A U T H O R' S N O T E

Hey lovelies! How are y'all doing?Chapter 8 is already updated and I hope you like it! I'm not so sure of when I'll update next because I have cheerleading practices everyday and I have tons of school works. I know how you feel people.

I also want to share the fact I that I have aced my exams. I'm so proud because my lessons are really advanced compared to other schools here. Anyway, I'm not saying this to boast, I just wanted to share it so you find inspiration in studying. (Don't be like me because I am lazy as fuck haha). I really hated school before because in every school I go to, I always get bullied a lot but I now have proven myself to people and finally made friends.

Stay in school kids! Lol.
#stopbullying

I'm going to shamelessly promote my stories so sorry. I also have other works such as, 'Tragic' (poems), 'Wanting Ms. Billionaire' (romance), and 'Rethinking Rejection' (werewolf). So, go check it out. It would mean a lot if you do!

-Hannah 💖

➸ ➸ ➸

❝ Be careful who you trust.
The devil was once an angel.❞

➸ ➸ ➸

Chapter 8
Avalynn Johnson

It's been days after the bond breaking.

I haven't seen my mate since then and frankly, I'm doing quite well if I must say. Though, I don't know about my ex-mate. Is he okay?

Mason said that Nolan has been on lock down in his office since our last encounter. I really wanted to see him and check on him but then I realized that it would make things much more awkward and complicated.

Right now, it was still very early and I was currently playing video games with Mason and my brother, just to let the time pass. Yes, we all have gotten close since the past few days and they made my life much easier and happier than I expected.

Then, Mason turned to me, trying to get my attention by saying, "Hey Ava."

Not taking my eyes of the screen, I said, "What do you want?" In case he didn't see, I was currently busy trying to win.

"Well, it's actually the birthday of my baby sister, Tiana, and I was wondering if you could come." He told me.

"Everyone is going to be there."

I stopped the game for a moment and looked at him.

"How old is she?" I asked.

"She just turned six today." Oh gosh! She sounds like a lovely child!

"How come I've never seen her before?" I questioned curiously.

"Well, she's the baby of our family. Tiana is too young to train and plus, we always want to keep her safe." Mason explained.

"So what do you say?"

A smile broke onto my face.

"I would love to!"

Hey, a birthday party is still a party.

"Great! It will be held in the pack's backyard." He smiled.

Ah, I'm guessing the festivity will be grand since it will be held in the open area.

"What time will it start?" I asked him just to make sure that I won't be late. I still have to buy a present for the little girl!

Mason checked his watch. "Since its 10 am, it will probably start at 1 pm because of food preparations."

Yes I still have time! I tossed Mason the game controller and stood up.

"Where are you going?" My brother asks.

"I'm going to buy a gift for Mason's little sister." I answered him.

Going back to my room, I clutched my purse, hoodie, and my cell phone. Nobody should forget their daily essentials. I went back to the living room and held out my hand to Aiden.

"Give it to me." I said impatiently.

Who said I was patient anyway? Plus, I needed to get home quickly in time for the party.

"Give what?" He asks, annoyed at my tone.

"The car keys damn it!"

Aiden is so exasperating. Rolling his eyes, he reached from his pocket and threw it to me saying, "Catch!"

With good reflexes, I was able to catch it. He seems to be disappointed that I didn't get hit by the keys, so I stuck out my tongue at him. Yes, childish, I know.

"See you later guys." I told them as I walk out of the house and into my brother's car. I'm thinking of probably getting myself a nice ride as well. Probably something sleek and fast. Damn, I need to work for it though. I slid in it and drove away to the nearest mall.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Going to the shopping mall, I was suspicious of a black car behind me. It looked to be following me in my opinion. My father once said that I overthink too much so maybe I'm getting conscious of the situation. Who knows, no one is truly following me, right?

I tried to drive fast just to lose it and see. Yes this is me being really anxious of little things. Although I did lose the black car in the end, I have to comment that the person driving was good and speedy in chasing.

What do they want from me? Or are they going after me?

It's not even set and confirmed if they were truly following me. Maybe it's just my imagination. I haven't been myself since the last encounter with Nolan.

Once I parked my car, I immediately went out and sprinted to the entrance of the mall. I knew that the earlier I buy a gift for Tiana, the earlier I get home to the pack.

Walking in the department store, I went in the kids section to buy the toys. She is a six year old after all. Obviously she would want to have a toys and other adorable stuff.

Now, what would little Tiana want?

