Reuben POV
We remained at the Blue Moon pack for another day which suited me fine. I didn’t like to spend too long in other packs, I had a certain way of running things and sometimes I found it hard not to expect others to manage their pack the same way.
I was starting to understand Evelyn’s and Noah’s relationship…I think. It was more of a sibling love for one another.
I don’t think that had always been the case on his behalf, especially when she was the Red Stone Luna, but with having found his mate, I would say it had cemented things for him.
I’m not saying I find their closeness. and the fact that my daughter calls him daddy any easier, but I was doing better with the jealousy. That’s not to say I liked him touching Evelyn, hugging her on the stairs.
But if I managed to keep my breathing steady around them together, I was able to talk some soothing words internally to my wolf.
They had hardly spent any time together at the Blue Moon pack, would that have been different if Cassandra wasn’t here?
I don’t think so. I think Evelyn had been such an intense alpha for the Silver Moon pack that it could be the only way she managed to be on par with me, in only four years. Her parent’s murder had instilled a fear into her and she wouldn’t stop until she could guarantee the safety of all her pack members.
Something had happened during the end part of the stay, she had closed up on me again. She went out of her way to manoeuvre herself when I was near, preventing me from using those tingles to edge myself deeper into her soul.
Rex had asked if he could be with me and Nate on the drive back to the Silver Moon pack. I had broached the subject with Evelyn but she insisted that he stayed with her.
I didn’t argue with her on the subject. The last time he was in a car without her, his companions were shot at blank range in the head and he was kidnapped.
However, it seemed Rex knew exactly who was to blame when I told him another time perhaps. Something wasn’t quite right. He was giving off an essence of an aura…very faint but for a child, it was extraordinary.
He was angry. Like I used to be. But what did he have to be angry about? He was loved by his mother, had a close bond with his sister, even Noah… As much as it pained me, Noah had been a strong father figure to him.
He had a pack that would protect him, no matter the cost. I was actually envious of his childhood, not like mine.
My mother died when I was young. I would say her death made my father aggressive and cold hearted, but I think he was like that anyway. His mate dying just increased the intensity of his ruthlessness.
I knew as a child that I needed to be out of his shadow as soon as possible but the things I had seen, the way he treated pack members….
My wolf came early, I could sense him from an early age too. The grief of my mother’s untimely death making him step up early to help protect me. Rex’s ordeal could be a similar scenario, his wolf not wanting him to be unprotected again.
On the drive back with Nate I was lost in thought, following Evelyn’s car in front. I needed to have a one to one conversation with Rex. To find out what this hidden anger was coming from.
Once we arrived back at the Silver Moon pack it was close to dinner time. The twins were tired and Evelyn said she would bathe them and get them ready for bed before we all had dinner together.
I decided to spend the time running around the pack borders. I hadn’t trained at all in the past few days and need to burn off some pent up energy.
“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Noah looked at Rex and Elspeth as he placed some vegetables onto his plate. Evelyn had opted for a roast dinner, keen to wipe away the sugar levels the children had consumed over the last few days.
“I need to have a meeting with Alpha Reuben…” His eyes turn to me, no playfulness in them whatsoever. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cower.
“A meeting? That sounds ominous Rex. Do I need my Beta with me?” I smile, but he fails to smile back at me.
“Rex, what’s going on?” Evelyn finishes cutting up Elspeth’s meat into smaller pieces before placing her hand gently on Rex’s arm.
“Just boy stuff Mum, nothing to worry about.”
How old was she again?
“You name the time kiddo and I’ll be there.”
“What about you Elspeth?” Evelyn eyes both Rex and I with suspicion.
“I want to see Harry…”
“That’s a good idea I need to check in on Beatrice.” Evelyn agrees before being cut of.
“I’ve missed him so much, I’m gonna give him a big kiss!” Elspeth smacks her lips together making a huge kissing noise.
“Don’t you think you’re a little too young for boys?” I can’t help myself. She was far too young to be thinking about kissing boys.
“Rex is a boy…” She all but sticks her tongue out at me.
“Yes but he’s your brother…”
“Perhaps Alpha Reuben is right, let’s not get carried away too young.” Noah wades in and to my surprise, agrees with me.
“How about you and I do something together, let….” And I have to swallow my pride and also the gut wrenching feeling of actually calling him this.
“…Mummy and Daddy catch up on some emails. Candice gave me a cupcake recipe…we could try that?” Candice had actually left a few printed on my bed spread the day we were leaving. I got the hint. I couldn’t bake but I could eat cake. How hard can it be?
“You want to make cupcakes with me?” Her faces turns angelic all of a sudden. Hmm I’m not convinced. I think she had the means to send me to an early grave. I don’t think angels do that, only little demons.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
I see a little smile enter on to her face and with a confirming nod I had my plans for tomorrow sorted.
The next morning I was already at the training ground with Nate before the Silver Moon warriors had arrived. If these were my men I’d make them run ten miles after training as punishment.
They should be on high alert even more so as their alpha family was back? What was the matter with them? Complete slackers.
As they, too late for my liking, started to descent on the training grounds, I was surprised to see Noah joining us. I thought he would be straight at the hospital having been away for a few days. I watch from the sidelines as he leads the training session as the pack beta.
“Any updates?” I mind-link Nate who was stood next to me. “He’s good I’ll give him that.” Nate responds with a groan. My trackers still hadn’t caught up with Donnie but they said they were close.
“I wonder if Noah knows…”
“You’re going to ask him?”
“Why not?” I shrug. I had a feeling in my gut that he was non the wiser as well.
Once training had finished I made a point of waiting back to speak with Noah. He seemed hesitant at first, whether he wanted to shower or head directly to the hospital I wasn’t sure.
“What can I do for you Alpha?” He keeps his tone pleasant enough. “Evelyn refuses to inform me of Donnie’s whereabouts but I hope you’ll enlighten me?”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because my men are tracking him.” I decide to be honest. “They are why?” His head whips to mine so quickly I’m certain I heard a post training neck crack.
“I plan to win the race in finding Vicky first.”
“And when you do…”
“I don’t think I’ll be as lenient as Evelyn…”
He nods, understanding my unspoken plans of punishment. He pauses for a moment, watching me with intrigue.
“I don’t know where Donnie is, she’s keeping it close to her chest.” His sigh informs me that he is telling the truth, that even he doesn’t know. That actually doesn’t make me feel any better, if anything it frightens me slightly.
“What about Rex?” I move the slightly strained conversation along to the next subject. “What about Rex?” He eyes me questionably.
“Haven’t you noticed? The anger…he is showing signs of his wolf coming forward early.” “That’s not possible!” The doctor in him refuses to go against the text book.
“I assure you it can. It happened to me.”
He considers me for a moment, looking at me intently. “You know she’s my mate right?” He seemed to appreciate honesty so I decided to say it as it is.
“Are you asking or telling me?” “Consider it a memo.”
