Elaine POV
“I have to go now, honey, but I want you to know if there’s anything you need. I’m here to give it to you right away. I won’t even think.”
I smiled and shook my head. “I don’t need my powers back, Mom. I’m better off like this.”
“I know honey… I just had to offer.”
“Kiss Isaura for me.”
I walked Mom to her car just as another car drove onto the property. Holly climbed out of the car with a pair of expensive glasses on her face. She frowned at me.
“You’re here,” she scowled.
“I live here,” I frowned.
“I’m not going to lie. I’m uncomfortable with you being around my son. He’s a legitimate heir to the Pack. He has every right to be Alpha when he gets older.”
“You know Azaire gave up his claim to the Pack and gave it to Richie. Richie’s child will be the heir to the Pack, not Leon.”
“That’s not how it works here. Just because Azaire made a rash and foolish decision doesn’t mean his children have to suffer. Besides, Leon was born first which gives him an even bigger right. My son is precious.”
I cleared my throat. “I would never hurt him. I’m not that type of person.”
“I don’t know you, Elaine but I do know you’re from the Black Claw and nothing from that Pack is good. It’s like it’s cursed!”
“The Blood Moon Pack isn’t innocent either. I wish people would stop being delusional.”
Holly rolled her eyes.
“Can’t we learn to get along for Azaire’s sake? He loves his son.”
Holly nodded slowly. “He’ll do anything for his son.”
It was a cryptic statement. However, it was true. Azaire had taken to being a Dad wonderfully despite his fears of losing more people in his life.
Holly pranced into the house. I was sure we weren’t on good terms. I couldn’t figure her out or her sister. Zoe was a traitor and I was convinced Lucas knew about it. She was his girlfriend after all.
I went inside the house after a couple of minutes. Holly and her son were walking out with Janet escorting her. Janet hadn’t stopped caressing Leon’s cheeks and adjusting his clothes.
“You have to bring him over more often. I’ve missed so much of his life,” Janet said.
Where was Azaire I wondered.
I couldn’t walk upstairs because they were in the foyer and I’d have to go past them. It would have been awkward. So I backed out and lingered outside the front door.
“Of course, I will Janet. Leon loves his Dad,” Holly replied.
“You know it’s Leon’s right to live in this house,” Janet said and my heart jumped into my throat.
“I told Holly the same thing,” Paula commented.
“But- but I can’t leave him here. He needs me,” Holly said desperately.
“No, no that’s not what I mean. Leon needs his Mother and his Father. It’s only right that both of you live here.”
“I don’t know it sounds very messy,” Holly replied.
Well, at least she had some sense!
“Think about it Holly,” Paula snapped.
“I understand your worries about Azaire’s girlfriend but I’ll handle everything. I really can’t stand to be away from my grandson! He’ll be happier here surrounded by the rest of his family and he’ll be safe.”
“Well, I’ll think about it. We should go, it’s Leon’s bedtime.”
Before they found me eavesdropping I walked into the house and nearly ran into Holly and her son.
“Ugh, watch where you’re going!” she scowled.
“Oh, sorry.” I ducked and hurried upstairs.
I burst into my bedroom. Azaire was on the phone. I crossed my arms. All my rage towards his Mother was directed at him.
“I’ll call you back. Don’t do anything without me.” He tossed the phone on the bed. “Are Holly and Leon gone?”
I scowled. I closed the distance and shoved him backwards with all my might. He fell back on the bed with his arms and legs open.
“Talk to your Mother before it’s too late!” I blasted.
“Are you sure that’s what you want me to do? We can do something else?”
I moaned and paced to the window. Azaire was behind me seconds later. He rubbed my shoulders and kissed my neck desperately.
“Your strength is a turn-on. You’re even more sexy when you’re mad.”
“Azaire-”
“What did she do to you?” Azaire questioned, sinking his teeth into my flesh.
“She might kick me out.”
“She can’t do that,” he said casually.
“Azaire, this is her house.”
“If she kicks you out then I’ll leave too and if I leave Richie will definitely leave and then she’ll be on her own. I know my mother wouldn’t want that to happen.”
I wiggled out of his grip. He looked pained that I stopped him from devouring me.
“You have to talk to her because it’s too much. I don’t know if I can handle living in the same house as Holly.”
Azaire frowned. “Holly’s not moving in. Where did you get that?”
“From your Mother. She promised to handle the situation and obviously, I’m on my way out.”
He grunted, “I’ll speak to her.”
Suddenly, I jumped from a loud bang downstairs. Azaire drew me close and curled his fingers on my back.
“Where is he?” Someone shouted. “That bastard! He promised.”
“Who is that?” I muttered.
“Come out! I’ll break your face!”
“Oliver,” Azaire grumbled.
He hasn’t been here for months! I followed Azaire downstairs where Oliver cooked up a storm.
“Oliver Shaw! That’s enough of that noise!” Janet scolded.
“Where’s Azaire? He promised me he would take care of Fran,” Oliver yelled.
“Francine is fine,” Janet replied, bewilderment evident on her face.
“I’ve been taking care of her just fine, Oliver,” Azaire said as he descended the stairs.
Oliver’s eyes were dark and heavy. His pants hung loosely around his waist and his face was slightly sunken. He might have been taking wolf enhancers. If he was using wolf enhancers, then he was running on borrowed time.
“That’s a lie! Fran was attacked and she’s in the Black Claw Pack. I can’t get her!”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
“How do you know?” Azaire growled. “You better not be drunk Oliver or else I’ll sober you up quickly and you won’t like it.”
Oliver jumped out of the way before Azaire could grab him.
“You have to go get her Azaire. She could be badly hurt,” Janet said.
“Don’t worry Mom. I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Azaire growled. “I’ll find out what happened and who hurt her. You can go back to wasting your life!”
“She’s my little sister. I need to get to her,” he said weakly.
His desperation tugged at my heartstrings.
“Let’s go. I’m certain Fran’s at the Pack House,” I said.
I grabbed Azaire’s car keys from the console table under the coat rack and hurried out of the front door before anyone else.