HUNTED-Chapter 352: A new place to call home

Aldric stared out the car window, watching as the scenery passed. They stayed with Cathy for only a few more days as Chase cleaned up his mess, arranging it so it looked like the group of men had been attacked by a bear. Whatever traces were left of Aldric and Harry were gone, replaced with bear tracks.

They couldn’t stay at Cathy’s. That much was clear. It was his intention to leave with his pups anyway, but they left much quicker than he anticipated.

The woman was mourning for her sister and knew without asking further that Mark was dead. Cathy couldn’t meet Aldric’s eyes, and when they did, there was so much pain, a flicker of anger and resentment. He accepted it all, adding to his own resentment for not saving Emma.

It was more twisted for his sister-in-law because she’d loved a man that killed her sister, and she would stare off, seeming to reminisce good times with her husband to then switch and glower at nothing in particular. Having her husband’s killer in the house did not help her grief and conflicting feelings. Aldric also couldn’t look at the photos of Mark and the family photos.

Mark had killed his mate, and he killed him, leaving Cathy’s children without a father. He was guilty about that. But that was all. Callan also convinced him that Daisy and Jack would grow up most likely hating their cousins for what they were.

At least now, they might not hold such hatred in their hearts. Not that he had seen any in their interactions with Rex, who still currently kept his wolf ears and tail.

Aldric glanced back at his son who was sleeping, resting his head against the window. Behind Aldric’s seat, Elissa was also asleep. They’d left early in the morning, their bags and belonging packed up. It surprised him to see the fire resistant safe they’d kept was at Cathy’s and inside beside the usual passports, extra cash and belongings, were their wedding photos, and group family photos.

Many photos were in there, in fact, and tears had sprung from his eyes. He would never forget what Emma looked like but these were priceless and he cherished it more than any money or object. It was all now packed up in the back of the car. The night before, the police showed up, telling them the bad news about Mark.

They said their goodbyes the night before, and although Aldric said he would stay in touch, he knew Cathy needed time. He didn’t want to completely isolate his children from their cousins, but at the moment it was likely they would be. Now, there was only one place left for them to go.

One place, Aldric knew they would be welcomed, and his pups could thrive. The Silver Crescent pack. The estate and territories Aila and Damon had were vast, with enough space for their wolves to be let loose without humans interfering. It was also well protected, and he noted the schools the last time he was there.

"I haven’t told them we’re coming yet," Harry spoke like he knew where Aldric’s thoughts had been turning to. They were already driving in the direction towards the pack. The Alpha and Luna were aware Harry was returning but he needed to update them.

"I’ll call now," Aldric murmured, keeping his voice low so his pups could sleep peacefully in the back. He noticed the darkened circles around their eyes and knew they had missed their mum. The lycan sighed. He missed her too.

His heart swelled in pain, but Aldric didn’t linger on the feeling. He had to act as his pups’ anchor now. They would lean on him for support and although he could still show them he missed Emma, he couldn’t let his grief wash over him and leave him in a pit of despair. It wasn’t right when Rex and Elissa were also grieving and needed their dad to look after them.

Putting his phone against his ear, he braced himself, swallowing past the lump in his throat. He had a brand new phone after going months without one, and there were only a few contacts in his contact list. One of them was Aila Cross.

"Hello?" Aila sounded unsure. The number would have come up as unknown.

"Your highness," Aldric began and heard a small chuckle on the other end. From those words alone and the sound of his voice, she knew who it was. "If the offer still stands, I’d like to return to Silver Thorne, to Silver Crescent, with my children."

**

By the time they arrived at the gates to the packhouse and estate of Silver Crescent, the sun was setting. They’d powered through, unlike before, only stopping for some lunch and fresh air. They had ventured into the woods on the side of the road so Rex could wander without being seen.

The world right now was too dangerous. It was before when only the hunters were aware of their existence, but in between states of the unknown for the future of the supernatural creatures made it dangerous. Sticking to areas where they would not be seen was the best cause of action for now.

Aldric also didn’t want to push Rex and his wolf into shifting yet. He didn’t know what the outcome would be and if he might strike out and either Elissa would get hurt or Harry would lose control of the steering wheel.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

"Where we?" Elissa asked groggily, her voice full of sleep.

