Here We Go...

Just Silas and I remained in the den. I hadn't moved, still leaning against the couch, processing. I had won this battle so far .... right? Jax was very cunning and quick on his feet. I couldn't help but sense he did this for himself just as much as he did it for me. I was curious about who he was when he was not under his father's gaze.

"Can I go shower now?" Silas asked impatiently. He was pissed. I could feel it coming off of him in waves.

I turned around to look up at him. He was looking off to the side with his arms crossed. A cute frown on his face, "Of course," I said softly.

But he didn't move.

He shifted his stance and reluctantly looked at me, "Will you be ok?" he finally asked. "Maybe I should wait until Theo comes back."

"I'm here Silas, go ahead," Eliza said suddenly. She was leaning on the doorway of the den that led to the dining room. She had a curious smile on her face.

Silas looked at her, his expression still conflicted before he finally nodded and walked away. I watched him leave, running his hand through his hair, his typical sign that he was stressed. Eliza came and sat next to me. She placed her hand on mine in my lap. I turned to look at her, worry etched on my face.

"I'm so proud of you Grace," she said. "You handled this whole situation with such strength and confidence."

I smiled shyly, "Thanks," I muttered. "I'm not sure if I made it better or worse though."

Eliza tilted her head curiously, "You get to stay here, with us. And you got that future alpha to stop the conversation about taking you away. I'd call that a win."

I sighed heavily, "Yeah but.... now he's going to be here for who knows how long. My stomach is in knots just thinking about it." I leaned my head back against the couch.

"Why? Because Silas is jealous?" Eliza said with an ornery tone.

My eyes widened at her words and my mouth hung open, "What? No! He's not jealous! He's just....."

Eliza widened her grin, "Gracie, that boy is smitten with you. You should see the way he looks at you when he knows you aren't looking."

I felt my cheeks blush and I couldn't stop the grin that spread on my face. Eliza giggled.

"Oh Eliza, what am I going to do for these days Jax is here?! Silas is going to get himself into trouble! And I.....I don't want to hurt him," I said solemnly.

Eliza held my hand and I looked at her, "My sweet girl, you are 15. It is not your responsibility to guard the hearts of others. You are an alpha's daughter. You are destined to be with an alpha. Silas will be ok. It's only natural for him to have a crush on you. You're the only girl he's around! When he gets older, he will have a flock of omegas vying for his attention. He is a very handsome young man."

I furrowed my brow at her words and felt anger bubbling inside me. A flock of omegas?! The idea of Silas looking at another girl the way he looks at me made me very possessive of him. Even though I knew it wasn't fair. Here I was imagining him in the same situation that I was and I was so angry!

My mother came back into the den and sat on my other side. Eliza sat up and immediately let go of my hand. She was always so careful to not show me too much affection in my mother's presence. Usually my mother would dismiss her but right now, she seemed lighter.

"Grace, you handled that alpha like a pro. While I was initially nervous about your bluntness it worked out in your favor. And now you have put that young alpha in a unique position. He is now going to work for your love and attention, rather than the other way around," mother said very pleased. "You did very well today."

"Thank you mother," I said quietly. My mother rarely complimented me.

"Now," she went on, getting to her feet. "You must still be on your best behavior while he is here. Be polite, be respectful, be lady-like. We want him to enjoy your company. And his mother is here so we must make a good impression."

"Yes mother," I said obediently.

We fell into a slightly awkward silence.

Mother glanced around the room, "Where is Silas?" mother snipped suddenly. "His place is behind you at all times. I swear, if he went to goof off...."

"My Luna, I allowed him to go shower. He did not want to leave Grace alone but I gave him permission. He had just come from training," Eliza defended him quickly, standing and keeping her head bowed. "It is my fault he is not in his position."

Mother eyed her suspiciously, "Hmmm, very well. I will have to remind that boy that he does not answer to you. He only answers to me.... and the alpha of course. He will be punished."

With that mother stormed off.

Eliza looked up, her mouth open in shock. My heart raced as I watched my mother take the same path Silas had. Right when I hoped that she was capable of kindness, she would go right back to her usual ways. Eliza had tears in her eyes when Theo walked back in. He went to her immediately, having felt her turmoil. He wrapped her in a tight hug.

Eliza must have mind linked him what mother said because his face darkened, "I will go check on him," he said urgently. He kissed Eliza's forehead and rushed off.

I reached for Silas in the mind link but found myself blocked. This had never happened before. He was always available. Always.....

........

