Chapter 33
Giving Callum the power to mind link was a mistake. The guy constantly sent random thoughts to me through our mind link as I tried to take a nap before everyone came back.
That nap didn't happen because it was like he thought the mind link was his own brain as he ran random thoughts through.
Seriously, I heard him ask himself if he should go make a sandwich.
At that point, I shut my mind link off from him, which he got me to open back by doing some things with his tongue...
Needless to say, I talked him through basic mind link etiquette before he took a shower and headed to the kitchen while I took a bath.
After a much-needed shower, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before standing outside of Cal's bedroom, on the patio that led to the lake. Our fairytale was about to come to an end when we left tomorrow.
I wasn't looking forward to leaving here behind but was also homesick and in a desperate need of chill night with my Beta, Gamma, their mates, Callum and Finn.
With help from the hunters, hopefully, we could keep the pack a bit more secure as we dug into the situation with the rogues.
Something bothered me though.
Abel's mate Holly said that I would never be able to protect them with what's going to happen.
If that didn't scream ominous, I don't know what does.
I did know that something big was about to happen. It wasn't going to be easy. The rogues were smarter now than ever before. They were out for blood. They were strong and from what I saw in their hideaway in the northern mountains, there were many of them.
The sound of laughter and shuffling feet hit my ears before I picked up the scent of my pack, Otis, Mitch, Jane, and Aunt Avery.
I walked to the living room to see all of them piling into the tiny house with bags of groceries.
"Wow, we having a party Gramps?" Callum asked Mitch as he assessed what they got.
Smiling he shrugged, "It's our last night here, I thought we should celebrate our little victory before you all march off."
While Callum and his grandpa got into talks about grilling, Jane was right up in my face in a second with a wide grin.
"You two marked each other," She observed and a chorus of gasps from my pack and a cough from Finn resounded behind her.
"Jane, stop," I whined.
Kelly and Minna, on the other hand, didn't let it go.
"Oh my gosh! You two mated!" Minna clapped her hands together.
"Does that mean babies soon?" Kelly asked with excitement.
Putting my head in my hands, I almost yelled, "No."
"Why not?" She pouted.
"Because the ritual is off, so no kids anytime soon. Especially not when the rogues are pulling all sorts of strings on us," I said pointedly.
"Oh that's right," she replied before playfully shoving my shoulder. "Also, you should have told us before, Abel and I were betting that you were going to sell your death to the hunters or something."
Snorting, I rolled my eyes thinking they were joking, but when she pulled a twenty out of her pocket and passed it over to Minna and Ross, I was tempted to share a few slaps upside their heads.
Jane and Avery ignored them as they beamed at me.
"I wish I had a mate, seems so romantic," Aunt Avery sighed dreamily.
Ignoring her, Jane grinned, "I'm proud of you little Ev. The smartest Blackwood female, the Moon Goddess knew those male Alpha's were no good, waste of time. Everyone will be happy, I know it. Also, Otis and I went over and talked with the Elders about what happened. They were hesitant at first seeing as it's going to take a good explanation for the humans to know why the Ritual is ending, but they'll manage. They also said to send their thank you to you for getting rid of the rogues in town."
I processed everything and glad that was something already taken care of.
"How are they going to explain it though?" I questioned.
Shrugging she said, "I think they'll probably just say that it was a stupid tradition in the first place that cost a lot of missing persons and pain to the community. Plus, now that the town's already questioning the sudden disappearance of the new folks, they'll need the distraction. Otis and the hunters have been spreading the word that they left town after seeing how boring the small-town life is."
"Do you think that's a plausible reason?" I wondered.
Aunt Avery immediately nodded, "Without a doubt. Fairbairn loses its charm once you're there for a week and explored everything it has to offer...which isn't much."
"Hey ladies, we're going to need some help in here," Otis called from the kitchen.
Jane rolled her eyes, "Let's go before he burns down Mitch's house."
