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Chapter Quote:

"I didn't realize I needed to point out that if we are attacked by a fire-breathing bitch, you can change forms."

~Calla, Nightshade

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Chapter 41

Lily

"What the hell were you thinking attacking my sisters?" Caleb demanded, stalking towards Callie who cowered in a corner. Spencer slumped into a chair, glowering at his former girlfriend.

"I was defending myself because Anna attacked me and-"

Spencer interrupted her. "That's because you attacked Elsa!"

"Quiet!" Caleb barked. "Let Callie tell her side and then you can tell yours. Otherwise, be silent."

I'd never seen my mate so irate. I almost believed that if Elsa hadn't told her brother to let Callie go, he might have killed her. Caleb was a relatively easy-going alpha, a jokester even in the right circumstances, but then I reminded myself he was still a Laroche whether he lived with them or not, and the Laroche pack was terrifying, both in their number and in their strength. They were the last pack anyone ever wanted to cross. Somehow we had and we'd survived, but I knew that was because Spencer had saved Ren's life. Arya pardoned us for that reason and that reason only. I never intended to cross her again because as stubborn and as strong as I was, I had nothing on Arya Laroche.

"Elsa told me that she and Spencer never had anything go on between them but she lied. Her scent was all over him and she told me that he told her loved her. Yes, I insulted Elsa but Anna attacked me first."

"Spencer, tell me what happened," Caleb ordered, turning around to face his second.

"Callie accused me of screwing Elsa because she automatically assumed that because I smelled like Elsa, we'd been screwing each other. I told her we'd been practicing our dance routine because it'd been awhile since we'd done it and we needed to remember the steps before the party. She lost her head, saying I was screwing her over and she stormed off. Elsa went after her to try and smooth things over. She explained that she and I had gotten close because we'd both been through similar things and everything we've told Callie over and over again. Elsa even admitted we'd flirted for fun but that it never went farther than that because it didn't. Hear that Callie? It didn't."

"Hey, back on track," Caleb told his second firmly.

"Anyway, then Callie got pissed that I danced ballroom with Elsa but hated it with her. And Elsa was right when she said that maybe Callie and I weren't good partners. I was great with Elsa, not with Callie. What really pissed me off was when Callie told Elsa that she was rebound girl, that I didn't love her, insinuated that Elsa was acting desperate and throwing herself at me and saying she kissed me first, which is true but means nothing, and had great pleasure in pointing out that she was my first time in everything: first girlfriend, first kiss, first time. She ended that with saying that I loved her, not Elsa, and that the only reason I was with Elsa was because I didn't, and I quote, want to break her fragile heart."

"Callie, I told you everything that happened. Why are you still so upset about this?" I asked.

"Because how could he get over me in a year? We dated for seven years!" she cried.

"The last two years of our relationship were terrible! We kept breaking up and getting back together. I'm sorry, but if you ask me, we never would've worked out in the long run," Spencer retorted.

"You've known her a year, and you love her?"

"I do. There. Happy? Do you finally understand that I'm not in love with you anymore? Are you happy that Caleb is going to kill me for being in love with his little sister?"

"Why don't you love me anymore though? What changed?"

"You changed! You were acting different the last two years of our relationship and now, it's like I don't even know you! You're like a completely different person and I don't like it!" Spencer sighed. "That's all I have to say. Can I go to my room now?"

"Go. We'll talk in a minute," Caleb said. I saw Spencer gulp but he got him, shuffling out of our room with his head down. When he shut the door, Caleb faced Callie again. "You are not to leave your room unless I give you permission to. You will eat at separate times from the Laroche pack. Until you can learn to act like a normal person and not go attacking every person who disagrees with you, you're not leaving your room. Do you understand me?"

"Yes..." Callie said quietly.

"And if I ever catch you attacking either of the twins again, I will kill you. You do not touch my family, especially them. Go to your room. Lily, make sure she gets there and stays there, then grab Spencer on your way back."

Most times, I would tell him that he has two legs and to do it himself, but I decided otherwise. I escorted Callie to her room and shut the door behind her before going to Spencer's room. He told me to come in when I knocked. He was putting on a t-shirt as he asked bluntly, "What?"

