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A Plan Forward
Xander POV
They watch me and wait for me to explain what I mean.
“She has the book. She mentioned she was just curious about it. I told her to write in it, to show her how bizarre it is.”
“And?” Garrick presses.
“She flipped to the final page, as if there was writing on the other pages. What she wrote didn’t run off the page; it pulsed and disappeared into the paper.”
Both of them stare now, their eyes widening. “How?”
“I thought it might be the page she wrote on, so I got her to do the same at the start, where we have all attempted to write. The same thing happened. I took it and tried, and the ink ran off the page for me.”
Killan sighs. “What do we know about the book?”
“Nothing, we’ve no idea where it came from, no one can read the runes on the cover to know what it says. No one has any information.”
“You had witches look, what did they find?” Killan asks.
“Nothing. They found it was bound with magic, something older than them. Something they couldn’t even decipher and uncover. They said try a mage, a warlock, we tried everything, no one knows what the magic is or how it works.” Maybe things have changed?
“So we bring in a witch again. Check to see what’s changed. Has anything changed?” Garrick looks at me.
* “I was just thinking maybe something has changed. If the witch can’t get a sense of anything with the book alone, maybe
that changes.if Serafine is using it?” I should have thought of that before, right? I didn’t, though, why didn’t I realise or think of that?
“So, after The Calling, we also need to send someone to find us a witch willing to work with us?” Killan asks, and I nod. “Make sure they are from the right Coven, we can’t afford to have one here who will use this against us.” Garrick nods in agreement.
“In a week, Gideon is going to be at the Moonstar pack. Maybe we should send some betas then to see what he’s saying?” Killan waits, and I consider it.
“No, I go, and I take Serafine with me. I want to see the truth, does this Jasmine exist, and how does Gideon react when his daughter is there, right in front of him, proving his lies to the other packs?”
It’s the perfect time to uncover everything. While I’m there, I can also find out how he knew about the things in this pack. I won’t need to play the rogue anymore, he knows now, so there’s no benefit to it.
“We do need to discuss his attempts to attack,” Garrick says, looking at me. “He knows the truth, and that means he likely knows you were playing the role of a rogue to go for him, so what if he’s planning an attack?”
“Let him, we have three things he doesn’t.” I won’t negotiate with Gideon to stop him from attacking.
“Which he knows of.” Garrick leans forward.
I nod slowly. “He’s not foolish enough to attack when we have what we do. He needs time. He will try to find his own resources to outdo ours.” Gideon goes for the easy target. “Let’s not forget something here. Gideon is weak, and he’s a coward. He attacks only when he is certain he can win. He fears death, he fears failure. So him attacking us won’t happen.” “Okay, so we focus on the book, on having Betas and such, and on searching for answers until you can see Gideon yourself?” Killan asks, and I nod.
“Right now, my priority is finding out why Serafine is different, not only different, but why she’s drawn to the book and why it reacts differently to her. Also, why did the Hollowfang Ravens come to protect her?”
Killan nods and stands. “I will get things prepared for after The Calling,” he says before walking out.
“She will forgive you, Xander.” Garrick looks at me.
“I’m not sure I deserve her forgiveness. I realised I mentioned needing proof and evidence today, which I failed to wait for before punishing her.”
Garrick nods slowly. “So give her space, let her feel the bond, the way her wolf longs for you. That is something that will make her come back.”
He’s wrong. Serafine isn’t like others; I know that myself. I know that she will fight this to the end. She won’t accept me, and sure, I can force her to let me join her in bed, but my wolf won’t let me, not now that the bond is in place. He won’t let me
hurt her.
1/2
A Plan Forward
“Things will fix themselves if they are meant to. What I do need, though, is evidence, something that either proves she told him or didn’t. If she didn’t, someone here isn’t trusted.”
Garrick nods. “It would take a lot to get someone from our pack to speak, and there’s not much someone can offer that’s better than this.” He gestures around, and I know he’s right.
“Something tells me someone wants more than this, and Gideon has offered them it. Begin speaking to the Betas. They are the only ones who know about these things. Only a few know the truth about me acting like a rogue. Push, and find out who might have spoken.”
He nods and stands. “Consider it done. If someone in this pack has spoken out, I will find the person and get answers.” I watch as he walks out of the dining room. Now, I just have to work and hope that Serafine forgives me. I know she needs friends here, for her to stay, she needs to feel welcome.
Walking out of the pack house, I go to where some of the women work. As I approach, they stop and look at me.
I need someone close to her age but smart, someone who can be her friend but will pick up on things I need to know and tell me. They shouldn’t be there to spy on her but to be a friend, and if she happens to speak out about things, then tell me. It’s no different. Everyone in this pack knows that if someone speaks about important things, they should tell me. “Alexa, do you have a moment, please?” I ask, and she nods. I guide her away from the others, and rather than telling Alexa what to do, I am going to let her choose. Whether that is having a quiet drink together or cooking together, I don’t know what Serafine likes, so for now, I can’t suggest that Alexa do anything with Serafine except get to know her.
“As you’re aware, Serafine is here, and has been for a while now,” I explain, and she nods. “She needs friends, she can’t just work at the school and then hide away. She is part of this pack; she’s free to roam around and join in with others.” “Would you like me to invite her to sit with us?” She waits, and I sigh.
“No, I don’t know. She’s not mentioned anything that she enjoys doing. Maybe just make her aware you’re here, and if she wants to, she can come see you? I don’t want to push her and have her thinking we’re watching and spying on her. This is her home, and she should feel comfortable here.”
- “I will speak to her. Is now an okay time to speak with her?” She looks at me and waits.
“Yes, I have a feeling she could use a friend,” I say and then turn to leave, but stop. I shouldn’t say this, I shouldn’t give this order, but I have to. “You have my oath that if she wishes to discuss me, our bond, and such, you let her know, and you don‘ t pass it onto me. Unless it’s her making you aware she plans to kill me, I do not want you to discuss what she says about me to you.”
With that, I turn. Serafine should get privacy. The other females speak among themselves about their mates and relationships without fear of others being told. Serafine should also have that privilege even if I’m the Alpha.
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Still Hurt
Still Hurt
