Stronger- #Wattys2019

Part 10

"Can I ask you a question?" Nadine had finally built up her courage to ask a question of the Elder next to her.

"Of course Nadine. Ask anything."

She had been playing the events of the prior couple days in her head. And one person stood out the most. Well, second to her mate, but he was a whole other issue she wasn't ready to talk about. It had taken until she was finished with her sandwich to figure out how to get the information without making a mess of things. Taking a breath, she tried to appear casual and uninterested. "Who were the other elders with you during the challenge? Most were so quiet."

Grace gave a knowing smile. Goddess, Nadine hoped she didn't really know where she was going with it. "Well, the male members of the Elders Council get a little hesitant when it comes to dealing with female challenges. They recognize times are changing. Their old school ways of approaching she-wolves is not always widely accepted. Behind closed doors, they are more vocal. Elders Morris, Lidell, Aisling, and Gideon have their advantages as well as faults. Like all of us, I'm afraid. It's why there are between five and seven members. We offer diverse views in our recommendations to the king. It is up to him to pick out the strengths and act accordingly."

"What... what of the other female elder? She seemed to hate me."

The former queen sighed as she set her hands in her lap. "It isn't you personally. Beatriz is a passionate woman who is fiercely protective of those she lets in."

"Just not orphans or omegas." Nadine sighed as well.

Grace shook her head. "Years ago, there was a problem. Several packs had reported that young women had been abducted, found again outside of their pack boundaries, ripped apart. They were all orphans and young omegas. Those who were most vulnerable. We all suspected a rogue. Beatriz's son was an alpha, he took the lead in searching for the rogue. Unfortunately, he and his family had been ambushed and killed. She blamed the victims for needing others help, for endangering her son. Even the alpha who worked with him..."

Her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. Suddenly the queen jumped out of her seat and all but ran for the door. Flinging it open, she hollered to someone Nadine couldn't see. "Call for the king. Now." She was firm before she shut the door. Her head whipped around to the girl still in the room. "Nadine, I'm sorry. I don't want to ask this but when were you taken... do you remember who your family was? How old you were? Why he did it?"

Damn it.

She messed up. Grace wasn't supposed to see the lines.

The door flew open, crashing into the wall behind it. "Mother?"

His eyes held a fury that made Nadine gulp.

"I'm alright." His mother glanced at him before turning back to her guest. "Please, Nadine. We need to know the truth about your past. I can see it in your eyes. I'm right."

The girl shook her head in shame and fear. "I, I- I can't."

"What are you so afraid of? He's gone."

"Please!" She screamed and stood from her seat, desperate to hide. Anything to make it all stop. "Let them believe. Please. Don't do this." Nadine begged as she hit the wall and slid down.

Grace lowered herself to her level and offered her a hand. "Let who believe what?"

"Let them think I'm dead."

"Like you let everyone think you were an omega?"

She closed her eyes.

"Nadine, we need to know. When were you abducted and why? Who was your family?"

Was there a point to hiding any longer? She didn't know. But she couldn't take everyone knowing the truth. It was hard enough to deal with it all when everyone assumed she was an orphaned omega. The Bosch Pack hadn't been cruel to her like they had been to some of the omegas. The alpha made sure of it. However, they didn't expect much from an omega. If they knew the truth... if her old pack knew the truth...

"They'll hate me." She whispered. "I couldn't stop him. I'm an alpha and I couldn't stop him." Her walls started to crumble as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Alexander watched as his mate finally broke. She had been so fierce when she slapped him only days before. She was strong and in control when she met a challenge. She had shown rage as she shifted and quiet determination as she waited in a cell. Suddenly, everything fell apart and he saw the fragile girl she was inside. And the lone tear on her cheek tore at him.

"Who?" His mother asked.

"Let's start with your name. Your real name." Alexander spoke softer than he knew he could, waiting for a name that could have changed everything.