Chapter 169

Shawna POV

My body is languid and sore. In all the right ways, though, and I am so pleased. Michael and I move about the room, packing up our things, talking about the next leg of our trip. We are almost home. Home. What does that mean to me now? What does that look like? It looks like Michael. Wherever he is, that is home. We haven't heard from Clint and Lynn yet this morning, but it's still early. Since it's barely nine a.m. here, it could be seven or eight wherever they are. "What's going on in that head of yours?" Michael asks.

"Just thinking about Lynn and Clint. We haven't heard from them yet today. You think everything is going alright?" I ask.

"They have a good head start. My father sent a text last night. The council is at your old pack and they are not allowing anyone to leave pack land without a proper investigation. I think your sister will be alright," he says with a smile.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask him.

"It was during the concert. I didn't want to disrupt our night out. You deserve to not be bothered with this trivial stuff all the time," he says in reply.

"I wouldn't have minded," I say, as I give the zipper of my suitcase a hard tug and place the bag on the floor. "I'm all packed up."

"Great. Let's get some breakfast and then we can check out and hit the road," Michael says. "Just leave it in the room. We will go downstairs to the restaurant and then come get our bags after." He pulls be into him for a kiss and then opens the door. As we make our way down the hall towards the elevator, I feel the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I feel like we are being watched. Those senses of mine suddenly on full alert.

"Michael," I whisper and squeeze his hand. He looks over at me and nods.

"I know. Just let's get down stairs," the elevator doors open and we step inside. We hear someone running down the hall towards us now, so we hit the button to close the doors. Just as they are shutting, I see a pair of dark brown eyes peaking at us through the slit of the doors. I squeeze Michael's hand harder and before I can say anything, the doors open to the lobby.

"We are going to go get our breakfast, act like nothing wierd just happened," Michael says quietly. We go to the hostess station, and are quickly seated at a table against the wall. Michael sits so he faces the door. I don't like my back being to it, but he's stronger than I am and he's a trained fighter, so I feel perfectly safe, if not just apprehensive.

"Who?" I say quietly. I read the menu while I wait for him to answer me.

"I think maybe council guardians," he replies softly. "We will know soon enough."

"Why?" I ask, shutting the menu and looking at him.

"Because I called in a favor. They will have questions and it can't happen near other werewolves. They think that by catching us off guard they have gained some sort of knowledge, but I am one of them. I know all about the tactics they use."

The waitress walks up. We order coffee and omelets with home fries. A moment later the hostess is back. "Excuse me sir, that gentleman over there says he knows you and is asking to join you." She points to a large dark eyed man that leans against the hostess podium, staring at us. Michael sighs.

"Sure. Let him come over." I give him wide eyes and he mind links me. "Better to be in public, he won't act foolishly."

The men strides over and pulls out the chair that is on the side of the table nearest the wall. "Alpha Michael," he says quietly. "Sorry to intrude. I think you know why I am here." He turns towards me. "I apologize Shawna, but we must insist on getting our answers now."

"You know my name?" I ask surprised.

"Of course, you are his mate, are you not?" he asks.

"Yes."

"It is your pack that we are currently investigating," he says it as a statement, not a question, so I just stare at him and nod.

"Good, now we can get down to business. Do you mind if I order something to eat? I traveled all night to get here."

"Whatever you want," Michael replies. Just then the waitress approaches and sets down our coffee. She acknowledges the man who has yet to identify himself by name, takes his order and hurries off.

"Before we begin," I say, "Perhaps a name would be good." I raise an eyebrow at him as I lift my cup to my lips.

"It's Cedric. Guardian Cedric. I'm currently on assignment to find you two, to get some answers to a few questions. These are not things we can discuss over the phone. Surely you understand?" he says.

"Okay Cedric," I answer. "Why the sneak attack though. You ever heard of knocking on the door?"

Cedric chuckles. "I didn't want to interrupt. I was in the hallway for a few hours. I do have very good hearing," he chuckles again and I'm certain I blush several shades of crimson.

"Oh," I nearly whisper. I take a sip of my coffee and pretend to look out the window.

"What do you want to know?" Michael asks him. I can see that tick he gets at his temple when he's annoyed with someone.

"Who told you the Alpha was purchasing women?"

"My sister," I reply quickly.

"Do you trust her to be honest? Or would she have ulterior motives?" he asks.

"Why would she lie?" I say with a snap. "That's ludicrous. Of course she doesn't have ulterior motives."

Cedric nods. "Do you know any of the women who were purchased?" he asks.

"How would I know? I don't even know who they are." I'm now getting irritated and Michael can feel it. He reaches over and rubs my forearm.

"Fair enough. Where is your sister now?" He asks.

"I'm not sure," I say. That's the truth, I honestly don't know where they are at right now.

"Well when you do know, perhaps you can share that with me. I'd like to talk to her. I was told she left town abruptly, as soon as the council showed up at your pack. It looks oddly suspicious."

"Are you kidding me?" Michael says in a low menacing tone. "She left because I old her too. You know why?" he asks. "Because that Alpha was going to prevent her from leaving, he was going to try to kill her mate because he's human and she's pregnant."

Cedric genuinely looks surprised. "Her mate is human?"

"Yes," I say. "Why does it matter?"

"It's just," he pauses. "It's rare is all, to be mated to a human."

"What would you have her do?" I ask. "Reject him?"

"Actually yes," he replies, like it's the obvious answer.

"And if your mate was human, you would reject them?" I asked. Cedric looks extremely uncomfortable with the question. He takes entirely to long to answer it, and when he finally does, I'm left nearly speechless.