Chapter 28

**Wyatt**

How did this happen? I asked the guard again, my voice trembling with disbelief and frustration.

He goes over what happened in the cell. I cannot believe she got away. I did not know she had her powers yet. My information had said she was still learning them. Yet she was able to use the fire and wind elements, powerful forces of nature that she could manipulate, to get away from me.

I had to call the council this morning and break my ties with the royal pack. I know that Jackson coming for me and Zoe’s father. But I cannot wait; I have added guards to my border and am back to planning how I will get Zoe. I know she won’t fall for the trap again if I take a hostage. I knew that taking Ryker would bring her to me. I underestimated her powers and would not make that mistake again. I was going to have Zoe Carmichael; I was going to make her mine. I was also not happy to see that Jackson had marked her. I had sent a guard to find a witch; I would first remove that mark and replace it with my own.

When Jared walked, I thought about that. He had been willing to help me after Ryker roughed him up. He believes that if he helps me, he will get Zoe back. Little does he know that once I have Zoe, I am going to kill him. He will not be getting his hands on what belongs to me. He had been helpful until he gave me the wrong information.

“You told me her powers were not in,” I growl out at him.

He stumbles before saying, “I am sorry, I did not know she had her powers.”

You will make this up to me, I tell him. I need you to get her away from Jackson and get her somewhere my men can grab her. I give him the exact combinations of where to take her when he has her alone. Then I tell him to make sure he does not mess up again. I will not give him a third chance.

**Jackson**

I sat behind my desk, trying to calm my wolf down. The council had just called me; Alpha Wyatt, an ally, had cut ties with our pack and the council. He knows I am coming for him and Zoe’s father. Wyatt wants my mate for himself, and that will never happen. The betrayal of Alpha Wyatt was a blow to our pack. I also discovered I have a mole in my pack. Someone was giving information about Zoe and her powers. I had to figure out who I could trust. I had called Cole and Max to my office; I knew I could trust them. Max had shown loyalty to my mate when he was trapped in the cell with her.

They both sit down and ask me what’s up. Someone is working for Wyatt, giving him information on Zoe and her power. I know I can trust them, but I need reassurance. I need to figure out who the mole is, who I can trust, and who I cannot trust. Cole, you’ve been with me for years, and your loyalty has never wavered. Max, you’ve proven your loyalty to my mate when trapped in the cell with her. But this betrayal has shaken the very foundation of our pack, and I’m desperate to be sure of everyone’s allegiance.

I tell Max that I want him to start watching for anyone who has been leaving the border and tell Cole that I want him to start asking around. I also set a meeting to talk to Tyler and Ryker. I know I can trust them as they will do anything to protect their sister, and they want their father dead as much as I do. I also want to find out about their father. Max had told me there were several domestic violence charges, but the charges were always dropped. He said their father was charged with vehicle manslaughter and that the accident had resulted in the death of the children’s mother. He told me that their father sounded like a piece of work. I wondered if he was the reason behind my mate’s nightmares.

I stand up, tell my Beta and Gamma to get the requested information, and plan a meeting with the Zoe brothers. I was going to go check on my mate. I had left her sleeping this morning. Belinda said her body was tired because of the amount of magic she used. She told me as she gets better at handling the magic, she will get stronger. Belinda was coming over tomorrow to start her training. I also thought about what Zoe said about me stopping her from training, and it is a good idea to train her to fight. If anything happens again, I want to ensure she can handle herself. My mate is sitting in bed eating breakfast. She looks up at me and smiles, “I was tired,” she says.

I’ve spoken to Belinda, who confirmed it’s expected to be tired. As you learn to control your powers, you will get stronger. She’ll be here tomorrow to start helping you train. I’m committed to your training, and you’ll begin with her after you’ve trained with me.

“Training with you?” she says, more of a question than a statement, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

I’ve been thinking about what you said about me not letting you train. You were right. It’s essential that you can defend yourself. But this doesn’t mean you can just take off like that again. I’m not saying you’re putting your life in danger, but if it ever is, I want to know you can protect yourself. Your safety is my top priority.

My mate jumps off the bed into my arm; she wraps her legs around me and kisses me.

“Thank you,” she tells me as she kisses me again.

As we break the kiss, I look into her eyes and ask if she’d like to go on a date with me tonight.

“Where” she asks me.

I tell her to wear a fancy dress. The restaurant I am planning to take her to is very fancy. I will send someone to do her hair and makeup. We will meet in the entryway at 630, I tell her.

Okay, she says excitedly, and then she kisses me again. I put her down on the bed and told her I had phone calls to make and would be in the office if she needed me. As I turn to leave, Katelynn, Ryker, and Tyler walks in. They had wanted to see her last night, but she needed rest, and I told them to let her rest.

With her hands on her hips, Katelynn playfully scolds my mate, adding a touch of humor to the scene. My mate, in response, looks at me and teases, “You are going to leave me with them.”

I chuckle and playfully tell my mate,” Good luck,” as I leave, adding a touch of humor to our parting.

I hear her yell cowardly at me as I shut the door.