In Between The Alphas
Chapter 44

I knew I would have to tell someone about my encounter with Jake. Not because I wanted anyone to fight my battles for me but because I knew how dangerous it was that no one knew what happened.

Jake is like every other prideful male werewolf and he will not take kindly to anything he perceives as a potential insult. What I just did could be perceived as a potential insult and I know that he can strike any time to get even with me.

And if no one knows about what happens then no one would be on guard with me and things could get very ugly very quickly. I already have Alpha Hunter to worry about, I won't be able to worry about Jake as well on my own.

I didn't go back to the garden, mainly because I didn't want to face anyone and wanted to control my nerves that seemed to be going haywire. Diana is too attentive and will notice immediately so instead I went back to the daycare and almost half an hour later Diana came in.

"I'm so sorry I didn't come back," she said as soon as she saw me, "I just got so caught up with talking to Greg that I forgot to go back to you."

"It is fine," I waved her off, "I had to leave early anyways because Amelia was stirring and I didn't want her to start crying in the middle of the meeting."

"I'm really sorry," she said again but I just shook my head. "I am such a horrible friend."

"No you're not" I said, "You were with your mate and no one can hold that against you." I continued,

You deserve to be happy and I'm a big girl; I can handle "I still should have been there for you."

"Diana drop it," I said, "It is fine really; I'm fine."

"Okay," she said finally and I let out a relieved sigh.

"What did Logan say?" I asked trying to change the subject and she frowned.

"He instilled a curfew," she said and my eyes widened, I knew he said he was going to put in security measures but I didn't know it would be a curfew.

"Are you serious?" I couldn't help but ask and she nodded.

"Yeah, he didn't go into details with everyone but he said there were some threats to the pack and that everyone should be in their houses by 8:30 to be safe." "How did everyone take it?"

"They trust him," was her answer, "So they agreed without question."

"And what happens to people who don't abide by the curfew?" I asked, "Are they going to get punished?"

"No, Logan isn't that cruel, he wouldn't just punish people like that" she said, "But he said there will be patrol guards around to make sure that everyone stays inside and that any stragglers would be escorted home and also to make sure that no teenagers decide to pull stupid pranks."

"I'm really sorry" I said and she turned me in shock, "Everything is my fault; if I had never come here then none of this would be happening and everyone would be safe."

"If you had never come here then you would be in the hands of that monster."

"What is my life against millions who could get hurt?" I asked and she sighed before placing a hand on my shoulder. "He is threatening everyone and it's me he wants. I should just go back to him."

"You are a part of this pack," she said, "And it is our job to keep our pack members safe.

"I doubt people would still have those sentiments if they knew I was the reason for all of this."

"Quite the contrary actually," she said, "Everyone would do everything to protect you because you are one of us."

She gave me a small smile, "Now I don't want any more talk about going back to that idiot; okay?"

"Okay."

By 6 all the kids had been picked up by their parents, the pack house had been emptied by 7 and by 7:30 Logan and I had gotten home. He wanted to make dinner but I refused; I needed something to occupy my mind until I gathered enough courage to tell him what happened between Jake and me.

We were in the middle of eating lasagna in front of the TV when I finally spoke up.

"I spoke to Jake today," I said and the only indication that he heard me was that his fork froze halfway to his mouth but then he quickly recovered but stayed silent."

He wanted me to know that he forgives me."

"Forgives you for what?"

"For everything I guess," I said with an unsure shrug,

"And what did you tell him?"

"I told him that he was in no position to dish out forgiveness because he was the one who hurt me and that he should be asking for my forgiveness instead." He let out a grunt of approval at my words.

"Were you alone with him?" he asked and I nodded, "When?"

"During the meeting," I began, "He came to me and asked me to follow him so we could talk and I did," I said, "Tm sorry about leaving the meeting halfway."

"I don't give a fuck about the meeting Charlotte," he said and my eyes widened, "I want to know if you're okay."

"I'm fine," I said softly then cleared my throat and repeated in a cleared voice, "I'm fine; I just know that he won't do well with being insulted and I know he's going to try something later and I don't want to be taken by surprise."

"Do you want me to do something about it?" he asked and I shook my head and I saw his jaw tighten, Why are you still defending him, even now?"

"Because" I began with a sigh, "I don't know, it just doesn't feel right to punish him."

"He hurt you," Logan said, "Over and over again and he hurt you."

"I know he did" I said softly, "And I know he has to pay for it at some point but I have more important things to focus on, he can be handled later."

"You are something else Charlotte," he said with a small smile, "Do you know that?" I just replied with a shrug, "You are truly awesome!

"Because I don't want him punished yet?"

"Because regardless of everything that he has done to you, you still care," he said, "Some would say it makes you naïve but I think compassion is one of the best qualities that anyone can have."

I finally lifted my eyes to look at him and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the storm brewing in his irises.I have never seen such a stormy color of eyes and they look beautiful.

"Thank you," I said softly but I still couldn't look away and he didn't seem to want to either.

His left hand rose and brushed a strand of hair away from my forehead and behind my ear and he cupped my cheek and brushed his finger across my cheek softly and I couldn't help but lean slightly into his touch. The roughness of his hands was in such a contrast to the soft caress of his touch but it somehow made it all the more erotic and beautiful.

Before I knew it, he had leaned forward and captured my lips with his.