**Erick's POV**
Samuel was right this waiting was killing me. My heartfelt like it was being stabbed over and over. I wanted to respect Rhian's wishes and the plan made since but why did it have to be this difficult?
Alec was taking a break from training and preparing for the break. Doc and I were going to sit down with him to figure out if he knew anything about Joel's disappearing Uncle.
"Hey, I heard you both were looking for me. What can I help you with?" Alec came walking up to us.
"Wonderful, I was just going to go looking for you!" Doc exclaimed. "We have some questions we were hoping you could answer since you and Jacob came from the same pack."
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
"What do you know about Jacob's brother Griffen, Joel's Uncle."
Alec just shook his head. "That guy was something else! I don't know what was worse, his anger issues or, how delusional he was. While yes, their family was fairly prominent they had never had an Alpha in their lineage. To hear the way that guy talked you would have thought he was destined to be the greatest Alpha that ever lived.
He was always saying he was going to challenge the alpha to take over control of the pack. He believed they had grown weak and it would ruin the strength of the pack. Which was ironic when you realize he is about the size of your typical omega. In fact, I can't recall a single spar he had ever won during training.
His mouth was constantly getting him into fights over the most ridiculous things. Although, when it escalated he had some buddy of his that would do his fighting for him. Otis was an oversized oaf and Griffin was constantly manipulating him. Otis treated him like he was a God Which just fed into his delusions of grandeur.
I think the final straw was one day our Luna's baby sister was visiting and accidentally bumped into him. He turned around in such a blinding rage that some lowly omega child would inconvenience him that he lashed out. He cut her up pretty good with his claws before they were able to remove him.
After that happened Alpha was done with his antics. He expelled him and Otis from the pack. They were forced to go rogue. He was dragged away from the territory yelling and screaming that he would have his revenge one day. He would be back and they would regret how they treated him.
Come to think of it, I am not sure that we ever got any updates on his whereabouts after the first few months. There were some rumors that he had made friends with a warlock or some other magical being but then nothing. We never received any additional updates after that.
We always assumed he angered the wrong group of rogues and he and Otis were no match for their numbers. But to be honest, we were all too relieved to really investigate. But, I am confused. What does he have to do with any of what's going on now? Do you think there is a connection?"
Doc had been listening intently to Alec's story. "We think there is a strong possibility he may be the mysterious man that was manipulating Joel. Especially if you say no one else in Jacob's family was the zealot Griffin was, it makes sense."
"Then why can't anyone account for those missing years? What was he up to that whole time?" I asked confused.
Doc answered, "I suspect somehow that he hooked up with Eliza during that time. It seems she has a knack for finding disgruntled, vengeful loners. All she had to do was feed into the same hate and anger he already had and the manipulation was probably quite simple."
"That still doesn't explain why no one could keep tabs on him. Or how he would have been able to make Joel stronger."
"Maybe not, but, it does make sense that Eliza would want to keep his location and identity secret. Plus, if he really was as quick-tempered as you say, it would have been smart of her to keep him tucked away until she needed him. That way he didn't accidentally foil her plans. Perhaps, it was her magic that made him stronger, or it could simply be a placebo effect." Doc was rubbing his chin in contemplation.
"He would have been a great mediator between Eliza and Joel. Joel obviously would have trusted him being family. And it appears Joel has the same grandiose opinion of himself that his Uncle did. Which again, perfectly aligned with him being willing to set up his own pack in return for ultimate power."
I was finally putting the pieces together, not that helped me feel any better about leaving Rhian in that place. It only made it worse knowing she was being held by such mentally unstable individuals. "Hey Doc, I think I need to lay down. This is all becoming a little overwhelming and I'm curious if I could communicate with Rhian again while I sleep."
"Young man, you do what you have to do. I understand this can't be easy on you right now. Do you think we should lock you in after last time? We wouldn't want to risk you losing control and going after her."
"Honestly Doc, that may not be a bad idea. It is still far too soon and even just the thought of her being tortured angers me. Seeing it, well, I have no control then."
We decided the best thing would be to lock me up in the jail cell below the packhouse. They had already reinforced the door after the incident with David. Plus, I could still smell Rhian's scent down here. Vaguely but when I closed my eyes I could picture her lying with me.
Given the previous few days and the difficulty sleeping I had been having, I was able to fall asleep fairly quickly. In my dreams, I was walking hand in hand with Rhian around the pond on my property. I heard giggling from the edge of the trees.
"Shh, play along pretend we can't see or hear them." Rhian squeezed my hand. Her smile, the sunlight, she was beautiful.
I was confused about who we were playing along with. "Um, pretend we can't see who?"
"Exactly," She kissed my nose, and even in my dreams, it made me relax. "The twins will continue to hide and I can keep you all to myself for a little while longer."
"Kids?" I shouted, apparently a little too loud because a boy and girl came running out of the woods.
"Dad, you didn't even try to look." A little girl around the age of six stared at me with her hand on her hip. She was the spitting image of her mother. The boy just looked at me with the same attitude as his sister. I felt like I had flashed back to childhood.
He looked so similar to me, except for his eyes. I knew those eyes anywhere, he had Rhian's eyes. I began to choke up a bit. What did this mean? Was this my future? Were Rhian and I really going to have a set of twins? How would that work if we were to be immortal?
The Moon Goddess walked out of the forest. "This my child is one of the possible futures I see for you. You two will make fantastic parents, to more than just these twins. Stay strong, keep fighting. Your future is worth it. Even with her gift, they are trying to block your communication. Don't give up, concentrate on her and relax your mind."
"I don't want to leave this dream. I want to spend more time with my family. I want to enjoy this happiness a little while longer." I pleaded.
"I understand, but, this is only one possible future. If you don't get your mate back, none of this will be. Don't lose sight of your goal. I just wanted to show your proof that this struggle will be worth it in the end. Now concentrate, try and breakthrough to Rhian. She needs you right now."
The images faded away and all I saw was darkness. I wanted to go back to my dream. I wanted to see our children and Rhian. Rhian, I had to get her back. The Goddess said she needed me I needed to get through to her now.
I focused on what I recalled from the last nightmare. Rhian and the chains, Joel, touching my mate. Rhian, Rhian... I called out her name until the darkness was replaced with the image of her in chains. She looked like hell. You could see where she hadn't been able to fully heal. The crusted dried blood over every inch of her torso.
Her shirt now appeared like rags as they had been clawed off of her. Her head hung low she was tired and defeated. I growled consumed with anger. When I did I saw her raise her head, "Erick?"