Avenge

I sit on the fallen tree overlooking the new pack house. I see Bryce making his way to me.

“Bryce, please I cannot handle more questions. My emotions, thoughts, everything is confusing.” I tell him before he makes it all the way to me.

“I did not come here to ask anything. I just want you to listen.” He says with his hands in the air as if he is surrendering.

“Fine.” I motion for him to take a seat next to me.

Bryce took a seat next to me. He just sat there for a few moments staring at the scenery as I was. I clear my throat to try to bring him out of his trance.

“I know you are the Blood Wolf Alpha Ciana,” Bryce says with no hesitation.

“Wh-What, Um-mm, how?” I stutter.

“You saved me in wolf form remember?” He says while giving me a side-eye.

“It never crossed my mind. Why have you not told the King yet?” I ask him.

“It is not my place to. It is yours. I know you do not know me but I am all about trust. You earned mine the day you saved my life.” He says.

“Now what?” I know he has a reason for telling me he knows.

“I do want to tell you something about me. I grew up here. Royal Beta is in my blood. My family was the Royal Beta for generations. This is my home. Zion is like my brother. We grew up together. He is not as many say. He has a heart of gold. He has been through the ringer though.” He began.

“What do you mean?” I found myself curious.

“You are not his first mate Ciana. He had one before you. She died the day they met. In a rogue attack.” Bryce says sadly.

“I am sorry. I thought he told me he had been looking for his mate for a long time.” I ask him.

“He has. When a mate is rejected or killed a second chance is given to those who lose their mate with no choice. Zion is twenty-seven now. He lost Bella at eighteen years old. Almost a decade he has been waiting, searching for his second chance. You are it for him.” Bryce tells me Zion's story.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask Bryce.

“Because, like I said he is like my brother. I want him to be happy.” He states.

“You don’t break trust right?” I ask and he nods.

“Zion is not my first mate. My first mate murdered my family and pack. My first mate was Ethan Black.” I state.

“What?” Bryce asks in shock.

“Yeah. I made the deal because he will die by my hands only.” I tell him.

“I understand your reasoning for your vengeance,” Bryce tells me.

“My pack deserves a better life. A life he stole from us all.” I state out loud.

“He only steals it if you let him have power over your life. You have to stay in control of your own destiny and path. Everyone deserves to be happy. Not everyone is like Ethan Black. Come on, your pack made you dinner.” He says to me.

I follow Bryce who takes me to the back of the pack house. There stood my pack with a barbecue going all smiles. They were happy. They were happy here. The kids were playing with Beverly as I gave them all a smile in return.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” My pack shouted. I completely forgot my own birthday.

“Thank you, everyone,” I shout at them. My birthday is a sad day because of our past but at least I could enjoy this moment with them.

I grab me a plate of wonderful-smelling food and look for Jackson in the crowd. I see him sitting with Bryce and Zion at a picnic table. For my wolf, I can do this. I tell myself.

I take a deep breath and walk over to their table. I do not hesitate to see that the only seat left is next to Zion. I take it. All three of them just look at me.

“What?” I ask and they all shook their heads and went back to eating.

Zion’s large body was muscular and took a lot of room. I could feel his body heat radiating off of him and no matter how hard I fought it; it was soothing to me. I could feel Aella’s joy but didn’t question her. Instead, I let her enjoy this moment.

Zion did not move away so I know he is soaking up this moment as well. Jackson is in a bit of shock at my comfort by the look he is giving me.

“So how does it feel to be the King?” I ask Zion.

“Stressful. Everyone depends on you. Unable to make a mistake. Other than that it is fulfilling.” Zion says with pride.

Before I could answer I see a concerned, panicked Beverly.

“Beverly, what is the matter?” I ask her.

“I cannot find Clover.” She says out of breath.

“Take a deep breath and tell me what you mean,” I tell her calmly.

“The kids wanted to play hide and seek. Afterward, all kids were accounted for except Clover. I have looked for her everywhere. I cannot find her Alpha.” Beverly says on the verge of tears.

“Let’s not panic. We will all look for her.” Zion said waving for others to join in the search.

