Chapter 4 Plans for the Future

Avril’s POV

I feel a sob leave my throat as the two warriors lead me to my new home. I know it’s useless to resist. I’m just lucky that Alpha Steel didn’t ban friends and family from visiting me. Though I’m pretty much not allowed to go anywhere. My thoughts drift to his Alpha order. I shiver in disgust. How can he take away my free will like that? I won’t forget how Tori defended me until her father threatened to bar her from seeing me ever again. I know she kept her mouth shut so she could still visit me in the outskirts, though I imagine her Alpha Steel will find reasons to keep her busy. I’m also reeling when I realize Elya was the one Wesley was betraying me with. This day keeps getting rougher and rougher. At least it’s almost over.

The cottage is surprisingly not musty smelling and the floor feels clean. I make my way through the unfamiliar house trying to memorize my surroundings. Tori promised to help me get fully settled when she can get away from the packhouse. I sigh and try to find the bedroom. All I want to do is sleep. From betrayal, to mating, to rejecting and then being exiled, I’ve never felt so exhausted in my life. It seems I have nothing left. I hope that at least Aaron would still come to train me. 

I groan as I lie down on the bed. The bed is actually quite big and comfy. I cringe as I remember why. Wesley wouldn’t do that, would he? I know he’s capable of being cruel. But would he really use his dad’s Alpha order against me. That order had to be illegal. I know I’m going to have to escape this pack and try to reach out to the council. Though the council is notoriously biased towards Alphas, not to mention they tend to frown upon rejecting your Goddess given mate. I need to make a plan. 

What do I do now Emerald? I reach out to her.

She whimpers. She’s been pretty sulky ever since I rejected Wesley. She replies by flashing me the image of those kind brown eyes again. Those aren’t Wesley’s eyes? I guess I’ll find out in about a week when Emerald can help me see.

Ash’s POV

I sit in my office, staring at the arrangements for the Golden Moon Ball that we host every year. This year was different though. Now that I was 18, I actually had a chance at finding my mate. My nerves were shot at just the thought of finding her. What if she doesn’t want me? Sure, my pack is powerful, but that’s really all thanks to my father. I had just recently taken the Alpha mantle on my eighteenth birthday. I know the rest of the pack still sees me as young and inexperienced. I’ve been working at this for years, but there are days when I just feel like a little kid visiting his dad’s work.

I hear someone barge into my office. At first I think it’s my Beta, Marcus, but my eyes rolled as I realize that it’s my thirteen-year-old sister. 

“Someone feels stressed.” Thea teases, her brown eyes sparkling. “I could practically feel it from across the packhouse.”

I know she’s keeping her tone light, but I can’t help but feel a bit guilty. Thea is an empath and can feel everyone else’s emotions. It’s taken her whole life to try to suppress the noise in her head.  She shakes her finger at me.

“Stop it.” She scolds. “Just because I live in the packhouse, doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel your own emotions. Besides, I was looking for you. You’ve been a constant ball of nervous energy ever since your Alpha Ceremony.” She sits down on my desk and fiddles with a paper weight. “If you must know, everyone feels excited about you becoming Alpha. People are always enthusiastic about a fresh perspective.” 

I smirk at her. “Well I guess now all I have to worry about is the Golden Moon Ball.” I chuckle.

She shrugs. “I’m sure you could just ask Mom. She is still the acting Luna until you find your mate.”

“Or you could help. People want a fresh perspective, right?” I suggest.

Surprisingly she laughs. “Sounds like a plan. As long as I don’t have to go. I hate parties. Waaaay too many emotions.” 

“It’s a deal then.” I nod. “The party is a couple months away and I have a list of the packs we’re inviting.”

She snatches the list out of my hand and skims it. “Urg. Do we have to invite Jade Pack? Their Alpha is a creep.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “He didn’t seem all that creepy to me. A little old fashioned maybe…” I remembered that he wouldn’t make his oldest child Alpha simply because of her gender.

“Oh. He’s a creep.” She said bluntly. “I could feel it. And his bratty son isn’t any better.”

