Saving Tragedy Chapter 105

**Ashton's POV**

The phone call ended with a sharp click, my finger lingering over the receiver for a moment longer than necessary. 

The voice of Alpha Taylor was still lingering in my mind, his words as fulfilling as I had hoped: "I'll have my warriors posted along the old Moon Lust borders by sunrise. If they're stupid enough to try heading there, then they won't get through easily."

I trusted him, as much as I trusted anyone outside of my own pack who had never wronged me. But trust didn't lessen the weight on my shoulders or the tension tightening like a noose around my neck. 

The escape was a direct insult to my authority. They had successfully embarrassed my title and pack, after each phone call to a new Alpha - having to explain that a prisoner had managed to escape from my 'inescapable' cells... 

Jacob was out there somewhere, trampling mud across my name, and if he thought for one second that he could make his way back to the ashes of Moon Lust for shelter, then he was sorely mistaken.

But that would only be assuming that Moon Lust was where he was even headed... 

We didn't yet know for sure what their next move was, which made it all the more bitter! 

I dragged a hand down my face, inhaling deeply to calm the tempest inside me. The moon hung high outside my office window, spilling pale light across the room. This wasn't over — not even close — but I'd taken the first steps toward reeling Jacob back in and all I had to do now was wait patiently for a lead... 

The house was quiet as I climbed the stairs, a faint hum of laughter reaching my ears as I neared Tommy's room on the second floor - checking my wristwatch to find that it was now way past his bedtime. 

I stopped at the doorway, leaning against the frame as the scene unfolded before me. Rose sat cross-legged on the edge of Tommy's bed, the faint glow of a bedside lamp casting a golden halo around her hair. A book was open in her lap, her voice weaving through the words with a warmth that made the icy tension in my chest thaw, if only slightly.

Tommy and Zander were a tangled mess of limbs, sprawled out across the blankets. Zander's giggles spilled out like a bubbling brook as Tommy whispered something in his ear, their energy far too high for the late hour.

"Alright, boys, settle down," Rose said, her tone light but firm as she turned the page.

"But it's a sleepover!" Tommy protested, his bright grin — so much like mine — sparkling with mischief.

"Yeah! We don't have to sleep yet!" Zander chimed in, grinning up at Rose.

Rose arched a brow, her lips twitching with a barely concealed smile. "Sleepovers still involve some sleeping, you two. If you don't calm down, there won't be any fun tomorrow."

Their groans of protest were cut off by another bout of laughter, and Rose shook her head with a sigh, though the affection in her gaze was unmistakable.

I stayed in the doorway, unnoticed, watching the three of them like an outsider peering into a moment of pure, unfiltered happiness.

For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to let go of the anger simmering beneath my skin. The weight of my title, the betrayal, the hunt for Jacob — all of it faded into the background as I took in the scene before me, reminding myself of how far Rose had come in her life... having chose to spend it with me. 

Rose glanced up then, her eyes meeting mine across the room. Her expression softened, the corners of her mouth lifting in a gentle smile. "Hey," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper so as not to disturb the boys in their rambling chatter.

"Hey," I replied, stepping into the room to finally make myself known. 

Tommy noticed me first, his face lighting up as he scrambled to his knees. "Dad!" he called out, his excitement infectious.

"Hey, buddy," I said, moving towards him as he suddenly stood, jumping up and down on the bed before I playfully pushed him back to land on his butt again. Zander joined in next too, moving to tackle my side, as I chuckled watching the pair struggle against me. 

Rose stood, closing the book and setting it aside. She gave me a knowing look as I wrestled playfully with the boys, their giggles filling the entirety of the room. "They've been like this for the past hour," she said, shaking her head with mock exasperation.

"Yeah, but he get's his wild side from you," I teased, earning an eye roll and a quiet laugh, us both knowing that my genes were most definitely to blame for this one. 

Eventually, after tiring them out with some play fighting, the boys began to settle, their energy finally waning as the late hour caught up with them. I tucked Tommy in, smoothing out the blanket over his small frame as his eyes fluttered shut. Zander was already halfway to dreamland, his head resting against the pillow as his breathing quickly began to even out. 

