" I know whose handwriting is this," Ava shouts in disbelief.
" Whose?" everyone asked.
" Our school janitor," Ava answered.
" When did you see the janitor's handwriting in the first place?" Liam questions.
" I was going to my cheer practice, I almost dump into the janitor and accidentally saw his do-to notes," Ava said confidently as she has a great memory and she was top in the test of memory testing every year.
" What is his name?" Ben inquiries with a controlled voice as he is furious that enemies are near his children.
" Bob and I don't know his last name," Ava muttered looking a little scared of his Dad's expression.
" Okay, get ready as we have to leave the house on time so we can reach Devil's Tango on time," Katie uses that as an excuse so that the children leave the room and she can talk to Ben.
" Shoot, I have little time to get ready," Anna and Ava screamed simultaneously then almost ran out of the room.
" Mom and Dad, tell me everything you find out so I could protect Anna and Ava at school especially," Liam requested as he understood his parents will discuss the situation. The Beta couple nodded at Liam then Liam leave the room with a relieved look.
" Why are you using Anna and Ava as bait?" Katie accused Ben as he is still taking them to Devil's Tango despite the danger.
" I am not using them as bait but rather teaching them not to be scared. When we take precautions like hiring bodyguards or restricting them within the pack borders can only make them weak. Dad never did those on buddy and me that taught us to be cautious and alert about our surroundings leading us to be great fighters," Ben defended himself looking offended by Katie's accusation.
" Ben, this time our enemy could be the Unknown. We have visited the rescued she-wolves...They were... not just their body was damaged with scares and injuries but their mind and soul were harmed as well. That Unknown organisation is worst than a monster," Katie shivered remembering the time when they visited rescued she-wolves to choose them as a member of the Howler pack. As the council allows packs to choose the rescue werewolves as the new member of the pack.
" Izzie is happy now, especially after meeting her mate in our pack," Ben tries to console his mate but he isn't good at it.
This made Katie glares at her mate who doesn't know to console a person since he was trained to be an emotional-less person by his trainers. Then she rolls her eyes as a habit after listening to her mate at times.
" But the experience has scarred her that she still gets panic attacks. I meet her daily since her mate is Joey, our current Zeta. He couldn't hide the incidences from her and Izzie relived the memory before her pack was destroyed," Katie sounded depressing making Ben hug his mate.
" The history will not repeat itself...we will make sure of that," Ben whispered.
" I also have to tell you an important thing," Ben said and then Katie replied, "We all will be watched by the Alpha, "
" How do you know that?" Ben asked in a shocked tone.
" I am Female Beta for a reason. So who is in charge of watching us," Katie responded.
" Our floor will have hidden cameras and microphones that only Chris, Aiden and I will watch. Whereas bedrooms will only have microphones which only be supervised by two of us," Ben informed making Katie stunned.
" We can't invade children's privacy," Katie whispered in fear that one of the children hears it.
" It's just temporary and I won't leave any risk as well," Ben said.
" And this way, we will know when Anna sneaks out to the woods. Because we know nothing will stop her to wander in the wood," Ben reasoned that making Katie nod in agreement.
" Let's get ready now," Katie announced.
In the meanwhile, Anna and Ava are doing each other's makeup while Liam is laying on the bed using his phone.
" Get ready quickly, I need either of you to take my pictures," Liam groans.
" Shut up," Ava and Anna shouted simultaneously.
" Will you two stop talking at the same time, it's annoying," Liam whines like a child.
" You know we can't help it," Ava said while applying lipstick to Anna's lips.
" And why do you care about taking pictures?" Anna questions knowing Liam will be annoyed.
" Just because I am a man, that doesn't mean I don't like to take pictures," Liam spoke sounding pissed.
" You are seventeen, Liam so how the hell you became a man," Ava muttered while putting on her earrings.
" You have studied human reproduction so in that matter I am a man," Liam spoke proudly while his sister looked at each other in shock.
" You did what?" Anna shouted.
" Mom will kill you for that," Ava whispered after gesturing for Anna to lower her voice.
" She will do that when she finds out. I have always been careful. And it's not like I am the only one doing it. Almost...95% of students in our school do it," Liam talks in a tone that he didn't do anything wrong.
" Why are you doing it in the first place when you know you have a mate? And you will be able to identify her on your eighteenth birthday," Anna asked and Ava nodded.
" It's not like I am sleeping with numerous girls...I am sure she is my mate and she is confident as well," Liam explains.
" Then why haven't you introduced her to us?" Anna asked at the same time Ava asks, " Did you give a promise ring to her?"