I sat in the sitting room with mother and Luna Jasmine. Eliza flitted in and out serving us drinks and snacks. Papa and Theo had taken Jax around the pack. I hadn't seen Silas yet and I was getting very worried. It had been nearly 2 hours since he'd left to shower. I continually glanced at the doorway expectantly. Mother noticed I was distracted and was not pleased.

"Grace, tell me about your favorite things to do here in your pack!" Luna Jasmine asked sweetly. She sipped her tea and I noticed a slight tremor in her hand.

"I like to garden," I began. "Horse back riding, read." I glanced briefly back at the doorway before looking back at her, "Lately I've been very interested in my defensive training."

Luna Jasmine coughed on her tea, clearly shocked, "Physical training? Fighting?"

"Yes," I said confidently. "My papa wants me to be able to take care of myself."

Mother laughed nervously, "In emergencies, Luna Jasmine, Samuel wants Grace prepared for anything. She will never have to use it, goddess willing."

Luna Jasmine had a smile on her face as she looked at me, "He is very wise. I wish I had been given training as well. There's nothing worse than feeling defenseless."

Mother looked relieved by Luna Jasmine's reaction. I smiled proudly. Maybe Luna Jasmine wasn't that bad after all.

A familiar scent wafted into my nose and my heart raced.

Silas.

I immediately turned to see him. He was so quiet, trained to not bother anyone or cause distraction. My heart dropped when my eyes landed on him. He had a deep, long laceration on his cheek that began at the corner of his eye and ended at his jaw. His eyes were downcast as he took his place against the wall behind me, his hands clasped behind his back. I couldn't take my eyes off him, silently begging him to look at me.

"Grace," my mother snipped at me. I reluctantly tore my eyes away from him and glared at her. My fists clenched at my sides. Mother looked at me sternly. We were in a stare down.

"Uh, Sarai, could I have some more tea? It's absolutely divine!" Luna Jasmine said suddenly.

Mother turned to her and forced a smile, "But of course, let me see if Eliza could make some more." Mother got up and waltzed out of the room.

I looked at the Luna curiously. She was staring at Silas with concern, "Son, what's your name?" she asked him gently.

Silas looked up at her, surprised. No one spoke to him, especially guests, "Silas, Luna Jasmine." he said nervously.

"Silas," she repeated. "What happened to your face my dear?" She sounded so concerned.

Silas shifted uncomfortably. He looked down, "Nothing I didn't deserve Luna."

Luna Jasmine glanced at where my mother had left and got up, she walked over to Silas quickly. His eyes widened in shock, glancing at me in fear. I got to my feet immediately.

Luna Jasmine lightly touched his cheek and he winced, "Your wound needs to be treated my dear. Who did this to you?"

Luna Jasmine followed Silas' eyes to me, "You know he can't answer that, Luna Jasmine," I said protectively. "I will get his wound taken care of."

I mind linked Eliza asking her to take care of Silas.

I...I can't Grace. Not while your mother is around. She will make it worse for him if I do, Eliza answered sorrowfully.

Theo, papa, mother has injured Silas. He needs first aid, I appealed to them.

There was a slight pause before my papa answered, He left you alone. He had to be punished. He will be fine.

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Papa had never been like this. Was it because Jax was here?

Luna Jasmine touched Silas' shoulder, "Perhaps we could see if you could come back to our pack with us my dear. You look very strong. I'm sure we could use your skills in our guard."

Silas' eyes widened in shock and a slight smile curved his lips.

That's when mother cleared her throat. Silas immediately looked down. Luna Jasmine patted his shoulder boldly and turned to my mother.

"Your tea, Jasmine," mother said curtly.

"Ah, thank you Sarai," she walked back to where she had been sitting and picked up her tea cup for mother to pour her some.

"Mother, may I be dismissed?" I asked as politely as I could. My heart was beating out of control. I couldn't believe what Luna Jasmine had just said in front of my mother. And I was still fuming from my papa's words.

"Yes, you may. Don't go too far though. I'm sure the men will be back soon," mother said to me, but her eyes were on Silas.

I nodded and immediately turned on my heels to leave, glancing at Luna Jasmine with fire in my eyes. I waited until we were up the stairs and in the hallway out of view before I faced Silas and wrapped him in a hug. Tears ran down my cheeks.

"Why are you crying? I'm the one that has the injury," he teased softly. I noticed he did not hug me back even though it looked like he wanted to. This made me cry even more.

I took his hand and brought him to my bathroom. I made him sit on a stool while I gathered a towel and other supplies. He watched me silently, staring at my face while I dabbed his wound with warm water to clean it. It was so deep....

"What caused this?" I asked him in a whisper. "What did she use?"

"The back of his hand," he answered. "The one with the ruby ring."

I froze as I realized he'd said he.