Escape to Midnight

Episode 9

Logan's Point Of View

I decided to run home and shower, eat a good meal and be ready for the next time she woke up. My Mom agreed to stay with her while I was gone. The shower was so relaxing. I dressed and laid down on my bed for a minute. I was tired. Tired from everything we had been through since the moon ball. I just wanted to bring her home and start our life together. I heard Sterling and my dad walk in the house. I got up and went downstairs to meet them. They both looked concerned. I didn't even want to know what was wrong. I felt like I was one more problem away from not being able to handle the situation anymore. Sterling spoke the words that sent a chill down my spine. ‘Warren wants a war.`` 

“What?” I was shocked. What wolf goes to war to stop his daughter from being with her Goddess chosen mate. It makes no sense. My dad nodded his head to confirm what Sterling had said. 

I became filled with fear and anxiety. What did this mean for Charis and I. “What is your response to his declaration?” I asked, afraid of the answer. 

"So far it is not a declaration of war, just a threat and a real intent. I don’t think his pack is big enough. Right now I think it is just a threat.” He responded. 

'`And If It's Not?’ I had to push the issue. I needed an answer. If I needed to flee with Charis I would. I would never let that man touch her again.

Sterling sighed. “Of Course we will never give him what he wants. He will have to defeat our entire pack to get to her.” 

I was relieved at his words. I knew he meant it, Charis would be safe with us.

I sat down at the table. “How is she,” Sterling asked. I shrugged a little. “She looks bad. Her wounds are bad. Her wolf is not helping her heal. She must be too injured. I don’t know how to help her.” I put my head in my hands, the weight of it all was overwhelming. My Dad walked over and put his arm around me. “Son, This is as bad as it gets. Having a mate is hard sometimes, but The Moon Goddess put you two together for a reason. Being close to her and touching her, That is helping her. Your bond will help her heal. She is awake and healing. Soon all this will be behind you and the biggest problem will be lying about her cooking." My dad and Sterling both chuckled at my dad’s joke. I even gave a faint smile. Sterling's wife was a terrible cook. He had spent fifteen years telling her it was the best food ever. I hoped my Father was right. I wanted a happy family of my own. 

I got up and told them goodbye. I needed to get back to the hospital. The sun was setting when I got back. My Mom was waiting for me. I told her to go home, But she wanted to stay. She wanted to help. I loved My Mom’s Caring heart. We settled in for the night. 

I was restless most of the night, but at some point fell into a pretty deep sleep. I woke up when I heard Charis call my name. I was stunned when I saw her. She was sitting up in bed. She did not appear to be in any pain. How was she able to sit up?  I ran out into the hall to get the doctor. He was just as confused as we were. Even if her wolf had been able to heal her it would not have been this much this fast. He lifted her gown to check the wounds. What I saw made my stomach drop. Was that the Rogue paste on her wound? It couldn't be. The doctor immediately accused me of putting the paste on her. I denied it and assured him his staff had been the only other people in the room.

I felt Charis' anxiety rising as she asked what was happening. I tried to answer nonchalantly. “Its okay Charis, It looks like someone put a paste on your wounds.” I answered her.

A nurse came in and scraped some of the paste off and put it in a dish. I looked at it more closely. I was positive it was the same paste the rogues had used. It left me with an uneasy feeling. How could that happen? As we studied it, My parents came in with Sterling. I was sure the Doctor Bennett Mindlinked them when he saw her sitting up.

Sterling went over to Charis and began questioning her. I felt bad for her. I was about to intervene when my dad grabbed my arm. He began to  mind link me. “Stay out of it son.” He said.

“I had hoped to save questions until you were feeling better, but I need to know the truth now.”  I could not believe it, was he already accusing her of being a liar? Samuel was pissed. He began to growl.

My Dad tightened his grip on my arm. 

“What's happening, why do I need to stay out of it.” I asked. I looked at my Mother and realized just how serious this had become. She was so conflicted. I knew how much she cared about Charis, but right now she is looking at her with suspicion and fear. 

“We need to know who is helping her son. Who would risk their life for her. It seems like she had no friends and no one to care about her in crescent, but someone got her here and is sneaking in to apply medicine. Who was she with when we found her? We assumed it was a rogue, but he could have masked his true scent. He could have been a pack member.” I thought about it and shook my head. ”The wolves helping him were definitely rogues. They would have never helped a pack member.”

She is a pack member, they were helping her. It looked like a war broke out in the valley between the rogues helping her and the ones trying to kill her. Why would they care about her?”

“She had renounced her pack. She was an expack to them. What is she being accused of?” 

My Mom stepped between us. I did not realize I had crossed the room and was now in my Fathers face. Anger is pouring out of me. “ My mother softened her voice, clearly trying to diffuse the situation. "Logan, she is not being accused of anything, But we have very real and legitimate concerns.”

I looked at my Mother, searching her face for the truth of what was happening. “We need you to think of this for one second, not as a mate, but as a warrior. A strong and powerful rogue risked his life and the life of the other rogues to save her. A lot of rogues were killed so she could cross the valley. A rogue helping one of us is always executed by other rogues. Why was she allowed to be saved? When faced with our warriors, instead of fighting or fleeing, they made sure you allowed them to administer life saving medical assistance. After all that, everything they went through they just walked away. That alone us strange and suspicious. Did they find her and save her in exchange for her help later? Is she now working for the Rogues? All of this comes at a time when a war is being threatened.” She was trying to explain their point of view.

I interrupted her. "What does one have to do with the other? So what, the moon Goddess intervenes and a group of rogues save her. That is it. Warren’s war was not even on the table when that happened.”