" We thought to come clean after my eighteen birthday regardless we turn out to be mates or not," Liam said.
" Now who will be taking pictures?" Liam questioned instantly.
" Anna lost the race that she will be taking pictures of us first," Ava sounded cheerful while Anna rolled her eyes and then the three of them left the room to take pictures outside the pack house. As they were going, the spy watched them at far.
Spy: The beta family have moved into the pack house as we planned.
Alpha: Get closer to the family. Especially, the Beta Ben or his son Liam.
Spy: I will.
Then the spy left her spot and went toward the group of werewolves while acting natural.
While the Alpha was waiting for his informer who is hiding outside the pack border to confirm that the Beta family have left the territory.
" Alpha, are we going to eat these girls?" Leo asked wickedly as the girls they capture an hour ago were looking delicious to him.
" Never and I mean it never asked me that. Those are humans and their death will involve royals. I will never take that risk for pleasure you sick needs," The Alpha holds Leo's collar and made sure his claws pierce his neck while he threatens him.
" I am sorry, Alpha" Leo submitted to the Alpha who released him.
The Alpha hated his members eating humans for their sick pleasure as kidnapping humans and eating them will create problems for him. But his Beta's father, the former Beta and currently is the only Epsilon of the pack. As none of the previous members survived the attack that killed his pack. The Epsilon Samuel supervises the activity of kidnapping and eating the female humans. Whenever the Alpha and the Beta object to it, Samuel reasons it saying, " It's always been a tradition of our pack and we must keep it alive,"
Even though the Alpha and Beta have eaten humans before that because they didn't have any food to survive while living in the woods. But after they were able to afford food, they stopped as they never liked the taste of the human flesh. The Alpha could command Epsilon Samuel to stop but Samuel has been a father to the Alpha since he became an orphan. Therefore, the affection and respect for Epsilon Samuel have always stopped Alpha from commanding him.
" Looks like, you are in the bad mood brother, same as me," The Beta arrives along with a few other werewolves who went to help the Beta to find his mate.
" I assume you didn't find her," Alpha cheers up seeing his best friend who always has an aura of cheerfulness whereas his aura scares everyone except for his Beta and Samuel.
" I will find her, " The Beta promised and then asked,
" What are those humans for?" Beta asked after smelling the humans.
" Showing the Beta family a glimpse of the future waiting for their daughters after we capture them," The Alpha smirked wickedly while the Beta chuckled.
" I thought the Beta's daughter has red hair," The Beta said as he never saw the picture of the Beta's daughter.
" We want our message to be understood and it's exhausting to find red hair girls in a short time," The Alpha explains and then he received a message from his informer.
Informer: The Beta family have left and the future Alpha Aston is with them.
The message made the Alpha laugh as he can show his dominance to the future Alpha kid. This will be considered an insult to Aston as Alpha wolves don't like another show dominance over them except for the royals.
" What made you laugh like that?" The Beta looked at his Alpha with narrow eyes.
" The future Alpha of Howler pack is going to be there," Alpha answered and the Beta understood the reason.
" Too bad, I won't be accompanying since I have to get ready for our next step," The Beta spoke with regret about missing the opportunity to see Aston insulted.
" Don't worry, what I am going to do is nothing what will you do," Alpha patted the Beta's shoulder and left to surprise the Beta family.
As the Beta family are enjoying their ride to the human territory except for Anna who is glaring at Aston. Whereas Aston is enjoying the reaction from Anna who hasn't relaxed the moment she got to know Aston is accompanying them to the dinner.
Anna: Didn't you two break up?
Ava: We did. But you know Aston is protective towards me that nothing will stop him from protecting me.
Anna groaned after reading Ava's message as Anna won't speak anything against Aston while being with her parents present. They will hear everything clearly with their heightened hearing sense even if Anna whispers.
" How long will it take to reach Devil's Tango? I am starving," Liam grumbles.
" Just a few more minutes," Ben chuckled.
" Liam, didn't you have something before we moved into the pack house?" Katie asked as she clearly remember Liam having a sandwich before packing his bags.
" Yeah, mom, I did. But I work out a lot so I end up being hungry again," Liam answered trying to hide his nervousness as he spent his time with a girl he likes.
" Where do you work out. I only see you during the training time for warms up at the gym?" Ben questions as he is suspicious about Liam sleeping with someone for a while. He didn't confront him as he doesn't have proof and it's a serious accusation in the werewolf community.
