Lockwood City: The Tale of Eloise

Eight

Kid Cudi- Mr. Rager

Elias:

"Is she okay?" Alpha Tec asks as soon as I walk out of the elevator.

"Yeah, she didn't shift," I inform them. Luna Bes smiles putting a hand over her chest.

"That's good, right?" she asks.

"No," I shake my head. "It's complicated. Eloise is-" I pause trying to put it into words. "Eloise doesn't know how to identify her emotions. She doesn't know how to separate her emotions and her wolf instincts. She knows what pain feels like. Emotional and physical. She knows what guilt is. She knows what fear and safety are. But everything else, she's missing,"

"Missing?"

"Not missing. They're there. She just doesn't know what they are. Happiness, excitement, jealousy, anger. All of that is new to her. The emotions are not exactly new to her but they're intensified by my own. We have to tread carefully with what we expose her to. Too much can cause her to react the way she did today. What happened?"

"She was doing great," Alpha Tec smiles. "She was interacting with others. She was taking in the scents. I mean she didn't let go of my hand but she was having fun. Then there was a robbery and she just let go. It was all instinct. She put her hand out and slammed some ass hole on the ground. She winded him but didn't hurt him," he presses his lips together and shakes his head. "The purse belonged to Tiffany,"

"s**t," I look him over. "She knows who she is,"

"And now she has a scent," he nods. "She was fine after but then the cameras startled her,"

"The cameras?"

"Paparazzi,"

"Okay, I need to find a new place for us to stay. She warned me about the scent already. I don't think the cameras startled her. I think she was able to process what meeting Tiffany meant,"

"You can take the chauteus on Cherry Hill," Luna Bes nods. "It has a great view of the city and a huge yard. You can teach her the basics there if that's going to be part of whatever it is you're doing,"

Alpha Tec glares at her as she pulls her phone out and takes a call. Her assistant comes over to us and the two of them almost walk away. The alpha grabs her arm and pulls her into him with a snarl.

"Where the f**k are you going?" he asks her. "He's trying to help our daughter,"

"I am well aware of what he's doing. I'm contributing but I also have work. She's not going to come down until he tells her to. She's never listened to me. Eloise is not going to need us anymore, Tec. Start getting used to it. You wanted an heir. Don't stand in the man's way," she pulls her arm away from him and follows after her assistant. "She's twenty-seven for f**k sake,"

Hmm, that's where she gets that ice-cold sneer in her tone from. I'm willing to bet the icy glare is there are well. It's a defense mechanism. It's something that those who have felt helpless for too long develop as adults to protect themselves. Luna Bes had an abusive stepfather and a mother who worked all the time. They lived on the East side of L.C. It fits her demeanor and Eloise's.

"She's right. How is Sasuke doing?" I ask. He shuts his eyes and shakes his head.

"He didn't make it out of the surgery on his leg. He was too young," Blitz answers. "I was going to apologize at dinner. I don't think she's going to want-"

"You should have dinner with her. If she agreed to it, she has to start keeping those promises. Even if you all have to take dinner up to her room. Even if she throws it right back up. We all need to start communicating properly. We can't afford to tiptoe around her. We have a deadline," I remind the alpha.

"Would you like to join us?" Alpha Tec asks.

"No, I want to give her some room to process this quickly. Enough time for her to convince herself this is a good idea but not enough time for her to talk herself out of it. It was risky coming here when I felt her fight the shift. I promised her I wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning to make her breakfast,"

"Is that part of what you're doing? Promising?" Blitz asks.

"Not promising exactly. I'm trying to establish trust between us. This part has nothing to do with her family. She trusts you already. Me, on the other hand, I'm her first selfish act. She thinks she stole my choice by claiming me the way she did. Even more, now that she knows about Tiffany,"

"That's definitely a you problem," Blitz laughs. "I am going to make dinner for my sister. Laters, do as I say s**t holes,"

He walks away without looking at anyone else. I watch him bump into someone on his way out. He steadies her and excuses himself. I rush over to stop her from entering the building. If Eloise smells her here of all places, she's going to lose it.

"You can't be here," I growl pushing her back.

"I just wanted to make sure, Rapunzel was okay," Tiffany tries to pull out of my hold.

"She's fine. Never come here again," I warn her. She looks me over and scoffs.

