AN; So I figured I would give y'all a quick update this time since I've been taking such a long time to update these last few times. I hope you all enjoy. And just for a marker for myself so I can track this stories progress (668 reads and 135 votes yassssss!)
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I walked back to the back room that also served as our storage room, and closed the door behind me. I seated myself in  an metal folding chair at a water stained foldable wooden table, that was pushed up against the far wall of the crowed room.

I closed my eyes and imagined I was standing in the space in-between our bond.

The hallway with the two doors materialized in front of my eyes.  I walked over to Grayson's red door, the door to his mind, and reached for the knob and turned it and nothing. It wouldn't budge.

"Grayson?" I called out within my mind. "There's something we need to talk about." No sooner had those words left my lips that I was immediately greeted by a strong bolt of pain that shot down my spine and caused me to gasp.

My eyes snapped open. I reached back and rubbed the spot the pain had originated from.

"Well that was odd? Where did pain come from? Maybe it was because I had tried to open Grayson's door.

I closed my eyes and I was once again in the hallway in front of his door.

"Grayson, umm I'm not sure how this works, but if you can hear me, please answer. Someone-"

Another stronger jolt of pain lit my body ablaze and I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.

"What was going on? Where was this intense pain coming from?"

I suddenly remembered  the boy's words. And the part at the end about me not telling anyone about what we had talk about. The pain that would come if I went against "our agreement"

"I guess "anyone'"include Grayson too. Son of a bitch, what was a binding spell anyways? In any case, it looked like I was on my own."

"There came a soft knock at the door."

Annie's muffle voice came from the other side of the door. "Aurelia, can I come in?"

"Yeah," I replied.

Annie stepped into the room and closed the door softly behind her.

"I just wanted to come back and check you."

I forced a smile onto my face, "I'm fine."

"Good," Annie began to twirl one a blonde curl around her hair. "Was that boy from Pine Ridge? It really did seem like he knew you."

I frowned at this revelation, "Like what? What did he say?"

"I don't remember exactly," Annie squinted her blue eyes . "And I can't think of any good examples, I just got the sense the two of you had shared history."

I thought about telling her the truth about the boy. About how I had never seen him before yesterday. I didn't even know his name. But decide in the next instant against it. If I said something it would draw attention to me, and I might be forbidden to work here or worse, be forbidden to go to school.

"Yeah he's from Pine Ridge."

"Is he stalking you or something?"

"No."

"Aurelia there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

I looked back at her silently.

Annie began to twirl her curl faster around her finger. "Would you be willing to let me interview you about Pine Ridge? There's so much mystery around that place, and I can tell living there must be hell, I can see it in your eyes. You always look so happy when you walk into the dinner and so sad when you leave. I want to write an article about what life is really like in Pine Ridge for my final paper for my Media class."

I folded my arms across my chest "Absolutely not."

"Is it because you think that they will hurt you if you do?"

Yes, they would hurt me alright...

"Annie I like you, and I don't like a lot of people. So I will tell you this only once. Nothing good will come of asking questions about Pine Ridge. The people of Pine Ridge like there privacy, and they will go to great lengths to protect it."

"What do you mean by great lengths?" their was a gleam in Annie's eyes now that made me uneasy.

I shook my head at her. "Forget it."

"Why are you the only one from Pine Ridge that goes to our high school? Why did they let you attend school here and not any of the other Pine Ridge kids?"

I got up from the table, "I came back here to relax after what just happened. But I think I'm just better off going back to work."

"Sorry, this probably wasn't the right time to bring this up..."

"You're right, it wasn't the right time. No time is."

I went to go to the door, but Annie blocked my exit once again . And this time, I could feel my anger begin to rise. Anger magnified by the stress of the last couple of days. This wasn't good, I needed to get out of here now.

"Move please," I said and tried to keep my voice steady, but Annie did not budge an inch.

"Before you go I just want to tell you that if you change your mind, you can come to me."

Before my mind and body could catch up with each other, I had grabbed Annie and slammed her up against a wall.

"What part of no did you not understand!?"

Annie's eyes had lost there gleam and now we're brimming with fear."I-I'm sorry! I just want to tell the truth."

I let her go and took a step back. The anger I had felt seconds ago was now replaced by worry and fear. What if Annie said something to the owner of the dinner? The dinner was owned by a man by the name of Samuel, who was also a member of the Pine Ridge pack. He was never here, but his number hung in the wall in case anything came up like a missing order of ketchup or an employee slamming another employee against the wall...

"Sorry." I mumbled. "I'm going out to take some tables."

"Okay," she squeaked.

I let go of her and walked out only to bump directly into Kevin.

"Hey, we just got a call from Samuel, he says you need to leave. Something about a family emergency."

I felt myself begin to sweat. Had someone from the Pine Ridge pack seen what had happened between me and the mysterious boy?

"Your ride will be here shortly," Kevin informed me.

I nodded and turned and retrieved my parka from its hook. Annie was still in the back room, and I avoided making eye contact with her.

I pulled on my jacket and walked outside to stand in the cold wind and wait for Richard.

After about ten minutes of waiting, Richard's green truck came into view, but it wasn't Richard who was driving it.

For some reason I didn't feel that surprised, when Grayson climbed out of the drivers seat and walked around to the passenger side. His mouth was pressed into a firm line, while he opened the door for me.

I climbed in the cab of the truck wordlessly, and he shut the door behind, before taking his place behind the steering wheel.

He began to drive down the snowy road.

"Should I even ask why the Alpha's son is picking up from my job early for a 'family emergency'?"I asked, breaking the silent. "Is it because I try to reach you through the matting bond?"

A small smile pulled at Grayson's mouth but it was gone the next instant. I noticed that he had dark circles lining his eyes.

"Sorry I didn't answer I was already on my way here. Before you even ask, my dad actually asked me to go get you, so I can keep you safe."

I sat up straighter in my seat. "What is going on?"

"Good, so you don't know yet."

Grayson pulled the truck into the shoulder of the road and put it into park, but left the engine running so the continuous stream of warm air blew from the AC.

"I came because I rather you hear what happened from me."

Sudden intense fear gripped me and despite the warmth of the truck, I suddenly felt cold.

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry Aurelia. Three Lunrea were found dead this morning."