Chapter 8

Council Member Ethan’s POV   

I need to get the Alpha of the Mountain Creek Pack to remove Nix’s banishment. In the meantime, I can’t risk taking my talisman off him. That is, if it is a banishment affecting him? Right now, we’re in a dangerous position, just about a mile from the Mountain Creek Pack’s borders. Rogues could attack us. We all climb back into the vehicles and drive slowly, just in case there is a problem with Nix again.    

When we finally get to the territory border, a pack of wolves greets us. “I am from the Wolf Council. I need to speak to your Alpha, NOW.” I told them, knowing they can mind link him. We waited around 15 minutes before a car turned up.    

A few men got out, obviously the Alpha and Beta, with wolves appearing at their flank. “You wanted to see me?” the Alpha asked.    

“Yes, I am Council Member Ethan. The Wolf Council has sent me. Someone should have informed you of my arrival.”     

“Why am I here, Council Member Ethan from the Wolf Council? You could have just come to the pack house.”   

“You’re right, I would have normally. But I need you to remove the banishment from the boy I am travelling with.”    

The Alpha looks at the Beta, who shrugs his shoulders. “I have no banishments on any boys. I can’t even remember the last time I banished someone. It was at least a decade ago and not on a child.”    

I gestured for the Alpha to come my way and look in the car. Which he did curiously. “You don’t have a banishment on this boy?” He looks in my car. “I have never seen him before in my life.” he responded.    

I climbed into the car. “Sorry Nix.” I said, before removing my talisman. The second I did, Nix started thrashing and screaming. I felt sick doing it to him, but the Alpha wouldn’t believe me if I didn’t.    

The Alpha froze in horror. “Remove it.” I yelled at him.    

He took one look at Nix. “I Alpha Vance Blackwolf, remove the banishment placed on?”    

“Nix Bird”    

“I Alpha Vance Blackwolf, remove the banishment placed on Nix Bird. I have revoked his banishment.” The second he finished saying it, Nix calmed down.    

“What was that?” Alpha Vance asked. “That is one of the reasons I am here, Alpha Vance. There are more mysteries relating to this boy that I need to figure out today.”    

With Nix still unconscious in the back of the car, we drove to the Mountain Creek pack house. The protective detail carried him and placed him on a couch. I asked them to stay around him in case he panicked when he woke up. I didn’t need him panicking when he woke up. I went to the Alpha’s study with Reed and his Beta. We had things to discuss.    

    

Nix’s POV    

I woke up to the sound of a girl’s voice. It sounded sweet. She was reading a story to me. I recognized it as I read in school when I was younger. I opened my eyes. It was about the only part of my body that didn’t ache. But I wasn’t in pain.    

I smiled at the girl, who smiled back at me. “Hi” she said. “I’m Melissa.” She was so pretty, must be about 16 with straight long dark hair and bright blue eyes. Her smile was beautiful.    

“Nix,” I said, though my throat was dry. “Can you get him a drink, please?” she said nicely to one of the men, who was hovering around the area. “Where am I?” I asked.    

“This is the pack house in the Mountain Creek Pack. I live here. My dad is the Alpha. What are you doing here?”    

The man brought me some water, which I gulped. “No idea. Apparently, I have a relative here and they are trying to figure out some things about me. For all intents and purposes, I don’t exist.”    

“I wish I didn’t exist sometimes,” she said sadly.    

“Don’t be like that,” I told her. How could such a sweet young thing be so sad? It was then we heard yelling and shouting. I looked at her. She looked at me. “It will be about me. It always is.” She lowered her head. I didn’t follow what she was saying. “They argue a lot because I was born wrong. He doesn’t think I am good enough to lead the pack when dad retires.”    

I don’t know who she is talking about. “Well, he sounds like an arsehole.”    

 “He is, but you haven’t met him yet. You should make your own judgement.”    

Whoever she is talking about sounds like a piece of work, destroying a girl’s self-confidence like that. I got up and gave her a hug. I don’t even know her. But it felt right. Even if someone thinks that about Melissa, she should not be aware of it. “They should keep their damn opinions to themselves,” I tell her.    

“Anyway, Nix, let’s get some food. I am starving, and my science partner will be here soon.” She smiled at me. It’s contagious, and I can’t help but smile back at her. I stood up, ready to go. But she pulled out a pair of crutches, struggled to stand, then struggled to walk to the kitchen. “I have had a funny spine. Nothing happened to it. I was born this way. Today is a good day. I can almost walk on the crutches.” I hate whoever made her feel weak. They should be ashamed of themselves. She is so proud of herself. I pull out a seat and grab some fruit off the counter for us. She is trying her best and they are putting her down. They don’t see how brave she is being.    

A woman walks into the kitchen, she is dressed in work-out clothes with a layer of sweat over her very toned body. She must be around 40. She kissed Melissa’s forehead. “Hey baby, how are you?”   

“I haven’t used my chair all day, mom.” The woman leans over and smiles at her, the same way my mom used to smile at me when I achieved something. “Each day as it comes, baby, don’t push yourself too hard. It’s not worth it. You will struggle tomorrow.”    

“I know, mom, but I want to fit in with everyone else.”    

“Baby, I don’t care about anyone else. I mean, I do, only because I have to, though. But you are my priority and I wish you would believe in yourself, just as much as I do.” Melissa smiled at her. It’s nice to see a mom who loves their child just as much as my mom loved me. “Who is your friend, anyway? I thought we were expecting Dylan?”    

“He is coming, I hope.”    

Before Melissa got to tell her who I was, a voice shouted, “Hey Nix, you’re wanted upstairs.”     

I guess that’s my cue.