Rogue Eight

Falling Into Place

Chapter Ten:  Falling Into Place

NICHOLAS

“What is that, like a portal or something?” Carson curiously asked as Jace and I traced the outline of burnt bark to form what looked like a black rounded entryway into the middle of the solid tree.

“Would make sense,” I stated as we stood back up, "Enabling them to infiltrate our land undetected."  

“Well, we know Roman will use any measures to get what he wants,” Jace solemnly said, “Probably sent Kristoff and Caleb with some ammunition from one of his connections.  A lot of dark twisted witches at his disposal who seem to be attracted to his method of power and rule.  One of the many reasons I personally will never trust witches…seems to be more bad ones than good.”

“Not to change the subject,” Carson suddenly interjected, obviously trying to distract his friend, “But, is it just me or does this feel like a set-up of some sort from the beginning?” 

Beast let out an angry low growl at the question before he muttered out, “Kristoff’s not sloppy.”

“Our Beast is right,” Jace breathed out, his brow furrowing in concentration as he looked out over the shaded trees, “Unless…he was caught by surprise…”

“They were watching,” Beast angrily snarled.

Carson hesitated slightly in his realization, knowing very well it could send me over the edge, although he was a little late, I was already aware of where this train of thought was headed as he said the words for me, “G-Gavin?  He was the target?” 

“I’m afraid that I am beginning to think so, my friend,” Jace reluctantly replied, rubbing the prickly hairs on the bottom of his chin, “We all know the most frustrating aspect of the Rogue 8 is their ability come in and out leaving no trace of their scent.  That and the fact that they only choose certain missions to make sure they can time everything perfectly to thwart our arrival to discover them and change their drop off points constantly has been the source of our inability to locate them, until today of course.  Rather ingenious—which I have to admit, I admire about them. I’m sure our Crescent Moon Beta’s presence caught them by surprise.”

Getting back to the theory, Jace began to pace in front of us as he continued his attempt to piece the puzzle together, “So, the three members of Rogue 8 watched as Kristoff and Gavin inevitably had words, coming in after they figured out the plan was to force them to join the Blood Horizons by staging an ambush that would involve the death of our Beta.  Their witch friend showing up in the midst of their battle.  In Kristoff’s egotistical mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had automatically assumed that the Rogue 8 would arrogantly only send one or two to retrieve their p*****t, see all of them in the clearing, and immediately leave in order to protect themselves and their anonymity.  What he didn’t understand—as we do—is the Rogue 8 value and protect life in their work, not desert it.”

“Kristoff knew if Gavin died,” I reiterated Jace’s theory in a sullen tone, “The Rogue 8 would have no other choice, because The Leadership Council and I would utilize all of our resources to viciously hunt and kill every last wolf I felt was responsible for by brother’s death. What he didn’t expect was for them to stay and do everything they could to save Gavin, the targeted victim among Kristoff's necessary casualties.”

“Well, right now,” Jace coolly stated, “We only have a pieced together theory.  If Alpha Roman goes to The Leadership Council now, you will be considered too involved because of Gavin to count as a vote and our theory will be going against Roman’s claim with two witnesses to bear their version of what happened here today.  The Rogue 8 will have a bounty on their heads.  Unfortunately, with darkness setting in, there is not much more we can do this evening, especially with no knowledge of where we can begin to find our Beta, who has seemingly disappeared into thin air.”

“Which means at first light,” I declared with mine and my wolf’s heightened determination, “We need to intensify our search for my brother…and the Rogue 8.” 

“And hope Gavin survived,” Beast almost inaudibly muttered, abundant guilt in his deep mumble.

MADELINE

Standing in front of the lab door, I took my hands and applied pressure to my cheeks, pushing them up to wipe the moisture of despair away from my face.  My wolf whining in its own devastation. Taking in a deep breath, I braced myself, summoning all the strength I had left in my exhausted body before exhaling and turning the doorknob to face the most difficult conversation I would ever have in my life.

Somehow, I had foolishly convinced myself that the day would never come where I would have to let any of my family go, especially Lorelei.  I could keep her sweet, young, innocent, protected…and always by my side.  It seemed the Moon Goddess had chosen today to teach me a hard lesson and the consequence would result in having to let my little sister go realizing that her happiness meant more to me than even my own.

Lorelei’s back was to me as I slowly and quietly walked towards her.  Her focus was solely on Gavin, his hand tenderly held within her own as she sadly stated, “Raven told you.”

“She did,” I softly returned, another whimper from my wolf echoing in my head. 

“Are you mad?” Lorelei whispered worriedly.

“No,” I lovingly assured her, reaching out and wrapping my arms around her shoulders before dropping my chin to lay on top of her head, “Selfishly broken-hearted a little maybe, but not mad.”

“I’m sorry,” Lorelei quietly sobbed, dropping her head, “I don’t want to hurt you, Madeline.”

