She doesn’t ask how it helps or what her presence does to my issues; she just nods with a smile and sits on the bed. We talk with each other while I finish cleaning up. Then I head to the bathroom as well.
Once we’re both feeling refreshed, we step outside onto the balcony of the hotel room. The Council really went all out with the rooms they booked for Elodie and Elise; they are two of their golden children, handpicked and supported by Prince Eric.
I lean against the balustrade with Elodie nestled in my arms, and we both look up into the night sky. My eyes immediately search for Sirius, as I always do. I frown a bit, stiffening.
“What’s wrong?” Elodie asks in worry.
“Sirius,” I mutter.
She follows my gaze. “The star?”
“It’s not there.”
Elodie furrows her brows. “Shit,” she mutters. “I’ll notify the Council immediately.” She hurries back inside to grab her phone. When I turn my gaze back to the night sky, I realize how relieved I am that she immediately believed my words. She didn’t doubt me. She didn’t ask if I was sure or if I looked properly.
It’s not often that someone trusts me and my judgment. I have myself to blame for it. I was an ass growing up. A massive jerk. While Anthony was busy playing with the girls, I was a pisspoor excuse of an alpha’s son… Anthony might have his faults, but he was always the nicer one of us, the more approachable one. Meanwhile, I was unreliable, constantly angry, defensive, and a shit classmate. I’m not proud of a lot of things I did.
It takes time to work on my reputation and improve it.
Elodie returns after a few minutes. “I talked to them,” she tells me. “They are researching it right now.” She pauses, eyeing me carefully. “Is everything alright?”
There is no use in lying to her. The bond between us will instantly tell her that something is off. “I’m not sure. Been thinking about the past a lot recently.”
She takes my hand in hers. “I won’t force you to talk,” she reassures me. “But if you want to, I’ll listen. From experience, I know it doesn’t get better by ignoring a problem.”
“You’re right,” I admit. “It’s just… I was a shit person before.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
“You saw me when I was bad,” I tell her. “But what you saw wasn’t the worst of me.”
She tilts her head. “Then own up to it and do better. I know you have it in you, or I wouldn’t be fated to you. I’m sure I wouldn’t get a shitty mate.”
I snort at her words. “Thanks for the pep talk, love.”
“Sorry.” She seems to be flustered. “I suck at these things. Elise is the more sensitive one of us.”
“No, I didn’t mean to tease you,” I reassure her. “I meant it just like I said. I like how bluntly you voice your advice towards me. It helps.”
She smiles. “Really?”
I pull her closer to me. “Really.”
7
From Alpha to Alpha
*HENRY*
WhenIreturntothe pack, I notice two things. One, Anthony is nowhere around, and I’m sure he didn’t return overnight, either. I don’t know what’s going on with him. He won’t talk to me, and that’s a first. I can feel it through our bond how troubled he is.
Second, the weather is going crazy.
I maneuver my car carefully through the rain and park in front of the pack house. Once I step out of it, I spot my parents.
Dad is standing outside the pack house, staring into the sky in disbelief. “One weekend, we had snow, and now it suddenly rains.” He throws his arms up in the air. “This is ridiculous.”
Mom looks amused. “Jace, you know we can’t manipulate the weather, right?”