Alpha Loren novel Chapter 151

When I had stopped myself crying once again, I left the room, closed the door behind me and dragged myself through the castle with little motivation to do anything.

A few doors down from Connor's room was a group of soldiers. It wasn't until I got further down the hall that I realised who was talking to them.

My mate instantly sensed me, dismissed his soldiers before checking me up and down with a concerned expression.

We stood silently for a few moments, neither of us knowing what to say.

"Can I travel with Luca?" I asked quietly.

He paused for a brief moment before nodding.

"I don't expect you to forgive me but I want you to know that I've never regretted anything more in my life," he explained in a soft tone.

I nodded.

"...Are you okay?" he added. 

"I've been better," I whispered before walking past him and towards the exit of the castle, Connor's belongings still in my arms.

"I spoke to Leo," I said to Luca after finally finding him amongst the busy activity of the Stella army preparing to go back to its territory.

The temperatures were also below freezing so I was glad for Connor's thick jacket.

"What did you say?" he asked as he loaded crates onto a truck.

"Not much. I asked if I could travel with you, he said yes. And he also said that he doesn't expect me to forgive him but he wants me to know how remorseful he feels," I explained.

"He does have a heart then," Luca grumbled.

"Luca," I warned. "He is your Alpha remember."

"I know, I know but I can't help but be angry at him for doing this to my best friend. What kind of monster kills their mate's brother?" Luca questioned with spite in his voice.

"Hello my favourite little cousin," a voice said from behind us. I turned around at the sound of a familiar voice to become face to face with Max.

I hugged him and he gently rested his head on my shoulder.

"I heard what happened," he whispered. "Are you okay?"

I nodded hugging him tighter.

"I'm sorry for paralysing you...again," I said.

"It's okay. I understand," he said kissing my forehead. "And it's not like I almost died of hypothermia and was lying in an awkward position on my hand for twelve hours anyway."

"Awwe, Maxy. Poor baby," I cooed. "You should know not to mess with me by now."

He shoved me gently and ruffled my hair.

"Max?"

"Yes."

"I know you didn't get on in the past but I want you to meet my Dad," I replied.

"I don't think that would be wise, Ells."

"Why not? He's different now," I protested.

"I should have told you this earlier but I was involved in his 'murder'. I don't think he'd be thrilled to see me," he explained.

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"That's awkward."

"To say the least."

"I told him about you this morning but he didn't tell me that," I said furrowing my eyebrows.

"Maybe he was protecting you. He saw how well we get on and didn't want to ruin it," Max suggested. "Which is surprising since I am pretty sure he loathes me and wouldn't want his daughter anywhere near me."

"It was thirteen years ago and you would have only been eighteen. From what I told him, maybe he saw that you have changed a lot and forgives you. Therefore, maybe you can meet him!"

"If someone tried to kill me, I don't think I'd want to see them even a century later. I'm sorry Ells, but I don't think it is gonna happen."

"Luca?" I asked to the gamma of the pack who was still loading the crates.

"Yes, dearest Luna," he replied.

"Where is the truck holding my Dad?"

"Over there. Near where Blair was stood," he replied pointing about 400m away to another set of black trucks by the edge of the forest.

"Ella, no," Max protested.

"Shut up and come with me or I'll Praesidium Deae Astra you again."

He sighed and allowed me to drag him across what was the battlefield that had now been cleared of bodies and weapons and left to freeze solid overnight.

I approached the guards at the door of the black truck that had tiny jail like windows up high and a far higher quantity of locks than the other convoys.

"We need to see Nicolos Jones," I announced.

"Luna, do you have the Alpha's permission?" One of them asked.

"Yes," I lied through my teeth. 

The guards exchanged hesitant looks.

"I'm his equal, remember?" I pointed out.

The still weren't convinced.

"One of Leonardo's most trusted soldiers is coming in with me," I argued pointing at Max, annoyed that I had to assure them with the presence of a man to get them to allow me to do something they should allow me to do anyway.

They finally nodded before unlocking the doors and allowing the two of us in.

"Hey Dad," I said softly. He looked up and smiled. A smile that vanished a fraction of a second after I grabbed Max's hand and yanked him reluctantly into the truck. "This is Max."

"I am well aware," he said looking intensely at my cousin.

"Max has explained everything and I know you two got off to a bad start-"

"An understatement," My dad muttered.

"And I know that the Jones and Megestanis families aren't exactly known for getting along-"

Max scoffed.

"Can you both stop interrupting please?" I questioned.

They both mumbled an apology before I continued.

"But we have proven that that doesn't always have to be the case," I said lifting Max's hand into the air as a display of unity between the two of us. "So there is no reason why you two can't be at least civil either."

"What is the point, Ells?" Dad asked. "Forgetting that someone tried to kill you thirteen years ago is a lot of effort and for what?"

"Because it is about time the people I love in my life stopped trying to kill each other. It is that hatred that left me without a Dad for thirteen years and now without a brother and I don't want anything like that to ever happen again. And Dad, if you can build relationships in the pack, you stand a chance of not being imprisoned for life."

"Can't we just agree not to kill each other?" Max suggested.

"See! You are already agreeing on something!" I pointed out. "An excellent start even if it is slightly counterproductive," I added shoving Max towards Nicolos. 

"Ella-" Max protested.

"Sit," I ordered.

"She won't give in. I'm afraid the stubbornness came from me," My Dad said to Max.

Max sighed and sat down on the bench.

"Fine, I will sit but 'friends' is not happening," he stated.

"Maxy, shut the fuck up and be nice."

"Sass comes from my side too."

"The unladylike language?"

"All me."

"Attitude?"

"A definite Jones trait."

"The bossiness?" Max asked.

"Now that is from her mother."

Max stifled a laugh as I scowled at them both.

"I'm going to find Luca," I announced. "I'll leave the two of you to bond."

I then marched out of the truck leaving my Dad to bond with his nephew before heading back to where Luca was.