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“You don’t have to leave again,” Moira pleaded. “This is your home.” Beth and Everley nodded in agreement.
Spencer watched the array of mixed emotions cross her face and couldn’t help but feel guilty. He knew this was his fault. She still didn’t feel comfortable enough to stay, to see him like she used to. He wanted so much for her to stay, wanted to make sure that she was safe.
“I just wanted to tell you guys what I found out, and I needed to see for myself that everyone was okay.” Her look of worry had him mentally kicking himself again. Reminding him that he needed to give her time to heal from his words.
“Do we know his ETA at all?” Benet asked, partly trying to deflect.
“No, not really. I was told he seems to be a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot if he has certain people in mind. He has to know that packs are tracking him. Somehow, he’s getting around all that. My source told me that he has a familiar pattern, but he couldn’t quite figure it out. We all just need to be careful and prepare for the worse,” she finished, shrugging.
“We will be taking more precautions. Madox, can you please start texting everyone now? Let's give them a heads up that we need to talk about this threat and that I want a meeting first thing in the morning.” Spencer wished that he could be surethe town wouldn’t go into full panic mode. He knew ears were listening to them right now. He wanted them to know that he was on it and taking everything very seriously.
“Well, I guess I should go,” Adria said abruptly, shaking him out of his train of thought.
Before he could say anything, Beth piped up, “Nope, it’s way too late to drive, and I've already got a bed ready for you. If you’re set on going back, at least wait until the morning, please,” she partly asked and partly demanded. Spencer was thankful that she had been and always would be that way. He knew it meant more to Adria coming from Beth than him.
“Okay, fine.” She gave up and hugged Beth. “I guess one night isn’t the worst thing.” She smiled at everyone. When she turned and looked at him, her smile faded.
The mood lightened a little bit for the rest of the night as they all sat there, having a couple of drinks and talking. Spencer thought it almost felt like old times, besides the threat of the hunter hanging over their heads.Keep up morale,he tried to remind himself,and try to find a way to keep Adria here. He realized he needed her now more than ever. Madox was his Beta, but having his full circle made him feel whole. He wanted to make sure she felt that way again, too.
***
The next morning, Spencer was up just as the sun was rising. He knew he had to get to Adria before she left, try to convince her to stay. More so, he had to tell her something else. Something his dad had told him not long after he became Alpha.
There had been a debate with all the council members on whether to tell her. Some thought that it would be better that sheknew, but a couple argued that her knowing might trigger her to make a harsh decision. But he had ruled over them and decided that she had a right to know. She deserved the truth, no matter what. When he pulled up in front of Beth's house, he saw Adria on the porch saying her goodbyes. Quickly, he got out of his car and walked over to her.
“What are you doing here?” Beth asked suspiciously.
“I need to talk to Adria, in private,” he answered, matching her stare. Beth averted her eyes to Adria, who thankfully nodded.
“It’s fine, Beth. I’ll call you later,” she said with another hug. Spencer walked her to her car, waiting for Beth to go inside before he started.
“Listen, I know you’re still mad, and I don’t blame you.” He held up a hand when she tried to interject. “You need to stay here. There’s more for you to know, and I didn’t want to say it around anyone else.” He took a deep breath, as she looked at him questionably.
“Okay, you have my attention,” she said.
“I told you we know about the hunter, but there is something I didn’t tell you. Nobody else knows this except the council. We all agreed that I would be the one to say this to you.” He knew he was stalling; it was harder to say than he’d thought, not knowing how she would react.
“Get on with it, Spencer. I don’t have all day,” she said, exasperated.
“There is no smooth way to say this… The hunter? He’s your father, Adria.” He put both hands on her shoulders when he saw her try to take a step back and almost stumble. His heart went out to her, and he knew he had a lot more explaining to do.
“What?” she whispered.
“Let's go find a place to sit. I have more.” He led her to his car and helped her in.
“What? H-How? You better tell me everything, Spencer,” she said, staring out the windshield.
“I will,” he promised with a heavy sigh.
Chapter 3 - Adria
Adria blankly watched the trees pass by as Spencer drove. She was dumbfounded at his revelation, wanting to know what he knew but afraid of what she was going to find out.
When they stopped a couple of miles outside of town, she saw they were at the old camping grounds they used to go to as kids and then teenagers. It was well-secluded and empty, with everyone being on high alert. Everyone was told by the council to stay as close to home as possible. Not knowing if or when the hunter would show, the safest place to be was home. Everyone had a panic room, a place they could go in case of a situation just like this.
In all her years of living in Rosewood, she had never known anyone to ever have to use them. Now, it was different; everything was so different. Adria’s life had been turned upside down in just a couple of weeks. She remembered graduation night when they all went to the oak tree. Maybe if she had never said anything to Spencer, things would be different, the same as they always were, or maybe better.
When he stopped the car, she got out and headed for the closest picnic table. Feeling the light breeze on her face helped her to collect her thoughts.
