Reuben POV
I had driven off the grounds quickly, the warrior Donnie’s attitude towards me changed as if they suddenly realised who I was. My wolf whined at leaving the boy, he seemed quite fond of him.
I had found a hotel around ten miles away from their pack borders and will return on foot
tomorrow.
I was further away than I had originally planned. Their security didn’t keep their eyes off me until they really thought I was far away enough. The best next step would be to return early morning in wolf form and carry out surveillance for information on this alpha.
I couldn’t seem to get the alpha’s son out of my head. Rex seemed like a great kid, a great future alpha. My wolf took an interest in him and I was even more keen to find out who is father was. It must be someone I had met before. A beta from another pack that decided to take on the role as alpha perhaps?
I decided to call Vicky, just to let her know I would be staying over in a hotel for a night or two. I hadn’t really made any decisive plans prior to coming but now I know I need to find out more.
“Hello?”
“Vicky, it’s me.”
“Reuben, I miss you.” She swoons over the phone to me.
“Where are you?”
“I’m just in a hotel, I need to return in the morning to the Silver Moon pack!”
“Oh they didn’t offer you a place to stay, not very polite!” She scoffs down the phone to me.
“No, I’ve not had a chance to meet the alpha yet. I met his son though.”
“Why not? Maybe he is planning to hand over to the son soon and that’s why he thought you should meet?”
“I doubt it, he was only four.” I chuckle down the phone.
“Letting his son meet an alpha? Huh, that’s a bit odd.” She makes her disapproval very clear.
“Really? I thought quite a clever move…he’s a charming little boy.”
“Careful Reuben, remember they are stealing packs from our alliance…”
“My alliance Vicky.” I growl down the phone to her slightly, her tone irritating me.
“What I meant was, the royal pack’s alliance. I’d like to think you consider me at least a member of the pack again?” She sounds slightly hurt down the phone from my curt reply.
“Of course Vicky.”
“So what’s your next step?”
“I’m going to return tomorrow in wolf form and carry out surveillance. Then I’ll be back once I know I’ve gathered enough information.”
After speaking to Vicky last night, I gave Nate a call to basically repeat what I told Vicky. He also updated me on pack information and that there was nothing to worry about.
After a good hearty breakfast in the hotel, I decided to leave the car at the hotel and walk on foot until I entered the pack’s surrounding woodlands where I could shift. I was the best tracker and fighter in the country, no one could hide from me and I knew how to stay well hidden.
A pack could stay as hidden as they liked but once you knew their location, they couldn’t hide from the human’s advancements in technology.
I could use satellite maps to show nearby terrain, to find any possible gaps in security detail. Unfortunately even the Silver Moon pack, as secretive as them were surrounded by woodlands which would give me the perfect cover to hide from their border control.
I use most part of the morning watching their training formations, who enters and exits the pack and how often the guards switch on gate patrol.
Once satisfied with the security rotation at the main gate I move along the edges of the pack, heading towards the field that seemed to back onto the alpha house.
It was a perfect spot hedgerows of blackberry bushes meant that I could sneak out from the woodlands a bit more and gain a better eye on the view in front of me.
I must remain here for a few hours, which is uneventful. Nothing seems to be happening at this end of the pack, no eyes on or so they want you to believe.
It couldn’t be this easy could it? These hedgerows covered in hundreds of summer’s fruits offering the key to breaking through their borders. My own plan literally coming to fruition with some
fruit!
I start to back away, I had seen enough now. I knew the weakness in their security and how it could benefit me going forward. I could take this intel back to pack and discuss it further with Nate to put a plan in place.
I move into the woodlands ready to leave, when I hear a sweet chuckle in the field behind me. I turn, keeping my wolf hidden behind a large tree and rubbing his fur with the woodlands debris
and mud to hide his scent.
I watch as a little girl runs towards the edge of the field, towards the blackberries. She has a white blonde hair and a beautiful complexion to her. She runs with the jollies of summer, a full hearted giggle leaving her mouth as she gains distance on the hedgerow ahead of me.
She misjudges her own speed and manages to fall, cutting her knee as she hits the ground. My wolf frowns as her bottom lip starts to quiver and her eyes water from the sting of the pain.
“Daddy!” She sobs, calling her father as I see someone move in my peripheral vision.
My heart stops when I see Noah running up towards the little girl and picks her up into his arms.
“Another fall princess?”
My paused heart seems to start beating again, but this time each beat is loud and painful against my chest.
I can’t believe my eyes, Noah is right in front of me and this girl seems to be his.
I watch patiently whereas my wolf oddly feels jealous as Noah tends to his little girl’s knee. Wiping the slight blood with his tissue and promising a cartoon plaster as soon as they return
back home.
He picks the girl up in his arms and starts talking to her about options for dinner, taking her mind
off her cut knee.
“See, here comes Mummy….” I hear Noah whisper to the little girl and my wolf can’t help himself. He breaks cover from the secure woodlands to hide behind the hedgerow.
Why did he take such a risky gamble? This isn’t how the best performs.
It’s as if he already knew before I did. 1
I watch, frozen in shock, as a female with white blonde hair gains distance on the father and daughter duo.
She’s changed so much. Her hair is the same colour, unmistakable, yet she wears it up in a secure bun with loose strands falling across her face. She walks with confidence as she reaches the pair and plants a kiss on the girl’s head.
“Another fall?” She inspects the knee that the doctor has already checked over.
“Yes Mummy.” The little girl sobs, her tears returning for her mother’s benefit.
“Oh dear, shall we get you a plaster?” She hums to her daughter, as she tucks the girl’s hair behind her ears.
“Yes Mummy.” The girl responds reaching out of Noah’s hold to go to Evelyn.
For four years she has been dead.
For four years I have been a widower.
Yet my wife stands before me, alive and with the baby she left me for.
My wolf growls at this realisation, breaking our cover as the little girl trembles in her mother’s arms from the monster in front of her.