"Caleb wants to speak with you," I said.

Spencer sighed. "I'm in so much trouble."

"What all have you done?"

"Nothing! I mean, we just kissed for the first time a few days ago and yeah, she's been coming into my room to see me because I can't really go into her room without Anna getting suspicious... I'm sorry Lily. I know I've screwed a lot of things up."

"You have nothing to apologize for. You can't help who you love. If Caleb gets onto you, I'll defend you. You're a good guy."

"I don't want you getting hurt if you defend me. Caleb's so upset right now..."

"I can handle him. I have no problem telling him that he's being an ass. Come on. Let's get this over with." Spencer and I went back into my room. Although Caleb was still visibly livid over the whole situation, he'd managed to give himself a calmer appearance. Spencer took a seat in the armchair again, carefully watching Caleb. My mate leaned against the wall and asked, "How are you doing?"

Spencer furrowed his eyebrows together, obviously confused. "I'm... fine."

"You were on your knees when I arrived at the fight. What happened?"

"Callie punched me and kicked me in the balls when I tried to intervene in the argument."

"Why didn't you tell me that when she was in here?"

"I was too focused on the shit she was telling Elsa that wasn't true."

"Speaking of, is what you said earlier true?"

"That I love her? Yes. It's true. It's been true for a long time."

"What all have you two done?"

"We just had our first kiss a few days ago. And other than kissing, it hasn't been much. She wants to move slowly since she's never had a boyfriend and I'm not going to push her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

"You do know she's not a rebound girl, right?"

"Caleb," I growled in warning.

"I'm not mad. I just want to make sure he knows he's not allowed to be with Elsa if he's using her as a rebound girl. She deserves better than that. That's all."

"Why do you think I didn't make a move on her sooner? Besides you being her older brother and my alpha, I wondered myself if I was just using her as a rebound girl but I figured out she wasn't when I nearly lost my freaking mind when Noah bit her arm and when she was kidnapped by Hunters and when she was dying in my arms and do you know how helpless I felt when Hunter had her by the throat, pinned to the wall? I thought she was going to die believing that I didn't really love her and I couldn't go through that again. I couldn't lose another person I loved having them believe I didn't love them back. Especially her." Spencer blinked, as if surprised by his own outburst. In a more reserved, quieter tone, he said, "She's not a rebound girl."

"Then you better go let her know that. You're the only person I approve to date her."

"You... you're actually going to let me date her?"

"Both of you deserve happiness after all you've been through and it hasn't escaped my notice that you two are all smiles around each other... mostly. You're a good guy Spencer and I trust you to treat Elsa right and to protect, even though we both know she can protect herself. We'll figure something out so the two of you can see each other when this war is over. She won't want to leave her family because of Anna so if you two truly believe you want to be mates, I give you permission to move down to Colorado."

"Caleb, I can't leave you and Lily. You need a beta and let's face it, Callie is in no shape to be a beta. So thank you for the offer, but I won't do that to you."

"But Elsa-"

"Would be the same way. Maybe if our pack was bigger, I wouldn't have such a hard time but I don't want to leave you and Lily by yourselves. I'm your beta. I can't leave you."

"You can if I give you permission," Caleb argued.

"And you have, but I'm declining it. I won't leave you two. Getting to date her for the duration of this war will be okay. It's going to suck leaving her, but I can at least say I dated the girl I loved, at least for a little while."

"And you two say the Laroche's are hard headed. Fine. But the offer will always be open. Now go get your girl."

"Thank you Caleb." Spencer practically ran out of the room.

"That was good of you," I said, walking over to him and sitting on his lap.

"I trust him to be with her. I just hope it works out between them. I was being serious when I said they both deserve happiness. They've been through so much. It might be easier on both of them if they had each other to lean on. I hope you don't mind that I told Spencer he could join the Laroche pack if he really wanted to be with Elsa."

"No, I would've told him the same thing. But you have to remember, he's our beta. Next to alphas, the betas have the hardest job. They have to be there for the pack when we can't. Elsa, even if she's currently the omega, she's still a beta in her heart and mind and is going to act like it. If Anna hadn't come onto the scene, I think Elsa would've joined our pack by now or she would've in the future... have you ever thought about going back?"

