Chapter 22:

Brandon POV:

    We were tasked with building shelters for everyone for when the fight happens but Alex and I needed to go see the twins to make sure everyones training is going the way it should. I noticed Alex was always a little quieter when we got around them but I never thought to ask why. "What is on your mind man? You're always quiet when we come here." I said pulling him out of his own thoughts. "I don't know, I just feel weird around them, not in a bad way though. There is just something there that I can't figure out." Alex replied, shaking his head. "Could one of them be your mate?" I asked. I knew Alex was gay, I think I'm the only one who knew the real side of him. But I also knew he didn't really like talking about it and I had hoped that one day it would and he can live his life the way he wanted to. "I don't think so. I think my wolf would know right?" Alex asked. "I would think so but we are learning new things. Just try to let yourself feel whatever it is." I whispered as we walked into the arena. I felt bad for Alex in a way, he shouldn't have to hide his true self but he was worried people wouldn't be as accepting since it was rare that it happened.  "Hey guys, how are things going?" I asked, looking at them. 

    Even though I had been around them a few times I still struggled to figure out which one was which. "We are on track with everything." One replied. "Yeah, after all of this we will help build the shelters." The other added. "That's good, how many groups do you have?" Alex asked. "We have a total of eight groups we can send out." One replied, eyeing Alex a little more than the other. I watched Alex shift his weight around and I knew he was ready to leave. "Alright, thank you fellas. We will come check on everything later." I replied, turning on my heels. The twins always looked a little rugged and intimidating but something odd was going on. "So how is the sister doing?" Alex asked. "From what Brad said this morning she is doing a lot better. They are leaving to go somewhere." I replied. "You seem close with that family." Alex said, eyeing me. "I mean I guess, I just felt really bad you know. I think the mom really did me in. I couldn't imagine something like that happening to my family." I replied. "I could see that, I know Brad is next in line to be the Beta. I"m curious to see how that all happens since they will be out of town. Do you know where they are going?" Alex asked. "No, he didn't offer that up and I didn't push to find out. They've been through enough but we did exchange numbers in case they need anything." I replied. 

    I would like to meet the girl we had been searching for though, I think a lot of us wanted to but it'll have to wait until they decide she is ready to come back. As we walked around the house there was a smell that hit my nose and I stopped. It smelled like vanilla and honey. I looked around to see if I could figure out where it was coming from when I noticed a black SUV driving away. "What is it?" Alex asked. "Nothing, thought I smelled something." I replied, forcing myself to walk again. "Let's go to the back and check on the supplies." Alex said. I nodded my head but there was something about that smell. I knew I had smelled it before but I didn't know where. There has just been a lot going on at once and new smells were everywhere with all the witches and vampires. I just shook my head trying to rid the thoughts out of my mind. I looked up to see a big pile of supplies in the back and relaxed a little. All of this had been thrown at us last minute, I was a little worried that we wouldn't be able to get everything that we needed. "Alright everyone, we need to move as fast as we can. If you need a break don't take one longer than five minutes. Let's get to work." Alex called out. 

    Everyone started scrambling to get things done, I didn't plan on taking any breaks. I wanted to get this done and over with so I could at least get some sleep before shit really does hit the fan.

        **Leia POV**

    I must have fallen asleep in the car because the next thing I knew Brad was waking me up because we had arrived at the new temporary house. I rubbed my eyes and looked out of the window to see a beautiful country style two story house. I was a little shocked by what it looked like. I was expecting a little cozy home or something like that, definitely not this. "Wow, this is really pretty." I said looking around. It was on a decent amount of land. "There is a little pond around back with a dock and everything." My mother said, smiling at me. "Can I go look around?" I asked. "Of course, I'll leave the car unlocked so you can get your things when you come back." My dad replied. I didn't waste a single second, I jumped out of the car and the sun hit my skin. There were so many new smells around here, I walked to the side of the house and looked down to see a bunch of little yellow flowers randomly spread out in the yard with dandelions mixed in with them. I may never want to leave here. I walked towards a little pond, there was no wind or anything. It was perfectly calm. I took my shoes off before I walked on to the dock and sat on the edge. I rolled my pants up a little bit and dipped my feet in the water. 