"I'm going to be moving into this building in two weeks," she says and reaches into her purse. She holds up a guard certification envelope. "Plan b. I do have options you know. I'm not some-"

"You can't be here right now. She has your scent. I'm coming back for her in the morning and if your scent is anywhere near that lobby. You're f****d. I'm not trying to be an asshole, Tiff. I'm trying to help you,"

"Okay," she backs away putting her hands up in surrender. "I'll come back to check in tomorrow,"

"Thank you,"

"I saw them, you know," she puts the envelope in her bag. "The scars. I get it. I'm sorry for the way I reacted," she sighs. "She doesn't look feral,"

"No, she doesn't but she is. I think it's the alpha in her that refuses to give in to it,"

"I can help you,"

"I can't risk it. I'm not going to lie to her or hide anything from her. She'll kill you given the chance,"

"You don't know that,"

"I know her father. She'll do it. Believe me. Thanks for the offer but the answer is no,"

"Elias-"

"He said no," he growls from behind me. I shut my eyes hating the leash I'm going to be on from now on. Not just Eloise but her father. Her siblings. Her mother. Tiffany takes a step back putting her hands up defensively. Without a word, she turns away and leaves. "You need to be assertive,"

"That's not an issue," I turn back to look at him. "We both know that,"

"With her, I mean. You're not wrong. If Eloise feels in any way threatened, she will kill her. You're her mate but you love that girl. Take it from me, Elias. I killed my mate's boyfriend the night we met. I was seventeen years old. The only reason that girl is alive is because Eloise has her mother's self-control but I saw it in her eyes. She looked that little girl over and knew it would be easy to tear her apart. For now, she's not threatened but if Tiff-" he says her name mockingly. "-pushes. She won't hesitate. Not again,"

"Sir," one of his private guards approaches us and hands him a set of keys.

"Thank you, Kellin. You're being relocated. I'll have your orders ready by tonight,"

"Sir," he bows and walks away. The way he moves is very graceful. He has to be part of the shadow teams. Those guys are only seen if they allow it.

"That's Kellin Demarco. He's Eloise's private guard. He's been her guard for the past five years. He knows more about her than the rest of us do. She's never noticed him. You might want to get acquainted," he holds up the keys. "These are to your new home. The chauteus was always meant for Eloise. It's empty," he pulls a black card from his wallet. "This is her card. Whatever she needs,"

"I can take care of my mate just fine," I scoff.

"Yeah, she can take care of herself, you, and the rest of us just fine. She's been taking care of the pack's finances for the past four years. She's a recluse not an invalid. I'm giving you that to give to her when she's ready to be out on her own. If I give it to her, she'll leave it here. I'm trusting you with my daughter, Elias. She responded to you. I'm-" he swallows hard. The idea of someone else taking care of her is killing him. "I don't have any other choices. Nothing I do is working. Even if she doesn't want to be alpha. Just help her,"

I take the card and watch as he makes his way down to his waiting car. His driver lets him into the back seat and he leaves. I put what he handed me in my pocket before going over to my bike. I look up wondering what she's doing up there right now. The urge to go back is unsettling. But I can't. Not after seeing Tiffany. She'll probably kill us both or it'll hurt her. I'm trying to get a read on her but she's pushing and pulling. Patience. I need to be patient with her.

The drive to Cherry Hill is a long one from L.C. Tower. This is definitely a much safer option. It's a gated community built on the hill. There's an armed guard at the front gate.

"Key," the guard asks without looking up at me when I stop next to the hut. There's a high iron gate that goes all the way around. I take the keys out of my pocket to find a keychain with the C.H. crest on the gates hanging off of it. I hold it up. "Press it. That's the only way in or out. What number does it say on the back?"

"Zero-Zero-One," I answer. He looks up at me finally.

"Rapunzel is leaving the tower?" he smirks. "Holy s**t," he nods. "Go left. It's the only road that leads to the top,"

"What is this place?" I ask him.

"Alpha Tec built it for her. Only Lookwoods stay here. Eighteen houses all strategically positioned around the house on top of Cherry Hill. This place is a fortress, man. We've got six sniper towers. Not Lockwood Tower but close enough,"

"Thanks," I nod and press the button.

"Is she-" he stops looking down at the M16 he's holding. "Is she going to take the city? Everyone thinks Maxwell Lockwood is going to be the new alpha of L.C,"

"We'll see," I shrug. "You should check the media. She's been spotted in the city,"

I go through the gates and head in the direction he pointed out. There's no one on this road. I already don't like this. She's going to be leaving one cage just to step into another much bigger one. In the city, she at the very least has a view of the things around her.

