Chapter Seven

Ellie

I was caught in a tug of war. One part of me wanted to stay put, to see if this thing with Seth, whatever it was, could grow. The other part was eager to see my brother. To reassure him that the human side of the border was safe, at least for now.

As the shoreline faded into the distance, my eyes wandered to the opposite shore. I tried to shove the memory of the kiss I shared with Seth to the back of my mind. It was just a kiss, my first one, but still just a kiss.

But I needed to concentrate. To keep my eyes on the bigger picture. We were teetering on the brink of war. I was sure my brother wouldn’t be thrilled about me getting involved, but that’s just who I was.

I wasn’t just fighting this war for our pack, I was fighting it for all the injustices the council had committed, and ultimately to save the human race from extinction.

Because if the council got their way, they’d wipe us out, then move onto the human territory. We were their last line of defense, because I knew without a doubt that if the council packs attacked the human border, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

The humans were stronger than they used to be. Clayton had left a small group of warriors with them, three years ago.

We sent them regular food supplies. But even so, they wouldn’t be a match for the werewolves. Not with warriors like Dante among them.

As the boat neared the shore, I glanced up at the sail. It was white, with a black wolf’s head boldly displayed on it.

That was my idea. So that when we made our trips across the lake, they could see from afar that it was a friend, not an enemy.

Chances were my brother would know, even before we arrived, that we were bringing them more supplies.

We were a bit early, but that shouldn’t bother them. We’d also loaded as much onto the small boat as we could.

There was no telling how long the war would last, and I doubted we would be able to spare anyone to send the supplies across until it was over.

As we neared the dock, I noticed the guard on duty was Tyler. When he saw me, he waved. Tyler was one of the first humans we met when we first made contact.

He had looked so starved I had given him half my sandwich.

Whenever I made the trip, I would always chat with him. He reminded me a lot of Samuel.

“You’re early,” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes.

“Tell me something I don’t know. How are things?”

I tossed him the rope, and he secured it to the dock.

“Quiet,” he replied, “your brother and the doc are talking about sending an expedition beyond the wall.”

I frowned. Now wasn’t the time to spread their forces thin. Not with what was about to happen back home.

“I need to see my brother,” I said.

Tyler nodded and offered me a hand.

I didn’t need help getting off the boat, but I took it anyway.

“He’s in the headquarters, you know the way.”

I nodded and smiled.

“Thanks Tyler.”

I signaled to the two warriors.

Clayton always insisted that I take at least two warriors with me when I made the trip. I wasn’t sure why. We were allies now, after all. Besides, my brother was in charge now. He would be the last one to let anything happen to me.

I’d learned a long time ago that it was pointless arguing with Clayton. Especially over anything that involved my safety.

I headed up the path, with the warriors following.

The headquarters was a converted blockhouse. Since my brother took over, he was either converting the blockhouses into homes or tearing them down and rebuilding.

While the human population was still struggling to survive, in some ways, my brother had done away with the outdated system that had been in place before I left. Humans were now encouraged to form friendships.

To build relationships. There was no forced mating, although males still had to become guards. Now they rotated their duties.

Sometimes they would do guard duties, other times they would work on rebuilding or planting crops on the scarce land that was available.

I sincerely hoped that this would change soon. If...I mean when we won this war. The border would come down. There would be enough food for everyone.

That’s why I couldn’t understand why Jackson was suddenly thinking about opening the gates. It could be teeming with infection behind those walls.

I know he had Erik now, who was also training some of the humans to heal. Even so, why take the risk?

As we approached, I noticed the warriors we had loaned were guarding the entrance. I chuckled to myself. I doubted this was at Jackson’s insistence.

Three years ago, Jackson had discovered he was also a royal. Dad had urged Clayton to leave some warriors for Jackson’s protection. Clayton had agreed.

After all, Jackson was also Clayton’s cousin, despite him not having a wolf. He also carried the wolf gene, so any children he had would likely be part werewolf.

Jackson hadn’t been too thrilled, but he finally gave in. Now he had his own personal werewolf bodyguards.

Only a few people knew about my heritage. The higher-ranking werewolves, but also the warriors who had been assigned as Jackson’s bodyguards, and also the ones who had been assigned as mine.

They didn’t treat me any differently than a normal wolf, at my request. Jackson’s bodyguards were different though. Whenever I came to see him, they would always bow and open the door for me.

I rolled my eyes. I would never get used to this. Jackson, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it.

Tyler must have radioed ahead because as the door opened, Jackson was there to greet me.

“Ellie!” he beamed, “what the hell are you doing here?”

He opened his arms and wrapped me in a hug.

I grinned.

“You were due a supply run...” I started, “and I also have news.”

Jackson frowned. He might not have a wolf, but he could probably tell by the look on my face that it was serious.

