Author's note

Sorry for the long wait again...

Just wanted to say thanks for all the votes, comments and support. You guys are seriously the best

Hope you enjoy

Speech_error

Chapter 22

As I step through the door I notice how the Alpha's had kept the building very business-like, the walls were stark white with nothing adorning them.

The building consisted of a long narrow hallway with rooms veering off the side. I walk along following the scent of the Alpha's until I arrive at an open door.

Peering inside I find the two Alpha's sitting at a wooden desk, I was shocked at the mountains of paperwork that surrounded them. Most people forgot the amount of officework that's required when someone takes on the Alpha position.

They hadn't looked up yet and I continue watching them, for the top pack in America they were both very unobservant.

Using this moment I study the two Alphas. When I first came here I had ignored their strikingly handsome features, I was determined to not become attracted, to leave as soon as possible but the Alpha's had changed and over the past few months, and I had been forced to change as well.

I now wanted to run my hands through Connor's hazelnut hair which had grown since I first saw him. Jake, however was another story, despite his scary and almost frightening demeanour I knew that he loved me and I knew that over time I would feel completely safe in his presence.

My eyes are still on Jake when he looks up catching my gaze.

"Flicker, what are you doing here" he asks clearly surprised

At Jake's announcement Connor glances up from his paperwork, a smile appearing on his face when he see's me.

"I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't realise that you have so much paperwork" I exclaim looking at the stacks of paper.

"Flicker we always have time for you" Jake assures, "You must be exhausted please take a seat."

"That's what I came here to discuss" I ignore his request to sit down, standing gave me temporary power and if I sat the Alpha's would automatically assume I was tired.

"I'm not the tired and weak she-wolf that I was a few weeks ago. I've recovered, I'm much stronger now.

"We know Flicker" Jake assures as he gets out of his chair and instead sits on the edge of the desk. Connor quickly joins him.

Damn I think, I wanted them to stay seated, having them so close to me put my nerves on edge, especially when there was a good chance that the Alpha's were going to disagree with what I had to say.

"Look I was hoping to discuss the number of guards that I have looking after me, I really don't need so many.

"Flicker they're for your safety, after the incident last week, we vowed that if we weren't there, then someone would always be there to protect you.

"I understand that but I can look after myself"

Jake laughs at me as he hops off the desk, he steps forward so that he now towers over me. Instead of turning away or stepping back I look up glaring at him.

Jake seems unfazed as he continues talking,

"Flicker we know that you're a strong she-wolf, but we're the strongest pack in America. We have too many enemies that would love to harm you, just to see the pack fall. I'm sorry but to us you're a weakness"

My mouth falls open and for once in my life I am utterly speechless.

"Jake's right Flicker, you're a weakness, that's why we need all those guards to protect you"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, seriously they thought I was a weakness. I hide my clenched fists behind my back not wanting to alert the Alpha's to my anger. If I was strong enough I would seriously knock some sense into them.

Instead I take a step forward, leaving only a small distance between the Alpha's and I.

"I am not your weakness" I shout at them. "I am your equal, I am an asset to this pack"

They both look shocked that I yelled at them, but they had repeatedly told me that I was their equal, how did this situation differ?

"Yes your our equal" Jake says, "But can you protect yourself"

With lightning quick speed Jake grabs my wrists whilst pushing me against the wall. I try moving my hands but he has them pinned at my sides, his body pressed up against mine keeping me in place.

"You were saying Flicker" he smirks

Now I really wanted to punch him. After a few seconds he still doesn't release me and I quickly begin to realise just how close he is.

I glance up and notice that his eyes are filled with lust. I lift my head, another inch and our lips would meet.

If Emma was here she would urge me to kiss him, the idea begins to play on the edge of my mind but before I can act on it Connor interrupts us,

"Jake" Connor growls "Step away"

Jake immediately steps away and the moment is broken.

"I'm sorry Flicker, I shouldn't have been that close" he apologises.

I look up at him and notice his eyes full of regret.

I don't know how to respond so I just nod my head. The thing is, I liked the feeling of his body so close to mine, I wanted to kiss him, hell if given another second I might've done so.

"Flicker I'm sorry but that just proves that you can't protect yourself" Connor states

"I'm not a weakness though" I argue back

"But you don't have your wolf"

"And whose fault is that"

The room falls silence and I immediately regret my words, the Alpha's won't meet my eyes and I suddenly feel awful.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Flicker" Connor whispers his eyes are hooded with sadness which only makes me feel worse. "We love you so much, if something were to happen to you, it would destroy us"

"I understand, but my freedom means so much to me"

The Alpha's turn to each other and I know they're communicating in their heads. I have no clue as to what they're thinking and I know that this could go either way.

