Both faces turn pale and Talon looks as if he’s about to reach out for me, but I don’t give him the chance.
I turn to Greg. “How about we get outta their way for a little bit?” I beg him with my eyes. He looks down at me then at the twins behind me.
“Yeah sure, babe, we can do that.” He smiles, grabbing my hand and pulling me into his side as we walk away. I don’t look back at the twins, but I feel the sadness radiating from behind me through our bond.
Their growls don’t deter Greg from his mission as we make our way to his motorcycle. Greg doesn’t ask questions, he hands me a helmet, settles on the bike before taking off towards the exit of the woods.
He drives us to the edge of town before turning off onto another dust road. There are no cars around and even though I know Greg doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record when it comes to girls, I needed to get away from the twins; I’m going to have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He did see me in action when I took out those two rogues back in Point Bright, so hopefully he won’t be stupid and try hurt me. I really need a friend right now and I think Greg knows a thing or two about what I’m going through.
He stops the bike under a big tree and I jump off. We leave our helmets resting on his motorcycle and he sits down on the ground leaning against the tree. It’s a sunny day outside but it’s cool under the shade so I bend down and sit next to him, leaning my head against the tree. Greg doesn’t say anything, he just sits there looking out into the grass field that surrounds us. I let out a deep breath, feeling the tears that start to fall. I lean my head back closing my eyes, letting the tears flow freely.
I feel a big rough hand take mine and hold it tight. I bite down at the uneasiness his touch causes, relishing instead in the comfort it brings. He doesn’t say a word, just sits there waiting. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t find the words to explain why I’m so upset. Where do I even start? His thumb gently strokes my hand; his gentleness makes me cry harder as I lean my head against his shoulder.
I use my other hand to wipe away the tears. When I feel his eyes looking down at me, I look up to him; his eyes are moist but no tears fall. Why does he look so sad?
“You’re a wolf now, Lexi. Because of your relation to the Alpha of this pack I practically feel your sadness and hurt within me. You need to keep up those walls darlin’. Some wolves are strong enough to feel what you’re feeling and hear what you’re thinking without you even knowing.” He gives me a sad smile. Seems to me like this whole wolf thing has more flaws than perks.
“Angel,” I say, looking out into the green field
“What?” He says, raising an eyebrow confused.
“I’m Angel now. Angel Blackwood actually. Alexia Eden is long gone,” I say flatly.
“And what happened to Alexia?” He asks curiously.
“She was a horrible person who played games with people’s emotions without caring for the consequences. She was a naïve confused girl; I left her behind in Point Bright. I need to get the new life I’ve created here sorted and forget about that silly girl.”
He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “I thought that girl was pretty fucking amazing.”
I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. I don’t have a response for that because I simply don’t believe it.
He’s quiet for a few seconds before continuing.
“Well in that case, if you’re Angel then I’m Nixon,” he says casually, leaning his head back against the tree looking into the distance.
“Nixon?”
“Yeah, my birth name is Nixon. Everyone at Point Bright called me Greg though. Long story,” he says in a softer tone. He keeps his eyes focused on the scene in front of us and away from me. It doesn’t seem as if he’s keen on explaining so I don’t ask questions; he will tell me when he’s ready.
“What happened to you Angel? You know you can trust me, you saved my life and brought me here; I owe all my happiness to you. Talk to me, let it all out, you may think you’re all alone but you’re not. Talk to me.” He turns to face me as he pleads with eyes so sad. He feels my pain and I know he’s been through rejection, at least we have that in common. I really need someone to talk to, but I don’t want to deal with any judgement right now.
It takes me a few moments before I can say the words. “He rejected me.”
“Who? Drake?” he asks clearing his voice.
“No. That ass found his mate. I caught them in bed together; even that idiot didn’t reject his mate.” I hear Nixon inhale next to me but I continue, “I’m talking about Jax. He was my mate, I knew it the second I touched him but he didn’t even give me a chance… he just rejected me.” He squeezes my hand with not one bit of judgement in his eyes.