18. Eighteen - Rebel

eighteen - rebel

. . .

He pulls up to what I now know is his home, and I look over at him. "What are we doing here? You said you were taking me home."

He smirks at me, but there's a hint of danger beneath that smile. "This is your home now, too. You're my mate."

I cross my arms over my chest. "No, I live with Nova."

He reaches out to rest his hard palm against my cheek, and I jerk away. "You aren't safe there, and I'm not willing to take the chance of something happening to you."

I snort, winding my arms tighter around myself. "Well, you aren't the boss of me."

"You're right. I'm not the boss, but as your mate and your alpha, I will decide what is best for your well-being, since it seems you don't always make the best choices." Ouch.

My eyes roll automatically at his tone. "Clearly."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he questions with dark, narrowed eyes.

"I'm with you, aren't I?" I expect my response to make him angry, but all he does is start laughing. "Why is that funny?"

Without responding, he holds up his hand, showing me my bite mark. Right, stupid omega instincts. Because I know that's exactly what happened. My omega side has been ticked that we didn't mark him when he first marked us. So, even though I bit him trying to get away, she bit him for an entirely different reason.

"So, you have two choices…"

Everything pauses while I wait for him to continue, but he doesn't. "Okay…"

"We either stay here and move you in or I'm going to go into that house and pack a bag so I can stay with you for a few days."

I shift in my seat, and his eyes lower to my boobs. "Nova is not going to like that idea."

He shrugs as if it's not a big deal to just uproot me without blinking. "Don't care. Those are your options, pick one."

My omega is on hands and knees begging to stay with her alpha in his domain tonight, but I don't want to leave Nova alone knowing that the guy looking for me may come back to finish what he started on her, so I decide on the safer choice. "Fine, go pack a bag, I guess. I don't want Nova to be all alone."

"I'm sure Gunnar wouldn't mind taking care of her if you want to just stay here…" He offers, and I'm half tempted to take it, but I don't know Gunnar, nor do I trust him to not screw over my best friend. Maybe in the future, but definitely not now.

"Want to come in while I grab stuff?"

"No, I'll just stay here." I know the second I walk back into that house, I'll be swept up into all the little details, I'll lose track of time, and then I'll never get back to Nova's. His scent will spin me into a tizzy, and my omega won't leave without a fight.

Getting out slowly, he leaves me in the car to run inside. While he's away, I take the time to look over where he lives because the last time I was here, everything was dark.

A few houses line the street, but they aren't very close. Certainly not on top of each other like some of the houses around here. Tate's house is modern, not gargantuan like I expected it to be but still as big as the one I grew up in. For some reason, in the dark, it looks bigger. Maybe it's just the darkness giving it a shadow effect.

We pulled into a large circular drive with more than enough parking for multiple vehicles. The house standing in front of me is made up of stone, stucco, and masonry. The entrance is grand, and from what I remember, there's a two story foyer when you walk in. He obviously pays someone to do the landscaping because that looks pristine, but I imagine when you make as much money as he likely makes, then he doesn't even bat an eye at the bill.

And honestly, I couldn't see Tate as someone who gardens.

The french doors opened to a grand entranceway. Shades of light tan and gray covered the walls and tiles to contrast with the dark furniture placed around the area. There was a large stairway leading up to the second floor. A chandelier lit up the space, shining as the crystals glittered and shot rays of light all around the room. Tile and hardwood coated the floors throughout the house, and even the stairs had gray carpeting down the middle.

I suddenly notice a for sale sign in the front yard of the house next door. A car pulls up and a tall, muscular guy gets out. My eyes roam over the body I can see from here, and I wish I was closer so I could get a better view. His profile reminds me slightly of his friend we met earlier today, Drake, I think it was? What's he doing here? Wouldn't Tate know if his teammate was moving in next door?

Why do you care? I can't help but ask myself. I have enough of a possessive alpha now. I certainly do not need a second one. But I can't help but stare at the stranger and wonder what he's like.

I also can't figure out why the hell the name sounds so familiar. I'm positive I'd know or recognize him if he was my Drake, right?

An unfamiliar ache burns in my chest and anger slips down the bond. Tate. I guess I'll need to figure out how to block him from feeling my emotions.

A flash of something to my right catches my eye, and I immediately turn, searching for something, anything that would explain the movement I just saw, but there's nothing there. Maybe it's just the porch light casting shadows and playing games with me.

I try to calm my racing heart by taking deep breaths, but I'm still freaked out. I know I'm not fucking crazy. There was something there, right?

