C11- Stay away!

Elijah's POV

How dare she, asking to be allowed to see Vynessa like she has some legal claim on her. I glare at Agent Black, my voice furm when I respond to her dumb request. "You failed in your duty, Black. Don't give me dumbass excuses." I seethe, feeling angrier than I initially was when I heard of her mistake.

What can be worse than defending a life-threatening mistake?

Agent Black’s black eyes darken as she bows her head, her raven-black hair looking dryer than I remember. I frown at her, it's too easy to read the reluctance in her posture. She doesn't believe she's wrong.

Although she tries to sound humble, her voice is laced with a hint of defensiveness as she speaks, "I sincerely apologize, Alpha. I agree I let my guard down, but I believed the pack guards were keeping watch over her…."

"Stupid!” I curse, my disgust almost palpable once I cut her off. “Such a stupid excuse. I'd never have thought you'd stoop to those." I continue, taking a step closer to her, my eyes hot with fury, as I emphasize each of my next words. "You were supposed to protect her, not rely on others to do your job."

Black runs a hand through her hair, looking like she's at the edge of breaking. And that's what I want, because there's something she's not saying… something I must get out of her this way or the other– no matter how much I'd hate to do that.

"I kept her in your care," I spit, watching her jaw twitch. "She was supposed to be safe with you."

Eventually her face twists in frustration, her eyes flashing with the defiance she'd been hiding so well but like her job, she can only sustain professionalism for a moment. "You told me to stay out of things, Alpha!" She snaps, her voice rising. "You said I was only to focus on being a mother, not to interfere with pack business."

Never in her fifty seven years with me has she raised her voice at me. Whatever has gotten into her head hopefully be fixable or else…

I take another step closer, feeling my blood boil in anger. "You had him at your door!" I growl. "Had you gotten so familiar with your false life that you forgot what a threat at your doorstep looked like?"

Her face reddens, her eyes welling up with very rare tears, but she refuses to back down. Standing her ground, her lips set in a stubborn line, as she maintains her familiar stony silence.

Normally I'd be good with this response but not when I know she's not in alignment with my thoughts. She's suddenly so blind to her mistake.

Her heavy breathing from suppressed anger is the only thing heard for a while, and it pisses me off even more. I can feel my wolf stirring, urging me to take action, to put her in her place, to remind her why I'm called Alpha of the North. But I keep it in check, my eyes never leaving her face.

“She could have lost her life. If every other person acted just as careless.”

"You're blaming me for this?" Agent Black's voice rises, her eyes flashing with indignation. "But why am surprised? Have you forgotten how hard you scolded me when I fought off the Green Bay Pack? Surely not. All that scolding about sticking to the plan and doing nothing outside your command shouldn't be forgotten so easily. I'd informed Kent of the potential danger…”

“I only said not to draw attention to yourself. Not that you can't eliminate a threat literally on your doorstep. This isn't your first slip off either so don't act all righteous.” I stop, sensing a presence outside the door. Klaus. The faint scent of his cologne wafts through my nose, followed by the subtle hint of his natural scent.

My eyes zero in on the door. "Leave," I warn, my voice a low growl.

Klaus knocks on the door, his voice smooth as silk. "Alpha, may I have a word?" He should know by now that his power has no effect on me.

I ignore him, turning my attention back to Agent Black. Just then, my nose picks up on another scent in the air– something sweet and subtle– but I ignore it, my focus returning to the woman in front of me.

"Black, the only reason I welcomed you into this pack was because I believed you were good at what you did– following orders. I remember telling you the day you stop, that same day I'll have you put out. I meant it." I state, suddenly desiring a smoke. "Maybe your previous pack had a genuine reason for throwing you out."

“Don't,” She pleads and I glance away, suddenly remembering the frightened eyes of her twelve-year-old self. Maybe I didn't mean the last thing I said.

Her gaze turns bitter but it's not just pain I see there. It's raw, unbridled anger. If she weren't my subordinate, I have no doubt she'd throw a punch.

With a step back, I reach my study desk. The white document sits still before I pick it up. My annoyed gaze rests on Black just as I say, "From now on, you're banned from stepping close to Vynessa," I tell her, my voice holding the command of my alpha.

Her face goes pale, her eyes widening in fear. "Alpha, please," She gasps, her voice shaking like I've given her the worst punishment. This, is mercy in my opinion. I should punish her worse for her mistake.

"I understand I failed, but please don't take this away from me." She says, “Please don't take her from me.”

I raise an eyebrow. "You should have thought of that before you failed to protect her," I snap at her.

“You don't understand, this is not a job for me. I love Vynessa like my own child." She confesses, her voice thick with emotion. "I've spent these past years protecting her and caring for her. Please, don't take that away from me."

My brows furrow as her passion surprises me. "You should have thought of that before you let your guard down, Black." I repeat, my voice firm but slightly less harsh. "And stop acting like this. We both know too well that Vynessa isn't yours," I remind her. "From now on she's under my protection."

“Give me something else. Please, anything but this.”

"Have you forgotten you killed her parents?" I demand, my voice rising.

A tear falls from her eyes. "On your order, Alpha!" she spits, her voice venomous. "I was following orders. And I regret it every single day that I've known that lovely child whose parents I killed. Four years ago you couldn't give a care, so why do you suddenly care now?"

My words get stuck in my throat as my ears twitch to the faint sound of sobbing coming from outside the door.

Black's eyes widen as she too picks up Vynessa's sounds. Her sobs are soft, but they're unmistakable, and they pull on my heartstrings like nothing else can.

Black rushes to the door, swiftly pulling it open. Klaus, who's standing in the doorway, mutters under his breath, "I tried to tell you," but I pay him no mind.

My eyes are glued to Vynessa, who's standing in the hallway, shivering like a leaf. Her eyes are wide with fear, and her petite body trembling with each ragged breath.

Black's face contorts in a mixture of anguish and longing as she takes a step forward, her arms outstretched. "My baby," She stutters, but Vynessa's response is immediate and vehement.

“N...no!" She shouts, her voice shrill with fear. "Stay away!" She looks between Agent Black and me, her eyes darting back and forth like a trapped animal.

I can feel my heart twisting in my chest, seeing Vynessa so scared and vulnerable. Black takes another step forward, her hands still outstretched, but Vynessa's response is immediate. She takes two steps back, her gaze holding mine. Her gaze is like a dagger, piercing my heart with a mix of accusation and betrayal.

Suddenly there's a spike up of the ache in my chest, an ache I've never experienced before.

As Vynessa's eyes bore into my soul, I'm overwhelmed by the feeling of guilt. But she had to find out someday, I tell myself. Still that doesn't make it any easier to see the pain in her eyes.