Page 32 of Two Years Gone

It had taken me so long to put myself back together after he left. After he rejected me. I finally straightened myself back up and made my way back home.

I grabbed my clothes from behind the tree where I left them and after getting dressed, I made my way back to the pack house.

It was past dinner time, and I knew I would be busted for just leaving without saying anything. I walked in, a little dirty and looking like a hot mess. But I didn’t care, I knew Mom would be worried.

As I entered the kitchen, I was just about knocked over by my mom. She rushed me into a hug and squeezed, “Ella Marie Matthews, where on earth were you?”

I pulled back and gave a sheepish grin.

“Sorry, it was a bit of a day. I went and took a run without even thinking. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

Mom glared at me.

“Mhm. I’m not the only one you need to apologize to.”

She nodded over toward the dining room where I saw Zane stand and make his way over to me.

“He’s been sitting there brooding for hours.”

I let out a sigh as Zane spoke up.

“Ella, what the hell did you think you were doing just running off like that?”

I glared up at him.

“Don’t act like you were worried.”

Zane grabbed my arm and rushed out of the dining room into one of the empty pack offices.

“Ella, you know for a fact that I was worried. What possessed you to just run off into the woods like that?”

“I needed to clear my mind. I didn’t really think about it, I just ran.”

Zane shook his head and stepped closer, speaking in almost a whisper.

“Ella…”

I turned away.

“I, uh, need to go help clean up dinner. I already missed too much work.”

I rushed out of the room, not wanting to be any closer to him than I already was.

Chapter 16

ELLA

After dinner, I went home to pack up my things. I didn’t know how I was going to explain this to my mom, and I hoped I would come up with something before my mom came home.

I sat in my room, packing up my things into boxes when there was a knock at the door. I opened the front door and my eyes met Zane.

I let out an audible groan.

“Zane, what are—”

“I came to see if I could help. Packing sucks, and I know your mom is busy with my dad planning the BBQ next week,” he cut in.

I rolled my eyes before stepping aside and letting him into our small cabin. I suddenly felt self-conscious.