Chapter 4 — Conflicting Decisions

Cassidy walked out of her bedroom and headed toward the kitchen. She passed by Natalie, who was sitting at the kitchen island, drinking her morning tea. "Good morning," Natalie announced as she grinned at her non-morning roommate. Cassidy turned, glared at her best friend, who looked like she'd been up for hours, and mumbled, "Good Morning." She eyed her friend's auburn signature hairstyle of a loose bun that told her she was up to something. She looked at the door and noticed a suitcase sitting next to it. "Going somewhere this weekend?" she asked before she took a sip of her coffee. Natalie placed both hands on her cup, raising it up her lips, and said, "We are going somewhere this weekend," before she took a sip from her drink. Cassidy turned and leaned against the countertop. "And where are we going?" she asked with a lifted brow. Natalie gave her a mischievous smile as she pulled the envelope off her lap and tossed it on the counter in front of her. "We are going to check out the cabin together." Cassidy was already shaking her head before the words came out of her mouth, "Nope, not happening. I can't go there." Natalie jumped off the stool she was sitting on and walked over to Cassidy. She picked up one of Cassidy's hands and cupped it between hers. She looked into her friend's sad hazel eyes and said, "Cass, I know you are scared because it brings up bad memories and the loss of your parents. But this place meant a lot to your Pop Pop. Don't you think you should give the place a chance before completely writing it out of your life?" Cassidy's heart raced as she listened to what Natalie was trying to say. "I am scared," she admitted. Natalie wiped the tear that rolled down her friend's cheek. "You won't be doing this all alone. I will be with you the entire time. I think it's time you face your demons and see the place everyone in your family loved so much." Cassidy stood there with the tears streaking down her face. She knew deep down that Nat was right. Maybe this is what she needed to give her closure on all that had happened to her, and she could find peace to move on with her life. "But what if…" Cassidy started. Natalie interrupted, "I promise if you hate the place, we will pack up and come home. You can then call a realtor, have them put it up for sale, and never think about the place ever again." Cassidy smirked. "It's funny you should say that. I just got a call from a potential buyer who was willing to pay over the asking price on the place," she explained. Natalie threw her arms up in the air, "See, even more reason to see the place." Cassidy rolled her eyes at her friend yet muttered, "Fine." Natalie jumped in place while clapping her hands. "Now, you go hop into the shower and get ready. I will pack your suitcase for you. I can feel it; this will be the best three-day weekend we've ever had." Cassidy laughed as she shook her head at her delusional friend. She started to feel the annoying burn running up her leg, and for a moment, she was reminded of the man standing outside the elevator, staring back at her with those intense blue eyes. Cassidy bit down on her lower lip as a shiver traveled through her. She wondered if she would ever run into that mysterious man again. *** Jacob breathed in the fresh mountain air as he continued to make his way through the woods on the border of his pack's property. He'd forgotten how much he loved living out in the country and enjoying what nature had to offer. Jacob closed his eyes and lifted his head to the sky, enjoying the breeze hitting his skin. His wolf, Alden, was also enjoying the connection he was feeling. Alden: It feels good to be awake and reconnecting with our pack. Jacob heard his wolf say to him through their mind-link. Jacob: It does; I forgot how much I enjoyed all this. It had been too long. Alden: I'm glad we are finally back home with the pack. We can claim our rightful place as Alpha and protect our family. Jacob lowered his head as he took in his wolf's words. Jacob: Not everyone is happy that I've come back. Alden: Can you blame them? They will need time and proof that we are here to stay. We must earn their respect and prove we deserve to be their Alpha. Jacob nodded in agreement and continued to an old creek that ran through the pack property line. His boots crunched down on the leaves as he walked through the woods. No longer did he have a need to wear his three-piece suits and flashy shoes. It had taken him a minute to get used to the rough material of the jeans that rubbed against his legs as he walked around. They were no longer a problem as he trenched through the wet mud. He took in the smell of the freshwater not much farther ahead and could hear trickling as the water moved past the rocks and down the bend. When he was younger, the creek was his favorite place to go off and claim sanction. A place that he could call his own and find peace while he sorted through his thoughts. He was reminded of how rough of a time he had when he was sixteen. With the constant hormones of a teenager and the incessant battle for control over himself with his wolf, he was constantly frustrated with not being in control over himself. He had been training to be Alpha since he was a young child and wanted to deem himself worthy of the role. However, his arrogance and rashness led him to make poor decisions and cause problems for the pack. Alden: You have to forgive yourself for the mistakes you made in the past. You can't fix or change them; you can only learn from them in hopes of not making those same mistakes. Jacob sighed. He knew what his wolf was saying made sense but had difficulty putting those words into action. Jacob couldn't forgive himself for the foolish mistake he made that night sixteen years ago. He could only hope that he'd learn from those mistakes and couldn't be influenced into making those mistakes again in order to protect the pack. Jacob's nostrils flared as an enticing scent floated through the air. His eyes grew large and glowed as his wolf quickly took control of Jacob and moved quickly toward that heavenly smell. Jacob: What's going on? Alden: I can smell her; she's near. Jacob: Who is near? Alden continued to move through the brush as he came upon the creek that divided the property from their world and the humans. It took everything Jacob had to gain control and keep his wolf from leaping across the stream to the other side. Alden: The one who got away.