The Biggest Loss of All

Plan in motion

I head off to the training grounds. After promising Alpha and dad, I would keep my knowledge of Ross to myself. His son was there and was wanting to train with me, I suggested it was better I trained on my own as I knew I'd go too far.

"Come on, James, I'm nearly getting to the point of winning against you" I could feel the anger rise even though it was not Leo's fault and with him being only 18 he likely wants to show off. But I knew my anger for his dad would be taken out on him.

"James, you know I'm the next best fighter." he continues to taunt me, wanting me to train with him. What do I do? I know I can not control myself, and Blaze certainly won't allow my wolf to hold back if we shift.

"Leo sorry little bud, I didn't sleep much last night. If OK with Henry, I'm going to train by myself today." The sadness on his face, he obviously just wants to be taught by someone he looks up to. I felt bad as it wasn't his fault his dad was a traitor, and only 3 of us knew.

"It's OK James, one day we will get to train together as I'm getting better every day. I can't wait to be at your side when we have to protect the pack." I can feel my heart breaking how could Ross have such a loyal son. He didn't deserve him, yet in a couple of months due to his dad, he will lose everything and become an omega. I felt bad for having this knowledge and wondered if this punishment was too harsh for Ross' family. But then I thought about mum and what they did to her, and a growl slipped my lips.

"James is all OK? what did Leo do?" Jack mind links me looking worried as I rarely growl.

I look over to him realising how hard it must be for him to see me going through this and him not understanding. "He did nothing just thinking about mum and when we finally find her killer."

He looks to the ground and now lets out a growl himself. I can tell he feels guilty for keeping me at training by his dad's command, even though his mum requested us home. As the next Alpha, he would have wanted to protect my mum, as Jack has always put his life on the line for any member of our pack.

But neither of us was giving a chance to perform our roles we were born to. We still are hiding what I know from Jack is heartbreaking. We've never had a secret, but I understood the complications of more people knowing about Ross. There is more likely the others that helped him and would go on the run like he has.

"But why would he leave his wife and kids to go on the run?" Blaze suddenly says out of the blue. That was actually a good question. I wonder where Leo thinks his dad is.

"Leo, I've changed my mind. I will train with you, but we need to take it slow. Due to mum's death, I've been going a bit too hard on people. " Leo's face beemed, and he nods in agreement. This is my chance to get more information from him.

"Is your dad unwell, I've not seen him for a couple of days." He looked at me so happy that I recognised his dad, as if he was missed because his so special at work. This poor lad has really been fooled by him. How could anyone do this to their children?

"His gone to see my sister, the one that got the scholarship to that boarding school." Yes, I remember her, even as a child, she was beautiful. Only 9 months younger than Leo, I remember mum coming in to Auntie the day she was born.

"Did you hear Rose gave birth, a set of Irish twins, how exciting?" I remember them beaming together, meant another person for them to mother. How did they have so much time and never had a day they didn't share their love. I miss that, especially as Luna isn't the same.

"How is she getting on?" I ask. He informs me that she is excited to come home to the pack as it is lonely without us all there. How he is excited as she will be home just before her 18th birthday and in time for the next mating ball. I smile at the thought of the next mating ball, I still will be only 20 and hope my mate will be there.

After all his yapping as we throw our punch and practice blocking them. His face changes, and there is sadness in his eyes. "Beta." I knew it was serious as he addressed me by my soon to be title. "How are you all? I've been dying to ask as I couldn't imagine the pain you all feel, but mum keeps saying it's rude, and I should just leave it alone. "

His mum suggested that, why would she? "she's in on it. I just know it, " growled Blaze. "I agree, we have so much information for Alpha and dad without a struggle." I could feel Blaze's smugness at my reply.

I look up, and Leo is still waiting for my reply. "we're doing as best we can. Just wish we could find the rouges that did it."

"Dad said they got away, and we're not allowed into the woods until they are caught." He looked down, realising his words may have pressed a wrong button. "Not saying your mum should have known better, as she was one of the best warriors we had. But I just wish it hadn't happened. You have changed, and well, Josie seems different. "

He was right about it all, I felt bad that he felt he had to explain himself, but at the same time, anger, knowing his dad was 1 that killed my mother. But what did he mean? Josie was different. My baby sister had been the same at home. Was she hiding the way she felt, was he wanting her? He better not. My sister will never be with a traitor's son. Still can't believe she turns 18 in 3 days. The first birthday without our mum.

"Leo, why do you think Josie has changed?" He looked down, and the ground started to shift from 1 foot to the other. What has he done? Why would he do something to her. After everything we spoke about, this is what he shows guilt on. I could feel my blood boil as I knew I had to protect my sister.

"I asked her out, and usually she would smile and inform me again that she is waiting for mate. All you beta children are amazing, especially as your dad and grandparents all waited for their mate, and they have the perfect relationship. " He was still looking at the floor, sadness in his eyes. It wasn't guilt it was pain that caused him to act that way. Are things less perfect in the Gamma house than we know?

"It's OK, we do wait for our mate, here I am at 20 still waiting." I look him in the eye. "It doesn't mean she doesn't like you, just that we are brought up that no matter who we replace that love with, it will be different once we meet our mate. So we wait, that means no one gets their heartbroken in the mean time". Leo smiled at me as if he never thought of it like that.

"I better get home and showered. It was nice chatting with you, Leo, and getting to know you better. Especially as within the next year you will be our gamma and I will need you more than ever. " He smiled, and we finished up our goodbyes before heading home.

As I walk in and before even showering, I link with dad and Alpha to inform them I need to speak with them as soon as possible. Walking off the elevator, I hear auntie shout, "Get a shower, young James, before you do anything." I giggle as she has always been a clean freak, and everything had to smell just right. But at the moment, this was too important.

Dad and Alpha are in the office waiting for me. "I won't sit down as I'm in need of a shower, but what I've learnt of Leo is too important " Dad looks a little angry he must of thought I was questioning him, but that dropped as he learnt how I got the information. He even started to smile towards the end.

"So Rose knows, this is very interesting, and I wonder why his hinting to it being less than perfect. The poor children are going to be broke by Ross' disloyalty and that he dragged their mum into it." Dad looked angry as he said the last bit, thinking how it was his wife they targeted and his mate they killed. "I think you need to make more of an effort with Leo. He might give you more information without realising."

I could see the guilt dad was thinking about trapping a member of the pack, but finding the killer and traitors was too important. I realise Alpha hasn't said a word, which worries me as his usually very chatty.

Like he read my mind "James you have done amazing work. Please be careful because we never know when this mad man will take another member of our pack. " Placing a hand on my shoulder, he continues. "We lost your mum, and that was hard enough. I don't think we could cope losing you, too." I see tears in both their eyes. I hadn't even thought about that.

I do something I've never dared before, I pull my uncle into a hug. He shocks me with returning it. It makes me realise that he and luna must be missing mum just as bad as we are. "Uncle Jason, I promise first sign of something going wrong. I will link you with just give me the chance to help revenge mum. " I pleaded with him. He gave me the nod. It was set.