Chapter 42

Silver’s POV

“Alpha, Luna, where have you been? You were searched for at the banquet last night,” Beta Leo said as we walked through the front doors of the palace.

We stayed at the horse track until the sun began to rise early this morning. Elliot didn’t want to take a chance of having me be seen, so we stayed wrapped in each other’s arms. Eventually, we both fell asleep and when we woke up, I was back to normal.

“Do I really need to explain myself to you, Beta?” Elliot asked coldly, making Beta Leo pale.

“No, but I wasn’t sure what to tell the packmates. It would have been nice if you warned me that you were leaving.”

Elliot wrapped an arm around me and tucked me into his side.

“I don’t need to inform you when I want to have a little quality time with my wife,” he said, his voice dropping low and deadly. All traces of that sincere, kind, and gentle man that comforted me all night were gone.

Leo bowed his head, baring his neck as Elliot’s Alpha powers washed over him.

“Of course, sir. I apologize,” he said, his voice low and defeated. Before Elliot could guide me away, Leo spoke up again. “Sir, there was another rogue attack last night. With that creature that appeared at the banquet and the series of attacks, I was only seeking you out because I was worried for your safety.”

Elliot paused and turned to look at his beta.

“Another rogue attack? Was anyone hurt?”

“One of the gammas is in critical condition,” Leo answered solemnly. “I just returned from there. I was hoping he would be awake and tell me what exactly happened, but he was still in a coma. The others didn’t actually see the rogues but heard the attack. When they got there, this gamma was lying on the ground covered in his own blood. The stench of rogues was all over the place.”

A low growl escaped Elliot’s throat.

“I’m going to change and then I’ll meet you at the packhouse. Gather some of the toughest gammas.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Beta Leo said nodding his head.

Without another word, Beta Leo left the palace.

I turned to look at Elliot, worry clear on my face as I peeked up at his strong and determined features.

“Please, be safe,” I told him.

He smirked, a playfulness in his eyes that made my heart flip in my chest.

“Are you worried for me, Mrs. Crown?”

I bit my lower lip, trying to keep a stern face, but feeling a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“I simply need you so I can keep my status as Luna and continue to drive your nephew insane,” I teased right back.

He looked alarmed and a flash of hurt went through his eyes, making me laugh. I stood on my toes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

“Just be safe, my husband,” I whispered before walking past him, making sure to sway my hips as I continued up the stairs.

I felt Elliot’s eyes on me the entire time and I would be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel good about myself. I liked that he was checking me out and seemingly liking what he was seeing.

At some point, Elliot must have left because he didn’t return to our bedroom. I was able to take a shower and put on some fresh clothes. My wardrobe for the day consisted of waist-high skin-tight jeans and a white crop top. I tied my hair into a pony and applied only a little makeup to make myself feel lively.

Once I was done getting dressed, I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I was pleased that Mariah was in the kitchen, and I was even more pleased when I smelled breakfast cooking. My mouth was practically watering at the different scents.

She turned and gave me a kind smile as I sat at the kitchen island.

“I hope you’re hungry. I made plenty of food,” she told me.

“Starving,” I admitted.

She piled food onto a plate and poured a cup of coffee for me. She grabbed some creamers and sweeteners and placed those on the counter as well.

“I’m a bit short-staffed at the packhouse this afternoon, so, I’ll be going there to help in the kitchen. So, if you’re hungry just head on over and you can grab some food,” Mariah told me.

I bit into a piece of bacon and moaned with satisfaction.

“I might take you up on that,” I told her. “I’m going to spend some time in my studio and work on some paintings.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“I can’t wait to see what you’ve been working so hard on,” she said, a sly smile on her lips.

I winked at her.

“Soon enough, all will be revealed,” I teased.

She chuckled and started to clean up the kitchen.

We bantered some while I continued to eat breakfast and once, I finished, she grabbed my plate and coffee mug to clean them.

“I can do that,” I protested.

“And then what would I do?” She asked, raising her brows. “Let me do my job, Luna Crown.”

I smiled at her and shook my head; I knew there was no arguing with her. I slid off the barstool and went into my studio to get to work on my newest painting.

