Chapter 24: Chapter 24

ELEANOR

Ivan looked confused when I asked him why he was out here.

“~A rogue crossed our border, and when I started chasing it, we stepped out into no-man’s territory. I lost track of the rogue, though,~” Ivan answered, but something felt odd.

Ivan was one of the fastest runners in the pack, so how was it possible for him to lose the rogue?

“~Oh.~” That was all I was able to say.

“~So, are you done with your run?~” he asked me, but I shook my head.

“~I still have one more perimeter to cover.~”

“~Shall I accompany you?~” he asked.

“~No, thanks. I need some time alone.~”

I needed some processing time before going home to face Xavier.

“~Okay, I’ll see you around then,~” he said, and then he started running back to the pack house.

My eyes stayed fixed on the beautiful sunset, its colors leaving me completely mesmerized.

I lingered there a little longer, letting the moment settle over me.

Once the sun dipped below the horizon and disappeared from view, I turned and continued my patrol.

The forest was gradually losing its light, but I didn’t mind the darkness. It felt comforting.

I had been on patrol for nearly two hours, and my shift was ending.

As I walked through the dark forest, I heard a branch break. I halted and my ears perked up.

“~What’s going on?~” I asked Erica.

“~Let me check,~” she said as she sniffed the air.

Everything seemed normal—until we were about to leave. That’s when the sharp stench of rotten eggs and grease hit me, making the fur along my spine bristle.

Rogues.

And they were on our side of the border.

I knew it was probably one of the stupidest decisions I’d ever make, but I couldn’t stop myself. I moved closer, needing to see what was going on.

I hid behind a bush and peeped out to see two men standing there in all their naked glory.

“She would kill us if we told her the news,” one of them said.

“What are we supposed to do? He specifically told us not to attack the pack yet.”

“But don’t you think we’re wasting our time?”

“We are, but you know Madam is madly in love with him, and she’ll not do anything that he doesn’t want,” one of them growled, sounding angry.

“Yeah, right. She is blinded by love. She can’t see how he is surrounded by the luxury and safety of the Full Moon Pack while we have to fight to survive in this godforsaken forest.”

“Patience is key. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Their voices started fading away from me when I finally saw them cross the border and shift into wolves.

The entire conversation sounded bizarre to me, but I did get something out of it.

The rogues were planning to attack the pack, and someone inside the pack was helping.

“~Could it be Ivan?~” Erica asked me.

Under different circumstances, I might have brushed off Erica’s comment. But after seeing him return from no-man’s territory and then refuse to give me a straight answer, I couldn’t ignore it.

I didn't think I could trust him completely now.

“~Are we going to report him to Xavier?~”

“I don’t know. We will keep a closer watch on Ivan,” I told her.

After glancing at my surroundings one last time, I ran back home.

When I reached the tree where I kept my clothes, I noticed they were missing.

~Shit! Who took my clothes?~

I looked around, but I couldn’t see anyone, and it was already pitch dark out.

“~Let’s just go home and then shift,~” Erica suggested, so that’s what I did.

With some effort, I managed to push the door open using my paw and slowly stepped inside.

I listened closely and heard voices coming from the kitchen. I picked out Xavier’s, Mrs. Costa, and Mr. Costa, so I felt in the clear to quietly go upstairs and get clothes on.

I walked upstairs, and when I reached Xavier’s room, I opened the door with my paw again and entered.

I closed my eyes and shifted back to my human form, landing on all fours.

I got up from the floor, stretched my back, and started walking toward the bathroom.

“I will come to see…”

My heart nearly stopped beating when I abruptly turned around to see Xavier standing in the doorway.

His eyes were glued to my naked form.

They slowly moved up my body until they finally connected with my eyes, making me gasp.

~Shit!~

I frantically looked around before I sprinted to the bathroom and banged the door closed behind me.

Through the door, I heard Xavier say, “I’ll call you back later.”

“Eleanor.”

“I’m sorry, I thought you were busy downstairs,” I hollered.

“What happened to your clothes?”

“I don’t know. When I came back from my run, I noticed that they were missing,” I said.

I didn’t hear a word from him, but I knew that he was still in the room.

“Get ready and come downstairs. We’re having a family dinner,” Xavier said before his footsteps faded.

Letting out the breath I was holding, I slid down the door.

What a day.