CHOSEN

Chapter 31.5

Vote/Comment/Fasten. All. Seat Belts.

Marley's POV

"You're late."

I rolled my eyes as I heard those words. I turned and looked up at Gray, who was now staring directly ahead of me, all of his earlier emotions now ceasing to exist. "We couldn't help it Sir, some. . . things came up", he said this seriously and the voice ahead of me scoffed. "And I'm sure that those things that came up were those guns and knives that she has strapped around her waist", The voice scoffed again and I spun around and glared daggers at the annoying *ssed Geezer. "Good morning, Elder Thorn", I drawled out and the man immediately scowled.

Thorn was exactly what he sounded like, a grumpy old man. Minus the 'old' part. To a human, he would look like a man in his mid forties when in actuality, he was already past his fifth century. He was a tall and bulky man, with muscles that covered every nook and cranny of his body and scars that did just the same. He had been through many battles and he looked like he saw all that this world had to offer. He always seemed to wear a scowl on his face which  deepen whenever I was near.

"You little brat- Abigail! The little brat's here!" He growled. I sent him a sweet smile which seemed to irritate him even more. "Damn little brat, I liked the other one better."

"Who? My Mate?"

"Yah. He was a good lad. much easier to talk to. Unlike somebody-"

"Somebody? as in me? But I thought we were friends Elder Thorn?" 

"Friends? Ha! More like Enemies. . . More like a Pain in the a-"

"Thorn! How long are you going to continue to argue with the poor girl? You've known her for so many moons, when are you two going to get along?" The familiar voice of Abigail had a grin spreading across my face. "Abby!" I said happily and she winked at me secretly before pointing at me with a pretend scowl. "It's Elder Abby to you. Anyways, it's cold out here, let's take this inside, okay?"

"Okay. . . Thorn?"

She walked up next to her Mate and nudged her nose against his cheek. He glared daggers at the woman who seemed totally unfazed by his attitude as she nudged at him again. His eyes softened a bit and he quickly nudged his nose against her own, meeting her affection quickly before walking away. "Fine. Send them inside, I'll e right back." He walked past the little Elder and brushed past me, a slight growl escaping his lips before he walked away. Abby then walked up to us an gave us an apologetic smile, which was most likely directed to Gray. I already knew this side of Thorn, so it never truly bothered me.

Abby was slightly taller than I was, and had extremely long black hair, which normally rested along her backside once she let them loose. She too looked as if she was in her mid forties, when in fact, she was probably a half a century younger than her Mate, Thorn. She had a small soft face, pale blue eyes, and a kind smile that could make anyone relax around her. She was my closest friend within the pack, and I always considered her as a sister. "Sorry about that. You know how he gets sometimes. Oh, and they always act like this. It isn't a first. Thorn only pretends to dislike Marley. . . he's actually quite fond of her, but doesn't really like to show it." She directed most of her words towards Gray who nodded stiffly. "Come on inside, Adeline's already there", was all she said before she turned and headed towards a large blue tent. We followed her into the huge tent and stepped inside, with Gray doing so more cautiously. I eyed him curiously. 

Was he nervous?

I went into the tent and sat opposite to Adeline, who had locked gazes with Gray the moment he entered the room. Thorn came in as well before plopping down next to his Mate. Gray sat next to me and I leaned towards him and gestured for him to come closer. Once he did so, I asked him about his current attitude. He simply shook his head before sitting upright once again. I decided to let it go and simply stare ahead at the Elders.