Aldric looked into the back seat of the car, peering at his pups who looked at him questioningly while Harry waved at the warriors guarding the gates and started to drive through once they opened.

"This is the Silver Crescent pack. The Alpha King and Queen reside here.." He trailed off, realising he hadn’t taught them about the werewolf hierarchy yet. They knew their family was not ordinary, and they’d lived away from packs. But they had never been in a pack or seen how it all worked.

It was about time he introduced them to pack life, and he had no qualms about raising them within Silver Crescent.

"It’s a well renowned pack among werewolves. They will take us in, provide shelter, protection and we will be part of a community that will accept us. Accept you," Aldric continued. "You have nothing to fear here."

He wholeheartedly believed that.

Harry parked the car near the entrance to the mansion where Aila and Damon emerged to greet them. The Gamma of the pack was also there. Sadness had crept into the Luna and Alpha, but the Gamma, Chiara, was it? Her expression was closed off.

Aldric told Aila briefly on the phone that his mate had been killed, and how he wanted his pups to grow up in the pack. As expected, Aila instantly accepted him, and Damon even commented about housing, the school and the protection they could give them. The Alpha King also said they would help with anything he needed in regards to enacting revenge.

It was strange to receive help from his new Alpha, but it was part of pack culture. If one of his pack members came to him when he was Alpha, asking for help or telling them a story like his, he would do the same.

Stepping out of the car, Aila instantly pulled him into a warm hug. "I’m so sorry. I cannot imagine what you’ve been through," she whispered before pulling back and observing his face. "Hmm.. This won’t do. You need to eat, Aldric.

Don’t go getting ill on me."

"You know.. I wish you missed me as much as him," Harry jested as he shook his head.

"Welcome back," Damon called, giving him a nod.

"Woah.." Elissa ran up to Aila, rubbing her eyes. "Daddy, whose this? You’re pretty. Are you a model?"

Aila chuckled, and squatted so she was at eye level. "No, sweetie, but thank you. I’m Aila. What is your name?"

"Elissa!" She grabbed her hand and started pulling her away from the front of the car.

"Elissa," Aldric’s tone became scolding, but Aila shook her head, smiling. He sighed and raked his hand through his hair, glancing at the Alpha King.

He’d seen that look before. Damon was watching his mate with young children, and his eyes twinkled, glowing slightly, revealing his wolf’s interest. He was broody, wanting her pups. Aldric smiled at that, but a pang shot through his heart.

He no longer had a mate.

"Rex, Rex! Come see Aila! She’s beautiful!" Elissa continued, snapping Aldric out of the grief circulating him.

"Leave the poor woman alone," Rex grumbled but his eyes were bright, and his tail wagged.

"Woah," Aila tilted her head to the side. "Cute ears, Rex."

Rex became bashful, his ears lowering slightly. One of them was already relaxed on one side, like that of a young puppy. "Why don’t you guys tell me about this over dinner?" Aila suggested, glancing at Aldric as Rex took her other hand.

Aldric nodded, beginning to follow behind everyone. He was starting to feel fatigued, each step a struggle to take, and he wanted to curl up in bed. The idea of sitting for dinner was painful, and his wolf wanted to let loose instead. Callan was pacing restlessly at the edge of his mind.

Now that they were safe and in a werewolf community, he felt the need to sleep or let his wolf go for a run.

"Hey, we didn’t really speak last time." The Gamma met him halfway up the entrance and fell into step with him. "Gamma Chiara.. I’m sorry about your mate."

Aldric frowned at that, feeling his chest tighten. He didn’t want any fricken girls looking to hook up with or pity from someone he didn’t know. He saw her in passing when he left previously, that was all.

"Look, if you ever want to talk or just go for a run.. Let me know. I.. know what it’s like to lose a mate." Aldric stopped at that and stared at the Gamma. He could see it now. There was no pity or other emotion on her face.

She was reaching out to him, to help console him when he needed it.

Gamma Chiara nodded at the group ahead. "They won’t force you to go to dinner if you don’t want to. Your pups are in good hands. You can take a breather, if you need."

Aldric’s shoulders sagged, and he looked back at his excited children as their gazes followed the high walls in awe of the mansion. "A run is exactly what I need. See if you can keep up, Gamma?" He forced the joke, showing the she-wolf he was open to letting her run with him.

Chiara smirked. "It would be pretty epic if I was faster than a lycan."