Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Amara’s POV.
Even though I knew I could slit her throat, I didn’t do it. I refrained myself from doing so. Even though I was enraged by her cruelty towards Samael, I restrained my emotions. Astra had informed me beforehand to act surprised by what I witnessed.
“So, you’re even going after children now?”
Tsk, what a lack of class she had!
“Are you a traitor? The Luna of her own pack?”
I gritted my teeth, my fists shaking as I clench them. I could see Astra avoided making eye contact with me as she murmured something under her breath.
I focused my sight, sharpening my vision, and noticed that Samael was wearing an almost invisible earpiece. It was so small that it would go unnoticed unless one was specifically looking for it. Despite his weakness, he managed to smile, and that was it! Our plan had succeeded.
“Checkmate.”
“By the way, did you manage to find what I asked for?”
I laid eyes on the contents of the plastic bag I needed. It contained a strand of hair and the refining stone.
Samael’s words about that stone came back to my memory.
“Mom, we should get the refining stone from them,” he had told me.
I paused reading the newspaper I had picked up before going to our hideout. Masha wasn’t here now, and I made sure she wouldn’t be able to hack into the kitchen.
Among all the areas within the hideout, the kitchen was the safest because I had made sure there were no surveillance cameras here, but I couldn’t remove all the bugs she had installed or else we would be suspected.
“What’s that?” I asked Samael, curiosity piqued.
“It’s a yellow stone engraved with a crescent moon and cross symbol on the top of it. It has the ability to weaken us when it’s near. It’s so painful for us, so we have no choice but to obey whoever possesses it. That’s why we need to get it, Mom. Not having it in our possession could put us at a disadvantage when the war begins,” he explained.
I blinked, processing his words. “Then why did you only inform me now?”
Avoiding my gaze, he replied, “I was afraid it would unlock forgotten memories that I don’t want to remember.”
My forehead furrowed, and I gently caressed his head. He looked up at me, and I sensed it. He was hiding something, as if he feared I would uncover it.
“Thank you for telling me this. It will be of great help,” I expressed.
His face softened, and he hugged me. I couldn’t help but beam and gave him a kiss on his forehead.
“Tonight will be a long one, so hear me out carefully,” I declared, emphasizing the need for everyone’s attention.
I fixated on each person accompanying me on the mission we were about to undertake. In front of me was the amulet that held Raoul’s hair. I glanced at Odessa, busy adjusting her attire. She was wearing a tailored black suit for women. She would be the one guarding the pack tonight.
We had no clue what kind of mischief she might get up to while we were away, especially now that she had become aware that the refining stone was no longer within her grasp. We couldn’t afford to underestimate her actions during our absence.
I was set to be the first to enter Axel’s house, with Astra and Max following me thirty minutes later to avoid suspicion. Samael, on the other hand, was the one who had to go to the basement of the house, despite my reluctance, he knew where the other Reprobatus children, including Masha, were hidden.
Our plan appeared to be progressing smoothly, except for the fact that I didn’t expect him to find out sooner.
“How did you find out?”
I found myself wearing a bitter smile after my conversation with Damien was over. Finally confessing everything to him, he understood why I had been acting so off over the past few days. He was a little disappointed because he thought I didn’t trust him, but I assured him that it was a matter between me and Axel. I hoped he would eventually understand.
The disappearance of Axel and Natasha yesterday had thrown the pack into a frenzy as we searched for them.
“Hey! That’s my banana!”
I winced at the sound of Apollo’s shout as he argued with Simon over a banana. As usual, our living room was noisy, not because of the children, but because of the childish minds present.
Dianne and Ryder were here with their firstborn, while I noticed Bella getting frustrated with her husband’s petty argument. There were enough bananas on the table, but both of them had their pride.
I made a clicking sound with my tongue and shifted my gaze to Masha, who was sitting next to Remi. They were both facing a laptop, oblivious to their surroundings, focused on what they were doing.
I bet they were researching the yellow gemstone that I had given them since I couldn’t handle it myself, as I had Samael under my care. Speaking of him, I saw him with my pups in the backyard, along with the other children of pack members.
On the other side of the room, I spotted the Beta and Gamma having a serious discussion with Damien about tightening security for the entire pack.
Moments later, Amelia’s shrill voice rang out from the kitchen. “Hey, be cautious! It’s difficult to cook with all this chaos!”
She was persistent when it came to cooking, and while I admired her passion, a small part of me couldn’t help but worry about the thought that perhaps it would turn out to be more than just a burnt dish or a bland meal this time. I just hoped it wasn’t poisonous.
