Chapter Thirty-Two

CASPIAN POV

I don't even care who won the obstacle course I am still strung up on the fight I cannot believe that she beat me and though I want to sulk away, I know it won't look good, unlike my father who stormed off moments ago I need to try and keep a bit of my dignity, not that I have much left after losing that fight, how did she do it? Grabbing some food, I head over to a listening distance of Jenni to eat, I watch Cayden in the distance shuffle through the test sheets still not convinced that there was no cheating.

"As requested by Scott I'm going to tell you a story about King Axel and Queen Alexi." And my interest snaps to her eager to hear what she is going to say, will I finally get some insight into the Royals. Looks like I may finally find out what I have been dying to know for years.

"Yes" the pups cheer whilst the others owh and ah, the sudden interest on Jenni magnifies tenfold with everyone wanting to listen, before I know it all the wolves around us quickly find a place to settle around her and the pups, all eager to hear her story as me and the pups are.

"It was a stormy night like no other before or after it, the wind howled so fiercely that you could almost believe it was a wolf's cry by the piercing sound it made. Unknown to the royal kingdom the rogues used the storm to their advantage to cross onto the territory whilst everyone slumbered in their beds after spending the day celebrating the birth of the Royal baby." Taking a sip of her drink I swear I see a flicker of pain flash in her eyes "It was rumoured across the lands you see that the heir to the throne would bring the downfall of them. The enemy in the shadows were slowly developing in numbers and power. Not only this they were gaining support to rid the world of the King and Queen believing that their rule would be better."

"Not wanting to take any chances for the baby to wreck their plans a select few decided it was best to take action now and destroy the child before it could destroy them…" I don't know how long she takes telling the story so engrossed with it that I forgot to even eat the food on my plate sitting in front of me but then she stops abruptly just as she gets to the bit where the rogues have been chased out of the kingdom to disappear without a trace "…but the rest of the story will have to wait another day otherwise I will run out of stories to tell you for another time and it's getting late" All the pups groan in unison and I find myself groaning alongside them, I need to know the rest.

"How does she know this?" I hear and observe out of the corner of my eye as some wolves eye each other before glancing back at Jennifer, "Was she or should I say them close to the royal pack?" Hmmm…interesting I think I need to persuade her to talk to me further, but I know I am going to need to apologise first, I still have to hold my end of the deal I made, I wonder what her two favours are going to be. Phone buzzing in my pocket I slide it out to find Celeste ringing and I glare at it annoyed, I hate the fact that she keeps bothering me I know everyone attends me to choose her as my mate and she is fun to be around, but I want to wait a little longer in case my mate shows up. Shoving the phone in my pocket I stand up and head towards her.

"Before you all leave, I have…well I have an apology to make. I am sorry for the way I have reacted and talked to you Jennifer. Please can you forgive me."

"Yeah, course I can and about those favours"

"Whatever you want" I tell her without thinking, shocked she accepted my apology so quickly. I see the smirk of Alpha Joe and Chris and start to panic what I have gotten myself into.

"One I want you to spend all day tomorrow with your brother. Two I want you to leave the pups alone."

"Wait what now?" did I just hear her right?

"You heard me. Right pups' bedtime." They all look at each other before looking back at her "Camp out?" she sighs they all nod back "ok check with your guardians, then grab your stuff and bring it here. We will use the warmth of the fire. Danny you can grab my stuff from my room to use. Sam and Conner will help you."

"Yay!" they run off and I am still standing here like a lemming, she could have asked for anything.

"Your two favours are for me to spend time with my brother and to leave the pups alone."

"Yep" she says popping the p "the pups are happy, so I don't want you upsetting them. And your brother has missed you, this way you don't have to find time in your alpha schedule. You are holding up yours and your packs honour in fulfilling a favour."

"That is...Which was the original favour?" I ask now intrigued and to be honest more than shell shocked at what she has asked for.

"The pups. I had planned to organise getting you and Danny sometime together somehow. Then with the fight I saw the perfect opportunity, so took it." She dismissively says before moving away and clearing an area. Shifting I head out for a run to clear my head, today has been an eye-opening experience and in a way a little over whelming with everything I have learnt and seen.

Peeking out from between the trees I watch the pups settle but realise Danny is struggling and holding onto his ribs before I can make it to him, I see Jenni making her way across to him.

"Hey bud. Can I see?" she whispers, concern sketched across her face, I creep slowly forward worried that something is wrong but not wanting to interrupt him telling her.

"I'm ok" he says not meeting her eyes.

"Danny, you know I know better." She sighs raking a hand down her face "I'm sorry I left you behind-I never thought-" she stops what she is saying, and I want to shout at her to continue, desperate to know what she was going to say and what she knows of what is wrong with my brother.

"It's not your fault" he hiccups, and I can tell he is trying to hold it together.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes." She reaches forward and lifts his shirt up and I have to swallow down my growl, why is my brother covered in bruises, she brushes her fingers gently across them. Then holds her hands out to him.

"Grab my hands, Danny." He places his hands in hers and then I hear him gasp before she collapses backwards her body being caught just in time by her brother.

"It is ok Danny. She is just drained. How are you feeling?" I watch as my brother lifts his shirt up to find all the bruising gone.

"How?"

"She just lent your wolf enough energy to heel you faster she has done it for us in the past it just takes a lot out of her and knocks her out." I watch as a wolf curls up behind her allowing Sam to lean her back onto him. "Thanks Shadow."

Creeping up to them I whimper as I get closer a growl comes from the one Sam called Shadow, I watch as she reaches up and scratches behind his ears, his growling instantly turning into a purr. Nuzzling my nose against Danny's stomach, I gaze up at him with sorrow in my eyes.

"I am ok" Danny tells me scratching my ears, I feel her hand clasp my fur and my wolf purrs immediately confusing me, but I haven't got the time to think why he is acting this way at the moment, Danny needs to be my priority.

"Is she really going to be ok Sam?"

"Yeah, she just needs a goodnight's sleep."

"But-" her hand leaves me and reaches for Danny pulling him towards her so he is nestled next to her and cuddles him to her making him sigh in relief, crawling forward I curl up in front of Danny his hand curling up into my fur just as hers is in Shadow's. Even in her sleep she takes care of him. How did she know about my brothers' injuries, some of them looked days old, why didn't he tell me?