Chapter 29

Gabriel

Once my dad had left, I made my way to my office, swapping out my coffee mug for a hefty glass of whiskey.

I raked my fingers through my hair, trying to figure out how things had spiraled so out of control. Well, not everything. My little Ellie had found her wolf, and a strong one at that.

Elijah, who had been groomed to be an Alpha, had a powerful bond with her. Maybe when the time was right, she could be the first female Alpha, and Elijah could be her Beta. But then there was Samuel.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he had tried to kill her. I started to wonder if he was the one who had sent her flying when Murdoch had picked her up. He was with the group of boys.

Or was I just painting him as the bad guy? No, he’d done that to himself. Even if someone else had given him the poison, he was the one who had to put it in the cake and give it to Ellie.

I wasn’t so sure about Alpha Zagan though. He might make the boy even worse than he already was. His behavior had been reported to the council so many times.

He’d almost been forced to step down as Alpha once for what they considered excessive punishment. Only the Goddess knows what he would have done if Samuel had tried the same thing on him.

He wouldn’t have cared that he was just a pup.

Maybe I should have a chat with Alpha Zagan first.

Then there was another knock at the door. For fuck's sake, wasn’t I going to get a moment of peace tonight?

I downed the whiskey and made my way to the front door.

Whoever it was better not have woken Ellie.

When I opened the door, Murdoch was standing there with Emma.

I waved them both in. Emma was checking the hospital staff. I figured if Murdoch was here, they must have found a suspect.

Normally, Jason would have continued the investigation as the first Beta, but given the circumstances, I figured Emma had made the right call.

I led them both to my office. I walked behind my desk and sat down, inviting them to do the same.

I crossed my arms.

“So?” I asked. “I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit.”

Emma sat up straight as she started to give me her report.

“Erik called in all his staff, both those who were on duty during the incident and those who weren’t,” she started.

“The scent of Lobelia isn’t strong, which is probably why they used it. But it does stick to skin because of sweat and other factors.”

I rolled my eyes. I was exhausted. I appreciated her thoroughness, but she really needed to get to the point.

“Who was it, Emma?”

She looked at Murdoch.

“We’ve taken Melissa into custody. She’s in the cells right now. I’ll question her once we leave here. I thought you’d want to know before morning,” Murdoch finished.

I nodded. I should have seen that coming.

“Thank you, both. Is Samuel with his parents?” I asked.

Murdoch nodded, “Yes, Alpha. We’ve also posted a guard in case he tries to sneak away. His mother wasn’t pleased, but his father agreed.”

I stood up.

“Good. Good job, both of you. I have a meeting with Samuel and his parents in the morning. It’ll be in my office at the pack-house. If you have any new information before then, bring it to the house.

“I’ll leave here around 8:30.”

Murdoch nodded and turned to leave.

Emma was about to follow him, but she stopped and looked at me.

“If I may, Alpha,” she started, “your pup... I would be honored if you would let me train her... As a tracker.”

I smiled.

“I’ll think about it.”

Murdoch looked at me and frowned.

“I thought she wanted to be a warrior. I’d be more than happy to train her too.”

I laughed.

“Maybe both of you can train her, but not just yet. She only found her wolf yesterday.”

They both nodded and respectfully bowed their heads before leaving.

After seeing them out, I closed the front door. Then I went back to Ellie’s room. She was sleeping peacefully.

I walked over to the bed and tucked her in, then kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“What will it be, pickle,” I whispered, “Tracker or Warrior... or maybe both.”

I smiled as I left her room and went to my own. An Alpha needs to have many skills, maybe she should be trained by both of them. I also wanted her to have a strong female role model.

Emma could be that, in the absence of a mother.

My sleep was anything but peaceful. My mind wouldn’t settle with everything that had happened.

I got up early, expecting to have to make breakfast myself. Millie usually didn’t show up until around eight, so I was surprised to see her already there.

She smiled as I walked into the kitchen.

“Beta Murdoch suggested I come early since you have an early meeting today,” she explained.

I nodded.

