Chapter 28

I didn't know and didn't care to know what happened to Mascot. After I sat with Thorne last night, I discovered we weren't meant to be together. I had important matters to think about and do, so why should I bother myself? I decided that I would go visit my father's clan again. There were lots of things I still needed to know. If I was going to take back my father's inheritance then I knew I needed to get a lot of people on my side to build a strong army. For the past two days, I had been avoiding Laura and still couldn't give her a good reason why I was avoiding her. What would I say to her? That her boyfriend was after me and not her anymore? I was waiting for the perfect time to sneak out of the clan to Shadowcrest, my father's clan, as usual. I didn't want anyone trailing me like the last time as Mascot did. After the incident that happened last time, I didn't bother to know where he was or how he was faring. That wasn't my business anymore. I waited for the sun to fall before leaving the clan through my usual way. The roads now felt familiar to me and I didn't need help to find my way. I had my touch light with me for safety but I knew I didn't need it, my wolf was actually doing it's work. I was very conscious about where I was going. I was not trying to get caught unaware by any creature so I walked faster. When I passed, I recognized Chad's tree house and smiled. I was going to meet him again and that got me excited. When I got close, I could hear the people chattering with excitement. 'What's all the noise about?" I wondered when I entered the clan. The air was filled with the sweet scent of pine trees and cedar. Their fur gleamed in the moonlight and they danced. I wasn't aware of any celebration or festival holding. I was surprised and shocked when I saw them. 'Naomi!" It was a young boy's voice and I knew it was Chad so I turned to him. 'Chad." He ran and embraced me and it felt heart-warming. No one had given me a hug for the longest time now. 'I'm so glad you came. I missed you so much." I felt so glad that someone truly missed me. 'Why are you outside by this time?" I asked him, curious that even the older members were all restless and excited rather than sleep in their chambers. 'Mascot visited. He brought lots of gifts." Chad jumped in excitement. I wasn't sure I heard him well so I was about to ask him to repeat himself when I overheard some people talking about Mascot's visit to Stormclaw and how happy he made everyone. 'Show me where he is." I quickly told Chad. He must have noticed the change in my countenance because he didn't even smile again, he just took my hands and led me to where Mascot was seated and smiling. 'What are you doing here?" I didn't even bat an eyelid when I asked him. Diane and the other elders were shocked by my reaction. 'Calm down, Naomi. I came to visit." 'Leave now." I ordered him and everyone around me gasped. They must have been disappointed that their savior could be rude. 'He is our guest." Diane responded. 'No, he isn't. He is my guest, I brought him here and therefore, I have the right to ask him to leave. Please stand up and go." 'But.." Diane was about to object. Mascot signaled Diane to calm down and not say anything to me. 'I'll leave." He told her, then he bowed. 'Can I speak to you?" 'Do it here." I responded, angrily. 'Please. In private." He pleaded. I didn't want to cause any more scenes so I walked out as he followed me. I stopped at a spot where I believed no one could hear us. 'What was the meaning of the nonsense you displayed?" I asked, trying so hard not to raise my voice. I was truly upset that he had to visit my father's clan without deeming it important to first inform me. 'I know you are angry but you need to calm down." He tried to touch me but I stumbled back in an effort to avoid his touch. He was already in my black book and there was nothing he could do to redeem himself. 'Why did you have to do this?"I regretted that I let him follow me the last time. How was I going to trust him again? 'I just wanted to show you that you could trust me, no matter the circumstances. I can help you fight this. Together, we can do it.." 'You don't get it, do you? There's no us, there's no Together. I'm alone, you're alone. That's how it is, deal with it." I responded to him. I believed that talking harshly at him could make him respect himself. 'I was doing all of this to prove to you that we ate together in this. Don't tell me that what I did meant nothing at all." 'Yes. You wasted your time, whatever you did doesn't matter and will never matter. So stay away from me." 'No, Naomi." His voice was breaking. 'Please.." 'Leave. Go apologize to Laura and don't meddle in my personal life." I screamed at him. I didn't think I have ever been rude to anyone the way I was rude to him. He wanted to say more but shut his mouth when he found out that no matter what he would say, I wouldn't even listen to him. I was not going to be nice to him so I hoped he would just leave and stop making me scream. 'I'll go but take care of yourself." He said, his face crinkled suddenly. 'I tried, at least." When he finally left, I had to go back to the clan to explain to them why I had shouted at Mascot and why they shouldn't accept him here anymore. 'I thought he was your friend, why did you have to shout at him like that." Diane was truly concerned about what happened. 'I thought he was a good friend too but it turns out he isn't." I simply said. I knew Diane wanted me to say more but she didn't ask me what happened. I didn't feel comfortable telling the story of how my friend's boyfriend was asking me to marry me. It felt totally bad. I didn't care what Mascot thought of me, I simply didn't want him close to anything that was mine.