** Diana’s POV **
Christopher had taken me to the pack house after his battle with Paul. So now we sat on the couch waiting for all of the pack to gather around. And I knew when they did, I’d have to tell them who Paul was.
How was I supposed to tell them? Do I just up and tell them “oh, hey, those rouges who attacked us and almost killed some of you, yeah, they’re the ones who killed my pack and their leader is the one who betrayed me. Who wants some cake?”
No, if I did that, everyone would probably hate me. They’d probably even throw me to the rouges as some sacrifice.
Christopher nudged me. “Diana, everyone’s here.”
“What?” I gasped, standing up as Christopher followed my lead.
I glanced around the hundreds of wolves, watching me expectantly. Melanie was standing in the front with Brent who was holding her by the waist with a bandage wrapped around his arm. And next to them was Kate who was holding hands with Baron.
My breath caught in my throat. Baron had a bandage going across his left eye. I had been the reason he was injured. I was the one to blame.
Christopher’s parents were standing behind us as well as the pack witch. But someone was missing.
Allison.
I looked at Christopher. “Where’s Allison?”
He stiffened at them mention of her name, but he didn’t reply. Did something happen?
“Okay guys,” Christopher called, using his alpha voice. “You guys are probably wondering what happened today.”
“Hell right!”
I sighed as Christopher continued.
“We’ve been expecting that for a long time. We just didn’t know when they were going to attack.”
“So what now?” Brent asked.
Christopher stood tall and proud. “We double the border patrol. I want to know when they’ll attack again, and I want us to be ready this time.”
Murmurs and agreements went around the crowd. This was my chance to tell them.
“I’d also like to add something.” I said, surprising myself that my voice didn’t quiver.
All eyes snapped to me, and I had to fight the urge to cower in a corner.
“Th-those rouges, they’re the ones who attacked and killed my pack.”
They broke out into whispers before I could finish.
“And, they’re leader is named Paul. he’s the one who led them.”
“So,” one girl started. “What are we suppose to do with that information?”
“Uh, I don’t-“
“It means that the pack of rouges are quite powerful and can get through our defenses.” Christopher said, helping me out.
Everyone nodded and stood there expectantly, waiting for Christopher to continue.
“That’s all,” he conjoined.
They nodded once more and started to head out. That was until Christopher’s mother spoke up.
“Also, surrounding packs are going to visit us next week to discuss these matters. So to honor them, we will be throwing a ball. That is it, you may go.”
Everyone nodded, again, and finally left, leaving Christopher and I with his parents.
“Mom, really? A ball in the middle of this crisis? That’s a horrible idea!”
Christopher’s father spoke. “This is necessary Christopher, we have to do this.”
“Plus, it’ll be fun.” His mother giggled.
A smile broke onto my lips as Christopher sighed.
“Fine. But what now? We start preparing for the party?”
His mother shrugged. “Whatever you want son, you’re the alpha now. But right now me and you’re father have to check up on Allison and make sure she’s healing properly.”
I cocked my eyebrow. “What happened to her?”
Christopher gasped. “Mom, don’t-“
Christopher’s mother took a deep breath as her smile turned to a frown.
“She was injured in the fight. She’s lucky to have survived.”
My heart stopped as tears pricked my eyes. Christopher lied to me. He told me she was okay. He told me that she was fine. He lied.
Christopher ushered his parents out of the pack house and quickly turned to me, a saddened look on his face.
“Diana-“
“Why did you lie to me?!?” I screamed as the tears spilled over. “You told me she was fine!”
He raised his hands to cup my face, but I backed up.
“You don’t understand.” He sighed.
“Then enlighten me,” I snapped.
I’ve never acted like this is my entire life. It frightened me. But I was so angry at Christopher.
“I did it to protect you.”
“Protect me? How would-“
I stopped when something snapped into place.
“She was that little white wolf.”
He nodded.
“But you said-“
“I said it because I knew you would blame yourself.”
“Because it is my fault Christopher! All of this is my fault!”
He stepped closer to me but I shook. He immediately stopped.
“You should’ve told me.”
“I know, but-“
I walked past him and went to the door, wrapping my fingers around the knob.
“I should’ve known.”