As Jane and Avery filled into the kitchen, Mitch appeared and pointed to the back door, "You kids can take a break and go relax in the lake. I need to go ask Callum to go fire up the grill."
"You already asked him, Mr. Cain," Ross said as he patted Mitch's shoulder before heading to the bathroom with his backpack.
Mitch's expression fell before he tried to brush it off, "Right, of course."
As everyone bustled about, a knock came from the front door and before I could even take a step towards it, George ran past me and opened it up.
"Hey," Greeted the human who I suspected George has a thing for.
"Hey, Val," George said with a stupid smile plastered on his face.
"I'm here for the food," She smirked as she brushed past him and I then noticed Elle was one step behind her.
'You like her.' I mind linked George in a sing-song tone and watched him blush from his neck up to his ears.
'No, I don't.'
'Yes you do and it's okay. She knows what you are and if she likes you back, well I have no problems with that.' I informed him.
'Seriously?' He gave me a hopeful expression.
I nodded, 'Yup, if she's who you like, then who am I to stop you?'
George grinned and sent me a, 'Thank you, Alpha,' before following Val like a lost puppy to the backyard.
"So you and Callum," Finn's voice came from behind me.
Turning to face him, I saw the lack of light in his eyes but his expression was soft and he held a smile.
"Yeah," I said awkwardly, "it just kinda happened."
Chuckling he said, "You don't need to explain to me Ev, I'm happy for you. Both of you. Cal's a good guy, I told you before that once you're happy, I'm happy."
"Finn-"
"And damn proud," he cut me off. "You ended the Ritual. I'm not surprised you were the one to do it but I know this mind of yours and it's the most brilliant. Your mom will be happy."
I smiled, "Thank you Finn, it means a lot to me that you agree with my decision."
Throwing his hand around my shoulder, he pulled me into his side, "Always Ev." Walking us outside, he murmured, "Now, can I annoy Callum through the mind link? Maybe spoke it a bit and think he's hearing things?"
I threw my head back and laughed at that one as we joined the others outside.
"Hey," Callum called over to us and aimed his spatula at Finn, "hands off my girl."
Finn's hand immediately dropped, "Yeah, yeah don't get your panties in a twist."
Gasping, Cal feigned shock, "Finneas! Have you been snooping in my underwear drawer?"
A smile played on Finn's face as he rolled his eyes, "Don't flatter yourself, buddy."
"Too late, I'm flattered but also a bit weirded out."
"How do you put up with him?" Finn asked with a chuckle.
"Patience, a lot of patience," I confessed.
"Not nice, Princess... you know I'm sensitive," Cal scolded.
Walking over to him I pinched his cheek, "Sorry Prince."
He blushed furiously at what I called him, "Babe, you're embarrassing me."
I laughed at his expense before Finn parted us.
"Okay, enough of you two before I and everyone else barfs. Let me teach Callum how to properly grill these burgers."
I raised my hands and stepped away as Finn shooed me off. Curiosity filled me as I watched both of them send playful jabs at each other over who can make a better burger.
A bromance I was not expecting.
"Hey, Ev, come join us," Minna called from the lake.
I shook my head, "I'm alright."
I'd honestly didn't feel like having to wash my hair again today from being in the lake. So, finding a speaker and Cal's phone from his room, I was the designated DJ.
Looking over at Finn and Cal, I noticed they were silent but definitely communicating through mind link. I should probably be concerned but I was too relaxed to bother.
They'll hold up on their own.
Sprawling out onto the shore next to Elle, Val, and George, we played a round of never have I ever with a bottle of what was definitely alcoholic substance that Val brought along.
Val was pretty fun and from her not so sly peeks at George, I could tell she fancied him as much as he did her.
"So will you be heading back with us Val?" I asked with purpose.
Frowning she said, "Unfortunately not, I teach at the middle school back in Fairbairn, so I have to stay."
George's expression matched her grim one and I had to put them out of their misery.
"You know," I mussed, "I was thinking that it would be a good idea if two werewolves stay back here. Just in case any rogues show up and to keep an eye out."