"Honestly? More than ever since I've been back around them. But when I see them, no matter how dysfunctional they are now, they'd be even worse if I came along. Elsa, Anna, and Josilyn are the only ones who can know it's me."

"I'm sorry it has to be like this."

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

"But you're my mate, and despite your best efforts, I've seen the pain in you when you watch your family."

"I have a new pack now," Caleb said, lifting me up and carrying me to the bed. He set me down gently before crawling on top of me. "Not to mention, I have a beautiful, kind, hilarious, blunt as hell, amazing mate that I would never leave."

Caleb kissed me, cupping my face. I flipped him over so that I was on top of him, my lips never leaving his. I pulled away and breathed, "I love you."

"I love you too."

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The discussion earlier kept replaying through my head over and over. I kept thinking about Callie and her new personality, Spencer and his dilemma of staying with us and being with Elsa, and Caleb's inability to let his family know it was him.

My mate was currently stretched out on the couch in wolf form, head draped over the arm of the couch. I was working on hotel business when someone knocked softly on the door. I got up and answered it.

"Mrs. Laroche, hi," I said, moving aside so she could come in.

"Why aren't you in your room? It's three in the morning. You should be asleep," she told me, walking into the room. Her tone wasn't angry, it was almost... caring. But then again, I had to admit, it felt nice to have someone other than my pack asking me if I was okay. I had to admit, it felt good having someone act like a mother to me.

"I came here to be with Stark and Spencer and Elsa, make sure they were all okay after what happened. Stark was already going to come watch over Elsa but Spencer was adamant that he be here too. He probably won't leave her side until she's completely healed, and probably until he knows Hunter is safe to be around again. They're all asleep right now though so if you wanted to talk to any of them, it's kind of futile... how are you doing? You must be tired."

Arya smiled tiredly. "I've certainly been better. The Searchers ran tests on Hunter and found a drug in his system, stuff to make him not only angrier, but stronger. It's what made him lose all his sanity. They have him in the hospital wing strapped to a bed because we have no idea when this drug is going to wear off of him. When he wakes up, we have no idea if he's going to be the nice, normal son I know, or the-"

"-psycho who tried to kill his sister?" I finished.

"Accurate way to put it. I owe your mate. He saved Elsa's life."

"She's like a little sister to him. He would protect her with his life. Plus, she's an unofficial member of our pack since she's so close to Spencer."

"Good. Listen, I told Ren about why Elsa was sneaking out to see you guys. I talked to my son, Caleb, and he told me your pack was her link to him. She had always been close to him. Losing him devastated her almost as bad as losing Anna."

"I'm sorry we came into your territory without saying anything. We didn't think we'd be there that long. Then Elsa came along and Stark got attached to her in a... big brother sort of way. Not to mention Spencer was doing so much better around her. He was smiling, laughing even. He lost both of his parents in the explosion... he believes they thought he hated them when they died but he was just angry. They'd lied to him about being his adoptive parents because he was so angry at his real parents because he thought they'd abandoned him simply because they didn't want them but that wasn't the case. Michael and Elaine told him that they couldn't afford to keep him financially when they first had him so they gave him to the Searchers when he was born. They took him back when he was three but could never bring themselves to tell him that they were his real parents, especially when they found out the resentment he had towards his birth parents. The explained that they wanted him to love them for whom he thought they were rather than who they really are. Last thing he said to them was that he now didn't love them as either, broke up with Callie, and stormed out. He's never been the same after that morning. The first time I saw the teeniest glimpse of the old Spencer was when Elsa entered his life. I convinced Stark to stay for that reason, although I lied saying I thought the change of scenery was helping Spencer. I mean it wasn't a total lie, it was just... omitting some details."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"So you can at least know why we did what we did. We never meant to cause problems between your pack nor did we ever mean to cause Elsa any grief. It's our fault she's the omega. I hope one day she's reinstated as beta."

"I'm working on that with my husband. He thinks keeping her as omega will make her become more obedient but if anything, it's only made her bolder. She's challenged him more as an omega than as a beta. Lily, what you and your pack have gone through is horrific. Speaking from experience, I fully understand what you're going through. As alphas, we have to be there for the rest of the pack, and often times, we don't have anyone we can go to. But if you or Stark or Spencer ever need to talk about that day or anything in general, you can come to me."

