Memory Lane

Chapter Two

"I'm sorry, I don't have any brothers," I told him after my initial shock wore off.

"Yes you do. Stop playing games Melanie. It's time you come home and confront Mother."

"I'm sorry," I repeated. "I don't have any family besides by my husband and my kids. Excuse me." I turned to leave. I could feel myself beginning to panic.

Arthur had never shared much about my past with me, despite him taking on all of my memories when we mated. He only told me that I had been running away from family. Now this man was claiming to be family.

What is it, love? My mate's voice floated through my mind. I quickly explained. Get out of there. Tell the man to follow you home if he truly is family. Do not, under any circumstances, get in the same car as him, do you understand?

I loved his dominant tone. Of course I do. I love you.

I love you too. Keep me updated on where you are.

I looked back and the man was still following me. I told him what Arthur had told me to say and walked to the checkout, paid and left.

Putting the groceries in the boot of my car, I saw the man hovering near by.

"Get your car," I told him.

"I don't have one, I ran," came his response.

"The you can continue to run." If he was a blood relative of mine, he would be able to shift into a wolf and run alongside the road. "Go to that forest. Apart from two corners, it runs along the road perfectly. You'll be able to keep up, I'm sure."

He nodded and left, following where I pointed.

Quickly strapping the Trio into their carseats, I jumped into the drivers seat and updated Arthur on what had occurred.

I have Aiden and Marcus here. If you are not home in ten minutes, I'm coming to get you.

I rolled my eyes. I'm leaving now, I responded.

Almost all the way I kept an eye out for a wolf in the forest. At times I glimpsed grey but couldn't be sure what it came from. On the last stretch, Arthur had come to meet me. He hopped in the car when I pulled up to him but he said nothing. His senses were on high alert.

What haven't you told me? I asked through our mind link.

"Many things," came the verbal response. That did not reassure me in the slightest.

The last few minutes of the drive home was tense, even the Trio could feel something was wrong and were keeping quiet.

Pulling up to the house, I could see Aiden and Marcus standing on the porch. They were watching the surrounding area and focused on a single spot as the wolf from the store left the woods.

Being wolves, living in the forest came in handy as it meant we could just shift and run without the risk of humans seeing and panicking.

The strange wolf was dressed, meaning he had taken the time to make himself decent after his shift. He walked over to Aiden and Marcus as Arthur and I got out of my car and collected the kids.

"My office," was the only thing Arthur said as we all moved into the house.

There were a few younger wolves in our living room. A few faces I knew as our babysitters when Arthur and I went on those few rare dates, willingly gave over the two pups in my arms and followed Aiden to the office upstairs.

Mine and Arthur's house was made up of four large floors. The first floor was made up of the basics, living room, kitchen and playrooms for the kids. The second floor was where all the business took place, holding an office for both Arthur and myself as well as craft rooms for when we needed a break from more serious matters. The third floor was where the kids slept. They had playrooms on that floor as well so they could keep themselves busy until Arthur or I went to get them. The last floor was mine and Arthur's. It was a large open plan bedroom set in the loft space.

Arthur had this house before we had met and had renovated it after we found out I was pregnant with the Terrors.

In the office, I sat down. I didn't want to be stood for too long as my legs already ached a bit from shopping. I was not the healthiest of wolves, I will admit. Part of it was due to not being able to heal properly after my accident due to being pregnant.

If I was to have healed fully, I would have had to shift every day for a couple of months. A complication of shift whilst pregnant is the likelihood of losing the pups. I wasn't about to let that happen and I'm so glad I didn't. I would give up everything for my kids.

Arthur went immediately behind his desk and pulled out a folder. I frowned at his actions. What could that folder be for?

Aiden moved into the room but didn't sit. Marcus stayed next to the door, a strategic move that he was very used to doing. He had been the pack prison's head guard before he became Beta. He was regularly present when someone had to be questioned, rogue or pack member. He soon got used to guilty wolves running for the door and so stood by ready and waiting.

The strange wolf stood in the middle of the room, clearly aware of all of us but still comfortable in his surroundings.

Arthur began the conversation: "Why have you come here?"

"It is time for my sister to take the throne."