The Wolf's Prey (28 page)

I snap
out of my musings when we pull up to a small ranch style home with
a large porch and neatly manicured flower beds. I feel my heart
pound and my eyes water. I need to do this, I can do this. I open
the car door as soon as the engine stops not noticing everyone
pulling in directly behind us until Marta points it out, "What's he
doing here?"

I look
behind me seeing Alpha Thompson getting out of a big black truck.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, confused. For some reason,
probably my trusting nature, I don't fear him.

"Three
she-wolves leaving what is considered to be a neutral territory for
the time being, to come into a territory without permission. Well,
that just screams entertainment." He replies, waking towards
us.

"I'm here
to talk to the people who raised me." I explain, looking back at
the house. I can't call them my parents, I know I should. Yet,
something in me rejects the idea, maybe it's my
bitterness.

"Well, I
suggest you make short work of it before your mate finds you
gone."

I nod and
we all walk to the front door. Marta lets us in and we follow her
to the kitchen. I hear a television turn off and Theo meets us in
the hallway. "What is this?" He questions, looking at all of
us.

"I wanted
to speak to you." I reply, nervously.

"She
wants to ask you and mom some questions." Marta states,
firmly.

"I think
that'd be nice." I hear a timid voice say from behind Theo. He
shifts and I see Missy standing with a dish towel being wrung in
her nervous hands.

Theo nods
and we all make our way to the living room. I sit down on the couch
next to Marta and Jessica, Theo and Missy sit across from us while
Alpha Thompson paces behind us.

"Why
didn't you tell me?" I ask, hurt.

"It was
safer if you didn't know. Alpha Rhy's warned us, I couldn't risk
him finding out." Theo answers, honestly. I nod in response. I can
respect that he was protecting his family.

"Did you
ever try to get us away from Alpha Rhys?" I inquire, wanting to
know if he ever really attempted to get us away.

"There
haven't been many opportunities. We took the first real shot we
had." He replies, seriously.

"Grandpa?
What about him?" I ask, knowing the answer already.

"He cared
about about you. He thought of you as his granddaughter and loved
you very much."

"His
eyes-" I start.

"Completely coincidental." He replies, before I can
finish.

I feel my
tears. What did I come here for? I know the answers to these
questions. I swallow the lump in my throat knowing what I want to
ask, "Did you love me?"

"Yes!"
Mom shouts, falling to her knees in front of me. She cups my face
forcing me to look into her eyes. "I will always think of you as my
daughter. I miss you and love you every second of the day." I feel
tears falling down my face and Mom brushes then away kissing my wet
cheeks lovingly.

"It's
been so hard." I cry, and she hugs me tightly.

"I can
only imagine how hurt you feel and I'm so sorry." She replies,
almost pleading with me to understand.

We hold
each other from a while before I feel a tap on my shoulder. "I'm
sorry, but we should get going before they realize we're gone."
Jessica says, remorse on her face.

I nod,
getting Jessica that I heard. "I'll call." I state, looking at mom
before standing up. "I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I want to
come again."

"Yes, come
anytime." She replies, wiping at her own wet cheeks.

We walk to the
door quietly and say our goodbyes. I feel lighter as we drive back
home. After parking we walk back inside the house and I watch as
Jessica starts looking around apprehensively.

I'm not sorry for
going out, or scared about getting caught. I'm emotionally drained
and tired but the great burden about the Robinson has lifted.
Moving on will be easier now. I won't have to constantly wonder if
the people who raised me loved me. Knowing I was loved and that
everyday wasn't a total lie is comforting and exactly what I needed
to hear.

I feel a arm wrap
and my shoulder. "Are you okay?" Alpha Thompson asks.

"Yeah, I just
feel different. I don't know how to explain it, really." I reply,
confused by my own feelings.

"They didn't just
raise you, they accepted and loved you. That's bound to be
confusing." He replies, seriously. I give him a weak smile and he
walks away.

"You feel better,
right?" Marta asks.

"Yes, so much
better. Thank you both for helping." I say.

"I'm sorry I made
you leave." Jessica apologizes, looking guilty.

"I didn't need to
stay. I got the answers I wanted." I respond, giving her a
reassuring hug.

"Alright, I'm
starving let's raid the refrigerator." Jessica says, breaking out
hug and skipping to the kitchen.

I watch her leave
and Marta follow after. I really need Lennox. I know they're busy
so I walk to the kitchen. I see Alpha Thompson is already helping
himself to the contents of the refrigerator making a
sandwich.

Marta and Jessica
start taking out leftovers and heating them up in the microwave. I
sit down at the kitchen counter as a plate with a ham sandwich and
a pickle is placed in front of me. "Thanks." I respond, picking up
the sandwich and taking a big bite. My appetite has been
non-existent for so long. I cant remember the last time I enjoyed a
meal.

"I have a theory
about why you're not taking your mates mark." Alpha Thompson says,
sitting next to me.

"You do?" I ask,
surprised he'd even be thinking about it. I thought we solved why
my body was rejecting Lennox's mark?

He nods. "Yeah,
have you tried marking him back?"

"No, I haven't."
I reply. Thinking about it, it does makes sense. If I'm accepting
the bond for a few days at a time, then maybe to get it to last I
have to mark him back. A sign of acceptance would be marking him
back. Why haven't we thought of this before?

"You're right.
That might work." I respond, happily.

"It's rare that
this even occurs. I've only read of it happening a few times and
never with an alpha's mark. I think it's worth trying." He
says.

"Yeah, I will.
Thanks."

