Chapter 36
Maximus
It didn't take long to bring Carter up to date once I got back to the house. We're currently adjourned in my office. "Do you think that means whoever this 'Master' is, isn't actually interested in infiltrating our territory?" Carters question is valid but there's no way for me to know the answer to that just yet.
"If part of trespassing was looking for this so-called princess, It's possible he wants to know how easy it would be to walk in and take her".
"Do you have any idea who the hell they're talking about?"
"Fuck if I know. This ribbon was the only thing he seemed to be using to track her. Unfortunately, whatever the owners' scent is was masked by the vampires' smell".
"Things just get more complicated every day". The exhaustion is evident in Carter's voice. I can't blame him. Apart from running the pack we have also been working to untangle the mess my brother and father made.
"Let us hope Daniel can give us some insight considering he was the first to encounter him".
"What was he doing so far out anyway? With Jonah of all people. It is a little late for a kid to be out that deep in the woods". Rubbing my temples I shrug. Nothing about this goddamn situation is straightforward.
A knock halts our conversation and I beckon whoever it is in. I'm not surprised to see Daniel, seeing him drenched is a little odd though. "Figured I should come to talk to you before changing". My brother comes off irritated but I ignore it for now. "Should I ask why you're soaking wet or let you start from the beginning?" I have no doubt they somehow tie into each other.
With a sigh, Daniel plops down into a chair "It's Hopes fault we all ended up drenched". My eyebrow raises and I lean back. What could Hope have to do with any of this?
"Hope? She was with you?" Carter is the one to ask exactly what I was thinking. Daniel on his end looks between us like we're crazy. "Yeah, considering she's the one who got the boy to send the message".
"The message only mentioned you coming across an intruder that smells of blood and sage. No mention of anyone else". Daniel rolls his eyes and I'm tempted to smack the attitude right out of him.
"I don't even know what sage is. I recognized the scent of a vampire but I couldn't describe it like that. I actually wasn't even the one that first noticed it".
Carter most likely senses me slowly losing patience and interjects "Why don't you just tell us what happened from the beginning? It will be infinitely more helpful than going in circles like this".
"Alright. I was out walking when I came across Hope. I was asking her what she was doing there when she stopped me. The scent was faint but once she mentioned it I was able to pick it up. I tried reaching out to one of my higher pack members but got no response so we were going to sprint to the pack house as quickly as possible.
That's when we heard rustling and came across the boy and his sister. As you can imagine that complicated things. Besides that, the direction of the wind was changing and it risked blowing our scent towards the leech and giving away our position.
The reason I'm soaked is that Hope made us all submerge ourselves in the river. Something about masking our scent. After that, she whispered the message into the boy's ear and asked him to get it to you.
That is pretty much it. After that Hope suggested we focus on getting the brats home safely instead of continuing on to the pack house where we might put them in the middle of whatever was going to happen".
My wolfs ego swells at the notion that our mate recognized the danger and thought to turn to us first. The fact that it was the most logical course of action is beside the point. I'm also proud of Hopes obvious intelligence and instinct when choosing what was best.
Although Daniel just going along when it is in his nature to want to make all the decisions and be in command makes me question if there's some kind of relationship between the two.
Regardless, now is not the time for that and I know it. We have multiple issues on our hand and my jealousy over something I'm most likely constructing in my own mind does not take priority over any of them.
"That was smart, It's a trick all good trackers know. Water washes away scent which is why tracking in the rain is so difficult even for the best of them. Putting that aside, Were you ever close enough to pick up on anything? Anyone else nearby?
By the time our Enforcers did a sweep there were no signs to indicate other intruders. But, there was a significant gap between when we were alerted and when the sweep was done".Always the efficient right-hand man, Carter gets us back on topic.
"Not really. As I said, it wasn't until Hope pointed it out that I was able to focus my senses and detect anything. I doubt she noticed anything either but you can ask Hope yourselves when she gets back. Never mind that, did you get anything from the vamp? he must've said something".
Daniel may be my brother but this was my packs business and we were trying to keep things as contained as possible until we know things for certain. Through the mind link, Carter and I agree to mention the vampires' reason for being here and the ribbon but leave out where he's being held.
"A princess? Since when are we housing a fuckin princess?" I shrug but agree "We don't know what the guy is on but for now this is all hush hush, understand?" Daniel doesn't seem happy to have me ordering him but nods his understanding anyhow.
"Does this mean I can go change and sleep? There's not much else I can contribute here now".
"Sure. Just tell me where you last saw Hope".
"She told me to come speak with you while she got the brats back home and explained things to their parents". His irritation is clear as day. No Alpha likes being told what to do. Especially not one like Daniel.
