Book 2 Chapter 37

Daphne's Point of View

Caleb got Clint settled into what was supposed to be our nursery. Luckily, there was an attached

bathroom as well, so Clint would have total privacy. I was still flabbergasted by everything that was

currently transpiring. This week seems to be tossing us mystery after mystery. My brain could not

stop trying to fit all the pieces together. Somehow, I had a feeling that a few things were connected.

“I feel like I can see the gears turning in your brain already.” Caleb's voice startled me out of my

thoughts. I turned to see that he had come back.

"Did Clint need anything? I feel bad because I do not remember asking him if he had already eaten.”

I tell him.

“I ran down and grabbed him a few sandwiches, fresh fruit, and made sure he had plenty of water to

drink as well. He will be fine. This whole story seems crazy.” Caleb pulls me gently into his chest.

"I feel like some of it is connected though. Axle’s behavior, Isabella and the twins, rogue attacks,

plus my mother coming to warn us. There are too many coincidences for it not to have some kind of

connection buried within it all.” My brain is searching desperately to try to piece it all together.

“I have been thinking something, but I feel like a jerk for admitting to it.” Caleb admits to me.

"Well, it is just you and me here, so what is going through your brain?’ I reassure him.

“I admire Alpha Clint; he was friends with my parents and to my knowledge holds a lot of the same

values that our pack does. Sometimes it is hard to pass on the torch of leading a pack though. Axle

is young, and he is slightly immature, but he handled the alliance meeting great. I applauded the

young man on the way he handled the whole thing.” I could tell that Caleb is having a hard time

finding the right words to get out what he is thinking.

“Baby just say what is on your mind.” I try to reassure him.

“When young guys are handed a bunch of power, and then something traumatic happens like say

getting attacked and watching someone die for you it can have lasting mental effects on someone,

The parties, the attitudes, even his behaviors can be explained away because of that incident. It can

be dramatic, and scary.” I can feel him slightly relax behind me as he says what is truly on his mind.

"So, in short you think that Axle is really Axle, he is just suffering mentally from the experience of his

warrior being killed. Clint is having a hard time releasing the responsibilities of the pack on Axle, and

due to Axle’s outbursts, he is seeking some sort of conspiracy that will both salvage his son's

reputation but possibly let him step back in as Alpha?” I tried to summarize everything, and make

sure that I was understanding him.

"Wow you explained that a lot better than I did.” He tells me with a little chuckle.

"I feel like my brain just will not shut down.” I admit to him. “Even if Axle is reacting to all of the

stress, that still does not explain his behavior towards Hannah. I just do not see what he would gain

from such a lie. The mate bond is felt by both people, and it is hard to resist.”

"Yes, I have been questioning that myself. I did come up with one possible reason, but it is not

necessarily a good one” he says.

“Well, I would still like to hear your theory.”

“The only thing I could come up with is that the girl that claimed Axle as being her mate was telling

the truth. Clint said that he got the girl out, so Axle may believe that the girl has rejected him.

Knowing that eventually he needs to have a mate to prevent him from going feral, he started to

panic. Hannah came out of the house after us, so he may have thought that she was an Omega.

Perhaps he thought that the idea of being a Luna would be enough to get Hannah to lie about the

mate bond.” Caleb tells me. I can see that this is becoming taxing for him. Caleb is a warrior; they

settle things with brute force if needed. Mind games, and manipulation are not his forte and I can

understand how the stress can be physically draining.

As I was thinking this there was a slight knock at our door. It was already getting late, so I knew that

whoever was there deemed it important. Caleb and I both looked at each other for a moment,

hoping that there was not some new catastrophe or mystery awaiting us. Caleb released me and

went to answer the door. Scarlett and Theo wasted no time coming into our room

“Sorry for the intrusion at the late hour, but I never received anything from you regarding our

unexpected guest. Since the rooms are soundproof, I figured this was the best place for us to talk.”

Theo quickly explained their late-night visit.

“I am very grateful you are here actually. Daphne and I need to catch both of you up on some

things that have happened. Daphne maybe you should tell them about your visit with Carolyn

earlier than I will tell them about our secret guest.” Caleb went to our mini fridge and started to pull

out some drinks for everyone.

I quickly explained the visit with Carolyn and Anita. I also went into a few details as to what Caleb

and I had discussed earlier.

“We had wondered for a while if Carolyn had an active imagination or if she was seeing vision. I

guess we have kind of figured that out now. It is amazing that her gift is so pronounced at such a

young age.” Theo was impressed that we had discovered another peculiar wolf within our pack.

