Chapter 44

Emily.

The days blended together in an array of boredom. I hated being stuck here, feeling useless. I received no news, but I could tell by Eric's actions and the worry constantly in his eyes that the attacks were still happening. Guilt filled every bit of my being.

At this point, I didn't know if Eric was protecting me out of love, or sheer obligation. He was the one who brought me here - I didn't doubt he felt a large degree of responsibility and guilt over the attacks. He might even feel resentment or regret, unsure whether saving me was the right choice.

I was tired of hiding. Tired of not doing anything.

“Let me help,” I pleaded. “I'm of no use stuck in here.”

Eric shook his head. “No way. If I let you out, there's no telling what would happen. You could be attacked again. Or worse, the pack could turn on you, and who knows what their desperation could lead them to do? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you. Rescuing you would have been for nothing.”

“But you promised to respect me - to let me help you.”

“Being my assistant is different from stopping attacks from a rival gang. This is way over your experience - there's nothing you can do.”

“Yes there is! You saw how quickly I learned to be your assistant. I can learn this too.”

“I don't have the time to teach you!” His voice raised and he threw his hands up in the air.

“I'm just a helpless little child to you, aren't I?” I asked, completely frustrated. “Just a burden. Somebody who knows nothing and can't even protect themselves. That's how you view me, isn't it? How you'll always see me.”

Tears burned in my eyes when he didn't say anything right away. *I knew it.*

“That is not true,” he finally said with a growl, turning his head away.

I clenched my teeth in anger, and it did nothing to hold back the tears. My chest ached like it was folding in on itself.

I knew if I stayed any longer I would fall asleep in front of him. I couldn't do that right now. With a sigh, I turned my head away shamefully, and then I straightened my shoulders and walked away, holding my head high until I was out of sight.

I ran up the stairs and into my room, flopping right on my bed, letting the tears flow freely. *That's it. I can't do this anymore. I can't stay here. I'm not going to be somebody's pity prize.*

After a few minutes of relieving all the tears I had bottled up inside, I heard a knock on my door.

“Go away,” my muffled voice sounded from the pillow my face still sat on.

I heard the door open anyway and I turned around to chew Eric out for coming in. But I was surprised to see Raina. She shut the door behind her and leaned against the wall, arms folded.

“Are you going to just lay there and feel sorry for yourself? Or are you going to actually do something?”

I sat up, confused, brushing the last tear from my eye. “What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Obviously you're miserable here. So why not do something about it?”

“You know Eric. He wouldn't let me do anything. And weren't you the one who said your job was to keep me from running away when we first met?”

Raina shrugged. “Right now, all I see is a friend who needs my help.”

“What about Eric? And Lily?”

“Eric is out and so is Lily. Though, I'm sure she would be on board. Especially after that display.”

I blushed and looked away, biting my lip.

“So, are we going to do this or what?” she asked. “It's not like we have all day.”

I looked up and nodded.

“Let's do this.”

She grinned and pushed off from the wall. She walked into my closet, turning on the light, and grabbed a bag from the shelf above the clothes. She grabbed a few choice outfits and stuffed them in.

“Wait here,” she instructed, opening my door.

“Wait? Why?” I asked, moving to follow her.

“I'm going to get a bit more supplies,” she said, holding up the half-empty bag. “Wait here for me. I won't be long.”

I nodded. “Okay.” My voice was barely a whisper as I pulled back. I sat back on my bed.

I waited for what felt like days, nervously bouncing my leg, just waiting for Eric to walk through the front door and ruin our plan. I stared at the floor, focusing on my other senses to detect any movements and new scents.

I jumped with a gasp as my door opened.

“Geez, you gave me a heart attack,” I laughed, placing a hand over my heart.

“Let's get a move on,” Raina said, extending her hand.

I gratefully took it and she helped me off the bed.

We left through the back door, heading for the treeline.

***

Eric.

I had a few things to do at the Pack House, including checking up on Daniel. Just because he wasn't the mole for Dylon didn't mean I completely trusted him. So when Emily stormed off, I left, knowing Raina would keep her safe.

After a fight like that, I wanted to clear my head before I showed up for work. So instead of having Roger drive me, I shed my clothes and shifted, letting my wolf take over. I let the wind whipping through my hair distract me from the guilt I felt. I shouldn't have paused for so long when Emily asked if she was a burden. Sure, I felt the burden of what her presence here brought, but I would never see her as a burden.

My paws pounded across the pavement and the fresh crisp air filled my lungs. The world was always more vivid through these eyes. I wish I could capture the beauty I saw.

The only time I had ever seen something that compared was the painting I had found in Emily's belongings. When I found out she had been the one to paint it, I knew she understood the beauty I saw.

By the time I got to my Pack House, my head had cleared and I breathed a sigh of relief as I shifted and donned my extra clothes.

*Right. Down to business.*

I headed straight for Daniel's room. Might as well get this part over with. Just needed to make sure he was still around and alive.

I knocked on the door and pushed it inward, not waiting for an answer. There he was on his bed again. He looked up briefly, but then went back to what he was doing.

*Good.*

Now I could focus on things that mattered more. Like what I was going to do about Dylon attacking my pack. I gathered a team of strategists to discuss our best options. I only had so much experience. I needed their insight as well.