After dismissing my brother I look over at Carter only to find a smirk behind his normally stoic eyes. "What's that look about?" I practically grunt out knowing his amusement is most likely at my expense somehow.
"Nothing, Just interesting to hear our future Luna handling the situation so well. Even with someone as difficult and contrarian as Daniel along". The smirk is on my face before I can stop it but its time to get serious.
"David will work with the trackers to see if we can pinpoint where he came from. If we're lucky the tracking squad along with whatever information Kane can get will lead us to whoever pulls his strings.
In the meantime, I want you to look into who this 'princess' might be. If some damn leech has become fixated on a member of our pack, she'll be easier to protect once we know who she is and hopefully why they want her".
With that Carter takes his leave and I sit there trying to decipher exactly what the hell is going on.
Chapter 37
Hope
It took a while to sort out the situation with Emma and Jonah. I met their mom Lauren and their dad who’s a top ranking Enforcer named Ezequiel Williams. Informing them of how much help Jonah was seemed to lessen their punishment but I suspect they won't be roaming free for a while.
Despite being woken up in the middle of the night to me dragging their soaking wet children home, they were warm and welcoming.
I'm just glad that's done. I need a shower, warm dry clothes and a good nights rest. I remember to grab my hidden goodies from the fair before walking in.
It's funny, it doesn't even feel like that happened today with how the last few hours unfolded. The pack house is quiet as expected except for an Enforcer here or there.
I can sense Maximus presence somewhere in the house, most likely his office. Which means things must have been dealt with swiftly without a fight. I'm not sure when it became so easy for me to sense Maximus but I can't be bothered to think about it right now.
On my way up the stairs I pass Carter and he looks me over. "I heard you had an eventful night". "Dips in rivers, hiding from intruders, dragging children around. Sounds like just another day to me".
A soft smile crosses his face and it feels nice to break the tension I've been feeling all night. "You should shower and get in bed. We already talked to Dan
iel and things are under control so there's no need to worry. We'll talk come morning".
"Thanks, getting some sleep sounds amazing right about now". Carter places a gentle hand on my shoulder and gives it a light squeeze "You did good kid, you deserve it". Then he walks off leaving me to finish my trek up.
I did good. Carter thinks I handled things well. That means more to me than he probably realizes. Honestly, I was just reacting to things at the moment as they came.
Dumping my bag on the dresser I undress and jump in the shower. The warm water soothes my tense muscles and I audibly sigh at how good it feels to not be freezing wet anymore.
Usually, the shower is the place where I do a lot of my thinking but this time I just empty my mind of any lingering thoughts and enjoy the repetitive motion of washing my hair. When I do eventually emerge from the misty depths of the bathroom now dry, I grab some sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt to throw on.
I leave my hair down after brushing any tangles out. I stare at my bed and feel the pull of sleep but I feel restless.
I had expected to at least have to report in to Maximus. Of course, I should have figured it wouldn't be necessary. After all, anything I could tell them they would have already gotten from Daniel.
Still, I feel uneasy for some reason and the only way to fix that is to go see Max really quickly. Just pop in and ask what happened. Hopefully, he's still up and in his office. If not I'll come right back and get to snoozing.
With my mind made up, there's no turning back. I tread lightly not wanting to wake anyone. Or worse, have someone catch me and ask what I'm doing.
I'll never be able to admit that, to put it plainly, I just want to see Maximus. His presence is comforting and despite Carter's reassurance that all is well, I still need to hear it from the Alpha himself.
Now standing in front of the heavy doors that lead into his office, I wonder when I went crazy. Why did I let myself come here? My face is red now realizing how much I didn't think this through. I'm barefoot in my pajamas coming to see the Alpha without any actually good reason. With a deep breath, I knock on the door and Immediately get told to enter.
There he is, looking composed as ever sitting on the edge of his desk that points towards the door. There are papers in his hand that he sets down to turn his attention to me. I do my best to hold back the ugly blush I feel coming up my neck.
"Hello Hope, I would have thought you'd be in bed by now. Is everything alright?" His voice is deep and alluring as ever, saying my name like a caress. Something I'm no doubt fabricating in my mind.
I approach slowly attempting to hide my embarrassment and act casual "I ran into Carter, he told me everything went fine but I still wanted to come see you and make sure everyone was alright".
I'm close enough now to see his eyes darken slightly but the smile on his face is easy and relaxed. "No one was hurt and at all and we were able to handle things without too much trouble. There's no need to worry little wolf".
I'm not sure if it was relief or insanity that spurred on my next action. Without a thought, I flung myself forward and wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug.
When I realize what I had done I'm tempted to step back and start apologizing. Instead, I stay there figuring what's done is done. Might as well enjoy the moment of feeling his warmth against me before he pushes me away.
