Evelyn POV
I had thrown myself into pack duties, kept myself busy, to stop myself from thinking. Just work work work.
I made sure I finished my main pack business by lunch time though and then spent the afternoon with Rex and Elspeth. Cupcake making, painting, playing pirates, hide and seek… anything and everything. Recent events had shown me that I needed to spend as much time with them as possible. Just how quickly things can change.
It had been five days since our rather dramatic evacuation of the Red Stone pack. I dread to think back on how the event of our departure unfolded. How pathetic I must have looked being carried to the car by Noah, as I collapsed in front of Reuben. Just the memory makes me feel sick, hence why I am remaining busy, not giving my mind an opportunity to think back.
Noah had been even busier than me, the day after our return an expectant mother arrived already in the early stages of labour, throwing Noah straight back into work. Two more pregnant mothers arrived yesterday over full term and Noah would need to encourage the little ones into the world. But, even though he was busy, he was there at bed time reading a book to Elspeth and Rex, tucking them in with me.
One of the women was a beta’s mate and having greeted the beta in person I knew my identity as a female alpha wouldn’t stay hidden for long. But I had nothing to hide now, and knowing Vicky was locked away did put my mind at ease.
Rex was doing okay, he struggled to sleep at night now and was asking questions about Reuben. Did he subconsciously pick up on a connection between the two of them and find it hard to explain.
Elspeth was being clingy, especially to Rex. He was patient at first but he was now finding her constant shadowing annoying. To her, she just worried and didn’t want to lose him again. To him, she was getting in his way and not giving him any space. She wouldn’t even let Rex and Harry play alone together.
I caught Rex shouting at her in the small pack playground as she burst into tears wanting to play with them. Harry, Donnie’s son, was able to calm her down by pushing her on the swings and holding her hand on the walk home. I heard him tell Rex that he was fine for her to hang with them and that she was beside herself when he had gone. It seemed ages ago that Elspeth and Harry watched films together on the sofa snuggled up. How much had happened in such a short space of time!
I haven’t received any news from the Red Stone pack. I had hoped Cassandra would of followed Noah after a few days, especially with the Red Stone not being her home pack.
I hadn’t even heard from the Blue Moon pack, whether Candice and Milo had returned now to Alpha Ivo.
I had heard from some new packs though. Enquiring about joining my alliance, and for once I was at a loss of what to do.
“Hey.” Noah walks into my office as I finish approving an order for some more medical equipment.
“Hey you. You need a break, you look exhausted.” He wore his glasses all the time now. He only used to wear them when over tired but he now wore them all the time…was he that tired? Was the mate bond and his distance from Cassandra doing things to him.
“Nearly there, one of the babies is being very stubborn.” He sighs, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
“Let me make you a coffee…” I offer but I think he just wanted to pass out on his bed.
“I’m fine, I’ll make one at the hospital when I’m back there. I just wanted to chase you on the new packs… They are pushing for an answer.”
“Tell them we can honour signed contracts but no more packs are to be recruited for the time being. Not until we have onboarded the new additions.” What I really meant was not until I know what I want to do.
I had spent four years building up an alliance as an act of revenge, determined to hurt Reuben and Vicky where it would hurt them most.
Their alliance. But things were so different now. She was in the cells, he knew that he is the father to my children…things were just different now.
He also jumped In front of a bullet for me. I just couldn’t now find it in my heart to pursue the act of revenge as I did before. I was different. He was different.
“I’ll email them to let them know. Did you want me to watch the twins?” He asks looking out the window to find Elspeth holding Harry’s hand.
“What’s she doing holding his hand?” He moans and I can’t but help to chuckle. “I was going to take them on a walk after I finish up here. Did you want to join us?”
“Sounds great. Mind-link me when done and I’ll see what stage of labour my patient is in.”
I don’t remember father ever saying how much paperwork it took to keep a pack organised. But then again I did have extra paper work due to the Silver Moon alliance.
I must have been in here for another hour since Noah left and still had quite a bit to do. But I made a promise to spend the afternoons with the kids, and that’s what I was going to do.
“Mum…Mum?” I hear little footsteps running down the hallway and into my office. Rex, Elspeth and even Harry have run into the room.
“Mum, lots of cars are here.”
“There are?” I look out of the office window to see who it could be. I hadn’t approved any visitors and I made it clear any arrivals at the pack borders where to be reported for security purposes.
“It’s him…he’s come to visit us.” Rex’s excitement is wonderful to see. “Who has?” I ask, peering out of the window as much as I could from my angle.
“It’s the Alpha King Mummy.” Elspeth runs to the window as cars park up outside the alpha house, having been led by a red sports car.
“Noah? Did you approve the Red Stone arrival?” I push on the mind-link, my voice laced with irritation.
“Yes, they said it was urgent.”
“Noah…” I moan at him.
“They said Cassandra was here.” He keeps his voice level, not giving away any hint of possible excitement.
I pause for a moment, not wanting to ruin this moment with his mate by reminding him how manipulative Reuben is.
“That’s great, but he’s come as well.”
“Ah Nate did call ahead, I think you need to be prepared for their news. I’ll be over shortly. Welcome them in with a drink and I’ll be there by the time it is ready.” He cuts me off leaving me perplexed by his comment. Prepared for their news? What does that mean? Also ordering me to welcome them? Cheeky bugger, what was he playing at.
“Mum?” Rex groans at me as I come out of the mind-link.
“We need to welcome them…” He walks around the side of my desk and holding my hand, pulls me up out of my chair. He’s not strong enough to actually pull me up but I stand, letting him believe that he is.
“Okay okay, I’m coming.” I would greet them, as the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack they were descending on but I’m not a fool.
If Reuben doesn’t think we’ve known about his men watching us from a distance for the last few days then he really does think I’m naive. If it was for security purposes then I’ll be polite and grateful but it’s totally unnecessary. I have my own border control and Vicky is behind bars.
