Chapter 11

**Jinx Willow's P.O.V.**

I stifle a yawn as I walk downstairs. I'm dressed in light blue shredded skinny jeans, a long sleeve black cropped v-neck, and black ankle heeled boots. My curly brown hair is hanging down around my shoulders and my eyes are lined with eyeliner and mascara. My bags are already in the Escalade with my guards' bags. I get into the backseat, seating myself between two of my guards, Dimitri and Thomas. Kieran and Tyler, my other two guards, climb into the very backseat with my final two guards, Daniel and Chase, in the front. The drive to Black Moon Pack takes all day, from six in the morning when we leave Council territory until eight at night when we arrive to the borders of the pack. Right outside the borders, we're met by two hellhounds and a bloodhound.

"Hello," A hellhound says "My name is Vincenzo, this is Darian and my mate, Lindsey. Alpha Derric sent us to lead you to the pack house as our territory is quite a maze."

"Alright," Tyler, who had switched off with Chase earlier, says "Lead the way."

He nods and shifts into his wolf, running off. Tyler drives after the trio. After twenty minutes of driving, we pull up to a large brown brick mansion. Standing outside is a massive amount of hellhounds, hounds, bloodhounds, and even lupus. All the guards get out and once they clear it to be okay, they get out Elder Henry first. Elder Henry speaks with them before looking back and nodding. I get out and immediately head to Elder Martin's Escalade.

"What's she doing," Luna Claradine says "Why didn't she come over here?"

"She never strays far from Elder Martin," Elder Helena says "They've had a strong bond since we took her into custody."

I wrap my arm around Elder Martin's and hold my other hand out to Elder Nikida, who takes it. The three of us walk towards them.

"Derric is handling a situation in another pack," Luna Claradine says "A pack had found a lupus unconscious and contacted him. He left late last night to bring the boy back here. He won't be arriving back until later tonight."

"Oh," Elder Helena says "We were hoping to know as soon as we arrived if the prophecy was true."

Alpha Peter watches me, curiously. I step forward, standing on my tiptoes. Elder Henry immediately leans down.

"Elder Martin needs to rest," I whisper in Elder Henry's ear "You all do. It's been a long drive. Could we postpone speaking with everyone until morning?"

Elder Henry nods.

"I'm sorry," Elder Henry says "It seems we have a few Elder's who are exhausted from today's travels. Would you mind postponing until morning?"

"Not at all," Alpha Peter says, eyes still locked on me "You and your guards will be staying in the pack house with myself, Claradine, Derric, and Derric's advisors over each species."

"You can all follow me," Luna Claradine says "Peter, stop being rude. It's the Council."

Alpha Peter pulls his gaze away from me, nodding to his mate. We follow them inside and my guards inspect my room. Once they clear it, they place my bag inside the room and leave, closing the door behind them. I get ready for bed, opting for a pair of black cotton short shorts and a royal purple strappy sports bra. I remove my makeup and pull my hair up into a messy ponytail.

**Derric Shadow's P.O.V.**

I drop my small duffle bag in my room, pulling my shirt over my head and shedding off my slacks, tossing them into my laundry basket to be washed. I opt for taking a long, hot shower to soothe my nerves. Once I get out, I pull on a pair of black sweat pants over top of my black Calvin Klein boxers and grab a black long sleeve t-shirt, pulling it on. I push my hand through my now damp hair and head downstairs to my office. At early three in the morning, a piercing scream erupts through the territory and I sprint out of my office and down the steps and out the door to see my entire pack standing outside, everyone looking confused about the sound.

"Gaia," A frail voice calls "Where are you?!"

"Elder Helena," A feminine voice says "Are you alright? Where is Elder Henry? Elder Martin, oh my moon goddess!"

I follow the sound of her voice to see the girl fussing over the elder's.

"Derric," Mom says "We have a situation."

Mom points to the woods to where I see a hellhound pup held by two vampires.

"Oh for the sake of the moon goddess," I say, my wolf pushing forward "Let the hellhound go and get off my territory before I use my teeth to pull you apart by your arteries."

"A-Alpha," The little girl, a hellhound named Claire, says "T-They stabbed me."

"It's alright," I say "No, Claire, keep your eyes on me, sweetie, okay?"

Claire nods. A soft hand wraps around my arm, pulling me back. My eyes dart down to the small hand, wrapped around my upper bicep and I follow it up to the brunette.

"Let go," I say lowly "That's my pack member."

"You will start a war," She says softly "Think about it, Alpha."

