Chapter 148

Elder visit.

(Anna)

Waking up alone has become a regular occurrence, no matter how hard I try Fraction will not come to

bed. It’s almost like he’s punishing himself by denying himself any form of comfort, I wish he would

allow me in but ever since Momma Beth passed and Aurora was taken it’s like there is a wall he’s built

up around himself. It made sense to me at first because of the grief I’m sure he is feeling but when the

hope of Aurora came I figured he would ease up a bit. I have to admit I don’t fully understand why he’s

punishing himself like this, he didn’t do anything wrong.

‘Elder Thomas is here along with Elder Iris.’ Fraction says through our mind link.

‘I’ll dress and be down. Are you in the office?’ I ask him as I climb out. of my bed and start stripping off

my sleepwear.

‘Yes.’ His tone is clipped as he cuts off our link, shaking my head. I dress quickly in some leggings and

a baggy white t-shirt. Leaving my bedroom I quickly walk along to Thom a s’s room and open the door

to see him showing his dinosaurs to Lewis, honestly Lewis is amazing with Thomas.

“Lewis you all good for a little longer while I met with you know who downstairs?” I ask Lewis as I walk

over and kiss Thomas on the head, he barely even registers me as there.

“Sure, I’ve got this. I think Lizzie is coming up soon too.” It must be a Beta thing because James is

amazing with kids too, I wonder if it’s the laid back nature. I spend a few minutes watching Thomas and

Lewis

play dinosaurs before I slip from the room

I pass a few warriors on my way down to the office. I swear some of them are meant to be out on recon

this week but to be honest I could be wrong. It’s hard to keep track of not only our own warriors but

Grey Pack and Everlin Pack warriors too. Once I’m at the office I don’t bother knocking as Fraction

knows I’m coming so I open the door and see Elder Thomas sitting in the chan opposite Fraction’s

desk. He beams at me as I close the door, I smile back walking over to Enaction and I notice the elderly

looking lady sitting in the other cham

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“Anna, this is Elder Iris” Fraction introduces the woman, she reminds me of a much older Momma Beth,

her face is covered in lines and her hair is wiry and almost white Her green-blue eyes give away her

kindness though, they just have a softness to them that I can’t really explai

“It’s nice to meet you.” I go to sit on Fraction’s knce as normal but he tucks himself further under the

desk. I look at him in confusion but he gives me a gentle shake of the head

“I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, Luna. We set off as soon as we heard of Beth but we did not realise

your pup had been taken too. Elder Iris has this raspiness to her voice that I was not expecting, it’s

almost like she once had a twenty a day smoking habit.

“Why didn’t we know about The Shalamayne?” Fraction asks them. both clearly done with the greetings

part of the conversation, usually I would scold him on politeness but I want to know the same thing. I

just look at Elder Thomas and wait for him to speak, the two Elders look at each other for a second

before Elder Thomas sighs.

“They have never been an issue for the American Pack’s so there has been no reason to tell you about

them. Why scare people with something that has never come to pass.” Elder Thomas sounds like he’s

reading from a script, his tone is very monotone like he has to weigh

every word before he says it.

“Elder Thomas, with all due respect, that’s some cr ap ” Fraction turns to me with wide eyes, “You as a

group decided to keep this

information from the American Pack’s and now we have a missing Beta, his mate and my pup, if we

had known this was even an idea of a threat we wouldn’t have been chasing our tails for weeks. One of

our own died trying to save my pup.” Fraction grabs my hand and squeezes it a little, I know it’s meant

to be comforting.

“Little Omega,” Elder Thomas starts but Elder Iris coughs and gives him a stern look. “I mean Luna.

With all due respect the Elders do not have to share every detail of issues that affect Packs on a global

scale, we govern the American Pack’s and we share what is needed. And nothing more.” Again Elder

Thomas sounds ofl’ and his gaze keeps flicking to Elder Iris, I take a stab in the dark and hope I don’t

land the Pack in more trouble. Fraction leans forward like he’s about to speak. but I squeeze his hand

telling him to stop.

“And if Elder Iris wasn’t here listening to every word, what would your say then?” I look at Elder iris and

raise an eyebrow, “that is why you’re here right? To make sure Elder Thomas doesn’t share too much?”

Elder Thomas gets a small smirk on his face as Elder Iris tries to look appalled before dropping the act.

“When it comes to the Swiftmane Pack, Elder Thomas seems to forget his place. He offers too much of

himself in return for nothing but a kind smile, I am here to ensure he does not share things he is not

meant to.” Elder Iris directly at me as she speaks and then her eyes. flick to Fraction before coming

back to me.

“I don’t understand.” I say looking down at Fraction.

“I do, Elder Iris is implying that Elder Thomas is sweet on you so he gives you special attention and

information.” I feel my eyes widen as I

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look at the sweet old man I’ve come to think of as a friend. “That couldn’t be further from the truth

though, if you think for one second I would allow any male around my mate and Luna who ever thought

they had a chance then you’re going ba tty with age lady.” Fraction leans forward and looks directly at

Elder Thomas, “how about you start spilling some truths before I do?” I watch Fraction and Elder

Thomas have some kind of staring contest before Elder Thomas breaks the contact by looking at his

hands laid in his lap.

“We knew The Shalamayne were here,” Elder Thomas says quietly, I gasp at the same time as Elder

Iris stands from her chair.

“I forbid you to say more.” Elder Iris shouts angrily.

“I refuse to put my great grandpups in more danger than they need to be!” Elder Thomas roars, I feel

myself falling as Fraction catches me and cradles me in his lap.

“Great grandpups?” I had no idea Fraction and Elder Thomas were related, for a second I feel joy for

Fraction as now he has someone to share his grief.

“He was Lily’s father, he took the oath of the Elders when she was taken. When he couldn’t find her he

presumed her dead until you showed up.” Elder Thomas looks at me with sad eyes as Fraction tells me

I’m related to the man who has guided me so much.

“I don’t…I can’t process this.” All three of them start talking at once, each try to talk over the other to

the point where I can’t even hear what each one is trying to say I slam my hands on the desk and all

three of them stop and look at me, “stop it. I don’t care, I can’t think of this right now. My pup is missing,

can you help or not?”

“I can.” Elder Thomas says quickly, I refuse to think of him ast grandfather, my brain is whirling so fast I

need to focus on just one.

thing.

“Then Elder Iris, you are no longer needed. Please leave.” I stress cach word so she knows there is no

room for argument. When she doesn’t move Fraction shifts slightly, readjusting me on his lap.

“You hear my Luna, please leave Elder Iris.” Elder Iris looks at Elder Thomas before stomping from the

office. Taking his seat the three of us just stare at each other while I try to figure out my next move. I

don’t understand why Fraction kept this from me and I really don’t understand why Elder Thomas kept

it from me. What else are they lying about?

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