A U T H O R' S N O T E

Hey amigos! How are you all doing today? Here is chapter 17, ready for you to read. I'm sorry I haven't been updating lately. As you all know, I am a very busy student. Seriously, if I could spend the whole day on something, then it would be for wattpad that's for sure. Just don't lose hope in this book for I promise to finish this story!

Thank you all for the love!
-Hannah❤️

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❝Sometimes, it is better to find the courage to fight than the strength to run.❞
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Chapter 17
Avalynn Johnson

I was walking down the hallway to find Mason.

I needed answers right now.

I knew something was up because as I observed, all the males of my pack and Nolan's pack were acting up. It was quite odd to say.

Yes, I have noticed something unusual about them; their actions were different. Very strange if I must say. Especially today, they were more tensed and cold.

What's happening to them? I need to know more about this matter.

Is it something to do with the rogues? What are they planning?

When I greeted my brother earlier, he could not even look me in the eye. So, I approached Evangeline in the kitchen. She might know what is happening to him. Right now, Evangeline was currently whipping a batch of food.

"Hey Evangeline." I greeted.

"What? I'm busy." She laughs, not looking at me. I can tell since the food she's making smells actually good.

I leaned back on the counter, my dress swaying as I moved closer to her. "Have you noticed anything fishy going on?"

She stopped dead on her tracks. I now caught her attention.

"What do you mean?" Evangeline looked confused.

Didn't she notice? Or maybe it's just me.

"I kind of noticed that the men were acting strange this morning." I spoke the truth. It was my opinion anyway; that's what I saw in their actions a while ago.

"Is my brother acting any different lately?" I ask her. She was his mate after all and I'm pretty sure she knows everything about it.

"Well, he seemed quite distant but I'm sure he's fine! You're just acting too paranoid."

Am I? Are her sayings true?

Maybe she's right. I am acting too anxious. I needed to loosen up a little. Though, I couldn't help be cautious.

"Alright. Thanks for the info, Eva." I don't know why she doesn't notice the behavior of the other wolves. She brushes it off like nothing is happening. I needed to find answers from another fellow male wolf if I wanted to know what's really happening.

"Sure, no worries.  Just don't stress too much okay?" She smiled and went back to cook again.

I nodded.

I don't think I could calm down because even my wolf is stressed out. Strange.

I need to find Mason. I'm sure he's the only one who could give me the answers that I wanted.

Heightening my sense of smell, I followed his scent and it led me to the pack's training grounds.

What is he doing here?

I paced around following his scent until I found him fixing a few things.

"Hey Mason." I went behind as I greeted him. I saw him visibly flinch. He looked more tense than usual.

"Avalynn? What are you doing here?" He said looking from left to right. He sounded like he was hiding something.

"I wanted to talk to you but it seems like you're busy." I trailed off, looking at the box he held. I couldn't help my curiosity.

"Well, yes. I am quite busy." He scratched his neck sheepishly. Is it pack business?

From the corner of my eye, I saw something silver inside the box.

"What's that?" I curiously ask. Like I said, I couldn't help my inquisitiveness.

"No, it's nothing!" I glared at him for he still hasn't told me the truth. I knew that he isn't honest with me. I did what I had to do and grabbed the box from him with all my might. I snatched it but he also pulled back causing the box to fall and so its contents. It contained deadly items like silver swords, knives, and other poison like wolfsbane.

My eyes widened. What is he doing with this stuff? It's dangerous to be even held by a wolf without protection!

"What the devil do you mean nothing? This is silver and wolfsbane as I can see!" Is he shitting me?

Something is definitely not right here.

"You better tell me or I'll force it out of you." I growled menacingly.

"I can't." He sighed dejectedly.

What do you mean you can't?

Can't or won't?

"Tell me right now, Beta Mason." My wolf took over and my voice somewhat became deeper. I don't know how or why but my wolf's tone held a bit of command.

Mason looked scared of me for the first time and was trying hard to resist the command given to him.

'I'm sorry, Mason.'

But in the end, he gave in and followed my wishes. How was my wolf able to command him?

