Elena’s POV
Standing there with Julian beside , I watched Marcus’s expression shift into sothing dangerous. The revelation about my children had pushed him past his breaking point. His eyes blazed with a fury I’d never witnessed before, and I could practically feel the rage radiating from his body.
Marcus began moving toward with predatory steps, his canines elongating as his claws erged from his fingertips. The transformation was happening whether he wanted it or not.
"Marcus. Get yourself under control." I snapped.
"You had his children?" Marcus’s voice ca out as a growl. His chest heaved with each labored breath. The man I knew was gone, replaced entirely by his wolf.
Before he could take another step in my direction, Damien appeared out of nowhere and slamd Marcus to the ground. Using his superior size and strength, Damien pinned him down, applying enough pressure to keep him immobilized until the rage subsided.
Once Damien released him and stepped back, positioning himself as a barrier between Marcus and , Marcus bolted toward the treeline without a word.
"We can’t let him go like that." I said urgently.
"What do you an?" Damien asked, confused.
"This pack has been killing humans. That’s exactly why the military is involved now." I explained.
"I’ll track him down. Julian, I despise you, but keep her safe." Damien commanded.
"I don’t need a babysitter." I protested.
"Maybe not. But I know he’ll protect you anyway. Especially in a pack where most people want you gone." Damien replied.
"Whatever." I conceded. Damien disappeared into the woods after Marcus, and I faced Julian. "You think this pack will accept any better now that they know there’s a vampire among us?"
"Doubtful. But I’m not leaving." Julian stated firmly.
"Obviously not." I muttered, heading back inside.
I brewed another cup of coffee and settled at the dining table, pulling out my phone. Skye answered on the second ring when I called.
"Hey Elena. Everything okay?" Her voice carried concern.
"Yes, we’re fine. Don’t stress about anything. How are my babies?" I asked.
"They’re both sleeping peacefully, but they kept asking about you earlier. They also wondered why their father rushed out so suddenly. They were worried sothing had happened to you." She explained.
"No need for them to worry. You can tell them I’m completely safe." I assured her.
"That’s a relief. I’ve been awake because when Alpha Damien got that call from you, he tore out of here like his life depended on it. I assud you were in danger too." She admitted.
"It almost went that way. But Damien’s presence here has cald things down sowhat. Marcus realized he couldn’t intimidate the way he planned, not when I have a mate backing up." I said.
"I’m glad to hear that." She sounded relieved.
"Give them both kisses from . I’m not certain when we’ll be back to see them. Hopefully tomorrow, but there’s so much chaos happening here." I told her.
"Don’t worry about the children. I have everything under control. If you need to stay longer, then stay. Though they’ll probably want to talk to you tomorrow." She said.
"That sounds perfect. I really need to hear their voices too. This is the longest I’ve ever been separated from them." I confessed.
"I figured you’d be struggling with that." She said knowingly.
"More than I expected. Anyway, get so sleep. Briar will be awake at dawn." I reminded her.
"Absolutely. Just text if you need anything." She offered.
"I will, Skye. Thank you. Goodnight." I ended the call.
I tried reaching Damien through our mind link, but either he was too far away or he wasn’t responding. I had no idea what was happening out there, but I wasn’t particularly worried about his safety.
Marcus might hold the Alpha title, but compared to other Alphas I’d encountered, he was nothing more than an arrogant coward. His only real talent seed to be running his pack like a military boot camp.
Julian took the seat beside and dropped a massive stack of papers on the table.
"What the hell is all this?" I demanded.
"Everything you need to understand what’s been happening. Information we’ve been collecting for years." He explained.
"If I go through all of this, will it be accurate? Or are you planning to deceive again? Because if you try that shit twice, I’ll tear your throat out myself." I warned.
"I’m not stupid enough to make the sa mistake. I tried lying to you once and it backfired. This information is legitimate." He insisted.
I began examining the docunts and photographs he’d compiled over the past years.
"All of this is just from surveillance of Marcus’s pack?" I asked.
"Every single piece. That’s everything we’ve learned about the illegal activities happening here. It’s pathetic, and Marcus is right in the center of it all." He confird.
"You have got to be joking. If you could gather all this evidence and photographic proof, then obviously the military got it too." I said, exasperated.
"But they also have images of warriors shifting. They know this entire place is populated by shifters." He added grimly.
"How many other packs have they identified?" I asked.
"Your pack remains safe for now. I’m not sure how many they’ve discovered nationwide. Since Marcus initiated this ss, we know they’ll target this pack first." He explained.
"How frequently do surveillance drones pass overhead?" I inquired.
"Multiple tis daily. Four passes each day." He answered.
"Sa schedule every ti?" I pressed.
"From our observations, yes." He confird.
"Soone definitely needs to put Marcus in his place." I decided.
"Does that an you’ll claim your rightful position as Alpha?" He asked hopefully.
"I don’t know what it ans. Honestly, I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted this entire pack destroyed. I hate every one of them. Do you really think I want to lead these people?" I questioned.
"You need to decide quickly. The military won’t wait indefinitely. They’ll move in as soon as they’re ready." He urged.
"Elena." Damien’s voice suddenly filled my mind.
"What’s wrong?" I responded imdiately.
"He’s headed straight for the nearest human settlent. I need backup." Damien’s voice carried genuine panic.
"I’m coming." I said, severing the connection.
"What happened?" Julian asked, noticing my sudden tension.
"Marcus’s going toward the human town. Damien’s following but he needs assistance. Stay here and make sure nobody goes near my mother. She better be breathing when I return." I ordered, racing through the kitchen and out the back door into the night.
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