The Pack Rebel

23. Alone Time

Cleo's P.O.V.

The ride back to the manor is filled with silent tension. Declan keeps his arm around me, as I look out the window from the back seat. He lightly pulls me in and I feel his lips in my hair. I grasp the little white teddy bear that Mckelty had told Julian to give me.

As I look out the window, I see Julian in wolf form run ahead of the car, as we turn down the driveway toward the manor. Pulling up to the manor, I see Parker sitting on the steps looking at his hands. He hears us approach, then he jumps up and rushes to the door, opens it, pokes his head in, then back out, and closes the door. Walking down the steps, Parker looks all around the yard, staying vigilant and alert.

The car parks, and Parker walks up, then opens the door. Declan drops his arm, to let me get out of the car. Parker's arms are around my waist hugging himself to me, as I fully exit the car. I pat, then smooth down his hair, before I wrap my arms around his shoulders. I feel the tears sting my eyes as I drop my head and let my chin rest on top of his head.

"I'm sorry, Momma." I hold Parker tighter as the tears leave my eyes.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong." Parker hugs me tighter and I lightly pat his back.

"Lets get you inside." I feel Declan's hand on my shoulder. I straighten up, then lightly nod. Parker backs away, then steps to the side, to allow me to walk up the steps of the manor and inside.

As I enter the manor, it's quiet. Too quiet for this time of the day. Axel, Drew, and Connor stand a ways from the door, with bowed heads they stay silent as I pass by them. I turn back, and walk to Axel, then slightly bend down, and wrap my arms around him. Axel internally jumps at my sudden gesture. He takes a second, before he wraps his arms around my neck.

"I'm sorry, Cleo. I tried that day, I really did." Axel sobs, I tighten my hold on him, then move my right hand up to the back of his head and lightly stroke his hair.

"The events and outcome from that day, were not your fault. You did what you knew was right. It was too late, when I got to the hospital. And that is not your fault, don't go blaming yourself, nobody could have done anything." I release my hold on Axel, then straighten up as I look up and see Alpha Edgar approaching us. I feel Declan wrap his arm around my waist, then he walks us down the hall, meeting Alpha Edgar in the middle of it.

"I must tell you, how truly sorry and awful I feel. I feel— no, I know my behavior the day Declan was brought home, was partly the cause of what led to you having to go to the hospital. When Tahlia had come home the day after you went to the hospital, she didn't even have to tell me, the expression she had on her face told me, everything I needed to know. And I am extremely sorry, for the loss." Alpha Edgar apologizes, he doesn't give myself or Declan any time to answer. He takes off down the hall and shuts himself in his office.

I look up at Declan with wary eyes, then lay my head on his shoulder. Kissing the top of my head, Declan walks us down the hall the rest of the way, and I can feel everyone at the front of the manor staring at me. I pull the teddy bear to my chest and hold onto it with both hands.

"I hate this." Declan moves his hand from my waist and to my shoulder. He lightly rubs my shoulder as we get in front of his door.

"Let's get you settled. I don't like this either, but it's safer for both of you." Declan opens the door to his room, then mentally says the last part. Carefully, I walk into the room, Declan closes the door, walks around me, and pulls the covers of the bed back. Without a word, I lay down, curl into a ball, and hug the teddy bear to my chest.

"I'll come back to check on you in a little bit. I have to speak with my mother and grandfather." I look up at Declan and feel my eyes begin to tear up. I nod my head, then hide my face in the teddy bear.