It was rare for anyone to use my full name.  I had let it be known to all the girls that I preferred them to just use “M” and they respected my choice.  Lorelei knew she was the only one I would allow to use it on the rare occasions she might see fit.  It appeared now was one of those times, pulling on my heart strings as I fought to maintain my resolve.  I closed my eyes and willed my wolf to be silent, so I could concentrate on the excruciating situation I had no choice but to face head on. 

“Don’t be,” I whispered out, tears brimming my eyes, “Gavin is your destiny. All I have ever wanted is for you to be protected, loved and happy, Lorelei, and while it is hard for me to admit, I know that you are now Gavin’s sole purpose in life—providing all the things I want for you and more.  As beautiful and kind as my little sister is, I don’t believe the Moon Goddess would fate anyone to you who didn’t deserve your abundance of gifts.”

Lorelei let out a nervous chuckle, “I expected this to be harder.  I thought—”

“That I wouldn’t let you go without a fight?” I finished for her, letting out my own nervous giggle.  My arms strengthened their hold around her, knowing it was going to be some time before I would feel her in my embrace again. 

“Yeah,” Lorelei wistfully replied, “I never expected it to be this easy for you.”

My embrace tightened across her shoulders affectionately again, “Oh, it is most definitely not easy.  Lucky for you, Raven talked me off the ledge.”

“Thank god for Raven,” Lorelei sighed out, her head lifting as her fingers tenderly rubbed Gavin’s motionless hand, “For many reasons.”

“Mmmm,” I hummed out, releasing my sister from my arms reluctantly to step over beside her.  My eyes focused on Gavin’s healing wounds before taking in the dark tanned features of his handsome face, more at peace now than when I last saw him, emphatically stating, “I will forever be in Raven’s debt for saving him.  Especially knowing he was meant for you.”  

“I didn’t know I could ever love someone this much, Madeline,” Lorelei earnestly stated, “So much that I would even have the strength to leave my sister who I love so very much…the one person I have loved more than anything in the world my whole life.”

“Until now,” I promisingly replied, pushing aside my overwhelming emotions, “Gavin is a gift, Lorelei.”  My gaze now turned to finally come face to face with my little sister, a forced but genuine smile widening across my tired face, “It’s not like I am going to let you go forever, you know.  None of us will allow that to happen.  We will find a way to see each other as often as possible.”

Lorelei’s heavily glazed eyes imploringly stared into my own, “Promise?”

Needing to break from her gaze before I completely broke down, I leaned over and kissed Lorelei tenderly on the forehead, whispering out, “Always.”

I felt Lorelei’s head drop towards the floor beneath her again, overcome with her own emotions.  I knew then that it was time for me to take my leave so I could let out all of the pent-up sadness in the confines of my room, “I think it is time I leave you to focus on your mate.  Besides, I have some planning to do.”  I placed one last kiss on the top of her head before hurriedly walking towards the door.

As I reached for the knob to make my much-needed escape, I heard Lorelei call after me, “What plans?”

“A backstory and an explanation of what happened in the clearing,” I told her, my mind already working on my new mission, “Not to mention the disappearance of the Crescent Moon Beta…and how he managed not only to live but make his way back home with his newfound mate.”

RAVEN

I had one last necessary conversation before I could attempt any rest for the night.  After M went into my lab, I walked quietly past the door and down the hall to Remi and Jade’s room.  As I came through the doorway, I found Jade cradling Remi on her bed, her arms tight around her friend as she consoled, “It’s okay, Remi-girl.  I promise you aren’t broken!” 

Their backs towards me, neither were aware of my presence as I murmured, “Why would you think you are broken?”

The girls jerked apart upon hearing my voice, their panicked wide eyes turning towards me as Jade breathed out, “I knew you noticed.”

I walked over to the edge of the bed where they sat, nodding, my gaze focused on the unusually anguished brown eyed girl, “Talk to me, Remi.  Help me understand what happened and how I can help.”

Remi shook her head fervently from side to side, refusing to talk.  Jade placed her hand over the shaking fingertips of her friend, urging her, “If you don’t tell her, Remi-girl, I will.”

“Fine,” Remi hoarsely replied, “When I looked at Gavin, there was a…connection.”

I tensed slightly, caught off guard by her statement.  A connection?

Remi saw my response and not knowing the events, assumed my first thought as she quickly added, “Not that kind of connection.  At least I don’t’ think so.  Unless…” her voice trailed off for a moment before she continued in a distraught groan, “I’m just broken and can’t even mate correctly!”

I knew I had to assure the poor distraught girl as my mind was still trying to figure out what the connection could be between Gavin and Remi, quietly telling her, “You are not broken, I promise you.”

“How do you know?” Remi softly pleaded, looking at me with a hopeful expression on her rounded features.

I hesitated for a moment as I knew M would want to deliver the news to everyone herself and at the same time, but I also knew I had to convince Remi her assumption was wrong to end her inner-turmoil, “Because Gavin did find his mate tonight…Lorelei.”

Remi and Jade both gasped in shock, staring at me in disbelief before Jade nervously inquired, “Does M know?”

“She does,” I confirmed with a reassuring grin, “But the question now remains…why does Remi feel a pull towards Gavin as well?”