Ellie POV


    "Three months," Kieran said, his voice soft. "I know that seems like forever, but I think it''s the best chance we have of getting you out of there without causing further issues. Do you think you can hang on that long?"


    I had agreed.


    Of course I did. What else could I do? 1


    It was going to take resources to get away from Nn-resources that I didn''t have, and that I wasn''t willing to ask for from the people I knew who might be able to offer them. I couldn''t put Rae in danger so directly by asking her to help me run away.


    And who else was I going to ask? Lance? Any resources he had ess to woulde from Nn. It would be too risky. And honestly, I didn''t really want to put him in that position either.


    But Kieran was from a different pack. He had plenty of influence and power, enough to protect himself from the fallout if Nn ever did find out that he was involved.


    Then there was Cassian...


    It had crossed my mind to ask the Moonstone Pack for help. They seemed so kind, so concerned about my well-being. But there was something about the way they looked at me that made me hesitate.


    I''d been in my room for most of the morning, and finally ventured out because I was getting hungry. That''s when I bumped into a man in a blue suit walking down the hallway.


    "Oh, I''m so sorry, Miss-"


    I stared at him, and he stared back at me for what felt like an eternity.


    He had fine lines around his eyes, mostly hidden by his sses, but that was the only thing that gave away his age. Other than that, he hadn''t changed much since I was a kid.


    "Mr. Eastman,” I said in shock. "What the hell are you doing here?"


    “Ellie, it is you. You look so grown up," he said, sounding Happy but shocked. "It''s been, what, fifteen years since I''ve seen you? I heard you''d be the Luna of this pack. We were so excited when we found out."


    "Mr. Eastman, what are you doing here?" I asked again.


    "Oh, I was summoned by Alpha ric," he exined.


    "Why on earth would the Moonstone Alpha want to talk to the head of an orphanage?" I asked with obvious confusion. His answer only gave me more questions.


    "Well... actually, he was looking for information about you Mr. Eastman answered. He looked a little sheepish, as if I''d just caught him doing something he shouldn''t be doing.


    My eyes widened, and a small, surprised sound escaped me


    "Why would he-"


    "There you are,” Lance''s voice suddenly came from the staircase. "I thought you were going to sleep all day.''


    "I''m not sure," Mr. Eastman answered quietly. "I have to go."


    >>


    I nodded in understanding. The look on his face told me everything. Whatever drama was going on here, he didn''t want to be involved. And I couldn''t me him for that.


    +25 Bonus


    "Take care of yourself,” I said. He took it as a dismissal and quickly walked down the hall to the stairs.


    Lance gave him a curious look as they passed each other.


    "Who was that?" he asked me.


    "Someone who was visiting the Moonstone Pack," I answered.


    "They''re getting visitors here?" he asked, amused. "I''ll have to ask Cassian about itter."


    I shrugged dismissively, but my heart was racing. Why would the Moonstone Pack be looking into my past?


    I remembered talking to them about the orphanage briefly, after the dinner incident a while ago, but why would they take it so seriously? Those two really seemed interested in my lost childhood memories, far more so than they should be.


    "Can I ask you a question?" I asked Lance.


    "Yeah, what''s up?" he asked, looking down at me curiously


    "You''ve been hanging out with Cassian a lottely. What''s his deal?" I asked, ncing at the end of the hall where the Moonstone pack''s guest suite was.


    "That''s a loaded question," Lanceughed. "Short answer is, I''m not sure." He followed my gaze to the door, crossing his arms over his chest.


    "That''s not helpful at all," I muttered.


    "Why are you asking?”


    “I just... he seems very interested in me. I want to know why," I said honestly.


    When Cassian had first approached me on the street, I thought he was trying to hit on me. But I didn''t get that vibe from him anymore. We didn''t interact much, though I could tell he wanted to. It almost felt like Nn was trying to keep us apart. That just made me more curious about him.


    "Sure, that makes sense. I can ask him for you."


    "No, don''t make it weird. I''m sure it''s fine," I replied quickly.


    "You seem more stressed than usual," Lance noted.


    "Thanks for that," I said sarcastically.


    "I''m serious. You haven''t left the house since that stupid party. I know Nn was a prick, but isting yourself isn''t going to help." There was a look of genuine concern on Lance''s face that kept me from responding with more dismissive sarcasm.


    "I''m not doing it by choice. Nn''s little spies aren''t exactly subtle. Every time I leave my room, I can feel them watching me," I exined.


    A dark look shed over Lance''s face before he covered it with a derisive scoff.


    "He''s being a jealous ass. It''spletely ridiculous considring-


    }}


    "That his mistress is unting their rtionship to anyone that pays attention?" I finished for him.


    "Exactly. Look, let me take you out tonight. You need a break," Lance offered, his tone softening.


    "I''m not going out with anyone just so Nn''s little hired stalkers can report to him about who I choose to spend my time with," I replied.


    +25 Bonus


    "Nn won''t have to know. Look, I grew up in the pack house. I know how to sneak out of here undetected," Lance said. A yful grin spread over his face as he saw my surprised reaction.


    "You do?"


    "Absolutely. And I can make sure you get a night of freedom without Nn ever finding out. I just need you to trust me a little bit,” he said.


    "Trust you? That''s a big ask."


    "I know. But I think at this point you know that I''m more reliable than you thought,"


    he said seriously.


    I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Fine. I''ll trust you, just this once. Don''t make me regret it, Lance."


    "I won''t. I''lle back after dinner tonight. Keep your bedroom window open and listen for me," he instructed.


    "Okay."


    The smile that spread over Lance''s face was almost sweet before he turned to head back to the stairs. “Come eat something for now. You can''t hide in your room all the time."


    "Don''t tell me what to do," I replied. There was no heat to my words and we both knew it. I followed Lance down the stairs.


    If you had told me a month ago that I would voluntarily spend time with Nn''s annoying, yboy little brother I would have called you a fool. But a lot has changed wince my ident. Why should my rtionship with Lance be any different.


    We had just bonded over our shared dislike of Nn. That was all. Right?


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    Chap 60