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His goals were all he had ever focused on until now. His mind was now laser-fixated on Andy; everything about his beloved was suddenly of the utmost importance. His beloved may be accepted, and he may be kept as an outsider even as he lived among them. If need be, for the happiness of his eternal love, he would forfeit what he has built here, and they would move.
Dallas was surprised by the fact that he found it to be an easy decision, and it drove home just how powerful a connection he was building with this young man. Andy was becoming the center of his life, and it was the best, most fulfilling feeling ever. He stood and stared out the window for a few seconds and smiled, knowing that he was bringing his beloved home.
Andy made his way over to the main house just after nine o'clock. He didn't go inside but rather rounded the outside of the house and headed to the back deck in hopes of not encountering any of Billy's men, especially Ford. He saw Billy finishing his breakfast and setting the dish aside to grab his coffee cup. He took a long sip before he noticed Andy out of the corner of his eye. Thankfully, Billy was alone.
"What do you need?" He asked and shifted his gaze back to the trees that lined his backyard. Andy didn't answer right away but rather walked up onto the deck and took a seat off to his left. Billy didn't like to be crowded, so he made sure the chair was at least five feet away from where he sat.
“How are you feeling this morning?” He thought he’d start out with the mundane and work his way to the important parts. Billy rolled his eyes and took another sip of his coffee.
Andy realized that was the only answer he was going to get. "You went to the bar specifically to get into it with the vampires." He said, and it was not a question.
"It just happened; fights are like that; they just happen." Billy showed a ghost of a grin before finishing his coffee. "What's on your mind, or did you show up just to cramp my relaxation."
"I met my mate, and I will be leaving the pack." Andy put it out there, and the surprise on Billy's face was priceless. He didn't know what to say for once in his life.
"If she's a cougar, she can join the pack. You won't have to leave." He offered, and it was Andy's turn to be shocked. Billy was not an accommodating individual, and to offer membership was unheard of, especially in these trying times.
"He is not a cougar. He is a vampire, and I will be leaving this afternoon. I know this is a shock, and it is why I wanted to tell you myself alone without the interference of your friends." Andy watched his brother as he sat there and stared without saying a word. His feelings were made clear.
"You can't stay here." He said as if to himself and then added. "Don't share this with anyone else. It will not be safe for you."
“I know that’s why I’m only telling you.”
"Are you sure he's your mate?" Billy asked tensely, and suddenly, he was on his feet, raking his fingers through his hair.
“I’m sure.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
"I don't plan to, but I wanted to tell you so that you understand this man is my mate. He is a vampire, and we are a Fated pair." Andy was about to go into an explanation of their predestined bond and the sacredness of the union to head off any violence that Billy might be planning when Billy got right up in his face.
"Shh." He said and quickly looked around. "There are those among us who will not understand and might try to hurt you in an attempt to hurt your mate. I understand the bond, and I accept Fate's choices, but you need to leave here as quickly as possible."
“Ford?” He asked.
"Not just Ford. There are many who, for whatever reasons, have a deep dislike of the vampires in the area. I really don't have an issue with them unless they try to push us around, but that is not the popular opinion here." Billy was really getting jumpy, and Andy was not feeling safe or secure. "Leave before anyone finds out."
“I will.” Andy just stared at his brother for a few seconds before turning to leave.
"I respect your strength, Andy, and I wish you well, I really do." Billy's behavior, although kind and understanding, was getting on Andy's nerves. His behavior illustrated very clearly the temper of the pack.
"Thank you." He responded and rushed away from the main house, running all the way back to his cabin. Once inside, he closed and locked the door and just stood there contemplating what had just happened.
He looked around his cabin and thought about what he would take with him. He couldn't take everything because it would cause questions that he did not want to answer. Billy had really upset him and planted fear that had not been there before. He didn't sound like he was pranking him; he sounded legitimately worried for his safety.
Andy decided to take just the things that could fit into a small backpack. He would look like he was going on a hike. He often went off into the woods with a backpack, searching for plants and flowers for his greenhouse. Andy had planned to tell Elroy that he was leaving the pack, but now, considering Billy's warnings, he decided not to.
He was packed and ready to leave by noon. Looking out his window, he saw several pack members moving about, busy with their daily routines, nothing to cause alarm, but still, he felt tense and unsure. After gathering, taking a few minutes to calm and clear his head, Andy stepped out of his cabin and headed to the main road leading out of the encampment.
He would have to explain himself to the guard on duty, but that was just one man, and they were usually too busy with their phones or their buddies to really care who was coming or going. He shot off a quick text to Dallas, letting him know he had spoken with Billy and he would be meeting him soon. Andy hadn't made it more than a few steps before he heard his name being called. He desperately wanted to ignore them, but he heard the pounding of feet as they ran up to walk beside him.
"Where are you headed, Andy?" It was Elroy, and he wanted to talk, damn. Andy fixed a fake smile on his face and turned to him.
"Down to the river to look for some seedlings." It was too late in the season for seedlings, but thankfully, Elroy knew nothing about plants.
"I'll walk with you for a little bit." He said to Andy's dismay, but there was nothing he could say to deter him without giving away his real plans. The river was near where he was to meet Dallas, so he figured he could make this work and still get to the border on time.
"I saw you with Billy earlier. You don't usually disturb him at breakfast, so I was wondering if there were problems." Elroy was still stewing about the incident at the bar, and Andy really had no time for it.
