Axton POV

I push myself harder as I go deeper into the forest that covered my territory. After checking to make sure both Ellie and Zea were still in the house, my wolf pushed me to go for a run and I agreed immediately with him.

I needed to clear my head and think over the information that had been presented to me. I keep running that day seven years ago in my head, trying to come up with just one name. Any enemies I had back then that would go after my mate in this way, but I keep coming up empty.

I had just started to take over the Alpha title from my father at the time. My father had made many enemies as all alphas do, but I hadn't made any as of yet. I can't think of any rogues or packs that would go after Ellie's and my bond this way. Most enemies will attack head on, not fight in the shadows.

Well, we need to think of someone, Knox growls, We need somewhere to start and I need someone to kill for this.

I'm trying, but I don't know who would want our mate bond destroyed.

My conversation with my wolf quiets as we hear rustling in the bush near us. I let out a growl as I lower myself, preparing to attack.

Relax Alpha. It is just me, a copper brown wolf exits the trees and enters the clearing with me.

Walker, what are you doing out here? I ask him.

He puts his snout up, What do you think? Ellie is back and thinks you rejected her. I figured you could use a friend.

How did you know where I was? I ask him.

I've known you for years, Axton. This is always where you come to clear your head, I shake my head as a smirk crosses his face. He knows me too well, So, is she yours?

I look at him for a second before answering, I don't know.

Well did you ask her? Walker says in a matter-of-fact tone.

Of course, I asked her, I scoff, She said I didn't believe her before, why would I now.

That's not exactly an answer, he says.

No kidding.

That's actually not the question that needs answering though, he says.

Which one? I ask him. I don't know which question needed an answer. There has been so many swarming in my head since Ellie arrived that I can't even list all the questions I need answers to at this moment.

If Zea is your daughter, what are you going to do about it? He questions.

What?

You have been thrown for a loop by first losing your mate and then her reappearing only to have a perfect little girl calling her mom with her. You've always wanted kids, Axton, and now you all suddenly have a six year old daughter. So, what are you going to do about it? He asks again.

I hadn't really thought about it to be honest.

What is there to think about? Knox questions in my head, She is our pup!

Ellie and Zea are everything I have ever wanted. The family I always wanted. I have to find a way to make them stay.

Now that's the answer I wanted to hear, he says, causing both of us to give wolfish laughs.

Has word gotten out that Ellie is back? I ask him after I catch my breath.

The entire pack has already heard, he says, I know Reid told us some of the things that happened but has she told you what happened? Have you talked to her yet?

No, you guys saw. All she did was yell at me to stay away from her, I whisper, She left because she believed I had rejected her, I tell him, And I don't know how to prove to her that it wasn't me.

It doesn't make sense. You love her. You would never have done that. She should have known that. She is way too smart to have believed that you didn't want her or that you would threaten to kill her, he pushes.

I growl slightly at his instigation.

He pulls his ears back and lowers his head slightly in submission, I'm just saying. Something had to have happened for her to think that way.

Something did, I tell him, She saw me but it wasn't me.

How could that have happened? Even if someone was pretending to be you, the mate bond would have still been intact.

What are you saying? The mate bond is still there, I ask him, completely confused on where he is going with this.

In order for Ellie to actually believe that it was you, the mate bond would have had to been broken, or at least felt like it had broken, he tells me.

I think this revelation over and come to only one conclusion, A witch or warlock. There were warlocks that helped in the attack on Blue Moon.

He nods his head, It makes sense. For her to see you, it had to be a spell.

But for it to work for such a long time, it had to have been a large spell. I only know a few witches and none of them have the ability to break a mate bond. It is one of the strongest magical bonds in the world, I argue.

Maybe the spell just hid the mate bond so she couldn't feel it. It would hold for long enough that the mate bond would start to fade as you guys stayed away from each other. If Ellie couldn't feel your guys' bond, she wouldn't know the truth, Walker reasons.

I have to talk to her, I tell him as I start to race off in the direction of the pack house.

Good luck. It seems like you are going to need it, he calls out to me as I leave him in the clearing.

*****

I creep up the stairs as quiet as I can. I tiptoe towards the bedroom door sitting across from mine. I can smell both my mate's and Zea's scent sitting right on the other side of this door.

I stare at the white wood, trying to get the courage to open it. I need to see them, but I also know that Ellie doesn't trust me right now. I need to find a way to convince her that it wasn't me.

I raise my fist up and made a move to knock, but a small voice stops my movements.

"Mom?" a soft voice questions.

Zea.

"What is it, sweetie?" Ellie asks her.

Eager to her the sweet jingle of my mate's voice and wanting to hear what Zea needs, I tip my head towards the door and wait to hear the conversation.

"When are we going home?" she asks.

You are home! Knox calls out in my head, trying to push me to barge in the room and make Ellie understand that she and Zea are not going anywhere.

"I don't know if we can, Zea," Ellie answers her, "At least not for a while."

"Why not?"

I hear Ellie release a deep breathe before answering her, "Do you remember the rogues that comes to the pack?" I assume she nods her head, "Well because of them, I don't think we can go back to Blue Moon."

"What about Uncle Madden and Aunt Layla? What will they do?"

"They are going to be fine. You see, your Aunt Layla is going to go home with the warriors Alpha Axton sent and they are going to make sure all the rogues are gone so the rest of the pack are safe."

"Did Aunt Layla leave already?"

"She did," Ellie answers her, "She needs to find Uncle Madden."

"Are we going to stay here?" she asks.

Please say yes, I beg in my mind.

"Do you want to stay here, Zea?"

"I like it here, but I don't know if you do."

"I used to, sweetheart. A long time ago."

"What happened?" Zea asks.

"Well, I found out that I was going to have you," I could picture her gentle smile in my mind as she looks down at Zea.

"Is this where you met daddy?" I perk up at this question. Will Ellie admit that Zea is mine?

"Yes, it is. He was tall and kind and very handsome. When I first met him, it was love at first sight," she sighs.

"When do I get to meet him?" she asks.

"I don't know, sweetie. I don't know if he is the same man anymore. Why don't you get some sleep, and we can talk more in the morning?"

"Okay. Love you, mommy," Zea yawns as I hear the ruffling of sheets.

"Good night my baby girl."

I wait a few more minutes as I listen to the calming sounds of their breathing signaling that sleep is over taking them. I am about to back off into my own room when I hear the soft voice, "Are you the same man, Axton? I truly hope you are."