“Leave it to our mother to still be maddening even after death.” Scarlett looked ticked off about the

whole situation.

Caleb then took over and explained about Alpha Clint being here and why he was concerned about

Axle. Caleb also told them the few theories that we had been discussing before they came into our

room.

Out of nowhere Scarlett starts laughing. “I am sorry, I do not mean to laugh but wow we really do

lead some crazy lives.” I could not help but chuckle as well after my sister spoke. Theo on the other

hand was looking between the two of us like we had gone crazy.

“Can I vent for just a moment? I find it insane that we have back-to-back situations in such a short

amount of time. I know that I cannot be the only one that thinks that a few of them must be related.

Now I know that you think that Axle is acting out, right?” I pose the question at Caleb, who nods

yes. “What if we are wrong about that?” I pause as I try to put exactly what I am thinking into words.

"What if Axle is bewitched, or hexed or something? I mean is it really just a coincidence that rogues

were attacking both Marcus, and Axle’s pack, and amongst the rogues there are three hybrids.”

“Daphne are you really suggesting that Isabella had something to do with all of this?" Caleb asks

me, appalled that the thought could even run through my mind

“Not necessarily Isabella but think about it. Theo, you said that there were not many witches left, yet

Marcus found three hybrids not far from his pack. What if there are more hybrids that we are simply

unaware of? If Marcus would not have seen the twins grow, then would he have ever of assumed

that there was something magical in the rogue camp? Not to mention look at how many peculiar

wolves we have amongst members of our pack. I know that one of our theories dealt with the

blessings of a witch.” I pause finally allowing my words to sink in. My theory may be completely

wrong but at least it was a working theory.

“I already sent a runner to the elders council regarding Hannah and the mate bond. I also asked the

runner to inquire about hybrids, although Caleb you know that the elder council is going to be

stringent on information about witches.” At least now I know that Theo is giving my theory some

plausibility.

“I do not care what the theory is I do not want Axle near Hannah.” Scarlett had her arms crossed

over her chest and I could see that she was in full momma bear mode.

"Has Hannah mentioned any pull towards Axle at all?” I must ensure that Axle is not her true

destined mate, but Scarlett quickly shakes her head no.

“The majority of our guests are supposed to be leaving tomorrow, or the morning after. I will make

an extended invitation to Axle to stay, until we can get the situation with Hannah sorted out. We

need a plan though one that will not appear suspicious to him.” Caleb states openly to all of us.

Scarlett snaps her fingers together with a wide grin on her face. “I know how we can rule out a few

things actually. Caleb, please make the invitation, but explain to him that we have a few rules, after

all we are known to be a protective pack. Tell him that we require him to have a full physical done

by one of our doctors. We need to get a few vials of his blood for testing. Have our doctors look for

anything out of the ordinary like abnormal cells, or anything that looks like it could have been

altered. Have Clint get Axle’s medical records sent to our hospital. While that is going on I will need

to speak to Alma.” Scarlett gets quiet very quickly and I can see that she has revealed something

that she did not intend to.

"Scarlett why would you need to speak with Alma?” I ask her confused

Scarlett takes a deep breath and realizes that she will have to explain her reasoning. “Look this was

told to me in confidence, and I did not mean to break her trust. Alma confided in me while we were

at the spa. Alpha Jerome is dying. He has a very aggressive form of cancer that is killing him faster

than his wolf can heal him. They have tried everything within their power to stop it, but nothing has

worked. Alma found a witch when she was looking to save her mate. The witch was not able to heal

Alpha, but she did ease some of his suffering.” Scarlett looks down at her hands, I can see that she

feels bad for telling us Alma’s confession to her.

“He already told me, although he did not mention that they had contact with a witch.” Caleb's voice

sounds strained.

"Anyways I was thinking perhaps Alma could put me in touch with this witch. She should be able to

determine if Axle has been placed under a spell. Equally she may have some pointers on how to

train and help Isabella and the twins.” Scarlett quickly explains. I give her a big hug, knowing that

she needed it.

"Alright well now we at least have a plan. I will meet with Axle in the morning. In the meantime, it

goes without saying that this needs to stay between us, and Clint's presence needs to be kept in

absolute secrecy.” Caleb's voice is stern, and I know that this is an order.

It does not take long for everyone to shuffle out of our room, and I am so ready for bed. Mentally I

am now exhausted and I have a feeling that we are only at the beginning of this thing.