The once energetic room quickly grew warm and quiet, the soft glow of the night lamp casting long shadows across the walls.

As I turned to leave the boys' room with Rose by my side, the sharp intrusion of a mind-link tugged at my focus, Sawyer's voice cutting into my thoughts.

"Ashton, where are you? I went to your office..." he asked, his tone brisk, laced with a tension I'd grown accustomed to over the years of being his friend.

"Upstairs. Why, what's going on? Is there another update?" I replied, already bracing myself for more bad news.

"No, nothing yet, but Millie and I are getting ready to head back to our pack. With Jacob's escape, I can't risk letting this unsettle my members in the morning. They'll need to see us there, reinforcing some stability." He reminds me of our earlier plan, as I nod to myself - Rose eyeing me curiously in silent understanding that I must be linking with someone. 

"You're heading out right now?" I question, gently pulling Rose in the direction of the staircase with me. 

"Yeah, we're downstairs by the door. Figured I'd let you know before we left." Sawyer adds quickly, his tone presenting just as much stress as what I felt on the inside. 

"I'll be down in a second." I conclude, before I severed the link with a sigh, turning to Rose, who had been watching me the entire time.

"Sawyer and Millie are downstairs," I said, keeping my voice low. "They're about to head back to their pack with the baby."

Rose's brows furrowed, and she nodded. "Makes sense. They need Sawyer back there and If I were Millie, I'd want to be back home with my child too."

"Yeah, we should see them off." I stated, and Rose agreed without hesitation - us both descending down the steps together. 

By the time we reached the foyer, Sawyer and Millie were standing near the door, their bags packed and ready to go, stroller and all packed up with them.

Millie's face softened when she saw us, her expression a mixture of relief and regret. "Sorry we're leaving so abruptly Rose," she said, stepping forward to hug Rose who instantly embraced her. "But with everything going on we just thought..."

"No, no, I completely understand," Rose said, squeezing her tightly. "Your pack needs you both - but thanks for coming for Tommy." Rose breathes out gently. 

“We wouldn’t miss it!” Millie smiled, as they pulled away from one another. 

“Please tell Ruth that I’m asking for her too would you? I know she couldn’t make it down with all of her duties - helping out the kids…” Rose trails off, moving back to join my side as I take her under my arm, with Millie giving her a thoughtful nod. 

Sawyer sighed heavily next, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. "We'll be in touch as soon as we get back. If anything happens on our end, and if we hear even a whisper about Jacob, you'll be the first to know." 

"I expect nothing less," I replied, clasping his forearm in a firm grip. 

Millie glanced nervously between us. "Do you think he'll try to cross back into our territory again?" 

"It's hard to say what they are planning right now," I admitted. "Jacob's unpredictable, but desperate wolves tend to act without thinking. If he's trying to rebuild his power, he might make a play for the remnants of Moon Lust — or worse, try to leverage his ties to someone within your pack in order to get back in."

Sawyer's jaw tightened. "He won't get that far. My warriors are ready, and so am I."

Rose placed a hand on Millie's arm as we moved towards the door, her touch gentle. "Just please stay safe. Both of you."

Millie offered a small smile. "We will. And you take care of yourselves, too."

After a few more exchanged words and a lingering sense of unease, I walked them out to their waiting vehicles, feeling settled to see their array of waiting guards. 

The night air was cool and still, the weight of the looming threat hanging heavy in the darkness.

With that, they climbed into the car, the engine rumbling to life as they drove off into the night. I stood there for a moment, staring after them, my thoughts a tangled mess of strategy and worry.

Rose's hand found mine again, grounding me. "Come on," she said softly. "You need to rest."

Rest?

The word felt foreign, almost laughable, but I allowed her to lead me back inside nonetheless. 

No matter how badly I wanted to keep moving, to keep planning, I knew deep down that the battles ahead would demand every ounce of my strength — and I couldn't afford to falter, especially due to being fatigued. 

All I can do right now anyway is wait… 

A couple of hours won't hurt...