(Two weeks later)

Alx's P.O.V.

Shayal was right. The rouges didn't say anything. Not anything of use. No matter what we did to them. 

I ended it yesterday. I should have listened to her.

How did she know they would talk?

She's doing well. Doc is impressed by how fast she's healing. He still has her at the hospital for now, keeping an eye on her. Making sure she has the best chance to get better. For her sanity, she can wear her normal clothes. Being in those gowns was driving her nuts. 

The pack seems to be taking the news well. There are whispers here and there, but I expected as much. A few pack members have visited her. Showing their respect, bringing her gifts. One mother threw herself at Shayla's feet, sobbing as she thanked Shayla for saving her child. 

It seems that we couldn't have chosen a better time to tell them. 

Smith and Will seem to be her most frequent visitors, other than Chris and myself. They're often still there when I arrive. Sometimes with Nickey. Will's always chatting to Shayla about something. Will, I understand, he's always liked Shayla. But Smith. Smith surprises me. From what I can tell, he doesn't say anything to her. He just sits in the corner, watching over them. He seems to be acting as her bodyguard. He never visits her alone, and neither does Will. They always visit her together.

I try to spend as much time with her as I can. It ends up only being nights. That's all I can get. So, that's what I do. I go there every night until morning comes. If she's asleep when I get there, I sit in the chair beside her bed and rest my head on her mattress. Sometimes she's awake when I get there and scoots over so, I can lay beside her. It's the only part of the day I look forward to. 

I find myself daydreaming about holding her again when I'm supposed to be focusing on other matters. Like now. I'm in a meeting, and I have no will to pay any attention. I still do, despite my lack of will to. 

The elders are very careful what they say to me these days. It's about time they watch their tongues. 

I have to remind myself not to neglect my duties. 

Chris makes sure I don't slip up. He's supporting me now more than ever. Attending every meeting we have, whether he's needed or not. Backing my every decision. 

An odd smell fills my nose.

The door opens. 

We all stopped everything we were doing.

A tall, toned man in dark clothes walks in. We all stare at him, ready to act if need be. 

Who the fuck is this?

"Hay, I wonder if you guys can help me. I'm looking for a chick with brown hair and blue eyes, about this tall." The stranger says indicating her height, clearly describing Shayla.

Does he know what he's just stepped into?

"Oh, and she's human. That should narrow it down quite a bit." A sinister grin takes place on the stranger's face. 

I stand, Chris follows me. The stranger doesn't move. 

"Michel!" A voice calls from just outside the room. 

The stranger turns his back to us. "Ah, there you are."

Shayla walks in with another stranger beside her. He's shorter, blond hair, green eyes and thin. 

"Told you I'd find her first." The other stranger says as he flips off 'Michel', who gives him a slow clap in response. 

"What the hell are you two doing here? I didn't even tell you where I was going." Shayla asks.

"See if you're still alive. And hand over information that I didn't think you'd like over the phone." Michel answers.

"Then why's he here." Shayla pointing to the stranger at her side.

"He insisted." Michel.

"I'm here for emotional support. Not that you need it. You're built like a brick shit house." The stranger says hitting Shayla on her back.

Shayla's eyes close and her jaw clenches. In an instant, the stranger curls up into a ball shielding his head. "Don't kill me." He pleads.

"How is calling someone a brick shit house a compliment?" Michel asks himself. "The fuck happened to you anyway?"

"Rouges." Shayla answers matter-of-factly. 

The stranger slowly gets up from his position on the floor. Realising Shayla's not going to harm him.

Michel pinches the bridge of his nose. "Why the hell are you fighting rouges, Shayla? You're in a pack full of wolves. Let the wolves deal with wolf problems." 

"There's no such thing. They were after the kids. I couldn't just stand by." Shayla.

Michel just scoffs.

The stranger puts up his hand as if he wants to ask a question. 

"You don't need to put up your hand every time you want to ask a question, Josh." Michel scolds.

"What are rouges?" 'Josh sheepishly asks.

"Packless wolves. Without being a part of a pack they slowly go crazy. They can be more dangerous than wolves. The longer they go without a pack the more uncontrollable, erratic and senseless they become. The only cure is to be accepted into another pack, or pack like comunitie." Michel answers.

"Michel." Shayla telling him off.

"If we don't tell him, he'll go looking for answers elsewhere." Michel defends himself.

"No, I like life." Josh states. Michel gives him a questioned look. "Shayla made me promise not to ask anyone else questions, or she'll kill me herself." 

"You-" Michel cut off.

"Not now." Shayla orders.

"If you were fighting rouges and they're really that bad. Shouldn't you be in hospital?" Josh asks eyeing Shayla like she's done something wrong.

"I was. But then I sensed trouble. I wasn't even outside for two minutes and I found you walking around town. Out in the open." Shayla replies glaring at Michel.

"It's not my fault he's stupid." Michel shrugged.

"You didn't stop him either." She retorts.

"Did I do something wrong?" Josh.

"Yes, but you don't know any better." Shayla, patting him on the shoulder. "I asked you to protect him."

"You asked me to protect Jess. And I'm doing a fantastic job of that. I know both their names start with Js, but that doesn't cut it." Michel corrects her. Shayla rolls her eyes.  "Oh, don't think I've forgotten. Pay up." Holding out his hand to Josh.