I flung the door open and ran out as the tears stopped flowing. I had no idea where I was going, but I just had to clear my head, get some air.
But I shouldn’t be able to forget this. After all…
It’s my fault.
When I was running, I had no idea where my feet would take me. I wanted to see Allison, but I had no idea where the pack doctor was. So I kept running until my feet decided to stop, and they stopped at Christopher’s parents house.
So now I sat on the front steps with my head in my hands, not wanting to go closer to the house for everything I had done.
Wasn’t there a way to make everyone safe?
My breath hitched. There was. Paul had offered me a deal to make him stop everything he was doing.
Everyone was fighting and Christopher was pinned down by rouges. But as soon as I showed up, everyone froze.
Even Paul.
He made his way to me, eyes shining with…happiness? Why?
“Diana.” He called, holding out his hand. “I’ve come for you.”
Sudden realization hit me and my eyes widened. But I still stalked forward, heading for Paul. I had to make him go away.
“What have you done? Paul? Why are you here? Go back to your mate.” I whimpered.
Paul frowned and walked around me, his eyes observing as if I was his test subject.
“What a cute outfit. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were going swimming.”
Paul was aggravating me. He wasn’t getting to the point, he was just stalling.
My hand snapped up and gripped his wrist. “Just get to the point.”
“Diana, I’ve come to get you. We can live happily together and have pups and raise them. I want to be with you.”
Tears pricked my eyes. Did he forget what he did? What he caused me? He almost made me fall for him and then he killed everyone I knew! And then he just saunters back into my life?
My body began to shake from the anger building up. “Paul, go away. I never want to see you again.”
He just gave a small smile and brought me into a hug. But I didn’t hug back. I’d never forgive him.
“I love you Diana.” He said. Then he brought his mouth to my ear and began to talk quietly.
“I can hurt the ones you love Diana. So I’ll give you a choice. You already know the choices you have. You have a week to make your mind up.”
He pulled away and smiled, as if he didn’t do anything wrong. Then he walked away, his pack of rouges following, until they disappeared in the forest.
Tears pricked my eyes as I realized what I had to do. I’d have to leave with Paul, just to keep everyone safe. So no one else would get hurt. I’d-
“Diana?”
My was snapped up to the familiar voice. The voice of someone I thought I wouldn’t hear for awhile.
“Grace? What? How?”
She was wearing a sweatshirt with sweatpants, an outfit I picked out with Melanie when she took me shopping. But I was glad that she was wearing it.
She nodded and sat next to me, draping her arm over my shoulder. “I literally woke up thirty minutes ago.”
I looked up at her but she wasn’t looking back. “So…you don’t know what’s been going on, do you?”
She shook her head. “No…I woke up in a room with a girl watching me. I sort of freaked her out I think. And then I tried running because I was confused but she said I should probably look in the mirror before I made any rash decisions.” Grace chuckled while rubbing her cheek. “Well I did and found a…’a guy’s meat’ drawn on my cheek. Took me forever to scrub it off. I also realized I was in a bikini as well. Well, when I was done, I found these clothes on my bed with a note that said ‘I posted pictures and videos of your face, so there’s no point of hiding it. Also, Diana is probably running around the territory somewhere if you need here.’”
I laughed. “My friend Melanie drew on your face and Kate is the one who you probably freaked out.”
Grace laughed. “I’m glad you found some friends Diana.”
When she turned and looked at me, there were tears in her eyes that made me hug her tightly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t find you,” she sobbed. “I couldn’t keep my promise.”
“No, no Grace, it’s fine. You did find me, see.”
She clung to me. “I wish that festival never happened. Everyone would still be alive, including Larry.”
My breath caught in my throat. I had to tell her about Paul.
I pulled away from our hug. “Grace, do you remember Paul?”
She nodded and her face immediately contorted to anger. “He’s the one who started the rouge attack.”
I nodded and looked down at my feet. “He’s back, and he attacked today and hurt my mate’s sister. He told me something that I can’t tell anyone.”
“He’s doing it again,” she gasped. “He’s ruining our lives.”
I nodded just as a cold feeling swept over me, making my break into a cold sweat.
