Chapter 134 – No More Hiding

Jacob entered the elder house, searching for some guidance from Wayne. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the place had been thrashed apart. He immediately mind-linked Teddy and Raymond to let them know he needed them at the elder home.

“Wayne? Are you here?” Jacob called out to the older man.

Jacob closed his eyes as his heart raced; he tried to tune his senses to see if someone was still there.

Jacob opened his eyes with surprise when he heard a moan coming from the back of the house. He rushed toward the sound as he pushed the Debry and broken furniture to get to him.

“Wayne!” he called out as he saw the older man under a pile of Debry.

Wayne let out another moan as Jacob pulled off pieces of broken furniture to get to the injured man.

“It’s alright, I’ve got you. Help is on the way.” Jacob reassured him as he pulled the older man into his arms.

Jacob searched wildly and took a quick assessment of all visible wounds. He took note that there were a lot of scrapes and bruises, but nothing he would say was alarming. There was still a strong scent of blood in the air, and he needed to know if the blood was coming from the elder.

“There’s not much time,” Wayne admitted as he lifted his hand that was blocking a severe wound.

Jacob shook his head.

“Teddy will be here soon. He will be able to get you all fixed up, and you will be healed in no time.” Jacob expressed to him.

Wayne smiled softly at the young Alpha, that was staring down at him. He raised his hand slowly and pressed it against his cheek. “I’ve been around for a long time, perhaps too long. I’ve had the blessing to watch you grow and become the strong, capable Alpha that you are today. I’m only sorry that I didn’t get the opportunity to meet your mate.” he said before he started to cough and wince at the pain. His breathing became labored as he was having a hard time staying awake. “You are going to be a great Alpha. I’ll be looking down at you from the stars above and continue to watch over you as I did as your elder.”

Jacob howled as the pain shot through him that he was losing someone so close to him. Wayne was like a grandfather to him and took him under his wing when his parents weren’t around to watch over him.

Jacob shook his head, “It’s not your time yet. I can’t lose you. I’ve lost too much already and need your help.”

Wayne chuckled. “All the answers you need lie deep inside you. You know what you need to do. You just need to have faith in yourself,” he assured Jacob with labored breaths. “I believe in you,” was the last thing Wayne said to him before he closed his eyes and fell limp in Jacob’s arms.

Jacob let out his Alpha roar as he fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. He was a man and needed to be strong for those around him. There wasn’t time for him to be weak and allow his feelings to get in the way of what he needed to do.

“Jacob!”

He heard his name and told him where he was.

Teddy and Raymond stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Jacob sitting with the elder Wayne in his arms. Raymond fell to his knees, trying to push the pain back from losing a member of their pack.

“What do you think happened here?” Teddy questioned.

Jacob shook his head.

“I don’t know, but when I find out, there will be hell to pay. Call to the other elders that had served with Wayne; they will know what to do with the body until we can give him a proper burial.” Jacob ordered.

“We need to gather all our members and let them know what’s been happening. I’m sick of hiding and pretending. It’s time they knew the truth about everything.” he confessed as he picked the elder up in his arms and moved him to a better place for him to lie.

Raymond stood up and stared at Jacob’s back. “Do you think that’s a good idea right now?”

Jacob turned to look at Raymond. “This is the only time. I’m about to ask them to go into the biggest battle they’ve ever been in. I need them to know and understand what they are fighting for, or I won’t have their trust. I need to know I have their support and loyalty, or we don’t stand a chance.”

Raymond felt a high level of respect for his friend. He was handling this like a true Alpha and was proud to be supporting him.

“What do you need?” Raymond asked.

“I need you to gather as many of the warriors as possible; they will be the ones we address first. The more support we have, the easier the rest of the pack members will accept what is going on,” Jacob instructed.

Raymond nodded and headed out the door to fulfill the orders he was given.

Jacob looked at Teddy sadly.

Teddy raised his hand to stop Jacob from feeling bad for him. “I’ve seen death before. I’ll stay here with Wayne and contact the old members. I’ll let them know what has happened and wait until they get here. You let me know when you need me, and I’ll be there, ready to fight whatever you need me to fight for.” Teddy confirmed.

Jacob smiled at his long-time friend. He was lucky for the people he had in his life supporting him, even when he wanted to run away from all his problems. They continued to stay by his side through thick and thin, the good and the bad. True friendships that never died.

He was going to need all that support if he was going to win this battle to save his pack and rescue the girl he loved.