Escape to Midnight

Episode 18

When we arrived at the pack house Robert gave an order or the omegas to construct a funeral pyre. He told Edward and I we could Light the Pyre after the meeting.

The meeting took place in Sterling's office. Only the Alpha and Betas were in the meeting. Everyone else waited outside. I watched Logan enter the office, He appeared to still be growling at Edward. Watching him made me angry. Why was he so jealous and why did he not believe the Rogue was Edward. 

Seth waited with me, He was very stressed about the meeting. He was pacing and mind linking, but I could not tell who he was talking to. After two hours, the door finally opened. Everyone looked unhappy, but an agreement had been reached. 

I tried to ask Logan what was happening, but he ignored me. I was really becoming angry. I decided to ignore him back. I walked over to Edward and asked him if everything was okay.

“We have a plan, that is more than we had when we got here.” Edward laughed as he spoke and it seemed to ease the tension for everyone, except Logan. I watched Logan bristle as Edward spoke. Sterling invited them to stay for dinner as a show of good faith. I was relieved when they accepted. I did not know how much time I had left with Edward, but I wanted every second I could get. 

As we made our way into the banquet room, I tried again to speak with Logan. I had no idea what was going on, but it was making me so uneasy. 

“Logan, can Edward sit with us?” I asked knowing I would sit with Edward no matter what he responded. Logan only nodded his head. We took our places at the table, I sat between Logan and Edward. I was surprised to see Seth sitting across from us with Bennie. I could not hear their conversation, but they were having a very heated intense discussion. 

It appeared Sterling was trying to impress the Rogue King. He served tomahawk steaks cooked very rare. My favorite were the desserts, crème Brule is one of the best desserts our omegas make.

 I ate without stopping. I had missed lunch when we were called to the border. I did not realize how hungry I was. Logan looked at me concerned. “Are you okay? How long has it been since you ate something? It is not good for the pup if you skip meals.” He said the words as if I was unaware. 

I felt my anger increasing. Of course I know I need to eat. We were trying to eat when this started. When we discovered my Mother had been murdered and my brother was still alive. Why is Logan acting like everything happening is so normal. None of this is normal. I felt myself lose my temper.

“ What is wrong with you? You are being a complete ass. How can you be so cold and unfeeling?” I felt the tears fill my eyes, but I blinked them away. This was not the time or place for a domestic squabble, but I had to mind link him and get answers. 

He mind linked me back clearly just as angry as I was. “How should I feel when my mate rushes into the arms of another wolf in front of everyone. He may be your brother, but you have not seen him in a long time. He could be the one who killed your mother. This could all be a set up. If it is, I am the one who looks like a fool. Not you. For all I know this was planned before you ever got here. Are you a part of the set up.” 

I was shocked at his accusation. I stood up abruptly and excused myself from the table. Logan linked me.”  Charis get back in here right now. You are making us look weak and unstable."

I ignored him and went out to the pyre where the Omegas had placed my Mothers body. I leaned against the structure and let my emotions flow out of me. I was so hurt, not only by what happened to my Mother, but Logan accusing me of having something to do with her death. All I wanted was to spend the day celebrating our pup and instead everything had gone wrong. 

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I knew it was not Logan, I could feel through the link he was still at the dinner. For a moment I thought it was Edward, but when I turned around I was surprised to see Seth. I hastily began to wipe the tears and act like my life was not crumbling around me, but he just grabbed my hand and held onto it. “It is okay to cry and scream and feel all of your feelings.“ He said. " Everything you have been though and everything happening now is enough to break most people. You have every right to fall apart. Logan is my best friend, but he is wrong this time.” As he spoke the words, my crying turned into sobbing. I was so relieved someone cared about how I was feeling.

 I rested my head into his chest as the tears overtook me. Suddenly I felt a pain shoot through my arm. Logan had walked up and grabbed me. He was pulling me away from Seth. His grip was fierce and I was afraid. I never wanted to be afraid of my mate, but in this moment, I was becoming terrified. 

Seth pushed himself between Logan and I, freeing my arm. I took several steps away as Seth tried to reason with Logan. As they spoke, Seth was pushing Logan further way from me, back to the pack house. I was relieved to see he was leaving. I could not stomach being around him right now, not like this. 

Edward came running towards me from the front of the pack house. He had seen everything. He hugged me and began to stroke my hair. It was so soothing. I wanted to ask if he was ready to start the fire. I did not know how long Bennie and Sterling would let him stay. I was trying so hard to stop crying, but I just could not. I was angry and hurt. My Mate bond was making me need Logan to comfort me, but he was clearly incapable right now. He was adding to my grief and misery with his selfish misguided accusations. 

