Chapter 46: Chapter 46

EVIE

Noah took off early the next morning, chasing a lead on Russell. He left me behind with a stern warning to stay put in the pack house. I didn’t mind. I had no plans to go anywhere.

Sawyer was in and out, making sure I hadn’t done anything reckless like sneaking out of our bedroom window. I was content to just laze around and binge-watch Netflix.

Around noon, my phone buzzed with a call from my mom. Seeing her name on the screen, I let out a sigh. Honestly, I was surprised she hadn’t called sooner.

“Hello,” I answered, keeping my tone neutral.

“Your brother visits you and comes back with a girl he wants to live with?” My mom’s voice came through the phone.

“I’m doing well, thanks for asking. How about you?” I shot back, my words dripping with sarcasm.

She brushed past my comment.

“What am I supposed to make of this?” she huffed.

“Maybe you could be happy for Elijah? He’s found a girl he’s serious about. Molly’s great, Mom. She’s my best friend. Elijah’s never been this serious about a girl before, so you should know he’s not taking this lightly,” I explained.

“Why can’t he be serious about her from Hawaii?” she sighed.

“You can’t control everything we do, Mom,” I muttered.

“He doesn’t know anyone there! Where will he live? Where will he work?” she sounded panicked.

“He’ll figure out the job part. As for where he’ll live, he’ll stay at my place,” I said, shrugging even though she couldn’t see me.

“He’s staying with you?” she asked, sounding confused.

“That’s not what I said.”

“Stop playing games, Evie.” I could almost feel her glare through the phone.

“I’m not. He’s taking over my lease and moving into my apartment—at least for now, until he and Molly figure out their next move.”

I knew I wouldn’t be able to just drop this news and move on.

“Then where will you live?” I could hear the gears turning in her head.

“I’ve been staying with someone else,” I confessed.

“With who…”

“With my boyfriend, Noah,” I practically shouted.

There was a long silence on the other end.

“So, monkey see, monkey do?” she finally responded, her tone sharp.

“That’s not what this is, Mom. Look, I’m not going to argue with you, and neither will Elijah. I’m living with my boyfriend, who I’m serious about, and Elijah’s doing the same. We’re happy and in love. You can either accept it or risk losing us both,” I said, my words harsh but necessary.

My mom was stubborn and wouldn’t back down easily. When I decided to move to the mainland, she tried to talk me out of it until the moment I passed through airport security.

I had to plan and execute everything against her wishes. I love my mom and my family, but she’s stubborn and set in her ways—kind of like someone else I know.

“Do you two always have to rush into things?” she groaned.

“It’s more exciting that way,” I laughed.

“Are you really happy, Evie?” she asked, her voice softer.

“I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” I assured her.

“All I want is for you to be happy and safe. If you’re sure about this, then I can’t argue. I hope to meet this Noah soon.”

As stubborn as my mom was, she knew she had raised a daughter who was just as headstrong. Sometimes she could admit when it was time to back down, although I was sure this wouldn’t be the last I’d hear of it.

My mom was the queen of passive-aggressive comments.

“We’ll plan a visit soon. For now, just be nice to Molly. She’s really great,” I told her.

“She does seem like a nice girl. I’ll invite them over and keep an open mind,” she grumbled.

“I’m proud of you, Mom.” I laughed.

“Thanks, dear. But don’t think I’m done with you yet,” she warned. I could almost see her narrowing her eyes at me.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Love you, honey.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

As I hung up the phone, a sense of relief washed over me. I had been honest with my mom, and it felt good—really good.

I was certain she would come to adore Molly and Noah.

Sure, it might take her a moment to adjust, but I knew she would get there.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Yes, I am,” I replied confidently. “You’ve got this.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay, I trust you.”

I smiled. “That’s all I need to hear.”

***

After my heart-to-heart with Mom, I couldn’t shake off thoughts about family. Sure, we’ve had our fair share of epic fights, but we always had each other’s backs. I found myself thinking about Noah’s dad and his unforgivable betrayal.

I decided it was time to confront him, to understand what pushed him to such a drastic decision. But first, I had to give my babysitter the slip.

I quietly left my room and saw Sawyer, fast asleep on the couch in the lounge. Noah was working him to the bone, and I bet watching over me wasn’t exactly thrilling.

I tiptoed down the corridor, opting for the stairs to avoid the telltale ~ding~ of the elevator. By the time I reached the ground floor, I was panting.

~I seriously need to hit the gym.~

I ran into Tatum and Dexter, two wolves from Noah’s patrol that I recognized. I faced them squarely and said in my most authoritative voice, “I need to see Alpha Toby.”

