Chapter 151: The Calm That Didn't Last

Alyssa's POV

A permanent frown was etched on my face and I didn't bother hiding it. Zayne was putting my bag in the car and watching it happen only made my blood boil. I swear if I laid hands on the family that was hell-bent on keeping us apart, they'll be sorry.

You make it sound like we're going for a month,” my wolf said. "And everything will be back to how it used to be.”

"What do you know?” I muttered, "every moment counts and our child needs his father.”

I could feel her roll her eyes at that, "first, that's not happening anytime soon and ‘he’ might be a ‘she’.” She said.

“Who's side are you on?" I asked, but before she could reply…even though I was certain she would say mine, Zayne came towards me, wrapping his arms around me and the warmth from him almost made me forget I was supposed to be mad.

"Hey baby,” he called softly, "you have nothing to worry about, everything will go as planned and before you know it, we're back together." Zayne assured me.

I nodded, "make sure you kick their asses for me.”

He placed a kiss on my forehead, “for you, anything."

The girls came out and all of them had the same expression except Lori who was just happy to be here and Nyra, who just stood in one corner watching us.

Zayne had insisted she come with us, just in case we needed to activate ‘twin superpower’ and I blame Tristan for putting that thought in his head. “Can we forget her behind?" Aileen asked, looking at Nyra.

“For the last time, Aileen, no, we cannot.” I replied, causing Zayne to chuckle, his arms around me tightening.

"It's worth a trial.”

For the next few minutes, we just remained in each other's arms as the guys put every other thing in the car and said goodbye to their mates.

“Keep them safe." Zayne said to Jace who nodded. Then he turned to me again, “I love you, Red."

“I love you and I'll see you in two days."

Placing one last kiss on his lips, I entered the car, sitting between Aria and Lori. Jace got into the driver's seat and once he was sure everyone was ready, he began driving.

I waved at Zayne until we could no longer see them and only then did it begin to feel real. That we were taking on what was the biggest battle since I came to the pack.

The girls had also gone quiet, no doubt they were thinking about the same thing. And although we were trying to be brave, it was obvious that there was a part of us that was scared that things wouldn't go as planned.

“I mean,” Lori started, breaking the silence. "The guys and Alpha Zayne spent a lot of time preparing for this, I'm sure it'd be fine."

“She's right, let's not overthink it." Aria agreed.

I took a deep breath and listened as the girls spoke about what they'd do once they were back to the Pack. And for a moment, it took my mind off what was happening.

After a while, the car fell silent and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of the tires on the road and also from the car following behind us. Zayne had insisted we went with some warriors. We didn't want to draw too much attention to ourselves, so one car was enough.

The drive lasted about two hours because Jace decided to take his time driving like an old man.

My wolf chuckled, "our mate did say he should keep us safe.”

"Yes, but he didn't say anything about not driving like a normal person." I replied, just as the car came to a stop in front of a house…scratch that, mansion.

My jaw dropped as I opened the door, "What the heck!” I exclaimed, taking in the size of the house that was almost half the size of the Pack house.

"Tell me about it.” Lori said.

"I mean, I know he has a place in the city but definitely not this.”

Aileen chuckled, "A place? You mean places?”

"I need to have a serious conversation with your brother.” I murmured. "It should be a crime to leave this place unoccupied for months. I can't believe he didn't tell me about how beautiful it is."

“I'm definitely coming back here once everything is over, I need a break and maybe hours of uninterrupted love m–” Aria started but Lori didn't let her finish.

She shook her head, “there's a reason why your inner voice should remain inside of you." She murmured, causing the rest of us to laugh. But Aria just shrugged as we made our way into the house.

The warriors carried our bags while Jace did a quick check around the house before we finally chose our rooms and changed into something more comfortable.

“Be careful tomorrow and don't forget to mindlink me if you need my help, okay?" I said to Zayne when I'd settled down.

“I know, Red." He replied. “And try not to give Jace any headache."

I let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand on my chest even if he couldn't see me. “Is that what you think of me?" I asked, shaking my head. “But I'll try.” I added quietly and he laughed.

We spent almost an hour talking until he needed to go and finish up whatever he was doing. “Moon goddess, please let everything end well." I prayed. I mean, I've done a lot of that, but this might just be the one she answers.

"Dinner is ready.”Elara's familiar voice said, as she knocked on the door.

I threw it open, “thank you." I said, and she nodded. “You've been really quiet, are you okay?”

"Yes,” she replied. “I guess I'm just worried about Tristan."

“We all are, but the guys would be fine." I assured her as we went to the living room to meet the others who were waiting for us before they'd start eating.

Once we were settled, we began eating and talking about everything and nothing in particular. Then when that was done, we moved to watch a movie, which wasn't too bad because it took our minds off what was happening. We ended up falling asleep on the couch, only waking up the next morning when the smell of pancakes filled the room.

"Let's take a walk.” Aria suggested after breakfast and there was nothing else to do.

"I agree," Lori said, “if I have to stay indoors with the thoughts in my head, I'm going to go crazy.”

Jace shook his head, "yea, the fact that Lori agreed, makes it a terrible idea.”

She gasped, shooting him a glare. “What do you think of me?" Then she turned to face Aileen, who was holding back a laugh. “I can't prove it yet, but I'm certain you're talking bad about me behind my back."

“What do you mean? I do it in front of you."

We managed to convince Jace that it was only a short walk and that if anything feels off, we'll come back to the house until we have to return back to the Pack.

Changing into something comfortable, we left the house, taking in the beautiful scenery. The girls took a few pictures…they even made me pretend to take what was supposed to be a maternity shoot even though my pregnancy bump, although protruding, was barely noticeable.

That soon ended when we heard whistling and turned to see about three men walking towards us, biting their lips for whatever reason. It was obvious they were werewolves from their scent.

They were still several feet away when one of them let out another whistle. "Now that's a sight for sore eyes," the tallest one said, flashing what was probably supposed to be a charming smile. "We must be the luckiest men alive."

"I call the blonde," another announced, pointing at Aileen.

"Then I want the pregnant beauty," the third added shamelessly, winking at me and I rolled my eyes. At least he wasn't blind…dumb but definitely not blind.

Jace slowly turned to look at them. "Should I be offended," he asked dryly, "or impressed that none of you noticed the six-foot man standing right here?"

The three men blinked before looking at him.

One shrugged. "We're not into men but you're not bad looking."

We laughed, they most definitely have a death wish but who cares, I was going to enjoy every bit of it.

Aria leaned toward me and whispered, "This is the funniest thing I've seen all week."

Jace sighed dramatically. "I'm surrounded by traitors."

"Very pretty traitors," Lori corrected.

The tallest man grinned again. "So... any chance one of you ladies is single?"

"Absolutely," Lori answered with a perfectly straight face and Jace pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lori..."

She smiled sweetly. "What? I never said it was me." She replied, like she wasn't the only one without a mate here since Nyra chose not to come along.

Just as Jace opened his mouth to respond when Elara froze. She let out a scream and collapsed. “Mate!" She growled.

The men watched in confusion as Jace shifted into his wolf and carried her on his back, running back to the house and the rest of us following behind him.

As I ran, I felt my chest tightened and my vision blurred. I should've known something was going to go wrong…especially with how the day seems to be going on well.

"Please, moon goddess, let them be okay!”