Awakening Fate

Chapter 14: She’s Back

Clark’s POV

            My face fell as soon as he uttered those words. Matt quickly took off running towards the pack hospital while I dismissed training for the day. As I made my arrival to the hospital, staff and pack members bowed their heads as I walked down the corridors. I gave a curt nod letting them know that I heard them, but I did not stop. In the hallway I could see Emmeline’s family gathered outside of a hospital room. Her mother was held by the Marcus as they looked in through the window outside of the room. My mother stood off to the side of her best friend tears running down her face with a small, relieved smile. Matt held his mate but I could see his muscles shaking as he tried to remain calm. Lily sat behind the crowd with her knees to her chest watching everyone while Lewis paced up and down the hallway.

              “They won’t let anyone see her.” He stated as he made his way towards me. “They say she is still unconscious.”

              “We just have to be patient.” I said holding back my own excitement.

              “Son I need you to interview the guards on what happened. Be sure that everything remains confidential until we ready to announce her return.” My father instructs me and points to a small group of males near the waiting room.

              “Yes sir.” I state feeling a bit annoyed that I have to leave and not see Emmeline as she returns from wherever.

              I make my way over to the guards and beckon them to follow me back to the pack house. In my office one by one each tell me the story of what occurred when Emmeline arrived. Providing little information on what happened to her.

              “Alpha, she approached the gate by foot. She was covered in dirt and had dried blood on her forehead and upper scalp. At first, I thought she was a rogue and was readying myself to attack. However, she seemed so scared and expressed that she was a pack member here. When I got her name, I couldn’t believe it. I was going to call for help but then she started to sway back and forth and then she hit the ground.” The guard who interacted with Emmeline stated. “Next we brought her to the hospital and informed you and your father of her arrival.”

              “Was there anyone with her as she approached?”

              “No sir, but she was carrying this.” He said and held up a dirty blue backpack. I took it and thanked him. His story was no different than the rest of the guards on duty. I had all of them swear to keep this quiet until announced within the pack.

              Dumping out the backpack I noticed how many of the supplies appeared to be medical. I contained gauze, medical tape, two water bottles, a small map, some women’s clothing, a small piece of train ticket and a cell phone number with a note that stated ‘If you get into trouble.’ The bag appeared to be put together for someone to make a quick escape. I examined the piece of train ticket but could only see our town’s name on it, the rest had been ripped off. I sigh frustrated placing the contents back into the bag. My father enters the office with a brief knock and a furrowed brow.

              “Anything?” He asks taking a seat across from me.

              “Nothing of much use. I will have our men look into the phone number listed on the post-it, but other than that it appears to be an escape pack.” I state running my hand through my hair.  “How is she?”

My father sighs, “physically she will be fine according to the doctors. We don’t have any information however about what she endured. I think for that we will have to be patient and give her time. I also think it’s best to keep her return on the down low until she is ready for others to know.”  I nod in agreement.

“I will talk with the hospital staff if you talk to my siblings. Lily and Lewis are not going to like being patient.” I say with a chuckle.

My father groans, “deal,” and with that we sit and wait giving Emmeline the time she needs to fill us in on what happened while she was away.

(Two weeks later)

“This is ridiculous!” Lily screeches with her hands clenched in fists glaring at all of us standing in my father’s office. “I was her best friend. I have every right to check on my her.” She exclaims with tears of frustration running down her cheeks.

              “Emmeline isn’t ready to talk to anyone. Sweetheart you must be patient. She isn’t even talking to her parents really. She just shut herself off in her room. We are giving her time to process.” My mother says trying to soothe my sister’s growing temper.

              “It’s been two weeks, if we don’t help her come out of this state she will never come around.” She begs only earning a glare and a shake of my mother’s head.

              “Maybe you’re not her best friend anymore.” Lewis states not even glancing at my sister. “If you were really her best friend you would be understanding and not so pushy. Wasn’t that how we got into this mess in the first place, you dragged her all over the mall to shop!”

              That was all it took for my sister to snap. She lunges at Lewis with her claws out snarling. I quickly grab ahold of her holding her back, but she claws at my arms making me lose my grip. I grab her again by the scruff of the neck and hold her down onto the floor as my mother watches with a shocked look.

              “I hate you, Lewis Blackwood!” She screams thrashing on the floor trying to get away. Lewis just stands and stares at our sister in disgust. “You know that is not what happened!” She sobs.

