The Runaway

Chapter Seventeen

Avery's POV
One year later
"Happy birthday" Jake joined me on the clock,our feet dangling over the clear lake. I nodded and gazed out on the water. "Avery what's going on with you?" Jake asked me seriously.

I shrugged.

"Avery" he warned "one day you happy, the next?" he looked at me in question. "Your like a big dark rain cloud" he sighed "why?" he pleaded me with his eyes. 'I wish I could could tell you' I said over link.

"Tell me" he demanded 'I can't' I told him. "And why not" he hissed his temper flaring, I shook my head. "I don't know why I even try" he laughed bitterly and got up, and I watched him go.

My mood was saddened and know it rained softly, the once clear sky was grey with clouds. I sat in the rain letting the drops soak me to the bone. My hair plastered to my face as clothes to my skin.

I laid back on the dock and closed my eyes I felt the soft rain drops hit my face washing off all the makeup. I felt as if the rain washed away my worries as well, but the world doesn't work like that.

I've only had one good birthday and that was last year, but even then I felt like I forced my happiness. As if it didn't come natural. People laughed and talked that night, while I sat on the couch with Landon.

He helped me through the night and made it better. But I hadn't seen much of him lately because of his mate. I was jealous of them, how their bond was. I still hung out with Nika and saw her everyday.

But I never see Landon after he took over Alpha role. I miss him greatly, but I never let it show. My face is always blank no emotion, I could still see the worry I'm Mom and Dads eyes as they watched me.

Jake or I never spoke over the time he found me with the violin. And for that I was great full. I was snapped from my thoughts when someone called my name "Avery! What the hell are you thinking!?" Jake screamed at me.

He picked me up and looked in my eyes "oh Avery" his voice cracked. In that moment I knew something.

Jake cared for me more then anyone else. Even in the two years I've know him, no one cared as much as Jake did.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and have him a half hug, he hugged me close and began walking. "I'm sorry I snapped" he said ashamed 'don't be' I told him sincerely "Avery your to nice" he chuckled.

I just shrugged a ghost of a smile playing on my lips. "We should get you inside" he told me and I nodded, he began running. Seeing the packs house in view I jumped from his arms and walked the rest of the way.

"AVERY" my dad screamed from inside 'thank you' I pecked Jakes cheek and ran inside. My dad was fuming "go shower and dry off, we will talk about this" he growled and I flinched back against the door.

'They don't know' Ava soothed me, Dads eyes softened but I was running down the hall keeping my tears at bay. Undressing in my bathroom I stepped down into my shower and stood under the hot water.

I washed with my honey shampoo and coconut shampoo, the store stopped carrying my others. Screw them. After showering I dressed in fleece grey Pj pants and a new jacket that was so soft and warm.

I dried my hair and pulled it into a bun, right now all I wanted was to go to bed. Looking longingly at my bed,my fleece blankets and big warm comforter. But right now Dad wanted me.

I went down stairs and sat on my Dads couch office and waited for him. "Avery, what's going on?" he asked me "you haven't been yourself lately" he searched my eyes looking for something.

He would find nothing. My face remained blank.

"Me and your Mom and worried" he told me honestly, my heart fluttered in my chest. I'm not used to people caring for me, even after two years. It feels foreign. 'Do what feels right' Ava spoke.

Getting up Dad watched me as I sat on his lap and laid my head on his chest. In a fatherly action in wrapped his arms around me and held me. My heart fluttered once again.

I felt a little better, but a big part of me was still sad. It was like there was a big hole of sadness and a sliver of happiness.

Only one person could make that sliver a plug, and plug the sadness away.

And that person was my mate.