Chapter 10

As quickly as I see him, Shane slips back into the woods and disappears. My stomach drops and my heart races. How did he cross the border undetected by our patrol warriors and how does he know which room is mine. How long has he been watching me?

I reach for the balcony rail and scan the trees for any sign of him. He’s gone, but this eerie feeling is not leaving. Every hair on my body is standing at attention and I can sense Leia’s ears are fully perked up. I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding and drop my head.

Not wanting to worry Colin I mind link my father.

“Dad, I need you to not freak out Colin, but I need you right now!” I can’t contain the worry in my voice even if I tried.

“Ellie? I’m on my way! What is wrong?” By the sound of his voice I know he’s concerned and probably running as fast as possible at this point.

“Just get here!” I cut off the link and walk around the room while biting my nails.

My mind is going a million different directions and the two weeks of hell that I went through starts playing in my head. Leia, who was sedated through the whole thing starts whining loudly in my head at the thoughts.

“I’m sorry girl, I’m trying to not think about it.”

Before she has time to respond my door bursts open and I scream.

“Geeze dad! Give me a freaking heart attack why don’t you?!” I grab my chest and rub in it a few circles while glaring at my intruder who is currently panting heavily and scanning the room for any threats to his daughter.

“I’m alone dad! Hello!” I wave my hands in front of his face and he comes towards me in a huff still panting.

“Then what is so important that you made me leave the Alpha’s and Beta’s Ellie?” His voice changes from protective to angry real fast.

“Dad, there’s a problem.”

He gives me the look that clearly says to get on with it.

“I saw someone in the tree line after you and mom left today before lunch, I know they were watching me. Then at lunch I kept having a weird feeling. Just now before I linked you, I, uh. Dad, it’s Shane! I saw him! He’s here!”

Panic starts rising in my voice and I can’t control the sudden shaking that overtakes my body. He takes me into his arms and holds me without saying anything and I know he’s thinking everything over. After a moment he pulls back and lowers himself to my eye level.

“Ok, Ellie are you sure? Logan's patrol warriors would have smelled him if he crossed. He’s a rogue now honey, they have a... unique smell, you know that.” He’s right, any wolf turned rogue smells, off.

“I’m positive, it was him. I will never forget those eyes for the rest of my life.” I purse my lips and give him a stare down for questioning me. He stands fully and drops my arms, then paces a few times clearly mind linking someone.

“I linked Alpha Lawrence to let him know. He is keeping it from Colin for now, but I think as his mate you should tell him soon. Lawrence is having Logan assemble extra warriors to scan the borders for any sign of rogues. If he was here, they will smell him."

He seems slightly worried, but I think part of his worry is that I am seeing things because of what happened to me. Honestly I have thought about that as well. I place my finger in my mouth again, nibbling on the corner of my nail cuticle until it starts to sting and bleed.

"So, looks like I get a real son after all hey kiddo?" It takes me a second to realize what he is talking about. Then it dawns on me that my ring is on full display with my hand being so close to my face.

"Oh my Goddess I forgot all about it! Dad I am so ha- hey wait a second what is that supposed to mean? A real son? You jerk!" He flinches as I bring my hand up and smack his shoulder. We both laugh and he brings me in for a hug, speaking softly into my ear.

"I'm so proud of the woman you are becoming Elenor. Your mother is as well." He kisses the top of my head making me smile.

"We look forward to watching you as Luna and eventually as a mother yourself. We want to have you both over for dinner this week as a congratulations. Lawrence and Amara would like to come as well. Don't concern yourself about Shane, we will take care of that rogue. You'll be ok honey."

He rubs my back a few times before giving me a small reassuring squeeze and taking a couple of steps back.

"We need to talk about today dear. We did find Victoria Evans."

He motions towards the remaining unbroken chair while he pulls the vanity stool closer to me. I sit down and lean in towards him. I don't speak, but he knows he has my full attention.

"Victoria has gone rogue dear. She's somewhat in a daze, unsure of her reality. She believes that her and Colin may be second chance mates. She told him that if he would just reject you, the mate bond would prove it."

My skin starts burning from rage at the mention of what she is suggesting.

"I will rip her throat out if she even thinks about touching our mate." Leia is seething in my head.

"We both will Leia." I nod as my tone matches hers in agreement of what our course of action will be.

I continue to listen to what dad has to say.

"Colin denied her advancements but instead of banishing her as a rogue he has brought her to the infirmary for evaluation. None of us are sure if it is the right decision due to her not being part of your pack anymore, but it was ultimately up to the young Alpha."

I'm not sure if he's going with his heart or his head but I have that feeling in the pit of my stomach that he made the wrong choice.

"So what is the plan for her?" I ask in need of answers even though Colin told me his plan this morning. Right now I'm just not sure I can trust his mind to over rule his heart.

He takes a breath before answering, standing and walking over to the balcony.

"Well, for now she needs to be looked over for any signs of injures or infections and then I guess she will be placed in a holding cell for evaluation from a shrink. We are having a pack trial as well."

He again doesn't seem comfortable with the choices that Colin made, and although I was this morning, my dad is slowly making me question all of it.

Dad looks over at the tree line scanning it himself and he gives off a nod of approval as he sees Logan's warriors shift and run into the woods.

He is no longer top warrior of our pack, or a member for that matter. However, the warriors will always respect him, and everyone will always see him and mom as part of our pack.

"I'm going down there." I say with absolute confidence and a little jealousy mixed in. I stand and start walking towards the door.

"Woah Ellie, are you sure that you or Leia can handle that right now?" He grabs my arm and looks into my eyes like he is talking to both of us simultaneously.

Leia just scoffs and rolls her eyes at his apparent lack of trust in her control. 

"Do you blame him? Think about what you just said moments ago." She flicks her tail and growls at me.

"You didn't object." She gives me a glare and I now roll my eyes at her.

"You can come with me if you don't think we can control ourselves, but I'm going with or without your approval. Now please, let me go."

He sighs in disapproval but lets me go with a look of regret. As I make my way out of the room and down to the hospital like I'm on a mission, he is on my heals the entire time.

When I finally get to my destination my father is right behind me. I squint my eyes and purse my lips in annoyance at him. I then turn and ask the pack member at the front desk for Victoria's room number with a low growl of dominance from my anger that is building.

She hesitates before she gives it to me while looking at my neck and hearing another low growl come from my throat. She knows I will be in charge of her soon, so it is in her best interest to listen to my requests.

I nod my thanks to her and head down the hall. I can smell Colin the closer I get along with Victoria's, but hers is mixed with a strange smell. I have only known that smell to belong to rogues. I scrunch my nose in disgust and walk into the room without knocking.

My father grabs me just in time before I have the chance to lunge at them both for what I am witnessing.