Phase (25 page)

In her brother’s T-shirt, Naomi stood alone, her gaze in our direction.

Micah approached her. “Naomi, did you do it?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Tell the truth. Did you get that DVD? Did you risk exposing us?” His voice rose with each word. “And the graffiti?”

“Who cares if the stupid humans know? We could run this damn town if we liked. We’re stronger, faster, better than humans. I’m sick of pack secrets.” She spoke with venom, but her shoulders were slumped. She knew.

Micah’s hand clenched. “You went against family.”

Naomi pointed at Jules. “She’s not my family. Ezra’s family. And even he believed
her
over me.” She jerked her head in my direction.

I couldn’t tell what Ezra was thinking. He stared at his sister like he didn’t recognize her.

“I should kill you now for what you’ve done.” Micah stood over her, and Naomi cowered. “But you’re young. I’ll deal with you tomorrow. You will remain in your room until punishment is decided.”

“You’re not my father.” She glowered at Jules and me.

“I’m Alpha,” he replied, his tone darkening. “Who is being more than merciful right now. Don’t push it.”

She sneered and hurried toward the house.

“Aidan? Nick?” Micah called. “Follow her. Make sure she doesn’t run.”

Aidan ran off after her. Nick looked over at me.

“Sorry, Sophie,” he said quietly and followed Aidan.

Micah walked over to Jules and me. We both stood.

“We’ll deal with her tomorrow.” Micah paused, shame pulling down the corners of his mouth. He hesitated, and I realized I’d never before seen him at a loss for words. “I’m sorry. I—”

“Thank you,” I replied, still watching Jules. “I know it was pack.” I was on autopilot. Be forgiving. Be polite. I couldn’t comprehend much of anything.

“Yes, but…” He touched my arm.

I flinched, backing up. His hand dropped. I didn’t doubt that he was sorry. But a large black wolf would have been my executioner. I couldn’t let go of that so quickly.

“I
am
sorry.”

I nodded, accepting his apology.

He turned to Ezra. “Ez…”

Ezra growled.

“Come back to the house when you’re ready, man. We’ll talk.” Micah gripped his shoulder. “You’re a good second.” With one glance at Jules, he left the clearing. Gil ran past us after his brother. He looked back at me and gave me a timid smile that I could see even in the shadows.

Then he left too. Only Jules, Ezra, and I remained. I took Jules’s hand.

“I could kill her,” she said through clenched teeth. She squeezed my hand tightly. “I’m so sorry.” She pulled me into a hug.

That’s when it hit me. I was safe.

Then I heard a low growl.

Jules looked at Ezra. “I don’t care if you think she’s yours now. She was mine first.”

I had no idea what she was talking about. Jules slipped her arm around my shoulders. “Forgive me?” she asked, her attention back to me.

Maybe I was too soft. I’m sure Connie or Mary-Beth would have told me to make her pay, to make her grovel. I’d been through the worst these last few days. And her betrayal had broken me.

But I loved her. I nodded and smiled weakly.

“I will make it up to you. I promise.”

I shook my head. “You’re my best friend. We’re good.”

“You believed her. Even at the end, didn’t you?” she asked Ezra.

His green eyes flickered. “I…” He swallowed. He met my gaze.

Jules dropped her arm from my shoulders. “I’m going to wash off.” She went to the river, leaving me alone with Ezra, but still in her eyeline.

“Sophie?” he asked.

Without Jules, I felt exposed. “I can’t talk about this right now.”

His face fell.

“Jules…” I ran over to her, grabbing her arm. “Let’s go. I have to get back to my parents. I’m grounded.”

She didn’t argue, so we left the clearing. I looked back once to see Ezra completely deflated. Jules was easy to forgive. She was used to being betrayed, and besides, I shouldn’t have read her journal.

But Ezra…it hurt too much still.

Jules headed straight to my car.

“How did you know where…?”

She tapped her nose. I nodded and unlocked my car. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, but it was broken. Not surprising.

“What am I gonna tell them?”

Jules shrugged. “I don’t know.” She offered me her phone.

I brushed my hair out of my face and pressed Send.

“Hello?” Mom answered on the first ring.

“Mom?”

