Chapter 43

Lizzie's POV

Lizzie's heart rate had finally begun to settle into a normal rhythm as she approached Everdale. The roads had been quiet since passing through Wiltershire, the night sky quickly creeping in, leaving Lizzie alone on the open road with only her headlights to guide her.

She was thankful that her parents had filled the car recently with fuel, with everything she had learnt since arriving in Norhaven she knew there were worse things than creepy old men approaching her car during a break down.

Despite the distance that had passed, Lizzie could not remove the image of Aiden's wolf being tackled to the ground as he attempts to stop her. She told herself over and over again that this was the right decision.

She knew if she listened to Aiden's apologies, she'd eventually have given in to his pleads and words of forgiveness and things would have resolved. But Lizzie couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach that Aiden would eventually tire of her and seek out Jasmine.

It baffled Lizzie that Aiden would risk war to follow her into Everdale territory. His actions this evening had indicated that he wanted Jasmine. Lizzie would just be the human who'd make the pack stronger.

She didn't want to be used like that, Aiden had shown her no loyalty therefore she didn't need to show loyalty to the Norhaven pack.

She wanted to feel loved and cherished, instead of being in a relationship where she would constantly need to discern what was truths versus lies.

In the glow of the headlights, Lizzie reads the billboard 'Entering Everdale' and relief settles into her body. She had made it.

She was safe.

Knowing the route to Henry's house like it was on the back of her hand, Lizzie passes by the familiar houses and landmarks. She selfishly wished that her Father had never been offered the new job in Norhaven.

Since arriving it had been nothing but one headache after another. She knew this trip to Everdale was only pushing back another headache when she eventually returned.

If she returned, maybe Henry would find a way for her to stay with him. However Lizzie can't help the unease that creeps into her mind as she passes by her old house only a few minutes from Henry's.

Despite Aiden cheating on Lizzie, they were still technically enemies.

Maybe Henry wouldn't care that Aiden cheated, but Lizzie had ignored his request to stay away from Aiden and everyone else, maybe he would use Lizzie as bait to get Aiden to surrender his pack.

Lizzie shook her head trying to dispel the rising panic.

Henry cared for her, he even admitted he loved her. But with everything that had happened recently Lizzie couldn't ignore the doubt which loomed at the back of her mind.

Lizzie slowly pull the car into Henry's driveway. Putting it into park she takes a deep breath in and out. She had made the right decision.

Movement catches the corner of her eye and she looks out to find Henry running towards her car.

He opens the car door frantically before Lizzie has a chance to pull the handle.

"What are you doing here, are you okay" Henry asks alarmed as his eyes do a quick assessment of her.

Guilt begins to surface at Henry's stressed appearance, she should've pulled over and called him when she was safely out of Everdale.

"I'm okay" Lizzie says as she hops out of the car the weight of her decision finally bearing down on her.

Before she has a chance to take a step, she's met with Henry's body wrapped around hers embracing her in a hug.

"Lizbeth I'm so happy to see you"

Lizzie relaxes under Henry's touch, sinking into the hug. She was safe. Away from Aiden and the Norhaven pack.

"I'm so sorry" Lizzie says his grip on her still tight. "You were right, I should've listened to you. I should've stayed away"

Lizzie's throat becomes tight as Henry pulls away, his arms still remaining on her waist.

"Lizbeth, tell me exactly what happened"

Lizzie bites her lip trying to quell the rush of tears but it's futile. Tears begin streaming down her face.

"Lizbeth please don't cry" Henry pulls her back in.

"I'm sorry" Lizzie says in between sobs. "Everything was going perfectly" she pulls away, wiping her tears on the back of her arm. "And then he returned kissing another girl"

"He what" Henry snarls, his face contorting with anger, something that Lizzie had never seen before.

"And he just let you leave, drive straight into enemy territory"

Lizzie gulps at his words.

"Oh Lizbeth, you're completely safe here"

"He was walking back on the field when I saw him kiss Jasmine. I didn't wait for him to explain and just started driving"

"You escaped" Henry says sceptically. "No one stopped you"

"Aiden chased after me, but he was tackled just as I entered Wiltershire"

"He tried to stop you?"

