Chapter 5

I pushed my steak and mash potatoes around the plate while Arabella sat next to me digging into her food. We were sitting in the private dining room meant for the Alpha family, the guard that took Tasha home, I think his name was Gavin was standing against the wall like a guard dog. Azai had disappeared to deal with pack business. 

Without looking up from my plate I spoke to Ara, "I guess Austin left then?"

She stopped eating, "He did. He left like two hours before you woke up. Shayla was ready to go home. Ryan wanted to stay but Austin said he had work to do."

I nodded chewing the small bite I had taken. I was more upset not getting the chance to spend time with my brother than I was about being attacked. Azai had told me the man somehow breached pack borders and came right in the door of the packhouse, he didn't even sneak through a window. Although getting through a window of the third floor would probably be difficult. Now the pack house was closed to everyone and had guards stationed at the doors to prevent others from coming inside. 

"Allie, I'm sure he's waiting for you to call him when you're ready," Ara said. "He was pretty upset that something happened to you. He was accusing Alpha Azai of not being able to keep you safe and that he would take you home."

I finally looked up from my food, "how did Azai take that?" Gavin cleared his throat, glancing at me when I didn't use Azai's title.

"Oh he was pissed to put it nicely. That's when he made the decision to close the pack house and tripled the guards at the pack borders. He's not accepting outsiders into the pack right now either, but I overheard him with that hot Beta of his earlier today, that other alpha insisted on them keeping their meeting."

I pushed my plate of food away, rolling my eyes internally, knowing it was about me. "Alpha's take everything so personally."

Just then Mary walked in carrying slices of warm chocolate cake and ice cream, even when I didn't feel like eating, who was I to turn down such a delicious offering. 

Azai's POV

Hunter was sitting in my conference room, he had been waiting for nearly an hour but I didn't care. I didn't like him to begin with and his insistence to maintain the meeting when I closed my pack borders did nothing to put me in a good mood.

I walked in, Zaine following behind me and took my seat at the head of the table, Zaine of my right side. Hunter sat a few seats down on the left, clearly impatient and rudely not bothering to stand when I walked in, a sign of respect for the ruling alpha on the pack lands you're on. I held back my growl and cleared my throat. 

"I was tending to more important matters but I'm here now, what do you need, Hunter?" My annoyance was clear in my tone, I was not happy to be here. 

"It's my understanding that Alpha Austin of Cerulean pack has a sister that is at this pack." I said nothing, waiting for him to continue and make his point. "I want to meet her."

I didn't let my face give anything away. "I don't keep myself up to date on the movement of those within the pack. I'm unsure where she is or if she's still even here. What do you want with her?"

A smirk came across Hunter's face, I'm sure he knows she's here just as much as I'm sure he was the one behind the attack on her. "I've yet to find my mate and as you know, an alpha's daughter is likely to be mated to an alpha."

"Alpha Hunter, I did the paperwork on her when she got here. She's not yet 18." Zaine began, thankfully saving me from snapping at Hunter. "If I remember correctly, it'll be a few weeks until she is."

I nodded, "unfortunately until she is 18, I'm going to request that she be given her peace. Tell me Hunter, how did you know she was here? Her move was kept private  for her safety to my knowledge."

Hunter leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. He was big with emerald green eyes and jet black hair, making the chair he sat in look too small. "Luna Shayla informed me that Alpha Austin had a sister that had moved here. I was unaware of a sister until then. Are either of you aware of if she has had her first shift?"

"She has," Zaine stated very flatly, "she's at our biweekly pack cook outs and hunts. What about it?"

Hunter raised an eyebrow, "so she’s nothing special then?"

Zaine shrugged, "not that I’ve seen. Alpha Azai is typically busy with pack matters so doesn't get to attend often."

Hunter sat quietly, "if that's all then Hunter. My beta here can see you out."

"You'll let me know when she's of age then, Azai." While it was worded like a quesiton, it was very much made as a statement, like a command. Xander growled in my head. 

Arrogant fool. I bet all our pack lands that man was one of his, he was no rogue.

Zaine walked out with Hunter, looking back at me pointedly. I'm not telling him anything, not if he thinks he has the right to just take Alessia and enslave her. I got up, walking out of the conference room and upstairs to my floor. The third-floor west wing was the home of the Alpha and his family, it had 7 bedrooms, a private common area with a tv and big sectional couch, it also had a private kitchen and dining area. It allowed for more private dinners without the other pack members listening in. 

I walked over to the bar, pouring myself a whiskey. I quickly drank the first one down and poured a second drink. I could hear laughing through the archway where the dining room was. Alessia and Arabella were finishing off a chocolate cake and giggling.

"Remember when your parents went away for the weekend, and we made a slip'n slide into the pool that Saturday night?"

Alessia smiled despite the mention of her parents, "I can't forget when Austin and Ryan got drunk and jumped off the second-floor balcony into the pool and soaked Shayla cause she was mad nobody invited her. I feel like so many of my memories involve her being mad about not being invited."

Arabella snorted, taking another bite of the cake. Alessia raised an eyebrow at her, "what’s that about?"

"You're so oblivious Allie," Arabella smirked. "Ryan didn't invite her cause he's been in love with you for like ever. Do you really think Shayla is the only reason he rejected his mate? He was hardly heartbroken over it when it happened. He wasn’t heart broken when Shayla didn’t reject Austin either."

Xander growled and both women turned to look at me shocked. 

They stood up, Arabella showing submission, "apologies Alpha Azai if we've been too loud."

I walked toward them, not taking my eyes of Alessia, "not at all, Arabella. I've arranged for you to stay with Tasha while you stay here. Have you met Alpha Hunter before?'

"No, I haven't. I've heard he's cruel and he never came to Cerulean while I was there." 

"Good. I suspect he's behind the attack last night but he's after Alessia. He doesn't know what she looks like, if they think you are her, you'll be targeted since you'll be at Tasha's house. I assume you've been trained?" Arabella nodded, "good. Guards will be posted as well. Alessia needs to get rest. I'm sure the wolfsbane is still affecting her."

Arabella smiled at Alessia and saw herself out. Alessia shot me a glare after Arabella was out of hearing distance, "what is your problem? Walking in here growling like that."

My face never changing I turned on my heel, "I have things to deal with. My personal doctor will be here shortly to give you a checkup."

Walking down the stairs and out the back door, I mind linked Zaine, "I'm going for a run, stay here, make sure nothing happens to Alessia."

Allowing Xander to come forward and shift, his black coat concealing him in the night. We bounded off toward the river. Xander's eyes darting everywhere looking for any threats, still on edge after the attack last night. He slowed down as we neared the river, spotting a familiar reddish-brown she-wolf. I know Xander could feel me rolling my eyes.

The she-wolf turned around, her grey eyes lighting up when she realized who we were. 

Letting Xander out to play, I see the feminine voice purred in my head.

Good evening, Nicole, Fox. We just needed a run. I responded, greeting both the human and wolf.

Fox approached, dropping her head as a sign of submission, beginning to rub herself under my neck and down my body. We can help with that, Xander. 

Xander growled, showing his teeth.

Oh, come on, what's one more time. Us wolves deserve to have some fun

too. Fox's voice purred through my head again as she rubbed into the other side of Xander's body.

Xander turned on her snapping at her, Fox dropping to the ground, rolling to her back in submission. The harsh voice from Xander sounded in the mind link, 

the human's mistakes are not mine and will never be mine. I do not want you. 

He snapped at her one more time before stalking off back toward the pack house.