Chapter 19

“No.”

“Carson it’s five days it’s not like I’ll be there forever.”

“No.”

I sighed; “You’re being unfair and ridiculous.”

“Am I?” he raised an eyebrow; “five days alone with that pervert. Who knows what he’ll pull.”

My eyes widened...did I not just explain this to him?!

“Like I said there’ll be seventeen of us with him and he’s not a pervert, you’re just too bloody jealous to see that.” I retorted.

It had been days since the Lucas Incident and he still couldn’t let it go. He was convinced Lucas would jump my bones any chance he got and that he’d have a great opportunity to do it on this trip.

Lucas had organized a class trip to Canada where we’d be participating in a chemistry workshop put on my some hot shot organization. Five days of no school, a different environment, different people and fun! There was no way in hell I was going to let Carson ruin it for me.

“No, you’re just too naïve to see it.”

I bristled slightly, call me any name in the book no problem but I absolutely hated when people called me naïve.

“It doesn’t really matter anyway because I’m going and I’ll see you when I get back.” I reached down to pick up the shirt I’d dropped and stuffed it into my duffle, aware all the while of the death glare Carson was giving me.

“Just because you’re my mate doesn’t mean you get to disobey me.” He said through clenched teeth.

“Just because I’m your mate doesn’t mean you get to make decisions for me. I have a mind of my own so if I say I’m going then I’m going.” I retorted.

We were glaring at each other now, neither of us willing to back down.

“I can’t allow you to go off on some damn weekend getaway with a practical stranger who confessed his love for you and has been stalking you for who knows how the hell long. Open your eyes Laken, this is just an opportunity he created to get into your pants…and who knows where else!”

“Weekend getaway? It’s a school trip!” I shouted back.

What the hell was wrong with him?!

“And of course that’s all you heard. I don’t care whether it’s a five minute trip to the dentist or a ten year escape to the zoo, you’re not going, end of story.”

I watched as he picked up my duffle and shook all the clothes out onto the bed then turned to me with arms crossed and a raised eyebrow. As if challenging me.

He was ruining everything! Yes Lucas was a stranger, yes he did come off a bit crazy and obsessive but we’d be surrounded by a bunch of other students, I was sharing a room to my friends, Lyla would be there and even if all those factors didn’t exist, I could handle Lucas, he wouldn’t do anything I didn’t want him to do and since I certainly didn’t want him to do anything at all then everything would be fine.

Carson didn’t know him like I did. Yes I know I didn’t know him very long but my judgment of character wasn’t that skewed. I wanted to go to Canada with my friends; I hadn’t had an opportunity like this in forever.

“If it’s such a problem to you then you should come along as some kind of senior assistant or something but either way I just wanna go.”

“I have finals and I have a bunch of insane female visitors to deal with I can’t leave.” He explained.

“Well that’s too bad but I shouldn’t have to put up with this. Just because you want something a certain way means you’re gonna get it. I promise I’ll call and I’ll stay away from him.”

“I’m not worried about what you’ll do I’m worried about what he’ll do. I don’t trust him Laken and I just can’t have you go off where I won’t be able to protect you from-“

“I’m going.” I said this as firmly as I could then grabbed up my duffle and started re-stuffing the clothes with vigor.

“It’s not like I’m trying to hurt you or suck the fun out of your life. I know you’re excited but Lucas can’t be trusted. We don’t know a thing about him. I’ve had Thomas do a background search and absolutely nothing came up. Don’t you find that a little strange? Thomas, the best investigator in the pack can’t find anything on him.” He said calmly, standing in the middle of my room watching as I packed my bag.

“You did a background check? Who’s the stalker now?” I said with malice.

“A new nose comes sniffing around a member of my pack, it’s my duty to do checks. I’ll take you to Canada or wherever the hell you want to go for the holidays I promise, but not this trip I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I want to stay here for the holidays with my family.” I said stubbornly; “This is my chance to hang with my friends and my mom already said yes. She’s gonna drop me to school tomorrow and I’m gonna get on that bus and then on the plane and go to Canada. If you want you can drop me to the airport yourself that way you’ll see me off and see that it’s safe but otherwise I’m not changing my mind.”

“It’s out of your hands now. My instincts have never failed me before, you are a member of my pack and it’s my duty to protect what’s mine. I’m sorry but I’m ordering you to stay here and I’m sure you don’t want to disobey another one of my orders.” He said this softly as if he really didn’t want to do it but he had no choice.

I plopped down on my bed my eyes filling. I know there was no reason for me to feel this way but you know when you’ve just been looking forward to something for so long and then to get the news that it wouldn’t be happening, it was just frustrating.

“Laken you know my instincts have never led me astray. I’m not trying to be cruel here it’s just that I have a bad feeling about this trip.” He said softly.

I looked up at him. He looked just as helpless as I felt and so I couldn’t stay mad at him for that.

“It’s okay maybe we can spend the time at your place and burn a cake or two.” I said sadly.

He smiled then came over to where I sat ruffling my hair then planting a kiss on my temple.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, I swear.” He said trying to brighten my mood but it really wasn’t working.

“It’s okay, I just wanna go to bed now, A-Alone.” I said.

I could tell the words stung because I could see it in his eyes but he nodded, kissed my head again then left my room.

……………………..

I stared at the gift wrapped box in my hand, turning it this way and that.

Should I open it?

I’d been sitting here for close to twenty-five minutes going back and forth over this. It wouldn’t be right to open it, I knew how Carson felt about Lucas, it just wouldn’t be right. I sighed then leaned back against the pillows. I loved surprises so of course I was eager to see what was inside.

Decisions Decisions

Instead of deciding right away I went over to my bags and dropped the package inside zipping it up with all my other stuff. I’d let Lyla open it, that way I’d know what was inside and I wouldn’t feel so guilty about it.

