Bridget watched her son as he folded his clothes into his suitcase, she knew he was running from reality.
"you really don't have to leave especially now the Shadow pull is here".
"yes, I have to Mum"
"But, Aliyah would need you now more than ever especially now you've marked her. She really is not as bad as you think she just needed time to figure things out. You guys were young and could make mistakes!"
He walked out taking his car key. Bridget followed her son leaning into his window as he entered the car after putting his luggage in.
"Besides she has not seen anyone else, she even kept an eye out for you throughout the years waiting for the best time to patch things up. Elijah, she is your mate you have to stop being so annoying and let things go."
"Yes Mum I will think about it, please move away from the car" he put on a fake smile.
Bridget rolled her eyes accepting defeat.
**********************************************
Elijah has been driving for hours now taking in the sights and stopping at familiar places, he now needed to refuel his car.
He drove to a nearby station getting out just then he heard someone exclaim,
" Elijah is that you!"
Turning he recognized his longtime friend, Ron an Omega from the seventh pack he had helped him get the information about Alpha Vernof's plan at the last shadow pull.
"the one and only in the flesh, Ron." deepening his voice in a playful manner, Elijah added
" indeed it is I" they burst out laughing going in for a side-hug.
" looking good Eli, you have got to come with me to my crib I've got cool stuff to show you" Ron invited in excitement.
"I would love to but-"
"Hey, dude we haven't seen each other in years, you really gonna do me like this?"
Seeing his excitement Elijah knew he could not refuse. There is no harm in a few minutes with an old friend right?...
*************************
at the raindown pack
Elijah was glad he could catch up with Ron as they strolled into his pack.
"why did we have to park the car at a far distance only to walk," Elijah asked
"because my friend, we are going to stop at my shed to get some stuff. It will be quick, not many pack members know of this route"
They heard scuffling of feets and voices. Pulling Elijah along Ron hid behind sacks pilled up in a corner with his finger to his lips he motioned for Elijah to be quiet.
Two men were walking past, Elijah could make out from what he heard.
One of them whispered "it is all set, we have made the serum"
The other person sounded older and powerful responded with a laugh saying "the stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone "
wait a minute that line sounded familiar. Serum? what serum?
Everything began to come together all these while he had thought he misplaced his note containing the steps to his inventions, not knowing it was stolen. He needed to make it to the shadow pull and fast.
**********************************************
The sound of the drums called out to the wolves. The moment has arrived not a minute wasted they zoomed past like waves. anticipation hovering in the air.
Aliyah did not have time to react to what happened between her and Elijah she had a title to defend. Just then she noticed a light grey, almost white wolf running beside her, the wolf bumped into her, from the sparks that resulted she knew who it was.
Ignoring him she picked up her speed. She could feel him tug at the link he had created between them when he marked her.
Deciding to tell him off she let her walls down.
"we need to talk" he sounded serious nevertheless, Aliyah did not want to be around him.
"not now, I'm busy"
"it's a matter of life and death" he insisted
slowing down she let the other pack wolves run ahead of her linking the beta that she would be right behind them.
Her white wolf and Elijah grey one skidded to a stop.
"I want to represent the pack"
"very funny Elijah"
" you don't have a choice. I can inform the Elders I defeated you, making me the strongest in the pack and the one meant to contest"
"That happened because I let my emotions get in the way. You are definitely not stronger than I, besides no one would believe you"
"there were witnesses and in case you have forgotten I marked you my scent would be mingled with yours now how would you explain that." He stated plainly, letting her know he would not back down.
Aliyah hated him more than she already did, this was not a joke to her but she knew her hands were tied.