I glanced around the room we were in. It bore no resemblance to what it used to be. A shed filled with bunks that all the kids would sleep on. It was still basic. Converted into some sort of office space.

There was a desk at one end, behind it a large map. Across the other side was a meeting table, and near where I was standing a basic sofa.

Jackson guided me to the sofa, and we both sat down.

“So…?” he asked.

I took a deep breath, knowing he wasn’t going to like it.

“The battle’s brewing. The council’s troops are amassing just beyond the border, on the other side of the river. I might not see you for a bit, and we might not be able to send supplies your way,” I told him.

Jackson shut his eyes and shook his head.

“I don’t give a damn about the supplies, but you… You’re not planning to sit this one out, are you?”

I let out a heavy sigh. His protective brother act was a little late in the game.

“How can I,” I argued, “after everything they’ve done, not just to me, but to Sammy, to Dad, and to you. They would have killed you. Look at what they did to our grandparents, they need to be stopped!”

Jackson sighed and shook his head.

“I get it, but why does it have to be you. You’re just so impulsive,” he sighed again, “you’ve always been impulsive.”

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Says the guy who’s considering opening the gates, going behind the wall?”

He shook his head.

“At least we’d be safe there, if things don’t go as planned. You’d be safe there too.”

I stood up.

“This conversation is going nowhere,” I huffed, “of all people, I thought you’d get it.”

I shook my head.

“I came here because it might be a while before I see you again,” I hesitated, “I should head back.”

I turned towards the door. This wasn’t how I pictured this conversation going. Not once in all my visits had he ever brought up my safety, or the idea of me hiding away.

“Ellie, wait!”

I stopped and turned around.

“Let’s not fight, just...stay for the night, have dinner with me. You can leave in the morning.”

I bit my lip, and nodded.

“Ok,” I agreed, “they aren’t expecting me back until tomorrow anyway.

We shared a simple meal. I knew they didn’t have a lot of supplies, and the crops they could grow were sparse.

Without knowing when our next supply run would be, they needed to ration their supplies.

That being said, the meal was far better than anything I would have had, back when I was living on this side of the border.

Rice with chicken and vegetables. It was good. I doubted Jackson could have cooked anything quite so tasty.

“Who’s your cook?” I asked.

Jackson smiled.

“I think you know her...Amy, the doctor’s daughter?”

I smiled and nodded. I vaguely remembered her from when I first arrived at Dad’s pack. She was kind.

“She fed us information through her father. Even after he left the pack, she was able to mind-link him. I think it’s because they were family. When it became too risky, she joined us.”

I nodded. Even though I had been scared of Erik when I first arrived, I knew now he was a good person. So was his daughter.

“Are you and her…?”

Jackson grinned.

“She says we’re mates, but I don't know about that stuff. All I know is I like her, and she likes me.”

I nodded. Jackson didn't have a wolf, although he had the werewolf gene. He probably didn't feel the mate-bond. Not like Amy did.

Jackson stood and walked over to the desk. He opened the drawer and pulled out a box.

When he returned, he slid it across the table.

He smiled.

“It’s an early birthday present,” he said.

I grinned, and looked at the box. He chuckled, as if he could read my thoughts.

“Go on...open it.”

I pulled the cover off of the box. I stared at the contents, then stared at Jackson.

“Where did you find it...I didn't think...”

“In the armory and...” he hesitated, “the punishment block, back where we came from.”

A chill ran down my spine at the mention of it. I forced a smile.

It was a dagger, with a pearl handle and a silver blade.

Jackson frowned.

“I know, Ellie...” he sighed, “I know what happened to you...Erik told me.”

I swallowed nervously.

“He shouldn’t have...” I whispered.

Jackson sighed.

“I’m sorry, I should have protected you...better. I let you down.”

I reached over the table, and touched Jackson’s hand. I shook my head.

“It wasn't your fault. They would have hurt you too.”

Jackson took a deep breath and nodded at the knife.

“I know I can’t stop you from wanting to fight, but at least if you have that, if something happens and you can’t shift…Well at least you can protect yourself.”

I picked up the dagger and held it in my hand. It was well balanced and fit comfortably in my hand.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

It wasn't just the dagger I was thanking him for. It was the sentiment that came with it. Somehow the fact that he had admitted that he had failed me, made me love him all the more.

I was still a little annoyed that Erik had told him, but it was done now.

I couldn't imagine any situation where I wouldn't be able to shift. Not unless the council lead packs decided to play dirty, which was always a possibility.

Having a silver dagger would balance the odds if they tried anything underhanded.

“You should get some rest,” Jackson said, “you’ll probably want an early start.”

I almost laughed. Jackson might be my brother, but he didn't know me too well. An early start would be the last thing I would want, given the choice.

I did want to get back though. Back to be involved in the plans, and back to Seth.

I just hoped the kiss we shared meant as much to him, as it did to me.