Missy

When I got to the little cabin earlier, I was surprised to see V had cleaned up most of it. The dust was gone, and the sheets and blankets were hung up out back drying. It looked a lot brighter inside with a little tidying. I had shifted and pulled on my clothes in the trees before coming up to the cabin.

V had brought a movie to watch on his computer. We had relaxed on the couch, sharing popcorn and cuddling together. It had been relaxing and quiet which was exactly what I needed after being so stuck in the pack house. I set an alarm on my phone to make sure I left in enough time to be back a little early so as to not raise any suspicion. When my alarm went off, I was sad but also happy to have had this alone time with V. He told me he would clean and close the little cabin and to just get home.

I left in plenty of time, dashing back through the forest towards the pack house. It was almost dark out now and the moon was coming up through the trees. “Missy, where are you?” Austin’s voice invaded my brain. He sounded on edge.

“On my way back to the pack house, why?” I asked. I knew I wasn’t late yet.

“Get here now,” he said.

“What’s going on?” I asked worried.

“I am locking down the pack house. Alpha and Luna want to know you are back and safe,” he said.

“Why is the pack house getting locked down? Austin what is going on?” I pushed him. I pumped my legs harder now, wanting to get back. I can only remember Liam ordering the pack house to get locked down once before. Whatever was happening was serious.

“I don’t even know all the details. I just need to make sure you get into this pack house safely,” he said.

“I’ll be there in a couple minutes,” I said. I pushed my muscles as hard as they could go, running at my absolute fastest. I was spooked now. Locking down the pack house was a huge deal.

When I reached the packhouse, I didn’t stop to shift and dress. I charged right at the front door. Austin stood at the front, watching someone walk toward towards another part of the woods. His attention turned to me and he swung the door open wide, letting me run right past him and into the foyer. I skidded to a stop, unintentionally leaving little scratches on the floor from my nails.

“Shift and get dressed,” Austin said pointing towards the empty room off the hall. I trotted over there quickly doing as he said.

“What is going on?” I asked coming back out of the room.

“I don’t know and if I did, you know I can’t tell you. You need to get upstairs and let Lea know you are back here. I bet Lily is up there by now. I was supposed to find you immediately, but I was trying to take care of locking down,” he said.

“What about the rest of the pack? Are they locked down?” I asked. He just shook his head.

“Missy, I know you are worried and want to know but you need to let Lea and Liam handle this. Get upstairs so she has one less thing to worry about,” he said. I sighed knowing I wasn’t going to get much else from him. I nodded my head and hurried upstairs. I went directly to Lea and Liam’s room, knowing that is where Liam would send her. I knocked before grabbing the doorknob, only to find it locked.

“Felix? It’s Missy, can I come in?” I tried to link him. If Azalea was locked up here in the packhouse, it was likely he was with her. Austin was downstairs and Liam didn’t leave her with Jacob often. Damien was probably with Liam leaving only Felix to stay with Lea. I heard the lock turn and the door open a fraction, showing me the one scarred eye. The door swung open all the way and he pulled me inside.

Azalea

“Missy!” I said, jumping up from the bed and running to my daughter. I hugged her tightly.

“I’m okay, I’m okay,” she grunted in my arms. I let her go and looked her up and down. She seemed fine although she was breathing a little quickly.

“I’m so glad you came back,” I told her.

“What is going on?” she asked me with worry in her voice.

“We don’t know at the moment,” Lily said behind me. Missy’s eyes went to her, then me, then Felix in turn.

“But, hasn’t Liam or Damien said anything? They didn’t just run off without telling you guys!” she accused.

“Missy, sweetheart. Whatever has happened, Liam and Damien will tell us when it is under control. Until then, just stay in here with us,” I said, trying to calm her even though I was anything but. It was a relief that she was back but not knowing what was happening at the prison was gnawing at me.

“Can’t I go to my room? I am here and fine. The whole pack house is locked down and there are patrol wolves on every floor,” she begged. I bit my l*p. There was logically no reason she had to stay in here with us other than my own piece of mind. If I were able to link her, I would feel much better about it, but I could only link Liam thanks to our mate bond.

“Can you just stay in here for now? I’m sure Lea will feel much better knowing you are safe until Liam gives the all clear. At least wait until he contacts us,” Lily said coming to my rescue. Missy gave her an imploring look, but she knew she was going to lose. Finally, Missy nodded her head. She looked over to the couches where the boys were sound asleep.

“Can I watch TV or something?” she asked quietly. I nodded my head. She gave me a lingering hug before going over to the couches. She sat between the boys, curling her legs up and pulling Junior’s blanket over her feet. She grabbed the remote and flicked the TV on, turning the volume down low. I gave her a tight smile before turning back to Lily.

“Can you get through to Damien yet?” I asked in a hushed tone. Her face gave away her worry. “Lily, what is it?” I asked.