I can see the perfect view of the city from here but there is nothing for miles around. Just the houses below. I expected something overly extravagant like our official pack house and while it does scream money. The French provincial-style mansion is beautiful.

The gray brick road splits in two directions. Towards the driveway and down a small walkway. I park my bike and remove my helmet. It's quiet here. She's not going to like that. The silence overwhelms her. I wonder what she likes listening to. I bet it's something weird, like punk rock or hardcore rap. When we were kids, she liked classic rock. I don't see her listening to that still. Not with the anger she feels.

I stop in the middle of the walkway and look up at the house. An overwhelming anger comes over me. This is not at all where I saw my life headed. I proposed to Tiff this year because I'll be graduating soon. Because she's perfect to take the role of my beta female. She's driven and really good with people. Do I love her? Of course, I do. I'd be an i***t not to but it was all just-comfortable.

I stopped looking for my mate years ago. I gave up on the romantic notion. At my age, the odds are slim. Tiff and I talked about it. The what if. From the start. I know I didn't have to worry about her mate catching up to us. I knew Russel. He was a good man and an amazing mate. We weren't close but he was always talking about her. I dreaded this happening. I never wanted to hurt her. I sure as hell never thought I'd have to protect her from Rapunzel.

Everything is different now. My plans are shifting. Tiff is the last thing I want to think about. I hate that I don't have anything to fall back on. I can't go through Eloise's social media to see what she's into. I can't look her up at all. The media from when she was kidnapped was basically erased. Probably to keep her from seeing the massive impact the event had in Lockwood City history.

The what-ifs have been playing in the back of my head from the moment I walked out of Lockwood Tower yesterday. What would it have been like to have known her my entire existence the way it was intended? She's always been mine and I didn't know. It feels a lot like getting spit on by the universe itself.

I don't want to go in there. Not alone.

"What are you doing here, Graeson?" I stiffen at the sound of her voice.

Elena, Eloise's baby sister. God, she looks just like her. Raven black hair, thickly built body. Elena has brown eyes like Alpha Tec. Her features aren't as sharp as Eloise's but that's only because Eloise doesn't eat properly.

"Elena," I greet her. She looks me over and smiles when her eyes land on my neck.

"I'm glad it's you," she says coming over to stand next to me we both look up at the house.

"You are?"

"Yes. If anyone can tame the beast my sister has become, it's you. Remember when we were kids? You were the only one who could stop her from doing something stupid. You two were meant to be together forever," she smiles sadly. "So much time has been wasted don't you think?"

"I was just thinking that," I nod.

"Dad had this built for her. He'll never forgive himself for what happened. He still goes over the investigation files sometimes. Want a tour?"

"Sure," I agree, holding the keys out to her. She holds up her own set and motions me to follow her. "I thought you were in New York,"

"I haven't left. Elliot told me she came out for their birthday. It upset him that he didn't get to see it. When he dropped your name, I kind of figured something weird was going to go down. I've been begging my parents to let her see you for years," she unlocks the double doors and pushes them open.

"Why didn't they let me see her?"

"When we got her back, not even my dad could go near her. She killed two nurses before shifting and an entire medical team after. Elliot and I weren't even allowed to go near the old pack house. I didn't see her until after she was put in the tower,"

There is nothing inside. Blank walls, polished floors. I take my phone out and snap a couple of pictures and send them to her.

"I've spoken to her a couple of times now. She's scared," I look around the huge living room.

"Yeah," she nods. "I don't think she ever left that cell, Elias. You've seen her, right? The scars?"

"Yeah,"

"They used silver to make sure they stayed," she whispers. My stomach clenches tightly. "They made her drink it. It's why she doesn't like eating. Some things are too intense for her. Sour and salty things make her gag. Sweet things she can stomach just barely,"

"She hates sweets. At least, she used to. She always went for the spicy snacks,"

"Not anymore. She tried hot Cheetos once. She was sick for a week," She lifts her arms and drops them. "This is the family room. Elliot had speakers installed a few months ago. He says she never takes her headphones off,"

"That's good," I nod.

"Did you bond?" she asks pointing at her neck.

"We did, yeah," I nod. "Just not completely,"

"On a scale from one to ten. How bad is it?"

"It's cold inside of her," I place my hand on my chest still feeling it. The roar of her storm. She's still upset about Tiffany. "It's so f*****g cold, Elena. There is nothing else,"

Her lips quiver as she tries to fight back her tears.