“Sophia Hannah Todd, you better—”

“I’m sorry.” I tried not to cry. “Jules and I had to talk. And my phone broke.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“It’s broken,” I looked at my ankle. “When I fell. Again. My ankle—”

“You are in so much trouble.” Mom was beyond angry. “You come home now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We didn’t know what happened to you! You could have been hurt or worse… We’ll talk when you get home.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “Yes, ma’am.”

She hung up. I gave the phone back to Jules. I started crying. Jules wrapped her arms around me, hugging me.

“I can talk to them?”

“What would you say? I suppose being grounded for the rest of my life is better than what could have happened.” I wiped my nose and eyes. “Jules…can you drive?”

“’Course.”

We got into my car, and I looked down at myself. “I look awful.” My clothes were dirty, and my arms were scratched. Probably would bruise soon enough.

“We can tell them that we went out to the woods and ran around?” Jules pulled out and got onto the road.

“I’m in so much trouble. And you can’t show up to my house looking like that.”

She was just as grubby as me. “Good point,” she said. “I’ll stop at the house.”

“I—”

“You’re safe. They won’t hurt you.”

I nodded, telling myself the same thing.

She parked at the end of the driveway and undid her seatbelt. “Stay here. I’ll be in and out in no time.” She paused. “Maybe I should take you to the emergency room. Or to Dr. Reade.”

“No.” He might not be a shifter himself, but I couldn’t stand to be around any of them.

Jules nodded. She started to get out of the car.

I reached out and grabbed her arm. “Don’t leave me alone.” My voice trembled.

She shook her head, touching my hand with hers. “Two minutes. You’re fine.” She squeezed my shoulder and got out of the car.

I got out too, afraid of being trapped in the closed space of the car. I leaned against the door and tried to settle my breathing.

A twig broke, and I spun around to look into the trees. “Who’s there?” I called hoarsely.

No answer. And I waited. The presence, because it definitely didn’t leave, didn’t threaten, didn’t get closer. It just stayed there.

Watching. The longer time passed, I realized it wasn’t out to get me. I felt guarded. Protected. I shook my head, not sure I could even trust my thoughts. My heart slowed down some. I felt a small modicum of peace.

I heard footsteps and swung back to see Jules jogging up, cleaner. She tossed me my sweater.

“See, you’re fine.” She smiled at me. She stopped, sniffing.

“Who is it?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing.” She got back into my car.

I got in as well and, as we drove off, I saw Ezra trudge from the trees to his house. He glanced at us once before heading inside.

Jules didn’t speak, and I didn’t offer much for about half the drive. It was still too much, too overwhelming. I was safe, but my brain wouldn’t shut off.

Finally, we were nearer town, I asked, “What will they do with Naomi?”

Jules answered first with a growl, then said, “I don’t know. They won’t kill her. She’s pack. I really don’t know what happens for something like this. Nothing good.” She glanced over at me. “You really do look awful.”

“I’m so beat,” I replied, smiling at her bluntness. “I haven’t slept decently in days, and yet I can’t imagine sleeping tonight either.” I stared out the window. “Jules?”

“Mmm?”

“What was all that stuff between you and Ezra?” Just saying his name brought the image of his hurt expression. “This ‘mine’ business?”

She took a deep breath. “Wolf thing. Without even realizing it, I claimed you as mine when we because friends. My territory. I know. It’s archaic.”

“Yours? Like a mate?”

She chuckled. “No, I’m still straight.” She shot me a smile. “It’s weird. With humans, even friends, there’s an ownership recognized in the pack. And you were mine. When I left you yesterday, I relinquished my claim on you. And apparently Ezra moved in.”

“Moved in?”

“On my territory because I gave you up. I’m sorry.”

“I know.” I squeezed her free hand. “Well, didn’t he give me up today?”

“I don’t know. He was angry, we all were about the video. But he never seemed to completely sold that you did it. He was so quiet.” She sighed. “I know he hurt you, and I’m totally copacetic with you not wanting to talk to him. But he was hurting too. I can’t read guys, but I could read him.”

“He thought it was me.”

He couldn’t stand to hear me speak. He had to get away from me. That would hurt forever.

“We all did. It seemed so obvious that it was you. No one wants to think it’s one of their own.”

“Yeah.”

“If he thought it, he didn’t think it all the time.” She chuckled. “Cannot believe I’m defending him. Just, maybe talk to him in a day or two?” She parked in my driveway.