Out of nowhere, a loud bang crashes against the back end of Tate's car. Every few seconds, there's a pounding noise almost like someone is beating a bat against the side of the car with every step they take. My eyes are frantically surveying the outside of his car to see what's going on. My hand is jamming down on the lock button because the last thing I want is for someone to get into the car. But if he or she has a bat, and they wield it just right, it could be coming through the windows regardless of my thoughts or wishes.

The lump in my throat is growing larger, and I'm trying to swallow around it. My heart is pounding like it's going to go into cardiac arrest. Nausea sweeps up my throat in the form of foul-tasting bile.

Immediately, warmth starts flowing down the bond, and I can only imagine the emotions I'm not hiding from him. He must be able to feel my fear.

The pounding stops, and for a few minutes, it's silent. I'm still scanning around the car, waiting for something to jump up and scare the shit out of me like a bonafide horror movie, but it's still eerily silent. Just when I start to think maybe it's just kids playing pranks and calm down, there's a tapping on my passenger side window.

I jump in my seat, and the urge to vomit from all my nerves consumes me. My hands are shaking, and I'm starting to sweat because what I see when I turn around has me wanting to run far, far away.

Outside the car stands a figure in all dark clothes. A black hoodie, black pants, and dark shoes. The only bit of light is radiating from the spine-chilling design of the mask. It's lit up in neon colors of pink and blue. X's cover where the eyes would be, and there are lines across the lips like someone slit them open with a knife.

The person must be tall because I have to look up at him from inside the car. Where the fuck is Tate? The sound of screaming dips me back into the present, and I realize that the person screaming is me. All of a sudden, I'm fumbling with my seatbelt, but it won't come undone. The faint tap, tap, tap against the car is haunting.

It's like they're waiting for something, but what?

I'm starting to think this is no longer a teenager from the neighborhood out playing pranks on unsuspecting targets. He could be a fucking serial killer for all I know. Or a drug trafficker, sex trafficker. Every possible scenario floats through my head, leaving behind a terrifying array of images. The next time I look back, the one person now has company. Three people stand before me total; the other two have matching neon masks like the first guy but in yellow and lime green versus the pink and blue.

Their heads cock to the side like the guy did earlier. I'm keeping a determined eye on them. If they all three try to get me out, this could be a major fucking problem.

Another jiggle of the door handle gets my heart skipping beats and the fight to get this seat belt off me intensifies. My hands are shaking from the adrenaline coursing through my body.

I need to calm down and breathe before I pass the fuck out, but I can't. My body won't let me. Maybe I'll hyperventilate. But no, I can't do that. I need to be awake and aware of where these people are at all times.

Where the fuck is Tate? He was sending me calming vibes through our bond, but I could really use the presence of an alpha right about now.

Somehow, I manage to get it undone and am scrambling into the back seat.

I'm not sure why I think the backseat will be any safer. It's not like he couldn't get me back here just as well as up front. The jiggling of the door stops, and I watch as the masked figure stalks to the back door and leans down, looking in.

I wish I could see their faces. The masks are creepy, and I have no idea what or who is behind them. It can't be the neighbor from earlier, right?

No, there's three, and I only saw one person earlier.

The main one cocks his head to the side as if he's sizing me up. Trying to determine something. What exactly? I'm not sure.

Darkness starts to close in. I can feel my chest expanding. My head starts to feel like it's floating. All of a sudden, the lights on the front of Tate's house come on, and my would-be assailants take off like a bolt of lightning towards the woods behind the house.

Minutes later, Tate is unlocking the door and grabbing for me. I'm barely conscious, and I wobble as he pulls me from the confines of the car. My brain is scattered. I try to fight him, thinking it's not Tate and he's just a figment of my imagination. I feel my heartbeat in every part of my body.

"Shhh… it's okay. I'm here, you're fine." He holds me close, his one hand on the back of my head, holding me to his chest while the other tightly holds me around the midsection. Why are we hugging? We need to get out of here!!!

I struggle to pull away, but he only holds me tighter.

"Did you see them?" My voice comes out in a scared whisper.

"Yes."

"And…"

He kisses me on the forehead, his lips dwelling on my skin for a minute or two longer than necessary.

He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him for the way too short trip to the front seat. He opens the door with one hand, holding me to him with the other before discarding me into the seat I was in just a few minutes ago when I thought my life was about to end.

I'm shaking from the adrenaline that was pumping through me, and I'm coming down from the high, crashing into a peaceful land where the monsters don't come out to play at night. It's the last thing I remember.

