wolf just to lose it all because a group of children can't wait for us to do things safely!"
"I didn't know!" Gabby insisted.
Seth just turned to her. "Then get order in your pack, girl, because right now you don't have any. Your betas aren't working for you, they're working with you, and a pack needs a leader. Otherwise, it's just chaos."
She pulled in a breath and lifted her chin in defiance, "Maybe that's - "
"Stop!" Seth snapped, cutting her off. "Don't you dare try to say it's how I was raised. There always has to be someone to take responsibility. One point where things always come back to, and that means the final say. It's you, Gabby. For us, it's Ian. If someone dies, it will be his fault. Ours too, but his for not sending us out sooner. His for not seeing the signs. His for not being strong enough of an Alpha to stop it." And he lifted a brow. "Or you can just keep saying you didn't know, it's not your fault, and trying to push away that responsibility, but it doesn't make for a very good leader."
She nodded. "Ok. Should I call Roman over too?" Then she looked at Ian. "Maybe you can? I mean, since he's grounded? Because Sam's message sounds like she got something big, but I'm not asking because they're supposed to be on their way back, and I don't want to do anything to convince them to change their minds."
Ian just nodded. "I'll call Kim."
"No," I told him. "I will." Then I looked at Gabby. "And if you think this is over, just know that you're wrong. You are fifteen years old. I have no idea what you kids think you're going to do, but saving the pack? Not. It."
"More like the world," Gabby admitted. "Because if Damon wants to let humans know that we exist? That's not going to end well, Mom. We're trying to make sure that doesn't happen."
"That's our job," I told her. "Not you, a girl who can't even drive yet."
Gabby just dropped her head. "I was just trying to help."
"No," Lane told her. "You, Gabby, were trying to be the hero, and you didn't stop to think about who is running around behind you constantly picking up the messes you make." And he pointed right at me. "So, until you can remember that we're all on the same side, you go sit and think about this." And he pointed at the couch, making it clear exactly where Gabby was supposed to sit.
My daughter obeyed, surprisingly enough. I just dialed Kim and waited for her to pick up, trying to figure out how the hell I was going to explain this. I decided to just keep it simple.
"Kim?" I asked as soon as she answered. "For once, it's not your son making a mess of things. It's my daughter. Her betas are up to something, so Ian and I need all of them. Can you send Roman over to my house?"
"Yeah, sure," she said. "Is it bad?"
"I don't know yet," I admitted. "I'll send Roman back when we're done and have him fill you in, ok?"
"Good luck, Alpha," Kim said, sounding as exhausted as I felt. "Kids, right?"
"Exactly."
CHAPTER 48
* * *
Roman arrived a few minutes before Theo pulled in. As soon as I heard that car, I opened the front door and stood there, making it very clear they were busted. Samantha, Xander, Nikolai, Theo, and Olivia all got out, but when they saw me, they moved a little slower. Clearly, my "mom-stare" still worked.
"Inside," I snapped. "Now!"
"Elena," Olivia tried, "we need to tell Ian about what we - "
I pointed to the living room. "He's already here."
I swore all five of them ducked their heads and dropped their shoulders at that. They also walked a little faster, though, so I considered it a win. Once they were inside, I closed the door, but Ian just pointed them to the couch. He and his betas were still standing - glaring - just in front of them.
"What," Ian finally demanded when they were sitting, "were all of you thinking? Do you know what Damon would do to you for trespassing onto his territory?"
"Yeah, but - " Xander tried.
"He would kill you," Ian went on. "You first, Xander. The moment you tried to mouth off, he'd cut your throat if you're lucky. If you weren't, he'd throw you to his betas and have them tear you apart. And do you