Resolution

The next few weeks were long for Jacob, he was completely miserable. He dreamed of Eliza at night and when he woke up alone in the morning alone, he became more and more sure that he’d made a mistake. But, she was gone and he had no way of getting to her. He had never been to the other world so he couldn’t mist there. Even if he could, he wouldn’t know how to begin finding her.

He knew that eventually Haldir would come back, but that could be years from now. He hoped that Eliza would wait for him. In the meantime, he intended to help what remained of his family to run the pack.

They still had business to settle with the Order, who they suspected had a role in Tessa’s attack. Logan’s fathers, Warren and Robert, sent Teddy to Savannah to investigate and speak with Billy. When he returned several days later, he called Jacob to the office to speak with him.

Jacob came in and took a seat on the leather sofa and looked around. It had been his fathers not too long ago. Everything was the same but, somehow, completely different. His father's smell was fading. The corner where Marissa’s playpen used to be was empty and the bookshelves Logan emptied for Marissa’s toys once again held books. Just another reminder that nothing was ever going to be the same.

He waited for Teddy to get off the phone. Teddy was sitting in his dads leather chair. Teddy wasn't near as big as his father, the chair swallowed him and made him look like a kid sitting at his fathers desk. He remembered how Logan would kick away from his desk and pull Tessa onto his lap. How they snuggled and kissed like teenagers. It was the dichotomy of his parents. His father who was so ruthless in matters of business but so tender when it came to his loved ones.

Teddy hung up the phone then looked at Jacob for a minute. He took a breath then began, “The Order isn’t responsible for what happened to Tessa, Jacob. They were very helpful actually.”

Jacob didn’t believe that. “Really? You believe them? Teddy they killed you parents, how can you just take everything they say at face value?”

“I do believe them,” said Teddy as he nodded yes. “Billy and I were able to determine who poisoned your mother. It’s been dealt with.”

“It’s been dealt with? That’s it? That’s all the explanation you’re going to give me? Well, you know uncle Teddy, that’s just not good enough.”

Teddy leaned back in his chair and said, “It was Lorena and Darius, Jacob.”

“No way, she wouldn’t have done this. She and my mom really liked each other. Mom helped her,” said Jacob in disbelief. Lorena had left town on good terms with his mom. Even hugged her when she left.

“Jacob, that may be true, but this is a fact. They were given a truth serum and admitted their involvement.”

Jacob stood up and ran his hand across his mouth. “No, I don’t believe it.”

“Sometimes the most obvious answer is the right answer. It’s not a mystery. She may not have been very angry when she left here, but she got that way Jacob. I guess when she got home and had time to think, it pissed her off. You know, we witches can be like that sometimes. We like revenge for revenge's sake. We don't think about the consequences sometimes. She didn’t necessarily mean to poison Tessa specifically. Security here is really tight. She just wanted to hurt someone. They got it in the only way they could. Logan had that milk delivered almost every day for Tessa., it was an easy way to get it here. What bothers me now that I've had time to think about it, is that she most likely thought that it would be Marissa that drank it. That bitch planned on killing one of the children Jacob. Don't give her the benefit of the doubt. Don't waste another minute of your time on her.”

Jacob ran his hand through his hair. “So it was my fault then?”

“Jacob, what happened between you and Lorena was regrettable. But it was just a mistake. One that has been corrected. They took it too far. We all do stupid things in the name of love, especially when we’re young. Especially when it comes to your mate. You think your parents didn’t do things that they’d take back if they could? You don’t have to pay for that forever. You learned your lesson, I assume,” said Teddy.

Jacob sat back down and said, “ Yes, I think I did." He thought about Eliza. Some mistakes you can't take back, like Lorena. But, some mistakes you could. "When Haldir comes back, I’m going to the other world to go be with them Teddy.”

Teddy said, “I figured you would eventually.”

“You disappointed?” asked Jacob.

“Nah...if I were in your position, I would too.”

“I feel like I’m letting everyone down. My dad, my grandfathers, the pack,” said Jacob.

“Your dad was a good alpha, but the thing he valued most above everything is you children and Tessa. He won’t be disappointed Jacob. He’ll be overjoyed to have you back. The pack will go on. No one in this family is going to let anything happen. You don’t have to worry Jacob. I promise you the Pack is in good hands.”

Jacob nodded and said, “Thanks Teddy.” Then he started to walk out of the den but stopped and turned back. “Teddy, what did you do to Lorena and Darius?”

Teddy looked up at Jacob and said coldly, “You can tell your father that the perpetrators were executed.”

Jacob nodded and walked out the door. He felt nothing. Teddy could have just told him that he was going to repaint his house. It meant nothing to him.

Jacob went back to his house and began to pack his things. When he was finished, he put them by the front door. He wanted to be ready whenever Haldir decided to show up again.