109

109
Isla’s POV

I stared into Aaron's eyes, a mix of uncertainty and determination clouding his expression. My mind raced with thoughts, my instincts urging me to delve deeper into this mystery. "Aaron, something doesn't feel right. There's a nagging feeling within me, urging us to look further into this situation," I voiced my concerns aloud. I stroked Carrie’s hand as her eyes remained closed and wished that she would wake up already. I wanted to hug her close to my chest. I had missed her.

Aaron glanced at me, unsure how to respond, before finally giving a solemn nod. "Isla... I trust your instincts. If you feel we need to pursue this, then we will. But we must proceed with caution."

Before I could respond, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of my mother, accompanied by an unfamiliar figure. A sense of unease settled within me as I noticed the gravity etched on their faces.

“Isla, may we have a word?" my mother's voice held a severe tone, causing me to nod in agreement.

“Yes, of course. What is going on?” my heart pounded in my chest as I followed them out of the hospital room

Walking further away from Aaron, my mother's friend introduced himself.

“Hello, Luna Isla. My name is Jameson. I am a wizard, and your mother told me about your daughter Carrie. I understand that she is not your blood daughter?” he said.

“That's right. My sister and my ex-mate adopted her. But I have taken her on as mine along with Alpha Aaron. She is all I had left from Pembroke being destroyed.” I said sadly.

“We have some important information.” my mother said, touching my shoulder.

Jameson began to explain the staggering revelation he possessed. "We believe Carrie's father was someone of immense power. And Carrie herself possesses extraordinary abilities," my heart skipped a beat as he continued. "Mrs. Jenkins knew of these powers and craved them for herself. Powers that could shake even the mightiest of lycans."

Shock coursed through my veins, threatening to consume me. How was this possible? Carrie's birth father had been killed or so I had believed. The truth felt like a sandstorm, swirling inside me, blurring the lines between reality and deception.

Determined to understand the truth, I squared my shoulders, meeting my mother's gaze with determination. "We can't ignore this, Mother. Carrie's safety, our pack's safety, depends on us uncovering the whole truth. We must ensure that she is never unsupervised and nobody will have a chance to steal her away again.”

Her eyes softened with understanding, mirroring the fire burning within me. "Isla, I agree. We won't let Carrie become a pawn in whatever game Mrs. Jenkins is playing. We'll find out the truth and protect our family.”

I turned our attention back to Jameson. "Jameson, we appreciate your assistance in this matter. We will need your expertise and guidance to navigate the complexities of Carrie's powers," I stated firmly. He nodded, his serious expression transitioning into one of determination. "I am at your service, Luna Isla. Although, with your permission, I will need to check this girl over,” he said.

“Of course. Thank you.” I instantly agreed.

As we returned to Aaron, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling within me. The weight of responsibility rested heavily on my shoulders, but at the same time, a fierce determination fueled my every step. We would protect Carrie at all costs, and we would bring justice to those who sought to harm our family.

Aaron's eyes widened as he laid his eyes on my resolute expression. "Isla, what's happened?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before relaying the information we had just received. His brows furrowed in disbelief as he digested the staggering truth.

We watched in silence as Jameson walked around Carrie’s bedside. She looked so tiny lying there. I prayed that she would be ok. After a few moments, Jameson stepped back and turned to face the three of us.

"We must be vigilant, Luna Isla and Alpha Aaron. Carrie possesses unimaginable power, and some will stop at nothing to seize it," Jameson warned.

“Oh my goddess!” I murmured, gripping my mate's hand tightly. Aaron nodded, his grip mirroring my intensity. "We won't allow anyone to harm her. We'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

“I can help her. There is a way to bring her back. She is still young and healthy. She can fight against the power that tries to overwhelm her. Whoever stole this child is a clever but sly creature. They must have been interrupted by the search parties and ran away, leaving Carrie where she was found.” he explained. He did not take his eyes off Carrie. He gently touched her forehead and then her arms and her feet.

My mother stood at the side, observing as if deep in her thoughts.

“Now she needs to rest and time,” Jameson said.

“Luna Isla, we need to put some precautions in place,” Aaron informed me, and we knew there was no time to waste.

We called for a pack meeting, gathering the Alphas, Beta, and trusted members to present them with the revelations we had discovered. The room filled with hushed anticipation as I stepped forward, my voice steady yet filled with a sense of urgency.

"Pack members, we have recently learned of a grave danger that looms over our family. Carrie, our beloved member, contains powerful abilities that others seek to exploit. We will not allow this to happen," I began, my words echoing throughout the room. The air crackled with a mixture of concern and determination.

Aaron stepped forward beside me, his presence radiating strength. "We cannot afford to underestimate our enemies. Mrs Jenkins will stop at nothing to control Carrie's powers. We know she has people working for her despite her being locked away. We must bolster our defences and increase our patrols. No one is to be left alone or unprotected. Together, we will prevail," he declared, his voice resonating with unwavering conviction.

A chorus of resolute voices filled the room as the pack pledged their loyalty and dedication to the cause. We would stand united, protecting those we cherished dearly. The ground beneath us seemed to shift, an invisible force binding us against the impending storm.

“Luna Isla, Alpha Aaron.” Sasha came to us through the mind-link. “Carrie is awake. And there is someone at the border who claims to have information on what happened to Carrie and how she ended up where she was found.”