Under the Hill

Chapter 6

Kaylen:

We wrapped up breakfast and made our way out to the cars. I noticed Renlian suddenly stopped walking. I turned around and saw she was staring at her phone with a puzzled look on her face.

"Everything ok?"

"Yah, I was letting my grandfather know I was headed to pack my stuff and he said see you soon. He might be about to interrogate you."

Her grandfather? What about her parents? "Grandfathers permission huh? I figured it would be your dad I would have to answer to."

"My dad died before I was born. My grandpa is all I have."

She didn’t seem the least bit concerned about the fact that she told me she only had one living family member. She stated it so matter of fact I wasn't sure how to take. I was sure there was more to the story there but I didn’t want to push it for now.

"Sorry, I didn’t know."

"How would you? We have had 1 solid conversation so far." she had a point we hadn't really had the opportunity to really get to know each other. I would have to make sure we actually got some quality time together soon. It might make her feel more comfortable with me.

Renlian had been near our territory on a hike but her apartment was two hours from the pack territory. I glanced at her through the side mirror as she was sitting behind me. She was staring out the window lost in thought.

I wondered what she was thinking about. I really knew nothing about her. So far her only living family is her Grandfather and she is my mate. That's it. There is also the situation that she must be some kind of supernatural that smells human. I know my eyes weren't playing tricks on me the other day when I saw her eyes glowing green. And I also know for certain the moon goddess wouldn’t have made her my fated mate if she were human. I knew there was stuff she was keeping from me but I didn’t want to push her. It had been less than 24 hours since we met and I needed to be patient. Once she learned she could trust me she would be more willing to open up.

I hoped by helping her pack her things I would be able to learn a little more about her. I was also curious to meet her grandfather.

The two hours went by quickly as my mind wondered thinking about our mate. Hades had been listening in on my mental brainstorming but didn't say anything. Before I knew it we had picked up the moving truck and were outside a 10 story apartment building.

Renlian wasted no time and hopped out of the SUV and into the front door of the building. Once inside the receptionist greeted her. "Good morning Ms. Harwood. Your grandfather informed us of your move. Before you leave please make sure to sign the paperwork and turn in your keys and amenities pass."

"Will do. Sorry for the short notice." she continued along to the elevator. The 6 of us packed into the elevator and she pressed the button for the 7th floor. Once we arrived we walked to the end of the hall to unit 77.

"Apartment 77 on the 7th floor. Sounds lucky."

She ignored my comment and opened the door to her apartment. It was a studio apartment and all the walls were bookshelves. The living room sat below with large connecting glass windows filling the apartment with light. There was a loft above with a staircase to the right that lead to her bed. It was small but still felt homey. There was lots of greenery and the bookshelves were filled to the brim with books. My mate liked to read, noted.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room was an elderly man, most likely mid-eighties. He had greyed hair and a beard. He wasn’t a very tall man but you could tell there was wisdom in his eyes. The moment we walked in his eyes tore into me.

"Grandpa!" Renlian said happily. She ran up to him and put her arms around him. She seemed happy and comfortable in his embrace. He looked down at her fondly. Then looked back to me locking eyes again, almost as if he knew it was me who was snatching away his granddaughter.

Renlian pulled away from his embrace. She turned back in our direction. "Grandpa this is Kaylen. He will be taking care of me at my new place. To his right is Max and his left is Ian. They are longtime friends of his and will be my neighbors. The other two are friends they asked to help out so we could get this done quickly.

I extended my hand out to her grandfather. "Nice to meet you sir." he just looked at my hand then turned back to Renlian.

"Well we should get started on the packing." he said dismissing me entirely. Hades was not having it. He was trying to claw to the surface. I do not like being ignore. I am an Alpha and I will be respected.

Calm down Hades. Remember he is just a human and being protective of his granddaughter. If you cause a scene here it will only push us ten steps backwards. We need to get him to like us.

I could tell Hades was not at all pleased but he backed down regardless. He really wanted our mate to like us and that was his top priority right now, more so than his pride.

We all got to work. With 7 of us packing we made quick work of it. It helped that everything was out in the open and easily packable from the book shelves. Within 4 hours we had the place cleared out. Renlian filled out all the lease ending paperwork and turned in her keys.

I walked over to her grandfather. "Hello sir. Sorry if we got off to the wrong foot. I would really like to earn your favor."

The old man looked at me quizzically. "Take a walk with me son." he turned away from the building and started walking I followed in suite. We walked a distance and Ian was keeping a trail on us to make sure nothing happened.

"Can't go anywhere without an escort can you?" I hadn't realized he noticed In following. I weighed my options and turned to motion Ian off. He got my gesture and turned and went away. We walked a little further and we were perfectly out of hearing of the other wolves. If I hadn't known better it almost would seem as if that was his intention.

"What are your intentions with my granddaughter?"

"I am going to give her the world and protect her with every fiber of my being."

"And if every fiber of your being isn't enough?"

His question was curious to me but I would contemplate his meaning later. "If every fiber of my being isn't enough to protect her then I am less than a man and don’t deserve to walk this earth."

"You think highly of yourself. Don’t let your arrogance cripple you."

"Parden me sir, it isn't arrogance. It is confidence in my abilities that I have worked hard to hone."

"Your confidence better not be misplaced. If harm comes to her because you fell short, I will make you suffer the consequences."

The look in the old man's eyes told me he was serious. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. On one hand he may have ways to get at us but on the other I was wolf not a human.

We walked in silence back to the building. I don’t think I won his favor by any means but for now he was accepting my existence. As we approached the moving truck he walked ahead of me and stopped.

"You don’t take my threats seriously. But know this boy, if she comes to harm because of you, not even the moon can save you."

Before I even had time to respond Renlian had walked up and was giving her grandfather another hug. "I am going to miss you grandpa."

"And I you pumpkin. Don’t be a stranger ok. Still come to visit this old man."

"Of course." she smiled up at him. "well we should get back so I can start unpacking all of this."

I nodded and we all hopped in the car and started the two hour journey back. When we pulled off Max reached out to me over the mind link. Did he just say not even the Moon cold protect you?

That he did.

Does he know what we are?

I didn’t answer his question because truthfully I didn’t know. It could just be an expression but the knowing look he gave me when he warned me about putting her in danger told me otherwise. There was a lot more to Renlian and her family than meets the eye. I only wondered that if the fact that she is an orphan has something to do with why she is so adamant about playing human.

All I knew is that I would find out. I had to protect my mate and in order to do that I needed to know what all could mean danger for her.