Tatum and Dexter exchanged a wary glance.

“Has Alpha Noah given his approval?” they asked.

“I don’t need his permission to do anything,” I retorted, my tone turning bitter.

“Yes, Luna.” Tatum bowed his head.

“Right this way,” Dexter said, leading the way.

They led me to a part of the pack house I didn’t even know existed. At the end of a long, gloomy corridor was an intimidating door. It had a large keyhole, a pin pad, and a fingerprint scanner.

Beyond the door was a winding concrete staircase, dimly lit by old-fashioned torches.

“This looks like a dungeon,” I gasped as we descended the stairs and entered a basement filled with cells that looked like they were straight out of the Middle Ages.

“Yes, ma’am,” Dexter said.

“The traitor is in the second one on the left,” Tatum said, pointing toward one of the cell doors.

“We’ll wait here, Luna, to ensure your safety,” Tatum added.

“Thank you,” I said, suddenly feeling anxious.

I slowly approached the cell and peered inside. Toby was huddled in the corner, looking terrible. He had only been there for a day, but he looked disheveled and desolate.

“To what do I owe this honor, oh great Luna?” Toby asked sarcastically, sneering at me.

“I want to know why you betrayed your son and your pack,” I managed to say.

Toby staggered across the cell and threw himself against the bars. “I never betrayed my pack or its alpha! I only betrayed its wanna-be luna,” he spat.

“By going against me, you went against your son and this pack. Noah is devoted to me, and I have earned the pack’s respect. I’m not going anywhere, and you’re the only one who seems to have a problem with that,” I retorted, refusing to break eye contact.

“I can’t understand how my son fell for such a perky, selfish little bitch.” Toby laughed darkly.

“Say what you want, Mr. Landry. You can’t hurt me, but I’m afraid that you have hurt Noah, and that is something I won’t stand for,” I said solemnly.

“That’s Alpha Toby to you, girl!” Toby yelled, shaking the bars of the cage.

I signaled Tatum and Dexter to stay back as they started to approach us. I felt my eyes flash with anger, and the voice that came out of me was almost unrecognizable. “No, Mr. Landry, it is not. I am stripping you of your rank and the title of Alpha, and banishing you from not only the pack grounds but from all of New Orleans. I suggest you pray to your Moon Goddess that Noah doesn’t decide to do more,” I growled.

I noticed Tatum and Dexter stiffen beside me, and I turned to them with a puzzled look. Their arms were rigid at their sides and their backs straight, like soldiers standing at attention.

“What’s wrong with you two?” I asked.

“They’re responding to your luna voice,” Toby’s voice was the quietest I had ever heard it. “You used it on me once before. I thought I was imagining it then, but I’m sure now.”

“What are you talking about?” I snapped.

Toby rolled his eyes at my ignorance. “Noah’s got that alpha voice,” he explained, as if I were a child. “The luna, too, has a commanding voice. But it’s usually not unlocked until the alpha and luna mark each other and the luna ceremony is held. I’ll confess, I’ve never heard of a nonwolf possessing such a commanding voice.”

There was a hint of admiration in his tone, if I wasn’t mistaken.

“Could you guys stop doing that?” I asked Dexter and Tatum, who immediately relaxed.

“I’m sorry,” I added.

“Don’t apologize to them, they’re nothing,” Toby growled.

“Oh, so now you’re playing mentor? No thanks,” I shot back at him. “Pretend I used my luna voice to tell you to ~shut up~,” I snapped.

I turned my back on Toby and walked away from his cell.

“I’m sorry I used my luna voice, or whatever it is, on you. I didn’t mean to,” I apologized to Tatum and Dexter.

“There’s no need to apologize, Luna. It’s our honor to follow your command,” Tatum replied.

“You have so much to learn, girl,” Toby muttered from his cell.

I sighed and walked back to the cell door.

“I don’t have anything to learn from you.”

“Such a strong luna voice wasted on such a pathetic little thing,” Toby sneered, leaning against the concrete wall of his cell.

“Maybe I was given this voice because the universe knew I wouldn’t misuse it,” I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest.

“A luna’s job is to birth and raise the next alpha. That’s it. All this attitude and ambition is just noise. If my son had any sense, he’d get you under control.”

My hands clenched into fists, my anger flaring. This guy really knew how to push buttons.

“What made you so bitter?” I asked him sincerely.

He seemed taken aback by my question.

“It’s not bitterness; it’s common sense.”

“You’re bitter, cynical, and angry. You’ve pushed everyone away. Even your pack is against you. And yet, you refuse to change. I can’t help you,” I sighed in defeat.

“I don’t need your help!” Toby shouted, nearly tripping over himself as he scrambled across the cell.

