Chapter 46

Erin’s POV

I was done hiding in this room and waiting for something to happen. I have never been the kind of person to run away from a fight. If there were people after me over something I didn’t do, then I was going to fight until there was nothing left.

I grabbed the moonstone necklace from around my neck and ripped it off. As soon as the necklace was detached, the portal to our world opened and I was being shoved out.

I ended up back in the living room where we initially opened the portal.

The house was empty; I was surprised that Henry wasn’t there shoving all my things out the door or window. But it looked like everything was still intact.

I went straight into my room and rummaged through my drawers until I finally came across my phone.

Henry must have thrown it in a drawer after I left for Headquarters.

My phone was also turned off which I found incredibly annoying.

Once it powered on, I gasped when I saw the number of messages and phone calls that Gavin had left me.

He didn’t forget about me at all; he’s been trying to get a hold of me this entire time.

Henry must have known that and that’s why he shut my phone off.

Call me back!

Erin, I’m worried, please call me when you can!

I know you didn’t do anything wrong! Please, just call me!

My heart weighed heavily in my chest as I scrolled through the many texts and voicemails that Gavin had left me.

I couldn’t believe Henry would keep this from me. I was beginning to regret asking Henry for space, but maybe it was the right thing to do. Maybe I couldn’t trust him after all.

I instantly called Gavin and waited for him to answer the other line.

“Erin?!” Gavin’s voice sounded on the other end, sending my heart into complete turmoil.

It felt so good to hear his voice again.

“I’m okay,” I managed to say in a soft tone.

I pressed my knees to my chest as I curled up in my bed. I once felt so safe in this bed; I felt comfortable in this room. But now it no longer felt like my own.

I wasn’t sure what to do or whom to turn to.

“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the last 24 hours,” Gavin said; he kept his tone low, so I knew there was someone there he didn’t want to find out about this phone call.

I couldn’t tell if that upset me even more or not.

“I know,” I breathed, burying my face in my lap. “A lot has happened. But you must know I never touched Susanna… I never…”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Gavin said quickly, stopping my words. “I already know the truth. I want to see you. Tonight.”

“Okay,” I agreed; I wanted to see him too.

Once we hung up, I grabbed a clean pair of clothing.

I also grabbed a large suitcase and shoved as much of my clothing inside it as I could. I grabbed some of my favorite pictures and important antiques as well.

I wasn’t sure when I was going to return to his home. I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to return.

This space I seek from Henry could end up being permanent.

…

Gavin’s POV

She was okay.

Words couldn’t express how much relief Gavin felt upon hearing Erin’s voice on the other end of the phone call. He almost forgot that he was in the middle of a very important meeting.

“Alpha Gavin… is everything okay?” One of the councilmen, that once worked for Gavin, asked as Gavin returned to the conference table.

“Yes, sorry about that,” Gavin said, taking his seat at the head of the table as he often did. “It was just some unrelated business.”

His eyes met Seth’s from across the room and Seth gave me a knowing look before turning his attention to the rest of the council.

They had gathered due to a crime that had been committed in Gavin’s pack. A crime is other than Susanna’s stabbing.

Another victim had turned up dead with the same burn marks as the others. It’s only been a couple of hours since this victim was found, and fingers are starting to point to Gavin.

This pile-up of crimes seems to be circling around Gavin and his pack and Gavin having special abilities is a prime suspect.

It didn’t help that Henry, a very trusted lawyer around the kingdom, was the first to put the bug in their ears, making everyone wary of Gavin.

“Where were we?” Gavin asked, looking around the council.

“We were saying that we need to do something about these murders. Now with the stabbing of Susanna and the prime suspected is someone you once dated…it looks—”

“I know what it looks like, but I didn’t do anything,” Gavin interrupted; he no longer wished to entertain the idea of this.

“We aren’t saying we blame you,” one of the many councilmen said as he peered over the long conference table and directly at Gavin. “But it’s not looking good. You have abilities; everybody knows about your abilities. That means you are a danger…”

“When have I ever used my powers to cause harm to others?” Gavin asked, fury boiling through him.

The councilmen looked amongst one another; they feared Gavin. That much was obvious. It was difficult for them to come forth and speak to Gavin about this. Especially considering Gavin was the head of the council… their boss.

“Until we can figure out the truth and find out for sure who murdered all these people, we think it’s best that you take the bench.”

“I don’t take the bench,” Gavin seethed through his teeth. “Don’t forget whom you work for,” Gavin said to them, staring around the group of worried wolves.

“We know you are powerful, Alpha. But the kingdom is in a frenzy. Someone with abilities is tormenting them and we don’t have any actual leads.”

“I think we are done here,” Gavin said, standing to his feet. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have things to do.”

Gavin didn’t have the time to sit here and be accused of such a heinous crime; he was expecting Erin any moment at the packhouse. He wanted to see her more than anything.

The council didn’t argue with him; they allowed him to leave the conference hall with Beta Seth trailing closely behind him.

“That phone call you had, was that the waitress?” Seth asked as they reached his car.

“Her name is Erin.”

“She’s, okay?” Seth asked. “Where has she been hiding?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’m going to find out. She’ll be at the packhouse any minute.”

They went back to the house silently and as they pulled into the driveway; he saw Erin’s beat-up station wagon parked out front.

He knew, from her scent, that she was still inside the car, and he wondered how long she’s been there.

Seth gave him one curious look before disappearing into the packhouse, taking the hint.

Gavin straightened his stance and went toward Erin’s car.

Erin was staring out the front window, her entire body unmoved and her grip still on the steering wheel.

He couldn’t tell from the angle he stood if she’s been crying or not but when he knocked on the passenger door, she jolted in fear, glancing up at him with large red eyes.

“Gavin…” she mouthed from in her car as she scrambled to get her seatbelt off.

He waited for her to step out of the car and without warning, she threw her arms around him, pulling her close. He finally felt whole again, having her in his arms.

“I’ve been so worried,” he whispered against her ear; he could feel her warmth radiating off her skin. “Where have you been?”

Her body trembled slightly and this time he knew she was crying before she lifted her gaze to meet his, revealing her misty eyes.

“Gavin…” she whispered to him. “I think you might be in terrible danger.”