CHAPTER 51: SOMETHING’S WRONG

The moment the pack’s iron gates came into view, they slid open before Ellie’s car even reached them. The security wolves standing guard stepped aside immediately, heads dipping in acknowledgment. The car turned into the wide driveway and pulled to a smooth stop in front of the Pack’s mansion.

Ellie parked beside the stone walkway and turned off the engine. The silence that followed felt heavy, almost unnatural after the long drive. He exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he turned toward the others.

"Hey, Jason," he said, voice low but firm. "Can you guys help Rhea settle in? I need to speak with the Alpha."

Both omegas nodded at once, their usual easy smiles replaced by seriousness. Even Rhea stayed quiet, her hand still on the door handle. Something in Ellie’s tone, or maybe in his eyes, told her now wasn’t the time to make some funny remarks. She’d never seen him look this sharp, this guarded.

They climbed out, Tavian and Jason went to the back to open the boot. Shopping bags filled the space, colors and fabrics spilling over.

"Careful," Ellie said as one of the bags slipped from Jason’s hand. He caught it quickly, helping them balance the rest. His movements were quick, practiced, but his gaze remained distant.

Once everything was steady, he closed the boot with a soft thud and straightened. "Make sure she gets some rest," he said, not looking back this time as he walked toward the main building. His strides were quick and sure, disappearing around the corner of the hallway that led to the Alpha’s wing.

Rhea watched him go, her brows knitting. "Something is definitely wrong," she muttered.

"Yeah," Jason replied, his voice uneasy. "That’s the first time I’ve ever seen the Beta look that serious. He didn’t even tease once."

Tavian nodded in quiet agreement, eyes still on the path Ellie had taken.

Rhea sighed and looked down at the bags in her hands. "Let’s just go," she said finally. "Whatever it is, I hope it’s nothing serious."

Ellie stood before the heavy double doors of the Alpha’s office. He knocked twice, firm and steady.

A low, irritated voice came from within. "What is it?"

"It’s me," Ellie said.

There was a pause, then a gruff, "Come in."

Ellie pushed the door open. Ares sat behind his desk, buried in a few paperwork, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up. He didn’t even look up at first.

"Took you long enough to come back," Ares muttered. "It was just shopping, not a..." He stopped mid-sentence when he finally saw Ellie’s face. His brow lifted, all traces of annoyance fading into alertness. "What’s wrong?"

Ellie shut the door behind him. "I think we have an intruder in our territory."

Ares straightened in his chair. "An intruder?" His tone was sharp now, his authority bleeding through. "Did you see who it was?"

Ellie shook his head. "No, but I caught a whiff of their scent. Only for a moment before it vanished. But I know one thing for sure, it doesn’t belong to any of ours. The scent burned my nose."

Ares’s eyes narrowed. "You think it’s them?"

Ellie’s voice hardened. "Who else would dare step foot in Grimhowl’s land? They must be planning something."

Ares rose from his chair, pacing once behind the desk before stopping. "I’ll report this to the council," he said finally. "And get Eberhard for me, I need him informed about this."

Ellie’s jaw clenched. "I think that’s a bad idea."

Ares’s head snapped toward him. "What?"

"First," Ellie said, his tone calm but tight, "reporting to the council without proof makes us look paranoid. They’ll think Grimhowl is looking for trouble."

Ares frowned but didn’t interrupt, though his fingers drummed against the desk.

"And second," Ellie continued, stepping closer, "why do you always run to Eberhard every time something happens?"

That landed heavier than Ellie expected. Ares’s eyes flashed, confusion and irritation crossing his face.

Ellie pressed on, his voice lowering. "I’m your Beta, Ares. Your second-in-command. Yet every time something goes wrong, you’d rather hear it from the former Beta than me. What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t trust me?"

Ares opened his mouth, but no words came out at first. Then, finally, "It’s not like..."

"If you think I’m not doing my job well enough, maybe I should step down and let Eberhard take over," Ellie cut him off, anger creeping into his tone.

Ares froze, taken aback by the sudden edge in Ellie’s voice. His eyes narrowed, but his tone softened slightly. "Calm down first. That’s not what I meant."

Ellie’s jaw tightened. "Then what is your intention, Alpha?"

Ares shifted uncomfortably. He hadn’t expected this. He never thought Ellie, confident, and sarcastic, was harboring this kind of resentment. He had grown so used to the Beta’s easygoing nature that he hadn’t realized how often he’d crossed the line.

"I’m sorry," Ares said quietly.

Ellie blinked, caught off guard. He had braced himself for a lecture, not an apology. He studied Ares for a moment, surprised to see genuine remorse in his expression.

"I really am," Ares continued. "I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. It’s just..."

"Just what?" Ellie pressed.

"It’s just," Ares exhaled heavily, "I don’t want Eberhard to feel left out."

Ellie’s brow shot up. "So every pack member feels left out if you don’t involve them in matters that concern the Alpha and his Beta? Is that what you’re saying?"

"No, it’s not like that," Ares replied quickly.

"Then how is it?" Ellie’s tone sharpened. "How is Eberhard different from every other wolf in this pack, other than the fact that he’s the former Beta? Stop giving him my duties if you really want me as your Beta."

Ares looked at him squarely. "Of course I want you as my Beta."

"Then start showing it," Ellie snapped, the words landing hard. "I just don’t get..."

A sharp knock at the door interrupted him, both men turned toward the sound.