The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 9

For hours they ran and Nick's joy soared. Even though he loved running on his own, the wolf wasn't a solitary animal and running with his Pack made him just as happy. They ran as one and when hunger set in, hunted as one; and once they'd filled their stomachs and quenched their thirst they headed back to the house.

As they neared the backyard he concentrated on his human form and so did everyone else. Walking as humans once again, the pack dispersed, they bid each other farewell and he went to pick up his clothes. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, like he always did after shifting, he dressed quickly; with anticipation coursing through his veins because it was his turn to keep an eye on their quarry.

In record time, he reached his car and was digging in his pocket for his keys when his phone rang. He pulled both out, with one hand he answered and with the other he unlocked his car.

"She just rode out on her bike." Christian told him without waiting for a greeting. "It doesn't look like she plans to return."

"Stay with her but not too close! I'm on my way; I'll call you when I get into town" He hung up without waiting for a response and set the phone beside him.

He rushed into the driver seat and signaled Axel to hurry into the passenger side. Within seconds they were out of the driveway and headed into town. He didn't need to tell Axel where they were headed. With keen hearing he'd heard both sides of the conversation just fine.

*****

Jessica slept for twenty straight hours. Healing at super speed took a lot of energy and sleep was needed to recuperate. She was finally woken up by the loud knock on her door the next afternoon.

Still groggy, she stumbled to the door and opened to find Riley on the other side. Like an old western standoff they eyed each other across the threshold sizing each other up. Riley looked away, took a deep breath and then looked back at her.

"So I guess you're my sister."

Jessica smiled, "looks that way. Sorry I didn't stick around to be introduced yesterday. I was pretty tired."

By unspoken agreement they ignored the elephant in the room and stuck to lighter conversation. Jessica sat back and took in the interaction between them. And as she watched them the pang in her heart grew until it promised to tear her in two.

They asked questions and tried to draw her into the conversation but her insecurities kept her tight lipped. Jealousy and resentment slowly began to boil up inside of her until she couldn't take it anymore. She felt like an intruder and she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would never belong to this family.

All of her life she'd grown up feeling like a discarded piece of trash. Looking at her brother and sister, it left a bitter taste in her mouth to know that someone else had grown up feeling the love from the family she had been denied.

Without a word Jessica got up and turned away before anyone could see the tears swimming in her eyes. She forced herself to walk away, ignoring the calls and dodging the hands that tried to stop her. Hastily she wiped away the stupid tear that dared to drop and ran upstairs for her backpack.

She made her way back downstairs and with her hand finally on the front door knob, the walk there had felt like an eternity, she turned to look at the family. Bitterness, like an awakened volcano, exploded through her whole body.