Evelyn POV
I wasn’t impressed. Waking up alone in bed thinking Reuben was preparing dinner. Only to go downstairs to find not only had he gone, but so had Pierce, Nate and warriors. Even worse, some of my warriors.
“I’m coming.” Noah says as I scolded him over the mind-link for not waking me up also. I was already in my car and my temper was high.
“No, I’ll be fine. I know exactly where she is.” I say as I start the engine.
“Keep the kids safe, I’ll be back before they wake.”
All I got out of Noah was Grey Howl and warehouses. Thats all I needed. I had a good inkling of where this girl had been hiding,
When I arrive to the scene, it isn’t quite the show of unity amongst the packs I had expected. Reuben’s and Pierce’s wolves were locked in a fight for power, Reuben winning but not for long.
Did he forget this was Pierce’s land? That Pierce wasn’t an alliance member. He had no royal command here. I didn’t need a mind-link with him for him to interpret my furious glare. My glare continuing on to my warriors who dared to think they could follow another Alpha’s command.
My mate or not, if he wants to wait to complete the bond, then he has to wait to have my warriors at his disposal.
Furious, I’m too busy reprimanding Reuben’s wolf to notice Pierce had approached the girl, until his possessive growl shocked me.
“Mine!”
“What?” I take a step towards Pierce but Reuben’s wolf growls at me, for the naked man in front of me.
She was young but held herself strongly, a metal bar tightly gripped in her hand. Ready to strike at any moment.
She looked beyond tired, her clothes looked unkept, her hair unwashed and she had a tremble to her legs and hands. Which I don’t think had only just begun to develop, I think something was wrong with her.
The girl starts to laugh, earning a warning growl from Reuben.
“What’s so funny?” Pierce’s voice seems lower than usual, was he already fighting his wolf in not marking her?
“It makes sense now. I had a fever, I’ve obviously passed out or hallucinating… or both!” She smiles, a big toothy grin to rival even Pierce’s.
She seemed harmless enough but something was definitely off with her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on just yet.
“You two!” I order at my warriors that had come here without permission.
“Go shift and find clothes for Alpha Reuben and Alpha Pierce..now!” My voice holds a strong command to it. I can feel her watching me, something Reuben doesn’t like.
His wolf stands next to me, trying to push me sideways. He then walks up to the girl, as closely as he can before sniffy her. Which earns a warning eye flashing from Pierce. Honestly Alphas!
Once my men come back with some clothes, I throw some at Pierce, as Reuben shifts himself.
“Well?” I finally ask Reuben, the lack of a mind-link with him really frustrating in moments like this.
“She smells like him alright.” He whispers to me but it isn’t missed by Pierce. Who although hasn’t moved from in front of her, still seems to hear our quiet conversation.
“Put some fucking clothes on Pierce!” Reuben shouts at Pierce, making the girl flinch. Pierce remains unmoving in-front of her, his hand touching her forehead. I watch in wonder as she slightly leans into. Their mate connection strong, but then again she does think she is dreaming.
“She’s burning up.” Pierce turns to me, gesturing for me to take a closer step towards her. I do as he asks, placing my hand on her neck. She was hot, burning hot.
“I’ll take her back to Noah…”
“You’ll do no such thing Evelyn, this is my land…” Pierce starts to protest but I fight back, putting my foot down.
“And Noah is the best doctor around, don’t make this about pack politics.” I quirk an eyebrow at him, standing my ground. He could argue all he wanted, she was coming home with me.
“Evelyn…”
“Pierce, why do I need to keep telling you to put clothes on!” Reuben stands in between Pierce and I, his frame blocking me.
“You forget I’m not part of your alliances…”
“Don’t we know it!” Reuben cuts him off.
“…and I don’t need to answer to anyone, especially not on my own lands.”
“Pierce, we need to check her identity, if we think she is who we think she is… she’s under Reuben’s care, part of Reuben’s pack. You are welcome to join us, but she’s leaving with us.” I step from out of behind Reuben. I appreciate his protectiveness but I didn’t need it. I was the one of the strongest alphas here.
“Why aren’t you putting clothes on?” Reuben growls again, his hands throwing up in the air, openly displaying his frustration. I move towards the girl, letting the males have their love spat.
“My name is Evelyn…” I introduce myself calmly to her. She isn’t laughing anymore, she seems wary of me. Watching me as if I’m about to strike at any moment, I can even hear her heartbeat thudding against her chest.
“You have nothing to fear. Our people won’t harm you ”
“People…” She starts to laugh again, her eyes becoming strange. She had grey yellowy eyes, like cat eyes. Her pupils becoming blacker, as she starts to sway on the spot.
“I’m Liberty… Libby or Lib for short.” She offers in return.
“I need you to come with us.”
“Can you do that, turn into a wolf?” She whispers to me but why, surely she would know everyone could hear her whisper?
“A werewolf, and yes I can. Have you never seen a wolf before?” I query, something wasn’t sitting well with me. Has this young adult never been around werewolves before?
“No, I’ve not been out of my Father’s apartment building for six years.” I glance back to both Reuben and Pierce who have stopped their quarrel, listening to what Liberty has to say.
“What about your Mum? Is there anyone else in the apartment?”
“No, just me.” She puts a bright smile on but I can feel the sadness behind that. Well she won’t be alone anymore.
“I’d like my Doctor to check your fever, give you some antibiotics if that’s…”
“Insulin…” She cuts me off, as she lowers the metal bar. Seemingly feeling less threatened by me than the males.
“Excuse me?”
“Insulin. I’m diabetic, I’m meant to have insulin shots every day. But I didn’t pack my medication with me. I need it in case I go into a diabetic shock.”
“Evelyn…” It’s Reuben’s guttural growl that speaks volumes to me, to us all. Pierce remains in a state of his own shock. Perhaps the realisation dawning on him what exactly his mate has been through.
This poor female hasn’t even shifted, her wolf being kept dormant for years using medicine from her Father. What a bastard, but why? What would he gain from denying her wolf to her. No wonder she seemed a little wild.
“You look like him..” She tilts her head slightly as she looks at Reuben. “Don’t tell me that!” He scoffs, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
“Who are you?”
“Liberty, this is Reuben. I think he may be your brother.”
