Chapter 10

Adelaide "But I want to learn, I want to grow with this knowledge." She focused back on the camera. "I want to think of you all as my family. You may not support me, but I support you." She rolled up her sleeves, showing off her scars to the camera. "For those who are not happy. Who are scared to fight their own monsters. Who can't speak up. Let me be your voice. Let me be that person you can rely on." "Turn off the camera." Velma told the cameraman. Adelaide met his gaze head on and he hesitated. He kept the camera rolling. "I don't know what it means to be in a pack, but I ask for your guidance. All I wish is to make you all proud." She inclined her head. The cameraman cut the line, lowering the camera and stared at Adelaide for a long moment. The whole crew was staring. She could feel her heart slamming against her chest. One by one they each inclined their necks at her. She stared dumbstruck as she moved her eyes around the room until they stopped on Velma. She had her note cards crumbled up in her hand, staring daggers at Adelaide . She rolled her sleeves back down, turning to the producer. "Thank you for having me. I'll be leaving now." She headed for the exit before stopping and looking back at him. "I'll do more interviews with you, but Velma is no longer allowed to interview me or Alpha Geoff anymore." She met Velma's shocked expression one last time before leaving the building. You did well, my Queen. Hearing his wolf praise her made tears come to her eyes. She felt so relieved that it was over, but she worried about the aftermath. As she reached the main floor, Adelaide found Damion playing with Elias and Erica pacing back and forth. When she met her best friend's eyes, Erica beamed a beautiful smile and bone rushed her. "You crazy ass woman. That was amazing!" She cheered for her, hugging her hard. Adelaide let out a weak laugh. "I'm shaking, Erica." She held up her trembling hands. Erica grabbed them and clapped them together. Damion walked over with Elias sitting on his shoulders. "That was super ballsy. Kudos. To the park?" Damion asked the question toward Elias. He nodded, playing with Damion's hair. Erica linked her hand with Adelaide 's. "You're so strong. I'll be sure to thank Geoff when he gets back." She said to her. Adelaide smiled at that. Adelaide sat on a bench off to the side as Damion took Elias to the playground where other wolf pups were. She watched as he hid behind Damion as the others tried to sniff him. She frowned, worried that they might judge him for not having shifted like they were. Erica walked over, handing her a steaming cup. Adelaide smelled hot chocolate instantly. "What's the next plan?" She asked as she sat beside her. Adelaide sipped her drink, letting out a blissful sigh. Her stomach was still stirring, even after the live interview. "I want to focus on the wedding now." She said as she sat back. "But don't you still need the approval of the Alphas?" Erica reminded her. Adelaide let out a groan, checking her phone. No message from Geoff again. "Yeah. Should I have gone with him? Would it have been more productive?" She asked her. Damion made his way back over and sat on the other side of Erica. Adelaide watched Elias run around with the other children, laughing. She smiled to herself. "It would have been a difficult call, but having Geoff leave you behind was a smart choice." Erica told her, snuggling against Damion. He wrapped his arm around her, kissing her hair. "I feel like I can still contribute though." She peered down at her phone. "Damion, can you call Geoff and set up a conference with him and the other Alphas for tonight?" Adelaide asked him. Damion raised a brow at her as he pulled his phone out. "I can try." He got up and walked off as he made his call. Shouting drew the women's attention to the playground as two wolf pups had Momo between their teeth and were pulling on it. Elias was crying, begging them to stop. Other she-wolves looked over, unsure of what was happening, but Adelaide didn't hesitate. She bolted out of her seat, dropping her drink in the process. She had the need to protect Elias, to save his toy. RIP! Momo tore in half, his stuffing piling onto the snow. The two wolf pups had their ears laid back and staring at Elias with their tails between their legs. Adelaide heard others approach them, but soft snarling startled her. She peered down at Elias as he hunched over, his body shaking. He was whimpering and snarling, something he'd never done before. "Elias? Are you okay?" She rested her hand on his back. Time seemed to slow down as his clothes tore beneath her hand, black fur sprouting from under it. Her eyes widened as Elias continued to snarl, his body shaking hard. Her eyes went to Momo, still being held by the two wolf pups. "Can you let that go, please?" She asked them. They dropped it, backing away slowly. She reached over to pick up Momo when Elias lashed out, burying his fangs in her arm. She gasped, letting out a yell. "Adelaide !" Erica shouted, running over. The she-wolves scooped up their wolf pups, stepping away from them. Adelaide looked down at Elias, his eyes wild. She reached over and brushed her fingers through his fur. His ears laid back and his eyes finally refocused. He released her arm, fear setting in as he looked up at her. He started to whimper and cry, but she continued to comb her fingers through his hair. "It's okay, Elias. It's okay." She said softly, hoping her words would soothe him. Elias started to howl like he was sobbing his eyes out. Adelaide showed him Momo. "I can fix him. Would you like that?" She asked him. His ears twitched, so she took it as a good sign. Damion came running over, sliding up beside her. "I'll call up Nathan." He told her as he was already dialing. Adelaide nodded and looked back to Elias. She opened her arms to him. He hesitated, looking at her with his tail buried between his legs. "Let's go home, okay?" She said. Elias whined, moving into her space. She cradled him in her arms and stood up. "I'm sorry for the trouble." Adelaide apologized to the she-wolves. "Is he okay?" One asked as her wolf pup peered around her. "He'll be okay. This was his first shift, so he's probably just scared more than anything." Adelaide told her. Erica walked around and picked him Elias' tattered clothes. "Luna, you handled that so well." The other woman said, picking up the stuffing that was in the snow and handed it over. "You have our support." She told her. Adelaide smiled at her before heading home. Elias snuggled against her chest, his breathing finally evened out. She rubbed her cheek against his nose. This felt... right.