“Thank you, Millie. It’s one less thing for me to worry about, although you didn’t have to,” I added.

Even though Millie was an Omega, we treated them all fairly. I certainly didn’t expect her to be here early.

“I don’t mind, Alpha. Just let me know if you need me to come early.”

I smiled and went to Ellie’s room. I didn’t really want to wake her this early, but it was necessary.

As usual, she groaned and tried to hide under the covers when I woke her.

“Little warriors have to get up early, pickle,” I encouraged.

She groaned.

“I don’t want to be a warrior anymore.”

I laughed and picked her up. I carried her to the bathroom, ready to give her a quick shower.

It did the trick and woke her up a bit more. She was still grumpy though. I guessed she would never really be a morning person.

I let her dress in shorts and a tee-shirt today, which seemed to brighten her mood. Then I sat her on one of the stools in the kitchen.

Millie made her usual chocolate chip pancakes and cut them up. Then she drizzled the usual syrup on top.

Ellie frowned when Millie slid the plate towards her, and she pushed it back.

“I can’t have that today,” she declared. “Daddy said it’s off-limits.”

I glanced at the plate and a smile tugged at my lips.

I nudged the plate back towards her.

“It’s all good, sweetheart. Your punishment is lifted. You didn’t fib to me, so you can enjoy as much chocolate as you want.”

Her smile was like a beacon, bright enough to illuminate the gloomiest of days, and I had a feeling today was going to be one of those.

“Thanks, daddy,” she beamed, before diving into her pancakes.

I planted a kiss on her head as Millie handed me a much-needed cup of coffee.

I was halfway through my coffee when a knock echoed from the door. Ellie glanced up, but quickly returned her attention to her breakfast. I was relieved.

I wanted to shield her from the current drama as much as possible.

With my coffee cup in hand, I made my way to the door. Opening it, I found Elijah standing there, a worried expression on his face.

“Elijah, why are you here? Do your parents know?”

He shook his head.

“I just wanted to apologize. I don’t want to end up in trouble like Samuel,” he blurted out.

I ushered him in, a frown creasing my forehead.

“Why do you think you’ll be in trouble, Elijah? What did you do?” I asked, my tone stern.

He nervously licked his lips.

“I...I was the one who gave Ellie a headache. I didn’t mean to. I felt her when she joined the pack. I thought it would be cool if we could mind-link,” he confessed.

I almost let out a sigh of relief. For a dreadful moment, I had thought he and Samuel were in cahoots. I should have known better.

I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Elijah. You didn’t know any better. Have you had breakfast?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t get to see Ellie much, that’s why I did it,” he added.

I hummed in understanding.

“Why don’t you join Ellie for breakfast, and I’ll let your dad know where you are.”

I led him to the kitchen.

Ellie turned her head, and her face lit up with another smile.

“’lijah!” she exclaimed.

Elijah returned her smile, then wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

“Want some of my pancake?” she offered.

I chuckled, “how about Millie whips up a pancake just for Elijah.”

Millie laughed, “already on it, Alpha.”

“And maybe you can accompany Ellie to Nana and Grandpa’s today,” I suggested, looking at Elijah.

Elijah frowned.

“What about school?”

I grinned, “I think I can work something out.”

Elijah smiled.

Today wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for him either. After all, Samuel was his brother.

I left the two pups enjoying their breakfast and chatting away, while I retreated to my office. It was time to make a call.

When the call connected, I was greeted by Alpha Zagan’s gruff voice.

“Zagan,” he growled.

I took a deep breath.

Alpha Zagan, it’s Alpha Gabriel...of the Crescent Moon.”

I heard him hum on the other end of the line.

“So Alpha Gabriel, which troublemaker are you looking to ship off to my pack?”

It wasn’t surprising that he was already in the know.

The council overlooked some of his less savory incidents because he had a reputation for straightening out some of the more problematic pups.

His pack was almost like a reform school for pups. Not all pups could be saved. Some were made worse and ended up as rogues. I just hoped he could help Samuel turn a new leaf.

I sighed.

“My nephew attempted to poison his adopted cousin. Would you consider a transfer?”