Logan was shocked after my little announcement, but he quickly composed himself and agreed, planning to send out the letters tomorrow morning. He had asked me to watch a movie with him, but I wasn't in the best frame of mind, so I excused myself to bed. He allowed me to sleep in the main bedroom whilst he slept in the spare room on an air mattress; I felt bad, but he insisted.

"Morning," said Logan, smiling at me as I groggily made my way down the stairs, dressed in a set of Heather's pink stripey pyjamas.

"Hi," I yawned, pulling my messy hair into a quick bun on the top of my head.

Logan laughed, shaking his head. "So, I need to rush out to organise sending out the letters. I called some of the packs last night to let them know, just to get the word out faster, but I still need to make a few more."

"Okay," I mumbled, taking a seat on one of the kitchen bar stools, avoiding eye contact with my mate, not wanting him to see right through me.

"I'm going to tell everyone that another Whipping will take place a week from now, in the same location as the last one. I know this is hard for you, but this is going to work Eliza. It will keep you and the pack safe. You'll stay here whilst the event is happening," said Logan, offering me a sad smile.

My eyes widened, but I quickly composed myself, shaking my head. "Why do you have to lock me away?"

"I can't risk you feeling all guilty and volunteering for you pack."

I shook my head, sighing. "Logan, I'm not going to volunteer, I promise," I whispered, trying to come across as convincing as possible.

Logan smirked, shaking his head at me. "Hmm, I don't believe you."

"Do you really think I could go through that again Logan? I seriously think I would die. If this is what is going to keep the pack safe, then fine, just do it, but I would like to watch now that I've given you permission to go forward with the plan."

Logan raised his eyebrows at me, muttering to himself and running his hands through his hair. "We'll talk about it."

I nodded, dropping my gaze, swallowing harshly, not wanting to push it today and seem overly keen, in case I gave myself away.

"I've made you some breakfast," said Logan as he passed me a plate of eggs and toast. "I'll be at my house; you can either stay here for a while and I'll come back after I'm done, or you can come to mine after you've finished your breakfast."

"Thank you. I'll probably stay here for a bit and then come over to yours after if that's okay?" I asked, taking a bite of the toast.

Logan nodded. "Yeah, that's fine. Do you remember your way there?"

"Yeah," I said as Logan made his way to the door, giving me one last smile before exiting.

I continued to eat, shovelling it in now I knew no one was watching. I embraced the sound of silence, quite enjoying the tranquillity. However, it wasn't long before my thoughts were brought back to the Whipping and what I had decided to do. I only hoped that Logan allowed me to come, but I was starting to doubt it, and was worried the event would go ahead whilst I was locked away.

I wouldn't allow my own pack to go through it, I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. I knew nobody would volunteer; we weren't that type of pack, meaning somebody would get chosen at random because of me if Logan didn't allow me to go.

I knew what I was going to do, but I knew Logan couldn't find out. He would stop me. He wouldn't allow me to come to the event if he knew what I was planning on doing. However, I knew he couldn't stop me if I did it in front of everyone; that would only give us away, and the whole point of the Whipping was to trick people into thinking Logan didn't have a mate. So he would be left with the choice of allowing everyone to find out we were mates, or watching me get whipped. I hoped it would be the first option.

Suddenly, I was brought out of my daydream by a loud knock on the front door, almost causing me to drop the piece of toast I was munching on. I had a feeling it was going to be Heather, wanting her stuff back, but I really didn't have the energy for her today. I was not in the mood.

I swung the door open, preparing myself to get yelled at, but my eyes went wide when I saw who was standing in front of me.

"Theo?" I whispered, my mouth hanging open.

"Quick, they're looking for me, let me inside!" begged Theo, pushing past me and slamming the door shut, pressing his sweaty body up against it.

"What the hell are you doing here? How did you get past the border without anyone catching you?" I asked, staring at him angrily.

Theo shook his head, swallowing loudly. "Your father distracted them whilst I ran, but they saw me and chased me, I think I lost them though."

"How did you know where I was?" I asked, shaking my head.

"Water, I need water!" gurgled Theo dramatically as he ran over to the faucet, drinking straight from it like an animal.

"Theo! Answer me!" I yelled.