"Enough," The soft voice of the Gaia says "Let him go. And stay there."

Her eyes stay locked on me.

"Elder Martin," She says "It's alright. I'll be right back, just give me a moment. Elder Nikida?"

An Elder steps forward, grabbing hold of the older male that the Gaia is holding onto.

"Let go of the child," She says "Now."

"Or what," The female vampire says "You'll let your boy toy loose?"

"No," She says, tilting her head "I don't need anyone else to do my dirty work. After all, all I need to do is call your Elder's since they're frightened of mine. So, I'm going to ask you nicely before I return to my Elder's to call yours...let the child go, please, safe and sound, and leave."

The two vampire's share a look before releasing the girl and fleeing into the woods. Immediately, the girl rushes forward and the Gaia reaches out, catching hold of her and inspecting her. Once she's deemed her unharmed, she sends the girl over to me and I crouch down, letting the girl seek security.

"Darian," I say "Where's her parents?"

"They'll be back shortly," Marcus says "Both Claire's parents went out to help a neighboring pack with a recently shifted orphaned hellhound. They went on Alpha Peter's orders."

"Alright," I say "Come on, Claire."

The little girl wraps her arm around my neck and I stand up, wrapping her small body in my arms. I take her into the pack house, sending everyone back to their houses. Moments later, the Gaia enters with Darian, Marcus, and Charles. Claire reaches towards Darian, seeking the comfort of another hellhound. Darian immediately goes to her, standing behind her and rubbing her arms. Marcus and Charles sit in chairs on either side of her.

"You're Derric," The Gaia says "I figured you'd be pretty tall since you're a lupus and all. I didn't think you'd be a softy when it comes to your pack. Most Alpha's aren't."

"I'm not most Alpha's," I say, grabbing the box of tea and a mug "Or haven't you noticed since you've been here? Speaking of, when did you arrive?"

"Shortly after eight," The Gaia says "What kind of tea is that?"

"I have every kind," I say "My mother is a tea fannatic. I'm more like my father, a coffee person. But tea helps Claire calm down. Why?"

"Elder Martin wants tea," The Gaia says "May I?"

"Of course," I say "The tea is in that cabinet. Mugs are in front of me."

The Gaia nods, opening the cabinet and shuffling through the tea before settling on chamomile tea. Moments later, an elder shuffles in.

"Elder Martin," The Gaia gasps "I told you I'd bring it to you."

"No," He says, shaking his head "My wolf is much too awake. I do not want to keep Nikida awake. She already made me promise that you walk me back to bed."

The Gaia smiles, shaking her head.

"Fine," The Gaia says softly "Sit. How is your wolf?"

"Very active," The elder says "That is the child?"

"Yes," The Gaia says "Would you like to sit next to her?"

The elder nods. The Gaia takes his arm.

"Claire," The Gaia says "This is Elder Martin. He's a bloodhound."

"But," Claire says "Bloodhounds have red eyes. His are white."

"He's losing sight in his human form," The Gaia says "However, when his wolf takes control, he can see quite well."

"Oh," Claire says "So, he can't see me?"

"Not very well," The Gaia says "To him, you just look like a shadow."

The elder slowly sits down next to Claire.

"He's got a mate," Claire says "Mommy said bloodhounds go crazy after losing their mate."

"Not always," The Gaia says "Sometimes, bloodhounds lose control of their wolves after they suffer a very tragic loss."

"Oh," Claire says "What's your name?"

"You'll find out later," The Gaia says "As of right now, I believe that your Alpha has something for you."

Claire looks at me and I slide the mug of decaffienated green tea over to her. Mom shuffles in with dad and three other male Elder's. All of them go to the Gaia.

"Hmm," The Gaia says "Let me guess. None of you can calm down either so you need to be nearby."

They all nod.

"Take a seat," The Gaia says "I'll make you each some tea."

She grabs down more mugs.

"So," I say, grabbing a chamomile tea and a decaffienated K-cup "You keep them calm?"

"More or less," The Gaia says, shrugging "When I'm not on their nerves about figuring out these hellhound attacks."

"No," Darian says "Please, don't get him started. He'll go into a full spiel about how it's not a hellhound and how it's framed and makes no sense."

"He's right," The Gaia says "It's not a hellhound, it is someone framing a hellhound and it doesn't make sense."

"What," I say "How do you know?"

The Gaia simply smiles.

"Sit," The Gaia says "And I'll explain what myself and the Council have been able to figure out."

I sit down after finishing my dad's coffee and my mom's green tea.