"I've only heard
of it happening to my mom." Jessica says, joining the
conversation.

"My pack
documents every thing that is of importance, they have for
generations. I read about it in one of the books and was going to
share it with Alpha Hall eventually, but I thought I'd let you know
so it's your choice." He explains.

"My
choice?"

"You're not of
age. You still have choices. I thought I would tell you this
regardless of what I 'think' your feelings for Alpha Hall
are."

"She loves him."
Jessica states, glaring at Alpha Thompson.

"I do
love him." I concur. There's no real choice. Lennox may have chosen
me but we found love together.

He
watches me for a couple seconds before responding. "Good. And I
don't think you have to worry about Alpha Briggs anymore. I think
he knows that he's out matched with Alpha Hall. However, Alpha Rhys
is another story. I'm sure he was the father of Wendy's unborn
pup."

My mouth
drops, "How do you know that?" I question, my heart hammering in my
chest.

"It was something she said to Rachel as we were traveling
here. She said,
'Brett doesn't care about
me or the baby, just her.'
I'm sure Rachel
was hoping that Alpha Rhys was going to attempt to save them,
because of Wendy. Of course, he didn't lift a finger and he got rid
of his two biggest problems, courtesy of Alpha Hall."

"You
think Alpha Rhys wanted Wendy and the baby to die?" I ask,
horrified at the thought.

"I think
he was hoping it would happen, yes. He sent her to my territory
where we kill trespassers without patting an eye. Your fathers
involving and foresight to tell us before hand of her plans was the
only thing to save their lives."

"So, now
if Alpha Rhys comes after Lennox it can be under the guise of
claiming retribution for Lennox killing his unborn baby. He can get
others to help him, what Lennox did will cause a lot of anger
towards him." Jessica states, connecting all the dots.

"She
attacked me, she tried to kill me. Surely, we can tell everyone it
was a justified kill." I say, fearing for Lennox and our pack. If
were here, Alpha Rhys could attack and our members would know
nothing about it.

"We have
to tell Lennox." I state, starting to stand up.

"He
knows. My beta told him this morning. They're doing some damage
control and calling other Alpha's."

I get up,
not caring and run towards my father's office. I need to know
what's happening. I won't be kept in the dark any
longer.

***********

Leaving

Alpha
Lennox Hall

All morning I've
been calling other packs, explaining Wendy's death. I've told the
whole scene over and over again, with Travis, Andrew and Beta
Martin. Many have accepted the story and taken our word about the
circumstances. It helps that Travis had contacted them days before
about his daughter and her accomplice acting against his pack. Yet,
word has reached us that Rhys is playing the victim. The loss of
his lover and child unbearable, he wants revenge. I've contacted at
least three packs that I'm sure are on Rhys side. Although, some
have taken Rhys side, I know they won't get involved. They're
smaller packs and are aware of what they'd be up
against.

Even if Rhys has
amassed an army I'll be ready for him. I have my enforcers running
the perimeter and will be on my way I'm back within the next
hour.

We've come to
terms with our contact with the Red Wolf Pack and the stipulations
of visiting each Alpha's land. Not all terms are the same but there
close.

There's only one
more thing to do.

"I'm calling
Rhys. I'd rather do this civilly. I don't want him on my land and
threatening my pack.

"He won't want to
give you the advantage." Travis, replies knowingly.

"Then I'll go to
him before he can strike." I respond listening to the ringing on
the other end.

"I'm going with
you. You can't trust Rhys." Andrew says, stepping
forward.

He is the last
person I expected to join me. I nod accepting his help.

"Alpha Rhys." I
hear through the phone.

"How do you want
to do this?" I question Rhys, impatiently.

"Alpha Hall, I
have to thank you. You took care of two of my problems for me.
Really, very gracious of you." His happiness sets my teeth on
edge.

"Just tell me how
you want to do this?" I repeat, sickened by his attitude. His lack
of compassion for his own unborn pup is repulsive and speaks to his
mental instability.

"My land." He
states, readily.

"I'm on my way,
with Alpha Briggs." I see Travis and Beta Martin step
forward.

"Alpha Griffin
and Beta Martin."

"Bring Jocelyn as
well."

"Fuck you." I
growl.

He chuckles. "It
was worth a try. She'll be mine once I'm done with you anyway. I'll
be waiting." He replies, ending the call.

"His land as soon
as possible." I tell the others as I put the phone down.

The door open and
Jocelyn comes in with a worried expression on her beautiful face.
Seeing Alpha Thompson behind her I know he told her about the
threat from Rhys. Alpha Thompson hasn't been a part of the
negotiations or the meeting . He doesn't seem to like sitting still
while talking, but he knows what's going on.

I'm going to have
to keep her here, she's not going to be happy about it. I can't
risk her, if this is a trap or if things don't go as I expect them
to, she'll be put in harm's way. I can't have that.

As soon as she's
lose enough I take her in my arms.

"What's
happening?" She questions.

"Rhys has agreed
to settle this between the two of us."

"How?"

"I'm on my way to
talk to him about it right now." I say, but wanting to tell her
that we're fighting. It will only worry her and I need her
calm.

"Talk?" She asks,
in total disbelief.

"Yes."

"I'm coming with
you." She states.

"No, I'm bringing
your father, Andrew and Beta Martin."

"I'm not staying
here. I want to be with you."

"I'll be back
tonight."

"Lennox-"

"We have to go.
I'll call when we're on our way back. Rest. You look tired." She
pulls out of my arms not looking at me or anyone and leaves the
room silently.