"Be quiet!" he shushed, pulling the curtains shut. "I saw someone eating like a pig through the window, so I knew it must have been you."

"Very funny," I said as I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, you're going to get yourself killed! Go back!"

Theo shook his head, peeping through the curtains suspiciously. "No way, it's so boring without you. Plus, I don't like the way we left things, I needed to see you."

"I've only been gone one night."

Theo shrugged. "Can't blame me for missing you."

"Where's my father? You said he was the distraction? What if they hurt him?" I asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, he was way ahead of them by the time they figured out something was up, he'll make it back to your territory in no time without a scratch."

"Does Alpha James know you're here?"

Theo shook his head. "No, your father and I thought of this on our own after James decided he wasn't going to get involved anymore, but he'll figure out I'm gone soon enough."

"You have to go back," I growled, shaking my head.

"No, Eliza, I'm staying," announced Theo, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous Theo! That's not how it works, you can't just decide you're going to stay here."

"Eliza, I just want to make sure you're okay. I know what your father has done has hurt you, but please don't leave the pack because of it."

I shook my head, closing my eyes in frustration. "I told you I was going to come back. I need time away from everything Theo. It's too much right now."

"You need time away from me?" asked Theo, sadness flooding his eyes, a smirk making its way onto his face as he chuckled.

"Stop making me feel sorry for you," I laughed. "My brain feels crushed right now. Everything is confusing me."

"I just want to make sure you're safe here. Your parents are really worried about you," mumbled Theo, dropping his gaze.

"I'm taking you to Logan," I said, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out the front door.

"You're still in your pyjamas," joked Theo, pulling him arm out of my grip.

I stared at him, my expression blank.

"Wait, you're serious? Why?" asked Theo, his brows furrowing.

"Trespassing is something that gets people killed Theo! I don't want that! We're going to go and apologise and ask for forgiveness and then you'll leave," I said as I gripped Theo's arm again, tugging him down the gravel path.

"I'll just leave now then, we know what happened last time Logan and I were within three feet of each other."

I shook my head. "They'll have this place surrounded by now. You'll get yourself killed. Logan can get them to stand down and let you leave."

"I'm not afraid of them, Eliza," said Theo, pulling us both to a stop, his frustrated eyes boring into mine.

"Why are you acting so stupid?" I growled, throwing my hands up in the air. I didn't need help. I didn't need saving. I just wanted to be left alone to think until all these thoughts and feelings passed. I was trying to do what I thought was right, but everybody kept trying to drag me in different directions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just care about you Eliza, and I couldn't sleep last night knowing that we left things the way we did. I didn't know if you were safe or happy. It was eating me up inside."

Theo's voice was no soft and emotionless as he sighed, running his hands through his light brown hair in frustration.

"Please Theo, if you care about me, go home," I said, sighing.

Theo nodded, chewing on his bottom lip. "Take me to Logan."

I nodded, leading Theo down the gravel path, trying my best to walk at a normal speed in an attempt to blend in. Several guards walked past us, scanning the crowded village, but I would pull Theo behind me, trying to hide him within the swarm of people. Once we reached the path leading to Logan's home, Theo grabbed my hand, pulling me to face him.

"I'm sorry," said Theo, offering me a small smile before gently nudging me forward, encouraging me to walk on.

I felt awkward, and I didn't like it. Theo was already one of my best friends. He was the one who helped me stay sane and had helped keep my emotions at bay. I didn't like being mad at him.

I knocked on the door, taking a quick step back awkwardly as the door flew open, revealing a furious looking Logan.

"I was told someone was trespassing," he growled, his eyes shifting to a stormy dark grey.

I held my hands up defensively, stepping in front of Theo. "Logan, he's come to apologise. He wanted to make sure I was okay. Please just let him leave."

"You expect me to allow him to trespass on my territory and get away with it?" asked Logan, taking a threatening step forward.

Theo cleared his throat from behind me, stepping around me so he was closer to Logan. "I wanted to ensure Eliza was safe."

"Of course she's safe. She doesn't need you checking up on her," growled Logan.

"Alpha!" came a voice from behind us, and I turned to notice a guard sprinting up the path, his chest heaving. "We've got an injured on the border."

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I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It's a little longer!

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