"The kitchen is through here," she walks away blinking away the tears. These Lockwood girls.

The inside of the house is rustic. A lot like the house she grew up in. There's a master bedroom on the first floor and a study. The basement is equipped with an indoor pool, a gym, and a refrigerated walk-in wine cellar. There are four rooms upstairs. I take a few more pictures and send them to her. She's looking at them. The bottom of the message says read.

"This place is as ridiculous as her penthouse," I scoff.

"She seems simple, Elias but she's a Lockwood. You can bring her over to my place for ideas if you like. It's just my cat and me,"

"You have your own chauteus?" I ask. What a stupid word.

"Mhm, Dad made one for me and one for Elliot. He doesn't live in his. He lives at Lockwood Tower. They're twins. All of this has been really rough on him too. He felt it the moment they shifted. He almost died with her as she went feral," she shakes her head. "Their connection is gone but he hopes they can reconnect one day,"

"I was thinking that maybe he could help me make her wolf submit. Do you know if Tec has tried that?"

"He has," she smiles tightly. "She's too strong. He's tried more than once since she's shifted. She's not going to bow, Elias. At least, not to us. You're the alpha now, sir. Maybe you should try it once the bond is complete,"

"She's not ready for that. I'm not going to-"

"Hey, I get it," she pats my arm.

"I won't make her submit. She's the alpha. I want her to be. It's who she is even if she's forgotten,"

"You're nuts," she laughs. "Maybe just as crazy as she is. Look at you, Graeson. You're finally a Lockwood,"

"f**k you," I roll my eyes.

"You do know if you guys get married Dad is going to make you take her name, right?" she laughs. Her voice is gentle, just like her mother's.

"Never going to happen," I shake my head. I lift my phone when it pings. It's her.

-I love it. But a house?

-Too much?

-Kind of. Does my dad know? He's f*****g crazy. You know that right?

-This was his idea.

-Wow. I wish I could say I'm surprised. ＞.＜

-I can find us something smaller in the city if you're not okay with it.

-What's the outside look like?

"Is that her?" Elena asks. "You have this little smile on your face,"

"Yeah, she likes the house. Wants to see the outside," I press my lips together trying to stop myself from smiling.

"Yee," she claps her hands excitedly and grabs my hand. She pulls me out of the house. "Show her, dumb ass,"

I take a few pictures of the yard and then of the house. I send them. Elena tiptoes next to me to see what she responds.

-Christ. He really is an asshole.- the two of us laugh.

"Kettle meet pot," she steps away. "I was invited to dinner. I am going to prepare. You going?"

"I have a lot of things to do," I shake my head.

"Right. Well, good luck. Dad is not going like her moving anywhere else. FYI,"

"Good thing it's not up to him," I shrug.

"Man, you've always had a death wish. Even when we were kids. I remember when you told him to f-off when she got sick after sneaking over to your place in the rain. He would have checked your ass had she not stood between you two. Anyway, later,"

There's a skip in her step as she walks away. Eloise used to skip like that when we were kids. Espeically when she was excited about something. I look down at my phone and decide this is where we'll start. I don't want to isolate her from her family. I know it's going to take her a while to adjust to the change. This way it'll be easy for Elena and Blitz to have access to her.

-I like the house- I send back. -Has potential-

-Are you sure? It doesn't fit your personality.

-My personality?- what is that supposed to mean?

-You're a bad boy. You live in a loft downtown because it's easier to get your pre-beta duties out of the way early in the day so you have time for your hobbies. You have a reputation, Mr. Graeson.

-We really need to talk about how much you know about me.

-Nothing. Just because I know what you're up to doesn't mean I know anything about you. ;)

"You are going to be the reason why I start smoking again, Eloise. I already feel the urge to start," I laugh.

-Regardless. We need to compare notes.

-Of course. I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow.

"Yo," Jax answers on the second ring.

"I'm sending you an address, Bring my things. Let me know when you're here,"

"Everything is packed up and in the moving truck. Tiff picked her things up already. I should tell you. She applied to guard and her application was accepted this morning,"

"I know. They met,"

"What?" he laughs.

"Get here. I'll catch you up," I send him the address.

"Cherry Hill," he whistles. "Moving up in the world, Alpha. Max is going to go after you hard when he finds out,"

"I hope so. I can use a punching bag right about now. It's been a minute," I sneer.

"It has," he laughs. "World Star,"