Five.

Henry was sat in his father's old office, staring frustratingly at the dark blue walls that were desperately in need of updating. It was his office now, but he spent most of his time elsewhere, the room a sour reminder of the man who used to be there. But he was sulking, and he was agitated, so this room was the perfect place to brood right now.

He couldn't help how he felt. Both he and his wolf half were at war with themselves. It had been the same ever since he chose to return to his pack, instead of going straight to Eloise. He had waited so long to find her, and now she was carrying his child. But, his pack had been through so much as well. Henry felt he couldn't be selfish, not like his father was. He was needed at home. His entire family, barring his sister would have thought him dead, she might have too, if someone had called her. His whole pack suddenly no more than a group of rogues till they could be assimilated back together again.

Henry had to go home, both he and his wolf agreed on it. But, still it was a decision that was tearing him in two. Especially after how weak he was when he returned to the earthly plane of his existence. It has taken him three weeks to be able to reconnect the pack. His strength not holding up enough to allow him to do it any quicker. He found it humiliating enough that he had had to stagger their swearing ins again. The pack, was fine with it, just relieved that he was alright, and not in fact dead. Their loyalty was one of the reasons he knew he had made the right decision.

But still, for Henry he still felt torn and defeated between his head and his heart.

At least thanks to Sebastian checking in on Sammy he knew where Eloise had went. Unfortunately, his mate and Luna, the mother to his unborn child had joined another pack. Meaning his life just got a whole lot more difficult.

Henry couldn't allow his emotions to over run him. He had to think strategically, especially with the damage his father's actions had done with the council. Their pack was already being severely scrutinised and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes which would bring down their wrath.

No. Henry had to think, he had to be patient. He had to play the long game.

Henry wanted Eloise at all costs. But that is not how a rational leader operates, and his pack needed him to be rational. Too many families depended on it, his own included.

Thankfully, being stuck for three weeks gave him time to come up with a plan, and now, he had to put it into action, his first step would be calling Shane Andrews and requesting official permission to visit the Blue Valley pack.

-----

Shane was annoyed, pacing back and forth in his office. Henry was up to something, he could feel it, and worse Abigail was going to haul his ass over the coals for what he was going have to do.

The call from the Gray Alpha had been brief, and for now, Shane had at least managed to delay on formalities. Asking Henry to send him his expected dates, and stating he would get back to him was a Hail Mary pass at keeping the other Alpha away. But it wouldn't hold him off forever.

The fact that he had stated he wanted to check on his pregnant sister with a small delegation from his pack only added insult to injury, as if Shane and more specifically Daniel, weren't capable of taking care of their pregnant beta female.

It was rude and inflammatory, and Shane suspected it was very much premeditated on that very basis.

"Shit." He growled, thrusting open the door before he lost his nerve.

Following his nose Shane navigated the large house quickly with the intent of finding his mate before he lost his nerve. He found Abigail in the kitchen, eating mac and cheese with Eloise. He shuddered inwardly, knowing this conversation just got harder.

"Hungry?" Abigail asked, offering up a forkful from her bowl. But, when Shane shook his head, Abigail instantly realised something was up

"What's happened?"

Shane sighed, moving to stand behind his mate to calm his nerves.

"I just had a call from Henry Gray. Seems he is intending a visit to check on Sammy." He stated.

"What?!" Abigail exclaimed equally offended, that another alpha would dare try and question how they cared for one of their own.

Eloise had stopped eating.

"I doubt Sammy is where his true interests lie. But, I have no way of saying no. For all intents and purposes, it's a reasonable request; I have no way to deny him a family visit. I believe his grandmother intends to join him." Shane explained.

"And you're allowing this?" Abigail almost shrieked, her need to protect the pregnant female of her pack stronger than ever.

"Abs, I don't have a choice!" Shane groaned, "I've managed to delay him. I've asked for specific details, the when and the who. So, he hasn't got permission to turn up as and when he sees fit. But, when I get the details, if Eloise wants, I can arrange for you to visit your friends in Portland. Or, I can send you off territory for some reason."

Eloise smiled, touched that Shane was thinking of her.

"No." Eloise voiced, surprising both her leaders. "If it's me he wants to see, he will only keep going. I will have to face him eventually and I won't have him being able to cause any trouble on the pretence of you keeping his mate from him."

Shane nodded with respect, but Abigail frowned.

"You don't have to act like that, El. It's not your job to protect us. That's what we're supposed to do for you." She stated, reaching across the table to hold her hand. "Let us help you."

Eloise nodded, "Thank you, but I promised you my loyalty when you accepted me here, I won't have that promise dishonoured over that bastard. It won't be the first time I have told him to fuck off, and it may not be the last. But, I will not let him chase me from a third home; and I certainly will not allow him any ammunition to incriminate this pack, the pack to which I now belong."

Shane wrapped his arms about his mate as she sagged defeated against him.

"You're too good for that fuck wit, El," Abigail stated on a sniffle.

"Abs, language," Shane warned, "What if Harvey heard you?"

"Harvey is asleep in his room, I wouldn't curse in front of him. But, that's beside the point, Eloise is way too good for that control freak of an asshole." Abigail huffed.

"Still Abs, it's not a habit to get into," Shane responded.

"Stop changing the subject, Shane." Abigail growled quietly. "When is that bastard coming? And before you comment on my language, I promise if you find me an adequate enough thing to call him that doesn't involve cussing, I will use it."

Shane smirked, "Personally, I like Runt."

Eloise scoffed at her side tracked Alpha and Luna. "You two are hilarious."

They both looked at her.

"In a good way, I promise." She added, spooning another forkful of pasta into her mouth.

Shane and Abigail smiled, they genuinely liked the newest member of their pack, she had settled in like she was meant to be there and both of them felt quite protective of her.

"And for the record, I call him *Cottonelle*. Since he's a complete ass wipe, and all." Eloise winked, scraping the last of her mac and cheese onto the fork with a shrug, as Shane and Abigail burst into laughter.