"Okay, fine! I'll tell you! Just calm down!" He pleaded. "Nolan is going to murder me." Mason grumbled.

'Thank you.'  I told my inner wolf. If not for her, I would not be able to get the answer out from Mason.

She replied. 'No problem.'

"How the hell did you even do that?" He asks in disbelief. I really don't know myself. I shook my head and shrugged at him. I can't answer that.

He sighed.

"Whatever. As you know, the rogues have been threatening us..."

I rolled my eyes for he was stating the obvious. Of course I know that by now. Tell me something I don't know. He glared at me for disrespecting him. I don't give a damn so I motioned for him to continue.

"Well, Nolan declared last night that we will attack them." What? How come I didn't know that? I can't believe they planned this without me! Not that I have the right to but still, I am furious!

Noticing my expression, Mason continues, "Which is why he asked all males to prepare and not tell the females until further notice."

I knew it! No wonder they were acting strange, they were getting ready for battle!

"I knew there was something going on! You guys were very tense earlier." Not to mention, cold and distant. Besides, not a lot of males were talking too which is why it furthered my suspicion.

"Well, we can't help our behavior. The plan was set at dawn and we don't know what to expect from them. They are rogues after all!" He sneered at the word he emphasized. I guess he has a strong disliking towards them.

Oh, I forgot, they murdered his mate. I decided not to comment on that matter.

"Thank you for telling me, Mason. I really appreciate it." I guess I finally got the answers that I needed.

"Well, I didn't have a choice. You forced it out of me." He muttered under his breath, which made me giggle.

"Don't be such a baby. At least my wolf didn't kill you for hiding the truth. Anyway, I'll see you later, Mason." I rolled my eyes again and said goodbye.

I turned my heels and went back to my room. It's close to dawn so I have to prepare. I now know their plans. I can't believe that my brother didn't even tell me. How could he do that? That idiot.

I changed into some comfortable clothes that I could move with. I was wearing a summer dress a while ago and that would do no good in the battlefield. I wanted to come with them anyway.

I went with a plain shirt, jeans, and combat boots. Well, I didn't care anymore to find nicer clothes so whatever. What matters is that I am comfortable and that I could move without flashing my undies.

When I was done changing, I grabbed my backpack and I decided to finally use my baby.

I had an old dagger that belonged to my grandfather. He told me once that even a werewolf could use a weapon as long as you know how to yield it. Thank god I practiced hand-to-hand combat when I was younger. The blade was made out of silver so I must be careful with it and hold on to the leather handle that I know wouldn't hurt me.

Some people get the wrong idea of silver. Us, werewolves can touch it, hell, we can even hold it. We just can't get stabbed, pierced, or get cut with it. It could affect us badly if it goes in our blood system for it has deadly properties. Meaning I wouldn't be able to shift when I get even the smallest cut.

I heard a chorus of footsteps outside and I knew that it was time for them to go. A fight cannot wait. As I was done, I came down to see them.

I watch as the males where exiting the pack house and the mated females were currently weeping, telling their mates not to go or to take care.

I wouldn't blame them though. If I had one, then I'll probably do the same. You only get a mate once and you can't help but worry about their wellbeing especially when there is a fight.

I approached my brother, Mason, and Nolan. They were having a heated conversation.

"Hey, guys." I chirped, trying to join in.

"Ava? What are you going here?" Aiden asks, looking at me worriedly. Brother, why are you so agitated?

"What does it look like? I'm coming with you." I stated obviously. What? Does he expect me to sit my arse down here while they go in battle? No way in hell.

Nolan then decided to butt in.

"The hell you are! How did you even know about us leaving?" Nolan demanded, scowling at me as I told him my plans.

Grudgingly, I pointed at Mason's direction. I had to be honest, right? Nolan glared at him and if I was Mason, I would have pissed my pants already.

"Don't look at me like that!" He winced from the glares he was receiving. "She forced me! Come on! This woman can be frightening when she wants to!" He exclaimed as I inwardly smirk. Yeah, I know.

Nolan spun around to face me.

