Emma had always known that Axel would get out sooner or later but had not expected it to be so soon. Her entire body was shaking and she was glad that Lucius was with her when she received the dreadful news. Lucius continued talking with the guard for a while before he left.
Emma was a mess. Her peace of mind had just been shattered and now she realised the reason for her earlier gut feeling. She knew that Axel was going to come for her before anyone else since she had engineered his downfall.
“Will you please take me home?” she asked Lucius, her voice shaking.
“Of course,” he said. “Home is the safest place for you right now. I’ll summon my men and we leave now. Let me instruct the rest to finish as soon as possible and get back home. Axel knows that attacking anyone in my pack will hurt me so he could go after them. I need to organize for security reinforcement.”
Emma watched as Lucius went towards the tent. Two guards that had been sitting behind it stood up and waked towards him. Emma felt tears streaming down her face as she thought of all the things Axel had done to her. She had hoped that justice would be served but clearly that was just a theoretical thing in the supernatural world. She wondered if the human world was any better.
After about ten minutes, Lucius returned to where he had left her. She was feeling even more scared.
“I don’t want innocent people to get hurt because of me,” Emma said. “Maybe I should leave the pack for a while so that Axel can focus on looking for me not attacking the pack. I’d never forgive myself if something bad happened to the others.”
“I’m not going to sacrifice you. No one is going to die because of that moron. You’re staying with me and that’s final.”
“You’re not thinking clearly, Lucius.”
“You’re speaking nonsense.”
“I’m just being logical.”
“I love you and I cannot leave you unprotected. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you. I have always protected this pack and now you’re part of it.”
Emma sighed. Arguing with him was pointless. She just needed a way to get out of the south. In another region, she wouldn’t have to worry about the vampires and could live as a rogue. She had lived in many different places and there were some that were very safe for rogues. Whether they would be safe for a rogue being hunted down by a very powerful alpha she didn’t know.
“You know what I hate,” Lucius said as he started the car.
“What?”
“That you think I’m weak. Is it because I’m always nice to you. My pack is one of the most powerful around here and you think I should be scared of Axel. Do you think he’s better than me?”
“Noo, I don’t think so. I just think he is an evil man with no moral compass and therefore isn’t afraid of burning the whole world down if it suits his selfish needs. You’re not like that.”
Lucius was silent.
“You are a great but also sensible and kind. You’re much more powerful but there are things you can’t do because you’re a good person. Axel has no boundaries to his evil and can take advantage of that.”
“Why don’t you feel safe with me?”
“I feel safe, but I’m worried about other people who won’t be in the pack 24/7. I just don’t want more innocent people to die for me the way it happened last time.”
“Okay, I understand. You do not need to worry about anything. My team is ready. We will give Axel what he deserves if she shows up around here. Besides, I have the support of the other packs.”
Emma felt better after hearing that.
***
Walking down the dimly lit yard, Emma felt a shiver run down her spine. The rain had just stopped and the air smelled fresh as the sound of her footsteps on the pavement made a slight noise. Emma had just finished cleaning one of the unoccupied cottages, a role that had been assigned to her by Michelle who had resumed her luna duties. It was dark and it was time for her to return to the pack house. It was cold so she was looking forward to getting to her room and crawling into her warm bed. The thought of it made her hurry. As she approached the pack house, she saw a figure lurking in the shadows but didn’t think much of it. She figured it was one of the guards or an insomniac who wanted to stay out for a bit.
As she got closer, she saw that it was a man. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realised who it was. It was her former mate Axel. Emma froze in terror as he stepped out of the shadows. He was wearing a twisted smile as he leisurely walked forward.
“I knew I’d get out,” he sneered. “Finally, the time has come for me to make you pay for what you did to me.”
Emma tried to run, but he was faster and stronger. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her close to him, his breath fanning her face.
“You and that bastard are going to regret crossing me,” he growled. “What did you think? That I, Axel white would stay behind bars.” He chuckled as he said the last sentence.
Emma closed her eyes and braced for the worst. She felt Axel’s heard slowly sinking into her chest and then suddenly there was nothing. She was awake. Emma quickly sat up and looked around, relieved that she was on her bed and Axel was nowhere to be seen. She was sweating profusely. She glanced at Casey’s bed and saw that her friend was deep asleep. Her breathing started slowing down as she sat there. When it was back to normal, she stood up and went to the window. She pulled the brown curtains aside and looked it.
All she could see was darkness, the security lights, buildings and other things. She couldn’t spot a human being. She wondered how easily Axel might be able to get into Summit pack. Could he get by the barrier? Was she really safe there? Could Lucius defeat Axel again?
Emma let the curtains fall back and went back to bed. She crawled back in but was unable to sleep until morning.