I was having one of my feelings. But I hadn’t had one in a while! I just thought they decided to stop!
I looked around frantically until my eyes landed on a pair staring at me from the forest.
Paul.
Was he going to watch my every move now? Make sure that I do what he wants?
“Diana? Are you okay?”
I snapped my head back at Grace. I had completely forgotten she was there.
“Uh…yeah. I’ve just been jumpy since the attack.”
She nodded and smiled. “Hey, I saw an awesome park when I was looking for you. It has a swing set. How about we go there and be rambunctious teens for once.
I giggled and forgot all my problems. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“So,” Grace started as we began swinging on the swing sets. “How long have you been here so far?”
I tilted my head up and and watched as the clouds moved across the gray sky. I remembered that this was the same exact park I met Melanie at. “Two weeks at most.”
I could feel Grace smile. “And your mate is the alpha. You lucked out Diana. I thought that both of our mates died.”
My head snapped to Grace who was looking at her feet. Did she still think of Larry? Just the thought of that made my heart clench.
“Grace…do you think that Larry was you mate?”
She shrugged. “That night, we mostly talked, didn’t touch. And just before he was about to take me dancing, chaos erupted. Before we knew it…a rouge attacked him. I caught him when he got sliced, but he was already gone…I didn’t have time to see if I felt sparks between us.”
I sighed. “Maybe your mate is still out there.”
“I highly doubt it. I believe he died with our pack.”
I started thinking. My mate wasn’t apart of our pack, so I was able to be united with him. So maybe, just maybe, the same thing was with Grace!
“Grace!” I exclaimed, jumping onto the balls of my feet. “You’re mate could still be out there!”
She looked at me, eyes wide. “Diana, I-“
I ran up to her and shushed her with my finger. “Shhh, just listen.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Next week we’re having a ball where surrounding packs will be joining us to discuss some matters. Maybe your mate is in one of those packs!”
She smiled and jumped to her feet, bouncing with joy. “So what does this mean?”
I grabbed her hands and bounced with her. “It means we’re going to find your mate!”
We began laughing and giggling, excited for the ball to come. Nothing could ruin this.
“Oh, hey Diana.”
Except that.
Our heads snapped to the one and only Alfred who was smirking. But Grace being as shy as she was, jumped behind me.
“What do you want Alfred?”
“Oh come on, don’t act like that. I thought we were great friends.”
I shook my head. “Can we please not do this today, I’m sort of busy.”
He shrugged. “Well I’m not, so let’s do this right now.”
I groaned and Grace tapped me on the shoulder. “Who’s that?”
I didn’t have time to answer her because Alfred beat me to it. His eyes snapped to her as if he had just noticed her.
“Uh…I’m, I’m Alfred.” He said shyly.
Wait, what? Since when did Alfred act like this?
Grace looked at him, her eyes showing shock. “I’m Grace.”
She stepped from behind me and walked up to Alfred who was staring at her intently. Then she held out her hand.
“Nice to meet you,” she said coolly. But I could read her like an open book. She was scared, but why?
He hesitantly gripped her hand. But as soon as they touched, they jumped back.
My hands flew to Grace’s shoulders to steady her.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?”
Grace stared at her hands before she looked at me. “Sparks.”
“What?”
Her face lit up. “I felt sparks!”
“Sparks? But that means-“
I glanced at Alfred who was staring at his hand before looking back up at Grace, a small smile crossing his face.
No way.
Grace looked away from me and walked towards Alfred who was doing the same. Time passed but they just stood there face to face, taking each other in. But then Grace made the first move by hugging him and burying her head in his chest.
“I’ve finally found you.” She mumbled.
Alfred stiffened, not knowing what to do. But then he started to relax and snaked his arms around her waist, bringing her closer as he buried his head in the crook of her neck.
I couldn’t help but smile. But then I felt as if I was intruding.
“Uh, so um, Alfred, maybe you can bring Grace to Christopher’s house later because that’s where she’s staying.”
He lifted his gaze to me and nodded.
I smiled and turned my back to them, making my way back to Christopher’s house myself. I had to apologize for the way I acted.
I took one last glance over my shoulder and broke into a toothy grin.
“Congratulations Grace.” I whispered.