The Alpha Who Saved Me

Chapter 63

Declan

It’s been a long few weeks. Lila has been locked in the cells while I try and figure out what I can do with her. She isn’t fit to be a Luna; I knew this from the beginning, but the Elders think they know everything. I’ve been back and forth with them since I put my crazy Luna in the cells, trying to explain to them why it would be in the pack’s best interest to denounce her title, but they ignore all evidence. All they pretty much say is that I should have kept it in my pants, but not in so many words.

I sigh and rub my temples as I sit at my desk. I just got off the phone with them again, arguing on my son’s behalf this time, but they still won’t budge. The only way that Lila can lose the title of Luna is if my fated mate happens to finally come into my life and challenges her for it. That pretty much tells me that I’m stuck with the scheming bitch.

“Hey, Declan,” my Beta pops in, “I know we are supposed to be heading to Quinn’s party, but patrol found another dead body…”

“Damn it!” 1 slam my fist down onto the desk. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Woah, calm down and let me finish,” Carter chuckles, “It looks to be a rogue they said, so I don’t think this has anything to do with the others.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. I know it’s been a while since the killer has struck, so it’s only a matter of time.

“No, but I’m going to head over and check it out. Keenan has already left for the party, so I told him that I would take care of it. Go on ahead, Declan, and I will catch up.”

I nod, “I appreciate it, but I will wait until you get to the site and inform me what you think happened. I’ll hop into the shower now.”

“Okay, sorry to spring this on you on today of all days. Whatever it is, I will take care of it; you just go see our girl and give her my love if I can’t make it.”

I nod once more in response. Carter is the one that took the call when Quinn called in for help the day her pack was attacked. He’s also the one that brought her back here and got her settled. My Beta is the reason that Quinn and Cici are best friends, as well. His little sister is the only one that could draw Quinn out of her depression; she is a force to be reckoned with once she is on a mission, and Cici’s mission was to get Quinn back to being herself and living life. Quinn is like another sister to Carter, and will protect her at all costs, no matter what.

*Just finish up as quick as possible because you know Quinn will be very upset if you don’t show up.” I chuckle.

He visibly shivers, “Yeah, I know. I’m not even looking forward to arriving late, because I know my sister will have my ass for it, but I guess it is what it is.”

Carter heads to the site and I head to my room, making a pit stop at the nursery to kiss my son goodnight first. I’m thankful that he is too young to understand what is going on with his mother, but I wish he had a good mother figure in his life. I can’t wait for my mother to come home, so he has her at least.

Once Carter mind links me, informing me that it was just a random rogue attack from what he can tell, I get into my Tesla and head over to the Dark Moon pack territory. My warriors wave me by as I approach, and I drive the rest of the way thinking about the relationship between Quinn and my cousin. Even though Gavin and I had our little talk and Gavin came clean with everything that happened in the past, I still don’t like it. If what he told me was true, and that it was my uncle who killed those she- wolves, why didn’t he report it to anyone. That was the start of an Alpha losing credibility.

My Uncle Daniel has always been a hard ass, but what he has done and what he has been doing, by what I’ve been told, is unbelievable and he needs to be stopped. My relationship with Gavin may be changing little by little, but I still don’t like Quinn being with him. Maybe it’s because I want her for myself, even though I know I can’t have her until I can get Lila out of my life, or maybe it’s because something deep down is telling me that the two of them being together just isn’t right.

I have to chuckle as I pull up to the pack house. Valet parking for a birthday party can only be Cici’s idea, but with as many cars that are parked around here, I’m grateful that she came up with this idea because now I don’t have to worry about dings and scratches on my Tesla from irresponsible guests.

Handing the keys over to the young male, all I have to do is lift my brow and he responds quickly. “She will be well taken care of, Alpha Declan.”

“Thank you.” It’s all I say before climbing the steps to the front porch.

The pack house is packed as I make my way through it. I’m trying to use my nose to scent Quinn, but with so many bodies around me, it’s

hard to pinpoint where she’s at. When I find myself out on the back deck, I take a huge breath of fresh air. There aren’t many people milling about out here and it’s obvious that it’s set up for most to be out here, so why is everyone inside?

