Chapter 9: Scared.

**LUCIEN**

I can’t think straight. I can’t see through this blurred vision. The rage I am feeling is deafening. I don’t know why I feel so connected to Monica or her kids. Or why I feel the need to protect her. And the THOUGHT of someone getting to her, hurting her, taking her from my sight… 

I can’t even explain the fire I feel in my chest because of it. But what I do know is no one is going to harm her. I would lay my life at the feet of my enemies for those three. It’s indescribable but when I saw that now the threats were being delivered to her door. I lost it. 

‘I’m going to tell her. I don’t care if she doesn’t like me afterwards. Her knowing what I am will help her understand why I want to protect her.’ I told Ragnar. He is just as enraged as me. He feels the connection growing. He’s been antsy all day to get back to Pocatello. 

‘Honestly, I think it’s the best thing for us all, Lucien. If you are honest and truthful with her. She won’t feel like she can’t trust us or that we were hiding anything from her. She is reserved, that much I can tell. Her words keep playing over and over in my head though. When she said “I can promise you don’t want someone like me.” This man, whoever he is. He hurt her. And when I find out his name, that’s that.’

The trees of the forest I am running through on the pack lands are just speeding by in a blur of brown, gray and green with a touch of oranges. Ragnar is pushing his fastest speed yet, I can feel his paws burning even though the afternoon ground is cool. His fur is matted down on his back due to his speed and I can feel the tears running from his eyes from the wind smacking his face.. 

‘Ragnar, buddy. Don’t kill yourself getting to them. You’re already fast, you don’t need to be Bolt.’ I chuckled dryly. 

‘At first Ludo, I didn’t understand why you were drawn to Monica. When I first saw her there was a physical attraction but nothing else. But the more time I think about it, I can feel it settling in my soul. I can feel her binding herself into every part of me. Like more than I felt the first time ever seeing Carrie. I was excited to have found my mate. Excited to finally have the other piece to my soul. But I don’t think half of my soul ever resided in Carrie. I think it has always resided in Monica.. I know that sounds crazy… ‘

‘It sounds crazy but it’s the truth. I know what you mean Ragnar.’ He smiled a toothy wolf grin and pushed even harder. I’m definitely going to feel this tomorrow. He is not letting up. 

I thought it would take us longer than it did, but before I knew it we were trotting up to our house and I could see the lights on at Monica’s new house. I am thankful Nicole suggested her being right next door to us and that she agreed so quickly. The sun has set now, so it was definitely later in the evening at the pack than I thought it was when I left. 

I shift into my human form, Ragnar needs a rest and I need clothes or Monica will think I am a creep showing up to her house butt naked.

‘Or she will be so turned on she will throw herself on you right then and there. This could go both ways.’ Ragnar said with a brow wiggle. I just chuckled.

‘Not a chance, buddy.’

I quickly run inside my house and grab some jeans and a green tee-shirt out of the dryer. I don’t even worry about the shoes. I feel like there’s no time. I need to check on them to make sure they are okay. 

I rush next door and hear muffled sounds. As if people were talking or whispering. But even with my Alpha werewolf hearing I can’t hear what is being said. I take a quick deep deep breath and knock three times. The muffled noises stop and I hear shuffling inside. I am starting to get nervous. I see a light in the living room turn off. And I am seconds away from busting down the door where I hear the door creak open.

Low and behold, there is Monica standing there pointing a full frame 40 caliber handgun at me. I see the safety is off. And her finger is quite close to the trigger but not on it. So she knows how to use this thing.. 

“Woah, I’m sorry, Monica. I didn’t mean to scare you..” I throw my hands up in the air in surrender and keep a close eye on here.

“How do I know he didn’t send you, Lucien? How do I know I can trust you? What if you were just being nice to me, and sweet to me because he told you to, so you could steal us back? So you could take us back to that hell hole..” She cried. She might be trembling slightly out of fear but she has a firm hold on the gun and I am still staring down the barrel of a loaded pistol.

“Monica, I would NEVER do that. I can’t do anything that would ever hurt you. It would kill me.” I pleaded with her. I don’t want to be compared to the monster that would hurt her or her children, or any woman or child. But I can understand she is fearful. 

“Then why? If it wasn’t because he sent you, why are you being nice to me? Why did Nicole give me a job, make friends with me and move me into a cottage that obviously the rent was dropped significantly for me to live in?” She sobbed but this time she was pissed and needed the truth.

