His Savior

Investigation

~Zahara~

               It's taking everything in me to try to calm Aria and not give in to her anger. If I were to do that, let her take over, we would end up at Wild Tails pack and slaughter everyone. I wouldn't just stop at those who have directly wronged Cory. I saw the way he was treated at school, so most likely, the entire pack was hateful to him. I doubt I would leave anyone breathing.

               Cory is doing his best to try to calm me, and I know Sylas is trying to soothe Aria. I just don't understand how people can treat someone as they did Cory. Not just someone but the former Alpha's son and a child on top of that. Cory has been treated this way for as long as he can remember. Since when is it okay to be abusive and hateful toward a child?

               Everyone ends up back in the office after a while, but I can't focus on the rest of the meeting. My mind is so clouded in sorrow and anger that I can't grasp what's going on around me. We need to end this pack's hatefulness. We need to find proof of what happened to Cory's father so we can avenge him. I need to make sure that Cory stays safe.

Bean? I look up and catch my dad's eyes on me. Everything ok? You look like you are a million miles away.

I'm......okay...... I know dad can see right through me, but I don't want to get into my deep thoughts right now. He nods at me slightly, focusing back on the conversation.

               "I think this is enough information to go investigate the Wild Tail pack. We already informed them of an investigation," Elder Langston comments while getting to his feet. Elder Roberts follows, and they start to shake hands while saying their goodbyes.

               "We will be in contact after we gather more information," Elder Roberts says as he heads out of the door. Everyone follows the elders out, leaving Cory and me in the room. We sit next to each other, not speaking. There is some tension in the air, but it isn't directed at each other. This situation is crazy and could be really dangerous.

               Cory's hand is in mine, and he is breathing a bit heavily. I wish I could take his pain and fear away. I know he is worried that whoever tried to kill him will come after him again to finish the job. I can't, honestly, tell him that he has nothing to worry about, and that worries me. He could be a target, and we don't know who may be targeting him.

               I stand up and hold my hand out to Cory. He takes my hand, and I lead him out of the office and to my bedroom. I take my shoes off and slip into the bed, patting the spot next to me. Cory disposes of his shoes and slips in next to me. We slide down and get comfortable on the pillows. Cory lays his head on my chest, and I stroke his back. We don't speak, but we don't need to. He needs my strength, and I need him to calm me. I listen as his breathing evens out, and I follow behind, falling into a deep sleep.

~Laslo~

               We have been running around for days trying to make sure everything is prepared for the elders' visit. We rarely have elders on pack lands, and I'm not really looking forward to it. I have to make sure that everything is up to snuff and that we can get the elders gone as quickly as possible.

               I haven't been to see Nona in days, but I know that she has been okay out there. I have been tempted to stay the night with her for a few nights now, but I don't want anyone catching on to what's going on or even having an idea.

Alpha, we have visitors. Wait, it can't be time already, can it? I know they said they would be here soon, which was not time specific, but I figured I had a bit longer to go.

               I head out of my office and out the front of the packhouse. It is evening time, and I'm surprised that they would be coming at this hour. I watch as two SUVs drive up to the front of the packhouse, and the second SUV's door opens. Two older gentlemen step out and start to walk toward my mother and me. I didn't want everyone out here to greet them. Honestly, I don't really know the proper protocol, but I figure my being out here is enough.

               "Alpha Laslo......Luna Margaret. It's a pleasure to meet you." The two men shake our hands. They don't look like they should be considered elders. You'd expect a hunched-over, really wrinkled individual. Instead, there are two young looking and fit men standing in front of us. I'm Elder Langston, and this is Elder Roberts." I nod to them both, not really trusting my voice at this point.

               "I realize we have come at a late hour, but we were hoping we could stay the night and start the investigation tomorrow morning." Elder Roberts is looking from my mom to me and back again. Of course, I will say yes. I couldn't possibly say 'no' otherwise, they would think something is going on.

               "Of course, that would be fine. We have two rooms that you can stay in. Dinner can be eaten at your leisure in the dining room." We start to walk into the packhouse with the gentlemen.

               "What is it that you are investigating?" I look at my mom and try to tell her to leave well enough alone silently.

               "Ah, Luna Margaret, we should probably just wait until tomorrow to discuss that," Elder Langston says, looking between the two of us.

               "Of course," I chuckle uncomfortably. "You'll have to excuse my mother. She has always been inquisitive." The men nod, and I continue through the packhouse until I get to their rooms. "I hope everything is to your liking. Please let us know if you need anything."

               The men go into their rooms, and I grab my mother by her arm and head toward my office. "Exactly what was that? Why would you even ask what they were investigating?"

               "You can't tell me that you aren't curious to learn what's going on. Why do we have elders at our door talking about investigating our pack?" I sit down at my desk and sigh. My mom is right that this is not normal and has a great meaning behind it. That being said, we can't do anything that will draw unnecessary attention to us.

               "I want to know too, but that isn't the way to find out. We need to make sure everything remains calm, cool, and collected. We can't afford to have the suspicious. Hopefully we can get them to be gone by lunch." I lean forward in my chair, resting my elbows on my desk. "Please, just let me handle it." My mom sighs and heads towards the door. She stops and looks back at me.

               "Stay away from that mate of yours." With that, mom walks out of my office, and I'm left to agonize about what this investigation could entail.