    It was the perfect temp. I laid back on the dock and let the sun soak into my skin. "Nice to see you enjoying yourself." Pythia said, making me scream. "What the hell?!" I said looking up at her. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you all arrived safely." Pythia said laughing. She wasn't sorry, but at least she hid her laughter. "We just got here, how are things back home?" I asked. "Moving fairly quickly, we anticipate everything to happen tonight or early in the morning. We are prepared for it all though." Pythia replied, trying to reassure me. "Please be careful. I wish I could be there with you guys." I said. "I know you do but you still have healing to do. We will be okay and I'll come see you after everything. Just focus on yourself for now." Pythia replied. I nodded my head. She was right. "I must go for now. Take care of yourself." Pythia added. I jumped to my feet and wrapped her in a hug. "I'll be okay sweet girl don't you worry." Pythia whispered, hugging me tightly. "I know, I'll see you soon." I replied, stepping back. She smiled softly before she disappeared. I sat back down, setting my feet back in the water when I heard someone come up behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see my mother and I tried to pull my pants back down. "Don't hide those from me." She whispered and I froze.

    "You shouldn't be afraid to show those." My mother added sitting down next to me. I looked at her not saying anything. "I didn't want you to get upset." I finally said. "Well, it does hurt me to see those but on the flip side of it hunny is, those are your battle wounds. You should wear them proudly." My mother said, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "They are hard to look at but Pythia gave me some stuff to put on them. They look a lot better." I replied. "I saw her here earlier but didn't want to interrupt anything. She is very fond of you." My mother said, "I'm worried mom. She said the fight will happen tonight or in the morning." I replied, looking at her. My mother knew all too well how I would feel about this. "I have heard about Alley and her abilities. She is incredibly strong. She will be perfectly fine and the witches are smart. They can make literally anything, no other group could stand up to that vile man and win." My mother said with a smile. I really hope Alley kicked the shit out of him tomorrow. He deserves the worst kind of death possible. "She has always been strong." I said. My mother reached down and grabbed one of my legs and I tensed up.

    Touch was something I was still working on but I didn't want to hurt her feelings. She ran her finger across the large scar. At least it wasn't puffy anymore, it blended better with my skin and wasn't as rough as it used to be. "I just want you to know that we aren't mad at you. You can talk to us about anything if you want to but I know it'll take some time. Just know that we love you so much." My mother said, looking at me. "I know momma. I just feel like I really disappointed you guys, had everyone worried and out searching. I did things that still haunt me and I just don't know how to handle it." I replied. "You could never disappoint us, and yes we were worried but we worry about everything. We will deal with things together, we are here no matter what." My mother said, hugging me. I knew she would be understanding but it was still hard to face. I'll just take it day by day like Pythia told me to. I can't rush through anything because I wouldn't be able to work anything out. "I love you mom." I said, smiling at her. "I love you too baby, I'll let you sit and relax but I want you inside for dinner in about an hour." My mother replied. "Yes ma'am." I said, kissing her cheek. 

    I didn't know what had gotten into her, usually she is a little more overbearing, maybe she knows I just needed some time to myself but I felt better knowing they weren't mad at me. I hated feeling like I disappointed them. "Lay back and relax, let your mind rest for a moment." Una said. I laid back on the dock and closed my eyes for a brief moment. "How are you doing Una?" I asked, realizing we haven't really talked that much. "I am much better, I used a lot of energy through all of it and I am gaining most of it back. I know I have been silent the last few days." Una replied. "It's okay, I figured that was what you were doing. I'm just glad you are okay." I said. "I'll always be okay, you are worth fighting for. Remember that." Una replied, making me smile. I knew I could count on her to lift my spirits a little bit and tomorrow I had planned on letting her out to finally run and stretch her legs. After all of this it might do us both some good.