Hadley's POV

We all met in the sitting room while waiting for Nolan to finally wake up. To go over our plan. We still weren't entirely sure what to do with Nolan after we interrogated him.

Jillian came in looking more like her normal self. Her dark curly hair cascaded around her face. Her eyes were a glowing amber. "Braxton just called me. He says they're trackers have been watching over Fenris Moon and they're pack has been coming up with plans to negotiate Nolan being returned".

"I'm surprised they haven't attacked yet or tried to come get him themselves," I said.

"Braxton says they are super freaked out by what you did to them the day of the ceremony. They're being cautious," Jilian gave me a wicked smile of approval. She liked that they were afraid of us. Afraid of what we were truly capable of as a pack.

"They'll only be cautious for so long before some of them take the risk. We're ready for that, and can handle it but still if we can avoid a fight with them. I'd rather figure out our plans with Nolan first," Tate thought out loud.

"Let's just hope Nolan values self preservation more than his loyalty to Jade," West said. Morgan nodded her head in agreement. I had caught her a few times watching West since yesterday.

"Even if he does talk, how can we trust him?" I asked.

"I can help with that," Morgan said, taking her eyes off of West and meeting mine. "I can make sure we know if he's telling the truth or not".

"Perfect. So we interrogate him then what?" Devin asked.

"We come back here and decide as a group. This will affect our whole pack. I want us to make the decision together. Honestly I don't trust myself to make a rational decision alone on this. Not after what he did to Hadley," Tate's eyes grew dark for a moment.

"We decide together then," I said, reaching over giving Tate's hand a squeeze.

"Do you think he's ready?" West asked.

"Better be," I said.

We made our way back to the cell where Nolan was being kept. He looked horrible but his face had changed just ever so slightly. He looked lighter, more calm almost now with the bind being lifted. His eyes met ours as we stood outside the cell. He was laying on the cot.

"Get up," Tate ordered.

"I'm sleeping," Nolan hissed. Tate grabbed the bucket for bathing, opening the cell door and dumping it on Nolan's head. Devin caught the laugh before it fully made its way out of her mouth. I had to bite my lip to not smile and keep my cold calm demeanor.

Nolan growled standing up trying to attack Tate. With the chains and the effects of the bind he was too sluggish still. Tate made his way back out of the cell winking at us. His body turned away from Nolan.

"Awake now?" Tate purred.

"Asshole," Nolan mumbled under his breath. He was soaked. Dripping as he stood in front of us.

Morgan nodded to us moving forward slightly signalling that she was now connected to Nolan and would be able to tell if he was lying. Nolan's eyes sparked with intrigue as he clicked his tongue at Morgan. He fully knew what she was doing.

"I'm surprised Nolan. Surprised that as an Alpha you would allow a witch to bind herself to you," Tate said walking in front of the cell. The color drained for just a moment on Nolan's face before returning to its wicked gleam. An act.

"I didn't exactly agree to that. Go ahead check with your little witch it's the truth," Nolan said. We turned to Morgan who just nodded confirming it was.

"How did she get in a position to do it then?" I asked.

Nolan moved his hands gripping onto the bars. He slowly caressed the one as he watched me with those dark eyes. "I needed a favour. I thought she could help me. Turns out she just agreed to meet with me so she could bind herself to me. Trust me I'll be thanking her for that personally when you let me leave".

"What was the favour?" I pressed.

"You know the favour," Nolan said to me sweetly. I could tell from the corner of my eyes that Tate was clenching his fists. His face remained cool though.

"I need you to say it," I demanded.

"I made a deal with your father years ago. I would help protect him from those who were after him and his family for you. Your father knew it was no secret that I wanted power and was looking for a mate. Devin had been offered but a beta's daughter.... Well I could do better than that," Nolan winked at Devin. Who was glaring daggers at him. A low warning growl left Scott.

"Your father never said where or who you were. I didn't get the chance before he was killed and Darren took over. I held up my end of the bargain your father went looking for trouble. He probably assumed that I wouldn't be able to find you. That you would grow up normal. Totally oblivious to our world. I needed the witch to help locate you".

