The Wife's Redemption

Chapter 3: Breaking Away

Weeks had passed since the fire and the day of the trial was upon them. Ellorie could not believe this whole ordeal built on false evidence had actually proceeded to trial. As Dominik had predicted, the tension in the family had died some as all of Damon’s attention was turned to helping his wife. Not a single one of Damon’s men had shown up at the estate as Dominik had feared.

Ellorie had been following the case at home as Domink had refused to let her attend in person. She could understand how he did not want any extra attention to be drawn, but as she watched lie after lie on the tv she started to wonder if Dominik was right. He was so sure that Valerie would get off, but the prosecution seemed to have everything they needed. The more testimonies she watched the more worried she was becoming for Valerie’s sake.

Ellorie sat her coffee on the counter as she flipped the tv back on. It had long since gone cold and she had probably only drank a sip or two. She contemplated heating it back up, or going to get another cup entirely. She was alone after all, with only Mrs. Fields in the house. The silence was deafening. As she glanced around the kitchen at the impeccably clean room, she thought about how easy it had become to appear between then they were.

Dominik had left right after the children this morning in his best suit. He had told her he would be in the courtroom today to offer his cousin some encouragement, but she did not believe it. He had very little to do with his nephew and she doubted he really cared how the trial turned out as long and Valerie was declared innocent. Dominik liked control and Damon was the one who had control. The two rarely saw eye to eye, and usually disagreed on how things should be handled. Dominik did not question that Damon made a good Alpha, but he did sometimes question whether Damon’s methods were effective. Having known both of them, Ellorie had come to realize that both brought something to the pack it needed. Both Dominik and Donivan brought the old fear and control the pack seemed to thrive on, but Damon and Nicoli brought a sense of justice and peace that the pack would not have survived without.

Her phone beeped with a message from Drea. She contemplated ignoring it but clicked on the icon anyhow and laughed. Tell Dad I saw him at the courthouse. Tell him I am working late and will stay in my office the next two days. Ellorie laughed at her step daughter’s antics. Whenever she did not want to tell her father something he would not like, so would always have Ellorie deliver the message. What are stepmoms for she would joke, and sometimes Ellorie wondered how much truth was in that statement. She texted her back and turned her phone over.

She grabbed her phone and considered texting Dominik, but then thought better of it. Drea deserved to have some time to herself. She worked hard for the family. Dominik did not like she had left his company to work for Damon, but Drea had thrived with the change. She chuckled as she turned the phone back over.

Mrs. Fields came in unapproving as always as she saw Ellorie sitting at the counter watching the small tv in the kitchen. She walked past her and stopped at the fridge. “Should I make you something for lunch, Mrs. Dare.”

Ellorie shook her head and then realized Mrs. Fields could not see that answered, “I’m not hungry this morning.”

Mrs. Fields looked her over and frowned. “Mrs. Dare, I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t want Mr. Dare thinking that I am starving his wife. Please let me fix you something even if it is small.”

Ellorie did not feel like arguing about it, so she relented, “Fine something small,” she agreed.

She watched Mrs. Fields pulled out all kinds of ingredients from the fridge and figured the word small probably did not exist in her vocabulary. Thirty minutes later Mrs. Fields set a bowl of noodles with vegetables and pieces of chicken in front of her. It smelled wonderful, yet Ellorie could barely bring herself to touch it. She really was not hungry. Ellorie picked up her fork and made herself eat. Meanwhile Mrs. Fields took her cold coffee and brought her a fresh cup. “Would you like me to bring this to the family room so you can continue watching while you eat?” she asked.

Ellorie knew she Mrs. Fields hated when people ate in her kitchen, but she did not like eating hunched over at the couch. “I will finish here at the counter and then head out for a walk.”

Mrs. Fields shook her head, “Mr. Dare left clear instructions that you were to remain home while he was out.”

“I’m not leaving the property, Mrs. Fields, but I am going for a walk in the garden. You can call him if you want to check, but I assure you I am going and you will not stop me.” Ellorie spoke with authority and Mrs. Fields huffed but did not disagree any further.

Ellorie finished her lunch and turned off the tv. They were on another break and she needed to clear her head. She knew Mrs. Fields was reporting all of her actions to Devyn or Dominik. Not that it mattered which one, but had a level of control over her. She took off running towards the her willow tree but did not stop there.

Her legs carried her deep into the woods on the estate ground. She had not run so long or so far in some time. She actually lost track of where she was. She could hear running water in the distance and was pulled towards the sounds. Uphead she gasps as she sees the most beautiful waterfall she had ever seen, and wondered how she never knew it existed before. She climbed down the rocks and stood under the crashing water as it soaked her. It cleansed her mind of all thoughts as she stood there with her eyes closed.

The sound of the fall did not alert her to the fact she was not alone. When she did look up, she let out a scream. “What are you doing here?” she yelled out.

“Funny I could ask you the same question,” Devyn sly smile spread across his face. “Imagine my surprise when the outer perimeter alarm was triggered and I find you all the way out here by yourself.”

“I needed to clear my head,” Ellorie answered, though her feet were frozen in place and the water which felt so good a moment ago now had her shivering.

Devyn walked to the rocks edge and held out a hand, “Come on, if you stay under that freezing water much longer you will catch your death.”

Ellorie shook her head, “As if you would care.”

Devyn chuckled, “Ellorie, I may not want to see you with my father, but I don’t want to see you or explain your death to him either. So either take my hand and I’ll pull you up,”

He paused and Ellorie replied, “Or what?”

Devyn's eyes lit up with the challenge, “Or I will come down there and throw you over my shoulder and carry you home.”

Ellorie did not want Devyn’s arms on her. She stared at his outstretched knowing she could not trust him, but in this case she knew he would actually do as he had said. She reached up and took his hand. “Fine,” she replied reluctantly.

Devyn winked at her as he pulled her up to him, “I would have preferred the other option.” He took off his coat and handed it to her. “Put this on, it's a long walk back.”

“It can’t be too far,” Ellorie started to refuse.

Devyn did not give her the option and placed the jacket over her shoulders and held onto the collar for a minute causing her to look at his face. “Maybe in your haze you didn’t realize, but you ran about five miles to get here.”

“Five miles,” Ellorie choked on the words.

“Yes,” he nodded, “and now we have a long walk back because I guess you don’t have the energy to run.”

Ellorie shook her head, “I have not run five miles in years.”

“No surprise there,” Devyn replied as he motioned for her to start walking.

“Did you tell Dominik about this?” Ellorie asked before she could stop herself.

“We both got the notification you were running, he thought there was trouble at the house, but when I got her Mrs. Fields only said you went for a walk. I have not decided what to tell Dominik yet.”

“Why is that?” She asked cautiously.

“Because you have never ran before, and I guess I need to understand why you are running now?” Deyvn paused and looked at her. “Were you trying to escape?”

“No,” Ellorie looked around at the woods quietly thinking to herself and wondering if she was trying to get a way. “I barely even remember running.” She whispered and Devyn nodded in understanding.

Devyn did not say anything else but gently led her towards the house.

“Thank you,” she whispered when she could make out the mansion.

“For what?” he questioned.

“For helping me find my way home,” she smiled and pushed ahead walking faster towards the house.

“This isn’t your home,” he replied.

“Devyn, this has been my home for more than ten years, it's the only home I remember.”

“I feel sorry for you then,” he replied before disappearing back into the woods leaving her to walk the rest of the way herself.