“Monica, I don’t know why Nicole wanted to be your friend but it could be because she likes you. You’re a likable person. I like you. That’s why I am nice to you. I want to be there for you, and help you. And be there for Angelina and Lincoln.. I would never let anything happen to you.” I dropped my hands. I don’t think she will shoot me. Or at least I am hoping she won’t. 

“How did you know to come here and check on me then?” She whispered through her tears.

“Let me come inside and let’s talk about this and I’ll explain everything. Okay?” 

 There was a slight rustle in the bushes and her eyes widened as she dropped the hand that was holding the gun and grabbed my shirt to pull me inside. She plops down in a plastic chair still holding the gun. She’s frantic and scared. She must’ve had the kids hide.

“Why are you so shaken up, Monica?? What happened to cause you to be this scared? And why do you even have a gun?” I asked.

‘I thought Klaus said they got the threats and put them away so she wouldn’t see them.’ Ragnar whimpered in my head. 

“He found me.. I can’t believe it but he found me, Lucien… I can’t stay here. I just started to feel somewhat normal and he found me again. I’m not even unpacking. I’ll… I-I’ll rent a car in a fake name and drive overni-ight… “ She begins to sob, still holding the gun in her hands…

“He CAN’T GET TO US AGAIN LUCIEN!!!! HE JUST CAN’T!!! NOT TO THEM!!!” She screamed as she placed the pistol on her kitchen table, it’s clear she has training with it. She wouldn’t drop it on the ground for one of the kids to get it. And when I look over at it I see she even switched it to safety.. I scooped her up in my arms and started to rock her. 

“Monica. I know you don’t know me that well, and you aren’t sure who to trust. But whoever you are running from, I will NEVER let them get to you, Angelina or Lincoln… I will die before anyone ever hurts you three again…” I growled and I could feel she was starting to relax and her hard sobs became sniffles. I have to tell her but I need to know how she found out he had found her… 

“How do you know he found you? And who is HE?…” I growled, tightening my hold on her as she snuggled into my chest. I feel like she was always meant to be right here with me. She fits so perfectly here.

“My soon to be ex-husband. He sent my burner phone a text. Only you and Nicole have this number. I don’t even keep it on most of the time but since you gave me your number I have it on so we can talk before our-r.. Our umm.. date…” She cried.. “He told me he knew where I was and that I must’ve been stupid to think I could get away that easily.. That he was coming to get me and the kids.. But I-I can’t let that happe-en.. I would let him hurt me a million times more before he touches my kids again, Lucien..” She sobbed again.. 

So he did abuse her… I can feel the rage building inside of me again. It was bad enough to think she was scared of someone coming after her. But now I KNOW he harmed her.. AND THE KIDS!! I could shift right now, but I can’t. Not yet..

“I can tell you’re afraid of him. But nothing is going to happen to you three. That I swear. And I never break a promise. But I need you to tell me his name.. I need to know who is after you.. You can tell me all the details another time if you want but I have to know the name of the man who is after you so I can make sure he never gets near you three again. Okay?” She nodded her head and sniffled. I could feel her getting even more comfortable in my lap.

“Talon Rodriguez..” She whimpered. I could feel the blood draining from my face and my breath catching in my throat. 

Alpha Talon Rodriguez of Black Night Pack?? The pack that says their Luna is sick with disease. And that's why she is kept locked away with her children because of the disease. Monica is the Luna of Black Night Pack???? The same pack that my father killed the previous Alpha in battle because of his own crimes against his Luna? Fuck..

But that will make Angelina and Lincoln half werewolves… Alpha Werewolves.

 So, maybe she does know what we are. Maybe she knew all along what she was doing. Maybe she knows I'm the Alpha's little brother here. And she's just being nice to me to get my protection. And I'm falling right into her trap. 

I can't fall into another trap. Not one like that… I can't feel like that again.. Because if SHE were to ever reject me, the way Carrie did, I think I'd crumble. And I can't do that… 

'Don't do that, Lucien… Don't think the worst of her.. She's genuine in her fear. And how do you know that she has any knowledge of werewolves? Do you honestly think she'd come into another pack and have a war waged to keep her safe? She doesn't want anyone to get hurt.. ' Ragnar said without much room to argue. But he's right. I need to be rational. I can't automatically assume she is using me or she knows. So there's only one way to know for certain. 

‘She was even asking the same questions to you a second ago. Remember? How does she know you don’t work for him and all that? You knew she wasn’t lying and she trusted you when you told her how you felt. Don’t think that she is bad because of her fear..’ 