Josh sighs and gives him a 50.

"What's that for?" Shayla asks looking between the two of them. 

"We had a bet going." Josh answers honestly.

"You had a bet going on my survival?" Shayla asks surprised.

"We had a bet going on how well you survived. This one bet you wouldn't have a scratch on you. I on the other hand know better. You just can't help but get yourself into some sort of trouble." Michel informs her. 

Shayla shakes her head. "Sorry, I let you down, Josh." 

"All good. You did the right thing. You always do." Josh reassures her.

"I wish that was true." Shayla says more to herself. 

"Anyway let's get business out of the way, shall we?" Michel digging in his jacket, pulling out two piles of papers. "So, this one is for your brother." 

Shayla points at Chris, still standing behind me.

Michel turns to follow her finger. "Oh, is that him?" Michel walking our way. 

Shayla nods. 

"You're a beta?" Michel,

Chris nods.

"Ha, your brother's a beta. Did you know?" Michel asks interested. 

"No." Shayla responds shortly. 

"Looks like it runs on the family." Michel huffs a laugh, handing Chris the smaller pile of peppers. 

"What is this?" Chris asks waving the pappers around.

"It's a document holding everything that was left to you. And any other information that your perents thought you might need to know." Michel explained. 

Chris examines the pile again. "It's sealed." 

"Of course it is. It's for your eyes only. Just as Shayla's is for her eyes only. What did you think I read it?" Michel.

"Yes." Chris.

"He's worse than you, Shayla." Michel walking back to her before handing her the other pile of peppers. "Good. You should be more like him." 

Shayla ignores his comments. "How did everything go?" she asks quietly. 

"Everything was done exactly how thay asked it to be. Down to a T. Your presence was missed, but that's most understandable. Everything was recorded if you ever feel like watching it. Your aunt tried to kill us. I managed to convince her that we were doing everything under your instructions. Only for her to demand to see you. I did tell her that you won't be able to do that any time soon. Other than that everything went well." Michel informs her.

"Thank you for doing that." Shayla says soberly.

"Josh did quite a bit too." Michel.

Shayla nods. "Thank you." giving Josh's shoulder a squeeze. 

Josh winks back at her. 

"Shayla?" Michel starts.

"No." Shayla warns.

"Just hear me out. I suspect foul play." Michel continues. 

"You only suspect that because you think too highly of me." Shayla.

"It couldn't have been-" Michel cut off.

"I had my guard down." Shayla. 

"You never have your guard down." Michel.

"Enough Michel. You don't need to open old wounds." Josh managing to put a stop to their fight.

Michel sighs. "Ok"

"To change the subject. Jess keeps asking about you. And I'm running out of answers. So, maybe give her a call? If you can't go see her." Josh trying to lighten the mood.

"When will you come back?" Michel asks blankly.

"I can only visit." Shayla admits.

"Why?" Josh frowns.

"Don't tell me?" Michel tilting his head.

Shayla nods. "I'm his mate." pointing at me

"The alpha?" Michel dismayed.

"Like soulmates?" Josh asks confused. 

"Yes." Shayla says with a nod.

Josh just blinks. The concept is new to him.

"Congrats, I guess. And good luck." Michel scratching the back of his neck.

"Why would we need luck?" I ask very clearly annoyed.

"He thinks I'm a pain" Shayla answers me with a drug.

"You are a pain! A pain in my ass." Michle retorts.

"And you're all sunshine and rainbows?" Josh asks sarcastically.

"You're a pain too." Michel throws back at him.

"Nobodies making you stick around." Josh stats.

Mich just clicks his tongue.

"Hay, I get that taking a dig at each other is how you two show love. But you guys got to go before you cause me any more issues." Shayla says as a smile starts to form on her face.

Josh starts laughing, holding his stumick as he does.

Michel gives Shyla a disgusted look. "I feel many things towards this nib-wit. None of them are love."

"Come on guys, I'll walk you out of town." Shayla calls them as she walks out thr room.

"Yeah, ok. We'll get out of your hair." Josh walking up to Chris before holding out his hand.

Michel scratches his head watching this.

Chris looks at his hand in thought before gently shaking it. 

"It was nice meeting you." Josh says with a smile. Then he walks over to me and does the same. 

I look at his hand and then back to his face. A warm smile is still there.

It takes him a moment to realise that I'm not going to shake his hand. he drops his head before taking a breath. "Well it was nice meeting you too." Nodding

"Come on. Let's go. Before Shayla drags us out of her." Michel shoving Josh out the door.

Chris and myself follow behind them.

They meet up with an already waiting Shayla. She gives me a smile seeing me behind them. The three of them walk ll the way though town. Josh yaps away about everything that Shaya had missed since she left. Making her smile here and there, sometimes even laugh. Mich walks silently beside them, aware of every danger. Pack member gawk at the five of us as we walk past. The three of them make it to the boarder. Both Josh and Michel step past it. Shayls seams to make to delibrit diction to stay this side of it.

 How does She know where it is?

They exchange their goodbyes.

"Michel." Shayla's suddenly stern voice calls.

Michel turns around to face her. 

"Neither of you are to come here again without me asking you to. Understand?" Shayla orders.

Michel nods.