Cold ✔

:::::Chapter 27:::::

Since the car is a SUV, there is enough space for us and our luggage. We all get inside the car. Matt, Darius and I decide to sit at the back seats while Charles and Daniel decide to sit on the middle seats. Alarick sits on the passenger seat. It's obvious that he's trying to maintain distance. After bidding farewell to Alpha Brent, we head to the airport. During the ride, there is perfect silence. Charles and Daniel are facing each other and the expression on their faces tells me that they're talking through mind-link.

*Don't you think that there's too much silence in the car?* Darius mind-links Matt and me. Neither Matt nor I respond.

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We finally reach the airport after that silence-filled ride. At the check-in, I find that Alarick and I are boarding the same plane. I cannot believe how bad my luck is! When we get inside the plane, we make our way to our respective seats. After getting settled, it is announced that we should fasten our seat-belts. We do as we are told to do. And soon, we take off.

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After reaching the pack house, I straightaway go to my room and collapse on my bed. I'm exhausted! My eyes slowly start closing. And soon, I find myself sleeping peacefully.

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I'm woken up by Ciara shaking me violently. "Chriselda, it's evening! How long will you sleep?" She asks.

I sit up on my bed as I rub my eyes. "There are peaceful ways to wake someone up, you know," I say to her.

"I called your name many times but you weren't responding," she says. "So, I had to use a violent way to wake you up."

"Why are you here?" I ask.

"Aren't you happy to see me here?" She asks, faking hurt.

"Honestly, no," I jokingly say. She nudges at my elbow.

"By the way, I'm angry at you," she seriously says as she folds her arms.

"What have I done?" I ask as I run my fingers through my hair.

"You didn't even meet me after you returned from the Dawnfall Depths Pack," she says.

"A lot was going on so..." I trail off.

"Like?" She asks.

"I don't want to talk about it," I tell her as I look away. If I tell her that my mate denied me then she will be worried and I don't want her to get worried because of me.

"Chris, we are best friends and best friends don't keep secrets from each other," she says. I look at her. She's my best friend. I know that she cares for me. But I don't want to tell her about the person whom I want to forget about. "Chris, please tell me," she requests. When I don't say anything, she says, "If you don't want to tell me then it's fine. I understand that you don't trust me."

"Ciara, it's not about trust," I tell her. "I trust you more than I trust myself. It's just that things are complicated."

"I'll help you to uncomplicate things," she says as she gives me an assuring smile. I decide to tell her about Alarick. After all, she happens to be my best friend.

I take a deep breath. "My mate has denied me," I finally tell her.

"What!" She exclaims in shock, just the expression that I expected from her. "When did you find your mate? Who is he? Why did he deny you? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I hold up my hands to her, telling her to stop. "Breathe," I tell her. "Asking so many questions must've left you breathless."

She rolls her eyes at my sarcasm. "Who is he?" She asks calmly.