Narrowing his eyes, he spoke. "You, you aren't coming with us."

Is he fucking kidding me right now? Pardon my language but I will not sit around here like a princess. I want to fight for my pack as well.

"What? Why do you care? I deserve to come!" I exclaimed, not wanting to leave my brother or Mason.

"You are staying here and that is final!" He bellowed. What! He can't control me! He does not own me.

"No! I refuse to stay! You don't have the right to order me around you stupid idiot!" I glowered at him as I object through words.

"Why do you want to go with us so bad? You'll just get killed!" So what? It's not like he cares about my wellbeing. "You would not even last a second in the battlefield."

"Well at least I would die defending the pack." To die for your pack is one of the greatest sacrifices you can ever do.

"Don't you ever say that!" I was taken aback when he snapped. "You really cannot come even if you wanted to."

"Why the hell not?" If he does not want me to come then he needed to give answers as well.

"It's in my pack's law, no female should be allowed to fight in battle. It's always a male's job to do so." What the- all because of that pathetic law? How sexist can the werewolf world be.

"You sexist mutt! I'm not from your pack anyway so I don't answer to you." He growled at me. I had insulted him by calling him a mutt. Well, I don't give a damn. I wanted to protect my pack.

"Alpha Johnson." My ex-mate called out. He and my father had a sort of staring contest. They were currently communicating with their eyes. He nodded and spun around to me.

"Avalynn, that's enough!" My father spoke using his Alpha voice. "You are to stay here and take care of the pack."

My body shook from the command. He was after all my Alpha. I couldn't disobey his orders since he used his alpha tone on me.

I scowled at him. Father or not, he shouldn't have used his tone on me when I am willing to volunteer as a warrior.

"I'm sorry Avalynn but it's for your own good."

How is it for my own good? I just wanted to come with them. I want to help protect my people.

"You're stubborn. I like how you're determined to fight. You take after me but no harm will come your way if you're out of the battlefield. I want you safe, daughter."

'I also want you guys safe!' I inwardly screamed.

I bowed my head not wanting to look at them. They have disappointed me now by not believing in me and it makes it harder to look at them. I never thought they'd be the one to do it. It makes me uptight. I can't believe my father didn't approve of me fighting. I was in fact volunteering already and I can't go anymore because of one sexist law.

I can't take anymore bullshit so I spun around and sat on one of the couches in the living room. If they want me to stay, then so be it. I was too furious to look at them right now. All I can think of is being away from them, from here, from this war.

Then, I hear the door shut with a loud bang. Even if I was irritated at them, I just hope that the mood goddess will constantly watch over them. I just needed them safe.

Praying for protection, Evangeline and my mother came to comfort me.

"Don't be mad at them, sweetie. It's okay! At least you're kept safe here in the pack." My mother said in a calming voice.

"Yes, it's for our own good too." Evangeline smiled.

"How do you know we're protected? What if the rogues attack us right here, right now?" You can never be too sure about your situation. I've learned that before. Besides, rogues are unpredictable. Who knows what they'll do?

"Well, some of the mated males didn't go. They're currently looking after the pack especially when the Alpha's are gone." Thank the goddess, I thought all males left and we were abandoned.

"Oh, that's good to know." I nodded. "Uh, I'm just going to be on the porch just to calm myself. I promise not to stay long." I held my mother's hand, patting it gently.

"Sure honey. Just on the porch, okay? Don't go to the woods. It's not safe at the moment." I gave her hand a little squeeze before heading out.

I sat on one of the chairs on the porch. The dark sky made the full moon look ever so bright and now I felt more alert than ever.  Basically, my wolf wanted to come out.

I wanted to be there to help the Warriors but I just couldn't disobey my father's orders. If I could then I probably would be gone in a jiffy.

I just wanted to rest and wake up where everything is fine. No battle, no mate, and just no problems involved because all they do is give you a damn migraine.

But honestly, this is reality we are talking about and there's absolutely nothing I could do. Why can't fate keep its reality away from me?

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L.E. 1.31.16 • 11:45 pm