Chapter 10: Letter #2

Violet led Cora out of the cabin and took the gravel path to the boy's house.She pointed and whispered “that's them chopping wood”They continued to where the boys were cutting wood and stood. When she looked at Eli shirtless swinging an ax she couldn't help but feel a want or need to be with him. A blush rose to her cheeks, a stark contrast to her porcelain skin. Cora noticed and thought if my assumptions are correct I think my bestie has a mate. She smiled with the excitement of knowing something Violet didn’t.

"Hi, boys I want you to meet my best friend and soul sister Cora Dayton," Violet said. Cora gave a smile and a little wave.

Eli looked up and then with a grunt went back to cutting wood. Alex stepped forward "Nice to meet you again Cora. I am glad you found your friend safe and sound." He grabbed Cora's hand and kissed the back of it. "It is nice to have such a beautiful visitor out here."

Cora smiled and pulled her hand away "Thank you Kid, it's nice to meet such a gentleman."

"My momma raised me right. Too bad, it didn't stick for my brother over there." Alex smiled, jabbing his thumb towards Eli.

Eli grumbled, "Get back to work Alex, we have to get this done before evening." Alex looked at the girls and then turned back to his woodcutting.

"Is this a bad time?" Violet asked, annoyed by Eli's rude behavior.

"As a matter of fact, yes it is princess. So if you could just go on your way we could get some work done." Eli spat.

"Wow what a charmer," Cora whispered to Violet. "You sure know how to pick'em."

"What do you mean I know how to pick'em. My Uncle hired them, not me." Violet retorted.

That made Eli lift his head and look at Cora quizzitively. Violet looked at her bestie then looked at Eli. "Am I missing something?" Violet said, finally breaking the silence.

"I think there is something you don't know and," she looks at Eli "Eli is it?" she doesn't wait for him to answer. "doesn’t want to tell you. Would that be accurate?"

Eli clenched his teeth in frustration. Why does this girl think she knows what's going on? He thought to himself. Alex stopped what he was doing and suppressed a laugh. "What don't I know Eli?" Violet asked.

Eli dropped the axe and said "Do we have to do this now? Also, what did you tell her?" He gestured towards Cora.

"Everything, now spill it," Violet demanded.

"You're not getting out of this. I am an expert on werewolves. So don't try and change the subject." Cora added.

With that Alex burst out in laughter "looks like your stuck bro." Eli glared at his brother.

"If you are an expert then I guess Vi, doesn't need my help anymore you can answer all her little questions, help her control shifting, and teach her the pack ways. I am sure the letter from the pack elders gave you enough information to go by." Eli retorted.

"I haven't read the second letter," Violet mutters. She then reaches into her back pocket and pulls out the letter. "Cora won't know everything you know. I know you don't want to have to deal with me but I do need your help."

"Don't worry Vi," Cora said, "he couldn't avoid helping you even if he wanted to. Am I wrong Alex?"

Alex snickered. "You couldn't be more right," Eli growled at his brother.

Violet absent-mindedly walked away, her brain going a million miles a minute. She pulled out the letter and started to read.

Dear Violet Lara,

We have watched you grow up and are pleased with what we see. You are strong and fair like your mother. She was the best Alpha we have ever known. While you have been away beta Christoph has been leading, but it is now time for you to learn the way of the pack. You must train and learn how to be a leader.

Eli will bring you to the packhouse in four days. You must lead us, Violet. You are our natural-born Alpha and without you we are lost. We look forward to your return.

~Blue Lake Pack Elders

Cora came to sit next to Violet and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Vi, you can do this. This is who you were meant to be."

"How can you be so confident? How do you know?" Violet said with desperation in her voice.

"Do you remember the day we met?"

"Yeah, it was at church. I was 11 years old."

"yep, you were sitting in the front row with your Aunt and Uncle. I saw you and thought now that girl is fearless. I need to be her friend."

"You came right up to me after church and asked if I wanted to hangout sometime." Violet chuckled.

"That's because you draw people to you, Vi. You drew me in and you will draw your pack in as well. You are a light, a leader and I know because you're my soul sister." Cora gave Violet a hug. Until they heard a clearing of the throat.

"Um, sorry to interrupt," Eli said looking down at the pair. "But I probably do need to answer a few questions and help you be ready. The Elders are getting antsy. Don't worry I told them you just read the letter, so you have a full four days before you are re-introduced to the pack." Eli took a deep breath and combed his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry I was so short. I am not used to humans knowing anything and ..." he trailed off.

"You wanted to be the one to know all the answers," Cora said bluntly. "typical male." Cora looked at her best friend then turned to Eli "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Violet looked wide-eyed with surprise. Did my bestie just ask to talk to Eli? She thought. Lettie growled a little in protest, she didn't like this at all.

Eli walked away from Violet and Cora followed. When they were at least 25 feet away he whispered: "This should be far enough, if you whisper she won't be able to hear you."

"Are you going to tell her?" Cora said.

"Tell her what?" Eli looked at her trying to act as clueless as possible.

"Oh give it a rest. I know you guys are mates. You need to tell her." Cora said forcefully.

Eli looked at her intensely "how do you know about that?"

"I read. Stop dodging the question."

"I will tell her eventually. Don't you think she has enough on her plate?" he asked, looking over at Violet with concern dripping from his words.

"Wow, it really is strong isn't it. You softened up real quick." she looked at Eli then at her friend pretending not to stare. "I will give you four days. However, you have to tell her before you are around other wolves. I have read how possessive mates can get. You don't want her confused when she is bombarded by feelings."

Eli knew what she was saying was true and nodded his head. Then looked at Violet. "You have to come with us." He said, "She’s going to need you."