"Thank you Mrs. Laroche. I hope our packs can have a better relationship now."

"I'll make sure they will. When Hunter is normal again, I'll explain to him why Elsa snuck out to see y'all so he'll finally understand that. Would you like me to take watch so you can get some sleep?"

"No, no, I'm wide awake. Besides, you need sleep. Thank you for the offer though. If anything happens, I'll come get you immediately."

"Thank you. Good night Lily."

"Good night Mrs. Laroche." She kissed her daughter on the head and left the room. I went back to the couch where I began working on hotel business again.
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Ren

Arya came back into the room about three-thirty in the morning. My wife hadn't slept since eight that morning. In five hours, she would have been up for twenty-four hours. She needed sleep but she refused to do so until Hunter woke up. She walked in with a cup of coffee which instantly told me just how exhausted she was. My wife hated coffee with the exception of chicory coffee from New Orleans. Of course when she sat down, I could smell the chicory coffee, telling me someone must've gotten a can of the mix for her to make.

"Any sign of him waking up?" Arya asked, rubbing her eyes.

"No. Love, get some sleep. You need it and you're not helping anyone by staying awake. You're only hurting yourself."

"My son was drugged by the Hunters and went on a rampage, nearly killing our daughter and injuring countless of others, not to mention he broke Josilyn's hand. I'm not going to sleep until I make sure he's okay as well."

"How is everyone?" I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me.

"Elsa's neck is still swollen and her face is red and puffy, but she's alive. Spencer is sleeping in her bed. Lily and Stark are watching over them. Anna had a few broken ribs which are already healing and will be fully healed by the end of today. Dom was ripped to shreds but according to Anna, Stark gave him blood because Dom wouldn't let Anna give him any. Then there's Spencer who really should have been checked out I think, but besides a gash on his head and a concussion from Hunter throwing a rock at his head, he should be fine. He's strong. He lasted a long time against Hunter. I commend him for it. Noah has a really bruised jaw but otherwise, he's okay. He's already healing. Ember, Jake, and Oliver are watching him. Josilyn's hand is still healing despite how much blood Gracie, Diana, and Dmitri. She just heals differently than us. An x-ray showed that it wasn't a serious break so it should be completely healed in the next couple days. Thea and Riley are fine, just worried about everyone. The other pack members are shaken up but good nonetheless."

"I'm glad everyone's okay but I'm not necessarily okay with Spencer being in Elsa's bed," I growled.

"Ren, he's passed out just like her. Even being injured badly himself, he insisted he stay by her side according to Lily."

"She's watching them?"

Arya nodded. "Both she and Stark are very protective of Elsa. Lily said Stark became attached to Elsa in a big brother sort of way. Maybe because he knows how much she means to Caleb."

"I can't believe you spoke to him. After all these years... I know I asked this before but he sounded well?"

"He did. He sounded nervous, but he got better as the conversation went on. I'm just glad to know he's alive. All this time I wondered whether he was alive or not."

"He said he had a girlfriend?"

"He did. He said she's wonderful. He has a second that kind of reminds him of Riley."

"I wonder what he looks like now. He had been so tall and skinny, but still strong. I'm sure he's grown even more."

"I have no idea. We only talked on the phone. I didn't want to ask for a picture of him quite yet."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"I found a piece of paper with a number on it that said not to call it unless you were alone. The night I was shot, that's the number I was calling. It went to voicemail. Did you ever call it?"

"I did. It was Caleb, but I didn't know it at the time. He told me he hadn't been ready to talk to me that day."

"Why?"

Arya shrugged. "From what I gathered, he was embarrassed. I guess Elsa told him about how everyone was worried you and I were going to divorce because of our arguments and he said he wanted to come home the moment he left but that he thought it was for the best of the pack that he stay away."

"He's always welcome home. If anyone had a problem with that, they could deal with me about it. I hope he knows that the reason I treated him differently after that isn't because I didn't trust him, but because I was worried about him. I was terrified that if I left him by himself, the Hunters might try and come finish the job. They almost killed him... I still remember that day so clearly. I can still smell the blood covering our house."