              “Enough!” My father’s voice booms as he enters his office. He looks at me and to my sister. I glance over to mom to see her eyes filled with tears, but they also appeared cloudy. She must have mind linked him for help.

              “Lewis wait outside in the hall, now!” He states making my brother flinch. He steps out into the hall closing the door behind him.

              My father nods at me indicating that I can let go of my sister. “Lily I am disappointed in you. This is not how we behave. I can understand feeling mad about the situation and at others but your reaction unnecessary. The fact that your eldest brother, your future Alpha, had to step in and hold you down is embarrassing.” He takes a deep breath glowering at my sister who now only looks at the floor.

              “I’m sorry.” She whispers. “I don’t know what came over me. All I saw was red.”

My father nods briefly. “I appreciate the apology, but I hope you take this seriously and not push your way into delicate situation. Trauma is not something to fool around with. I expect a report from you by morning on ways you can mend this exchange I had to witness.” He states sitting down and leaning back in his office chair. My sister only nods fully aware that this was not the time to argue.

              “Good now go to your room and send Lewis in.”

              My mother takes a deep steady breath trying to hold back her own tears for her children earning a glance from my father who takes her hand.

              “It’s time to help them grow up dear.” He states rubbing small circles on her hand. Helping my mother calm her own emotions. A few minutes later Lewis walks back in with a grim look on his face.

              “Lewis, what was that?” My father asks raising an eyebrow.

              Lewis shrugs, “I don’t know dad. I think she is going crazy. I just pointed out how she played a role in all this. She always has.”

              “What do you mean?”

              “Ever since we were little, Lily would push Emmy into things she wasn’t comfortable with. Emmy hated shopping too long and Lily had admitted that Emmy was done but that she wanted to keep going. They could have all been out of there if it wasn’t for her.” He admitted. “I blame her.”

              “Lewis, that isn’t fair. Your sister had no idea that anything bad was going to happen. No one did. Putting all that blame onto her isn’t doing either of you any good.” My mother says.

              “I know but I can’t help it. I don’t like who my sister has become.” Lewis states honestly shifting his weight back and forth clearly uncomfortable. “All she cares about is her looks and the attention she is getting from others. It makes me embarrassed to call her my twin.” I can’t help but stifle a laugh at how sensitive the twins are when it comes to each other and their behaviors.

              My father also chuckles. “Lewis that is a phase most females go through, so you best get use to it.” This earns a groan from Lewis.

              “Or you can just try to stay away from all females while you at it forget about finding a mate.” I laugh out as Lewis shoots a glare at me.

“Listen, I want all of you on your best behavior. Tomorrow is the pack picnic. Many of the higher ups from surrounding packs have also been invited and will be joining us tomorrow. Lewis I want you and your sister to patch things up.” He states giving Lewis a pointed look. Lewis just nods. “I expect you all to make me proud.”

              “Yes father.” We say in unison.

              “Good now both of you please go and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”

              My brother turns and leaves immediately. I feel my chest tighten at the thought of tomorrows events.

              “Dad are you sure she will be safe. With Emmeline back I don’t know if it’s best to have members from other packs here.” I express just wanting to keep everyone safe.

              “Yes, I had that concern as well so we will have increased security at the party.” My father states looking over some paperwork. “It’s all taken care of son.”

I nod and walk out towards my room. As I arrive, I catch the scent of Hayden lingering nearby. I scrunch my nose and peek around the corner to see her leaning against my door. She just won’t stop. I groan and slowly make my way towards my room. Hayden gives me a wide smile and crosses her arms across her chest.

              “Took you long enough and where may I ask were you today?” She reaches out trying to grab me, but I pull away.

              “Go away Hayden, I’m not in the mood.”

              “Aww, but I wanted to discuss what we are planning on wearing for tomorrow.” She says making me stop in my tracks.

              “We are not planning anything. Go back to your mate.” I say moving past her and opening my door.

              “You are mine Clark, no one else.” She growls out before I shut the door in her face. I have had enough of this with her. The only thing I can do is try to stay away from her as much as possible.  She has done nothing that warrants banishment which honestly is a pity, because that would be so much simpler. I walk over to the window and look out to the courtyard that now hosts a large, decorated tent for the festival. Tomorrow will be full of preparations and father is right we will be representing our pack as royals. I lay down trying to close off my mind and fall asleep.