Mine to Protect Chapter 29: MACY

*Hazel*

Derek grabs my hand, running circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.

“Hazel, kitten, calm down, everything is ok. Let’s go outside to get some fresh air.”

I let him pull me out of my chair and lead me outside into the packhouse’s garden, while Damon and Alice do some damage control into the crowded dining hall, explaining that there’s some problem with the electricity, which is being fixed.

The fresh air, and the silence surrounding the garden, make me feel immediately better.

We walk for a while, hand in hand, without talking, until we reach a one story squared building which looks very much like a gymnasium.

Outside there are separate fields equipped to play football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and ping pong.

“These are the training grounds. Inside, on the first floor there’s a big arena to train or to play sports, in the basement there’s a gym, a swimming pool, and a few classrooms used to teach dance, yoga, Pilates, and other disciplines.” Derek explains leading me inside the building.

“I think there should be some evening class at this hour, we can go check it out.”

When we get to the basement floor, I am amazed to see all the modern equipment available in the gym. The swimming pool is also huge, with five aisles at least 50 meters long each.

I hear some upbeat music coming from one of the classrooms, and I am immediately drawn to it. I love music and dancing, since I was a little kid. I even took a few lessons of classic ballet when I was little, but I had to drop it because they were too expensive. That did not stop me though, I kept exercising on my own, imitating the professional dancers on TV, and I am proud to say that I have become quite a good dancer myself.

The classroom where the lesson is taking place has walls made of glass, so that everyone can see the lesson from the outside. Inside, I see a wall covered with wall length mirrors, a wooden bar fixed to the wall, like the one you would find in any ballet room. My heart stops when I see the woman reflected in the mirror, teaching some basics to her class.

“Cindy…” I can only manage a whisper, but she seems to hear it, because she turns my way, and then freezes. We stared at each other for a few long moments. I can’t believe what I am seeing.

Cindy suddenly flies out of the room, runs in my direction and hugs me so tight I think she’s going to squish me to death.

“Hazel, oh my goddess, I can’t believe it’s really you! I’ve missed you so much!”

I feel numb, not able to process what is happening. How come Cindy is here at the Crescent Moon pack? And why hasn’t Derek told me this sooner?

I pull back from the hug looking at a tear-stricken Cindy. Her ebony skin, big dark eyes contoured by long thick dark lashes, her curly black hair that reaches just above her shoulders. It’s really her, there is no mistake.

“Cindy! You don’t know how long I have searched for you. I thought you were dead. What had those men done to you? Where have they taken you? Why you never reached out to me?” I bombard her with questions, while tears start running down my face.

Derek clears his throat. “Yes, Cindy, I think you have a lot of explaining to do!” He says in a stern voice, stressing the name Cindy, like it is some kind of insult.

I arch a brow at him in confusion, while Cindy stares at her feet, remorse all over her face.

“Let me finish my lesson, it is nearly over, then I’ll explain everything.” She pleads with Derek.

“Ok. We’ll wait for you here.”

“Thank you.”

She goes back to the class and resumes teaching until the lesson is over. Then she motions for us to come into the classroom to join her. Derek and I sit on foldable chairs in a corner, while Cindy stands in front of us pacing, like a caged animal.

“Can you stop pacing and start explaining?” Derek says in an authoritative tone.

Cindy stops in her tracks, exhales, and then starts talking nervously.

“Alpha, I am sorry I have lied to you. I had no other choice. If my father finds out I am here, he will come for me and destroy everything in his path.”

“Cindy here, told me her name was Thalia, and that she was a rogue in search of a pack to join. She seemed genuine, so I let her in. Although I am starting to regret my decision now.” Derek says acidly, bringing me up to date on the situation.

“Who is your father?” Derek asks menacingly.

I don’t like his attitude toward my friend, she might have lied, but I know she is a good person, she must have had her reasons.

“Stop talking to her like that, like you want to tear her throat out or something. She is my friend; I won’t let you hurt her.” I exclaim, putting myself between Cindy and Derek.

He seems surprised by my outburst, and also a little annoyed. Probably, he does not like me challenging his Alpha authority.

Cindy just looks scared out of her wits.

“Hazel, what are you doing? I can handle myself, don’t worry, sit down. I don’t want you getting in trouble for me with the Alpha.” She says pushing me back on my chair.

“I am not afraid of angering your Alpha. I don’t want him to talk to you like he’s threatening you. We are all adults; we can talk civilly.” I say, looking pointedly at Derek.

His eyes glow bright blue for a second, then he addresses me in a cold tone.

“Be careful of what you say, you still have a punishment pending on your head, and if you continue on this line, I will be happy to carry it out. Now shush and let me ask the questions.”

I am dumbfounded and outraged at his blatant disrespect, but I decide to shut it, not wanting to get spanked for real. I cross my arms over my chest and position my body in the opposite direction from his, to show my defiance, and let him know that I feel offended. He does not seem to care though.

“Who is your father?” He asks again, this time a little calmer.

“Richard Snow, Beta of the Woodrock Pack.”

“What is your real name?”

“Macy Snow.”

I look at Cindy in astonishment, not only she has lied about being a human, but she has also lied about her name and identity. I feel betrayed and sad, wondering if all the moments we have shared together were a lie too.

She seems to read my expression, because she crouches near me, takes my hand in hers and starts rumbling at high speed.

“I am sorry, Hazel, I had to hide the truth. I couldn’t let my father find me. I did not want to lie to you, you are like family to me, the only real friend I’ve ever had.”

A threatening growl resonates in the room, Derek grips Cindy or Macy, by her shoulder and pushes her back, at least two meters away from me. Cindy looks disoriented and confused by his behavior.

“You will keep your distance, until I deem you safe enough to be around her.” He threatens in a voice so low, that sends chills down my spine, it is more beastly than human. I dare a gaze at him, and notice his eyes are glowing blue and his fangs are out, he’s struggling to control his wolf! I need to do something before he jumps on Cindy and eats her in one gulp.

I don’t know where I got the courage from, I stand up and go sit in his lap, I slide my arms behind his neck and hug him tightly.

“Will you calm down? She wasn’t trying to hurt me. Let her explain why she was in hiding; I have the right to know.”