"This war is going to end all of this. We're either going to end the Hunters or they're going to end us."

"Let's make it be the first one."

The two of us fell silent. Arya sipped her coffee quietly but I saw her blinking her eyes in an attempt to stay awake. Around four, I began to nod off until I heard a weak voice say, "Mom? Dad?"

"Hunter!" Arya exclaimed. Immediately I was next to my son's side. In a soft voice, she asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel awful," my son mumbled. His eyes were barely open but he was still awake. "What... what happened? I don't remember anything after ordering a diet coke from the bar."

"You don't remember anything?"

Hunter shook his head. "No. Last thing I remember is taking big sips of a diet coke and that's it. Did I black out or something?"

"No, honey, you didn't black out," my wife said gently.

"Then what happened? Mom, why can't I remember anything?" Hunter demanded, trying to sit up. It was then that he realized he was firmly strapped to the bed. He began struggling until Arya and I calmed him down.

"We had to strap you down not just for our safety, but yours too," I said. "You really don't remember anything?"

"No. All I remember are some flashes of dreams I had while I've been out. Elsa and Spencer were in there. A strange guy in the shadows that turned into a Guardian. I couldn't see his face but he attacked me... Mom, Dad, what did I do to be strapped to the bed?" Hunter's eyes flitted worriedly between the two of us.

"When you were at the club, the Hunters somehow drugged your drink. It made you stronger and angrier. You tried to attack someone at the club. Noah and Dmitri got you back here. Josilyn tried to get you back to the room but you lashed out at her, knocking her to the ground. She broke her hand trying to break the fall."

Hunter paled. "I hurt Josie?"

"You weren't in your right mind. It's not your fault."

"But I still hurt her. Not only did I hurt her, but I caused her to break her hand!" Hunter took a deep breath. "Did... did I hurt anyone else?"

"You punched Noah when he defended her."

"Is he okay?"

"He has a bruised cheek but otherwise, he's okay."

"Is that all? Tell me that's all I did."

Arya shook her head. "Elsa distracted you by having you target her which I found out from Thea and Riley. They came and got me while you went after Elsa. You had her on the ground and were about to bite her when Spencer knocked you off of her. Anna and Dom were there too. You attacked Dom, shredded his chest up pretty good but he's doing okay. Anna's taking care of him. Anna tried to get you off of him but you hit her in the ribs. It broke a few but they're already healing and will be completely healed by the end of today. Spencer got you away from those three. I don't know what happened when you were fighting Spencer but Elsa joined and got your attention. The two of them almost subdued you after Elsa kicked you and Spencer punched you, but you threw a rock at his head and knocked him out. Then you pinned Elsa to the wall and tried to choke her to death. Stark stopped you."

"I almost killed Elsa? I hit Anna?" Hunter started straining against the straps. "I have to go apologize to them. I have to make things right. I need to go apologize to Josilyn and make sure she still loves me and-"

"Hunter, stop," I commanded. My son looked up at me. "Everyone is asleep right now. It's past four in the morning."

"How... how long have I been out?"

"A few hours. The Searchers were able to flush the drug out of your system."

"Why was I trying to kill my pack mates though? I mean I didn't try to kill Noah or Josilyn but I was trying to kill my own sister... why was I trying to kill Elsa?"

"I don't know. She passed out pretty soon after the fight. Her injuries exhausted her."

"Is she going to be okay? What injuries did I give her?"

"She'll be okay with rest and blood. Spencer, Stark, and Lily are watching her right now."

"What injuries did I give her?" Hunter repeated.

Arya sighed. I knew she wanted to spare Hunter's feelings right now but he was an alpha and when he wanted to know something, he made sure he found out. "Her throat swelled up to the point she could barely breathe or talk. Her face is puffy and red and swollen. It's gone down thanks to her drinking some blood right after the incident but until she wakes up to have more, it'll be slow to heal."

Hunter turned his head away from us, facing the ceiling instead. His face was getting red, as if ready to cry. It took a lot to make Hunter upset, I wanted to give the Hunters a slow, painful death for causing my son so much grief. My son didn't deserve this.