" He works out at my personal gym on the Alpha floor along with Oliver and me," Aston quickly defended his friend as Oliver and he knows Liam spends time with a girl. They also don't know who is the girl as Liam said he will introduce her on his eighteenth birthday therefore Oliver and Aston respected Liam's privacy and thus never question or tries to find out about the girl. Yet, they tease Liam at times when no one is around with the nickname they kept for the girl which is 'mystery girl'.
" Oh," Ben let out looking relief as he doesn't want his doubts to come true. Whereas Liam relaxed when Ben believes Aston's lies and then messages Aston.
Liam: Thanks dude, I owe you.
Aston: Anytime and get ready for paying me back.
On the other hand, Ava understood Aston lied to Ben for Liam. As she knows Aston prefers to work out alone and that's why he made a personal gym on the Alpha floor. Then Ava messages Anna to share the gossip that she got to know.
Ava: Aston lied to Dad. As Aston prefers to work out alone.
Anna: Well, I know he was lying when he mentioned Oliver. Oliver hates to work out at the gym and does Zomba instead of lifting weights except for the training times with other werewolves.
Ava: How do you know that?
Anna: Chloe told. IDK how she got to know.
Anna: Does Aston knows the girl?
Ava: IDK. But I will find out.
Ava: Do you have any idea who the girl might be?
Anna: What if it's Annie? the hatred and bullying are a trick to fool us.
Ava couldn't control her laugh after reading Anna's reply which caught everyone's attention.
" What so funny, dear?" Ben asked smiling.
" Someone just messages me that Annie could be Liam's mate. As that person finds them compatible," Ava answered with a mischief smirk.
" Who could say that?" Katie growled before Liam could say anything.
" Sorry Mom, I don't kiss and tell," Ava said casually as she expected that reaction from Katie.
" Liam doesn't deserve a woman with that reputation of being a pack slut," Katie grumble making Liam agree with her.
" I know right, she doesn't deserve to be in the same room with me," Liam exaggerated to express his hatred towards Annie.
" Liam, don't behave like an entitled brat. Your mom, Rose used to be called that," Ben muttered as he knows his brother, Matt and Rose would never let Liam behave badly with a woman because she sleeps around.
" Ben, how could you compare Rose with Annie?. Rose was rejected by her mate therefore her wolf was depressed and seek affection wherever she could find it. But Annie... she doesn't care about her mate as she knows her mate won't be a high-ranked werewolf and that made her not find her mate as she is a power-hungry woman," Katie yells at Ben with a disbelief look because of Ben's statement. As Rose and Katies were extremely close therefore Katie couldn't control herself after hearing Ben.
Whereas, Liam frowned at Ben's statement as he is well aware of his biological parent's love story. And his hatred toward Annie doesn't have to do with the fact she sleeps around. Thus, he decided to share his thoughts on Annie as he doesn't want his parents to think of something else.
" I sense Annie as a threat and that's why I said that. I don't care about her body counts or whatever her label is," Liam muttered making Ben realise his mistake and feel guilty about it.
" I am sorry... It's just that I heard some rumours about you bullying Annie because of her...," Ben apologises sincerely while Liam pales to know that his Dad is aware of the rumours.
Then Liam got scared as if Ben gets to know about the rumours, Ben will object to Liam becoming the Beta. A former Beta or Epsilons who are the former high-ranked werewolves of the pack can object to the future Beta which may lead to someone else being chosen as the future Beta of the pack. Therefore, Liam has to make sure Ben and Katie never find out about the bullying which will devastate them and question their upbringing. Thus, he needs to know who messaged Ava in the first place then Liam messaged on the group chat which only had his siblings.
Liam: Who messaged that? Consider this a payback as you owe me.
Ava and Anna looked at each other after reading Liam's message and debating through facial expressions whether to tell him or not. In the end, Anna thought to come to clean so she screenshot the messages she had with Ava and send them to the group chat. After reading the screenshot, Liam becomes furious and replied.
Liam: WTF Anna? You will pay for this.
Then Liam screenshots the message and sends it to Aston who reads the conversation and smirks. As he knows what will Liam message him next.
Liam: I am with you. Tell me your revenge plan on Anna.
Aston: My revenge is playing with Anna's mind just like she did with me during the match.
Liam: There will be no regrets in the future from me.
As Aston and Liam were messaging about the revenge plan on their group chat named ' AABLGO' which means
AA- Alpha Aston, BL- Beta Liam and GO- Gamma Oliver. Making Aston and Liam oblivious about the surrounding. As they got startled when the car stopped in front of the restaurant.
Everyone enjoyed their dinner at Devil's Tango the restaurant known for the varieties of meat they have. And Ben had to order three times for the bodyguards, his mate and himself as werewolves have a large appetite. Since the children aren't werewolves yet, they didn't order for the second time.
