CHAPTER 20: SMALL STEPS

TRAVIS

Author's note: Hi my lovelies. I am so sorry for the disappearance. I had some personal stuff that took me out but I am back now, and I will do my best not to disappoint. Now back to teg story.

“They are being followed,” Mark says as he walks in.

“What? Who?” I ask as I look up from the maps spread out on my desk.

“Louisa’s parents. They are being shadowed.”

“By who? Gaines? Why? He is the one who sent them here.”

“Not, Gaines himself, but his people. Some of his wolves. But they are not the only ones. Two of Selene’s acolytes are shadowing Gaines Wolves."

“Oh, fuck. This is going to be an issue, isn't it?“

“Most likely. We are going to need to find a solution to nip it in the bud.”

“Hmm,” I mutter as I take a seat. “Has Tammy informed Louisa about their arrival?”

“Hmm, she headed over to the cottage early this morning. They should be-”

Knock. Knock.

“Alpha, it is Tammy,” her voice echoes from the door. “Louisa is with me.”

Mark and I exchange a glance before I nod towards the door and he hurries to open it.

“Come in,” he says and less than a second later, they both walk in.

Louisa looks uncomfortable, like she is unwilling to be here, which adds confusion to my surprise.

Surprise, because I never thought she would willingly come to me, confusion because she clearly doesn't want to.

This should be interesting.

“What is going on?” I ask, turning my gaze on Tammy.

“Louisa has something to ask you, if you don't mind.”

“Of course, I don't,” I say as I look back at her. “What do you need?”

“I uh… I… there's….” I watch her stutter as her gaze keeps shifting to Mark.

She doesn't want him here when she asks

“Hey, Mark,” I say through the mind link.

“Yep?”

“Could you give us the room? I don't think she wants you here.”

“Oh, okay,” he says before continuing out loud. “I am going to head out and check the guard schedule again,” he says as he heads for the door. “I would hate to be caught off guard.”

Once he leaves, I look back at Louisa. “Okay then. What is it that you wanted to ask?”

“Tammy told me my parents are heading over here.”

“Hmm. Our scouts confirmed that yesterday. They should be arriving any time soon.”

“You and I both know that the only reason they are on their way here is because Gaines gave the order.”

“I am aware. I still don't understand why you want to ask? What do you want to do about it?”

“They are coming to take me back to the pack. As I am a rogue, Gaines can't command me back, but I am still a recognized family member and according to Wolf law, my father still has authority over me. I intend on renouncing them as my family.”

Oh.

Oh wow.

I want to say I am sorry… but she is going to know that I am lying.

“Okay…” I say. “Are you sure?”

“Very. There was a reason I left that pack and it still stands. And besides, I can not bring up my children in that place. Assuming, they even allow them to stay with me. We all know what the Blood Moon Pack is like. Rogue life is better than that.”

“Alright, I can understand that. What I don't understand is what you need to ask me. You don't want my permit to do that… do you?”

“No, I don't. What I am here to ask… what I need your permission for us to let my mother… stay here. And in return… I will stay here too.”

“What?”

“I am asking for asylum, for my mother.”

“Your mother… wants to stay here? How do you know this? Have you talked to her?”

“No. But I know that once I refuse and renounce their claim, the anger would fall on her. And I can't… I don't want to be responsible for her getting hurt. I intend on asking her to leave the pack too.”

“Okay… just give me a second here…”

“I know I am asking a lot…” she begins

“Not really… I am just… surprised.”

There is so much more going on than just surprise. She literally just said she would stay, if I could give her mother asylum.

Was she offering a deal?

“Alpha,” Tammy calls as she gives Lou a confused look. “We are not here to bargain, even if her words sounded like one.”

Oh. She doesn't know. Louisa hasn't told her we are mates.

Interesting.

“What she means to say,” she continues. “Is that, she will be eternally grateful if you accept her and her mother. Right, Lou?”

“Yes,” she responds with a dry voice. “Grateful. Eternally.”

I can't help but smile at her tone.

My mate is one hell of a character and I am loving it.

“So, what do you say?” Tammy asks. “It would mean a lot to us.”

“I have no problem with your mother staying here or seeking asylum from me. The only issue is that she is going to have to formally ask it herself. You can't offer it and neither can I. It would seem forced and would give Gaines grounds to contest it. That is the only issue I see you having.”

“I understand,” she says with a relived breath. “I know the complications about park laws.”

“Do you have a plan on getting her to ask? Without your father knowing about it?” I ask.

“I have a few ideas,” she answers. “But I am going to need help though. In distracting my father.”

“Well then. I will leave you both to handle that problem. Remember, it has to be done with utmost care.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” Tammy squarla as she drags Louisa to the door.

But just before they step out, Louisa stops and looks at me, her eyes looking softly at me for the very first time since our reunion.

“Thank you, Travis. Really.”