Wild at Heart

Did I want the rapist and pedophile in my pack again? No. Did I have a choice? No. Nick and I both knew Chase had something to do with Stefan working his way into our pack and trying to threaten our home. If this wasn’t dealt with properly, we’d be going to war a hell of a lot sooner than expected.

I hated calling Daniel away from his wedding planning so close to the big day, but we had no choice on that either. My Alpha needed his Luna and his Beta here with him. As for Reggie? He never went anywhere without his Beta or his daughters. Luckily for us, they were on our side.

As we stood in the woods by the border to the East, I could feel my palms go sweaty. But not because I was facing Reginald and I wanted to vomit at the sight of him, but because I was facing Octavia again. Every time I looked into her beautiful chocolate eyes, all I could think about was our kiss and how it brought back the good memories of Derek. Yet, when I stepped back and realize that it’s Octavia, a sense of dread washes over me knowing she dabbles in a world of magic that I wanted no part of ever again.

I breathed in and the scent of musk and fresh herbs told me they were near. This meeting was brought on fast, there wasn’t much time to get anything ready, but we weren’t as unprepared as the East pack. While Daniel, Nick and I stood out in the open to greet our alliance, our Omegas hid in the shadows of the trees and bushes, ready to defend if needed. The shadowy forms of our guests appeared before us and grew closer and closer until we could see the shapes of their faces. I tried to focus on Kendrick, the only one of the pack that didn’t make me feel uneasy.

“Nicklaus!” Reginald clapped his hands together. “Such a pleasure to see you again, even though at such an odd request.” I caught his eyes on me and I couldn’t hold back a low growl. “So nice to see you again as well, Emma.”

“You have a traitor among your pack that threatens our alliance, Reginald.” Nick pulled Reggie’s attention from me and cut straight to the point.

“I know every wolf in my pack, Nicklaus, I can assure you whatever you think Chase did, there must be a misunderstanding.”

“Who’s your father, Chase?” I locked eyes on my enemy, ignoring both Alphas. I could see the look on his face that he knew I knew, but he wasn’t scared. He was amused.

“I never really knew my father, Emma.” He said with a cocky grin. “My mother raised me the best she could on her own.”

“You don’t have the best relationship with your father, but when he calls... you answer.” I turned Stefan’s words on Chase and his face dropped like a dead rogue.

“You met him?” He questioned me.

“I did.” There was silence between us as Chase and I stared at each other until he broke out into a dead laugh.

“Holy shit!” Chase clapped his hands as he laughed some more. Reginald looked at his wolf like he was looking at the Joker. A man who had gone completely insane. I began to wonder if Chase really had been the one to help Stefan into the pack.

Daniel turned to Nick and whispered in his ear, just low enough that the sound of the wind was blocking me from hearing.

“It seems as though you have a visitor.” Nick said to Chase. His eyebrow raised slightly in confusion. “Bring her out.” Nick ordered from the woods. Alan slowly appeared, holding Natalie by the forearm. She didn’t look comfortable, but her eyes lit up as soon as she saw Chase.

“Chase!” She tried to run to him, but Alan’s grip on her confined her to his side.

“You’re here because I’m allowing it.” Nick stated to Natalie. “The second you cross the line; you won’t have a home to go to.” Nick warned her. She gulped and nodded quickly. “You may stay, but you’ll do it quietly. Understood?” She nodded again and Nick turned his attention back to Chase. “I’m going to ask you a question, and what comes out of your mouth next will be the truth. You won’t like what happens to you if you lie.” Nick stepped towards Chase. “Did you bring the Alpha of the South pack into my territory?” Chase smiled at Nick.

“I did not physically bring Stefan here, no.”

“Do you deny aiding him?”

“No.” Chase never lost his smile and Nick’s nose flared in anger.

“Chase...” Reginald shook his head in disappointment. “I thought we had trust between us.” He placed his hand over his chest. “I thought we had loyalty. But this? You’ve betrayed us. You’ve jeopardized our alliance. For what?”

“Power.” Chase had no hesitation in his voice. “Stefan found out Derek was killed.” Chase explained. “Something of a red wolf ripping out his heart.” He turned to me and I had to focus on my heartbeat to keep it in check. “Derek was Stefan’s firstborn, when Stefan dies everything was destined to go to Derek. But now that Derek is dead, I am the next in line to take over.” He smiled at me and all I wanted to do was punch him square in the nose. “Stefan called me. And as always, I answered. He told me of the red wolf, but he thinks that you ripped out his heart when you chose Nick in the mating ritual.” I was so worried about anyone finding out what I did to Derek that I never stopped to think that ripping his heart out was a metaphor. “But Stefan sets his eyes on his target and there’s no going back. You’re his target. He wants to make you Luna to gain power.” This was nothing I didn’t know. So, why was Chase still talking? We needed to exile his ass. “I’m on your side.” Chase said with a laugh. “I don’t want that crazy bastard to have power any more than you do.” He stated. “I want his pack. But in order to take his pack, I need more power. I need a pack with an army ready to go to war.” The East pack isn’t the type of pack that want to go to war. They’re having a war within themselves already, they’re in no condition to go to war themselves. “But your pack,” he grinned at me. “Your pack is strong; your pack is ready for war.” He turned to Nick. “Which is why I’m challenging you, Nicklaus, Alpha of the North.”