Escape to Midnight

Episode 12

Logan's Point Of View

I was called to a meeting with my Uncle and some of our elite warriors. I was worried, it was unusual. As I entered my Uncle's office, I was greeted by stern faces. I was the last to arrive, the meeting started as soon as I sat down. Sterling began, “ We have seen an increase in movement between our border and the valley. No fighting, but a lot of rogues coming dangerously close to our border. Logan has Charis said anything more about the rogue that saved her?” My body stiffened in my chair. I did not like the direction of these questions. “no,” I replied,” she never mentions it.” 

“Last night, a rogue she wolf tried to abandon her pup at our border.” he continued. I was shocked as were most of the people in the room. She wolves are very protective of their young. To abandon a pup is unheard of. She normally would fight to her death. Why would she risk her life and the life of the pup? “A patrol squad stopped her from leaving it. They assured her would not take it in. It appears she thought it would be safer with us. “ he continued.

I was stunned. That is a lot to take in. I know the rogues fought each other over Charis. Could this be related. Did we start some sort of rogue war?

My Uncle seemed to echo what I was thinking as he continued. “If there is a rogue war, we do not need to worry about that. If though, this is an attempt to test our borders or try to plant spies, we need to be very worried. Warren, the alpha of the crescent pack has gone silent. I preferred his overconfident threats to silence. “ Everyone in the room was listening intently, something big was happening.

“I added Surveillance around several different places after the intruder in the hospital. We have picked up some anomalies. a person was spotted briefly at the hospital and around Roberts house. My stomach tightened at his words. Whoever it is is very good at concealing themselves and their scent. All we know is it is not a pack member. 

Shit, I wish I knew this before we started planning to move into our own house.  Moving into a house where Charis will be alone is not a good idea. My uncle opened the floor for conversation. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. One of the warriors got Sterling’s attention with his opinion. “ Does Warren have the ability to sneak around undetected?” I stood up unable to remain seated. Is it possible her father has been sneaking onto pack lands waiting for his chance to kill her? My wolf was going crazy, fighting the urge to rush to Charis' side. I mind linked my mother and asked her to stay close to Charis until I am done here. The only other theory was Benny wanted to see Charis again. Maybe he  had feelings for her. I started to  walk towards the door. I could not listen to any more of this. It felt too much like everyone was blaming Charis for something that could have nothing to do with her. 

“Logan wait, “ My dad mind linked me. “You may not want to hear this, but you can’t protect her if you don't know what is going on.”

I stopped walking. He was right. as much as I hated it, he was right. 

Sterling cleared the room, only my dad and I remained. We sat back down in front of Sterling's desk. He sighed and ran his hands over his face.

“ Has Charis made any friends since she arrived?” he asked. I shrugged and thought for a minute. “She mostly stays with me or my parents, and aunt Lenore. She has not really made any friends at school, or in her training class.” My father grunted when I mentioned her class, I looked at him sideways, but ignored it. 

“Why has she not made any connections here? If she intends to make this her home, Why is she not becoming a part of the pack?” He asked

I felt my anger rising. “I don’t know, maybe she is shy, Maybe she just enjoys hanging out with us. Why does not having friends make her a threat?” My voice was rising, bordering on disrespect. I did not want to anger my uncle, but I couldn't control my feelings. I felt like Charis was being threatened and my anger was getting the best of me. Samuel was  ready to take control and end this conversation. My dad responded and eased the tension in the room.

“Beth and I already thought about this.”, As my Dad spoke those words I was shocked. My mate was perfect, who cares how popular she is. “She was raised secluded from her pack, very controlled by her father. We have noticed she does not do anything on her own. We send her to school and training, other than that she remains secluded. I think she does not know any other way to live. If we ask her to go somewhere or do something she is always 100% on board and happy to do it, but she never does anything on her own.” How had I not realized this about her? Now that he said it out loud, it was obvious she did not leave the house or do anything without ‘permission”'. She never told us about anyone she had even spoken with at school. Who does she eat lunch with? I realize she may be eating alone everyday like she did in Crescent. .. How could I be so blind? As much as I love spending all of our free time together, I know she needs more than me to have a full life. That is not how I want her to live. 

My uncle seemed to be considering what my dad had said. “We will continue the surveillance for now. It might help the rest of the pack support her protection if she became friends. Right now she is a mystery, a stranger we are asking them to go to war over.”

“What do you want me to say to her?” I could not believe he wanted me to force her to make friends. 

“Logan, we will help you. Your Mom can plan a party to welcome her. Lenore can introduce her around. We just assumed she would make friends and become a part of the pack effortlessly, but for her, it will take our help. I don’t think you should add pressure to her. We need to try and help it happen more naturally.” I nodded to my Father. I am glad he is helping me with this. I  stand up and look at  Sterling. He nods at me to let me know I am dismissed. I leave feeling very frustrated. Why is this so hard? Why can’t we just be happy and live our lives?

I went back to the office I was sharing with my dad. He sat down and looked at me. I could tell by his expression I was not going to like what he had to say. What now?

