Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Well seems like you took basically everything. come on princess lets get out of this hell hole."

I couldn't help but grin as i snatched up my suitcases. This was going to be good. I needed to be with my family. I was getting out of the packhouse and moving back into my room at our home.. which was right across from Nics. We needed each other.

The trip back to our house seemed to take forever even though it wasnt but a quarter mile walk. But carrying all this weight was tiring me out. I saw a few pack members our age, outside playing but once they saw us, the females held giggles as they caught glances at Nic, then noticing me and the fact we were carrying my luggage, they began whispering with pity in their eyes... the males just shook their heads, sad eyes lingering on me.

They felt disgust for Zaryn... but he was their future Alpha.. and he had already made a mistake that could cause his title to be challeneged whenever the time came for him to take over the pack. It was bad... and Alpha Blake knew this, which was why he was always trying to do damage control, letting everyone know his son was doing the right thing..

But by the wrong female... in our eyes.

"You alright back there Nova?" Nic chuckled, listening to my heavy breathing and groaning.

"Yeah just keep walking!" I replied harshly. I was getting aggravated from sweating so much under this blazing heat.

As soon as we hit our doorsteps, i felt relief. Walking inside, we both dropped my bags and boxes by the front door as Nic closed it for me. Sighing with relief, we both dragged ourselves to the couch and collapsed together as we caught our breath.

Well... as i caught my breath. Hauling that much was nothing for Nic.

"Hey babies. How did everything go? Did you manage to get it all?" Mom asked curiously as she came down stairs with a smile that didn't quit reach her eyes.

I studied her a moment before giving her a smal smile in return. "Yeah mom we got everything." I noticed she hadn't been getting much sleep either. Mom and Dad should be the last ones not getting sleep over this but it seemed since both of their pups were wronged by their mates... it was all they could think about.

Mom just stood there a moment, staring at the two of us before she spoke again. "Well good. Im glad that packhouse is in your past. Your father and i were thinking... why dont you two take a vacation? Maybe we could send you to your cousins pack.. or maybe even human territory.. like a beach vacation? We have plenty of money saved up. I just want the both of you to be happy and to get away. I could come with you if youd like? Im thinking its time for your father and i to get away too... he has some vacation time and with all of this going on, Alpha Blake wont say no." She smiled sadly... she was pushing us to get out of the house already and Nic hadnt even been here but a few days.. i understood though.

Which reminded me....

"Actually, Nic. Deacon said something about you and i going with him to his uncle's pack to visit for a while.. i didnt know if youd be interested.. i dont even know if i am.. but-"

Nic closed his eyes, resting his hands over his face. "I cant Nova. Mom. I cant. It will eat me alive not knowing what's happening. I need to uncover some answers.. i need answers. I need to see where this all goes." He sighed, gauging our reactions.

I gave him a reassuring pat but mom seemed a little shocked. "But why sweetie? Do you want to torture yourself? Thats all staying here will do. To the both of you. I cant see either of you hurt." She sat between us, putting an arm around us both as she squeezed us into her sides.

"Mom," i breathed. "We will be okay as long as we stick together. The pack is turning away from Zaryn anyway and no one even likes Grace after what Zaryn said at Nics party. I think we will be okay." I reassured her as tears fell from her eyes.

I hated her feeling our pain like this...

__________________________

After settling in and fixing my room back the way i had it a short while back, i could smell the familiar smell of homemade chocolate chip cookies coming from the kitchen downstairs. Lying on my bed, i grabbed the photo i was mesmerized by earlier and proceeded to trace the outline of Zaryn's face before a knock came at my door.

Sighing, i slid the picture frame under my pillow. "Come in".

Nic walked in, flopping on top of my black down comforter , face down. He didnt say a word. Just laid there inhaling my pillow from the sounds of it.