Innocent Little Runt
Chapter 48

Xavier’s POV

“How are you doing Xavier?” I looked over to Zay and rolled my eyes. She wants to know how I am? She had Kaleshia knock me out by hitting me in the head with something that gave me a headache for two days, strapped me down to the bed in her office like we do with people going crazy, and injected wolfsbane into my veins. I need to be out of here, replaceing Celeste and I can’t get out of here!

“How about you let me out of here and I might not lock you in the cellars,” I growl and she sighs.

“We have more trackers out there looking for her right now. We’ll replace her and when we do, we don’t need you to have gone rogue. We don’t know how she will be when we replace her and no one can truly help her except for you.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I opened my eyes and stared at her.

“I just. . . Zay, I can’t. I’m going crazy and I shouldn’t be in charge of this pack. . . Not right now.” She shook her head at me.

“You’ll be fine, just give us a little bit longer. The pack loves you as their Alpha and they love Celeste as their Luna. They won’t accept anything else.” I gave her a small smile and shrugged as best as I could do.

“Unstrap me Zay.” She hesitated before shaking her head. “I won’t go crazy on you. I’m fine now.”

“Two days ago you almost went full rogue. I’m not exactly sure if I can trust you.” I growl at her.

“Zay, let me out of here now,” I use my Alpha tone. I hate using my Alpha tone but I hate these restraints. Zay tries to fight it but she lets me out anyway. I sit up and rub on my arms where one of the restraints were.

“Xavier, why won’t you just let the pack take care of this? Every time you try to help out you just push yourself closer to completely losing it.” I once again roll my eyes. I feel like I’ve already had this conversation.

“If Josh can’t replace her then neither can any of the other trackers. I doubt he has found a trail yet, it’s been almost a week.” Zay bit her l*p and starts to drum her fingers on her other arm. “What Zay?”

“Josh kind of, locked himself in his room. He hasn’t talked to anyone except for Jake.” I felt anger surge through me. His Luna is missing and instead of helping he locks himself in his room?

“I don’t think I should have him remain as one of my third in commands. He has had too many slip ups that I have excused through the years.” I stare at the floor. This pack is falling apart. We used to be one of the strongest packs in the country and now I feel like we are sinking to the bottom.

“Don’t do that Xavier, you’ll only regret it. Look, I know them as much as you do but I feel like I am the only one between the two of us that sees that they don’t have it easy. We don’t know exactly what they went through before they got here but we should guess that it was pretty bad considering the condition they were both in. Josh was bruised and battered when he got here and I remember that some of them obviously weren’t new. I was going to question it but I was so shy back then. Jake refused to let anyone get close to him.

“Both of them didn’t trust anyone but each other. Then they grew to trust people, especially Josh. You called him pathetic and told him that he’s a failure. When you assigned him to be a third in command, you gave him hope for life. You saying those things was like ripping his hope away. You broke his trust in you. When you broke that trust between you and Josh, you also broke your trust between you and Jake. I get that you are losing it without Celeste. She isn’t dead, you know that. You don’t have the mark of a dead mate so you know she is still out there. You can’t lose anymore people right now and Jake and Josh are definitely being lost to you.”

“Fine but he needs to get out of his room. I can’t have one of my third in commands not pulling his weight. We need everyone in the pack to step up right now.” Zay nodded, a small smile making it’s way back to her lips.

“Apologize to Josh first. Maybe even Jake will forgive you and we know how much of a challenge that is.” I chuckled a bit and a look flashed across Zay’s eyes. “What?”

“You’re starting to gain control again. That has to mean something good, right?” I smiled.

“Maybe we will replace her after all,” I said with hope filling my voice. I was starting to lose hope that I would ever replace her.

‘Little one,’ I think. ‘We’ll be back with each other soon. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get you back by my side.’

“Well go on, get out of here. I think Josh deserves an apology.” I nodded and got up, walking out of the door. “Wait!” I turned back around to see Zay fighting off a smile. “Just knock on the door first.” My eyebrows scrunch together.

“Why? He hasn’t been seeing anyone all week hasn’t he?” Zay blushes.

“Ummm. . . I think you’ll figure out eventually. Just, knock first.” I nodded and walked out of her office.

I walked to Josh’s room and knocked. Jake opened the door and rolled his eyes when he saw me.

“Josh doesn’t want to see you right now,” he tried to close the door but I slapped my hand against it. Jake glared at me and I resisted my urge to growl at him.

“Let me just talk to him Jake.”

“And why should I?” I bit my tongue and pushed my wolf down. I remembered Zay’s words. We don’t know what they went through.

“Just, let me in.” Jake turned his head into the room and nodded. He opened the door and stepped aside. I walked in and saw Josh looking out of his window. “Josh, can I talk to you alone?” He looked back at me and shrugged.

“Josh? Do you want me to leave,” Jake asked and Josh mumbled a, ‘fine’ in return. Jake left and I turned back to Josh.

“What do you want Alpha?” I winced.

“I just wanted to apologize. For the other day. I’m not doing well without Celeste and I lost control. I really am sorry Josh.” He smiled but only slightly.

“I’ll forgive you but only on one condition.”

“What?”

“Jake!” Jake came rushing in and looked at me but calmed down when he saw nothing was going on. “I think we should tell him. Please.”

“What are you guys talking about?” I was confused. Jake sighed and pulled Josh to him. My eyes widened when Jake started to k**s Josh. They pulled away and Josh blushed.

“That’s my condition,” Josh said. “For me to forgive you, I want you to accept us. Please.” I nodded my head with a smile. I walked out of the room, giving them time for themselves.

Alpha, someone mind linked me. There are a few rogues approaching.