Chapter 033: The Final Betrayal

Ava's POV

As I walked around the packhouse, its silence seemed unnatural. Like the peace before a storm, the evening air was still. The pack's discomfort had intensified since Carter's treachery became known, but there also was an odd, residual hope. We had discovered the traitor, and with Carter's influence cut off, the Raven suffered—at least, that is what we had hoped for.

Deep down though, I knew she wasn't finished.

Jackson had spent hours in council with the pack's leaders, and although they had made progress to protect our borders and build confidence, there was a mounting conflict that we all sensed but could not exactly label. Though much we wanted to think that Carter's capture marked the end of the Raven's reach, a part of me questioned it. She had let us see her range of willingness.

And tonight that understanding felt to me like a stone.

Pacing in front of the map room, where Jackson and Leo were in yet another conference, I found myself Jackson steppin out as the door creaked open, his shoulders weighted with dominance and his posture rigid.

You're still awake, he said, looking slightly worried as he studied my features.

I nodded mildly and folded my arms. "I stayed up unable to fall asleep. Carter's treachery... it hardly feels like the end. Suppose the Raven makes more than one pack contact?

Jackson let out a groan and stiffened his face. "I had considered that as well. Carter's only confirmed link to her for yet, meanwhile, is We cannot begin to hunt shadows unless we have strong proof otherwise.

But we cannot discount the possibilities either, I said softly. "She has been ahead of us at every stage. She seems to know us more precisely than we do ourselves.

Jackson's hand grabbed mine, his hold comforting. "We will be ready for her. Ava, this closes here. I promised.

The next day started with a tight air hovering over the group. We strengthened security, quadrupled patrols, and set trustworthy members on high alert. Silent as they patrolled the boundaries, the fighters had deadly intent on their faces. But every attempt seemed to be under close observation—her eyes.

Leo arrived hurriedly looking for Jackson and me about noon, his face one of desperation. "Alpha, Luna... we came upon something."

Jackson and I looked at each other then trailed Leo toward the edge of the zone. He guided us to a little clearing close to the edge of the forest, where a cluster of scouts clustered around something buried in the tall grass.

One of the scouts moved aside as we got closer to show what had drawn their eye—a little, battered leather pouch. It was just partially covered behind a heap of leaves, as if someone had tried but failed to hide it completely.

Jackson stooped to retrieve and open the pouch. Inside he discovered some crumpled notes with the unique, pointed handwriting of the Raven. His unfolding of the first one and starting reading aloud caused my stomach to turn.

"Tonight." Just after dusk. You know what has to be done.

The simplicity of the sent message made me shiver. There was no doubt or second-guessing. She had left clear, direct directions, and whoever had got them had meant to follow them.

Jackson looked over the other notes and his face clouded, his jaw tightened. "This isn't over," he said in a quiet but extremely angry voice. She intended for Carter to be captured. She always seemed one step ahead.

Feeling the weight of our sensitivity down on me, I gazed about the clearing. "Jackson, if she had planned, she knew we would come upon these notes. She calls for us right here. We are entering her trap straight ahead.

He straightened and focused his gaze on me, a mix of concern and will. "We then have no choice except to spring it. We are ending this right now.

The packhouse was on great alert as sunset neared. Each warrior stationed at the borders, their senses tuned to any movement. Jackson and I had ready the pack, cautioned them of an attack, but we kept the details of the notes to ourselves. The last we needed was panic.

Ava, remain with me tonight," Jackson murmured, his voice a mix of directive and something softer. Reaching out, his hand rested on my shoulder, he stared into my eyes. "If things go bad, I need to know you and the kids are safe.”

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking over me. Though we had experienced danger before, this felt different—like the Raven was closing in on us, her game nearing its last, lethal motion.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the sky in shades of orange and purple, the silence around the packhouse grew oppressive, every sound accentuated by the tension thrumming through the air.

And then the first indication of movement emerged, just as darkness completely descended.

From the treeline, a number of shadows surfaced, moving with the stealth and accuracy of professional combatants. My heart beat as I recognized their insignia—rogues, the Raven’s allies, handpicked and groomed for this time.

Jackson motioned to the warriors, and in an instant, the silence broke as the pack rushed into action. The clatter of weapons and the growling of wolves filled the air, the sounds of battle booming through the night.

Moving deliberately, my senses sharpened as I joined the fighters in their battle. Though every instinct screamed at me to keep near Jackson, I knew he wanted me to guard the pack and make sure nobody else stumbled into the Raven's trap.

Amid the anarchy, I noticed a familiar person at the edge of the clearing—a tall, skinny woman covered in darkness, her face buried under a hood. The Raven:

She watched, her face blank as her powers interacted with ours. But there was a spark of gratification in her eyes, a silent challenge squarely targeted at me.

My pulse thumping, I broke away from the main fight without thinking, headed toward her. Every step seemed charged, every breath weighted with what she had done. Driven ahead, the agony, the terror, the treachery all seared inside me.

The Raven's eyes locked with mine, and for a minute the world seemed to stop as the noises of combat disappeared into the background.

She continued, "Ava," her voice serene and silky, as though we were gathering over tea rather than in the middle of a fight. "I was wondering when you might arrive."

My hands tightened as the wrath flared inside me. "This is finished here now. You never will impact my family once more.

She flashed a slow, contemptuous smirk. "Oh, Ava, do you still find it lacking? There was never anything about your family here. It's about control, power—the factors weakening a leader.

"You are the one that is weak," I said, my voice firm. You lurk in the shadows, manipulating and lying as you are too terrified to meet us squarely.

Her smile vanished, then there was a flash of rage. You suppose I am terrified? From the start, I have run this game under control. And you have been acting straight into my hands.

She sprang at me, her motions exact and swift before I could reply. I hardly had time to evade; her blade grazed my arm as I kicked quickly in opposition. She staggered back, staring at me narrow-wise.

Each of us driven by the hatred and treachery that had brought us here, the battle was vicious. Every hit, every attack was weighted with all she had taken from us. Though I could sense my tiredness developing, I would not stop.

My own weapon poised at her throat, I finally managed to disarm her with one last surge of effort, her blade clattering to the ground as I held her pinned.

"It's over," I said, adrenaline shaking in my voice. "This ends here.."

But the Raven just grinned darkly, twisted and sent shivers across me. Though the conflict is far from finished, Ava, you may have won this battle.

She broke awayand vanished into the darkness before I could stop her with a sudden surge of power.