‘You’re way too wise for me sometimes, Ragnar. But thank you.’ I said honestly. 

"Monica…" 

"Yes." She whispered. The exhaustion after adrenaline creeping into her. 

" Firstly, where are Angelina and Lincoln?" I asked. 

“I made them go to bed in my room upstairs.” She said, It is hitting her that maybe we should check on them.

 “Here. Go sit on the couch and I will check on them for you and I’ll let them know everything is okay.” She hesitated for a second and then nodded. 

“Oh the password is cake.” She said with a shy blush. I chuckled as I took the steps quietly and knocked on the door. Knowing that Angelina and Lincoln are half werewolves is helpful. But sadly they won’t know what that means yet.

No answer yet.

“Cake.” I said and Angelina peaked her head out of the door.

“Where is my mom?” She said a little scared. 

“She’s down stairs on the couch. She seems pretty exhausted so I wanted to come check on you guys. Are yall okay?” I asked as I got on her level.

“I sang Linc some songs so he is sleeping, but I didn’t want to go to bed until I knew mom was okay.” She said still a little scared.

“Angel, I know you guys don’t know me. And I know ya’ll, you specifically, worry about someone hurting your mom. But I promise I will never let anything happen to you guys.” She smiled.

“That sounds good and all Mr Lucien. But I don’t think you should make promises you aren’t sure you can keep.” My eyes are like saucers. I’m shocked. “Are you sure you’re eight?” I said chuckling.

“Eight and almost a half.” She giggled.

“Alright, well get to bed. I’m going to go talk to your mom then I’ll head home.” SHe smiles and nods and as she closes the door, she stops and looks back at me. 

“My mom likes you a lot, Mr. Lucien. She hasn’t quit smiling since you asked her out on the family date. She is really excited. But also, be patient. Nice people are something she isn’t used to.” She smiled softly and closed the door. 

‘That kid is going to be a philosopher and a doctor one day. She’s too damn smart.’

‘I can hear you, dummy. And as far as I’m concerned, they both are.’

When I make it down stairs I see Monica sitting on the couch staring at her phone. Probably rereading the messages from Talon..

“I’m not reading the messages but he sent me a picture… And I think that is what frightened me the most.” She whimpered. She showed me the phone and it was the same picture that was sent to my phone… I sighed and sat down next to her.

“Monica, do you know what werewolves are?” I asked with my most serious face.

"Like in Twilight?" She giggled. 

' Better than twilight. But that answers that. ' Ragnar chuckled.. 

"Sort of. But in real life." I said as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She looks up at me with a skeptical expression on her face. 

"Are they real?" She asked again. 

"Yes. They are real. " I said with a smile.  

“Hmmm. Sounds cool. Maybe I can meet one someday.” She smiled. 

‘Maybe we should tell her tomorrow, Lucien. She’s already had enough craziness for one day. Waiting another day won’t hurt anything.’ Ragnar suggested.

‘I agree. Tomorrow, after breakfast.’ I said back. 

"I'm going to go home so you can go get some cuddles from the kids. I’ll see you in the morning. Lock the door behind me. " I said as I got off of the couch and stepped towards the door. 

She walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. Snuggling her face into my back. She breathes in deep and sighs. 

"I don't know why someone like you is even interested in knowing me. Let alone protecting me or being there for me. But I'm grateful. It's been a long time since I had someone looking after me and now my kids. So thank you. " I tighten my hands on top of hers but quickly turn around and engulf her in the biggest hug. 

"And I'm thankful that you're allowing me to be in your life and to be here for you. I’m only able to do these things because you are letting me.. I feel everything changing, but for the better. " I move my hands to gently cup her face as she snuggles her face into my palms. I plant three kisses on her forehead before letting go of her. I don’t want to. Goddess, I don’t want to. But she needs a little space. 

"I'll be here in the morning to check on you. I will keep an eye on things outside. No one is going to get you, okay?" I asked, hoping she understood the lengths I would go for her.

“Thank you, Lucien. See you for breakfast in the morning?” She asks. Wait, she just invited me to breakfast. 

“I’ll be here.” I said with a smile. I walked out the door and shut it and before leaving the porch I waited to hear the locks click. I mind linked about ten guards to surround her house overnight. And when I get home, I see Leon standing on my porch, waiting for me.

“We need to talk.” He says, handing me my phone.

“Yes we do.” He raises an eyebrow at me as I open my door to the house..

Yes we fu.cking do.