Time ticked on; I got so lost in my artwork that I completely lost track of time. The front door slammed shut and distinct male voices brought me out of my stooper.

I put my brushes and watercolor away before leaving the studio and walking into the front foyer. I froze entirely when I saw Elliot standing at the doorway with Beta Leo and Gamma Warrior. It was the lead gamma warrior that was looking for me yesterday. I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping that he doesn’t recognize me.

However, the gamma being in the palace wasn’t what caused me to pause, it was the state of my husband.

He was shirtless, wearing only jeans. But his entire torso had claw marks on it. His jawbone was bruised, and he had a bloody scratch on his cheek. His upper lip was also split and puffy. I scanned his body for further damage, and I saw that his knuckles were red and swollen, with some minor scrapes.

My stomach twisted and knotted until I felt completely ill.

“I told you not to go there alone,” the gamma scolded, folding his arm across his chest. “What were you thinking?”

“I told him it was a bad idea, but he wouldn’t listen to reason,” Beta Leo said, equally dismayed.

“Would you two knock it off? My wolf will heal me in no time and—”

His words were cut off when he saw me standing before him. The others looked at me as well and their eyes widened. I was too stunned to even speak.

Did he really try to go after the rouges by himself? Did I hear him correctly?

Elliot broke his eyes from me to look at Leo.

“Call together the local Alphas and have them meet me at my packhouse for a meeting.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

He turned to the Gamma.

“Luca, go to the hospital and check on the fallen gamma, and then gather the other gammas for extra training.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

They both left to do their tasks and his eyes found mine again.

“I’m going to be late this evening so don’t wait up for me,” he told me as he started to walk past me.

I turned around to face him, my eyes blazing.

“You are hurt, shouldn’t you be resting?” I asked him, my voice coming out desperate and pathetic.

“There’s too much to do and I fear my pack is in danger. I can’t rest just yet,” he told me as he reached the stairs. But he paused and looked at me, his face softening.

“You don’t need to worry. You married a very strong Alpha. These are minor injuries,” he assured me, but it didn’t make me feel any better. “Please, don’t worry too much. This is my job.”

With that, he turned and went up the stairs. My chest tightened and I felt a wave of nausea slamming into me.

After Elliot changed, he left the palace. I remained in my studio, to wound up doing any actual work. I just remained seated, attempting to deep breaths and hating how shaky it sounded. After an hour, I decided to go to the packhouse. I needed to speak to Elliot about this and see if there was a way we could protect him.

“Hey, Silver!” Cara called as soon as I walked into the packhouse. “Want to have lunch with us?”

I saw the others seated at their small table with plates of food.

“Maybe in a few. I need to speak with the Alpha. Is he around?” I asked.

“I think he’s in the meeting room down the hall,” Alison said, pointing me in the right direction.

I smiled my thanks to them and headed towards that room. I was about to knock on the door, but voices inside stopped me.

“I want to lead the team and find out about these attacks,” Elliot said confidently. “It seems most of the rogues are targeting my pack and I won’t stand for it any longer.”

“You’ve already been brutally attacked, Alpha Elliot. Perhaps you should let another one of us lead this team,” another Alpha said pointedly.

“Do not mistake my injuries as weakness. I won’t stand for that. I’m the strongest Alpha and you know it. I won’t stand by and do nothing while my pack is being attacked. I will fight until my dying breath.”

That snapped me out of my eavesdropping position, and I pushed the door open quickly.

“What are you saying? You are injured and you need to take time to rest. You are no good to your pack when you are in this state,” I all but shouted.

I stared at all the Alphas seated at the table, my father being one of them. Shirley was also at the table, and she leaned back in her seat like she was getting ready for a show.

“Silver, you shouldn’t be here. This is an Alpha meeting,” Elliot said firmly, his eyes narrowed in disappointment.

“When my husband's life is at stake, I believe I have every right to be here. Don’t you think?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest. “How dare you make such a rash decision like this and not even consult me about it. You should be home resting right now, not planning on leading a team into dangerous territory.”

Everyone was quiet and stunned by my outburst; the seemingly quiet housewife had grown a backbone!