Chapter 54

Daniel.

With the war over, they finally let me free. I suppose it was due to my good behavior. And I'm sure it didn't hurt that I wasn't the mole they thought I was. The first thing I did when Eric announced my freedom was beg to be of assistance to him and the pack.

“I have experience as an Alpha. I have a unique perspective. Not to mention, I can help you as you take over Ravensworth.”

“First of all, I'm not taking over anything. It's simply a merging of packs and territory. Second of all, don't your people kind of hate you? You weren't the best example, and neither was your father.”

He continued to walk down the hallway and I tried my best to keep up with him.

“Yes, but I've changed now, and I still know the people of Ravensworth more than you do. Even if they don't know I'm helping you, I could still help. I could give you information and suggestions.”

“I think I'll do just fine. I've been head of my own pack for quite some time now.”

I stopped. I didn't know what else to say.

Then, in the most vulnerable and sincere voice I've ever used, I pleaded, “Please. I've messed so much up. Let me do something right for once.”

He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around. I could see sympathy in his eyes even from where I stood, a few feet from him. He nodded slowly. “Okay.”

His head continued to nod as I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “Okay. You want a chance to prove yourself?”

I nodded desperately.

“Report to my Beta, Tyler. Tell him I sent you to help with anything he trusts you with. I'm going to be blunt. Tyler is not quick to trust.”

A small smile formed on my face and I let out a small chuckle of unbelief. *I can't believe he's giving me a chance!*

“Thank you! I will do whatever it takes. I will be an asset to you. I promise.”

I turned and highlighted it out of there as fast as I could with one bum leg before Eric could change his mind. I ran back to my room and shuffled through my clothes. I wanted to make a good first impression. *Clothes are half the battle, right?*

I finally found a dark green dress shirt and some slacks, the green top making my eyes pop. I looked in the mirror. I looked like a force to be reckoned with. I felt like my old powerful self. But this time, I was going to do it right.

Something was off though and I couldn't quite place it. I tilted my head and body from side to side trying to figure out what it was. And then a load of hair fell into my face. *My hair!*

It had been forever since I had actually cut or styled it and now it was an unruly mess. I ran over to the bathroom and hurriedly took my shirt off. I stuck my head in the shower and took the nozzle off the wall so I could get just my head. I quickly shampooed and rinsed my hair. Then, I dried it and added my favorite hair gel.

In a few minutes, my hair finally looked presentable. I made a note to book an appointment with a barber soon. I put my shirt back on and buttoned it up. One last look in the mirror and with a satisfactory nod, I left to find Tyler.

***

I finally found him in one of the offices in the Pack House; he was bent over an array of maps and other literature that were spread across the desk. I knocked on the doorway and let myself in. As I got closer, I eyed one of the maps. I knew that layout. He was looking at Ravensworth.

Tyler still hadn't noticed or acknowledged me, so I tapped on his desk and cleared my throat. He finally looked up, annoyed.

“What?” he snapped.

His ferocity surprised me and I took a step back. He stared at me. “Well?” He asked impatiently.

I cleared my throat again. “Eric told me to find you and tell you to have me help with anything you trust me with.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Well, that list is rather short, seeing as you were not only an unfit Alpha, but you also turned on your own sister. What am I supposed to trust you with?”

I bit my lip. Eric wasn't kidding. “I'm different now, even ask Emily,” I said hastily. “I just want a chance to do something right after so many years of doing things wrong.”

He looked me up and down with a critical eye.

After a couple of uncomfortable minutes, he finally spoke, “Alright. You seem to have shown up just in time. I've been working on your old pack in Ravensworth and the best way to implement it into our pack. But these numbers don't add up. They're far higher than its meager size - they indicate a city much bigger.”

“Easy. It's because my father didn't care to expand, but the people did. They've been working hard to be able to grow. They're just waiting for the opportunity to.”

“Why would they do that? Seems pointless in their position.”

“Because they're independent and strong. Something my father refused to see. All they need is the infrastructure and permission, and they would gladly and quickly expand.”

Tyler gave me a sidelong glance, his hand on his chin, in thought.

“Okay, West. You've convinced me to let you on this project in an advisory role.”

A smile grew on my face and I was about to thank him when he interrupted. “To be clear, only when I ask for advice. Understood?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. Thank you!”

“Pull up a chair then and let's get this sorted.”

I nodded and quickly grabbed one of the chairs across the desk and placed it next to his.

***

Emily.

With Eric gone, I found myself with not much to do. I told Lily I was going to paint on the balcony, and that she could do whatever she wanted while I was there. I just wanted to be left alone for a bit.

I took out my brushes and canvas, setting it on my easel, and grabbed a cup of water, setting it on the small table next to me. I wasn't really even thinking about what I would paint. I just let my hand go on autopilot.

After what seemed like hours, I put down my brush and looked at my painting. It was a girl on her knees, tears blurring the features of her face. In her open palms were two small mounds of sand, which were slowly draining through her fingers to the ground.

A teardrop splattered on my leg and I moved my hand to my cheek, surprised to feel it quite wet. I had been crying without even registering it. My face likely resembled that of the girl in my painting. My heart felt heavy as I acknowledged the feeling.

So much had happened in such a short time I hadn't been able to process much of it. One of my best friends was gone after betraying me and then saving me, my mother was dead, and my father had completely disappeared. No one knew where he went.

I was glad to be free of him, but he was still my family and it hurt to know we wouldn't be a family together again. All I had left was Daniel.

I packed up my things and brought them back inside. *I think that's enough painting for one day.* I didn't want to do much else, so I climbed into bed and let my mind drift.