Escape to Midnight

Episode 13

Logans Point Of View

I walked Charis back to my parents house. My anger at Ben was rolling off of me in waves. I felt Charis was upset, I knew she was disappointed. I wanted to make her feel better. I had to fix this for her. 

I have a friend who would be perfect to train her. She needs intense training right now anyway. If Warren catches her by herself, I will need her to defend herself and stay alive until I can get to her.

As she disappeared into the house, I shifted into my wolf and began to run through the forest. It felt good to let Samuel out. I was on my way to visit my friend Seth. If Anyone can help Charis, it is Seth.

 Seth is outside tending to a garden he has been growing. He is as close to feral as he can be without going completely rogue. Hell, I think he is more feral than some rogues. He eats raw meat and raw vegetables only. I like raw meat on occasion, but he is too extreme for me. He smiles when he sees me. He has become a close friend over the years. We ran patrols together for about five years. That was when he lived in town, and before I started officially training to be beta. He always made it fun, and he trained me on his fighting style. It is a mix of several different styles. I have always been a top warrior in our pack, but with his help, I am elite. I could have mind linked to ask him for help, but because he lives close to the border I wanted to see what he thought about all the activity. 

“Logan, I must be in trouble if you came all the way out here!” he shouts with a smile. I shift back into my human form.

“ You stay in trouble, that's why you live so far out.” I replied laughing. He approached me and stood in front of me, blocking my view of his house. It is really strange. Usually, we go inside and he gives me some clothes to borrow. Today he seems to not want me close to his house. I decided not to question it, I am here to ask for a favor after all. 

“I met my mate, '' I said beaming.

“Finally! I was beginning to think it would never happen,” he said jokingly and it felt good to talk about her without all the pressure of what was going on.

 ‘She is perfect, I never would have believed someone so perfect existed.” As I said the words I saw the pained expression come across his face. Damn, I forgot. I was about to say something totally awkward to try and fix my insensitive comment when something caught my eye, a flash of something at the corner of his house. My wolf growled and went on the offensive. I rushed towards the house. Seth called out to me. “Logan no, don’t go over there!”

It was too late, I had already seen what he was obviously hiding from me. It was a child. Probably the one the patrol refused to accept. Why was it here? I turned to him in shock. “What have you done?” 

“I could not turn it away. I woke up and he was here, outside by himself. I could not leave him to die.” He tried to explain, But he was breaking a pack law. You can’t take in a rogue without permission from the Alpha. I know he did not get approval from Sterling. 

“Seth this is big, you don’t realize. The Crescent Moon is threatening war with us. Sterling thinks the rogue women and children are trying to infiltrate our pack to weaken us.” I explained.

‘Look at him!” Seth is yelling in frustration, I can tell he is already very attached to the pup. “Does he look like a threat? He can't even talk yet. He is less than 2 years old. He is dead without me. I won’t let him die. I will renounce the pack first.” He insisted.

I am taken back by his words, but I know he means it. He has lived as an expack rogue before. 

I decided to change my tactic. “He is not a threat, but Why was he abandoned here? Why would his parents abandon him?”

Seth is shaking his head, he has no idea. I sigh, things just got a lot more complicated. We go inside and he hands me some clothes to wear. As soon as he sits down the pup climbs into his lap. “What is his name?” I ask. 

“Levi, I named him Levi.” he responded.

“How are you raising him on your own? How do you hunt?” 

He laughs, “He likes to come along, but I can leave him home alone if I need to. He knows to stay inside and out of sight. Someone already drilled that into him. I don’t know why, but he is good at hiding. He was standing in the garden with me when you got here. He got all the way to the house without you ever seeing him.” Seth looks proud as he brags on the boy. I am surprised he was able to get from the garden to the house undetected. That makes me wonder if he knows the wolf sneaking around our pack land. He is too young to question, so I don't mention it. 

Ready to change the subject    Seth asks, ``What brings you all the way out here?” 

I cant help the stupid smile that crosses my face when I think of Charis. “I need someone to train my mate. Benjamin put her in the pup class.” 

“Wow, he really, really hates you.” Seth laughed.