To my surprise, the push never came. Instead, Maximus encircled me with his arms. One hand rubbing my back in tiny circles while the other strokes my hair. "I'm so happy everyone is okay". I truly meant that. The anxiety of how things would unfold had been eating away at me.
I want to ask what happened to the vampire, why he was here and what he wanted. All of that takes a back seat though as I relax in Maximus arms. I'm so stupid. Without realizing it I've become the silly girl who’s crushing on the Alpha. How sad is that? I'm not sure exactly when it even started.
Max shifts position slightly and I'm now between his legs somewhat sitting on his thigh "What were you doing so far out there with Daniel? I didn't know you two were close". I will myself not to tense or sneer at the mention of Daniel and I possibly having anything to do with each other.
"I wasn't with Daniel. At least I didn't go out there with him. I went to the fair with Bailey Reid. It was late when she dropped me off and I got the urge to run for a while. I never got to before Daniel came across me and...well you know the rest".
I feel him nod but stay quiet for a full minute before speaking again "Bailey's mother is our pack doctor and her father handles all our legal needs. They're a good family. I'm glad you have made a friend within my pack".
"Yeah, she's pretty amazing. Everything here is". My comment makes Maximus squeeze for a second then resume his light caresses.
"Is there a reason you choose to run on your own. I don't think I have ever seen you shift". I delicately brush my fingers over the back of Maximus neck and into his hair while I ponder how to answer. "It's just how I've always done it". The answer is lame but it happens to be the best I could come up with at the moment.
Max's fingers on my back may have a little to do with my current lack of brain function. In any event, Maximus appears to have accepted my response. "With luck, I'll one day have the pleasure of taking a run with you".
The pleasure would be all mine but I restrain from saying so simply pressing firmly against the back of his neck with my fingers.
Those are the last words exchanged between us at this unearthly hour where all is still. I can't bring myself to pull away even when I feel myself embracing the seductive call of sleep.
Chapter 38
Maximus
When I heard someone approaching my office I thought it would be Carter or David until the scent of honeysuckle seemed to pierce through the walls and into my senses. I knew Hope stood there for a few minutes but waited until she decided to knock of her own accord.
If she had turned and left I would have let her. Carter had let me know he sent Hope off to bed telling her all was well so I thought I wouldn't be seeing her.
Much less have her in my office turning me into knots standing before me in shorts small enough to show off her elegant legs.
A baggy t-shirt with fabric sheerer than I'm sure she realized turned what should be a modest shirt into something oh so tempting.
The way her long hair clung to certain parts of her ivory skin leaving droplets of water did unspeakable things to my sanity.
In spite of that, I stayed perched upon the edge of my desk determined not to give in and touch her in fear of losing what little composure I had around Hope.
That went out the window when she made her way into my arms, holding onto my neck. If she regretted it or felt uncomfortable at my touch she didn't show it. Hope is a captivating little minx without fucking knowing it.
It became rapidly evident that I had to shift our positions not wanting to let her go yet. Hope might have been comfortable in my arms but having the evidence of what it was doing to me pressed against her was bound to be too much too fast.
Whatever higher beings exist out in the universe, I pray you can make the days shorter. Hopes birthday is in a few weeks but that's still a few weeks too far away.
Then she'll finally realize our bond as mates. Until then I won't push or pressure. She should have the chance to choose her path once it is revealed.
The mere fact that her affection towards me seems to be growing even before than brings indescribable joy and it makes me hopeful that she'll accept me as I will accept her.
Once she fell asleep I tucked her into bed as I had days before. The desire to slide in and sleep peacefully with my mate safely in my arms is painfully tempting but I turn and leave her there to her quiet slumber. Things are about to get hectic and Hope will have her own assignment given by Carter.
If the only thing I had to worry about was the daily ongoings of the pack and Hope then life would be so much simpler.
For now, what I need to do is get my ass in a cold shower a
nd get some sleep myself. There are many long days before us.
Chapter 39
Hope
Waking up feels like I'm rousing from the dead. My body is heavy and my eyelids want to shut. In the distance, I hear a persistent beep and realize what woke me up was my phone.
Clumsily reaching over to my nightstand I manage to grab the insufferable thing. Who could it be? Only a couple of people even have my number. A text from Bailey flashes on the screen and I flop back into bed before reading it.
Hey! u doin alright? I've been seeing A lot more Enforcers patrolling. The parentals say its probably nothing but I thought u might kno since ur at the epicenter of activity :P
That is literally the one thing I didn't want her asking. I don't want to lie but I'm not sure what people are being told. Maybe if I wasn't an idiot and had bothered asking last night instead of groping our Alpha.
Willow From The Ashes (Children Of The Moon Book 1) Page 12
