Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Fallon POV

I wrap myself in a blanket and try to sleep. All I can think as I lie here in this oversized bed is, how did I get here? What happens to my old life? I snuggle down into the blanket and close my eyes. The truth is my old life is gone. Maybe that life was a lie and never meant for me.

The bedroom door creeks as I almost fall asleep. I open my eyes and see Bruce. He looks upset with me. "I wanted to talk to you," Bruce says slowly.

I sit up in the bed and move over to the edge, pushing the comforter to the end of the bed. I pat the bed for him to sit next to me. "Sit with me," I say, smiling at my friend. Right now, he doesn't look like my friend.

Bruce steps inside the room. He looks around the corner of the door as he closes it. Who is he looking for right now? He is worried Ryan will say something because I am supposed to rest for tomorrow.

Bruce sits on the side of the bed with me. I reach for his hand. I have been through so much lately, and I could use my friend right now, but he pulls away from me. "I thought we were in this together? Are you upset with me?" I ask him.

"He is not the one for you, Fallon. I am in love with you, and I have been for a long time. You have rejected me over and over, and now you just leap into Ryan's arms," Bruce raises his voice, but not so loud that it will wake anyone.

I place my hands in my lap and tilt my head back to fight back the tears. There is no way I will give him one tear, not Bruce or any man for that matter. I owe him nothing. He is supposed to be my friend, and here he is, barking at me because Ryan helped me and swore to protect me. Considering everything that is coming for me, Bruce should be thrilled that a Lycan wants to protect me. I should tell him that, but I say nothing.

Bruce gets up. He is done with me. He had his say, and now he is done with me. He stands in front of the door. He is waiting for me to beg him to stay. He wants me to say I am sorry.

"You know I can't hear your mind anymore. I have no idea how you feel. Our watcher bond broke when Ryan promised to protect you. You belong to him now," Bruce says.

I sit quietly and watch as Bruce walks out of the room. He closes the door softly. I can feel his anger radiating as he walks out of the house. I can hear his feet hit the ground, and someone calls out to him.

My door opens once again. This time it is Ryan. He leans against the door. He doesn't smile or say anything, but I know he hurts for me and what I just lost. I lost my friend because I chose myself.

"I am fine," I say softly.

Ryan sits next to me in the same place Bruce sat and berated me over my life choices. He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. He holds my hand in silence. I close my eyes, and I hear his mind, his feelings, and everything thought that is going through his head.

"You are my watcher now," I say.

Bruce pulls my hand up to his mouth and softly kisses the top of it. "I will protect you with my life. I meant every word of it. I hope Bruce returns, but I have a feeling he will not," Ryan says.

I know he means what he says. He wants Bruce to be a part of my life and help train me, but we both know Bruce is gone. At least he is gone for now.

"I am hungry," I say. I look over at Ryan and smile. I want to feel something other than guilt right now. I want to be happy. I should not feel guilty for learning about my birth mother and father or accepting my magic. I shouldn't feel guilty about Bruce.

"None of this is your fault," Ryan says, smiling at me.

"You are right. None of this is my fault. I have to stand up for myself and be me," I say.

Ryan stands up, pulling me to my feet. I almost fall into him. "Now, let's see if there are any cookies hidden in the kitchen," Ryan says.

"I think I would like that," I say.

Ryan and I giggle as we sneak into the kitchen. We look through the cupboard until we find chocolate chip cookies. Ryan holds the box up as if he found a pot of gold. He hands the cookies to me. "I used to do this with my mom before she died," I say.

Tears begin to form, and Ryan takes me into his arm. He rubs the back of my head and cradles me against him. I cry harder than I have ever cried in my life. I let out every ounce of pain and hurt inside of me.

When Ryan lets go of me, I turn around to see Libby and Mother Agnes in the kitchen with us. "I am so sorry," I say. Ryan wipes the tears from my face.

"I am sorry about Bruce," Libby says. She embraces me. I look over at Mothe Agnes as Libby holds me. I notice that Mother Agnes is not upset about Bruce or surprised that he left. Mother Agnes knew this would happen.

Ryan takes the cookies to the table. Libby and Mother Agnes grabs some cokes from the refrigerator and bring them to the table. I look around the table at my new family. I am so lucky to have these people in my life.

I hold up my coke to toast. "To my new future and my new family," I say.

I look over at Mother Agnes. Both she and Ryan keep looking at each other as if they are sending messages back and forth to one another. There is something that Mother Agnes is not telling me.

"What is going on?" I ask. I look at both of them.

"Tell her about her father," Ryan says.

"Not yet," Libby interjects.

Mother Agnes looks at me and stares at me blankly. "Okay, but we need the map and the book," she says.