Chapter 22

Alpha Roman’s POV

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Have you found anything yet? Anna mindlinks me and wish I could give her better news.

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No. Still nothing. Is Leo secure? I hope I don’t regret my decision to allow him to hang out with the kids. (Roman)

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He’s just fine. I am so glad that you didn’t have him locked up in my office. I don’t think he would have handled that very well. Tonight has been a lot for him. Let me know the minute you find something. (Anna)

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I assure her that I will and Lucas and I make our way to the security tower on the other end of the village.

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“Which screen am I supposed to look at?” Lucas asks as he stares at a wall of surveillance monitors.

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“Right here, sir. This is camera nine, located right outside the west gate entrance.”

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We watch the footage and we both see someone come running from the woods, it looks to run around the gate, and then suddenly whoever it is just vanishes.

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“What the hell? What happened? Did the camera go out?” I ask.

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“We aren’t sure, Alpha.”

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“Can you zoom in?” I ask, knowing they have probably already done this.

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“Look, it’s right there, and then suddenly *poof* just gone,” Lucas comments.

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“Well, it’s definitely a person. Did they show up on any other cameras?”

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“No, sir. We have scouts out covering the perimeter, if they are still here, they won’t be able to leave without detection.”

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The room gets quiet for a moment, all of us focused on the image on the screen, when we hear another voice from behind us.

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“May I please take a look?”

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I turn to see Leo standing in the doorway, with Tai and Jack by his side. I am instantly pissed off, they had strict instructions to keep him secure and well within the walls of the pack house.

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“What are you doing here? I thought I made myself perfectly clear of my expectations tonight, Jack.” Jack takes a deep breath but just as he opens his mouth Tai jumps in.

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“Alpha Roman, Leo was not able to sit and enjoy the evening with a potential threat looming outside. He insisted that he come, with or without us. We thought it was better with us.”

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“It’s not right. I won’t just party and watch movies and let someone else deal with a threat when the threat is very possibly because of me,” Leo says, and although a part of me is proud of his stance, I can feel my anger surge for the disobedience.

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“That is EXACTLY what you will do BECAUSE the threat could be after you!! You have no idea what this world is like young man, but it is very important that you remain in it!!” I yell at him and my voice booms around the room, everyone else bows to me with the power I hold over them. Everyone except Leo, who takes a step towards me.

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“With all due respect, Alpha Roman, I know exactly what this world holds, and I have battled every single day trying to exist in it. You know a world that wants you, you live in a world where you matter. The world I’ve known didn’t give a fuck if I lived or died. It wasn’t kind, it wasn’t safe. It didn’t provide me comfort or protect me from starving on the streets. There wasn’t a chef, a special garden, or even a room I called my own. I was abandoned time and time again, being left alone in a windowless grey room where kids get returned when they aren’t wanted, constantly thinking I’m not good enough. I am here now because I took care of myself, no one else did. I handled my shit. Not even Frank could stop the endless waves of garbage that fell into my life. The only way I survived this long is because I relied on me, and I sure as hell will not stop now. So I’m going to ask you again, may I please take a look at the tape?” I look at the boy before me, and he is standing tall. His chest is out and he is unwavering. I can see that he has tears threatening to fall, but I know he won’t let them, and I notice that the room is bowing to him as well.

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I also realize that he has spent his entire life fending for himself. I should have seen this coming and my heart softens for him.

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“You are not alone anymore Leo, how many times must I tell you this.” I walk to him and place my hand around the back of his neck. “You have all of us. We are your family now, and you will never, ever, have to navigate this world by yourself again.” I pull him to me and he hugs me hard, but only briefly.

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“Jack, Tai, you will be Leo’s security, do you understand? And I want Leia, Sammy, and Echo assigned to Elise.”

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“Yes, sir.” The boys acknowledge, and I know they will be much more important to Leo than just security. I can see already that these boys will form a bond of brotherhood, as I did with Lucas.

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“Come, we don’t have much to go on, but this is the best visual we have,” Lucas says and he zooms in a bit more on the intruder.

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“Can you focus more on the shoes?” Leo asks, and we all stare at them a little closer. I don’t see anything, but Leo does.

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“No shit,” he says and backs up from the monitor. “I know who it is.” Leo looks at Lucas and Lucas suddenly seems to know too.

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“No way, that little prick Donavan?” He asks and Leo confirms.

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“Are you sure? That’s the kid from school right?” I ask, confused as to why he would be anywhere near our lands.

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“I know because I recognize the shoes. I spent a lot of time on the ground after him and his goons would pummel me. I’ve seen them often.”

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Lucas and I go in to take a closer look.

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“They’re just Nike’s. Anyone could have them.”

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“No, they are custom painted. A girl in my art class paints them.” Leo says and Lucas just stares at the image.

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“Is that...what is that? Is that a Cheetah? What’s around its neck?” Lucas tilts his head and Leo gives a chuckle.

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“Yeah, it’s a Cheetah, with a snake around its neck. They are so stupid, but he showed them to everyone. Told everyone they represented his personality.”

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“Well, now that we know who he is, let’s get the word out. I’m sure this has something to do with Eric.” I say and Lucas agrees.