I wake up to the gentle shaking of my arm. A firm hand grips it tightly but not so tight that it'll leave bruises afterward. Turning to my left I see a smile crossing Tate's face. "Hey, sleeping beauty. We're at Nova's."

"Ohh, thank God." Relief courses through me. All I want to do is go in, fall into my bed, and forget the last hour and a half of my life. Of course, I actually have no idea how long Tate was in the house while I was out there alone, so I'm guesstimating here.

Before I can get out of the car, Tate has thrown his door open, strolled in front of the car, opened mine, and is lifting me out bridal-style. One hand planted on my lower back while the second hand sits tightly under my knees, supporting them.

He lifts up a foot to kick the door closed and walks towards the house, but before we can knock, the door is open, and my best friend is glaring at my mate. "It's about damn time."

"Excuse me?" His growl is deep and gravely.

"You heard me. She should've been home hours ago. I've been worried sick. Did you not see my texts?" She directs the last question to me, and it occurs to me that I have no idea where I left my phone.

Tate tenses beneath me, coiled like a snake about to strike. "You may be Rebel's best friend, and this time, I'll let it slide, but talk to me like that again, and I won't be so civil. I understand the concern, but she is my mate. I will take care of her. I will be the one who makes sure that she is safe. Do we understand each other?"

Nova shifts nervously on her feet, arms crossed over her chest. My brave bestie stands up to my psycho mate. "Can you please put me…" I start to ask.

"Absolutely fucking not. I need to hold you for just a minute. My alpha is clawing at me to not let you go right now. So, deal."

I bite my bottom lip and nod. I mean… what else was I going to say to him? Walking over to the couch he deposits me onto the middle cushion, again, he gives me a kiss on the forehead and heads towards the front door. "I guess, I'm going to grab our stuff from the car," he says, reluctantly.

"Oh, no, you don't, Tate Geekies, you are not staying here again."

He smirks as he turns to face Nova. "Watch me, Beta." He growls, and her body language shows me she curls in on herself a little but still has a firm look on her face. She's standing up to a fucking pissed off alpha. That takes serious lady cojones.

"If you get so much as one idea in that big head of yours, I won't hesitate to pull out the taser gun on your ass."

His laughter follows him as he heads out the front door. "I'd like to see you try."

Nova starts to walk towards me when another door down the hallway opens. "What's all the yelling about out here?"

My eyes follow the voice, and I watch as Gunnar swaggers into the room, a big smile painted on his chiseled face, until he sees me.

"What the hell happened to you?" He demands, and I cringe.

"Gunnar! Tact. Find some." Looking back at me, she holds out her hand. "Hey, let's get you cleaned up while lover boy grabs the bags."

I nod, not wanting to answer. She helps me up from the couch, and we start towards the hallway. "Need any help?" Gunnar asks as we pass, but Nova shakes her head.

"Damn right, she doesn't need help. If anyone's helping her right now. It's me." Tate strolls up behind Nova, fire burning in his pupils, and grabs me out from under the comfort of her touch, hauling me into his arms and heading towards the bathroom.

"Let's get one thing clear. I get that Rebel is your mate, and you're going all alpha right now, but you're also being a fucking dick. In my house. Not yours. So, you need to stop being an asshole, focus on your mate, and I will go find some blankets for the couch."

A growl rumbles from his chest, vibrating me in the process. "I'm sleeping with my mate. She has bedding, does she not?"

Rolling her eyes, she doesn't even give the courtesy of a response before she storms off.

"Finally…" he whispers deeply, and I'm wondering if he's hoping I didn't hear it. So I feel the need to let him know.

"You don't need to be an asshole, Tate." I sigh, taking a minute to calm myself. "Nova is… look, she's just protective of me. Has been for as long as I can remember. So, you may be here, but you need to respect her. That girl has been through the ring of hell and back with me, and I will not tolerate dickish alpha behavior from you towards her." Letting me go, I slide down his body, feeling every hard inch of the athletic body it is.

My lips are firmly closed, making sure the moan that wants to creep out doesn't. There are a few things about tonight that just don't make sense to me. Instead of sending calming vibes down the bond, why didn't he come to my rescue with the guys outside of the house. If I was panicking, wouldn't he know?

And why was he so calm about it? I've seen Tate. Calm is not one of his normal settings. Overbearing, possessive, and bullheaded are a few that come to my mind first, and none of these fall in line with the actions of tonight.

Exhaustion creeps in like a poison around the edges of my vision. Gunnar disappeared into the room when Nova stormed off, so I'm assuming they're in for the night. My body is drained, and I can barely keep my eyes open. It's a struggle.

Why is it that nerve-wrenching situations make you so damn tired?