I remember when I was a six year old, I don't really have dolls before. Instead, I always have toy cars and action figures that I use to play with my brother. Well, I doubt Mason's sister likes monster trucks and action figures. I was looking around for girly toys that she might enjoy. I'm not sure of what she wants but to be safe, I got her a nice stuffed toy, and some books that she might like to read during her spare time. The gifts are safe and educational!

As I was pacing around, I see a person staring at me in the corner of my eye.

Being paranoid, I ask myself, Is he the one following me earlier?

I am getting quite suspicious lately and I don't know how to stop the anxiety. My wolf told me that you can't trust your surroundings nowadays, especially when you're facing a big threat like Benjamin Holloway.

Back to the topic, the man staring at me was fair; he was wearing black clothes and a pair of shades. The gent looks very familiar but still someone I could not point out.

I immediately grabbed the toys and went to the cashier to pay. As I look back to aisle, I noticed that the guy had vanished completely.

Who is he and what does he want? My paranoia was increasing. I felt like I wasn't safe at the moment.

I gave the money to the worker managing the cashier. The woman placed the gift in a box and wrapped it with a nice styled gift wrapping paper. I just wanted the present to look beautiful and decent for Tiana.

At least it is all set after. I just needed to get my daily fix today which is coffee. I, myself can't pass through the day if I don't get my coffee.

Walking down the mall, I went to this small cafe and ordered myself a nice, hot cup of cappuccino. It's something I needed to start the daytime.

As I was sitting down, I grasped the newspaper placed on the table.

News is very valuable and important to us. It is extremely useful especially if you want to keep up with the human world or ours too.

Though, the headlines caught my attention.

My eyes seem to have bulged out of their sockets when I saw the words.

It stated, '3 people found dead in Lakeshore: Animals strike again!'

Lakeshore is a place that is near to Nolan and my father's pack. Well, not really that near but close enough.

The pack members there were really kind and their Alpha was a respectable man who treated everyone right. That is why I have to know why or how those three were murdered.

I had to learn more of it, so continuing to read, the lines said,

'Could dangerous animals be lurking in the shadows of Lakeshore Forrest?'

"We found them dead in the forest when we were hiking. Their flesh was torn apart. It looked like it had been mauled by a vicious and backbiting animal." One witness said.

'Police states that it was not human who did this but an animal. Forensic scientist examined and said that there were bite marks on the body of the victims. Lately, there has been an increase of brutal murder cases in the greens of the forest. The officials stated that they will do everything in their power to stop these murder cases. They forbid everyone and anyone to come in the forest...'

I just shook my head and sighed; the human police would never be able to solve the cases when it comes to these cases in the forest. The witnesses were probably human too. I knew it was wolves that have done this. Bite marks were said all over the body. It can't be a vampire because the flesh was torn off of the person's body!

But who did it? Is it a coincidence to the threat of the rogue pack? Where they the ones who did this?

So many questions were running in my head.

I placed the newspaper down and drank my coffee with a gulp, not even caring if it burns my throat. What's becoming of the werewolf world? A world where there is always threat and violence?

I sighed and saw the man from earlier.

Wait, the man from the toys section!

He was seated a few tables away from me. To think of it, it's so creepy if we always meet by chance. Why is he here? Is he truly following me? The mysterious man still seemed familiar to me and yet I've got no idea who he is. I tried to get a closer look on him, but the waitress blocked my way when she placed the donut I ordered on the table.

When she went to another table, and I immediately returned my gaze to the man's spot.

He mysteriously disappeared once again. Vanished completely.

Was this just my imagination? No. This wasn't. I felt it. But if it was, then my mind was playing a cruel joke on me.

I ate my donut quietly then went to the cafe's restroom. It really felt eerie here.

I splashed my face with water and wiped it with some tissue paper. I placed my hands on the sink and looked at my reflection. I look so pale.

What is wrong with me? Am I getting too much fearful and distrustful? I am so muddled at this very moment. Then, the sound of dewdrops was heard and I was on high alert.

Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from the shadows and I gripped the sink tightly on its edge. My hands were shaking swiftly.

"Who are you and why are you following?" I spoke harshly, narrowing my eyes at the mystery man.

This wasn't my imagination after all. This man could be a threat to Black Stealth and Silver Hill pack.

I turned around to face him, but in a blink of an eye, he had me pinned across the wall. He was so fast using his prompt werewolf speed. I was also a bit in a daze when he did that but once I recovered, I struggled in his grip trying to force myself to get out from his tight hold.

"Relax." The mystery man calmed me as he removed his shades.

"It's me, Matthew Holloway."

What?

"Alpha Holloway? What are you doing here! This is trespassing of territory!" I exclaimed. He could get killed by my father or any pack member of Nolan's pack.