Everyone calmly began looking for Clover. Most went around the packhouse and castle. Some went to the east and north end of the woods looking. I had a hunch and decided to go toward my den. Maybe she used that as a hiding spot. Jackson joined me in this search.

As we gained ground and began to get close to my den I felt an eerie feeling. Something was off. I stop in my tracks trying to assess the situation.

“Ciana, what is it?” Jackson asked as he came to a halt.

“I do not know. Something is off.” I tell him close to a whisper.

In that moment I knew my instincts were right on. Suddenly, shadows began to emerge from the trees. Then I saw a large burly man. He was covered in scars that tattered his entire chest. Only wearing a pair of black jeans.

“The rumors are true.” I heard her voice. It couldn’t be.

“Charlotte,” I say in shock.

“Ciana Anderson. You were thought to be dead. Looks like they fucked up on that one.” She says with a sneer.

I see Clover being held by Charlotte. Her face shows the tears that have run down her cheeks and the fear washed over her. Nothing was making sense yet.

‘I linked Bryce. They are on their way Ciana. Hold off.’ I hear Jackson’s voice flow through my mind but I chose to ignore it.

“Charlotte, what are you doing?” Jackson asks her.

“You see Jackson. My whole life I have been compared to Ciana. Be like Ciana, Char. She will be your Alpha. You need to impress her Char. Ciana is so beautiful. Ciana is so strong. Ciana found her mate Char. Every day all I heard was Ciana, Ciana, Ciana. I am so sick of being in her shadow.” She shouts to Jackson.

“Ego Char. You joined his side because of your ego. Let the girl go.” Jackson says to her.

“No not ego Jackson. I already let my Alpha mate Ethan know you are alive. He is not happy. Here take the little brat. She won't survive much longer anyways.” Charlotte says as she throws Clover to the ground in front of us.

She was a part of this. She helped destroy our pack. She helped kill my family. All this for her ego. Anger coursed through me as I had never felt before in my life. Suddenly, a shadow passing by me caught my attention.

“UGH!” I heard Jackson groan.

I turn to see a silver knife sticking in his stomach. I knew help was coming but I did not care. I welcomed the rage beating through my veins. My body began shaking profusely. I look over to Charolette, not caring about anything else but having her blood.

As a powerful growl escaped my lungs I felt my bones begin to break, twist, and fight their normal structure. I felt no pain as they did. Fur began to cover my entire body. My face began to contort into Aella’s long snout. I hear gasps as I am now in Aella’s form.

“You’re the Blood Wolf?” Charlotte questioned with fear in her eyes.

Aella’s piercing red eyes were now set on her target. Loud, dangerous growls escaped Aella with her teeth snarled at her mark. Signaling this fight whether they wanted it or not. We were giving it to them.

Before Charolette had a chance to even shift, Aella leapt through the air tackling her to the ground and mauling at Charolette’s body. Blood spurted from her all over Aella’s dark fur. Aella took her claws and slowly pressed against Charolette’s throat. Her gasping, screaming in agony. We watched as the life left her eyes and her body went limp.

Aella turns to look around the crowd who was left. Her eyes then land on Jackson’s body where Bryce is leaning over him. Then she locked eyes with Zion. His piercing Amber eyes let us know his wolf was at the surface.

At that moment, the rogue wolves saw their chance and pounced on Aella.

One wolf lunged at her throat, while another bit into her arm. Aella fought back with all the strength she had, but she knew it was only a matter of time before they overpowered her. She closed her eyes and resigned herself to her fate, just as she felt a sudden gust of wind and heard a loud roar.

When she opened her eyes, we saw our mate in his silver wolf form, tearing the rogues apart with a force that was beyond what we could have imagined. He moved with such speed and ferocity that it almost seemed like a blur, and in a few short seconds, the rogues were ripped to shreds and scattered across the forest floor.

Aella felt a wave of relief wash over her before everything began to spin and she felt her legs give way beneath her. She collapsed in shock, and the last thing we saw before she closed her eyes was our mate’s silver form, standing sentry over us.