CHAPTER 4: Some Days Of Peace

Chapter 4: Some Days Of Peace

It has been four days, four nights since I left my father's home with Henry and came into this town. This place.

A pack, with wolves.

My wolf continues to remain hidden, even after my arm has healed. She just doesn't want to surface anymore. I'm not sure why but I can take a guess.

This place, it's different. Everything about it is different. I don't see any sign of Dad. I'm not even worried about him finding us or not being safe. In fact, I am safe, for the first time.

My sleep isn't disturbed in the night and the only reason that I am woken up by is the sound of Henry moving about the room. I let him have his time.

There are some things that I have learned during the past days that I was here with Henry and living in Darius' guest room. The town is almost a four hundred mile away from Ashville. And that itself makes it very far from my father, which means there is nothing to fear, nothing to worry about.

The alpha's name, it's Lucian Vance. But he's not the alpha yet. He's a temporary one. His father, Silas Vance, is the alpha of the pack but he's old, and not doing so well, so it's his son that has his position while he recovers. Most of everyone that lives here, is from the pack, the Blood Moon Pack.

I'm placed under some protection program. At least, that's what Ally called it. And it is to ensure my safety. She tells me until the Alpha doesn't decide, I won't be able to be part of their pack in some way.

I haven't been called up to him since that first night, so I have to wait.

Ally's really kind though, and so is Melinda. She's gone most of the mornings, so I've spent a lot of time with Henry, who's struggling with the change.

He's growing so restless. Way more than he should, even when I assure him nothing's going to happen, that Dad won't find us.

We're safe.

Perhaps it's his time, his wolf trying to push at him and come out. Maybe.

During the day, the Beta comes by once and checks on things. Henry's too quiet. He asks me to step out with him as there's something he'd like to talk to me about.

We walk a short distance from his house and onto a path, which leads somewhere further away.

"The council and the Alpha have decided," he begins, "We've checked a couple of records and information that you gave about your family. For as long as you're not affiliated with your father's group of hunters, the Alpha is willing to give you a place here in the pack."

I can't help the smile that blooms over me and then, I nod. "Yes. Yes, of course, I'm not in any way involved with my father or his business. I ran away. I have no plans of ever returning back."

"I understand that." The Beta, Darius, is a nice man and from the few moments that he's come by. "The Alpha suggested that we move you to the pack house, where you can stay with your brother," He looks down at me and tells me, "But I told him, I wouldn't mind if you'd continue to live in my home."

My heart warms. "That's really kind of you," I say, meaning every word. "But are you sure? I can somehow find a way to manage. I don't want to impose—"

He stops walking and turns to me. I've no clue where we have reached, but it's far from the house.

The sun beeps on my face when I look up at him.

"There's no need to worry about that. Your brother seems comfortable here, and it reminds a little of my self," he says before moving his hands behind his back. "My parents were killed, so for most of the time, it was just Ally and I. I understand it can be difficult for some days, and he'll be going through his shift soon as well. It's best to be somewhere comfortable, right?"

I nod again.

"Then it's settled." A smile appears on his lips and I cannot help but mirror the same. He continues to walk, "You'll stay for as long as you want."

I can't thank him enough. "Thank you so much." I'm at a loss for words and my voice wobbles a little.

Darius looks straight ahead. "This trail is for running," he informs. "It leads up to the woods. Toward the left of the lake where the border patrol found you, there's a training ground where you can go if you wish to. It'll help you to shift, and control your wolf."

My eyes follow where he gestures at. Trees and trees surround a path that goes further and further into the distance.

"I'd show you around some time, if I'm not occupied." he offers. "The pack house is not too far from where we're staying. You can come by whenever you feel like it."

I take a deep breath, the air in the forest smelling so good. So fresh and pure.

"This is a beautiful place." I say, and mean it.

Darius smiles.

We continue to walk and he takes me further into the path, taking the lead and guiding me through the forest. He points to the places, and the ones I haven't seen. He mentions the places that I am not supposed to go, the dangerous parts of the forest, the mountains that are nearby, and the lake where I was found.

He takes me near the training grounds, just by it's side and shows them to me.

"If you'd like to join any of the programs, just let me now. I'll speak with the Alpha and see what he thinks of it."

The Alpha...

Every time I hear about him, there's a pang inside my heart. Something tugs, something I cannot ignore.

But I have to.

"Would I be seeing the Alpha again?" I ask Darius, out of pure curiosity.

He raises a brow, wondering at the sudden question.

"I doubt so. He's quite busy these days as Ally must've told you already. The old alpha is ill, and it has not been easy to find the right healer. And then there's this matter with—he'll be taking a mate soon, so he'll have his hands full." Darius explains, going on and on.

A mate? The thought alone sends my heart into a frenzy and something stabs at it. I'm not supposed to be affected. I don't know him.

"A mate?" I gulp.

"Yes, he managed to choose one, so those arrangements are taking place," He pauses for a moment and looks ahead at a wolf that's there nearby. There are many wolves here, mostly in their forms. "But enough about him. Let's get you back to your brother."

A mate? He's taking a mate? After rejecting me?

At the thought of that, my wolf comes out of her slumber. She's angry, frustrated, and growling. She doesn't like this one bit.