Runner

Chapter 5

Hey guys! Sorry I couldn't update in forever, Hurricane Sandy took my power ALL WEEK!! You have no idea how cold it is at my house. Now I have a cold. But nonetheless, here is a chapter. Yay!

Picture is Candice Accola who plays Elle!! Not my picture :)

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 Chapter 5

I stared at him, my face an emotionless slate as he prowled around me much like a predator would circle its prey. I didn't like it. I wasn't accustomed to being at the other end of the predatory stick. I was the predator, the world my prey.

My breathing evened, and I gazed at him levelly. His eyes were unwavering in an attempt to break down my walls. The corner of my mouth twitched at the thought. Impossible, the walls I had built were titanium. Unbreakable. Or so I thought.

"I know who you are, Lori." He breathed. He pronounced my name mockingly. My blood boiled.

"Then you know," I said flatly. Jonah nodded, his eyes suddenly understanding. My heart raced under my feverish skin. If he knew, who else knew? Did anyone suspect that the ringleader of the mysterious, notorious Resistance was truly the skittish, shy murderer of Aliana Dawson; Laurel Langley? My heart leaped to my throat at the thought. But if so, why hadn't anyone said anything?

I paled. Who else knew that I was Zane's mate? Had he said anything to the pack after I left? No, I reassured myself. No, he wouldn't. He swore he would never tell. However, the pack must be somewhat suspicious after all this time. An alpha should have found his mate by now. Everyone knows that. The alarm must have shown on my face, because Jonah smiled soothingly.

"It's only me, I swear. He kept you a secret. As bewildering as it is, everyone believes that the Alpha is unmated." I let out a long sigh. Relief washed over me, and ceased my anxiety. My cover was secure.

"Where is he?" I questioned. The beta shrugged and leaned on the Alpha's desk. The mahogany table creaked under his weight, but held strong. Jonah crossed his arms and gazed out the window distractedly. My icy eyes narrowed to slits as I realized that even the Beta had no idea what his precious, oh so mighty alpha was up to. It concerned me even further that no wolf, not even Jonah seemed eager to know what their Alpha was doing instead of leading the pack.

Finally, Jonah spoke, "He travels a lot. The Alpha is secretive. It is true that he rarely is ever here, but Alpha Charlie and I care for the pack." Alpha Charlie Vanderblue was Zane's father as well as the alpha of the last generation. He was a kind man with the wisest eyes I had ever seen. I remember him being a good leader in my childyears. Alpha Charlie was the type of man who proudly bore smile wrinkles and and labour-roughened hands. He was one of the very few people I missed when I left. I believed that Alpha Charlie was the reason Blue Moon hadn't fallen in light of Zane's nonexistent leadership.

Annoyance radiated from me as Jonah spoke of Zane's negligence. "He is a terrible alpha then." I said flatly. It wasn't a question. It was unquestionable. An alpha that does not tend to his pack is not an alpha at all.

"No, it's not that. He's just... busy." Jonah struggled to find the right words. His tanned cheeks flushed, and he warily scratched the back of his neck. I snorted at his attempt to defend his leader. Zane did not deserve Jonah's sympathy and support. Regardless, it was in his Beta blood to protect his leader, no matter how shitty the leader may be. It's a wolf thing.

"Back to the matter at hand, what happened after you left? How did you get with them?" Jonah quickly changed the subject. I raised an eyebrow at his condescending tone when regarding my family. My pale lips pulled back in a feral snarl.