Chapter 64

Claudia’s POV
“Claudia, can I speak with you?” Todd calls out, running up behind me. “Ugh; what do you want, Todd?” I say, pursing my lips at him. “I need to get in Danny’s good books” “And you want my help? I’m not going to give it. You want Danny to stop hating you; then act like a brother and not like an asshole. Admit you hurt him on your own accord and take responsibility for doing so. Show him you are sorry; really sorry you did” I yell at him.
“I’m trying to show him, I’m sorry. He won’t see me” he snipes at me. “Really? I couldn’t imagine why?” I sarcastically reply. “Todd, I can’t help you. The only person who can, is you” I tell him and take a step to leave, as he grabs my arm.
“Let go of my arm” I say, through clenched teeth and to my surprise, he does. “Can I ask you to please talk to him for me? At least tell him, I want to try and apologise to him” he asks, softly; shuffling on his feet. “I will tell him what you said, but it’s his decision” I answer giving him a half smile and head back to our room.
“You’ll be late for your meeting with Oliver” I say coming into the room. “What took you so long?” Danny asks me, his brown eyes looking at mine. “Todd stopped me. He wants me to pass on a message. He said to tell you he is sorry and he wants to try and apologise to you” I answer him as he lets out a sigh; “I thought about what Joanna said; and I believe a person can change. Then there is Todd” he huffs.
“You don’t have to forgive him. He has done nothing to deserve your forgiveness” I tell him, putting my arms around his waist. “I stand by my statement; it will take a lot to earn my trust and forgiveness. If he is truly regretful; I will tolerate him, for the moment. Only time will tell if I can learn to be in the same room as him, without wanting to rip his head off” he responds as I give him a kiss.
“Mum took Sophia a few moments ago. I want you to come with me; it’s the only way I will stay calm in the meeting” he adds, giving me another kiss. “Let’s get this meeting over and done with” I smile, taking his hand and we, both walk out the door to Oliver’s office.
“Sorry we’re late” Danny announces as we come in through the doorway. “No problem; I only got here myself” Oliver replies as we sit down on the two remaining chairs in his office. “Tim; what have you come up with?” Oliver begins and Tim looks at Todd.
“May I?” Todd asks and Oliver nods at him. “I had Tim allow me to speak with Craig. I told him, Tim was still willing to help us; it was his jealousy of a guy called Jerry chasing after Chelsea that sent him back to her” he informs us as Jason, Danny and I stifle our laughs. “What’s so funny?” Todd fumes at us. “Jerry is a stuffed mouse, you moron” Danny chuckles.
“That smelly little mouse you use to carry around, everywhere” Todd gasps, his eyes widening with the realisation. “You remember Jerry? I’m surprised you even noticed” Danny spits back as Todd growls at him.
“Anyway, as I was saying; I told him we had a plan for me to get away. We were going to sneak off and take Tim’s car back to the River Moon Pack” “And why would you tell him?” Danny snarls at him and I put my hand on his arm. “To get the ball rolling. He asked me why I hadn’t left yet and I told him you have someone watching me 24/7, because you don’t trust me and we need to be sneaky about it. He swore at me for not getting him out and I gave him the how can I? only Oliver can do that speech. He ended by telling me not to fuck it up this time.”
“Are you all set for the chase?” Oliver asks us. “I am going to shift into Jesse; he is going to take the dart in the ass” Danny replies, looking at Tim. “Jesse’s ass is a bigger target to hit” Tim responds, as Danny starts laughing uncontrollably. “Jesse is swearing at you, Tim” he chuckles.
“Jason, what about you?” Oliver asks him. “I spoke with Todd; although Parker is faster than I am, I am going to grab Todd as he reaches Tim’s car by chasing him down. Tim is going to shoot me from behind. I was thinking you can be watching as I get hit Danny, and come running over to me; or Jesse can shift and come running over to me. That’s when Tim can hit him and both men drag us in the car.”
“Once you feel the dart hit you; act stunned for a few moments and then fall to the ground” Tim injects, looking at Danny and Jason. “Tim, I will give you a few changes of clothes for Danny, to pack in the car. Just make it look like you a putting a few items in your car” I tell him. “It’s already done. I’ve been putting clothes and other items Dad gave me in the car, over the last few days. I swear dad wants me to pack the kitchen sink” Tim answers me as I smile at him.
“It looks as though, you are organised” Oliver states as Todd puts his hand up to speak; “Was there something else, you needed to add?” Oliver asks. “We have another person to help us, she is going to be in the driver’s seat as a getaway driver” “Chelsea?” Oliver asks, shocked. “No; Joanna” I answer as the realisation hits me; she will want to leave with Todd.
“She still won’t take back her rejection. She said, if she comes with me and I tell everyone what she is doing at the River Moon Pack and lets them know she is their new Luna, she will consider it” he informs us; as Jason smirks at him. *“Did you tell Joanna to do that to him?”* Danny asks Jason through a mind link with him and I. *“Nah, I told her what we were doing and she said she knows how to make him suffer. He will hate having to tell everyone he was wrong and Joanna is the rightful Luna” “It must be hurting him to eat crow”* I giggle.
*“Can I watch, when Anastasia gives him what for? She’s a nasty, little bitch”* “Can you three, include us in your conversation?” Oliver asks, raising his voice slightly. “Sorry” Jason blushes. “I was just finding out the details regarding Joanna. I want to be there when Todd tells Anastasia” Danny smirks, narrowing his eyes at Todd, who shuffles slightly on the spot.
“She’s not going to want to take back her rejection, is she?” I say, with panic in my voice as I start to realise what can happen. “I’m mated; to a beautiful mate, who is my one true mate and we have a beautiful daughter. Anastasia is nothing compared to you” Danny responds, giving me a kiss. “Aww, that is so sweet” Tim chuckles, wiping away a fake tear and Danny growls at him.
“When are you all going to execute this plan?” Oliver asks, shaking his head at Tim. “In an hour; give us time to stay goodbye to Tracey, Claudia and Chelsea” Danny answers, looking around the room at everyone. “I’ll be watching from the front of the castle” he tells everyone as we all get up from our seats.
“Danny, can you and Claudia stay back a few moments” Oliver adds, as the two of us sit down again and Todd, Tim and Jason head out the door. “Was there something else?” I ask Oliver as he lets out a sigh.
“I want you to be safe. Apollo agrees with the plan, but is concerned” he tells us. “We are all concerned. Todd won’t betray us…” “I am sure he won’t. It’s not Todd we are concerned about” Oliver interrupts me as Danny and I look at one another. “Callum and Michael?” Danny questions. “Yes; they are very unpredictable; even for Apollo. He was shocked Michael turned on James because he didn’t acknowledge who you were” he states, a tear trickling down his face.
“I’m not fazed by James’ death” Danny explains. “I know and you have every right not to be. I don’t want either of them to kill an innocent person. James’ death is one thing; he was not innocent. What if he kills Todd or Tim because you escape?” he asks, looking at Danny. We never considered this scenario **“Mandy?”** I ask, as she comes forward in my mind. **“Jesse knows what to do.”**
“Danny…” “Yeah, Jesse just told me. We will be ready if this scenario happens” Danny answers Oliver.
Oliver moves from behind his desk, standing in front of Danny as we get out of our seats again. “Be safe, my friend” he says; giving Danny a hug. “You too” Danny replies as we walk out of the room.
**“Why didn’t you tell me, Jesse could do what you do?” “He can’t, he can bring me over to his sanctuary and I can work ‘my magic;’ as you call it”** Amanda tells me. **“Nice to know for future reference”** I huff, as I grab Danny’s hand and we head back to the packhouse.