"Like you said, the only thing I'm good for is strengthening the pack"

"Oh Lizbeth, I didn't mean it like that"

"But you were right, I should've listened to you from the very beginning"

"It's okay, you're safe now"

A gust of wind sweeps through, raising a trail of goosebumps up Lizzie's arm.

"Here" Henry says, taking off his jacket. He hands it to her, his eyes dropping to look at the gown.

"Don't tell me he took you to the ball and then cheated on you" Henry growls

"It's more complicated than that"

"It's a yes or no answer Lizbeth"

"Everything was going perfectly" Lizzie sighed wiping away another tear that had snuck down her face

"We were halfway through the dance when Aiden was alerted to another rogue attack"

Henry's face hardens, "Another rogue attack. These are becoming more frequent. Our scouts should've alerted us"

"It was unexpected, everyone left the ball quite suddenly"

"So much for being clandestine" Henry huffs

"He didn't have much choice" Lizzie states feeling the need to defend his choices despite everything that happened. "Kat took me and Cassandra to one of the upstairs classrooms where we waited for Aiden"

"Wait, you're telling me that there was a rogue attack and they didn't take you to the pack house"

"Kat and Cassandra were with me" Lizzie tries to justify

"Lizzie if you were the Luna of the Everdale pack you would constantly be guarded. If it was possible you would never leave my sight. The Luna not only strengthens the pack but she supports the wellbeing and health of it, she is protected at all costs"

Lizzie swallows, trying to halt the sob about to escape. "Then why did he cheat on me"

"Because he's a selfish immature idiot, who hasn't got the faintest idea how precious you are"

"What upsets me is that he paraded her in front of the whole pack when he returned, kissing her in front of everyone"

"I've never understood how his pack have any respect for him. That's not important though, are you feeling okay, did you want to see our pack doctor"

Lizzie's eyebrows scrunch together, "I'm okay, thank you, heartbroken but I'll get through this"

That's strange" Henry says quietly, but shrugs it off. "Maybe you aren't mated fully yet"

"What do you mean" This wasn't making any sense.

"It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're here Lizzie, I never thought I would see you again"

"Me too" Lizzie smiles, embracing this feeling of happiness.

"Come let's get inside"

Lizzie nods her head in agreement, wanting to stop the trail of goosebumps from rising up her skin.

Henry's house was exactly how she remembered it, with its cream walls and rustic decor, it felt more like home than her house in Norhaven ever would.

"Let's go upstairs, it'll be warmer and we can talk more"

"Lizzie takes Henry's out reached hand and follows him up the stairs"

Halfway up the stairs, Henry freezes, his fingers tightening around hers.

"Shit" he mutters

She hears footsteps approaching and Lizzie turns her head to see Henry's Father walk in from the hallway.

"Elizabeth, what a pleasure to see you, how rude of my son to you not inform me that you had arrived" He says smiling at her but his eyes hold nothing but anger towards his son. Henry's hands tightens around hers

"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't want to disturb anyone" Lizzie apologises. "I hadn't planned on coming till last minute"

Henry's Father had never liked her, always making little comments that Henry should hang out with his own friends instead of her . It made more sense now but didn't change her opinion of him.

"The guest bedroom is downstairs, I'm sure Elizabeth will be more comfortable sleeping by herself"

"Elizabeth will be sleeping with me" Henry growls in warning.

Henry's Father shifts his attention from her to Henry, his body now seething with anger.  Henry shouldn't have spoken back to his Father, he was a stickler for respect.

After another moment of silence, Lizzie realises that they were mind-linking. She turns to Henry but he's focussed on his Father, his face strained. Lizzie didn't want to imagine what he was berating to Henry.

"I would prefer to sleep with Henry if that was possible"

Henry's father shifts his attention back to Elizabeth, a sinister grin slowing forming on his face.

"Of course, whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Tomorrow you'll have to pop by and see me, I would love to hear all about your experience in Norhaven"

Lizzie can only nod as a shiver rolls down her spine.

"She will" Henry affirms before he quickly pulls Lizzie up the stairs into the safety of his bedroom.