Chapter 80
Lewana POV
We finish dinner and say goodbyes to Faes. Cordelia continued to be insufferable the rest of the night but, as Azeala was leaving she whispered as we hugged that she approved of Conrad. Florian was still unconvinced but he always takes longer to come around to change.
During a meeting with Arthur a few days ago, I asked him to keep an eye on Brianna. Turns out Mary was right, as usual, and he just wanted to be in my life somehow and support me so we have been working on that. The benefit to this is that everyone has been keeping an eye on me and my movement but no one will suspect the old man of spying.
I’m walking back through the house to bed when Arthur mind–links me.
“Lewana, Brianna snuck out the back of the house. She is running towards the gardens“:
“Thanks. Keep an eye on her at a distance and I will meet you there“.
I race on over and meet him at the entrance of the flower garden. I hadn’t been here since I last saw my mother. When I see Arthur he quickly points towards the woods.
“She ran off that way“. He starts looking at me and a small smile crosses his face.
“What is it“.
“You look like your mother dressed like this“.
I freeze not sure how to respond. I don’t think I really thought about if I looked like her. Arthur always told me she was the most amazing wolf he’d ever known. Full of grace, poise, and a caring nature that made him proud to be a Beta. I never got to meet her so I don’t know if I live up to her memory and I have always been scared to ask.
“I can sense you panicking Jellybean. I know what you want to know but now is not the time“. He gives me a knowing look and nods towards the forest. He’s right. I had a job to do.
I follow Brianna through the forest, moving silently through the trees. She is moving fast and knows where she is going. She not even searching for danger. She is clearly focused on whatever task she has in mind.
She pauses in a large clearing and starts scenting the air. She makes a small yip noise and a young Alpha steps out from behind a tree. I’m about to launch down to protect her from him when she runs into his arms and starts sobbing.
“It’s OK Bri, I’m here“.
He holds her tight and strokes her back while she calms down.
“Are the plans in place to run Kane. I need to know we can leave as soon as possible. My father is already trying to get me to consider other Alpha’s that are here to be my mate“.
“The elimination ceremony is tomorrow. Hopefully he will pick you this time and then we will disappear two days after
that“.
“Where are we going to go“.
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Chapter 80
“South. I don’t trust the northern or eastern pack as I know they have been making shady deals for power. I know if we stay in the West, we will never be allowed to stay together. It is our only option. If they don’t accept us, they have an airport where we can disappear overseas“.
“I love you so much“. They share very passionate kiss. I watch as he moves his hands over her body until he stops on her
stomach.
“And how are you doing“.
“I’m OK. This girdle is killing me but it is the only way to hide the bump“.
Holy shit. Not only has she already chosen a mate but she is already pregnant. She doesn’t have a mate mark that I can
see but she is clearly here against her will as well.
I keep an eye on them to make sure no one else sees them and protect Brianna when she walks back alone.
Once back in the house, I mind–link Conrad and Liam to meet me in the study. I then explained what I saw.
“Pregnant. What the fuck“. Liam looks horrified. “Are any of these ladies here by choice“.
I smile, “It seems only two are“.
“What are we going to do“.
We both look to Conrad who has a stern look on his face. “Clearly she has to be eliminated tomorrow but they both face harsh punishments if they get caught. We need a plan. What do we know about Alpha Kane“.
Liam goes and gets his file.
“Alpha Beta Class. He is the second son to Alpha Bernard. So that’s the issue“.
I’m confused. “What do you mean“.
“Alpha Bernard and Brianna’s father have been feuding for years. The territories share a boundary but Bernard is all about hard work and protecting the land. His pack are actually cattle ranchers. Brianna’s family is about being in high society and being business–minded“.
“So she is too snobby for him and he is too low and country for her“. Conrad takes a deep sigh. I walk over and hug him from behind to give him all the support I can. He just holds my hands to his chest while he continues to think.
“I will eliminate her tomorrow, but we need to make sure she is protected like we protected Darlina”.
We stay up late tomorrow to work on the plan. We decide we have to act at the ceremony if this is going to work.