"I'm sorry," Hunter finally whispered. "I don't... I don't remember what happened except for those small snippets, but I just remember seeing Spencer and Elsa and that strange guy. I don't remember what I felt like or what they were saying. I don't know why I had a personal vendetta against Elsa. I mean yes, I'm mad at her for sneaking out to see the Stark pack and for hanging out with them, but I'm not so mad that I'm to the point where I thought about killing her for it."

"Hunter, about that, I did find out the real reason she was sneaking out to see them," Arya said quietly.

"You mean she lied about why she was sneaking out to see them again?"

"The Stark pack knows Caleb and somehow, Elsa found out they knew him. They were her link to him. She's been talking to him for months now. She never told us because Caleb didn't want her to."

"W-why didn't he want us to know? Where is he? How does the Stark pack know him?"

"He thought that if he came back into our lives, it would cause a lot of problems. I'm not sure where he is now, just that he's safe, and I don't know how they know him. I think they're friends."

"Elsa knows where he is, doesn't she?"

"I believe so, although she would never admit it if she did. She's been protecting Caleb for a long time now and she won't stop any time soon."

"Did you talk to Caleb?"

Arya nodded. "The other day. On the phone."

"Do you think you could convince him to talk to me?"

Arya cocked her head. "I can try, but why do you want to talk to him?"

"I want to apologize for all the things I said to him because I never got a chance to and maybe if he hears that, he'll come home for you."

"Honey, Caleb makes his own decisions. He has a new life now as an alpha of a new pack and that new life doesn't include us. When and if he wants to come home, he will do so on his own terms."

"He's an alpha?"

"He is. He has a girlfriend too... I think he's doing okay."

"He should be here, with us. I ran him off."

"You never should've said what you did to him, but Caleb still made the decision to leave on his own. Don't beat yourself up over it anymore. Do you understand me?"

"Yes..."

"Good. Now get some sleep. You got beat up in this process too and you need your rest to heal. You can apologize to everyone in the morning. I'll go with you. I love you."

"Love you too mom," Hunter replied. Arya kissed him on the head and rested her head on my shoulder. In record time, my wife was asleep.

"Dad? If Caleb did come back, what would happen to the pack?" Hunter inquired quietly.

"We would give him the south compound. That's why we had it built. We had the plans drawn up two years before Caleb left, and they started building a year later. We'd originally been going to split the pack up between you and Caleb. When Caleb left, the building was halted for a bit until your mom and I decided that we would continue living in the current compound and give you and the other kids the new compound to rule that side of the territory. However, if your brother came back and decided to stay, he would get the new compound and you'd stay in the current one. Your mom and I and the rest of the adults would move into Arya's parents' old compound."

"I miss grandma and grandpa," Hunter said.

"Me too. They took good care of us," I said. Vivian and Jeremy Lightwood had passed away right after Elsa and Anna had been born. The rest of their pack either died in the first war against the Hunters or from broken hearts over losing their children when the Hunters blew up the south compound.

"Do you think the pack will forgive me?" Hunter queried.

"They will, especially after you explain what happened."

"Even Josilyn and the twins? I mean I broke Josie's hand, broke Anna's ribs, and nearly killed Elsa. They must hate me."

"Josilyn doesn't understand what made you push her but she doesn't hate you. Anna is more worried about Elsa and Dom than anything else. She might be mad at you for attacking but she knows you weren't in your right mind when you did. Elsa loves you. She told you that right before Stark stopped you from crushing her windpipe."

"I need to make it up to all of them somehow."

"I think if you want to make it up to Elsa, tell her you know and understand why she was sneaking out to see the Stark pack. I think that'll do wonders. Anna will forgive you if Elsa does. Josilyn will forgive you no matter what."

"I need to really make it up to Josilyn though. I always told her I'd protect her but what do I do? I break her hand."

"You'll figure it out Hunter. We Laroche men are good at that. Usually."

"Thank you... I think."

"Get some rest son. You can think about all this when you wake up." I unstrapped Hunter's wrists and legs. He told me good night and went to sleep. I sat back down and rest my head on Arya's, falling asleep within a few minutes.
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