A chill of disgust ran through my veins. I felt a stab of betrayal. Sure my father had not totally handed me over to Nolan. But he hadn't cared for me enough to have it not even be an option. He valued Braxton and his mate over his bastard child. Over me. I was expendable to him.

"What did she want in exchange for her service?" Tate asked.

"I didn't get that far. She bound me to her before I even had a chance. Next thing I know though I found you in rogue territory. You know the rest from there," Nolan's voice was laced with velvet. I glared at him. Refusing to let the emotion show on my face.

"He's telling the truth," Morgan said.

"What else did she have you do while you were bound to her?" Jillian asked.

"There are things I remember and things she wanted me to forget. There's gaps. Black spots almost in my memory. Anything of importance to her is gone," Nolan said.

"Is there a way for you to get those memories back from him?" Tate said asking Morgan.

"I'm strong but not that strong. Only a high witch has those kinds of capabilities," Morgan said.

"So I told you what you know. Now release me before my pack has the chance to get me out and we can forget this little annoyance," Nolan said.

"Little annoyance!" I lost my temper. "You kidnapped me and tried to force me into submission as your mate!" I had moved up to the bars reaching through pulling on Nolan's shirt so his face slammed into the bars.

"Quite the strong little wolf. You can see now why I was so intrigued to have you as mine," Nolan's words were like venom. I loosened my grip only to slam him harder into the bars again. A small trickle of blood from his eyebrow went down his face.

"I will rip your throat out!" I shouted.

"Hadley," Tate had grabbed me gently. My wolf calmed and I felt the control come back to me slowly. I took a step back releasing Nolan from my grip. Pure amusement filled his wicked smile.

"Now before I let my mate rip your throat out give me a reason to trust you. Why should I let you go?" Tate said his hand rested on the small of my back. I focused on his touch. Trying to keep my wolf in check.

"If you release me I will leave your pack alone".

"And Hadley?" Tate said.

"I will leave her alone as well," Nolan said, his eyes checking me out, as they raked my body.

"What about your ambitions to take over other packs?" Tate pressed firmly.

"Ambitions?" Nolan's eyebrows raised toying with Tate.

"I need your word that Atlas Pack won't be on your list to conquer. Fenris Moon stays in its pack borders," Tate said.

"Tate my expansions have nothing to do with you. If it will get me out of here then fine I will give you a blood oath. No expansions, no attacks on your pack for this matter, no Hadley," Nolan said raising his hand like a scouts honor.

"No Blood Bane either," I said through gritted teeth.

"So eager to protect the pack that was willing to sell you away?" Nolan said to me.

"No Blood Bane". I didn't have time for his tricks or games anymore.

"Fine no you'll have the blood oath," Nolan said. He was keeping his act up but I could see in his eyes he was furious.

"We'll think about it," Tate said quickly as we all left the room.

"Are you kidding me!" Nolan roared.

We made our way back to the sitting room. My body was visibly shaking as the rage pooled off of me. Scott gave me a placed hand on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with understanding. I gave him a small smile of thanks as he made his way next to Devin.

West watched me carefully. The room was silent. "That was badass Hadley. You went full mafia on Nolan. I personally loved it," West teased. The rest of us laughed releasing the tension. I gave West a grateful smile.

"I think we should release him," Tate said carefully. "I want to know what the rest of you think though".

"As much as I hate him the last thing we need is a war between packs. Especially with whatever Jade is up to," Devin said. Scott nodded in agreement.

"I agree. He doesn't deserve it but he should be released," Jillian said.

"So everyone's in agreement?" Tate asked.

Everyone one responded yes and that was that. "I'll escort him off the grounds right away then back to his pack. West and Scott I want you to accompany me. Jillian can you contact the beta of Fenris and let him know we're dropping him off?" Tate said, taking control of the situation.

"I'll go do that," Jillian said, popping off the chair to the other room.

Tate turned towards me then. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked gently.

"No. I can't make any promises I won't lose my temper again. It's probably better if I stay here," I said.

Tate gave me a quick kiss. "Devin stay with Hadley please?"

"Of course," Devin said.

"Jade will know. She'll be watching and see that we gave Nolan back. She's going to do something. And soon," Morgan said nervously.

"We'll be ready," Tate said.