“Babe, are you trying to kill the whole pack? You’re scarier than the enemies,” Henry complained.
“Be quiet!” Amelia shouted.
I took a deep breath and gripped the ring on my left hand, playing with it. In a way, everything seemed back to normal, though we all knew it wasn’t. We all knew a war could strike at any moment.
I knew Axel. I had known him since childhood, so I was well aware of his character. He was someone who always had a backup plan. He was someone who never backed down from a fight he started. He would be ready to finish it all with his own two hands, no doubt about it. That was what worried me the most – the thought of the unknown, the things he could do without my knowledge. It was difficult to comprehend or predict his intentions or mindset at this moment, but I knew we needed to brace ourselves for the worst.
And then there was Natasha. As a witch, she possessed special abilities. Never underestimate the power of black magic and dark spells, for once she used it on someone, she would gain complete control over them.
My attention was diverted when my phone buzzed. I received a message from Astra.
“We’re here.”
I turned my gaze towards the entrance and waited for it to open. After a few minutes, someone pushed it open.
Astra was the first person I laid eyes on. She sported a black crop top and a leather jacket, paired with black cargo pants. All conversation ceased as the room was suspended in strange quietness, even Amelia, who had just just come out of the kitchen and clumsily bumped into Henry, earning him a pinch from her. Only Remi and Masha flicked their gazes briefly before returning to their tasks.
Max followed closely behind Astra. He winked at me and walked in with a cool demeanor, carrying a fruit basket.
“What the hell! Why is he winking at you?” Damien interjected through our mind link, causing me to cringe inwardly.
Lastly, Odessa strode in wearing casual joggers and a loose-fitting shirt. I smiled, appreciating her effortlessly elegant appearance. Her simplicity only enhanced her natural beauty.
As soon as she spotted me, she rushed towards me, throwing herself into my arms and hugged me. I shook my head while laughing. She was like a child, like a younger sister to me.
“She is really fond of you,” Ruby commented, and I couldn’t disagree with that.
I sat her down beside me and looked at the two standing not far from us. I noticed Max scanning the surroundings, seemingly taking in everything. Right, they were not acquainted with the pack members yet.
I rose from my seat and gestured for Damien to join me, which he did. Gradually, a few others also gravitated towards us.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce Astraia Bekim and Max Exiles,” I announced, drawing their attention. “Astra is a half-wolf and vampire, while Max is from the Unos Pack. They returned five months ago. They are old friends from my childhood.”
I emphasized the point, glancing at Damien to assure him of my friendship with Max. I shook my head in my mind, what a possessive husband.
“And last but not least, this is Odessa. She is the granddaughter of Olga, the old witch,” I added.
I noticed Damien giving Max a disapproving look, while Max appeared perplexed.
“Did I do something wrong?” Max whispered to me, slowly approaching my side.
I let out a quiet sigh. “You winked at me,” I mouthed the explanation.
Max grimaced. “Your Alpha’s jealousy level is off the charts. Higher than Mount Everest,” he remarked.
I grabbed Damien’s arm and caressed it, seeing the tension in his face eased.
“Hello, everyone!” Max called out. “I am Max Exiles, and this is my mate, Astra,” he said, pointing to the person beside him. “So, no need to be jealous, Alpha. I don’t want a crazy wife either.”
I shot Max a stern look, silently questioning whose side he was on. I was his friend, after all. He was really pushing it. Damien just sighed and avoided making eye contact.
“I’m Amelia, and this is Henry.”
Astra smiled at them. “I’ve heard a lot about you, all good things,” she praised.
“I’m Dianne, and this is Ryder.”
“The Vampire King and his Queen. A pleasure to meet you both,” Max responded with a bow.
“Beta Leonard.”
“Gamma Ralph.”
The two simply introduced themselves.
“I’m Apollo, and this beautiful woman beside me is my wife, Bella.”
“Nice to meet you,” Astra replied, shaking their hands in greeting.
“I’m Simon,” he introduced himself, but I narrowed my eyes when I noticed he was just staring at someone.
I sighed and chuckled at the same time. His attention was only directed towards Odessa, who raised an eyebrow in confusion, unable to conceal her puzzlement.
Finally, Odessa turned to me and asked, “Amara, why didn’t you mention that there’s a walking tomato here?”
Laughter erupted amongst us. Simon scratched his head because he was aware that he was the one being referred to due to his red hair.
What a splendid day it was, indeed. If only every day could be the same as today.