22. One Of Concern

ALEJANDRO

I raised an eyebrow. What did that even mean? He sighed, running his hand through his hair and looking at the trees that surrounded us. Only the rustle of leaves or the odd animal could be heard.

"He was trying to take her. I still remember the look in his eyes… He didn't even look like he was fully there. He didn't care that I was hacking at him, he was just trying to take her… I brushed it off. There's been several events but that day… outside the cinema... the Wendigo didn't seem to have gone in for the kill. We both know that and we both know how fast they are. Kiara couldn"t have outrun them if they wanted to kill her. Then at the hospital, of all places, it chose to go there. There are more pups and wolves in the packhouse."

The fucker was smart. His line of thought matched my own. I stayed silent, letting him speak.

"I don't know why, there's nothing different about Kiara… but just in case my assumption is correct… then Kiara may be the target."

I scoffed dryly.

"So, you're sending her to me because you think you can protect your pack like this?"

"No - because I know Kiara will go to some other pack, one way or another. She's Scarlett's daughter and fucking stubborn." He growled. I smirked.

"Seems like Daddy's little girl isn"t under his control."

"She isn"t a child anymore, I know that. So that was my reason… You don't seem shocked." He now looked at me sharply.

I stayed silent for a moment, her odd aura hadn"t been picked up by him, so there was no point in me telling him that.

"So, you want me to protect her yet you're sending her right to me, when we both know I"m a fucking monster?" I said coldly, avoiding his statement.

He frowned at me.

"You're dangerous, I know that. But you also spend your life protecting the werewolf race." He said.

"Only because I"m bored. I enjoy the chase and kill." I said arrogantly. He smirked.

"Tell yourself whatever you want to keep up your bad boy image. You care, admit it or not." He said cockily.

This is why I hated him. Dickhead. He acted like he fucking knew me.

"You do remember, she fucking pisses me off and I don't mind ripping her head from her body?"

He growled venomously at me and I smirked. One point for me.

"I know that. I want to ask you, not Alpha to Alpha… but as a father to the ultimate protector of the werewolf race, will you please protect her?" He asked quietly, the arrogance gone.

It took me by surprise, as I saw the unmasked worry he had in his eyes. Could a person really change that fucking much for those he loved? Was it even possible? Elijah was one of the cockiest men I knew and here he was asking me to protect his girl.

"Kiara has been through so much but she"s resilient, reckless and selfless. She would stand in the line of danger regardless of her own life. I only want you to give me your word that you won't hurt her. If she pisses you off, ship her back to me. I'll be having a word with her too."

Ok, I was definitely fucking taken by surprise now. I didn't expect him, Elijah, to ever submit like this. Maybe I should ask him to get on his knees and ask me? I smirked and he narrowed his eyes.

"Don't piss me off." He warned me, as if knowing what was going through my mind. Oh well, maybe next time.

"Fine. I'll try not to kill her." I said, taking a drag of my cigarette.

"Give me your word as Alpha." Elijah pushed.

The fucker was irritating.

"I'm the fucking king, I don't take orders." I replied coldly. "I won't hurt her, she'll return to you on the blood moon in one piece."

There I gave him my word; didn't mean I wouldn't emotionally mess with her... Or sexually… He was smart, but it was clear he didn't realise that there was more between us. Was it our age difference? Well, his loss.

"Thank you." His words held sincerity and for a split second, I felt the strength of his emotions as our eyes met - but it was only for a split a second. I didn't do fucking sentimental shit.

------

The next day I awoke to the smell of chocolate. I definitely wasn't in heaven, cause I sure as fuck was going to hell. But whatever that was, it smelled good…

I got dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black T-shirt and a leather jacket whilst I gathered my things. I had made it clear I didn't want anyone doing stuff for me. Back at my pack there were a few omegas who did stuff for me, but I'd rather not have random people touching my stuff. I put my bags on the bed and left my room. We were leaving straight after breakfast.

I followed my nose to the kitchen to find two trays of freshly baked brownies on the counter. I raised an eyebrow, looking around. No one was here... I guess I could take a piece, right? Obviously I can, who the fuck cares if it"s rude or not? No one will know it's me.

I took out a piece of gooey goodness. Why the fuck were they cut so small? One piece wouldn't be enough… I ate it and took another. These were fucking good. They tasted just like the ones I had the day I arrived. Did Kiara make these? Maybe I should get her to bake for me when we get back… Damn, she was not my fucking chef but I wouldn't mind making her that... and a lot more.

Four… Five pieces later, I still wasn"t done and I took a sixth. In my defence, they were cut so fucking small. Stingy woman.

"Oh my goddess!"

I turned around, popping the seventh piece in my mouth just in time to see Kiara standing there, dressed in a wrap-around black dress that accentuated all her curves. Her hair was up in a messy yet fucking sexy bun and she wore boots. On her face was a look of utter dismay.

"Those were to give to someone!" She said, near tears as she hurried over, snatching the brownie trays from in front of me.

"Chill the fuck out, they're just brownies." I replied coldly.

"My brownies! One tray was for Grandad; he's leaving today too, and the other was for Dad. Now there isn"t enough!"

Then came the tears. She was fucking crying. She didn't cry when it came to facing a Wendigo but she was going to cry over brownies?

"Kiara?!"

And here comes Daddy dearest. I resisted rolling my eyes.

"What the fuck did you do?" Elijah growled, pulling his daughter into his arms.

Was it normal to feel fucking jealous of him hugging his own daughter? She wasn't mine…. Just those words irritated me. I refused to answer but I didn't need to because Kiara looked up at her father.

"I made brownies for you and Grandad, and he ate some." She said tearfully.

Elijah's eyes widened in surprise and the hint of a smirk threatened to cross his lips.

"Dad! Are you laughing at me?!"

"No of course not." He said hugging her again. "I"m sure you're just upset about leaving. I mean, you could change your mind." He sounded hopeful. Kiara's growl gave him his answer.

I grabbed two more pieces of brownies sneakily, although I know Elijah saw me, and left the kitchen as Kiara protested - she wanted to go no matter what.

-----

We were finally ready to leave and get on the road. Although I travelled in Lycan form often enough, I still had transport ready when needed. I now sat in my two-seat sports car waiting for Kiara. Although she wanted to stay with her friend, her Dad didn't agree. I suggested that she was better off with me anyway, in case something did attack. I know the need I had for her to be around me was only growing.

I hoped that once I was back at my own pack that I could restore some normality. Yeah, there was a lot of shit going on and things I needed to take care of. I had enjoyed this break, although I'd not admit that.

My eyes flashed red as I watched her hug Damon. Not missing the way his hands stroked her back or the way he buried his head in her neck. I slammed my hand on the horn, beeping loudly, making Kiara jump back before she finally met her mother quickly and then walked over to the car with her Dad.

"I'll see you in a few weeks angel. Behave alright." Elijah said.

She nodded as they hugged, before she got in. He looked at me and held his hand out. A peace offering and confirmation of a promise, I knew that much. I took his hand as my eyes met his. "Take care of her."

I said nothing before turning away and letting go of his hand. Trusting me with his daughter was something huge for Elijah and I wasn't too fucking stupid to see that, but did he really trust me? The question was the same one I'd always been tempted to ask Rafael.

Ever since the day I had killed our parents, I always felt he was a little uneasy around me. He probably didn't even trust me around his pups, I"m sure he didn't when they were little anyway. Sensing it from him and his mate, I distanced myself from them. Once a monster's always a monster after all… right?