Chapter 25: A Strange Text

**Elliot’s Point of view**


"We need to talk to them as soon as possible. Do you think your grandfather will be okay with telling you what happened?" I ask.
She huffs. "I'll try anyway, but let's just say Grandpa James doesn't like me very much. I'd be very surprised if he would even agree to talk to me."
I frown. "What do you mean by he doesn't love you?"  
She shrugs as if it doesn't matter, but I can feel she's hurt about that. Frankly, I don't understand. She's perfect!
"Why?"
She looks at me like I'm stupid. "Because I'm a girl, of course."
"I don't get it. What's the problem?"
"It's so obvious! He wanted a strong heir, a powerful male, and all he got was a fragile girl."
Leo growls in the back of my mind. How could her grandfather think such a thing?
"You're not a little girl, let alone a fragile one. And if he'd ever seen you fight, and if he knew how much you did to protect your pack, he'd know you are exceptional." I say without thinking.
She looks up, surprised. She smiles softly at me, touched by what I just said, and only now do I understand her. 
She has always been under a lot of pressure to live up to what is expected of her, knowing that no matter what she does, it will never be enough. She will always be asked for more and will be constantly criticized. And if that's not enough, she will never be an Alpha. She has fought all her life for something that will be taken away from her by her mate who could have been a simple male who never did anything to deserve that position. 
It's like stealing and I understand why she didn't want a mate. I mean don't want a mate. I don't think she's changed her mind even though we've kissed twice and she's less cold than before. Leo is starting to lose patience but I don't want to rush things and risk losing her.
"That's unfair." I say. "Don't worry. He'll change his mind."
"I doubt it." She says sadly. "But don't worry, I haven't expected his approval or affection in a long time. What about your grandfather? Do you think he would answer you?" She asks to change the subject.
"Yes. If I tell him it's for the safety of the pack, I think he'll tell me what happened."
"I hope so. Without that, we have no chance of understanding what's going on."
"You're forgetting the Louboutin!" I say with a wink.
She laughs. "No, I haven't forgotten but it's a risky bet. When do you plan to ask Owen to hack the store's account?"  
"Tonight. Then I'll go see Grandpa Georges."
She nods. Her phone vibrates and she looks at the message she just received. Her forehead wrinkles and I want to run my thumb over it to take away her worries but I refrain.
"Bad news?"
Her frown deepens. "I don't know. I just got a text from an unknown number."
"Okay. What does it say?" I ask.
"Alice, I have the answers you're looking for. Meet me at the campus entrance in two hours. But before you do, promise me that my identity will remain secret. I could be in big trouble if anyone finds out what I'm about to tell you."  
We look at each other, surprised by this strange message.
"It's weird though. Find out more before you go."
"You're right. I'll ask who it is and what it's about."
A few seconds later, the mysterious correspondent answers.
"I'd rather we meet directly. I have information about the rogue’s attacks. "
"Ask what kind of information." I say. 
She types the message and the answer is not long in coming. "I know how much they are and I know when and where they will attack. And I may have an idea of who is behind all this."  
She raises her head and looks at me with a smile. I, on the other hand, remain on my guard.
"It's too good to be true. We've been investigating for weeks and now someone who comes out of nowhere has already solved the case. I'm telling you, it's suspicious." I say, shaking my head.
"It's worth a try, no?"
"I don't think so. We'll get the name of the pack from our grandfathers, I don't see the point of meeting this guy."
"Wrong. We'll get a name that all. He might be the one behind it, but we don't know that for sure. It doesn't hurt to listen to what the mysterious person has to say." I want to talk but she cuts me off. "Look. At best he gives us the same name and that will only confirm our suspicions, at worst we'll have a second suspect who could well be the culprit. Honestly, I don't understand what's bothering you."
"You have to admit it's weird."
She sighs. "It's both weird and great. We don't have the luxury of overlooking leads." 
She answers one last time and puts her cell phone away. 
But I have a bad feeling. "Don't go." I say in a firm tone. 
"You know what? I don't even know why we're talking about this. I don't need your permission. I'm going, period."
I sigh. How impossible and stubborn she can be sometimes! "I'm just worried about you."
"Well, no need to be. I can take care of myself, thank you." She gets up but I grab her by the elbow.
"Don't take it like that. At least let me come with you."
She chuckles. "You don't get it, do you? I don't need you to protect me. I'm not a little girl." She spats.
She pulls off and leaves without looking back.