5

LEWIS POV

"Finally. I can not wait to charge my phone," Killian grumbles as we pull our clothes from our packs and I freeze. 

Finley is radiating so much emotion and any slight comment could set him off. 

I glance over at him to find his usual cheerful face drawn into a deep frown. The skin between his eyebrows looks like mountains it is so scrunched. He must be focused on his dad. Killian's negative attitude doesn't seem to matter to him anymore. 

"Lewis, take Killian to the guest house we normally use, then meet me at the main house," Fin mumbles in a low unfamiliar voice as he finishes buttoning his jeans. 

"Got it," I reply trying to sound light and agreeable. 

He needs me to comply right now and I have no problem doing just that. Killian is shooting daggers at him for some reason, but I won't add anything to his plate. If he wants me to drop the brat off at a separate location I will. 

Fin gives me a single nod before walking off in the direction of the Gray home and I turn my attention back to my supply pack. I pull out one of my shirts and tug it on before throwing my shoes on the ground. I push my dirty feet into the worn fabric and stand straight. 

  "Let's get moving," I say as calmly as possible, and Killian sneers. 

"So I am supposed to sit around at some guest house? For how long," Killian demands, and that all too familiar feeling of anger crawls up my spine. 

I take a deep breath to soothe myself before meeting his annoyed eyes. 

  "I'm not sure. Not long probably. We will be expected to finish the cameras and return home here pretty quickly. Why don't you try to sympathize with Fin for a second? His dad is a great Alpha, and his pack has helped ours numerous times," I say, and the bulky douche rolls his eyes. 

"I get that this is hard. I don't get why I am being pushed off into a house instead of joining the two of you. Fin showed rank and I submitted. I shouldn't be excluded," Killian says and my eyebrows lift in surprise. 

  He is right. Fin put him in his place and he has been submitting the entire trip up. Exiling him to the guest house is a little much. 

"I agree man. Why don't we drop off our packs and both head over there? We can plug in our phones and get cleaned up. That should give him time to speak with his folks. I bet he was focused on getting over there," I say and he nods. 

"Fair enough," Killian says before throwing his pack on his back. 

I slowly lead Killian through the quiet streets to the Gray Pack's guest house and he keeps his head on a swivel. I can tell he has never seen a pack so well-kept. The small cottages and clean sidewalks are beautiful. They shock most visitors. The stores and businesses are just as well kept, but a few miles north so most visitors miss the opportunity to see those. Humans who move to the town normally leave because they can't ever seem to fit in so the area is 98% wolf shifters that belong to the Northern Gray pack. 

"This place is serene," Killian says as we reach the guest house porch. 

I chuckle a little and open the door that stays unlocked. 

"It is beautiful. I grew up here, and the view still gets me when I come up," I say, and the annoying male actually smiles. 

"I bet it was a good pack to grow up in," he says and I nod. 

I am surprised by the compliment. Killian hasn't given any compliments back home despite our gorgeous mansion and the massive amount of land we have. 

"The back room has a shower and so does the hall bathroom. Which do you want," I ask.

"I will take the back," he says, heading for the hallway, and I nod even though he isn't watching me. 

  I find an outlet and get my phone plugged in and turned on. I send a quick message to Dan to let him know we have arrived before heading for the hall bathroom. 

*******

"I am stuffed, Marcie," I say as I push my plate away. 

The stressed Luna has managed to feed me three plates full of pancakes, bacon, and sausage. I don't think I have ever been this full. 

"Same goes for me. Thank you, Luna Marcie. It was delicious," Killian says and Finley looks him over as if he killed his pet. 

  The tension in the house since I walked in with Killian trailing behind me has been thick. It's as if Fin is viewing Killian being here as an invasion. But Killian was right. He submitted and has behaved. He can't just be shoved off in a house because Fin hates the fact he is married to Darcy. Finley pulled rank and now he has to be fair. It is the proper way. 

"So how is Alpha Forest," I ask after drinking some orange juice and Finley stills a little before thawing out. 

He places his hand on his mother's shoulder and I watch the exchange closely. Finley still seems more closed off than usual. Seeing his dad didn't ease his stress so it must be bad. 

"Dad looks okay, but I could sense something was off. The nurse is stopping by here soon to check him out and draw more blood," Fin says and Marcie gives me a small smile. 

"It's strange seeing him like this. I have never seen my mate ill," Marcie says before glancing at her son. 

He smiles at her, but the joy is missing from his eyes as he does it. 

"He will get over this. He is a big strong Alpha. I would bet my best hat he gets over it in a week," I say while sending her a quick wink and she beams. 

"I know that. It just makes me worry. We don't live forever," Marcie says with a shrug. 

She pats Fin's hand, which is still on her shoulder, before grabbing the dishes and moving to the sink. Finley's arm falls to his side and he watches his mom intently. I watch him. Something dark is falling over him and I can't quite put my finger on it. Depression after so much loss is understandable, but this is something else. It's like a seething rage is building up inside of him. 

"What time should we head back," I ask, trying to draw his attention, and he unwillingly drags his gaze off her back. 

"After the nurse comes. I want to make sure you have information for them. Daniel and Stan do better with face-to-face information. I already called them to report in, but you know how Dan is... Skip finishing the camera run. Just head straight home," Fin says and I nod. 

I don't see Daniel having a problem with that. With us back home he can come here if he is needed. 

"Yeah he is particular," I respond as Marcie sits back down at the kitchen island. 

She smiles at us, but her forehead stays creased. Silence quickly falls between us and I sip my orange juice awkwardly. I want to offer support, but since we don't know what is causing his illness I have nothing to say. As the seconds tick by I begin to miss Angelica and the other pups. I can typically hide behind them when things get tense. 

After a few long minutes, a soft knock sounds on the front door, and Marcie gets up without a word. Finley follows behind her as she heads for the front door and we stay seated. 

  "She is taking this hard," I whisper lowly and Killian nods while staring at the quartz countertop. 

  He fidgets weirdly as the Grays invite the nurse in and my eyebrows furrow. 

"What," I murmur and he finally peels his eyes off the counter to look at me. 

"I smell my mate. That nurse... I think I found my mate," he mumbles just as a tall female comes in the room with excited eyes and a flared nose. 

Killian stands up instantly when he sees her and she smiles at him as if she has won the lottery.  I quickly look at Finley, who followed the female. He looks about as shocked as I feel. 

"I can't believe the Alpha's illness is why I am meeting my mate," the happy female says cheerfully as Killian awkwardly stares at her. 

Marcie comes in behind Finley with a perfect smile on her warm face. 

"It is a blessing no matter what circumstance. Congrats to you both," she says and Killian seems to wake up. 

He takes his mate's hand into his and smiles at her. 

"Hi, I'm Killian," he says, and her light brown skin reddens as she blushes. 

  "I'm Bella," she says and Killian just keeps smiling. 

He seems to be in a fog. 

"I hate to break this up, but Forest's condition needs to be addressed before you can properly get to know one another," Marcie says, ending the couple's staring contest. 

Marcie leads Bella away, and we all stand frozen for a second, before following. I can see the wheels turning in Finley's head, but I am once again at a loss for words. What does this mean for him and Darcy? Is Killian going to accept his mate? Killian seems just as shocked as us, but he is still smiling.