"Really?"
"Are you serious?" Came George and Val's response, in that order.
Elle gave me a knowing look and Minna laughed from the lake.
"Yeah, I think it will be a good idea since most of the hunters will be going to the pack." I shrugged. "So, how about George and Kelly?"
"I mean, if you insist," George agreed without a fight.
"Great, and you Kelly?" I turned to her.
"Sure, no problem. But if anything happens at the pack, let us know and we'll get back immediately."
"I don't want you two traveling alone. It's too dangerous, so unless we get rid of the rogues or I send for either of you, don't come back alone." I ordered.
They nodded in understanding.
"So I guess you'll be needing a place?" Val asked George.
"Yeah, know of anywhere I could stay?" The innocent expression on his face was worth an Oscar award.
"You can stay at my place if you want," She offers.
"I think I'll stay with Jane if she has room," Kelly uttered as she gagged at the googly eyes George and Val were giving each other.
I laughed more in that one day than I did in the past few months. It felt great, just sitting under the evening sun, near the water. Laughing with friends, old and new family, and my mate.
The calm before the storm is what played through my mind that night as I snuggle into Cal's arm.
Jane was right, a war was brewing and it was right on the horizon. It felt I had just dipped my toes in the water of being an Alpha and suddenly a riptide was dragging me under. Threatening to drag me out to sea and drown me in the mass chaos that the unknown held. The unknown secrets of the rogues.
'Go to sleep babe,' filtered into my mind.
I peeked open one eye and saw Cal staring at me in the dark, 'How'd you know I was awake?'
'Because I could feel how tense you are. What's bothering you?' He asked with concern.
'Everything,' I sighed before switching to audible talking. "We're going back to the pack without knowing much more about the rogues, losing Abel to their team and bringing hunters to help. Sounds like a recipe for disaster doesn't it?"
"Hmm, well I've never made a disaster, so I'm not sure how the recipe is supposed to look. Does it have sugar and-" I elbowed him in the rib for his witty comeback. "Okay, okay, don't hurt me. I think that the pack is going to trust your instinct once they realize that the hunters will be of value to them. As for Abel, I'm pretty sure he was destined to find her either way so you can't put that on you. The rest we'll figure out as it comes, we just need to do our best right now."
"I guess you have a point," I admitted.
"Always do, now go to sleep because we have a long journey ahead of us," He mumbled sleepily.
We did because the humans will be on foot, meaning we won't be able to move as fast. A good two-day journey will be in the works for us.
"Cal?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"Love you too, Princess." I felt his lips press to my head before we both fell asleep.
~~~
"What do you mean he's gone?" I asked in exasperation as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and tried to focus on Kelly and Ross before me.
"He must have snuck out while we were all asleep, I don't know but he's nowhere around his scent disappeared in the forest," Ross reported.
"I'm going to kill him when I see him, I swear," I almost shouted as Cal handed me a cup of much-needed coffee.
"But where would Finn go anyways?" Callum asked. "His scent led to the forest running along Fairbairn right? Well, no shops are opened and it's not like he knows anyone in town."
"And he turned off his mind link," Kelly said.
"Have you called George or Jane?" I asked.
Ross nodded, "They both haven't seen him since last night when we all went to bed."
"Fuck," I groaned. "Where the hell could he be and have not told any of us? We leave in an hour and he can't travel alone."
"Maybe we should be concerned about what he's up to," Minna added over her cup of tea.
I rose an eyebrow, "What are you implying?"
"Well, Finn hasn't been the most honest, has he? He's been disappearing over the past few months without a plausible excuse. Something is up." She as if it was the most obvious thing.
"He said-"
"He's going to find a mate? How likely would that be?"
"Well, Abel found his mate so maybe he thought he would as well?" I said but it came out like a question and Cal's hand encompassed my own.
"I think Minna has a point Ev," Cal remarked.