“He does, but he also does that to other she wolves that join the pack with no experience. It is a control freak thing. He knows if my mate is in the pup class it makes me look weak and her vulnerable. I can’t let it happen.” 

“You know  what happened last time I was in town?” he asked hesitantly. 

I Remembered, but I hoped it would no longer be an issue. He got into a fight with a group of young warriors. He beat them down pretty bad. The fight was not his fault. They had all heard about the expack wolf who had saved Sterling’s life. Everyone wants to beat the badass and be the new badass. He mostly avoids the other wolves to stay out of trouble. 

"What if you just come to my house and train her in the backyard.” I asked. He appeared to be thinking about it. 

"I guess if you can keep Levi a secret, I can help your mate kick Benjamin's ass.” We both smiled at the thought. 

We agreed for him to come by the house later in the week to meet Charis. I headed home relieved to know Charis would still get to train, I was worried about Levi though.

Charis Point Of View

As Robert and I sat in my room my mind began to race. My concern began to grow. What can I do? How can I fix this? I felt panicky. I did not want to let Logan down. I turned to Robert, “tell me how I can make this better.” I said 

“You Can’t.” 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.

Beth came into my room. “There you are, '' she said. “You did  not meet Lenore and I to pick out the stuff for the new house. What's going on, is everything okay.” I laughed and shrugged. I was not even sure at this point.

 "I embarrassed Logan, but he fixed it so now I guess it's fixed." I was confused, pack life was so confusing. Logan Kissed the top of my head. “It's fine now mom,” he said.

"Well Good, Lenore and I picked out a lot, you can decide what you like and what to keep or send back” she said. “They are unloading it now.”

“Unloading?” Robert sounded concerned, “What do you mean unloading? I thought you guys were picking out colors and flooring.”

“We might have found furniture and a few other things.” Robert sighed clearly Beth was in charge of the remodel and she was ready to start.

We walked next door and saw a giant moving truck with workers unloading some stuff on the lawn and carrying some stuff directly into the house. “Goddess Beth, All of this won't even fit in the house!” Robert said.

“ We brought options.” Lenore stated amused at Robert's discontent.

“All right,'' Beth said. ”First we need to pick colors for the house, walls and floors, and then we can decide on furniture and décor.” she finished.

“Is anything left in the stores?” Robert asked. Logan Laughed at his Father. 

“Don’t worry dear, we have 48 hours to return anything she does not want.” Beth reassured him

Robert's hand came up and smacked his forehead. 

“The stuff we decide to keep can stay in the truck until they are ready to move in. The Omegas think they can have paint and flooring done in a week. Lenore and I also decided countertops should be updated. They can do that the second week. All in all they should be moved in within 3 weeks.`` She seemed confident in her timeline.

Robert  looked at her like she had gone mad. 

“Come Charis, let's start in the house.” she ordered.

 It took almost an hour for us to pick out the color for the walls and the type of flooring. I decided to use stone flooring. It would hold up well with pups running  around on it. Logan liked it when I said that, He was eager to have a pup. Choosing the countertops was harder. In the end Logan decided. Beth Cooed as she guided us outside. We had four couches to choose from, four dining tables, pretty much four of everything. I began to laugh, it seemed a little absurd. We walked from section to section in the yard choosing what we liked. The Omegas would separate the things we wanted from the things to return. After four long hours we were done. I was exhausted, but thrilled by all the progress. We went inside for a late dinner. Beth had arranged for the Omegas to prepare dinner while we were next door. Lenore joined us for dinner again.

“So, Now that the house is underway, what about your mating ceremony.? Lenore asked.

 I was drinking when she asked and began to choke. “Too Soon?” Lenore asked, a little surprised. 

“No, No it's not too soon, you just caught me off guard. We just finished picking everything for the house. My mind is too tired to even think about the Mating ceremony tonight.” Lenore nodded her head like she understood. 