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“Do you think they know I’m here?” Leo asks, “I was just introduced tonight, could it have spread that quickly?”

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“Yes, they know you’re here. The man who runs security for Eric is brilliant. He can find just about anyone or anything. I’m sure once Eric found out you existed, Stefan was able to locate you. That’s how they found Frank. Did Donavan know anything about any of this?” I ask him, looking for what could have led them here.

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“Elise met Donavan. She came to see me one afternoon, at a coffee shop in the city. Donavan walked in and gave me a hard time.” Leo suddenly looks panicked. “Wait, he isn’t here for Elise, is he? I need to get back to her.” He nearly bolts out the door, but Jack stops him.

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“Elise is safe, she is with Odette and the others,” Jack reassures him.

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“Well, Eric probably knows you are mated to my daughter as well, or he assumes it.” I grab my coat and we all start to head out of the room. “Tell me the minute you see anything suspicious. Leo, please go with Jack and Tai, wait outside the pack house, and make sure no one enters or leaves. Got it?”

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The boys take off and everyone has their orders, meanwhile, Lucas and I head toward the training grounds. There are a lot of hiding places there.

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“I really thought Stefan would join us one day after losing Sadia, instead he's turned into a complete prick. What do you think keeps him there? How can he continue to help that fucking monster.” Lucas asks, not really expecting an answer.

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“I don’t know. I don’t think he can leave. Sadia was his entire life, and the little cottage they built together was their oasis. Maybe he’s afraid of losing the memory of her. He really didn’t get much closure.” I say, remembering how dedicated they were to each other.

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“I’m sure losing the baby was difficult too,” Lucas says and I’m shocked.

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“What are you talking about? What baby?”

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“I thought you knew? The day before Sadia was killed she told Miri. They were sisters, Roman, there wasn’t a secret between them. I know Stefan didn't know she told anyone though.”

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Lucas’ wife Miri, Sadia, and Anna grew up together here, but when Stefan came to visit one summer it was love at first sight. They knew they were mates when they were only fifteen. When Sadia turned eighteen she moved to be with Stefan and lived in the southern territories. She was such a happy and kind person. Poor Miri was beside herself when the news came that Sadia had been murdered.

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“I never knew about the baby. Did Stefan?” I ask and Lucas nods. “I can’t imagine the grief that he must carry.”

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“He had what remains they found of her cremated. Miri was so angry that there wasn’t a proper burial. She still is.”

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We both stop talking when we hear a sneeze beneath the bleachers at the end of the arena. I look at Lucas and we both creep quietly over, there is no way this kid is getting past us.

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Stefan's POV

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I open the door to the cottage and the girl jolts back against the couch. I probably woke her up. I drop the duffle bags on the ground and unlock the cuffs around her wrists, and she just stares at me.

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“Change into something more comfortable, there are shoes in there too. We have a long journey ahead of us.” I tell her, I need her to do as she’s told, but she just stands up and watches me.

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“What is this place?” she asks, but we don’t have time for this. I ignore her and keep grabbing the items I want to take with me.

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“Where are you taking me? Who are you? Better yet, what are you?”

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I grab the pregnancy book and notice that it’s in a different spot on the shelf. She must have looked through it. I take the pictures out and shove them into my front coat pocket.

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“Is Leo one of you?”

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This girl isn’t going to stop.

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“You have a lot of questions for someone who was locked up in a cage a day ago to be used as a pleasure toy. How about a ‘gee thank you for stopping that guy from fucking me sir’ instead of a thousand questions.” I say back to her as I fish out a pair of jeans from one of the bags and toss them at her. “Put. Them. On.”

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I like her. She’s feisty. She reminds me of her, I miss her.

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Of course my wolf has something to say.

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'Shut up Zion, don’t mention her again.' [Stefan]

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She was my mate too, I lost her as you did. [Zion]

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I quickly shove him to the back of my mind, not wanting to deal with his shit right now. After all, he’s the reason I’m still alive. If I would have had it my way I would have ended my life when she died. I have nothing to live for, but he won’t let me and I hate him for it.

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She starts to change but I know she won’t leave if I don’t give her something.

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“You read the book. It’s true. We exist.”

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“You’re a werewolf? That’s what you’re saying?” She asks and I just decide to answer and hope that she shuts up for a while.

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“Yes. And that guy that had you caged up? He is one big bad wolf that you don’t want to fuck with.”

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“And Leo?”

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“Yes. Leo is one of us, although he just found that little bit of family history out a few weeks ago. He is Eric’s long-lost nephew and rightful heir to an entire kingdom that humans know nothing about. Eric is King of the south, he murdered Leo’s father to take the throne, but he had no idea that there was a child until a few weeks ago. What do you think he’s gonna do if he finds out that the only friend in the world that Leo has is within his reach?”

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“Holy shit. I knew it. I knew something was different about him. He never knew? Fuck, this explains so much.” She is changing into the new clothes quickly now and pulling on a pair of socks and shoes.

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“So why are you helping me?” She asks, but I don’t plan on telling her anymore today.

“Let’s go. We need to get as far away from here as we can before morning.”