And Then There Were Four

Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Learning the Truth I couldn’t believe what Caleb was saying. He was a werewolf, just like the others! He was a complete contrast to what I was used to with the guys. He was kind, caring, and compassionate. He had a love for agriculture and literature that I would only dream of finding in somebody, and even though I didn’t see him in that way, he’d become quite a good friend to me. “I’ve never thought that you were one of them,” I admitted shyly. “It’s OK, Ivy. We all have our little secrets, but I want you to know that you don’t ever have to be afraid to speak with me. I will be open with you completely about anything you want to know. You simply just have to ask the question.” His smile was warm, and part of me felt overjoyed at the idea he was so willing to help me understand. The truth was that the guys had never really taken the time to explain much to me. Granted, Hale explained a little but it wasn’ t what I was hoping for. 1443- I didn’t honestly know all that much about them, and that broke my heart: Caleb cleared his throat, bringing me back from my thoughts, and causing me to give him an apologetic look, “I’m sorry…” “There is no need to apologize. Are you OK?” “Honestly, Thardly know anymore.” My reply was the honest truth. I felt completely off and different from the world that was floating around me. As much as I wanted to stay on top of the game and be in control=I couldn’t find it in myself to be that way. I felt so defeated not knowing if I was coming or going. “It’s OK, I understand. He replied with a smile, “Perhaps the best thing for you to do tonight is just to go home and sleep it off and get some rest, and be able to recoup tomorrow and figure out what you’re going to do next.” Chuckling at his comment, I contemplated sleeping: it Sleeping sounds wonderful, but definitely couldn’t go home–at least not tonight. Perhaps I could call the girls and see if I could crash with one of them? The thought was very appealing, but then again I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll sit here a little while longer. My plan was to try to call somebody and see about staying at one of their dorms for the night. I just don’t feel comfortable going home right now.’ His eyebrows shot up, and he nodded his head. “Well, I know it’s a lot, but I do have a three-bedroom house with two spare rooms. If you want, you can crash in my guest room. If you’d like for the night. No strings attached or anything like that. Just trying to give you an option if you don’t feel like going home.” I found his offer to be very kind, and I quickly nodded my head. “That would be wonderful, actually… If you don’t mind.” “Not at all, Ivy,” Caleb chuckled as he quickly slid his chair out, grabbing his bag in his jacket. “Let’s get out of here and go get you settled in for the night.” Following him, I wasn’t quite sure what was going to happen. I knew that the guys weren’t going to be happy about the fact that I wasn’t coming home tonight. But at the same time, I didn’t care. I needed the space to be able to clear my mind and comprehend everything that I had been learning. Part of me had hoped that maybe tonight before I go to bed, I could pick Caleb’s mind to learn a little bit more about the life that they were trying to pull me into. They hadn’t really discussed and told me anything, and I was supposed to just blindly trust them and follow forward. I had to learn how to start listening to myself because I was the only onē Walking into Caleb’s home, I was taken back by how beautiful it was. He definitely was making good money at the university to be able to afford to live in a place like this. Beautiful-wooden floors, granite countertops, lushi. furnishing. It was a dream come true, and similar to what I hoped that I could awn later on in my future. “Just go ahead and get comfortable. I will take you upstairs in just a minute and sh I stayed quiet but smiled at him before he disappeared around the corner. I wasn’t quite sure where he was going, but when he came back empty-handed, and with a T-shirt on and Gray sweatpants, I realized that he had gotten himself a little more comfortable. ! “Here, let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you the room that you’re staying in. There should be a change of clothes, some shorts or T-shirts or something in the drawer that my sister left here. You’re more than welcome to use them and take a shower if you’d like.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

His offer was sweet, but at the same time, I was a little hesitant. Showering in a house with another man I don’t really know in the next room? “Thank you so much for this,” 1-said from behind him as I followed him up the stairs towards the guest bedroom. “I feel like I’m being a bother, but you have no idea how much this means to me to be able to get away from it all for a night.” Reaching the top of the stairs he turned slightly and smiled at me, “You don’t even have to say thank you for staying here. My door is always open to you, Ivy.” Taken back by his offer, I stood speechless staring at him. Yes, he was my professor but since I had come to this town, he had slowly become so much more. He had in fact become a very good friend. “Thank you, Caleb. You have no idea how much that means to me.” A deep chuckle slipped his lips as he nodded his head, and turned to continue on. The subtle movement of his muscles beneath his shirt drew my eyes in, but a reminder that they weren’t one of the guys quickly diminished my thoughts. I missed them terribly, but at the same time. I was happy to be away. Walking through the open door my eyes took in the soft feminine decor of the guest bedroom. I had no doubt that his sister frequented his home because of how it looked. Soft whites, pinks, and yellows littered every inch of the room and brought a smile to my face. “When you’re done, come downstairs and I’ll get us some tea. Perhaps; I can answer some of those lingering questions for you.” | spun to face him as he slowly closed the door with a grin on his face. I was shocked that he was able to pick up on the fact I had questions. The chiming of my phone resonated again, and looking down I saw the fifteenth missed cal that lay waiting on my phone. Each of the men had tried to reach out to me, but I had ignored their advances. Why should I be the one to cave in when they all have done nothing but push me around to get what they wanted… never what I wanted. All I wanted was for my thoughts and opinions taken into account. Was that so much to ask for? Staring at my phone I sighed and quickly powered it off, I needed a night that was free from their persistent ways. I wanted a night that was just me, and I had wished more than anything I would have

just got a dorm room like the others. I wasn’t sure if there was a way for them to track me down, but with the necklace secured around my neck, I hoped it wouldn’t be possible. Thinking back over everything Hale had said to me about what the necklace could do… I was pretty sure tracking was one thing it prevented-or so I hoped. Obtaining my privacy felt like a jolt of accomplishment. I was finally able to clear my mind, and also try to gain insight into what I am really getting myself into. Or at least that is what I hoped would happen. I cared about them all, but they had been lying and betraying me. In a way, they used me to their advantage. Yes, I enjoyed the moments spent with them. But in the end, I honestly knew nothing of the life they lived. I was completely ignorant of werewolf life. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know they existed-but then I came here. Of course, that’s how my life seemed to go. One thing after another as if my life wasn’t already full with school work.