Chapter 23
Elijah wakes me before dawn the following day. When he mentioned we needed an early start to drive to the meeting location, I didn’t realize he literally meant leaving in the dead of night. Fortunately, we had prepared everything in advance, so all that remained was to get into the car and begin our journey.
Without thinking, Lucas and Emma slide into the back seat, leaving me to take the front. I don’t protest -partly from exhaustion and partly because I want to be near Elijah.
“Is Dr. Isabella coming along?” I ask, stifling a yawn.
“She’s staying behind,” Elijah replies. “I decided she should remain with the pack in case anybody needs medical help. I’m already leaving them unattended, and I’d rather not deprive them of all their resources.”
A tension sits on Elijah’s face, and it suddenly dawns on me how conflicted he’s been about this choice. He obviously cares deeply for his pack, but at this moment, he’s putting my well-being first.
That can’t have been an easy call for him. I reach over, take his hand in mine, and squeeze gently, hoping to offer a bit of comfort. He glances at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze in return.
From the back, the sound of snoring drifts forward, prompting me to look behind and notice both Emma and Lucas already asleep. “How do they manage to fall asleep so quickly?” I wonder aloud.
Elijah just shakes his head. “That’s exactly why I’m behind the wheel instead of them. The moment they close their eyes, they’re gone. It’s just like having little kids around.”
“In more ways than one,” I mutter before I can stop myself, then shoot Elijah a cautious glance to gauge his reaction.
He just laughs. “You’re right. Those two argue more than I’d prefer. Each of them has strong opinions on how things ought to be done.”
“That must get tiring,” I say.
Elijah shrugs. “I think it’s a good thing. They each bring something different to the pack. I honestly can’t imagine managing without either of them.”
Elijah steers the car out of the driveway, and after that, silence fills the vehicle. I do my best to stay awake and keep him company, but soon sleep overtakes me.
The next thing I hear is a low conversation that wakes me. I keep my eyes closed, curious to listen in.
“Elijah, are you sure about this?” Emma asks softly.
“Elijah’s response is calm, though resolute. “Emma, we’ve gone over this already.”
“I know, but you fought Oliver so fiercely. You gave up so much, and now you’re about to hand over the last thing you still have,” Emma says, her concern obvious.
“That’s not true,” Elijah answers quickly. “I still have all of you-and now Charlotte, too.”
Lucas speaks up next. “Emma has a point, Alpha. There must be another solution. You can’t just let Oliver have what he wants after everything he’s done.”
49
Chapter 23
“That’s enough. This isn’t open for debate,” Elijah says, his voice slipping into the commanding tone of an alpha.
My eyes fly open, unable to keep up the pretense of sleeping any longer. Shifting in my seat, I turn my attention toward Elijah.
“Sorry, did I disturb you?” Elijah asks. He bites his lip, and I can’t help but think he’s anxious that I overheard their discussion.
I shake my head. “It’s alright. How long was I out?”
“You slept for a few hours,” Elijah responds.
I glance out the car window, taking in scenery that feels unfamiliar. The land is flat, a stark contrast to the mountains surrounding our city. It seems dull and uneventful, like a summer evening slowly fading
away.
“Would you like someone else to drive for a bit? You must be exhausted.” Guilt wells up in me for dozing off while Elijah handled the journey.
Lucas leans forward, looping his arms over the back of my seat. “No worries. I’ll take the wheel once we stop for gas.” He tousles my hair before settling back again.
Turning back to the window, I replay the conversation the three of them had moments ago. What is Elijah sacrificing for my sake? The thought that he’s giving up even more for me, despite barely knowing me, unsettles me.
It bothers me not knowing what he has already given up, too. Stepping into this situation blindly frustrates me. I realize I’ll have to find an opportunity to talk to Elijah about his past; I’m tired of being in the dark. I want to respect his boundaries, but I have a feeling he won’t bring it up unless I ask.
I deserve to understand the truth about him. For anything to work between us, I need to be aware of what we’re facing with this meeting with his old pack. Above all, I’m curious about why they’re his former pack. Was he cast out like I was, or did he decide to leave on his own?
Briefly, I close my eyes, hoping to settle my thoughts. Wondering about the past won’t change anything now. I’ll just have to ask Elijah directly.