He leans back in his chair.  “What's wrong?” I asked.

“How is Charis training going?” He asked.

“She said she helps Daniel a lot. I think she must be advancing pretty well if she is assisting.” I admit I was proud when she told me she was helping the other students with their forms. 

My Dad grimaced and I could tell I would not like what he was about to tell me. “So she is still in Daniel's class?” he grimaced as he spoke the words. 

“Yes, why? What are you getting at?” I asked.

“The class is for first year pups.” I shook my head confused by his words. When a pup first shows signs of coordination, speed and strength, they are considered first year. Most first year pups are between four and five years old, but occasionally there is a late bloomer around six or seven. Promotion within the classes is based on how quickly you develop your skill and your trainers evaluation. I have seen ten year olds in advanced classes because they showed so much potential and skill. “He put her in a first year class?” My voice roared out at my dad. My blood was boiling. “That son of a b***h. He said he had the perfect class for her. He played me. He is making a mockery of her .”  I want to rip that smug smile off of Benjamin's  face.

I stormed out of my Dad’s office hell bent for the gym. I know where Charis class is training, I burst into the room, my wolf desperate to take control and punish Benjamin.

Charis Point of View

After school I rushed to training, excited for another day. I joined the class, standing in the back again. Daniel congratulated me on my new mark. people had mentioned it all day. I was proud of it, but some of the comments were so awkward.

Class began, Daniel was teaching us a new form. His class was a lot of martial arts focusing on self control. Perfect for all these little guys in the class.

Suddenly the door burst open and Logan stomped in. He looked shocked and furious. He looked at Daniel. “Where is he? Where is that Bastard?” Logan yelled. I was shocked. What had happened. I ran over to him, grabbing his arm. “What is wrong Logan?” I asked. “You are scaring the kids.”

 Daniel answered Logan. “He is on his way. Someone already told him you wanted to see him.”

Benjamin strode into the room with a smug cocky look on his face. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Logan demanded. I was still very confused. Why was Logan so upset?

‘Beta, I'm not sure what you mean.” Benjamin responded. 

“Cut the crap Ben, Why is she in a class with toddlers?” I was taken aback by his comment. This class was full of young ones, but they were not toddlers.

"Your mate has no experience. This is the beginner class. She will start out in this class or she will not be permitted to train here." The look on Benjamin's face told me there was more going on than a disagreement over class placement.  

“Bullshit Ben. That is bullshit and you know it.” Logan was obviously calling Delta Benjamin ‘Ben’ as a sign of disrespect. Everyone else referred to him by his full name and title. 

“Charis, we are leaving!”  Logan said. 

I was so disappointed, I tried to mind link him. “Please Logan, I really want to train. Please let me stay.” I begged.

Logan took my hand and began to lead me out of the room. “I will find someone to train you, but it won’t be this asshole!” he mind linked back. 

I felt like I wanted to cry. I did not understand what had happened. We walked back home quietly. Logan was fuming. I had never seen him so angry and it was terrifying. When we got to the house I walked inside and went to my room. Logan shifted into his wolf and took off running. I let the tears begin to fall. What have I done wrong now? I fell onto my bed and continued to cry. It felt like an ocean of tears. I did not want to lose Logan. I did not even understand what I had done wrong. Maybe Warren was right, I am not worthy of a mate.  I heard a soft knock on my door. I expected it to be Logan or Beth, But to my surprise it was Robert. He sat on the edge of my bed with his hands in his lap. He looked sad. 

‘I heard what happened today. I hope you are not too mad at Logan, he is under a lot of pressure.” 

“I don't understand what I did wrong.” I said.

“Oh, Princess, you did nothing wrong.” He had never called me princess, but I liked the way he said it. It was so fatherly and loving.

“My son is bull headed and he did not handle that very well. Benjamin has had his sights set on the Beta title for a long time. He knows he could never beat me for the title. If he can undermine the pack's confidence in Logan he has a chance to take the title from him. You don't inherit the position. You are appointed based on your bloodline and ability. Sterling could choose a different Beta or remove a Beta if they are incompetent. Putting you in that class was to make Logan look weak. He could have put you in any class and made sure you had the help you needed to succeed. Instead he put you with the pups to make Logan look weak." he explained.

“How does he look weak if I am the one in the class?” I asked

“You will be the female beta. You are his female partner. You are both the future Beta. Anything he can do to make you look weak makes Logan look weak.” As he spoke I understood Logan’s anger. He had waited years to become beta and I could make him lose it.

My concern began to grow. "What can I do? How can I fix this?" I asked.  I felt panicky. I did not want to let Logan down.

“Nothing.” Logan said. “He had entered the room and heard the last of our conversation. “You don’t need to do anything. The problem is not your inability to fight. The problem is having a beta train with toddlers. I have already found someone else to train you. He is a different kind of wolf, But I think you will get along well.”

I was worried now about how I would affect Logan's future, our future. How could I be so stupid. Of Course I looked like a weak fool training with little kids. Logan walked over to me and picked me up in an embrace. “Stop, You don’t need to worry about this. I can handle Ben.” he said.