The Beta's Arrival

Chapter 12

James’ POV

“No!” I roared as the trackers I sent after Helen informed me of their capture.

“Future Alpha, what should we do now? Should we return to Silvertooth to regroup?” One of the trackers questioned nervously.

It would only be a matter of time before we were found here on the Shadowlands pack land. But I can't give up. I need Helen... now. “We will hide a little while longer. If we don't get another opportunity tonight before the sun rises then we will return to our packlands to regroup,” I told them.

No one responded, but all understood that my instructions were nonnegotiable. I turned my attention to what I could do now. How could I get to her? She was undoubtedly back in the packhouse where her scent originally led us to. I wouldn't be able to get her if she was there.

I had to think this through. She would have to leave at some point, but now that they know someone—or rather, I am after her—they will never leave her alone. They would be fools to let her out without guards. I couldn’t stop myself from pacing in the small area of the forest that seemed to be safe for us at the moment.

We waited as the hours passed, and the moon began to dip while the sun rose. Our time was up. I would have to return empty-handed, which only angered me more. “Move out,” I growled as I turned to head back toward where we had entered.

The trackers followed me, and we were soon back on Silvertooth land. “Father,” I linked.

“Make your report,” he ordered.

“We were unable to bring her back. Instead, four trackers have been captured,” I informed him.

"What happened?” he hissed back at me.

It only took a moment, but I had explained what had happened. My father remained silent for a moment before he responded. “I will handle it,” he huffed. “Come back, and we will decide what to do next.” It sounded as though he was willing to continue to help me, but I wondered if he was only trying to bring me home before he informed me that he would no longer aid me.

Helen's POV

“What would you like to talk about?” I asked as I leaned forward and took one of the teacups. I held it in my hands, enjoying the warmth.

I waited while he also took a cup and a small cut piece from a sandwich. He ate it and took a sip of tea before he finally responded. “Us,” he whispered as he eyed me. It was as though he were waiting for my reaction to his single word.

“Us?” I couldn't help the confusion seeping into my tone.

“You don’t feel it, do you?” He seemed perplexed.

“Feel what?” I inquired.

I would have thought that he would have been disappointed, but instead, he appeared intrigued that I couldn’t feel whatever it was he thought I should be able to feel right now. He opened his mouth a few times but then closed it. Thoughts appear to swirl in his mind. Yet he wouldn’t express them. “If you don’t feel it then I won’t push it right now. There must be a reason that you can’t.” He seemed to be reasoning with himself.

I wasn't sure how to respond to him, so we sat in chairs facing each other in awkward silence. “If there isn't anything else, I'm rather tired, and I'd like to head up to bed,” I finally said.

“Of course, but I'll be around if you need or feel anything,” he said with a smile as he stood from his chair.

“Thank you,” I said with a tight smile, then I stood up and headed toward the staircase.

There was a strange pull that made me want to stay with him, but ignored it. I wanted to go to bed. I needed to be away from him because I couldn't have a mate. Not now. Maybe not ever. Not at least while James was alive. He will more than likely try to destroy not only me but all those who are around me at the time. He proved it tonight when he tried to snatch me using warriors from his back tonight.

I finally was able to make it all the way to the stairs. As I entered the room I was given, I saw that Diane had already fallen asleep. Quietly, I prepared for bed and then finally fell asleep. My dreams were filled with nightmares of what had happened as well as what might happen. It was restless and when I woke up, I was beyond exhausted.

“You don't look so good,” Diane said, either a yawn.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“Didn't sleep well?” She pushed herself up on her elbow as she rolled to face me.

“Nightmares,” I groaned.

“What happened last night between you and Vincent?” I could see she was looking for me to spill some kind of tea.

I thought for a moment, trying to decide what to tell her. If I should tell her what he said to me. “He said something odd to me,” I muttered, not fully prepared to tell her or even think that it could be possibly true.

“What did he say??” she asked excitedly as she suddenly sat up in bed.

“It was odd, that's all. Nothing really worth repeating,” I responded, trying hard to brush it off.

She looked at me skeptically but seemed to decide to let it go. At least for now. “Fine, but you will tell me... eventually,” she said with a smile.

“Whatever you say,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to get a shower and get ready for breakfast.” I got out of bed, grabbed a new set of clothes and went to the bathroom.

I stepped into the shower and let the water wash over me. The blood from the night before was washed down the drain. I had been so tired, I hadn’t showered, but instead slept on the blanket so as not to dirty the sheets. My hands and feet were still sore from all the running, but at least today the pain had lessened. I tried to wash my hair, which was proving to be difficult. Throughout the whole shower, it felt as though the skin on my fingers and feet would peel off, but I pushed through. I needed to feel clean.

Slowly, I was finally finished with my shower. I stepped out of the shower and carefully dried off. Then I pulled on the new fresh clothes while throwing the bloodied clothes into the laundry hamper. I left the bathroom to find that Diane had already changed, done her hair, and was ready to leave the room.

“Perfect timing.” She smiled at me as she opened the door.

“Just let me throw my hair up in a bun, and then we can go,” I said quickly as I went to the makeup stand. Quickly, I ran a brush through my hair and then pulled it up into a damp messy bun.

“Okay, now I’m ready,” I stated as I stood and went to the door with her.

“Good, 'cause I’m starving,” she said as she opened the door and left the room. I was close behind.

We went down the stairs and went to the dining room on the first floor. Others were already seated and eating. We peered around the room to find two empty seats, but today it seemed that space was limited compared to dinner last night. After a few minutes, we finally found a couple of chairs. Taking the empty seats, we were quickly served two plates with bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Just as I took a fork full of food and placed it in my mouth, someone new sat down at a recently empty chair.

“Good morning, Helen.” I heard Vincent's voice. “And Diane.”

“Good morning,” she beamed at him.

“Good morning,” I muttered as I continued to eat without making eye contact.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked me.

“Yes,” I responded quietly.

“I slept well, too,” Diane interjected. “Helen, you should be more polite.” She elbowed me.

“That's quite alright,” Vincent quickly jumped in. “Your sister is still weary of me. Understandably so.”

“Can we just eat?” I mumbled, wanting the conversation to be over. He was too close, and I was struggling to keep my voice, even let alone my breathing steady.

“Yes, let's,” Vincent agreed.

Finally, I was able to eat in peace. However, I could feel Diane's judgmental gaze on me. But she seemed to refrain from speaking and ate instead. I knew she was bottling it all up until we were alone when she could bombard me with numerous questions. As soon as I finished, I stood, took my plate and headed to the kitchen. “Thank you for dining with us,” I said to Vincent and then went back upstairs suddenly feeling exhausted.