“If I’m ever allowed out of the house after this.” I couldn’t say yes.

Mom and Dad came outside. “Where have you been?” Dad said.

“She really hurt her ankle, but wouldn’t let me take her to the emergency room,” Jules said quickly. “She said she had to be home.”

Mom and Dad stared at me like I was someone else’s daughter.

“Where did you fall? In a mud slide?” Dad asked, coming up to me.

“So she couldn’t drive,” Jules continued. “Um, after you take her to the hospital, can someone drive me home?”

“Oh, of course.” Dad hugged me tightly. “You scared us.”

They had no idea.

“I’ll take her home, and you get Sophie to the hospital,” Dad said to Mom.

“Thank you for bringing her home, Juliet,” Mom said although I could tell she wasn’t happy with either of us.

Jules nodded. “Of course. Sorry about everything.” She came up to me and cupped my face in her hands, making sure our eyes met. “You’re my best friend,” she whispered and kissed my forehead before hurrying off to get into the car with Dad. I had to fight not to cry again.

“Sophie.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

She scrutinized me for a long while. “What happened?”

“I really… I just want to clean up.”

“Did you get into a fight?”

“No. Tripped and fell a lot. I can never see where I’m going in the woods.” I blinked several times. “I’m so sorry, Mom. It just seemed like I had to settle things with Jules.” On some levels, nothing I said was a lie.

“We’re both disappointed in you right now. But go on and clean yourself up. Then we’ll go to the ER.” She sighed and hugged me. “You scared me.”

“I am sorry.”

“You’re grounded for a whole month now, you know.”

“Yeah, I figured.” I didn’t let go of her. Hugging Mom was when I finally felt safe. “That’s all right.”

“That’s not really the answer one expects to hear.” I could hear the smile in her voice. I might have scared her to death, but she was happy I was home.

So was I.

* * *

My ankle, which was surprisingly not broken, was wrapped up, and I was sent home with some pain medication. I took it and was asleep before seven p.m. I felt dead tired the next day, but I got up and bathed again, wincing as the water hit the cuts and scratches on my body. Washing with a leg that wasn’t supposed to get wet didn’t work well. When I got back to my room to get dressed, I had an e-mail from Jules.

Naomi’s gone
.

My heart stopped, and I hurried to the landline to call her.

“Yeah, gone,” Jules said by way of greeting. “Somehow got away because everyone was conked out from the day.” She growled. “They’re out searching for her. Ezra’s letting me drive his station wagon to school.”

“Is anyone coming to school?”

“Just me. Maybe Gil’ll be there. I think the rest are tracking her. Don’t worry, they have to find her. I mean, that’s what we do.” She paused. “See you at school?”

“Yeah.” I hung up, remembering too late that I was grounded and probably shouldn’t be calling people. I sat on my bed, still wrapped in my towel.

Naomi gone. I didn’t know what to make of that.

With the pain medication in my system, I hadn’t really thought about anything. I’d been afraid I would have nightmares from everything, but I’d slept dead to the world.

Dead. I winced. I never wanted to use that word again.

I got repeated warnings from my parents about coming straight home after Show Choir practice. I nearly had to swear on the Bible that I would do so. Like I wanted to get into any more trouble. I was just happy to be alive.

Mom dropped me off at school. More stares from my classmates. First bandaged hands, now the ankle. Hoped no one called Social Services about child abuse.

School was boring. Boring in the best way possible. All the other students talked about was Homecoming and Halloween, which was that weekend. No one seemed to care about the fact we’d lost power during a weird video, as though what had nearly gotten me killed hadn’t even happened.

I didn’t have a couple of assignments done, and I asked for an extra day to complete them. I realized that being a good student paid off. Each teacher agreed because I’d never been late with homework before. Didn’t hurt that I had crutches.

I saw Jules after classes at my locker. “Any news?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I called Meredith after lunch. Nothing. I feel bad for her.” She rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. “Meredith is really upset. She’s a good mom.”

I nodded.

“So, Show Choir?” She looked at my ankle. “Least you can sing.”

“Not really.” My voice was hoarse. From crying and yelling for my life. I shuddered. I had to stop thinking about it. “And I’ve got homework. Oh, and grounded. For a month.” I made a face.