" I didn't like the drink and desserts," Ava complains as Ben drives back to Howler Pack.
" I told you, the restaurant was only famous for its meat and nothing else," Anna respond before releasing a burp.
Katie and Ava made a disturbing expression after smelling the burp and before Katie could yell at Anna.
" Anna, that's all you have," Ben shout enough that his voice can be heard to the back.
" Benjamin Franklin, don't you dare," Katie warned Ben harshly as she knew he was about to burp. Ben had to listen to his mate as she called him by his full name and disobeying her can cause him to sleep on the sofa. Whereas Ben's wolf, Pete wags his tail while letting his tongue out as he is feeling happy with his family.
" I never sense you this much happy," Ben said to Pete.
" I am feeling satisfied with life now," Pete answered.
As Ben and Pete continue to talk to each other that they didn't notice two figures crossing the road until the bodyguard stopped the car.
" Children stay inside," Ben ordered before coming out of the car.
It was two human teenage girls naked and their bodies were filled with animal starch. Ben almost lost his control over Pete after seeing his daughter's name craved on the humans.
" Save us, please" one of the girls plead making adults come out of their shock.
Katie brought extra clothes from the truck to the girls. They took the clothes quickly and started to cry while Katie console them.
" What happened?" One of the bodyguards asked.
" We were going to the mall when a group of people kidnapped us. They blindfolded us and later threw us to dogs or wolves... I don't what. They even craved our chest with these names...," The girl couldn't control her sobbing.
" We want to go home," another girl said.
" Don't worry, the police are on their way," Ben screamed as he was far from the girls as he talked to Alpha Chris and explained the situation. Then called the nearby police station where the head is a werewolf. When Ben was on the call, he didn't notice the children were hearing everything he said.
Anna and Ava got paled as they listen to their father. And for the first time, they were scared while being with their parent. As they always feel safe as they knew their parents are capable to keep them away from danger.
" Our pack is in danger of Unknown," Ava broke the silence in the car and then everyone in the car noticed she was shivering in fear.
Aston couldn't see Ava like this so he hugged her immediately and rub her back while whispering to her, " I will protect you no matter what,"
This made Ava calm down as other than her parents Ava always feel safe in Aston's presents.
Liam on the other hand was listening to his Dad's conversation while Anna was remembering the documentary about rescued she-wolves and the torture they faced.
Anna couldn't control her scare and started to whimper as she controls herself not to cry. Then everyone turned their attention toward Anna.
Ava hugged her twin and didn't say a thing as she knows that might make Anna cry more. Even though Aston hates Anna, he didn't like her crying. He wanted to comfort her but he didn't know what to do as he wasn't close to her.
And for the first time, Aston was feeling helpless and promised himself that he will kill the culprit with his own hands. Because he is the future Alpha of Howler Pack and he must protect his pack member.
Aston knew this was a message from the enemy and a direct insult to his father and him. Alpha are the protector of the pack and anyone who threats the member of the pack will face Alpha's wrath. And if the Alpha fails to capture or punish the culprit then it's a huge failure for the Alpha.
" Beta Ben, can you tell one of the guards to drop us back to the pack-house," Aston spoke with the future Alpha authority.
Then only Ben saw his daughter's face which was showing fear and this made Beta Ben realise his mistake that he should have sent them to the pack immediately then he could have called Alpha Chris.
Ben quickly ordered one of the bodyguards to drive the children to the pack safety. Ben was having a hard time controlling his wolf Pete. Who was growling non-stop.
" I will kill whoever made my pups scared," Pete roars.
" We will kill them. For now, calm down," Ben said as he doesn't want the human girls to witness his eyes changing from human to wolf back and front.
A police siren started to hear shortly followed by an ambulance. The officer talked to Beta Ben while maintaining a distance from the humans.
" Does this involves your pack matter?" The police officer was sigma, a lone werewolf asked.
" Yes, I have talked to my Alpha...Alpha Chris of Howler pack who told me, he will call the council on the basis for human aid emergency," Beta Ben said.
" There have been cases of missing female human. Later their bones are found. I think the council may allow hunters to take this matter," The police officer shares inside information with Beta Ben and indirectly warns him to be cautious as false hunters may arrive in the area as well.
Whenever hunters arrive, there is a possibility of false hunters arriving as well. False hunters are those who don't follow the code and kill innocent werewolves.
" It may be the work of Unknown, as they not only attack the pack but also increase the kidnapping cases of female humans nearby the pack area," The officer spoke while looking at the frightened girls.
" But they never did this, why could they do it?" Officer raised the question.
