Noah POV
Reuben and Nate quietly left around an hour ago. They slipped away in the early hours at the break of dawn to avoid any suspicion. They took their warriors with them but only because Evelyn insisted.
Reuben wanted them to stay, to act as guards but she quite rightly stated that they had been away from their pack and family for long enough and our warriors were more than capable. Which they were because Donnie and I trained them ourselves.
Nobody else was up, just Evelyn and I to send them off. I was making her a cup of tea as she quietly sat in the garden listening to the bird’s morning chorus and the rising of the sun.
“Here.” I pass her the hot drink, breaking her pensive solitary moment. “Oh thanks.” She takes the hot cup from me, placing it down on the patio. table next to her.
I take a seat next to her, enjoying the same scenery as her. It’s been a long time since we watched the sunrise together. Our favourite spot by the lake always required the watching of at least one sunrise and one sunset during the stay.
“Those hedges need cutting back.” I comment on the upkeep of the garden. We’d been so busy of late that we lacked the time to take care of the garden. There was always something going on.
“How’s Cassandra getting on at the hospital?” She asks me as she picks her tea up and blows on it to cool down, delicately placing it on her thigh.
“She’s picking things up quickly and seems to be enjoying it. She seems to have a good way with the mums.. something I suppose as a male I lack.”
“You haven’t marked her…”
“No…”
“Why? Forget that, I know why. Noah I’m so sorry, you’ve also been caught up in the lies of the she-devil and it’s costing you your mate bond. Had I of known, I would never have involved you.” Remorse edged on her face.
“Involved me? Evelyn, I am honoured to have been with you for every second… I wouldn’t change any of it.”
“But Cassandra…”
“Is strong and kind…she adores the children and understands.” I take her hand in mine, holding it like I used to. “He didn’t mark you?” I ask after a pause in conversation.
“No…”
“Why?”
She gives me a sarcastic stare, as if to say..”really? We’ve just done this.
“We need to tell the twins first.” She turns her head from me, her pensive mood returning as she watches the garden again.
“I can move out. Move into a beta home with Cassandra.”
“Do you want to move out?” She keeps her eyes ahead, not looking me in the eye, yet her breathing has stopped.
“No but I feel in my heart that it’s the right thing to do.”
“Then that’s what you need to do.”
“But the twins…”
“Will see you every day just as they do now. You’ll both eat here, they’ll eat at yours…it will be as if we are a modern family.” She finally turns her head to smile at me.
A modern family? Yes I suppose we were. Cassandra adores the children especially Elspeth. “Beta, we have unplanned visitors at the borders!” One of the men at border patrol mind-links me.
“Who is it?”
“Alpha Pierce for Alpha Evelyn.”
“It’s definitely him?” We weren’t expecting him. Why would he be here? “Oh yes beta, no escaping that smile.” I cut the link before I growl at him to remember his place.
“It would seem you have a visitor.” I turn to Evelyn keen to see how this visit will play out.
Evelyn POV
What was Alpha Pierce doing here? He was very welcome but this was a surprise.
I knew Reuben was up to something. He was far too agreeable to let his warriors join him. Now I know why, he had a fresh load of warriors already on their way. Well rested ones too.
As his convoy of cars descends onto the courtyard outside my home, I can see Pierce’s happy face preparing to greet me.
“Evelyn, you look as radiant as ever.” His smile exits the vehicle before he does.
“Pierce, this is quite the surprise…”
“You’re unhappy?” He pauses taking in my expression which I thought was quite smiley. “Never to see you but a few things now make sense.”
“Such as?”
“Such as Reuben’s willingness to take his warriors back.”
“Ah he just wanted extra eyes on. “How on earth did we manage before Reuben came into our lives.” I roll my eyes as I lead Pierce into the alpha home.
He joined us for breakfast which was fortunate timing, anyone would think he and Reuben had planned for a short period in extra security.
I don’t know whether to be insulted or appreciative of Reuben’s secret plan. But he did unnecessarily vow that he would keep us safe.
I have done a pretty good job for the past four years and the only reason that we had a security breach with Rex was because Vicky was psychotic.
“How long do we have the pleasure of your company Pierce?” I get straight to the point as we both walk around the pack grounds.
“A week…”
“Unbelievable!” I sigh, turning my head away in frustration.
“You’re unhappy.”
“I’m annoyed. I don’t need extra security, my warriors are the best. Not saying yours aren’t also but we’ve been able to cope this far, a week wouldn’t have made any difference.” I also have the packs in the alliance that I can call upon at any moment.
“I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Like what?”
“Whipped!” He chuckles, his infectious smile causing me to laugh with him.
“He isn’t whipped, believe me.
Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”
I was sounding rude and ungrateful for Pierce sparing the time to be here. I need to change the subject, to let my annoyance reduce.
“How long have you known him?” I ask trying to get the conversation flowing along a different stream.
“Reuben? All my life.”
“Really? That surprises me.”
“We were friends as children, his father wanted mine to join the alliance. When he finally refused, Reuben and I weren’t allowed to play any more. Then when our paths crossed again as teenagers…well let’s just say we both had a crush on the same girl. I hadn’t seen him in years, the first time was with you unconscious in his arms on my grounds.”
“I had no idea you both had a past.” This was shocking to hear.
“Ah boy stuff…it’s in the past. I’m a bit hurt I didn’t get an invite to your wedding though.” He teases as he stops by a tree, marvelling at the changing colours of the leaves.
“Did you meet his father?”
I have to think back, no. He was at the wedding but not once made an effort to talk to me. My father handled the arrangements on my behalf. He looked nothing like Reuben and I wouldn’t be able to recognise him today.
“Not really…”
“Take that as a positive Evelyn. I’m happy to see that Reuben is starting to forge his own path. I think perhaps you bring out the best in him.”
“I don’t know about that.” I scoff.
“Of course you do. How could you not. I think he is quite taken with you.”
“Where’s his father now?”
“He had links up north in a shipping business so I imagine he concentrated on that.”
Shipping? That’s odd. Is that too coincidental that Vicky also has links with that shipping town.
“Alpha Pierce…” Elspeth comes running up to us breaking my thought process.
“Miss Elspeth!”
“They are ready.”
“Who are ready!” He blinks a few times, perplexed by her energetic excitement. “The guests…they are here for a tea party”
“Oh, how wonderful. Then lead the way.”
I chuckle as she holds his hand and pulls him back towards home where she would have set up a tea party with teddy bears.
I follow slowly behind, letting my mind think about things. It’s then that I feel someone pushing on my mind-link who isn’t Noah or a warrior.
“Beatrice?” I grant her access to check all is okay. “Alpha, help I’m bleeding!” Her fear turns into my fear as she screams from pain as I mind-link Noah and start running towards her house.