"Okay", she continued, "I understand that is possible, but we have doubled our guards at the borders and all warriors are on high alert. Despite those precautions the same rogue snuck into the hospital to put medicine on her? Why would they do that? Why would they care? How did they know she needed their help? None of it makes sense Logan. It is unheard of. They don't even sneak onto our land to help each other. Being caught here is certain death for them. Why are they interested in saving her?” She asked.

“They may have saved her, but they did not want to keep her. They brought her to me. She wanted to get to me and they brought her to me. That is all that matters. They know she belongs here.” I was trying so hard to make them understand how I felt.

I stepped back, leaning against the wall. My mind was so confused. I don’t know any of the answers and I really don't care. She is here now. I can protect her. I need this nightmare to end. 

“We are taking her home today. Sterling is going to set a trap around the house. If they try to see her again, we will catch them. Maybe it is over now that she is healed, but if it's not Sterling will have his answers. Mate or No Mate.” As my Dad said the words he sounded sad, but there was also  a warning in there. The pack could not be put at risk if Charis was not who we thought. I pushed it all out of my mind. I could not think about it anymore.

I heard Sterling continue to question Charis. “Unless she is a spy. He could have recruited her when he saved her life.” I could hardly believe Sterling said those words, he called her a spy. I felt Samuel let out a fierce growl. I could see from Charis' face it scared her, but I was too angry to control Samuel at the moment.

 Sterling sent out his Alpha aura to everyone in the room. Everyone took a step back and showed their necks in submission. “ We need to be careful right now, we are looking at war with the Crescent pack and now she has some sort of Rogue protector….” The room fell silent again. 

I heard Charis gasp. This is not how I wanted her to find out about the threat of war.  I suddenly wished I had told her sooner. He realized Charis did not know about the current situation. Sterling mind linked everyone and ordered them out of the room. He looked at me and said “You need to have a serious talk with your mate. Both if you need to realize how many lives are at stake . We need answers.” The way he said it made me even angrier. I wanted to knock him on his ass. 

Everyone left the room to give us some privacy. I scooted the chair back over to her and told her about her Father's new role as alpha. I watched as her body became gripped with fear. I tried to reassure her, but I could see in her eyes. She was terrified. I looked into her eyes and felt like I could see her soul. Her eyes were so beautiful and they hid all of her secrets. She was looking back into my eyes, she was softly crying. I wanted to show her I believed her and I was there to protect her.  Sterling walked back into the room with my Mom behind him.  I heard Sterling soften his voice, as he spoke to her,  he was less accusing. He told her she could join the pack. I felt so much relief. I smiled at my Mom. I knew she had worked on him in the hall. 

 “ I am not trying to accuse you of anything. I am not trying to scare you. We are preparing for war to protect you. In the midst of all the increased security and precautions a rogue snuck in. We have to consider his motives. Please if you know anything, tell us.” He spoke to her like she was a scared child.

“I really don’t know anything. Please don’t send me back. I will leave and never come back if you want, but please don’t send me back.” I choked back sabs and looked at him.

“We are not sending you back. You will be part of this pack if you want. I don’t think the Crescent pack is strong enough to attack us yet. They may never be.” Sterling turned to leave the room. He nodded at my Mother and I. I felt a little better. I was still angry at him, but at least he seemed convinced of her answers for now. 

Charis Point Of View

Beth rushed over to me. “ Are you Okay dear?” She asked. I nodded my head even though I did not feel okay.  She looked at the doctor. “She can sit up, she is not in pain, can we take her home?” Beth was almost daring the Doctor to say no. 

He cleared his throat. “ I think she needs to be monitored. We don’t know what that paste is. She could relapse. I'm not sure her leaving like this is a good idea.” 

“Well then, If she needs to be monitored, I will take a leave of absence from the hospital to take care of my daughter.” I looked at her confused. Did she just call me her daughter? I looked at Logan. He was smiling at his mother, his eyes full of love and respect.” 

‘Well, Beth let's not be hasty, I just think we should.” Before he could finish Beth interrupted him. “No, Carrington, we are taking her home. I will be back to work when I feel she is safe and healthy. It is not open for discussion.” Beth began to remove the wires and I.V. attached to me. The Doctor  looked on in shock. Logan's father Robert began to speak but Beth cut him off as well. “Dammit Robert we have been looking for her for years. We have her, Logan finally has her. We are taking her home, taking care of her. We will keep her safe. How will they ever start a life together with war and rogues surrounding them. WE are taking them home. They are going to start their lives together. They will have a mating ceremony, a wedding if they want. They will move into their house, and we will have grand pups." She was almost screaming now. I felt Logan bristle as she said the mating ceremony and Pups. I wondered if he did not want any, I was too overwhelmed by everything that had happened in the last hour. I could not even think.

 Logan leaned down, scooped me up into his arms and began to carry me out of the hospital. He carried me all the way to a large house in the middle of a neighborhood. he took me inside and laid me down on  the sofa. Beth and Robert followed. They all sat down in the living room. It looked like Logan and his Father were waiting for Beth to decide what would happen next. ”I will cook some dinner, Then we will get you a shower. We can decide on the rest after you have some rest. I can’t imagine how you feel right now. Robert, I have asked Lenore to buy somethings for her room. Clothes, décor and personal items. She will be here tonight to set everything up. You will help her. Logan, you need to spend time with your mate. Stay handy in case we need you.” Beth finished speaking, stood up and walked into the other room. Robert looked at me for a long moment. He stood up and spoke, “ I am sure you guessed by now, but I am Logan’s father. I hope Beth is not overwhelming you. She always wanted a second child, a daughter, and now she feels like she has one. Her very own daughter, finally.” He smiled softly. “She already loves you so much.” He walked out of the room into the same direction as Beth.