Chapter 50 Providence

*Ethan*

Diana's green eyes radiated an ethereal green glow. Her voice was husky and deep which echoed with her every word. Onyx had come out to put the Elder in her place. I, for one, did not appreciate Elder Allen mocking Diana, however, I wanted Diana to defend herself like how we saw back at the estate in Martha's Vineyard. Obviously the Elder did not learn from her mistakes.

I see Lucas about to open his mouth to interrogate Onyx, but I raised a finger to silence him. According to my wolf, Howl, Onyx was just beginning to warm up to Lucas, watching him guard Diana with his life. Although Diana herself did not foster any ill feelings towards her father, Onyx, on the other hand, was not totally convinced. I didn't want him to rub her the wrong way.

"Onyx, why not the High Lord Wolf himself provide the invitations for us?" I asked. In all honesty, I did not know how the chain of command worked with regards to events like these, however, the High Lord Wolf could snap his fingers and everyone, including myself, would do his bidding.

"His invitations are given to the ten top donors of the Council of Wolves. That is how Athena gets her invites every year, although Athena has access to her father's list through his secretary. Her father rarely invites anyone. If he does, it is because of an ulterior motive." Okay, that was easily understood.

"Where do you propose we go once the ferry docks? Tomorrow night when the Blood Moon rises, Diana will experience her first shift. We need to be away from humans." Michael inched his head closer, realizing Diana's wolf had all the answers.

"The blind Elder has property in Providence. She will provide for your lodging. Instruct Diana to pay the crew of the ferry again. This time for their silence." We all looked at the Elder, who pursed her lips rebelliously, however, Jonathan coughed, gaining our attention.

"I know of the property. I will lead you there," Jonathan said. We all nodded our heads pleased he was on our side.

"Last question Onyx. Since evidently you have the power to manipulate Elder Allen as well as the High Lord Wolf himself, why not Elder Eric Lockwood?" It was a logical question which Lucas himself wanted to know.

"Eric Lockwood is the wolf who commands most of the disobedient and misbehaving wolves. With his supposed leadership of their kind, he will bring all of them to me. It will make it much easier for me to take their heads. Any sign of weakness shown from him will create a problem in his circle. However, it does not necessarily mean I have not manipulated him in any way." Diana narrows her eyes at me. "Do not question the Moon Goddess's will. Look at Lucas as your example." Diana suddenly shakes her head and the green glow from her eyes disappears.

"You'll be getting more of that once I make my first shift, so Elder Allen, please don't push me. You may have gotten away with murder in your youth as a manipulative priestess, but not this time." All of our eyes widened in shock, stunned by Diana's revelation. The Elder wasn't who we thought she was.

"Does this have something to do with a person named Matthew?" Jonathan asked. "I heard the Elder say his name while she sobbed." Diana nodded her head.

"Matthew? Was this Matthew by any chance a wolf?" Michael coughed, clearing his throat so he could tell us who this Matthew was. "I heard of a story of a missing wolf, another missing Alpha. It was rumored he had found his mate during one of his travels, however, he did not return to his pack with his mate and he was never heard of again." Michael turned his head and looked at Lucas. "Lucas, you know of the Matthew I speak of, right?" Lucas was staring at the Elder who was busy drinking her wine. His eyes told me he knew something.

"Yes. Alpha Matthew Adams of the Amber Eyes Wolf Pack." Michael nodded his head, confirming they were thinking of the same Matthew. "They are a wealthy pack who control Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I had an alliance with them when I was Alpha, this is why I was allowed to purchase property in Maine and send Nana and your grandfather there to live. After Alpha Matthew had gone missing, they kept to themselves. Elder Allen, maybe you would like to shed some light on the matter or should we allow Diana to tell us?" Elder Allen just kept drinking, ignoring Lucas. "Did you kill him because he rejected you as his mate? I saw a picture of him during my last visit to their estate. He was a handsome Alpha with honey colored eyes. As for you, you don't seem to be his type." That seemed to be all what was needed to tick the Elder off. She slammed her glass on the table.

"And what was his type, Lucas? Why don't you enlighten me? Beautiful? Captivating? Alluring? I may not have been any of those things in my youth, but I have proven myself worthy over the years haven't I? I am an Elder. While you are a missing Alpha with a half-breed daughter." Michael grabbed the Elder's hand while my Aunt Daisy eyes darted to check on Harley, who was having fun with my men, oblivious to what was going on at our table.

