Chapter 7~ Shadow in the Mist

I giggled, realizing Kendrick didn’t know Alexander would be in trouble, if he mentioned the abduction attempts. But it wasn’t his fault, so I jumped in.. “Granddaddy! It is on me! I didn’t want Alex to say anything. The attempts happened twice..nearly three weeks apart. I wasn’t in any real danger. Although, I did have to use my magic to escape the second time. The first attempt was only five ..well..six.. rogues. Clearly underestimating me. That one was easy enough. The second attempt was five days before graduation. And that time they sent fifteen to attack. I took down nine.. but was getting tired. So I used magic to hem the others up, until campus security could take over. I found it odd that they had even been able to breach the university’s defenses. I was told they had no idea how it happened, by the dean. However….one thing that has bothered me.. since the first attack.. There is a man.. who doesn’t join in.. but watches from the cover of trees. Both times, he just hung back and observed. It isn’t Troy.. he smells.. off.. I can’t explain his scent, exactly. I’ve never smelled anything like it..just.. strange. And, he stays carefully hidden. I only have ever seen his silhouette.”

Alexander growled “You didn’t mention anything about this watcher! Nor did you mention the dean told you he didn’t have any idea how they got through! That is bullshit and needs to be investigated!” He looks at Baron and Corey “I want to see surveillance from the university’s security cameras! Something should have shown on motion activated.. or the infrareds! If not… then the video has most likely been tampered with! I want to know yesterday! So get on it!”

I am always so proud when he kicks into Alpha mode! He is confident and so sure of himself! He has grown into such a strong man! He looks at me and smirks.. I know he is feeling the pride I have in him. That’s our twinlink! I smile brightly and wink, while he just grins!

Granddaddy says “Ma Belle, I want you to recall the scent of this mysterious man.. think how it made you feel.. what it reminds you of. Anything you can remember. It will help us figure out who he might be.. At the very least.. it may give us an indication of where he is from.” I agree.. and let him know I will meditate on it, later.

Kendrick brings up my Luna ceremony.. and Grandmom says “I would like to see it happen on the blue moon! It will bring added blessings and will also allow Alexis and Blake time to rearrange their travel schedule without too much disruption.” I whine at her “That’s nearly six weeks.. I don’t want to wait that long!!” She smiles and says “It’s only the ceremony.. welcoming you into the pack, sweet girl. Unless Kendrick’s pack has the tradition of not mating and marking without a ceremony.. then I see nothing wrong with that happening before then!”

Kendrick shakes his head “No. It is our tradition to mark our mates at the actual ceremony. Love.. it’s okay.. we can take this time getting to know one another! We can date.. go for runs.. you can acclimate to the pack..get to know our people. Remodel.. renovate.. anything you’d like! I want you to choose where you might want a studio..and tell me what you need for working with the different mediums you prefer!”

And I’m just fixating on having to wait what feels like forever for him to make love to me! Ughhh! Calm down, Bella! He lifts me into his lap and whispers “I know, baby. I feel the same way…but right now, please think of anything else.. AnyThing else! The scent of your arousal is killing me!” And yep.. earth, swallowing me up now would be great! I feel my ears burning in embarrassment!

Baron links me “Naughty girl! You’re going to be taking a LOT of cold showers!” And I leaned over.. pinching the shit out of his oblique! Hard!! He squeaked.. jumped and fell out of his chair.. Alexander asked “The fuck, Baron?” He just shook his head.

Granddaddy tells Alexander it’s time to call Troy… he wants to decide whether or not he needs to make a personal visit. So, Alex dials the number.. pressing the speaker on, at the first ring.. “Alpha Calhoun” and my grandfather speaks “Troy.. it’s King Loren.. How are you today?” There is a brief silence, and we are all wondering if he’s still there.. but he speaks “Your Majesty… what a surprise! I’m not surprised to hear from you.. but, before you speak.. Allow me to apologize for my reprehensible behavior I have exhibited toward your granddaughter. I have realized the error of my ways and know that pursuing her was just a fantasy… And she is certainly not mine to claim. I regret my behavior and can assure you… nothing like that will ever happen again.” Granddaddy cleared his throat “That is a relief, Troy! I am prepared to strip you of your title…Should anything of the sort happen.. I do not believe in forcing a bond.. I abhor it! I had had no choice when it happened to me.. and you can trust and believe, I will never see it happen to any of my grandchildren!” Troy made a choking sound.. replied “I understand, your grace. I won’t ever be caught trying something like that, again!” And they hung up.

Jaxson says “We don’t believe him, do we!!?” Everyone at the table, shakes their heads. Grandmom says “Absolutely not! He was lying through his teeth. His voice wavered and fluctuated in tone.. the bigger the lie..the deeper the inflection. He thinks he has a plan. He’s convinced he has a shot. Security needs to be stepped up..both here and at your pack, Kendrick”

Kendrick nods “Jaxson and Jake have already started. They will be overseeing the installing of several new cameras at the pack house.. Lookout towers are being erected… each gate. Every inch of our border will be seen by cameras.. 24/7.. each tower will have their own monitoring capabilities.. individual alarms, so we can identify the direction of the threat.. as well as a weapons system, as our first line of defense. I will take no chances with my precious girl!”

Alex nods “Impressive! Keep it up and I might actually start liking you!” Kendrick laughs “Of course! That was my line oyf reasoning! Impress the brother…win the girl..” and laughing erupts again..and Alex says “Fuck off, bro!”

I excuse myself from the group. I need to concentrate on that strange man! So. I am heading to the upper clearing, by the waterfall. I can’t keep calling him the shadow in the mist!