"Okay Flicker" Jake sighs and I immediately let out a squeal of delight.

"Just please let us know before you go anywhere" Connor adds and I nod grinning at him.

In this moment I want to hug them but at the last second I decide to leave it.

"We'll also remove all the guards except one, there needs to be one guarding the house"

I nod,

"Thankyou very much Alpha's" I say but then an idea flitters into my head, I'm halfway towards the door when I turn around and say

"Thank you Jake and Connor"

They both stand there in shock, it had been the first time I had said their names since that awful car trip. I don't miss the shiver either that ran down their spines.

"I'll see you at dinner" I beamed as I step out the door leaving the Alpha's standing there in shock.

...

When I return home all the guards have disappeared except for one leaving me with a sense of accomplishment.

I had done it, I had stood up against the Alpha's and won.

I walk into the kitchen finding Marilyn at the stove cooking.

"That smells delicious" I comment as I slide onto one of the stools

"Thanks Luna"

"Marilyn please call me Flicker" I remind her

"Yes sorry Flicker" She pauses at the stove and hands me a cool glass of water. "You look happier than usual, what have you been up too?"

I laugh at her suspicious tone, " Can't I just be happy"

She narrows her eyes looking at me and I eventually crack under her gaze.

"Okay okay settle down I'll tell you"

"I went to see Jake and Connor today"

"So its Jake and Connor now" She interrupts smiling at me mischievously

I ignore her comment

"I went to discuss my freedom and the ridiculous number of guards that they had stationed around the house"

"And" Marilyn drawled she had stopped stirring and was now listening attentively

"And they agreed. As you see the guards have all gone" I note looking around. "But they've also allowed me to take walks by myself in the forest"

"My gosh darling that's amazing" An unknown voice comments

I whirl in my chair coming face to face with an older looking women. She was smiling at me and I had a feeling that I should know who this person was. The way she held herself I immediately knew that she was in a position of power but I didn't realise who it was until Marilyn asked the woman a question.

"How are you Luna" Marilyn says bowing

My eyes widen as I realise that I'm talking to the previous Luna of the pack. I hop off my chair, lowering my head to show my respect when she stops me

"For heavens sake child don't do that. I know my sons and their father like all that bowing business but I really thinks its unnecessary." She leans in whispering something in my ear, "But don't ever let my sons hear that, its not something worth fighting about"

I stand there shocked, I had not expected her to say that.

"I'll have a glass of water Marilyn thanks" The Luna says sliding into the seat next to me

"You know that you've got them wrapped around your little finger"

I laugh before turning to look at her

"I hardly have any control its just... they've changed"

"They changed for you" She replies looking down at me.

I don't meet her intense gaze instead focussing my attention on Marilyn, regardless of her position I knew her words weren't right, Jake and Connor didn't change for me, they were forced to change their authorative and controlling ways when they realised it was killing their mate. They had gotten better but never in a million years would I say that they changed for me."

"You disagree with me don't you" she accuses

"Of course not Luna" I lie but both she and I know it

"Please child don't call me Luna, my name is Carolyn"

"Ok, so Carolyn" I ask changing the subject, "How long have you been running this pack"

We soon fall into easy conversation and I discover that she has been ruling this pack for 40 years. She came here when she was 20 and like me had a controlling and possessive mate, he now treats her with utmost respect but she never did tell me why he changed his behaviour.

Carolyn is just about to leave when Jake and Connor walk through the door, they smile when they see me and heat rises to my cheeks. I look away scolding myself, I wasn't a 14 year old teenager, just one smile shouldn't have such an affect on me.

"Mother what are you doing here?" Jake inquires.

I turn back to the conversation,

"Just meeting your mate. Your very lucky to have her"

"We know" Connor says winking at me and I smile back at him.

"You should take her out on a date somewhere in the city" Carolyn suggests

My ears perk up at this, outside pack territory the thought never seemed possible. I just assumed I would be stuck within the confines of the pack for the rest of my life.

"That's a good idea" Jake says agreeing. "How about tomorrow night, what do you think Flicker?"

I look at him shocked that he would ask for my opinion

"That would be lovely"

"Its a date then" Connor says grinning happily.

"And then maybe after your date we could have a big family dinner"

A shiver runs down my spine at what Carolyn suggests, it was sometime hard enough having dinner with Jake and Connor but having dinner with their parents would be a living nightmare.

"This Sunday would be great" Connor adds while a slither of unease runs through me, I keep my face composed not letting my true emotions show. I wasn't going to act scared, I was the next Alpha female I could do this.

Jake walks his mother to the door while Connor stands beside me.

"How about we put a movie on for tonight, you can choose" Connor asks me.

"That'd be great" I say as we walk into the lounge