CHAPTER 53


    CATHERINE


    I am almost done staring a hole in the wall when they all walk in. I run a cursory nce over them


    all and see that they are all right.


    Without hesitation, I throw myself into Damon''s arms.


    "I was so worried," I cry as I bury my head in his chest.


    His armse around me, pulling me deeper into the hug. "It''s alright," he coos. "Everything is


    okay. At least for now."


    When the rm had red through the mansion, startling both Diana and me, I had the worst


    thoughte to mind.


    That Vance had nned an attack.


    Only for it to be much worse, instead of one pack, it was twelve.


    Twelve packs dating for blood.


    Raising my head to look at him, I ask. "What happened? Why did theye here? What did they


    want?"


    "The Collector moved faster than we anticipated," he says before taking my hands and leading me


    to the living room, the rest trailing behind him.


    "What do you mean?" I ask as we take our seats.


    "He had letters sent to all affected packs telling them I was the one who kidnapped their women."


    "And they believed? Just like that?"


    "Maybe, maybe not," he says, sighing. "As far as they were concerned, it was an opportunity to tear


    me down and so they took it."


    "But that''s terrible!"


    "It is what it is."


    "What about Vance?" I ask. "What was his take? Why did he evene here?"


    "Vance was a… surprise," he says with a contemtive air.


    "How so?"


    "He apologized. For the actions of his father and told me he had no desire to have any blood feud


    with me."


    "Huh?"


    "He also said The Collector visited him personally, that is why he came. To tell me that a plot was


    happening against me and that he didn''t believe the allegations."


    "That is surprising," I say


    "How did he know it was The Collector that visited him?" Diana asks.


    "One of his own was killed by The Collector and he recognized the scent."


    "Why didn''t he just kill him then?"


    "Something about his wolf warning him against that. This is just a whole mess," Damon says with a


    deep sigh.


    "The question is," Craig starts. "Do we believe him? Do we believe he was sincere in his words? Do


    we believe he had nothing to do with The Collector?"


    "I… think so. As for those questions are entailed, I believe him," Damon answers.


    "Me too," Tobias says.


    "We need to do something about this collector. Maybe have his profile drawn and distributed. To


    have everyone on guard," Monroe says.


    "Luna," Craig says as he looks at me. "Since you were kidnapped by him, could you help us with


    the drawing?"


    *Unfortunately, I can''t. During my whole period with them, there was a bag over my head. I don''t


    even know how the ce looked, much less his face."


    "So the only one who knows what he looks like is Alpha Vance," Diana remarks.


    "I will give him a call," Craig says.


    Damon nods at him in acknowledgment before continuing.


    "Now we have the bodies to think about," he says.


    "We can take our people with us," Craig says. "As for the rest…"


    "We will have the central morguee pick them up. The sooner they are off thisnd, the better I


    can breathe," Diana adds.


    "It has been a long day," Tobias remarks as he stands up. "I believe it is time we left."


    We all stand up with him and follow them out of the mansion.


    "I can''t tell you how much your presence and support today means to me," Damon says as we


    reach their cars. "The ckwater pack is in your debts."


    "Please, that is too dangerous. We will settle for being allies," Craig says.


    "Allies?" Damon repeats.


    "Yes, allies. What do you say?"


    He exchanges a nce with me before focusing on them.


    "It would be my honor."


    "Luna, Diana, it was a pleasure. Please send my regards to The Falcon will you," Craig says as he


    gets into his car and drives off.


    "That is true," Damon says as he begins looking around, searching for something. "Where did she


    go?"


    "Where did who go?" I ask.


    "The Falcon. She was with us at the gate, but I didn''t see here in with us. And when did she


    have four more people join her entourage?"


    I shrug my shoulders at his question before following Diana inside.


    I stay away from The Falcon. She freaks me out.


    I copse on the sofa and not too long after Damon joins me.


    "You didn''t say," I start as I turn to stare at him fully. "How did Vamce help you when you were


    challenged at the gate?"


    "He affirmed that The Collector was real and that was why he was here. His presence, even after


    we two were rumored as sworn enemies, confused them. Mother and The Falcon joining us, put


    them all in their ce."


    I release a sigh as I adjust myself to rest my head on his shoulders, bringing me closer to his face.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "I am d. The thought of violence and bloodshed makes me so ufortable," I tell him.


    "I promise you, I will do my very best so that you never have to see that again,'''' he whispers, his


    breath puffing out against my face.


    We both stay silent, gazing at each other. He has such beautiful eyes, it is so easy to get lost in


    them.


    In the haze of our gazing, we inevitably move closer to each other, our lips a hair''s breadth away


    from touching.


    "Are you confident you can finish what you are about to start?" I ask my voice low.


    "I like my odds," he answers.


    He moves closer, ready to close distance when the front door ms open, with force.


    We have a split second to pull away from each other before Mel and Faye barge in.


    "What the fuck happened in here?!"