“One day you’ll realize that this was the moment your life could have changed. But you chose bitterness. When that day comes, no one will be there to help you,” I said, frowning at Noah’s father. I wished there was more I could do.

I turned and left Toby behind, his insults echoing off the dungeon walls. Tatum and Dexter escorted me out of the basement. When we reached the kitchen, I felt a pang of guilt seeing Sawyer in a panic, running around the foyer.

“Sawyer!” I called, waving my hands to get his attention.

He sprinted toward me.

“You can’t just do that!” he exclaimed. “I was terrified.”

I patted his head as if he were a child.

“I’m sorry, Sawyer. I just needed a break from my nanny,” I teased.

“Evie, I’m here to serve *you*. My only job is to keep you safe. I would have gone with you anywhere, no questions asked,” Sawyer argued.

“I went to see Toby in the dungeon,” I said, my face expressionless.

Sawyer stared at me, his mouth agape.

“Okay, maybe I would have questioned that.”

“That’s what I thought,” I replied, smirking.

“Please don’t do that again,” Sawyer grumbled.

“I promise. Can I make a bowl of cereal now, Mary Poppins?” I grinned at Sawyer, who rolled his eyes in response.

He slumped onto a barstool at the kitchen counter, watching as I made lunch.

“Noah’s back,” Sawyer announced just as my mate walked into the kitchen.

“Hi, baby,” he grinned, pulling me into a kiss.

“How did it go?” I asked him.

“We didn’t find him. It seems we just missed him,” Noah grumbled.

“Ask your mate what she’s been up to today,” Sawyer ratted me out.

“Tattletale!” I shouted at him as he left the room.

“What did you do?” Noah groaned.

“I might have slipped away from Sawyer to have a little chat with your dad in the dungeon,” I said, shrugging nonchalantly.

“What?” he almost shouted at me.

“I had a talk with my mom and got really pissed about what your dad did to you. So, I decided to confront him myself. I might have banished him and stripped him of his title. I’m not even sure if I have the authority to do that, but it seems I did.” I spooned another mouthful of cereal, waiting for Noah’s reaction.

“Evie.” He sighed, shaking his head and sitting down next to me. “Firstly, you should never sneak away from Sawyer. If you’re going to do something wild, at least take him with you. I won’t tell you not to do it, but I will insist that you don’t do it alone.”

“I did take Tatum and Dexter with me, for the record,” I said.

“That’s a relief. But remember, Sawyer is there to guard and protect you, ~not~ to control you. You can do what you want, just let him keep you safe, okay?” Noah started toying with my fingers as he looked into my eyes.

“Okay,” I sighed.

“Moving on, you can definitely mete out punishments and sentencing for anyone in our pack. I just wish you’d consult with me first,” Noah said.

“Yeah, it just kind of slipped out,” I grinned sheepishly.

Noah chuckled.

“That sounds about right. So, you banished him and stripped him of his alpha title?” Noah asked for confirmation.

“I did,” I replied.

“Good move on taking away his alpha title. He doesn’t deserve the respect or the privileges that come with it. But I think banishment is too lenient,” Noah confessed.

“I did mention that you might have a different punishment in mind, but I didn’t want you to have to discipline your own father. I was trying to spare you. I’ll back any decision you make,” I told him, intertwining my fingers with his.

“Thanks for looking out for me, little mate.” Noah smiled gently, resting his head against mine, his eyes filled with sadness.

“Do you have more work to do?” I asked him, hoping he would say no and I could take him to our room and comfort him.

“Yeah.” He frowned. “I have to formally address what my father did with the elders and reorganize the search for Russell, plus increase the security on the pack house and the borders.”

I ran my hand through Noah’s hair, trying to comfort him.

“Can I help?” I asked.

He shook his head with a small smile.

“No, love, you don’t have to worry about this. I just want you to be safe and happy. You’ve done so much already,” he reassured me.

I knew I should have insisted. I should be involved in anything to do with the pack’s safety and the meeting with the elders, but if I were being honest, I had no desire to be scrutinized by anyone else today. Instead, I agreed to wait for Noah in our room, assuring him that I would be safe and sound nearby.

Noah walked me to the elevator where Sawyer was waiting for me.

“I love you.” I reached up on my tiptoes to kiss Noah tenderly.

“I love you, too,” he murmured, holding my face in his hands and deepening the kiss.

I giggled at his affection, pulling away from the kiss breathlessly. As I turned for the elevator, he gave my butt a playful swat.

I squealed and jumped into the elevator, spinning around to glare at him. I stuck out my tongue and earned a hearty laugh from my mate.