"But what else could he be doing? Plotting against us?" I chuckled but when no one in the room laughed with me, I stopped. "You guys can't possibly think he'd do that? He's Finn guys come on."
"Finn's a nice guy, I admit. He is also hot as hell," Ross started, "but that doesn't mean he isn't doing something suspicious. If he was innocent, I think he would have told us. Heck, look at Abel ran away with his mate, who knows if Finn found his and hadn't told us because she...or he is a rogue."
That would be possible but if he did find his mate, he wouldn't have told me his feelings for me in the cave before we got here.
"I don't know guys, what if he's in danger or something?" I said nervously.
Cal's grip on my hand tightened, "He'll be okay Ev, if something was wrong he would have mind linked you."
His reassuring words eased my nerves a bit.
"Okay," I said uncertainly, "let's get ready to leave and hope he gets back my then."
The next hour passed by in a blur as we packed up. Callum and I agreed that it would be best for Mitch to stay with June in Fairbairn while we deal with the rogues.
After that's sorted out then we can have him move to the pack. But since all the hunters were going back to town and leaving behind their secluded village, that meant they also had boxes and boxes of items they had to carry back.
Everyone did their moving yesterday but Mitch still had a few boxes which we packed up in Val's car.
I noticed Cal sneak out a photograph or his parents and Mitch and pack it with his stuff. I wished he still had them.
My childhood was maybe what every kid could want, but back here in this town, Cal was alone with his grandpa.
"Call me when you get back and tell Emery to give me a ring as well, I haven't spoken to her in a while," Jane said as she touched my cheek with affection.
"And if you could, try and come pay us another visit. I loved meeting you Everette but I wish we had more time to catch up," Aunt Avery gave me a watery smile.
I pulled her into a hug and promised, "I'll be back and I'll try to bring Taelyna and Thor back with me."
"That would be amazing, I would love to meet them."
It was bittersweet saying goodbye to Jane, Aunt Avery, George, and Kelly but it was time to leave.
And Finn still hadn't returned.
"If Finn comes back," I whispered to Kelly, "tell him to stay here with you and George. My orders."
"Noted."
I grabbed Finn's bag with my own and hauled it on my shoulder as our group of seventy-five hunters gathered around.
Otis gave everyone who was staying back, a sad smile.
"Never in my lifetime did I think we'd be here. But today marks a day for us and Everette's pack. We fight together or we die alone. It's as simple as that. We'll be back soon, but until then, take care of Fairbairn." He addressed his people who responded with a chorus of claps and cheers.
It felt like we're about to ride into battle together. A farewell before we walked into world war three.
"Ready?" Cal asked with a small smile after he said goodbye, again, to Mitch.
Mitch made me promise him to take care of his grandson for him earlier. I gave him a smile and meant every word I said as I told him that Cal will always be okay once I was with him.
Grabbing Cal's hand, we set off with the hunters and two pack members following behind.
Between watching Ross and Louis flirting, Elle arguing about Otis being a slow traveller and a few hunters complaining about too much walking, it was a rather decent first half of our journey.
No rogues and no sight of Finn.
We even managed to find a clearing big enough for us all to camp out in during the night.
When the sun rose again for our second day of travelling, things didn't play out as smoothly.
One, Minna shifted into her wolf when she needed to stretch and scared half the hunters to pull out their weapons thinking she was a rogue.
Two, someone ate more food than he should have been, Ross, and now we had some rations short.
Three, I had an uneasy feeling that we were being followed.
I sniffed around and had everyone shut up, but nothing.
Nothing, until we were a few away from the pack.
The stamping paw steps pounding on the earth.
The labored breathing.
The increasing smell of blood.
The faint scent of something familiar.
Horror gripped me as I stopped and face the left of us and everyone followed and drew their weapons up.
I couldn't hear myself yell when I told them to lower their guns. To be honest, I didn't hear when I screamed as I saw Finn's wolf bounding towards us.
All I remember was feeling Callum's grip on my tighten as a blood-covered Finn dropped to the forest floor before us.
A/N
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