"I know. But there's nothing I could do! No one trusts me at the moment since I'm the newest Alpha and my brother is the backstabbing werewolf that everyone fears and hates. I apologize if I scared you but if I don't warn you right now then you might die along with the rest of your pack!"

Die? What is he trying to say? We know about the threat so we are training really well!

"What are you talking about?" I am muddled by his words.

"It does not matter. All I know is that my older brother is planning an attack on you and your mate's pack."

Nolan? He is not my mate anymore. Maybe he was supposed to be warning another pack of his brother's doings.

"I don't have a mate, Alpha. I think you must be mistaken." I said nonchalantly. He can't know can he?

"Really, I thought your mate was Alpha Blackwell? Did you guys reject each other?" He asked.

Oh my, how does he know that? It's impossible! Who could have told him that? Especially with him being in a different pack. I suddenly had the suspicion of him being a spy.

"We had a bond breaker to separate us." I told him honestly but I was still curious.

"Wait- how do you know about this?"

How could someone from a different pack know about my old bond with my ex-mate? Not even my own pack members are aware of my situation before. Who informed him?

"Well, Benjamin and I are half wizards. I felt the connection between you two during the council's party. It is the perks of being a half wizard. This is also the reason why I know that he's planning to attack you." Half wizard?

I kept a passive face motioned him to continue. This is getting interesting.

"We share a connection since we have the same blood. I had managed to view pieces of his dreams. Well, it was not even a dream. It was totally a nightmare that will be the reason of our downfall since it will cause destruction. But he will start with your pack first because of your mate." Alpha Matthew explained.

"Nolan? What about him?" I queried, confused. Matthew looked stunned to hear that.

"Wait, you certainly don't know?" He pressed.

I rolled my eyes because how am I supposed to know anything when Nolan doesn't even talk to me?

I shook my head 'no'.

"Sorry. Forget that I mentioned anything."

What the hell? I am now curious to what he said. He cannot leave me hanging.

"No, tell me!" I grabbed him arm.

He started this, now he has to end it by telling me the truth.

"It's not my place to tell." He glared at me. "Your mate and my family don't get along. Alpha Nolan hates my family. I mean my ex- family but we have called a truce since his war was against my brother and my parents and not me."

"But why? Tell me, Alpha." I was stubborn. I will not leave this place until I get to know all the things that I should have known from the start.

Yes, there were many questions yet I don't and never did get answers.

"It's up to you to ask him that. Alas, I have to go Avalynn. You must always prepare. You'll know what's in store for you, and, it might make you or break you." He told me, as we went to open the door.

"Good luck, Avalynn. I have faith in you." Alpha Matthew saluted me and went out of the chamber.

I ran to the door and opened it. Looking to my left and right, I've realized that he was gone again. He magically vanished through thin air.

Oh, maybe that's why he gets to disappear quickly! Maybe he casts spells and goes through portals?

Who knows? I'm not a wizard.

I went back to the parking lot to get the car. I sighed. This was an eventful encounter and I'm sure it will make me ten times more of a worry wart I already am. I just have to heed Alpha Matthew's warnings.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

The drive back to the pack house was smooth. Thankfully, there were no cars following me anymore. Though, I couldn't help but feel suspicious at times on the road. I've learned a lesson today, you have to always be suspicious and alert to the people around you. You can't trust your surroundings too.

Finally, I reached the pack house and pulled up in front. I needed to calm myself. This was a party after all and I would look weird if I looked so nervous; as a result, it would make people question me. I don't want that.

I opened the car door and stepped outside holding the gift in my arms. I locked the car and went to the front porch.

Holding the doorknob, I was breathing heavily. I need to compose myself right now even before I enter. My heart was beating so fast like the bass and drop of the music you could hear inside.

Taking a deep breath, I twisted the door knob and pushed it forward to open.

'We could do this. Don't be afraid for I am here.' My inner wolf said.

I was shocked.

To say shock was an understatement. I was shaken up and surprised!

This was the first time that my wolf spoke to me after the painful bond breaking. I guess she didn't want to leave me alone when I'm in distress. This is why I could always trust my wolf when it comes to these things.

Though she might be present now, does not mean I am always safe. I trust her but could I trust other people? I am not sure yet. Alpha Matthew said to not trust your surroundings. It could hurt you and deceive you.

Who knows what might happen? I am fearful of what might transpire later, tomorrow, or the next couple of weeks. I just hope that my pack is safe from harm. No matter what, I'll do everything to keep them safe.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
Don't forget to
Vote, Comment, and Share