" It was a message directly to me threatening my daughters," Ben gritted his teeth in anger.
" It looks...the enemy taking this to a personal level. Did you consider your enemies who may copy the action of the Unknown?" The officer's question made Ben irritated.
" Yes, we did," Ben answered regardless.
" What about old rivals?" The officer asked making Ben widen his eyes which answer the officer's question that they didn't consider the old rivals.
"Ben" Katies shouts for Ben and then gestures for him to come where she is.
When Ben reaches Katie, she handed him a paper which was written,
" How did your daughters like the glimpse of their future,"
Ben took deep breaths to control himself from shifting in front of humans.
" This is worse than I thought," Ben whispered to Katie.
" Ben, why are you looking guilty?" Katie asked worriedly.
" The girls looked scared and Anna was crying... I felt helpless at that moment," Ben said looking almost defended.
" They will be okay, we will make sure of that," Katie hugged Ben and whispered to him.
In the meanwhile, Anna and Ava decided to share the room until the matter is solved.
" Luckily, I didn't arrange my clothes in the closet. And the right side belongs to me," Ava muttered while Anna was removing her makeup.
" Anna, who do you suspect as a spy?" Ava asked.
" The newer comers," Anna muttered.
" Well, I was thinking of one of the omegas," Ava said while changing her clothes.
" Why is that?" Anna asked looking interested.
" Omegas are responsible for everything in the pack-house. They can be anywhere and if someone asked, they will use the excuse of doing chores," Ava answered.
As Ava and Anna were talking suddenly the door opened which startled Ava and Anna. It was Kai and Grace who came to invite Anna and Ava to the movie.
" It's already late. And don't you all sleep at night," Ava said.
" In the pack-house, no youngsters sleep in the night instead we have fun," Kai respond.
" Come on, it's your first night. Let's have fun," Grace plead to which Ava and Anna gave in.
Then the four of them went to the entertainment room where the majority of their classmates are hanging out including Aston and Liam as well.
" Aren't you two supposed to sleep by now," Liam asked.
" Aren't you supposed to sleep by now as well," Ava and Anna muttered simultaneously.
Liam shrugged and went on to play a pool game. While Anna and Ava went in a different direction where their friends were.
" Why do you look so dull?" Chloe asked as she thought Anna will be happy as she went to the Devil's Tango.
" You won't believe what happened," With that Anna shared the incident with her friends who also got scared.
" This means war is coming," one of the classmates who got his wolf said as he unintentionally heard the conversation. And then everyone in the room got interested in the matter. Except for one boy whose name is Lucas. He is the son of Izzie the rescued she-wolf and the future Zeta of the pack.
Lucas vow to himself to kill every member of the Unknown organisation who is responsible for his Mom's nightmare, panic and anxiety attack.
" I am going to live in my Mom's pack if we are the targets of the Unknown," One of the girls said which was understandable for the other girls. As the she-wolves face the worse from the Unknown.
" You can't just leave your pack during the danger," One of the boys frowned hearing the girl and before the girl could say anything. Aston spoke,
" Our pack is not in danger. We are one of the oldest and strongest packs in the world. Our pack was formed by the first generation of the werewolf, which makes us almost indestructible. If the Unknown is after us then it was fated for us, the Howler pack to put the end to that organisation,"
Everyone in the room cheered for Aston as he was able to eliminate the fear they all had. Now everyone is inspired by his speech and is ready to fight for the pack. Then whoever had their wolves started to howl to indicate their loyalty to Aston. As everyone was busy cheering and howling, no one notice the spy had been recording Aston's speech and sending it to the Alpha.
Spy: Looks like everyone will get ready for the attack.
Alpha: Inform me about their fighting strategies, practice timing and hiding places.
Spy: Yes, Alpha.
The Alpha was furious after watching the video, he wanted Aston to feel insulted rather he is looking more determined for the war.
" Don't worry, everything is going to our plan. We were able to annihilate every pack we attack and that will happen to the Howler Pack as well," Beta said noticing the Alpha's anger.
" This time is different. The attack isn't for our business but it's our revenge... it's personal making it more dangerous for us as well for them," Alpha said looking in pain as he remembers his late parents and the time they spend before his parents were killed in the brutal matter. The Alpha wasn't been able to perform the last ritual for his parents as Epsilon Samuel took him away before the attacker get to him.
" Take the informers with you tomorrow," Alpha ordered to the Beta without explanation. But the Beta knows the informer is for his safety as the Alpha doesn't want anything to happen to him since he is like a brother to him.
" I will, Alpha," the Beta bowed to the Alpha in respect and left the room.