Gypsy POV
Wan comes into the kitchen while I cook for some of our guests. Thankfully this week, there are not too many unruly wolves staying here. “Mom, Erick is here and wants to see you,” Wan says.
“Erick, the Alpha’s son, is here. Are you sure?” I ask him.
“Yes, he asked; we keep it quiet, and he wants to see you. He said it is very important he talks to you tonight,” Wan says.
“Okay, I will take him some food,” I say.
“Take enough for two,” Wan says.
“He has someone with him. Is it the Alpha or someone else?” I ask.
“I do not know. I put him in the last cabin on the right, so no one will know he is here,” Wan says.
“Good job, son. Grab a box and help me put enough food for him and his guest in the box,” I say.
Wan helps me fix plates and wrap bread for Erick and his guest. I wonder why he needs to see me. I know I have not done anything to Alpha or his crazy Luna. This must be important. Wan takes the food box to my truck and loads it into the front seat.
“You can make plates for everyone else. I am sure they will come up hungry soon,” I say to Wan.
“Yes, mother,” Wan says.
Wan goes back into the house to do as he is told. I get into my truck to take food to Erick. I am nervous, but it is what it is. No matter what Erick needs from me, I will help him. I drive up the road to the last cabin on the right. I see Erick out on the porch gathering firewood. It is unreal how cold it is tonight. What is crazier is all the sounds of nature ringing in the woods. It should be silent as cold as it is tonight.
I pull in and park my truck beside Erick’s. I get out and get the food box out of the truck. Erick comes out to help me. Erick picks me up off of my feet and hugs me. “I was not expecting to see you here tonight, but I am glad you are here. I need your help with something,” Erick says.
“Well, you carry the food in, and I will help you if I can,” I say to him. Erick grabs the box of food out of the truck. I walk in front of him into the cabin. As I enter the cabin, I am shocked to see a young woman standing in the cabin. This is not what I was expecting to see in here tonight. Erick comes in behind me and shuts the door. He places the food on the table and locks the door.
“Are we in some kind of trouble?” I ask the young woman.
“You could say that,” Erick answers.
I look at her. She looks familiar. “Who are you?” I ask her. She comes closer to me so I can get a good look at her. “I am Kate, daughter of Rainwater,” Kate answers me. I gasp. I am shocked. This cannot be happening. “Kate died long ago, but you look like Rainwater,” I tell her.
“I can assure you I am not dead,” Kate says.
“Erick, what is going on?” I ask.
“I do not know either, but I need your help. She needs your help,” Erick says to me.
I sit down at the table. Erick begins unpacking the food onto the table. I cannot stop staring at Kate. Her likeness to her mother is unreal.
“Where is your father?” I ask Kate.
“He is dead, or so I have been told. It is a long story,” Kate says.
“I am listening. I need to know where you have been,” I say to her.
“When I was six, my mother died, and my father was banned from his pack. We lived in an abandoned house all alone. He gambled until he sold me to the Moon River pack to cover his debt, and then I ended up here,” Kate says.
“There are a lot of holes in that story,” I tell her.
“I know. I turned into my wolf for the first time two days ago, and now the wolves are talking to me. It isn't apparent what they want. The wolves are confusing me. I want to know about my mother and where I came from,” Kate says.
“Your father was banned from the pack. That is true. The pack thought you were dead,” I say.
“Are you an imperial?” Kate asks me.
“My husband was, and so is my son, Wan, but no, I am not,” I answer her.
“Do you think you can help us connect with the pack?” Erick asks me.
“I am sure I can, but they all think you are dead,” I say to her.
“I do not understand. Why does the pack think I am dead?” Kate asks me.
“Your father told Alpha that you and your mother both died,” I answer her.
“Is that why he was banned from the pack?” Kate asks me.
“I do not know the entire story. I wish I did,” I answer her.
“Will she be safe here?” Erick asks me.
“Yes. Why is she with you?” I ask Erick.
“Because I am his slave,” Kate answers.
“No imperial should be a slave. Erick, what the hell!” I scream at Erick.
“She was my fathers. I took her from him. It is complicated. I am forcing her to do anything. I am only trying to protect her from my father,” Erick says.
I stand up from the table and get in Erick’s face. “You better release her from her service now. I do not care who you are; you better listen to me. Release her from her service!” I scream at Erick.
Kate steps in between us. “There is no need for hostility. My father owed a lot of money to the Alpha. I am trying to pay his debt. Not because I wanted to but because I was forced to pay it. Erick has been nothing but kind to me. He covered the debt for me. I owe him,” Kate says.
Erick places his hand on Kate’s shoulder. “She is right. I should release you from the debt,” Erick says to her.
Kate turns to Erick. “If you leave me, who will protect me,” Kate says.
“I will not leave you. You are no longer my slave, Kate. I will protect you with my life,” Erick says to Kate.
“She is an imperial; she can protect herself,” I say to Erick.
“What do you mean?” Kate asks me.
“Oh, Kate. You come from a long line of mighty warriors and royalty. You are the granddaughter of a mighty warrior, Alpha. We should be on our knees at your feet,” I say to her.
“I am just Kate,” Kate says.
“No, my sweet girl. You are so much more. I will help both of you,” I say to her.
“Thank you,” Erick says. He takes Kate into his arms and comforts her.
“You need to eat something before it gets cold. I will check on you both in the morning,” I say to them. The two sit at the table to eat as I unlock the door and walk out of the cabin. I take my keys and lock the door back from the outside of the cabin. I walk to my truck and get in to go back to my cabin. I still have a few wolves to feed. I cannot believe that Rainwater’s daughter is alive.