Page 14 of Framed and Forgotten (Ashen Wolves #3)

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A V R I L

As if I didn’t already have enough to worry about, my gamma barged in with yet another problem, dropped into my lap like a new crisis.

Elijah was responsible for keeping track of everything related to the outside world.

Since Azure Smoke remained unreachable due to our anonymity, staying informed about circulating news within werewolf society was crucial.

The more we knew, the better we could prepare for any eventualities - or in this case, find a way to protect our identity now that suspicions about us were starting to arise.

It turned out the Elder Council had issued a statement expressing their desire to visit Azure Smoke.

I had no idea why they were itching to learn more about my pack so suddenly.

Did I fail to sell my story well enough at the last meeting?

Or had something else provoked them into pursuing us? Whatever it was, I had to act.

For the next couple of days, we discussed the issue while my team gathered any information they could find on it. I dove headfirst into the matter, devoting all of my energy to it - not necessarily because I was concerned, but because it provided a great escape from the drama with my mate.

After our argument, Koen worked with us as he had every other time before, until the day of his trip came.

Not even the danger knocking at our door was enough to change his mind, though I couldn’t say I was surprised.

His weekend getaway was already planned before he even discussed it with me, and to be honest, there was nothing he could actively do to help had he stayed behind.

I was conflicted. Instead of trying to talk him out of leaving, I told him to focus on his son while I handled the issue with my friends.

I wasn’t sure if I expected him to realize I needed him, or if I actually wanted to prove to myself that I could still handle my duties without him.

And while it wasn’t as hard as I feared, I couldn’t say it was as easy as I’d hoped.

I had learned to lean on Koen. When I brought him into my world, he offered to share the workload.

He was always there when a problem emerged - and now, he wasn’t.

My team was fully at my service, making it impossible to feel alone.

But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the absence of the one who had grown to be the most important person in my life.

It affected me more than I wanted to admit.

And it didn’t help that, as time slipped away while I decoded this new problem, my mind often wandered back to how Koen’s trip was going.

Focus, Avril , I reminded myself, turning my attention to my friends. They had just arrived, attentive and patient as they gathered in my office, awaiting my command. We had deliberated long enough; it was time to act.

“Okay,” I began, not bothering to take a seat. “It’s been over forty-eight hours since the Council published their note. If we don’t answer them, they will take matters into their own hands,” I observed, trying to mask my stress.

Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t uncover the Elders’ reasons for wanting to visit Azure Smoke.

Not understanding their reasons made it harder for us to formulate an effective response, but we could no longer afford to delay.

They had already warned us of their intentions, and if we didn’t act soon, they might start searching for our territory - if they hadn’t begun already.

Still, there was one thing we could use in our favor - the same card I’d played at the meeting.

As Alpha of Azure Smoke, I wasn’t legally obligated to reveal my pack’s location, including welcoming the Elders onto my lands.

However, simply denying their request without explanation or showing no willingness to work with them would be suspicious at best.

“We’ll stick to our usual argument: that we want to preserve our anonymity for as long as possible, making their visit impractical,” I informed my team. “But we’re willing to assist them with any other requests, as long as it doesn’t compromise our status.”

“That should give us some insight into what they want as well,” Rhea pointed out. “Depending on their answer, we’ll know why they’re suddenly so interested in us.”

I nodded. “It’s not a flawless response, but at the very least, it should buy us some time to figure out their intentions.”

With a sigh, I handed the letter I had just signed to Theo. As we had done in the past, he would take it to Whispering Hills territory and send it out from there. Then, we’d just have to wait for the Elder’s reply.

Once the issue was settled, I excused my team.

Not quite ready to leave yet, I turned to the window.

Footsteps filled the office, growing softer until they disappeared entirely.

The door clicked shut, but I wasn’t alone as I’d expected.

I could still feel someone’s presence, and I knew exactly who had lingered behind.

“Theo will be leaving for Whispering Hills shortly,” I informed my gamma without turning around. “You should accompany him.”

“And leave you with one less helping hand?” Elijah retorted.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine on his own today.