“Alright, I trust your judgment.” I laugh. “Just try to make sure we still have guests when we’re done.” 

She waves me off as she walks out with the list, presumably to find mom and ask her for help with logistics. I chuckle to myself and shake my head. Thea acts so much like a teenager in some ways, but in so many others she is one of the wisest people I’ve ever known.

Tori’s POV

I walk up to Avril’s cottage. Man, it’s so far away from the packhouse. If we were to be attacked, she would be utterly alone. I sigh as I rap on the door.

“Avril?” I call out. “It’s Tori.”

The door opens. “I can still smell, Tori.” Avril says. She has a warm smile on her face.

“I bought groceries.” I hold up the bags I’m holding. “I thought we could make dinner together and perhaps I could stay the night so you won’t be alone during your first shift.”

It had been nearly a week since she was forced to live in this cottage. Thankfully when I told Wesley about our father’s Alpha command, he became disgusted and refused to see Avril, though I believe it’s only a matter of time before the shock wears off and he decides to come here anyway. I’ve been calling frantically around to other packs to see if Avril could transfer, many of them declined due to lack of accommodations for her disability. I finally found a place for her in the Shadow Mist Pack. I also decided that I would go with her, as well. I would not be complacent in Avril’s treatment any longer. I made sure Avril had her documents and important items together in one place. Unfortunately, she couldn’t pack most of her belongings, just in case my father or Wesley visited her and found out that she was trying to leave. She just needed to turn eighteen so she could do it on her own. Aaron wanted to join us as well, but I told him he needed to stay to keep an eye on the pack. I realized of late that there have been serious cracks in this pack’s leadership and they needed all the help they could get. He’s no longer visiting Avril so that he won’t be a suspicious party when she disappears.

She continued to smile. “That sounds perfect. I’d certainly enjoy the company.” 

I put the bags down on the kitchen island. “We also need to talk logistics.” I start as I begin putting the ingredients together. “I think we should leave the night of Wesley’s Alpha Ceremony. While everyone is distracted with all the festivities, we can sneak out.”

Avril nods. I know she’s also been feeling the pangs of betrayal since Wesley and Elya are anything but quiet at night. Thankfully they haven’t been as bad since the mate bond has been partially broken. “Hopefully Wesely doesn’t decide to pay me a visit before then.” She says softly. “Speaking of visit. Does anyone know you’re here?”

I shake my head. “Thankfully not. Aaron has been covering for me.” I look down, about to cry as I think about Aaron.

“Victoria.” Avril seems to be eyeing me suspiciously. “Emerald told me something about you and Aaron. Is it true?

I cover my face with my hands. “It’s true. Aaron and I are mates.”

“Tori!” Avril exclaims. “You can’t leave! You’ll be separated.”

I sigh. “I know. But how long until they realize I’m responsible for your disappearance. Besides this is how I can get out from under my father’s thumb and get some real Alpha training from Alpha Ryan and Aaron can garnish support for me on the inside. I’m going to take this pack back and clean up the corruption. He’s one of the only people Wesley will listen to anyway. He could mitigate some of the damage that Wesely will no doubt cause.” I loved my brother, but his choices of late have been absolutely terrible.

Avril nods and swallows. “Does anyone know?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. We’re choosing not to mate until all this is over. Or unless Aaron has to join us.” My wolf has been rightfully upset with me at this decision. But something tells her that Avril is special and needs to be protected at all costs and while she would rather Aaron go with us, she understands. 

Her eyes well up. “Why would you do this? You can’t be doing this for me.”

“It’s not just for you.” I reply. “It’s for the pack. I can’t let this cruelty go on for any longer.”

“You do realize that splitting up like this will weaken both your wolves, right?” She says ruefully, clearly still not on board.

“Minimally since we’re not mated yet.” I point out. “Stop worrying about everyone else. We’ve got to get you out of here before my brother gives into his wolf’s urges.”

Avril sighs resigned. “I know. I don’t have to like it though.”

I just laugh. “Okay. Let’s eat already or our food will get cold.”