9: NINE

Grey was in his office as some members of the pack rushed in. He looked up from his laptop, immediately standing up. "What is it?"

"There's something you need to see."

Grey followed Nolan through the woods, far into its depths. As they came to the largest red oak, Grey paled, noticing exactly why his pack members needed his attention. He sighed, walking passed his fighters, kneeling next to the body. He felt anger surge through him.

His pack had more than a thousand lycanthropes in it. He knew each and every member. The body laying on the ground was Andrew Simmons, a boy who worked in the library archive. He was kind and wanted to attend college.

Grey could smell a scent and he turned to his members. "You sent trackers out?"

"Immediately, Alpha."

"Get Andrew cleaned. Tell his parents we'll take care of the burial and charges. For now, let's examine the scene– see if we can find anything that may lead to who did this."

"Do you think it was someone in the pack?"

Grey shook his head. "No. If it was I would be able to smell it. It looks like it was a lycanthrope judging by the marks on his chest. Andrew must have shifted and then shifted back once he died."

"Who would do this?"

Grey grimaced, standing up. Like it or not, there were many packs that wanted to see his pack fall from its rank. He couldn't think of any pack, however, that would want to start a war. Rogues often were docile, only seeking independence or another pack to join, so he didn't believe it was them. He didn't understand why someone would commit this tragedy, but he would damn sure find who it was.

Grey excused himself briefly to go back to the packhouse. As he entered, everyone was solemn. News traveled quickly in the pack, so Grey didn't expect anything less. He had to return to the site soon, but he had something more important to take care of. "Nolan, come to my office with Abigail immediately."

Grey didn't wait for a response as he went up to his office where his parents were already waiting. "What a tragedy," Irabella mumbled.

"Yes," Grey agreed, closing his laptop. "I'm going to meet up with our trackers." Grey watched as Nolan entered with his mate. "I'm going on the hunt," he said, "but I need a favor."

"What is it?" Nolan asked.

"Marisol," he stated. "I want you all to go to her house and protect her."

"But Greyson, we are needed here. The pack needs–"

Greyson interrupted Abigail. "The pack needs closure of which I will find. Gamma Braxton will remain to look after the pack. I know this is a lot to ask."

Abigail nodded. "Are you sure you want us to leave?"

"She's my mate."

She nodded. "Alright. Of course I'll go."

"I'll go too," Nolan said as Grey's parents also nodded.

"She's a member of the pack whether she knows it or not," Irabella said, standing.

"Go as soon as possible," Grey said as he grabbed his phone and went to his room. He quickly packed a bag to take with him and then walked out the door as his family shifted and went to Marisol's house.

Irabella sat next to her mate while Nolan sat next to his. All four were in their wolf form, hidden in the nearby woods behind her house. Carlisle was the biggest with deep grey fur and lightning blue eyes. His wolf had gone through a lot in its lifetime and the scars under his fur were a testament. His mate, Irabella was a beautiful golden wolf with deep brown eyes. She had a speck of black on her back paw and was the second largest of all four. Alphas and Lunas tended to be the largest in this form.

Because Greyson was not here, the next-in-command would take over, which was Nolan. Out of respect, however, Nolan submitted to Carlisle seeing as he was the previous Alpha. Nolan's wolf was brown with black specks throughout his fur. Abigail was black and white and the smallest of all four, but admittedly, she was the fastest.

Carlisle's wolf growled and his command was loud and clear through their link. Nolan and Abigail traveled to the other side of the deep forest, watching Marisol through the windows of her townhome. They all had to be careful not to be seen by townspeople, so they were about a mile away, but with their eyesight, they easily saw her.

Lycans could comfortably stay in their wolf form for a week before having to switch back, so all four sat down, and would take turns sleeping with at least two people awake at a time. When Marisol left her house, each couple would transition back and follow her, ensuring she was safe at all times.

The next day, while Marisol was at work, she had texted Grey. Usually, he answered almost immediately, but today was different. After an hour and a half of no response, she called him only to get his voicemail. She didn't leave one. Instead, she got back to work. When she got home, Grey called her back, but they could only talk for a few minutes. He said he was very busy and would be for the next few weeks. She understood, of course, but it saddened her. She had gotten used to being around him every day. Brad came over and made dinner for her and they ate in silence.

"What's wrong?"

She sighed at Brad. "Grey and I haven't talked a lot today."

"Well he's a CEO. He's busy."

"I know."

"And it's not like you two are in a relationship."

Her eyes dimmed and she nodded as she played with her food. He was right; they were in a business relationship, not a romantic one. Still, she felt like their feelings toward each other deserved more than a contractual partnership...

Three days later and she still hadn't seen him. She was growing a bit angry, but then she remembered that he told her he would be busy and they weren't a couple. She was just his surrogate. Sighing, she closed the braille book. Standing up, she walked into the kitchen to make some tea. As her water boiled, she could faintly hear something outside, but she ignored it. She often heard sounds that were unimportant. Tala began growling by her legs and she knew immediately that something was wrong.

The hair on her arms stood up and she ordered Alexa to turn off all the lights in her home as she knelt down. Glass broke above her head and she screamed, her arms instinctually covering her. Tala growled obviously seeing or hearing something Marisol couldn't. Marisol felt Tala cocoon her in a protective stance. She was protecting her pack.

The four wolves outside watched as Marisol read her book. Nolan's eyes ran over the landscape of her house, and he growled, smelling someone else's scent.

Friendly? Carlisle asked through the link. Abigail's eyes narrowed. Nolan and she paced closer to Marisol's home. When she saw an unrecognizable man edge closer to her kitchen window, Abigail immediately ran toward him. She took him down swiftly and easily. As she stood with blood coating her fur, she could hear Marisol scream. Her wolf looked up, seeing the other three rush into Marisol's home.

Irabella's eyes narrowed, dangerously, as a man inched closer her son's mate. She growled loudly with her mate beside her. The other man turned around to face her. As he was getting ready to shift, Nolan attacked, biting a hazardous wound into his neck. One more wolf attempted to get away, and while all four wanted to keep it alive, it went to kill Irabella, causing Carlisle to retaliate.

Abigail walked in, standing next to her Alpha and mate. They all looked at Marisol who was cowering behind Tala, crying into her hands. Luna Irabella shifted back, knowing very well that a Luna handled these situations best.

"Marisol–"

Marisol jumped, feeling hands on her shoulders.

"It's me, Irabella. Grey's mom, remember? It's alright. It's alright. Come here." Irabella gently pulled Marisol into her arms. Marisol clung to her, attempting to regulate her breath. Irabella looked at her mate, and both shared a look of concern. An attack on Marisol was an attack on the pack. Word that Grey had a mate had gotten out, and the consequences were already proving to be deadly. If someone was willing to attack a Luna, when would they stop?

"Irabella, I'm here with Nolan, Carlisle, and Abigail. We are going to take you back to our house, alright?"

"I– He– What– What happened?"

"Someone tried to break into your house, but we were here."

"Why were you here?"

Irabella looked at Carlisle for help. When he shook his head unable to give an excuse, she rolled her eyes. "We were coming to talk to you about Grey. He wanted to say sorry for not answering your call," she lied.