The Secret One

23

Chapter 23

It hasn't even been 42 hours yet, and Brock is running back. I could tell Brock had been crying. Brock runs from the woods and falls into my arms, "I am so sorry, alpha," Brock sobs into my arms. Everyone that is around us comes around us, forming a circle. Jake breaks through and stands beside my fallen figure, "what has happened?" Jake asks, worried in his voice.

"He knows. Waylen knows everything!" Brock cries out. My stomach dropped, and I looked up at Jake. "Everything will be okay, little one," Jake tells me, smiling at me. Brock sobs into my arms. I hold him. My life will change. I am an alpha; I cannot run from a fight. I will not go back to Waylen. He was the last person I wanted to be with. I will kill him before I go back. My pack needs me. Jake needs me.

After Brocks breaks down, he goes through everything that was said. Nothing I already knew. It is time to prepare for what is to come. The war will be challenging. My life has not been easy. I was taken when I was ten years old. Now I am 24. No more running. Jake and I both agree no one will travel by themselves anymore. Three people at all times. Curfew at 10 o'clock. Waylen will attack. Jake wants it to be on his land, so we have an advantage on Waylen. Waylen already knows the pack land, though.

I didn't think running away from Waylen would lead me to my mate and make me an alpha- from running to fighting. Tegan is ready. Jake and I know that one of us must give up our alpha titles. I will give mine up, but he does not know that yet. He has been doing this longer than I have, and more people trust him. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about people dying over me. I will not make it out alive.

"He was evil to me," I break out of my thoughts. Anya looks at me because I am sitting in her room. "Are you okay?" Anya returns to me. "Anya, I am scared. I have been used my whole life. I can't even think about fighting back. I was tortured. My mind is still damaged. I cringe if Jake raises his hand around me. I know he will not hurt me, but I can't help but think I will get thrown away," I ramble out to her.

"Ruth, Jake loves you. He will do anything for you," she said, trying to reassure me. I nod no to her, "That is the thing. I do not want him hurt because of me," I say hopelessly. "I am sorry, but that's what mates do. You will lay your life down to protect each other. I know I would for Jameson," She tells me, smiling. She bears Jameson's mark. Life has never been simple for me. I run my hands through my hair and stand from her bed. "I need to find Jake," I tell her. I do not wait for a response as I walk out the door.

Jake calms me. He is patient with me. I find him in his office with Jason, going over maps. I walk over to him. He doesn't wait for me to talk as he pulls away from the maps, wraps his arms over my shoulders, and pulls me in. I place my arms under his armpits and put my hands on his shoulder blades. "Everything will be okay," He tells me as he kisses my head. I don't respond, only pull in a deep breath. Storm walks in, breaking us out of our embrace. I notice the folded paper between his pointer and the middle finger. He lifts him and shows us the paper. My ears start to ring. Another note.

"it's not what you think it is," Storm says sadly. The three of us look at him, confused. "Brock had killed himself," When those words left his mouth, everything went black. Brock has killed himself. I turn my head to see the shock on Jake's face. Jason has his hand over his mouth.

"How did you find him?" I ask, taking the note out of his hand to read it. "I went to check on him to see how he was doing. I didn't get an answer when I knocked on his door. I picked the lock on his door. I found the note on the bed and found him in his bathtub with his neck sliced open. He slit his throat," He tells us while his voice cracks. He is dead. Brock is dead.

The howls of wolves feel the air as the casket of Brock gets lowered into the ground. I watch with disbelief. No notes have shown up in two weeks. I was haunted by the days of Brock's funeral. Jake stands behind me while everyone turns to leave. "I will not leave you here by yourself," He whispers in my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean back so my body weight is against him—two deaths now because of Waylen.