” He paused briefly. I wasn’t quite sure why he’d stayed, but he made no ceremony of subtly stating his purpose.

“Sometimes, we need to be there for someone other than our mates, no matter how deeply that cuts us.”

It seemed we were about to have one of those talks.

“If this is about Koen, I want you to know that I’m okay,” I blurted out, trying to avoid the conversation.

“Of course you are. You always excelled at your role, even before he came along. From the moment you were thrown into our world, you stepped into your destiny flawlessly,” he praised, his words lifting a weight I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Unfortunately, I barely had time to enjoy the feeling as he soon reminded me, “But a lot changed when he became part of your life, too. You don’t need to pretend you’re not overwhelmed by him taking time out to care for a pup who isn’t yours. ”

“Fine.” I finally turned around, throwing my hands into the air in frustration. “I won’t. But I can’t afford to worry about it either, Eli,” I stressed, my voice wavering slightly. “Whether I need Koen or not, there are people counting on me. We have bigger issues at hand than my relationship.”

“Doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to be equally dedicated to both,” Elijah insisted, wise as ever.

When he stepped toward me and grasped both of my hands, I could feel his support radiating through me.

“So, if you need to work on your relationship with Koen, let me remind you: the pack will be fine if you need to step away for a while, Avril.”

Before I could argue, he went on, “I don’t think they would take it lightly if they found out their future alpha consort is mingling with regular wolves from his past. But they don’t need to know. This is between you and Koen”

I was taken aback. Was my gamma suggesting that I should deceive my family? No, that wasn’t quite it. He was merely showing me that I didn’t have to discuss every detail of my personal business with them. Yes, Koen was supposed to be their future leader. But before that, he was my mate.

Since Koen started leaving the pack to spend time with his son, I never disclosed his reasons.

Whenever someone asked, I’d simply say he was on a mission, spying on the regular wolves to gather information and help keep us safe.

My lies stemmed from a pure instinct to protect my mate’s reputation within Azure Smoke.

Only my friends knew the truth, and though I hadn’t explicitly told them not to discuss it, they respected my secret.

Now, Elijah was proving they were not only keeping their mouths shut but also willing to cover for him - for us - for the sake of our relationship and the integrity of the pack.

Still, there was an undeniable truth.

“I won’t be able to hide the truth from them forever,” I murmured, feeling half guilty and half worried.

“It’d be fine if it was just for a few weeks, but…

” My heart ached, making it harder to finish my sentence.

“The more time goes by, the less I believe we’ll be able to work through this situation. ”

“Oh, Avril…” He released my hands to cradle my face, forcing me to look directly at him. “You have a habit of dreading the worst. Whenever it comes to your own happiness, you automatically assume it isn’t meant to be the second things get a little harder.”

I winced as his accusation hit me like a shock of reality.

Although I didn’t usually give up as an alpha, I found myself quite the quitter when it came to something I wanted.

The first time I couldn’t ignore my personal desires was when I decided to pursue Koen.

So why was it so hard to keep fighting for us now?

“Your love for Koen has defied everything you believed in and changed you for the better,” Elijah said, his voice thick with conviction.

“Please don’t tuck your tail just because a secret pup has been added to the mix.

” His eyes held mine, filled with an intensity that made my heart ache.

“I’m not saying it’s easy, but you two will learn to navigate this challenge together. You’re mates, Avril.”

Just when I thought he was done, he added, “And if it ever gets too much to manage the pack and your relationship, just remember we are here for you. Theo, Rhea, and I… we can keep things from falling apart while you figure everything out.”

His words enveloped me like a warm embrace, anchoring me amidst the storm of my racing thoughts. I felt the reassuring weight of his support, a steady presence in the turbulent sea of my uncertainty.

Lighter, I whispered, “Thanks, Eli.”

At that moment, I remembered I wasn’t alone in this fight. I wasn’t sure where to begin, but I wouldn’t give up - not this time. I might have lost faith in Koen’s love for me over the past few days, struggling to see a way out for us, but I was suddenly determined to believe in better days ahead.