I didn't mean to disappoint, but after everything that happened today, the fight with Benjamin, the house, my mind was overloaded. As if on cue, Logan stood up, lifted me up and carried me upstairs bridal style. It was a great escape. He carried me into my room. He had been sleeping in  my room with me ever since he marked me. He went into the bathroom and turned on the water. He took off his clothes and walked over to me. He lifted me off the bed and stood me up on my feet. He began to undress me slowly. He seemed to be enjoying it. When I was naked he picked me up to carry me to the bathroom. my legs instinctively went around his waist. He got into the bathtub and placed me on his lap. The water was warm and felt so good, so relaxing. I lay my head down on his chest. We lay there together, letting our bodies breathe in sync. I felt myself becoming drowsy. He stood up, taking me with him. He placed me on my feet and began to dry me off with a towel. I tried to help but he pushed my hands away. He quickly dried himself and carried me with him  to bed. I snuggled into him. My life was so perfect. 

The next Morning during breakfast, Logan said “I have a surprise for you”

“What is it?” I asked. 

“It would not be a surprise if  I told you.” he laughed. I was a little annoyed, he knew I did not like surprises. I gave him my best pouty look.

“Alright, Alright he laughed, come on and I will show you.” he said.  We walked outside and there was a strange man in the yard. He looked wild enough to be a rogue. 

“Charis, this is my friend Seth. He is going to train you.” Logan said. 

“Really?” I squealed.

“Really.” Logan replied.

I looked over at Seth, . I see why Logan said he was different. His hair was long and unruly as was his beard. His clothes appeared to be made from animal hides. Leather pants and a shirt of deer hide. He almost looked savage. He smiled at me And put his hand out for me to shake. 

“It's nice to meet you,'' I said.” 

‘Seth will come every morning before school and train you in the backyard.’ Logan explained.

 I was so excited. Lenore was walking over to check on us. ”Hello Seth.” she said. He nodded at her. 

“Charis, if you feel like it we can start planning your ceremony tonight.” she said. 

I was excited for the ceremony. I would be an official member of the pack after the ceremony. I told Lenore I was ready for sure. I turned to tell Seth I would see him in the morning, He was already gone. I looked at Logan, He shrugged. “Seth is like that, you get used to it.”

That night at dinner, our mating ceremony was the topic for discussion. Ideas for colors and places. So many choices and decisions to be made. My mind was becoming tired when the conversation turned to Seth.  

“I did not know Seth was still around,'' Lenore said.

Logan nodded his head. “He lives out in the forest, just past the lake.” He responded. “He prefers to live isolated.'' he continued. 

“Why would he want to be isolated?” I asked

“It is kind of a long story.” Logan began. “He was a powerful alpha at one time. His pack was attacked by rogues. While he was fighting them, someone killed his mate and their pup”

 I gasped, How horrible. Logan continued, “He was devastated, He became ruthless, obsessed with finding the murderers. He had no clue who it was. He took his rage out on the rogue population, killing mercilessly. He did not know if it was a rogue or a pack member that killed them, but he blamed the rogues for distracting him and leaving his family vulnerable. One day a rogue approached him in human form and told him he could help him .  His first thought  was to kill the rogue but he decided to hear him out. The rogue told him his family was killed by his brother. His brother had hoped it would weaken him enough he could take the pack away from him.  A rogue did not kill them. While Seth was defending his pack, his Brother snuck to his house and killed his family.  He became enraged rushing to his brothers. When he confronted them his younger brother admitted killing his family and challenged him for his position as alpha. He defeated his brother, killing him in the process. He was broken after that. knowing his family was killed because his brother wanted to be alpha destroyed him. His youngest brother took over as alpha and Seth left his pack. He wandered around as a rogue for years. One day he found Sterling injured and in need of help in the forest. Sterling had been in a fight with a group of rogues. He won the fight but was pretty beat up. Seth brought him back to us and Sterling asked him to join the pack. He does not care for pack life. He has seen how ugly it can become. He lived in town for a while, but he had trouble with some of the younger warriors. He lives as far out as he can and keeps to himself. He has been part of our pack for five years.”

I was a little taken aback by his story. It reminded me of Warren killing his own brother. Pack life could be cutthroat and brutal. We finished dinner mostly in silence. After such a grim story there was not much to say.