"You have no right calling us names when you are a murderer, you twisted old lady." Michael tightened his grip and Elder Allen whimpered. "You may be an Elder, but that won't stop me from breaking your neck. Now, Elder, what did you do with Alpha Matthew's body? At least tell us where we can find his remains so we can give him back to his pack. Do you know they still mourn for him? Of course you do. This is why you wanted to leave Maine right away." 

"That's not the entire story, right Elder? There is something you are not telling us." Lucas narrowed his eyes like he was trying to read her mind. Diana raises her hand.

"Matthew's body was dumped in a river, Uncle Mike. As for the Elder not telling us the whole story, she has a nephew. We'll find him in Providence, Dad," Diana said. Jonathan coughed once again. He apparently had something to say.

"The caretaker, Andrew, he has amber colored eyes," he croaked.

There was the clarity we wanted from the Elder. I looked at her, dismayed. She had kept hidden an heir from his pack all these years.

Onyx was right to take her eyesight. She took what was rightfully Andrew's, blinding him from taking what was his.

When the ferry docked, Diana walked up to the big man and gave him some more money for their silence. The big man wanted to give Diana a hug, but waved his hand instead. She wished them a "Merry Christmas" before she went and sat in the back of the Shelby we were riding in.

There was no one waiting for us at the dock, but we kept our faces hidden.We sped out of Wood's Hole to start our hour long trip to Providence.

Jonathan, who now knew the man taking care of the Elder's Providence estate was in fact her nephew, did not look at the Elder with the same respect as he did before. However, he remained loyal to her for she gave him a place to stay when he was banished from his pack. He and Athena was in front of the convoy leading us to where we needed to go.

I sat in the front with Lucas while Diana sat quietly behind us. I looked at her through the rearview mirror. She was a hero. She was going to give back a life to a wolf she had never met.

I looked at Lucas. Rejection of his mate's pregnancy meant Lucas had also rejected Onyx and that obviously hurt her deeply. It will take so much of Lucas to actually earn Onyx's forgiveness. Yet, when I looked at Lucas when Onyx made reference to him, his face showed acceptance. If Onyx were to punish him, he would gladly receive it. I am guessing, he desires to reunite with Diana's mother, in the afterlife.

The estate of the Elder was also ocean front property. Lucas' property wowed the lot of us, however the Elder's property was a stunning picturesque mansion along a private peninsula which had a carport at one side and huge guesthouse on the other. I'm riding with people who have expensive property. I know my family owns a resort in the Bahamas, but this is just wow!

The electronic gates opened upon our arrival which led to a long road towards the property. When we stopped in front of the sprawling mansion, we all walked out, our mouth's open in awe. I opened Diana's door and helped her out, her eyes scanning the massive home of the Elder.

The black double doors of the mansion suddenly open and out came a man about the age and built of Lucas and Michael. His hair was slicked back and his amber eyes appeared almost translucent in the light. He was wearing a traditional butler uniform and bowed very low, greeting us with enthusiasm. So this was the supposed heir of a pack? He seemed to like his position and duties within the estate.

"Hi, everyone! I am Andrew, the Butler of the Allen estate. I will attend to all of your needs." He scurried down the front steps to help Elder Allen out of the Tesla.

"Andrew, I'm sorry, but I can no longer see. May you please guide me up the steps and into the parlor," said Elder Allen.

"Yes, Madam. Right this way." Andrew tucked the Elder's arm into his and slowly guided her into the mansion. Diana patted me on the arm and gestured at me to move closer.

"There's something wrong here, Ethan. It's just too...uhm, perfect?" whispered Diana.

"Why do you say that?" I ask. Her observation was true. The mansion was well-kept, the lawn was maintained, even the bushes were trimmed at a specific height. I could only imagine what was inside. Maybe not even a speck of dust.

"Onyx is keeping a wary eye on that butler named Andrew. She won't say anything to me just yet, but something is going on."

"I'll mind link my men and tell them to be on high alert. Should we tell your father?" I ask her

"Hey, you two lovebirds. What's the huddle? You guys planning to run off?" Michael yells at us. Diana moves her head to give her uncle a dirty look. She jerks her head back and leans forward, her lips near my ears.

"Don't say anything to my father just yet. It's too early to say anything. Usually, these weird things go bump in the night," Diana said.

I think she watches too many horror films. Anyway, I better keep a close eye on Andrew. He may be a likely heir, but as they say, if it's too good to be true, something must be wrong...

Terribly wrong.