Mated

Twelve

After the day of our picnic, Nad went West to their father to return to school. He promised he would be back the minute school ended. I looked forward to it. It wasn't the same when he wasn't around, the guys spent more time outdoors than in. I hoped it wouldn't backtrack my progress with James.

"I thought you'd left for town with the others," I leaned against the railing, feeling it had been easier to keep nicer James around this past week by showing I was comfortable around him and wouldn't cower at his previous curt attitude. James looked up from an open book he held in his hand on the second floor of the study. My nose helped me find him but even without them I would've known to look in here.

He didn't answer. His gaze was faraway.

"What is it?"

"Later," he said, walking down the staircase and passing me. I followed him to his desk.

"Does it have anything to do with Di—"

"James, Malia," Evangeline greeted us, walking into the study.

"Eva," I said. My wolf and I felt better around her, though the fact that she's dead was still unsettling.

"What, James?" she must've already seen the focused look on his face and came to stand next to him. Her walk was practiced grace whenever she drifted into a room. Her white blonde hair was pulled into a tight chignon today, revealing the fragility of her small face.

"Cameras were invented by werewolves fifteen years before they were found by humans, which explains the photographs of the war in 1801, right?" James asked her. She nodded and he continued. "Well, Jorge Stiles was on the obituary of those killed on July 12th, 1801. Jorge Stiles, the photographer and editor for the newspapers."

"Yes, I know."

"So why is there a letter signed and dated by his hand on July 17th of that very year in his journal?" He placed a battered, faded burgundy journal in front of her.

"That doesn't make any sense," Evangeline inspected it. "Why, that would suggest that either he didn't actually die or—"

"Or someone wanted whoever found this to think he was still alive."

As if remembering I was still in the room, they both looked up at me. I froze, having been clinging to everything they said.

"I'll be in my room then." I turned and headed for the door. Before I reached it, Ryder ran in. His expression was hard and only his knitted brows gave away that he had something urgent to say.

"James, Rogues were spotted on the outskirts of town!" It wasn't unsual for Ryder to look like his cold self. Without a trace of worry or fear. Even James showed more emotion. I'd seen Ryder angry but I had never heard him yell. It was an odd thing to yell without showing much emotion.

"How many?" James responded almost before Ryder finished his sentence. Like he had anticipated this.

"At least four."

"Did they attempt to come onto our territory?"

"Not to my knowledge. They're getting past Osiris, James."

My mate's eyes shone his wolf's shade and said his next words out loud with his Alpha, channeling through my head through the telepathic link. "Pack meeting, now."

Ryder held the door for me. "Luna, you should come with me." I looked back at James who watched. He gave a nod and I followed Ryder into the hallway.

"Who's Osiris?" I said walking down the hall and toward the stairs.

"Alpha of the pack in Pineford, the city North of us. His pack is three times our size. Stratton is really their city and they protect the humans, but we reside here. Terms of a treaty between James and Osiris. He's a good friend."