me with an eyebrow raised. "Is she okay? She hasn't been in at all this week and I'm getting a bit worried." Gemma sighs.

"Ms. James is a big girl. She doesn't need YOU checking up on her." I have no idea what this attitude is about, but it isn't sitting well with me. Gemma continues to look at me with irritation. "If that is all." She turns to the computer screen and starts typing.

"Look, I don't know what I've done to piss you off, but I'm sorry whatever it is. You seem to be angry with me about something." As I speak, Gemma's fingers still on the keyboard and I know she is listening. "I know Ms. James can take care of herself, but I'm really worried about her. I need…..I need to speak to her. It is really important." Gemma takes a breath and starts to type again. I get up and head out of the office and back to my desk. I have to find a way to talk to her.

I walk up to Katie's desk. She notices me and instantly starts to grin. "Hey beautiful. How is your day going?"

"Better now that I'm talking to you." I wink at her and she giggles.

"Hey, I was wondering…..is there some kind of employee directory or something?" Katie puts a seductive look on her face.

"Baby, you don't need a directory. I will give you all of my information. All you have to do is ask." Lord, this woman right here. She is starting to be a bit much, but I can't completely cut her off. I still need her. I lean over her desk and run a finger down her cheek.

"I'm happy to hear that and I will definitely keep that in mind. The nights have started to get….chilly." Katie's eyes brighten up and I internally roll mine. "I just need to be able to send a few things for the boss and if I could get their information, it would be helpful." Katie winks at me and types a bit on her computer.

"I just sent you the link so you are set handsome." I grip Katie's chin in my hand and look her in the eyes.

"Thank you gorgeous." I wink and walk back to my desk. I hop in my email and sure enough I have a link to a company directory. I check the link and the information I find is for Janessa. I quickly pull up my texts on my phone and send her a text. I watch my phone and I see the dots pop up. She is going to respond. After a minute, the dots disappear, but no text is received. I see she isn't going to make it easy on me.

~Janessa~

I have to admit that I'm bored. I have been home since Monday and I am ready to jump out of my skin. It is only Wednesday. I have been able to catch up on a lot of work that was waiting for me and now I'm bored. I miss going to the office everyday and it is starting to mess with me. I don't know how Lana is okay with hanging out here all day and doing nothing else. I know my day to day schedule can be hectic as hell, but this time at home has shown me that I like hectic.

My phone chimes and I notice a text. I don't recognize the number, but I open it anyway. 'It's Justin. We need to talk.' Awww hell! How did he get my number? Out of all of the people that text could have been from, I never considered it would be from him. I start to type a response and then I stop. What the hell do I say? I have been avoiding him specifically this week. I can't handle seeing him and smelling him all day. What about this Samantha character? Does he want to explain that? What could he want to talk about? We haven't mated or anything, but there was that amazing kiss. Every time I think about that kiss, I lose myself in the feeling that it gave me. Then I remember him pulling back and mentioning Samantha and I am immediately back in reality.

'We should talk to him...let him explain.'

'He doesn't owe us an explanation, Sky. We aren't anything to him.'

'I WANT MY MATE! If you don't talk to him, I will just have to take control and handle things myself.'

'Don't you dare!'

I throw the block up and cross my arms. That wolf is something else. I swear she gives me more of a headache than anyone else and that includes my mother. I look back at my phone to see if he has sent anything else and of course he hasn't. I still don't know what to say to him or if I should say anything at all. How long can I really avoid him?