JACE’S P. O. V.
The whole pack seems to be on edge all day. We know what is coming. Especially my dad and mom. They know what it means if we smell her on him. But it will mean that we have found her. That she can come home.
We just got the alert from the front gate that they have arrived. Our whole party is waiting at the pack house. Eli stands next to me waiting to sniff her out. I think he is more anxious than the rest of us. Regardless of what anyone thinks. He has loved Lila for a long time. Sure he has his mate now and that makes his love different not gone.
The truck pulls in front of the steps. He doesn’t come with a bunch of wolves, only himself, his driver and one other wolf. This is odd for an Alpha. Especially one coming from a pack as feared as Moonridge. As soon as he steps out of the truck Eli stiffens and growls. He smells her.
The Alpha smiles at my parents who are trying to hold back their anger. “I am so glad that we could have this meeting. Plus I would like to add, before you can react wrongly here. I have good news for you.”
My mother raises an eyebrow. “Oh, and what would that be?”
His smile doesn’t fall. “Let’s convene this meeting first. I am sure you will be pleased though.”
Mom shakes his hand. “Of course, Alpha Mateo. Let me show you the way.”
They take the lead with the rest of us behind them. Eli is holding back as much as he can. “Her scent is all over him.” He growls to me.
“I know. He had to be really close to her.” As in holding her in his arms.
We all take our seats in the conference room. I hate this room, but I know as my sister’s Beta I will need to get used to it. Once we are all seated we all look to the Alpha with baited breath.
He folds his hands together and rests them on the table. He was bold, that is for sure, he came in here alone. Vulnerable. “As I am sure you can already smell, I have been in contact with your daughter.”
Hunter growls out. “Mind telling us how you smell so much like my daughter.”
He sighs. “I know this looks bad but it isn’t what you think. My patrols found her unconscious and weak last night. I reported to the site, because we were on high alert. I recognized her immediately. I carried her straight to our clinic and waited for the diagnosis from our doctor. She had severe silver poisoning. Since I recognized her as your daughter I stayed with her through the night and into this morning. I wanted to be sure that she was safe. The doc said that I could move her out of her clinic, but that she shouldn’t travel. So we moved her to my house, it is more secure. I would have called you last night, but I thought it would be best to tell you in person. I also have my Beta on standby to take a call so that you can speak to her.”
Mom is anxious. “Please make the call. I want to hear my daughter.”
“I can do one better. We can video call and you can see her for yourself.” He pulls out his phone and dials up his Beta. “Ash, are you with Lila?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Please hand her the phone.” He positions the phone so that we can all see it. A couple of us have to move but we are all able to see her.
She looks tired, worn and hurt. We can see the outer edges of bandages. “Lila.” My mom, dad and Hunter all call out at the same time.
She gives a tired smile. “Hey, guys. I am so sorry that you had to worry about me. I am going to be fine now. I am being well taken care of. Ash says that one of you can come back with Alpha Mateo and stay with me until I am able to travel.”
Eli doesn’t hesitate. “I am coming.”
I am not being left out. “I am coming too. She is my sister.”
“Thanks guys. As long as it is ok with Alpha Mateo I would be glad if you both came. How is your mate going to handle that though Eli?”
“She knows I am worried about you. She will be relieved as well that we found you. I can’t wait for you to meet her Lila.” A small smile appears on his lips.
“I can’t either. The doctor said it should be a few days. I had to have a lot of blood to combat the poisoning.”
Dad looks at her with concern. “What happened to you princess?”
“I’m not really sure, I was in the club then I started to feel dizzy and sick. Someone helped me outside then I don’t remember anything. I came too in the woods. I fought with a she-wolf. I had to kill her, daddy. I didn’t want to, but she wouldn’t give up, she seemed to be crazy. I got really hurt in the process. I am just really glad that Moonridge found me in time.”
“How are you feeling, little bug?” Hunter asks.
“My body hurts. Sometimes I feel a little dizzy when I stand. It feels better the longer I’m awake.” A little boy plops on the bed next to Lila. She smiles at him. “This is Callum, he is Alpha Mateo’s son. He’s keeping me company.”
He waves into the camera. My mom addresses him. “Are you taking good care of my little girl?”
He nods. Lila answers for him. “He sure is. Sorry he didn’t answer. He doesn’t talk. We get each other though. He is my little buddy.” The boy snuggles into Lila’s arms. She gets a smile on her face, I liked seeing it. “Can I sit in on the peace talks?” She looks back at us.
Dad smiles. “Yes, of course princess. Your opinion counts very highly in this instance.”
Lila gets her Alpha face. That means she means business. “I think it is time that Moonridge is seen for the changes that they have made since Alpha Mateo has taken over. From what I have been able to tell, they have been very cut off from the rest of the packs. Even the council doesn’t come here. Ash has been very helpful with all of my questions. I think an alliance will be beneficial for both packs.”
Dad nods. “That sounds good. I have drafted a treaty, if Alpha Mateo would like to look it over and sign it, then we can start to include Moonridge in many more meetings with other packs as well.”
I have noticed something. Although the rest of us have missed Lila, that explains why our eyes are glued to the screen. Why does Alpha Mateo keep watching her? Even when he glances away from the screen he keeps an eye on her from his peripheral. I know that look. He is glued to her. Why? If Lila didn’t confirm his story that he only found her, I would agree with Eli that he is the one that took her. He is acting like he doesn’t want the rest of us to know he is her mate.
I plan on keeping a close eye on Alpha Mateo. This isn’t adding up. I know my sister is a very pretty she-wolf but not that pretty. Ok maybe my view is skewed because she was my sister. Still, he shouldn’t want her that bad. Maybe it was concern? I just don’t think so.
Once the contract was signed, Alpha Mateo turned to Eli and me. “Well, guys, if you would like to pack a bag I will be happy to take you to Lila.” He smiled at both of us and took his phone to end the call. Giving Lila one last look, he almost looked hurt.
Eli and I nodded to him and left the room to get our bags. Eli smiled. “Thank the goddess we found her.”
“I’m still not quite buying that he just found her.” I mutter.
Eli puts his hand on my shoulder. “Regardless, he is letting her go. He is letting us go with him. He is taking us to her.”
I nodded to him unsure. “Go tell your mate what is happening. I’m not so sure she is going to be happy that you are leaving her for my sister for two days.”
He shrugs. “She understands how I feel about Lila. She might be upset, but she knows I need to do this.”
“I’m just saying that you should expect to be yelled at.”
“Yeah, you are probably right, but you know I have to go.”
“I know. Hurry up though.”
We both dash to our rooms. I really just want to see my sister in person.