- Josie -

A few days passed and I was back at the hospital, my thighs showing hardly any sign now that they were only torn open a few days ago. I have to say it myself, my herbal remedies are bloody awesome. Tonight it was the pack's turn to host the annual party that extended to all packs part of the same alliance.

Usually keen to stay at the hospital for as long as possible, I couldn't wait to finish my shift today so that I could get home to help with the set up. Auntie Alora would be attending the party and I couldn't wait to see her. Every Dark Phantom pack member was welcome at the party, whereas it was only the alphas, lunas and betas that attended from other packs. Meaning... for once... it was a pack party that George couldn't invite himself to.

I didn't have to walk on eggshells, worry about his overly wandering hands...I could just forget about any potential drama tonight. I could just enjoy spending quality time with Auntie Alora...no drama.

As I walked along the path leading home, I could already see her car outside.novelbin

Picking up speed, I burst the front door open with sheer excitement, the back of the door hitting against the wall.

"Auntie Alora?" I call out... Dad's, Jaxon's, Knox's and Riley's heads all turning around at my energetic entrance.

"She's in the garden..." Dad calls out but having scanned the hallway to see her not there, I was already making my way to the garden just as Dad confirmed what I already knew.

Exiting back out the front door, I walk around the side of the house to enter the garden's side gate.

She was Mum's mirror image...except for a few slight noticeable differences. Just like Jace and Jaxon, I always knew how to tell them apart. Hearing me enter the garden she turns, a full beam erupting on her face as she stands next to Mum. "Josie." She calls out, opening her arms as I run towards her. Her hands wrap tightly around me, as

I get lost in her supportive embrace that I have missed.

"Mum said you had been hurt?" She states with concern as she pats the back of my hair.

"It's nothing, I'm fine now. When did you get here?" I brush off her concern as I pull out of her hold, I was fine now and didn't want to keep thinking of it.

"Not long ago...I didn't come alone." She cups at my face and for a brief moment dread washes over me that she was referring to George, but thankfully Ezra walks out of the back door with a few mugs in his hands.

"Ezra." I squeal out, also rushing up to him. He just about places the drinks down on the garden table before I fling my arms around him.

"Good to see you too champ." He holds my embrace. I love Ezra. He was Dad's beta until Auntie Alora took on the daily running of the Clear Waters pack, and he has been there ever since.

He and Auntie Alora make a dream team when it comes to running the pack, giving Mum the time to spend with us when we were little.

"What's been going on?" His eyes narrow with playful interrogation.

"Oh you know, fell off a motorbike at full speed....but you know, shit happens."

"It certainly does. You've got a motorbike to go with your leathers?"

"I wish...no, Knox took me out to get my car back."

"Why where was your car?" His forehead furrows in confusion as he passes Mum and Auntie Alora a mug each. He offers his to me but I refuse, I can make a drink later. "Jace took it when he left." I continue.

"Left?" Auntie Alora walks over, picking up her drink from Ezra's hands, turning back to Mum with a quizzical look.

"Yes, it seems Jace is having some time for himself." Mum gives me a pinned look. Oops, perhaps she hadn't got that far into the catchup chat just yet.

"Where is he?" Ezra asks.

"We don't know." Mum sighs out.

"That's very unlike Jace." I don't miss the way Auntie Alora's eyes flicker to Ezra's with concern.

"Don't worry, he'll be back soon. He's just having some time to himself before he takes over the Clear Waters pack."

....

The official pack gathering was a hit as it always is. Long tables dressed in white table cloths sat under paper lanterns and glowing fairy lights as our back garden had been transformed into something from a set of a romantic movie scene.