Chapter 22

“Something happened to her family and she had to go back home to help handle the situation” She answers. Running my hand through my hair, “Let me guess, you can’t tell me the details?” Sigh, “this is one time I wish I could, but she did ask me to tell you something”, she says sitting forward. “And what’s that?” I ask. “That she’s sorry. She said to assure you that she’s not running from you and to let you know that she will come and find you once she has settled everything back home” she answers without breaking eye contact. “So you told her who I was?” I ask while standing to leave. Shaking her head, “No, not at all". Stopping and looking back at her, “then how will she find me if she doesn’t know who I am?” Chuckling, “Oh Alpha Griffin, your mate is a very capable woman. When it comes to finding things out, she’s scarily just as capable as I am, and in some cases far better. But we’ll keep that part to ourselves”. Walking back to the table, I pull my phone out and hand it to her. “Input your contact, this way you’ll always be able to reach me directly”. Looking up with a mischievous grin, “Alpha Griffin, you’ve already got a feisty mate, it’s not wise to be greedy” she says as she inputs her number. “I assure you, Ms. Redd is more than enough for me, I won’t be tempted by you” I answer with a laugh.

Handing my phone back to me, “che, you’re no fun alpha Griffin”. Chuckling, “Have a good evening Ms. Xander.” Tapping Ron on the shoulder, "You good to go now?" I ask. Clearing his throat, "Yes, alpha" he answers. He looks much better than he did 30 mins ago so I believe him and tell him let's go. Realizing something I stop again and turn around. With a raised brow, “Is everything okay?” she asks. Nodding, “I’m curious about one thing, you said that your father was a high-ranked pure blood, would he happen to be related to Claude Xander?” I ask, With a bright smile, “Alpha Griffin, I’m quite impressed that you know that name” she answers excitedly, “but let me clarify it for you, Claude Von-Synclaire Xander IS my father”. Taken a back, “that would make you child number…”, “7” she cuts me off with a smirk, “and his only official heir”.

“You're Annabelle Roselie Xander” I say recognizing who she really is. “Yes, are there any more questions alpha?” She asks. “No, goodbye Ms. Xander” I say as I start walking out again. Ron, also says goodnight. "Mr. Beta there are no hard feelings right?" she asks him. "Ron assures her that there are no hard feelings since he was the one the wrong and then we leave. As we pass Ryan we also tell him goodnight. Once we get in the car, Ron asks, "I got off lucky today didn't I?". Tapping his shoulder I say, "I've told you before that your temper would get you in trouble, and today you just met one of the people who can kill you without lifting a single finger". "I'm sorry, I thought she was messing with us" he says while rubbing his throat again. "Don't worry about it, no expected to find Annabelle Xander in this city, be sure not to mention this to anyone. It's obvious she doesn't want to be found or disturbed" I say as we drive off. This works out anyways, we'll be able to go check on Alpha Black, he hasn’t responded to any of my calls, and our guys weren’t permitted to enter their pack grounds like they usually do. Alpha Black is not a man to cut off communication completely, or ignore alliances so this entire situation is suspicious. I'm annoyed that I won't be able to see my mate and luna but I've made up my mind that once all this is sorted out I will find her again.

Sapphire’s POV

As I step off the jet, I see a stoic young-looking man standing by a car, “Sapphire Black I assume,” he says in an annoyed tone. “And you must be Joshua,” I say walking past him and going to the front passenger side of the car. I open the door and get in and say “thank you for picking me up”. About 20 mins into the drive we turn down a dirt road, one even I wouldnt have even noticed. After driving a few feet I start to see random vampire patrols approach, but once they get a look at the car they bow and disappear back into the woods. “Don’t worry Ms. Black, as long as you have that ring you have nothing to worry about” he says looking at my hand. “I’m not” I say as I look ahead of me. “You do, however, have a similar built to an annoyingly elusive assassin for hire that has shown up here and there over the past few years,” he says carefully. “I don’t like this bug” Enya suddenly says

“Me either,” I answer her, but he's our ticket to getting in undetected sso we've got to put up with him. From the moment I say him earlier, I recognized who he is. “Joshua Vayne, as long as you’re not trafficking children, or anyone at all, you’ll never have to worry about Black Fang” I say without looking at him. “Oh, so you know her name?” he chuckles. Staring out the window again, “I know everyone’s name” I answer confidently. By 5:00 pm, I start to recognize our land, “We’re…”
“Yes Ms. Black, we’re almost into your pack lands, even if you ask how I’ll never reveal our secret” he says darkly. After another 10 mins, “You can stop here” I say pointing to where I want him to pull over. “Are you sure?” He asks. “I need to get in undetected, but the moment you cross that divide they’ll know you’ve entered our territory”, I answer honestly. “Ha! And to think I was hoping I’d get to see the secret entrance to the second most feared pack” he laughed. Opening the door and stepping out I say, “Thank you for your help Joshua”. After closing the door I re-strap my mini combat bag across my back and start running into the forest. I run along the perimeter heading towards my family’s house. “Enya once this is all over we’ll have to figure out how they’re able to get this close without being noticed”. “Especially since he knows you’re Black Fang now” Enya adds.