As we ate, I saw it. The looks Chris and Violet were giving each other. How close they were sitting. My sister definitely had a lotto talk about and a heart to break. By the way Elim reacted to seeing her hurt, and how frustrated he seemed when he wasn't able to go with her to the ER, the man was falling for my little sister.

“Did you apologize to Elim?” I asked Chris as the thought suddenly popped up in my head.

“What? Why would he apologize to Elim?” Violet asked.

Cade coughed to cover a laugh when Chris blushed.

“Elim is the one who saw you falling. Chris found him looking over you, and thought he hurt you. He almost killed him.”

“You did what? How could you think he hurt me when he’s been nothing but helpful?” Violet glared at Chris.

“There was no one else around! I was only gone for two minutes!” Chris defended.

“I would have thought the same, Violet,” I told my sister. I would have killed anyone who put his hands on her.

“Well,didyou apologize?” Violet asked, crossing her arms.

“I haven’t seen him, yet,” Chris mumbled, clearing his throat.

“But, you will apologize?”

“I will apologize for hurting him, not for trying to defend you,” Chris grumbled.

That was different, too. Since when did Chris grumble or talk back? He was usually the epitome of a stoic warrior. He never complained. Maybe Cade was right. They were good for each other.

After breakfast, I went to see Cade off, growling as the bitch was dragged into his truck. One of Cade's warriors was accompanying them. Not that I was worried. I saw the way Cade looked at her. He hated the woman. It was an awkward goodbye for us, though. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him before he left, and I could see that he did, too, but all he could do was ruffle my curls.

I watched the truck drive away and I felt like a little piece of my heart left with him. I sighed and did what I did best. I pushed everything down, and went to work.

That evening, Elim came to find me after dinner.

“Luna, I was hoping I could have a few minutes of your time.”

“Sure. Let's go to my office.” We walked over to the alpha office and sat down. “How's the throat?”

“Healed. He didn't do much damage.”

“Have you seen him today?”

“No. I texted Violet earlier, but she was still working, so I went to check on the borders.”

“Oh, did you find something?”

“Yeah. It's the weirdest thing. When I patrol the borders, I can smell your scent markers. They're as strong as any alpha's,” he said, making Coyo beam with pride at the compliment. “But, when I step across the borders, even two feet away from where I could smell the scent markers, they're gone.”

“What do you mean gone?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“I can't smell anything. It's like it doesn't exist.”

“How's that possible?”

“I'm not sure, but I can show you.”

“Okay. Let's go.”

Elim and I walked toward the borders in the dark. I could smell the scent markers Coyo and I left after Brandon died to ensure the property was still protected against rogues.

“Pretty strong here, right?” Elim asked. When I nodded, he added, “Come this way.”