Seth linked me. “ He waited a long time for you, but that does not mean he knows how to treat or appreciate you. He needs time to figure out his responsibility to his mate. 

I was shocked by his words, but linked back making my position very clear. "Supporting me, as I  mourn the death of my Mother, should not be hard to figure out.”

My hormones made that last part sound really nasty. I felt bad lashing out at Seth, but Logan was unavailable. Fortunately, to everyone else It looked like I was just emotional over the death of my mother and not a fight with my mate in the middle of a sensitive alliance event.

More people were coming out of the pack house. They were not coming over in our direction. They were moving away from us. None of them knew our Mother. It would be just Edward and I at the fire. Logan could come, but I really doubted that he would. 

I saw Beth and Lenore cut through the crowd and coming towards us. They were carrying armfuls of flowers. The omegas only erected the wooden part of the Pyre, Beth and Lenore were bringing the flowers to adorn it with. As they got closer Beth started speaking. “Charis, We want to help you place the flowers and stand with you during this. Please know we love you and will help you get through this. I nodded my head, unable to speak. Beth Looked at Edward and said, “My Goddess, I would know you anywhere. You look just like the pictures I have seen. It is nice to meet you Edward. My name is Beth and this is my sister Lenore. We are Charis' family.” 

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My sister is very lucky to have you. Seeing the way you take care of her has made my decision n easier to live with.” He responded and winked at Lenore as he spoke. I rolled my eyes and swatted at him. I think he just admitted he has been watching me. 

We began to place the flowers on the pyre. Edward was the only one tall enough to put the flowers on our Mother’s body. The rest of the flowers decorated the sides and legs. They chose Lavender, Sage and lilies. When we finished placing the flowers, Edward lit the fire. It roared to life, taking what was left of my mother with it. It burned for three hours before it died down to embers. When it was over, Edward looked at me with tears in his eyes. “I need to leave now. The rest of my  pack left hours ago.” 

I nodded my head, but I really wanted to beg him to stay. Before I could ask him when I would see him again, he shifted and began to run towards the border. Beth and Lenore walked over and hugged me. I sighed. It had been a long day, full of so many emotions. I just wanted to go home and go to bed, but I did not want to see Logan. I wanted to ask Beth or Lenore If I could stay with one of them, but I did not want to put them in the middle of our disagreement. They were Logan's family first. Beth and I began walking home, Lenore went the other direction to her house. We walked in silence. If Beth knew about the fight, she did not let on.

I told her goodnight and went into my house. I had worried about seeing Logan for no reason. He did not bother to come home. His change in personality was confusing, but I was to tired to think about it. Tomorrow had to be better.

I woke up and immediately realized Logan had never come home. He had not mind linked me to say where he was either. As mad as I was I missed him and needed him. “Saria, has Samuel said anything about Logan?” I hoped she would have some answers. 

“Logan is struggling. Robert and Samuel have tried to reason with him, but he is not listening to them.” Saria replied.

“Why is he angry with me? Why does he doubt me?” I asked.

“He is the Beta now. The safety of the pack is his responsibility. His plan all along was to take you and run away to avoid war for our pack. Now that you are pregnant it is not an option. It is easy to be the beta during times of peace. It is hard during war where very decision could cost lives. He is afraid, and doubting himself as much as he doubts you and Edward. The pregnancy is also affecting him. The doctor told you he would be more possessive. He definitely is.” I thought about what she had said and I realized I had not thought about the fact the war was coming. I had not considered the pregnancy was already affecting him. I did not feel it excused his actions, but I needed to hear him out and try to fix this.  I decided to walk to the pack house and talk to him. As I opened the front door to  our home, he was there. He was standing there, trying to decide if he should come in or not. We looked into his eyes searching for what was going on behind them. He reached out his hand and waited to see if I would take it. I did and he pulled me to him. I leaned against him, the feel of his body calming my nerves and comforting me. 

We walked inside and sat down. He ran his fingers through his hair obviously trying to decide what to say. “I should have come outside with you. I should have stood by you at the fire." 

I   nodded my head in agreement, he should have. He continued. “I can't imagine what you went through yesterday. You needed me and I was so wrapped up in myself I could not see your pain. I am truly sorry for the pain I caused you yesterday.” I rushed over to him and hugged him. I never wanted to fight again.