I looked around my room making sure I had everything packed. It would suck to leave something. I always left something.

Toothbrush…check, extra underwear…check, iPod….check.

Yeah I had everything and in case you hadn’t already figured it out I had decided to just go on the trip anyway, despite his orders and despite my fear of what he’s do when I got back. The pack didn’t know about this order so I wouldn’t be punished. He’d probably just be pissed for awhile, but otherwise he’d be fine.

………………..

“Omg I’m so excited! This is gonna be so much fun. Mom was telling me where to find the best shopping malls there so I’m gonna convince Lucas to take us there!” Lyla squealed.

“Yeah and maybe I can find something for Carson.” I said.

Just thinking about him had my heart pounding. I was so sure that at any minute he’d come running through the door demanding that I get off the plane. I was so nervous my hands shook and when the door of the plane closed I still didn’t relax until we were up in the air, where he had no way of getting to me.

I hadn’t spoken to him since last night, so he had no idea I’d left. I’d call…no text him when we landed and let him know. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too pissed.

“Could you close the shade, I forgot how much I hated flying.” Lyla was saying.

She looked a little pale and maybe a tad bit nervous as she clutched the hand rests. The mighty Lyla was scared, too bad she didn’t have Matt to comfort her.

“It’s okay Lyla, we’ll be fine.” I assured her patting her back.

“Easy for you to say, if we go down, you just turn into a fur ball and fly out of here, I’m just a mass of skinny arms and short legs I won’t be flying anywhere.” She said with wide eyes.

I laughed; “Lyla I’m a wolf not a bird, if that were to happen we’d go down the same way…not that it will though, cause like I said we’ll be fine.”

She chuckled nervously then consciously tried to calm herself. I offered her one of my ear pieces and we sat there listening to Bruno Mars; locked out of heaven. She relaxed instantly.

…………….

I stood with my duffle watching Lucas count our heads to make sure we were all here. It wasn’t obvious what he was doing but the way his eyes roamed over our faces I could tell that’s what he was doing.

We were outside the airport waiting for our ride which would take us to the hotel. I looked down at my phone; no missed calls or texts, which led me to believe he still didn’t know I’d left yet. I sighed and typed a short message then hit send. My phone would surely be blazing in a minute and true to form, less than a minute later I felt it vibrating in my palm.

Carson.

“Hello?” I answered a bit apprehensive.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed with someone in my life. How could you do this Laken?”

Disappointed? Anger I could handle but disappointment? I felt the tightening in my chest.

“I-I just wanted to hang with my friends.” I said in a small voice.

“Against my express orders. An Alpha should be respected by every member of his pack, but my own mate doesn’t even have it in him to listen to one word I say. Where are you?”

I swallowed hard, he wasn’t even shouting.

“We’re waiting for the people to come take us to the hotel. We’re at the airport.” I said.

“Which hotel?”

I looked at Lyla and mouthed the question. She shrugged.

“I-I don’t know, I’ll call you when we get there and let you know.”

“Give him the phone.” He said with a frustrated sigh.

It didn’t take a genius to know who the him was.

I pushed to the front of the group and held out the phone to Lucas who looked at me with a raised brow. “He wants to talk to you.” I mumbled.

He shook his head and flashed a smile, then took the phone from my hand.

I listened in agitation trying to guess what Carson was saying to him from his replies.

“Well aren’t you the little mother hen.” Lucas said in a mocking tone. “He’s in perfectly good hands- no need to make threats lover boy, I’m here and I’ll take good care of him don’t you worry.” His grin widened and I bit my lip.

This couldn’t be good.

“It’s five days, is it that you have to control every second of his life? Stay where you are, give him a break he deserves it.” Lucas was saying.

What did he mean stay? Was Carson thinking of coming here?!

I took the phone from Lucas when he handed it back to me and put it to my ears.

“Stay away from him, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Carson growled then the line went dead.

My eyes widened. He was coming here! Shit I was so dead!

………………..

Remember when Carson said Lucas was using this trip as an opportunity to get to me? Well I was beginning to think he was right.

When we got to the hotel, we were told that it could be only two to a room because of the type of rooms we booked so Lucas arranged everybody in pairs and since there were eighteen of us, guess who I’d be bunking with?

“Which side do you want?” Lucas asked when we entered our room, he dropped his bag onto the floor and looked around. I gaped

“I-where’s the other bed?” I asked.

“When I booked it I thought I’d be sleeping alone so only one bed.” He answered.

I glared at him suspiciously then looked at the large bed standing in the middle of the room, then I took in the décor and the flat screen on the wall. Lyla’s room didn’t look anything like this.

This was a frickin suite!

Carson was right, I couldn’t see this as a mere coincidence and I shook my head feeling stupid for having doubted him. He was always right but I was here now so I just had to make do. So much for me staying away from him.

“I’ll take the left.” I answered then dropped my duffle on the floor beside his.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

EXAMS ARE DONE!!!!!!! SO BACK TO DAILY UPLOADS YAY! SORRY THIS CHAP IS SO SHORT I'M JUST SO TIRED. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT THOUGH AND AS ALWAYS YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME.

WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO ALL MY NEW FANS AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VOTING..I'M AWARE OF THOSE OF YOU WHO ALWAYS VOTE..SO EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T COMMENT I APPRECIATE IT! :)

HMMM I'M CONTINUING WITH THE USUAL SHOUT OUTS TOMORROW BUT FOR NOW...THIS CHAPPY IS DEDICATED TO EVERYBODY ON TEAM LUCAS! BASK IN HIS SEXINESS AND ENJOY!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited (jeez I really need to start editing this thing.)