Jace’s POV
“Paul, are you going with us or not? Sky’s Beta has gone to look for Sophie. If he finds her, we are all going to leave. So, are you coming with us or not?” I asked through our mind-link.
He was my friend, whom I cherished a lot. If he chose to stay for his mate, then there was nothing I could do.
“I’m really sorry, Jace,” came his response.
I looked at Lillian sadly, then at Harvey. They could both hear him through our mind-link.
“I honestly want to go with you guys, but I can’t leave my mate behind. She isn’t well at all; a healer discovered that she has a heart problem, and right now she needs all the support she can get,” he answered.
“Our pack has healers too; you can come with her. Edith can also help a lot,” Harvey said.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean her very close friend Harley will be there,” he answered.
“Then why not convince her to come back or even drag her if she…!”
“Harvey,” I called softly and then shook my head, stopping him before he could finish his sentence.
He looked a little upset and disappointed.
“Fine, we will leave you behind, but just know that Alpha Sky might lay a hand on you. He doesn’t want any of us in his pack,” he warned.
“It’s alright, Harvey; I will prepare myself for that,” I answered.
“Always visit whenever you are free or want to,” Lillian said softly.
“I will, thank you, Luna,” he responded.
We all looked at the car as it approached us.
When it parked, Sophie got out, looking very angry, and right behind her was Riff, standing still and glaring at her.
“Can we leave?” she asked, surprising all of us.
“Sure, and I am so sorry for what happened,” Edith answered and then took a few steps away from us to work on the portal.
“Did that lowlife do something to you?” Glen asked her.
She sighed heavily and then shook her head.
“No, he did nothing, Alpha. Also, I was pretty close by. You know, when I found myself in town, I had to trust my instincts, which led me close to this pack’s border. When Mr. Beta over there called out to me and told me how you were all waiting for me, I felt relieved. It’s good to see that there was no fight or bloodshed,” she said as I chuckled softly.
“Was there a fight?” she asked at the top of her voice and then quickly moved closer to Glen and touched his shoulders.
“Alpha, I am really sorry for not being by your side when everything was happening,” she whispered.
“Is that necessary?” Riff yelled at the top of his voice.
I frowned and looked at Glen with a raised brow, wondering who he was talking to.
“It’s done,” Edith announced.
“Finally,” Glen said and then moved, walking into the portal without responding to Sophie.
“Come on, let’s go,” Edith said loudly and then walked in with Harvey right behind him.
“Sophie, go in. This time I want to be right behind you when something goes wrong,” I said.
She turned and looked at Riff seriously, then sighed softly.
“Let’s not meet again, please,” she said loudly, and then walked into the portal.
“Damn it,” Riff muttered under his breath.
“Riff, move closer,” I called out loudly.
He hesitated but did.
“Paul is my very close friend and my trusted Gamma. He may act rude at times, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad guy. Rather, he is very friendly, loyal, and hardworking,” I said as he frowned deeply.
“If you are wondering why I’m saying all this to you, the answer is because he refuses to come with us,” I said as he hit his palm against his forehead.
“Are you serious right now?” he asked loudly.
“Yes, I am,” I answered simply.
“Sky will kill him,” he said with emphasis.
“I know; that’s why I am asking you to please have his back,” I answered.
“No, I won’t. Why the hell should I?” he asked at the top of his voice.
“Because I’m pretty sure that you will need my help with time,” I answered, and that seemed to make him speechless for a few seconds.
“Are you really going to help me when I end up needing your help with something?” he asked.
“Of course I am, and I do mean it. Whatever you want help with, I’ll see to it that it’s done, and no one will stand in my way, be it Harvey, Glen, or Dominic,” I answered.
It was a jumble I was creating right at the moment. I had no idea if what I saw was just anger because they were both Betas or if there was more between Sophie and him. One thing was for sure: both he and Sophie acted like they knew each other or had something they didn’t want to share.
“Okay, I will have his back and make sure my Alpha goes easy on him. If it works out, keep your word,” he said.
“Thank you. Also, if Sky ever wants to get in contact with me, ask Paul to give you my phone number. He can also email me if he wants to,” I said, and then raised my hand to have him shake it.
He smiled and then shook it.
“Go well, Alpha Jace,” he said softly.
“Live long and stay well,” I whispered, then pulled my hand away and turned.
“Please keep your word,” he said loudly, making me smile.
“I will; I give you my word as an Alpha,” I said loudly and then walked into the portal.
I saw no Gamma in the pack, and that was a good thing because if they had none, then Paul was going to fill that position well until he was ready to come back home. My main concern was that Sky wasn’t going to trust or like him easily.
When I stepped out of the portal, I smiled widely.
Flora was happily embracing Lillian, and Las was talking to Harvey cheerfully.
“Where are Glen and Sophie?” I asked as I looked around.
“They both went inside,” Edith answered and then went on to hug Flora.
I moved to where Harvey was and stood facing Las.
“I’m glad you made it,” he whispered.
“Of course, we had to come back in one piece,” I answered and then patted his shoulder lightly.
“But um… where is Paul?” he asked while looking around.
“Well, it’s really a long story. How about we all go in and fill you in on what happened?” I asked.
“Okay,” he answered and then walked in.
“He won’t be happy about it,” Harvey said in a low tone.
“I know, but there is nothing we can do about it; what’s done is done. Moreover, Paul obviously thought seriously about everyone before deciding on what’s best for him and his mate,” I answered.
“You are right,” he said and then walked in.
I looked at Lillian, who was chatting away with Flora, and then walked in as well.