Alx's P.O.V.

I still dislike the idea of Shayla attending Chris's duties.

I know that's just me being overprotective. But knowing that doesn't stop me from doing so.

And even still that doesn't make sense. She's probably safer with him. Safer than being alone all the time. Probably better for her health too.

I know that and yet I still don't feel like she's safe. Don't think I ever will; not unless I'm with her. Don't think I'll be able to ditch this feeling either. But I must learn to cope with it.

And the fact that it's made it harder to spend time with her is getting to me. Meaning I still don't know where she stands. She seems willing to try. But she seems reserved. And I'm trying so hard not to scare her away. Giving her space. Giving her time. Being mindful of what I say and how I act when we're not alone (being most of the time I see her). But I feel that I'm not the reason. And feel like there isn't anything that I can do.

She's still not telling me something.

Could she still be beating herself up? I still don't understand why she blames herself for what happened. 

Everyone starts to file in.

"Morning." Chris, sitting beside me. Organising his papers.

"Morning." returning the gesture with a nod.

Looking up I find Shayla standing behind him, holding her notebook in hand. She greets me with a smile and a wave.

Everyone finds their seat, but Shayla's left standing. Surely she doesn't intend to stand the whole time. 

"Why is she here?" one of the elders ask rather aggressively. 

Pissing me off.

Shayla goes to leave.

Pissing me off more.

"Because I said she could. Are you questioning my judgement?" staring him down. Making Shayla stop in her tracks.

"No, Alpha." holding his head down.

"Sit Shayla." returning my attention to the papers in front of me. 

"Um...." Shayla trails off. Making me look up. 

There are no chairs left.

Of course. 

Getting up I leave. 

Met with shocked looks when I returned with a chair. Their eye nearly popping when I place the chair in the empty space next to mine.

"That's-" another pips up.

"Shut up." cutting him off, taking my seat. "Now let's get to why we're all here. I'm sure we all have other things we need to do today." 

Shayla's still standing staring at her chair.

"Sit." in a nicer tone. I hope.

She quickly sits.

Final my Luna is where she should be.

Chris' eyes dart between us, contemplating. Shaking his head, he dismisses it. Choosing not to question me about it. Good.

-

Shayla hasn't moved an inch. Still staring at the table. Lost in thought. 

Keep my focus on the meeting, (well, making it seem that way.) I rub her foot with mine. Trying to relax her a bit. Asking if she's ok. Her posture softens, telling me she's a little more relaxed. Good. Without looking up at me she returns it, answering my question. She pulls away. I try my best not to make a face at the lost contact. Leaning back in the chair she takes out her book and stars writing in it; zoning out. But the good kind of zoning out.

I wish she could be here beside me all the time.

'She can be.'

'Shhh.'

-

"Alpha she's taking notes." an elder finally voicing their concern. 

"She isn't even listening to us." Chris trying to dismiss them as swiftly as possible. Unfortunately, without much success.

"You don't know that." they continue. 

"I think I know my own sister." giving them a fed-up look.

"Why should we trust you. You hid that from us. And the fact that you were once human." Another argues. 

I've had enough of this. "Quit testing me."

"Why do you stand by him so? He lied to us." yet another. 

"Under my orders."

They just stare at me. Mouths open wide. Entitled pricks.

I know there's only one way to solve this so-called issue. "Shayla." facing her as I call her back. 

"Yeah?" returning to reality, looking up from her book. 

"Give me the book." Holding my hand out.

"Why?" Holding it closer to her chest.

I tilt my head at her, asking her to trust me. My eyes dart from the book to my hand, pleading with her.

She reluctantly hands it over. Her eyes following my every move. 

Opening it, I flip through the pages. Finding only fantastic illustrations and little bits of text here and there. But nothing concerning the pack. I think it's more of an attempt at self-help. Making me a little upset as to why she hasn't come to me for help. But then I remember that she hasn't had much of a chance to. Again I find myself in awe at her roses. It's hard to believe that she does all that with just a pen. Landing on the page she was working on, I find it half-filled with roses. I think she's intending to fill the page with them. 

"It's just drawings." flipping back to a more finished page, holding it up so they could see. 

"Not an artist, my ass." Chris comments before returning his attention to the meeting. 

Was that an attempt to lighten things up a bit? Is he finally returning to himself?

Shayla glairs at him for a moment. 

Flipping back to the page she was working on, I leave her a note. Closing it, I hand it back to her. Returning my attention to the meeting. In the corner of my eye, I see Shayla finding my note.

I love that blush of her's. 

You can't grin, Alx.

Still looking forward, I hand her one of my pens. I'm sure she'll need another one soon. She takes a moment to realise that I'm giving it to her. Gently taking it from me she whispers a 'thank you' before hiding behind her book.