37. Charlie

37

Charlie

My voice cracks as I yell to Kyler, who sprints down the stairs. It’s been three days since my attack, and today is the first day that Jackson has not maintained a bandaid-like stick to my side.

“Mrs. Charlie, come on.” Kyler drawls out as if I’m the slowest human on the planet. I jump from the last three steps. The landing sends shooting pain through my neck.

“Charlie?” Jackson’s bellow seems to echo through the house as he feels my pain.

‘I’m fine.’ I drawl out suddenly, mirroring Kyler’s energy.

Holly pops from the hall to the west wing. Her blond hair is wrapped in a tight bun, and her eyes are a brilliant, sparkling blue.

She asks, “Charlie, will you come to this family meeting?” She links her arm with mine. As she drags me down through the foyer, Kyler looks at me with sheer disappointment.

“Later,” I mouth to him. He huffs and runs off to the kitchen.

“I— I was going…” Getting used to talking has been the most challenging part. I purse my lips and nod.I was going to play with the pups and relax, but if Holly needs me there, I could offer her the slightest bit of comfort.

“Good lets, go. Jackson just texted me to meet in his office.”

The lead weight in my stomach seems to sink at the idea that Holly is about to find out about her family. So far, the Pack and Nan have handled Michael’s death reasonably well.

This little nugget of information, though, may be what breaks Holly.

We’re the last two to arrive. I don’t hesitate to walk over to Jackson’s lap. Emma is perched on Hunter, and Will stands off to the side of the room, looking out the large French window. Nan brings a white handkerchief to her eyes as she takes us in. I give her a small wave, and her teary red eyes blink back some emotion.

She then locks on Holly’s and says, “There’s something you need to know, darling.” The air in the room grows thicker as we wait for her to continue. Holly’s eyes bounce around to each person, the lightness dimming with each glance.

“What’s wrong?” She finally asks.

Nan sniffles, “Holly, you’re adopted.”

“What?” Her voice is eerily soft, though it seems to echo off the wall. Her eyes flick between each of us again in disbelief. “All of you knew? No one else seems surprised by this revelation.” Her tone turns icy.

I watch Will cross his arms over his large chest, his leather jacket straining against his muscles. He leans back against the window, one leg propped up. His long brown hair is curled and wild on top of his head. His breath is even as he watches Holly, like some modern-day villain, a smirk pulling at his lips.

Then she turns to him wrathfully and says, “William Carter, do you think this is funny?”

My lips roll into my mouth at her ferocity.

His head cocks to the side with his growing smile. “No, Princess, I don’t think it’s funny.” His tone is full of amusement as his head tilts back to Nan.

Holly turns back to Nan, dusts some invisible lint off her pants, and rolls her shoulders back. My heart breaks for her as she attempts to hold it together under everyone’s scrutiny.

“Holly, darling, we couldn’t have children, but we wanted all of you. We have loved all of you with everything we have.” Her mom’s tears start to overwhelm her small handkerchief. “So when we got an offer to get some pups from a neighboring pack, we couldn’t say no. I couldn’t say no.” Nan takes a deep breath and looks at each of her kids until her eyes land back on Holly’s. “You’re from the Umbra pack, and you and Hunter are biologically related. I didn’t know the details or why you were available and didn’t care to ask. But I do know your parents are still alive.”

“In Umbra?” She repeats slowly.

Nan nods in confirmation.

“Well, it’s settled then.”

“What the fuck is settled?” Jackson growls.

“I’m going to Umbra to get some answers and meet my birth parents.”

“Like hell you are,” all three men say as Hunter and Will press closer to Holly.

“No. No. No.” Each no is directed at a different brother as she asserts her dominance. “You three can stay here, where you have a purpose, a pack. I want to find mine.” She turns, and a few wisps of hair come loose, framing her face like a modern-day angel.

She quickly leaves the room, but not before I see her wipe a tear away. Will takes two steps and turns to Jackson, “Alpha, I want permission to go with her.”

“Somehow, I knew you would,” Jackson responds readily.

Will bows and follows Holly out.

I sniffle slightly and say to Jackson, “I’m going to check on her.”

“Holly? It’s us?” I say with a hoarse whisper as I press into her room. Holly sits perched on the edge of her dark purple comforter, ferociously trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me? Everyone knew? Everyone.” She turns a withering glare at both Emma and I.

“Jackson asked us not to until he could sit with you,” Emma says softly as she sits beside Holly, and I flank her on the other side.

“Do you know I never felt like I belonged here? Not like you two.” Holly wraps her arms around both of us. “I need to do this. I need to get out of Solaris,” she sniffles loudly. “Get away from Will.”

I swallow and try to coat my throat before I say, “About that, he’s going with you…”

“Like hell he is.” She slams to her feet and paces towards her large window.

Emma’s mouth twists to the side. “Can we help you pack at least?” She offers, trying to get off this topic.

“Yeah, I guess,” Holly huffs to her closet and pulls out her giant purple bag.

“Will you come back for my Luna and mating ceremony?” I say as Holly unzips each section of the bag on the bed.

“Shit, I forgot all about that. Can we move it up? I kind of want to get out of here, and the sooner, the better.”

“I’m sure we can,” I say.

Emma nods approval.

“How about I talk to Jackson, and we can plan it for tomorrow or Friday, mmm?”