She sighed. “I can feel his rage. Damien is angry but his block is up, and I don’t know why. Lea, where did you say Liam went?”

I gasped. Oh no. “The wolf that came to get him was a prison guard. Lily, you don’t think something happened with…” my whispered trailed off into silence. Her eyes went wide.

“Oh Goddess. Please let it be anything but that…” she said with her hand in front of her mouth. She turned to Felix. I knew she was silently threatening him to tell her anything he knew. His resolute expression told me nothing. I grabbed her hand and this time pulled her over to the bed to sit down.

“We will know soon,” I tried to reassure her and myself. My eyes darted towards Missy who was trying to pretend she wasn’t listening to us instead of the TV. I clutched my best friend’s hand praying to the Moon Goddess that this was all a misunderstanding.

Liam

Damien roared and his fist went flying at the wall next to us, bits of concrete crumbling under his power. He was seething. “How did this happen?

” he shouted. He was so loud I was sure the guards waiting in the interrogation room could hear him.

“That is what we are going to find out! But I need you to calm down!” I shouted back at him, not angry but needing to match his energy.

“Calm down? Calm down!” he boomed. “My sister has been murdered and you want me to calm down?”

“Damien!” I shouted, my Alpha authority slipping in. “We won’t get anywhere if you go on a damn rampage. This is not a simple matter and I need you to calm down so I can figure this out!”

He was quiet for a moment, still breathing heavy. His eyes closed and I knew he was trying to rein himself in. “When we find the person responsible for this, they are mine to deal with. No one else,” he said in a cold voice. Even if he was angry with Gwen for trying to hurt Azalea years ago, she was still his sister. She annoyed him and frustrated him to no end, but he would always love her. I think Damien and his parents are the real reason why Azalea couldn’t bring herself to have Gwen executed for her crimes. Her compassion for everyone around her was incredible. The Hales had shown her kindness and Damien was there for her when I hurt her.Belongs to - All rights reserved.

“Fine. Get yourself together so we can go in here and speak to the guards,” I said, giving him another minute to collect himself.

–

I watch Damien stalk towards the packhouse from the prison entrance. I was giving him a head start so he could get to Lily and his parents. His mother was going to take this worse than he was, not with anger but grief. She loved her daughter even if she could never understand her actions.

I linked Austin to tell him to end the pack house lock down. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration as I slowly walked across the pack house lawn. Azalea had been losing it for a while now, but I was focused on the matter at hand. Both guards’ stories came up clean from what we could tell. There was no evidence of foul play found yet. Gwen’s therapist was not of much help either. I needed to figure out how this happened, and I needed to do it quick.

All the prison guards were ordered to keep the events of the night secret. There was no reason to alarm pack members right now, especially with no solid leads. Camera footage was being combed through and sent to me later this morning and I had a small group of warriors combing the area around the prison for clues.

“Liam,” Azalea’s voice floated through my head. I could feel her anxiety and fear through our bond and her voice did nothing to hide it. I usually didn’t keep her in the dark, but this was a more delicate situation for everyone involved.

“Hand tight, Little Luna. I am coming,” I told her.

“Lily said Damien was back and went to him. I sent Missy to her room and Felix is carrying the boys back to bed. Where are you?” she asked. Gavin was on edge. He wanted eyes on Azalea after seeing the state Gwen was in and having no leads or motive. His thoughts immediately went to a threat on Azalea.

“I’ll be upstairs in just a minute. Sit down for me,” I pleaded. I picked up my pace, realizing I had left her in the dark for a few hours now. I passed Austin as I came in the pack house.

“I want breakfast brought to the rogues’ rooms in the morning. They need to stay in the rooms and under watch until I am sure they didn’t have something to do with this,” I told him. Austin nodded.

“I saw Damien’s face. Is it Gwen?” he asked. I knew I didn’t need to sugar coat it for him, but I still wanted to keep the circle small on this. I nodded my head. Understanding came over his features. Austin nodded to me and left to go take care of his tasks. I quickly climbed the stairs and rushed down the hallway to our room.

“Open the door,” I linked Felix as I approached. The door swung open as I got to it. I nodded to Felix who left as I entered. No discussion needed to be had now that I was back.

Azalea stood in front of the bed, wringing her hands. Looking at her distraught face, I felt terrible for letting her worry. I opened my arms and she rushed into them. She wasn’t the only one seeking comfort at the moment.

I held her tightly for a minute, breathing in her flowery scent and letting it calm Gavin a fraction. I could feel her settling down some as well. I’m sure her concern for my safety was gone and she was only worried about what had occurred down in the prison. I let out a heavy sigh and she pulled away. She looked at me, waiting patiently for her answer.

“Gwen was killed,” I said solemnly. Her mouth dropped open at my words.