The Shadow Alpha
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

“I'm fine, are you okay?" she looked up at him anxiously. He nodded placing a chaste kiss on herforehead, “Jake, I swear I didn't know what he was planning. He was just so nice; I thought that hewas just being friendly. I never thought that he could be planning something so devious.” Sherushed hysterically and turned to me, “Alpha Allison, I am so sorry, I never meant for any of this tohappen.” She was a lovely girl, perfect for my brother and I knew she was telling the truth.

I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled a gentle smile, “It's okay Rosie, I know youhad nothing to do with this. It's obvious that he isn't an expert criminal, he was just a victim oftemptation and it made him stupidly confident.” I declared, a tad bit disappointed.

“Thank you Alpha, for saving Jake. I don't know what I would do without him.” She confessedemotionally and Jake pulled her closer.

“It's a small price to pay for all he's done for me.” I grinned up at him and he puffed out his chestenjoying my praise in front of his mate.

“You live for a grand entrance, don't you?" an amused voice spoke behind me and I smirked.

"Of course! The element of surprise is the lifeline of any drama.” I remarked smugly and he threw hishead back laughing.

“It's good to have you back Alpha. For a moment there, I really thought we'd lost you.” he admittedwith an undertone of fear.

“You're not getting rid of me that easily, Oilver.” I teased haughtily. His eyes flashed with certaindarkness, but he blinked it away before I could register what it meant and turned his gaze to Rosie."Are you okay Roseanna?” he enquired seriously and she glimpsed up at Jake before sending him asincere smile.

“I am perfect now Oli.” He nodded and locked eyes with me, sending me a meaningful look beforehe turned and walked away, leaving me to stare at his back as he disappeared into the pack house."What was that about?” Mom asked and everyone looked at me with the suspicion that was evidentin her voice.

“Nothing.” I rushed out and felt my cheeks heat up slightly.

“She's blushing!” Hunter exclaimed and they all laughed at my annoyed grumbling. The whole while,Devin just stood with his hands clenched and his jaw locked.

“Come on guys, can't a girl catch a break? I just had a near death experience; I deserve to havesomeone look at me like they're glad I'm alive.” I raved defiantly and held my hand to my chest withmy nose upturned.

"Hey! We're all happy that you are alive!" Hunter and Jolene exclaimed in unison which made megiggle.

“We really are honey. You know when that doctor told us that your health was deteriorating, we lostall hope.” Mom revealed and I sighed.

“It's okay mom, I understand.” I reassured her with a soft smile, resisting the urge to wrap my armsaround her.

"How did you get here without being noticed and how in the world did you know about hismotives?” Jake asked, sounding as bewildered as the situation.

I chuckled and smirked slightly, “Well... While I was unconscious I could still hear everything that wasgoing on around me and I was able to mind link Jake. I recovered before Shadow did and that's whyI was still unconscious. I heard the argument between Jake and him and that made me suspicious.So since Shadow had just woken up, we tapped into his mind and after listening for a good whilehis motives were clear, his reasons not really, but I knew what he wanted to achieve. Shadow wasawake and after a few days she regained her strength enough for us to wake up. I was awake sincelast night, but stayed put for the sake of this plot.” I disclosed with a shrug.

“That's seriously amazing, are you ever not ahead of the situation?” dad asked slightly stunned and Igiggled.

"Hmm dad, being smart is a gift from the Goddess.” I boasted arrogantly and they rolled their eyes."Yeah, yeah, Miss Smarty pants. You just go and get settled in, I'll brief you about everything laterbefore you go for the conference.” Jake advised and with a nod from me, they left and went theirseparate ways.

All, but Devin.

“Devin.” I called when he said nothing and continued to stare at the ground with his fists clenched.His head shot up at my curious tone.

“I'm glad you're okay.” he breathed and turned to leave, but I caught his wrist before he could takea step.

“Thank you Devin.” His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and I clarified, “For being with me in battle,without your support, I would never have been able to do it.” I expressed and he shook his head.“You don't have to thank me Allison, ever.” He sighed in frustration. “I'm really pleased that you'realright.” he muttered and strode off before I could reply.

“What was that all about?” I wondered out loud.

"He hasn't been himself for a while now.” Tatiana’s voice answered from behind me and my gazebroke from the vacant space where he stood mere seconds ago.

“What do you mean?” I inquired. This behaviour of his was quite strange; in fact he's been actingout of character since the day we attacked April and Austin.

I expected him to be upset, but an entire personality shift was not something I expected, this wasn'tthe Devin I knew.

“It took awhile for him to come around, but he's gotten much more comfortable with the idea of mebeing his mother. He hasn't outright spoken to me or anything, but he has at least acknowledgedmy presence and I am happy for that. I must admit however, I have been observing him and he'sbecome... Quieter I guess. He hardly speaks to anyone anymore and spends a lot of time in theforest and when he is around, he always seems to be far away. If the pack needs anything they go toBeta Hunter since Devin has a constant mental wall up.” She revealed, her eyes held deep concernand it was starting to bother me too.

I sighed heavily and met her gaze, feeling emotionally exhausted, “I don't know if I have it in meanymore Tatiana.” With a long, hard look at me she sighed and nodded solemnly.

I didn't know if I had it in me to be his strength, to forgive him anymore...