Chapter 37 +8 Points > Pax snarled again, making Kent's already pounding headache worse. They had worked through lunch and were now pushing dinner time with this alliance. The alpha and beta had both suggested waiting to wrap up the details until tomorrow, but Kent was not going to relent. His phone with Max this morning had set him on edge, worsening the already terrible anxiety he was feeling. Max wouldn't go into details but stressed that the alliance needed to be wrapped up today. He insisted that the pack was fine and that Riley was "hanging in there" - whatever the hell that meant. So Kent had insisted that they keep working on the details, arguing over the types of support they would lend, trading agreements, communication details and dates to re-evaluate the alliance. He found the gamma and alpha fairly easy to agree with, but the beta was firm in details that Kent disliked. Twice already, Alpha Jake had to overrule his beta for the sake of getting through the agreements. Of course, things could go faster if the alpha would have stopped going on tangents and stories about the various she-wolves he had met. Kent was pretty sure if he had to hear one more story, he was going to punch the man in the face. Leo, for his part, was doing his best to keep Kent in check. After Alpha Jake had gone on in some detail about his encounters with Riley, Leo had taken to cutting him off and changing the subject as quickly as possible. A few times Kent was pretty sure he had started growling but he was cut off by sharp looks from Leo. "I think that should just about do it," the beta said, looking over the papers he had just printed off. "All we need to do is sign." Kent's body sagged slightly in relief. He was so ready to be done with this. They all walked up to the alpha's desk to scrawl their signatures. "Will you stay until tomorrow?" Alpha Jake asked, his normal smile in place. "I could introduce you to a couple she-wolves that might keep you company." "No," said Kent tersely. "I need to get back to my pack before there is another attack." The alpha frowned but nodded. "Right. Of course." As soon as they cleared the office, Kent began to dig his cell phone from his pocket. "Thank the Goddess that is over," Leo muttered as they entered the stairwell. "I don't think I could have tolerated that jackass for one more minute." "I was ready to rip his throat out," Kent growled, unlocking the phone as he followed Leo down the stairs. "I would have had your back," Leo said over his shoulder. They walked out on the second floor, heading towards the room as Kent punched the number for Max. "When are we leaving?" Leo asked as he reached his door. "I'm ready..." He tapered off when he saw Kent with his phone to his ear. Kent held up his finger to Leo as the phone rang. Leo leaned back against his door, pulling out his own phone as he waited. 1/3 < Chapter 37 + Points "Hey Kent." Max sounded exhausted, worse than he had in the morning. "Hey Max. We're done. We got the alliance wrapped up today. We're probably going to grab some dinner and then head back. We can probably be back by midmorning." "Great," Max sighed. "I really need you back here." "Will you please tell me what's been going on?" There was a long pause. "Listen, Kent..." He trailed off. "What's going on, Max?" He sighed again. "I had to think about what was best for the pack, ok? I know what we promised you, but we really need this alliance." Kent felt his stomach drop. "What's wrong?" It came out as a growl. "Riley is in the hospital." Kent's chest constricted. Pax whined in his head. Even Leo sensed something was wrong, looking up from his phone to watch Kent. "When did she go to the hospital?" "Last night." Kent was pretty sure he forgot to breathe for a moment. Pax howled in his head. Leo straightened up, his forehead creasing in concern. "Last night?" "Yeah." Max sighed again. "She slept all day yesterday. We got worried when we hadn't seen her so Pat, Penny and I went to check on her. She was in bad shape so we rushed her to the hospital. Lana's been doing tests all day, but as far as I know she hasn't figured out what's going on." Kent felt frozen. A mixture of fear and rage tore through him. Leo leaned forward, grabbing his shoulder. "Alpha, what's going on?" "Why did you wait so long before telling me?" he whispered into the phone, trying to keep his composure. "She didn't want to tell you," Max started. "And you listened to her?" Kent nearly yelled. Why was she still so hell-bent on keeping things a secret from him? His chest ached at the thought that she still didn't trust him. "She pointed out that you would have abandoned the alliance if you knew. You would have come straight back." "Of course I would have," Kent roared into the phone. Leo's hand fell away and he backed up against the door. "She's my f*****g mate!" "And we needed this alliance, Kent!" Max yelled back. "You would have let your emotions cloud your judgement. We have to put the safety of the pack above all else." "I have sacrificed everything for my pack!" Kent screamed. "I have given up most of my life for my pack! I will 2/3 < Chapter 37 not sacrifice her too!" There was a long silence on the other end. "I was just trying to do what was right," Max finally said, his voice soft. "If she dies, I will never forgive you." Kent barely even registered that he was crying. "I know," Max whispered. "Please just get home." "I'm going to f*****g rip your throat out when I get there. Pat's too." "Noted, Alpha." +8 Points > Kent ended the phone call, staring at the floor for a moment, his breath shuddering out of him. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Leo watching him. "I can be ready to go in ten minutes," Leo said calmly. "You can tell me in the car." 1 Comments Get Bonus (Ad) > Vote 543