Chapter 4
Dante
Elijah lived nearby in one of the buildings our pack owned. It was a quiet, safe place where there would be no prying ears. The door opened before I knocked.
“Hey! What’s been going on? What’s the plan?” Elijah asked, welcoming me in. Inside, it was neat - like he barely lived there. Which made sense. He was usually with us, or at work.
The reason for my visit was two-fold. I needed to determine who was behind the forged signatures that implicated Celeste.
Also, I needed to check in with Elijah. He’d been blowing up my phone for an update, asking why we hadn’t taken any action on what we found.
I needed more information from him without divulging what Celeste meant to me, or to the pack.
He still didn’t know she was our scent-match.
I hated lying to him, but no one could know she was our scent match, not now, not when everything was so precarious.
It was a huge liability - everyone would know that they could use her to hurt us, and we didn’t know who the real enemy was.
“So? What’s the plan?”
I could tell he was excited, knowing that the documents I found were far more implicating than I ever hoped to discover. I tried to act neutral.
“We’re planning something. This needs to be done right.” I replied, and he seemed frustrated.
“You finally have what you need! Proof of what she did! Take it to the press, and she’ll be done for!” He said, seemingly confused as to why we’d wait at all.
“I get it, but there’s a right and wrong way to do this. The information was hacked, and I need to make sure none of it can ever be questioned. So, your original source, it was Arnault right?” I asked.
“Yes, the guy who got canned from Harringday. The docs are legit, and I’m sure with all the proof you have that everything will add up.”
“You got them from him directly? Is there any way you can get me in contact with him? The reason I ask is because he could be a witness to what she’s done.” I said, pacing slowly. Elijah ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
“Yes! But I don’t know where he is currently.
Anyway, it shouldn’t matter! You have more than enough evidence already.
I mean, come on Dante, she killed your family!
” He was getting agitated, and I bit back the pain that threatened to take over my chest. “Seriously, what are you waiting for? Get it out now before she finds out and figures out a way to get around this! She could put a target on you next! You know that!” He said, his voice exasperated as he watched me.
“Elijah, I get it more than you could possibly know. But I have to do this right. I’m struggling with the pack right now. They found out the truth about the kidnapping.” I said, letting the bomb drop as Elijah stood up straight, his face cringing.
He’d been instrumental in helping us procure a pack of mercenaries to prevent Celeste from making it to the vote.
I’d kept the others in the dark about the plan, letting Elijah handle everything.
The less we knew, the better. If we were caught, their knowledge of the plan would have put all of us in legal jeopardy.
Elijah was willing to organize it to take the fall.
But I knew more than I let on to my pack.
All they knew was that she wouldn't make the vote. I’d been okay with her being kidnaped, and I wanted to make sure it was done right.
Despite the whole ordeal having gone wrong, I never admitted to my pack that I was more knowledgeable about what happened than I let on.
Now that they found out I’d withheld information, we were fractured.
“Fuck. What did they say?” Elijah softened at my words, and I hated the pity.
“Well, they aren’t happy about it. Now it’s even more important to have a plan before branching off again on my own.
” I said, trying to calm my alpha side, which was increasingly more anxious every moment that I was away from Celeste.
“So, I need you to get me a meeting with Arnault. Find him, I want to get more information before we act.” I could tell my words bothered Elijah.
“I can’t guarantee I can find him in time. Even so, what will you do in the meantime? If she finds out you know, she’ll destroy all the evidence.” He said, grinding his teeth. He didn’t know Celeste found our documents, that she’d left us. He still thought we hated her.
“She won’t. There’s too much to cover up now.” I replied, and Elijah looked perplexed. I couldn’t blame him, and I felt awful for lying to him for so long.
I thought back to when we were kids. After my mom moved us to the Eastern Province, he’d been one of my first friends, loyal and supportive.
We’d been through so much together. And when I lost my mom, he was the only person I had.
It wasn’t until I met my pack that I had anyone else to rely on.
I watched him now, pacing and giving me a look like I’d lost my mind.
I thought back to when he’d become like a brother to me.
I was eleven the first time someone tried to mug me.
Back when I was new to the Eastern Province, I took a shortcut through an alley.
It was a bad idea. A few older boys, street-hardened and seeking easy prey, cornered me.
I swung first. Even though I was big for my age, my designation hadn’t presented yet.
I was stupid and reckless, and soon received a split lip and a kick to the ribs as the three piled on. Then suddenly, Elijah was there.
He was just a kid too, barely my size, but he knew the alleyways like the back of his hand. He didn’t waste time talking - he just crashed a broken broomstick into the ringleader’s back with a furious yell.
Even before that moment, I knew he’d have my back always, and this time was no different. He sighed. “Let me see what I can do. I’ll track Arnault down. But try to stay safe in the meantime, alright?” He asked, and I sighed in relief. Soon, I’d be one step closer to the truth.
“Alright. I’ll keep you updated. There’s a lot of moving pieces.” I said.
“She doesn’t suspect, does she?” He asked, his eyes boring straight into mine. I hid my shame as I lied again.
“Of course not. She’s oblivious.” The lie rolled off my tongue so easily that I felt shame. Once this was over, once I could prove she was innocent, I’d tell Elijah everything. He’d then understand why After hating her for years, that I’d come to care about her to the extent that I did.
I got ready to head out, still silently worrying about how to keep the news of Celeste leaving us quiet and still find a way to reach her.
“Thanks, brother.” I said, pulling Elijah in to hug him.
“Always.” He replied, opening the door as I left his place. Now, I needed to focus on finding a way to save my pack, and potentially my mate.