Chapter 11: Philip Harrington vs. Troy ‘Travis’ Stanton~ The beat to his heart … Sense of belongingness!

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Troy’s worried eyes followed Philip until he disappeared through the door. He was surprised at the sudden feeling of guilt and unease that washed over him. He wanted to call Philip back but he stifled the urge. What was wrong with him, Troy combed his fingers through his hair in frustration. He was convinced the so-called werewolves he was in the room with had cast a spell on him. Even if they couldn’t do it themselves because they were werewolves, the Deloris woman could do it for them.

“Can I get some water please?” Troy asked quietly.

“I’ll get it,” Jeremy said as he turned towards the dining area. He came back in no time with a bottle of water.

“Thank you,” Troy said as he took the water from Jeremy. By the time the bottle came away from his lips, it was empty.

“Want another?” Jeremy asked.

“No, thanks.” Troy shook his head slowly, looking at the bottle in his hands.

“Are you okay?” Gloria asked softly but Troy didn’t respond. He kept staring down at the bottle in his hand. After a moment, he raised his head and looked up at Jeremy who had remained standing the entire time.

“Is…is he going to be okay?” Troy’s voice was barely above a whisper.

The Alpha of Alphas didn’t need to ask who Troy was talking about. He gave a knowing smile. “He’ll be fine.” Jeremy nodded as he took a seat in another chair. “Don’t worry about him.”

Troy nodded with a worried frown etched on his face. “I…” But he trailed off and shot to his feet when a pretty, sexy blonde entered with Paul. “Are you okay?” Troy asked, reaching out to lay a hand on Paul’s chest. He appeared to be listening closely for something.

“Peachy.” Paul grinned. “That’s Camille. She’s great. She gave me food to eat. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. I’m glad you’re okay.” Troy stepped back with a look of relief on his face. Whatever he’d felt seemed to please him.

“Hello, Troy?” The lady who Paul had introduced as Camille smiled at Troy.

“Hi. Thanks for taking care of him.” Troy said quietly.

“The pleasure was all mine.” Camille grinned as she turned towards the dining area. “He’s an interesting guy. Want one, Paul?” She called out as she took a bottle of water out of the fridge.

“Are you satisfied now?” Gloria asked Troy softly. “Paul is fine.”

“Yeah, but for how long?” Troy asked with a deep sigh, remembering Philip’s threats.

“Nothing will happen to him,” Gloria said solemnly. She’d noticed how much her son cared for the human. She vowed silently to do everything in her power to keep that boy safe. “I will make sure nothing happens to him. You have my word.” Mother and son stared at each other.

“Thank you,” Troy whispered, his eyes still locked with those of the woman he realized he actually trusted. “May I please have that meal now?” He gave a slight smile.

“Sure.” Gloria looked so delighted Troy’s smile widened. “I’ll quickly put something together. Will you help me?” She looked so hopeful Troy nodded with a chuckle.

“Can Paul help too?”

“Err… Troy?” Paul called to his friend before Gloria could answer the question. “Camille and I were in the middle of a movie when her mother popped up and asked us to come here.” He said. “She can also do what her mother does.” He whispered to his friend. “She tel…tele…”

“Teleport,” Camille said from her perch on the dining table. “And it’s not everything mum does that I can do, Paul.” She grinned, not missing Paul’s surprised look.

“You heard that?” Asked a wide-eyed Paul.

“Yep.” Camille gave an amused chuckle.

“Weird,” Paul muttered. “Anyway…” He turned his attention back to his friend. “I’d like to get back to the movie to give you the chance to talk to…your family.” He smiled, remembering what Camille had told him earlier. “Camille says these people are your family. Congratulations Tr…”

“We don’t know that yet,” Troy said under his breath. “I’m yet to be given proof that they are my family.”

“Well, I believe Camille.” Paul shrugged. “I’ll go with her so that you can have the chance to talk to them, okay?”

Troy looked speechless for a moment. Then he cleared his throat. “She told you not to stay, didn’t she?” He asked quietly but didn’t look angry.

“She didn’t have to,” Paul responded with a fond smile. “I just thought I’d give you…”

“Alright, alright,” Troy muttered. “You sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine. Camille is a medical doctor.” Paul grinned. “I don’t think she’ll let any harm come to me,” Paul said with confidence, surprising Troy at how quickly he’d come to trust the daughter of the warlock. If only Paul knew what warlocks were capable of, Troy thought.

“Okay.” Troy nodded and then started towards Camille. “May I have a private word with you, Camille?”

“Sure.” Camille jumped down from her perch on the dining table and started for the door.

“Oh, we don’t have to go outside,” Troy said as he gestured for Camille to stay put, completely missing the bemused look on Camille’s face.

“Alright,” Camille murmured as she sat back on the dining table. Troy clearly had no idea the kind of abilities werewolves had. If he did, he would have known that Gloria and Jeremy would hear them perfectly from where they sat in the living room.

“So…” Paul looked from Gloria to Jeremy. “I’m told you’re Troy’s mother and brother.”

“That’s right.” Gloria nodded.

“I see,” Paul murmured. He finally understood the real reason behind Troy’s beautiful tan. It wasn’t a tan after all. His colour was a result of his mother’s dark complexion. “You guys still planning on killing me?” Paul blurted out. He tried to look unafraid but the look in his eyes betrayed him.

“No one is going to kill you, Paul.” Gloria gave him a reassuring smile. “I’ve promised my son that nothing is going to happen to you and I plan on keeping that promise.”

“Uh…cool. Thanks.”

“I am Gloria by the way. And this is Jeremy…Jer.”

“The cat…” Paul whispered.

“I’m no cat,” Jeremy growled.

“Sorry,” Paul said quickly, taking a step back. “It’s just that Troy named our cat after…oh snap…” He turned around; “Troy, we need to go get Jer…”

“I brought him,” Troy responded just as Gloria stood up and reached for Paul’s hand.

“Come.” The elegant woman said, leading Paul to another part of the house. There, Paul saw the cat sleeping peacefully on a couch. And if the almost empty bowl on the floor was anything to go by, it was one very full cat.

“Aw, Jer,” Paul whispered, his eyes filled with delight. “Thank you, ma’am. And thanks for…sparing my life.”

“No need to thank me.” Gloria shook her head. “Just make sure you follow whatever rules we lay down for you, okay?

“I’ll do exactly as I’m told. Promise.”

“Good.”