“Declan!”

I turn around once I hear my Beta’s voice call out to me. He’s just come from around the corner of the house, so I meet him halfway, “You got here fast.”

He shrugs, “It wasn’t anything notable, so I told the patrol to burn the body and be done with it. I had taken a picture and noted the date, time, and where it the body was found, before sending it off for the Elders to record.”

“Well, thanks for taking care of it for me.” I slap his shoulder.

“No problem,” he glances around the back yard, “Why is everyone in the house? I tried getting through but turned right back around when I got to the steps and came outside to come around.”

“I’m not sure myself. I just got out here and saw that they are supposed to be out here. Did little Stone invite one too many people?” || chuckle. I’m sure Cici is running around inside trying to herd everyone outside, but isn’t getting anywhere, “Maybe we should help your sister get the guests to come out.”.

“Yeah,” Carter scratches his head, “I think you’re right.” He chuckles and makes for the back door.

Suddenly, a she-wolf fills the doorway, with her nose in the air, sniffing, and that’s when I notice my Beta stop dead in his tracks, “Mate!” Carter’s wolf, Echo, states lustfully. I watch as my best friend and this unknown she-wolf meet each other in the middle of the deck.

As much as I’m confused as to who this mate of his is, I can’t help but to smile as their lips crash together the moment they reach each other. I start to walk over to them when they finally pull apart.

“Hi, I’m Carter Stone, Beta of the Storm River pack,” Carter introduces himself to his new mate, “What is your name?”

“Hi, I’m Aspen Anderson, originally from the Crescent Moon pack, but now a member of the Dark Moon pack,” she says with stars in her eyes, but then she snaps out of it, “Oh! Your head warrior is Keenan, correct?”

Carter growls, “Yeah, why? Did he do something to you?”

“Oh gosh, no! He is my twin sister’s mate. They just found each other as well, but their meeting didn’t go as well as ours,” she giggles.

I’m smirking at the scowl on my Beta’s face from when Aspen mentioned Keenan’s name, but now I’m back to being serious with her last words, “What do you mean it didn’t go as well?”

The she-wolf glances at me, and then back to her mate, “This is Alpha Declan of the Storm River pack; he’s my Alpha, well now your soon to-be Alpha as well.” Carter explains.

She smiles, and turns back to me, “You see, my sister doesn’t like males to touch her since she was assaulted about two years ago, so when Keenan ran to her and tried hugging her, she sort of freaked out.”.

“I need to go find him,” I go to leave, “He must be devastated!”

“Oh, Alpha Quinn is taking care of it. She has both my sister, Kimber, and your warrior in her office.”

“Thank you, Aspen. I will see if I can get through this crowd, so I can assist in any way I can. It was lovely meeting you, and welcome to the Storm River family.” I grin and leave them on their own.

I’m just rounding the corner to head upstairs when I hear the two familiar voices. I continue until I both Quinn and Gavin come into my line of sight, but Quinn’s next words stop me. “Of course, I remember what I said, Gavin. How could I forget that I told you that I want you as my chosen mate?” Quinn is smiling up at my cousin while my heart is breaking into a million fucking pieces.

“You What?” I can’t help but growl the words out. They both whip their heads in my direction and Quinn’s expression alone tells me that I wasn’t supposed to hear that, at least not yet.

“Declan…”

I turn and head back the way I came. I can hear her calling out to me, but I ignore it. In fact, I ignore every sound around me as Duke roars and snarls in my head. As I pass the gift table, I reach into the inside pocket of my blazer and pull out the long, thin box that contains her gift. Leaving it with the rest

of the presents, I burst through the front door and Duke takes over before I even hit the steps. He races to the tree line and then stops to glance back at the house. Quinn is now standing on the porch, looking in our direction, but we are already a few feet in. Lifting our hear, Duke lets out a long sorrowful howl, and then we take off, deep into the forest.