AYLA

After Abbie's talk, I felt better. I had a plan. Having a solid plan made me feel...content. I felt at peace as I prepare for bed. Milo was already fast asleep. I gave hima kiss goodnight and went outside the tent to make sure everything was properly prepared for tomorrow morning. I went over to the camp fire and grabbed a basket to put all of our washing in when I heard someone walking. I looked over my shoulder to see Mia making her towards me. Placing a hand over her stomach. 

I greeted her with a smile, "Hey."

She sat down and gave a tired smile, "Hey, Ayla."

"What're you doing up this late? Shouldn't you be resting."

She waves her hand, dismissing the time of night it is, "I don't care right now. I actually came to talk to you."

"Oh...did you need something?" I asked. 

She shook her head, "No," Her eyes slightly wondered off, deep in thought before she softly said, "I just wanted you to know that you're not alone."

I raised my brows in surprise. 

"I've seen you put a smile on your face," she continued, "But I recognize that kind of smile...it's the kind of smile you do when you're slowing breaking a little more inside."

I gulped. I felt a little nervous because she was right on the spot with that one, "Why do you say that?" I asked gently, trying to not seem harsh. 

Her eyes droop down and that's when saw it. Pain and suffering. She was reflecting everything I was feeling, "Because it was the exact same smile I taught myself to do for years."

"Why are you telling me this, Mia?"

She gulped and looked up at me from her lap, "Because, I didn't have anyone who understood me. I was completely alone. And I don't want you to go through the same thing. Back at the tent, you thought this war was just for you, but it's not. It's for me as well. It's for all of us. Kendrick has left his mark on every one of us," she looked down at her lap and said quietly, "Some more than most."

I lean forward and place my hand over her's, "What mark had Kendrick left on you?"

She paled slightly and her breathing became shaky, "He's my uncle."

My eyes widen in shock, "Kendrick is your uncle?"

Mia nodded, "My parents died and so I was left in his care. He didn't pay much attention to me until I hit puberty. I developed faster than most girls, concerning womanly parts, he noticed. He began to pull me into his lap saying I was his favorite. But it got so bad...that he dragged me down to this awful basement and forced me to do everything...except penetration."

He was more of a monster than I thought he was. How could he do that to his own niece? I lean in more, wanting her to know I was here and that I was listening. she took a deep breath as she continued, "When he was about to...force his way into me, his mate came in. I remember being so happy, but then, he blamed it on me. Saying I seduced him. And of course, she believed it. She banished me at the age of fifteen. I was alone for six years because of him," Her tearful eyes met mine. Her bottom lip was quivering when she said, "I just want you to know...that you're not alone, Ayla. You're not alone at all."

My own tears welled in my eyes. It felt good to know that someone understands me. Someone who doesn't judge me because they went through similar things. I pulled Mia into a tight hug, "Thank you," I whispered to her.  I felt her nod her head. 

I pull back and smiled, "Thank you for telling me. You have no idea how much you've helped me." 

She smiles back, "You're welcome."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. Now that I know I could fully trust her I blurted out, "I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

Her eyes widen and then squint into question, "Leaving?"

I nodded my head, "Milo and I are leaving tomorrow morning. I can't be here anymore, Mia."

"What do you mean?"

"I just can't be here. I'm not happy here, Mia. I feel like I'm being tormented because everywhere I look, it is something that is from my past."

"Like Solomon?"

I gulped and look down defeated, "Him included. I can see he's changed. And I'm happy he has changed. But I can't even look at him without being reminded of the horrble things he's done and said. You have to understand. I have to be free, I want to leave and go experience things."

Mia nodded understandingly, "When I was at the cottage I lived at. I felt trapped and alone. But then I was invited to come here and I took that opportunity to, live and fall in love. So I get it, you need a change. You need to take yourself out of this...this..." She trailed off, trying to find the right word.

"Equation?" I suggested. 

She laughed and nodded her head, "Yes. Equation!" She leans in and holds my shoulders, giving an encouraging smile, "Go, Ayla. Go find your life again and be happy."

I felt this burst of excitement and motivation. I felt like there was hope for me.

"Do you mind if I tell the other in secret? I'll make sure Soul won't find out."

I nodded my head. I think it would be nice to say goodbye.

"I should probably go to bed now," I said. 

"Of course, you need your rest."

I give her a tight hug, "Thank you again for what you told me. And don't worry, I won't tell a soul."

"I know you won't. I'll see you early in the morning."

I nodded excitedly. I was leaving. I was feeling finally free.

***

I was about to lye down when Abbie came in. 

I smiled excitedly, "Abbie!" I whispered. 

She smiles back, "I have everything ready for you."

"Thank you for this. I think it is what I need...but," I said hesitantly in the end, "I can't help, but feel guilty. They're all fighting for me, Kendrick is waging war on me and this pack. It feels wrong to do this while they are fighting."

Abbie shakes her head, "No Ayla. This war is not just for you, it is also for Mia, for Lizzy, for Xander, Noah and even Solomon. Kendrick has hurt this pack before you ever came. You have given them a chance to have justice. Do not feel guilty. Don't feel burdened to stay."

I sigh and reluctantly nod my head. Abbie smiles and gives me a hug and a kiss before I sleep. I lye in bed feeling excited. I don't remember the last time I was this excited. I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe I was finally doing what I always wanted to do and with my son!

I felt this overflowing sense of calmness that floods my system...and when I close my eyes...I do so with a smile. 

***

"Ayla!" Someone whispers. 

I groan. Who the hell is disturbing my damn peace! I squint my eyes open, it was still night time. 

A figure was popping their head in my tent. 

"What the hell!" I hissed. 

"It's me, Solomon."

"What do you WANT!" I shouted, but in a whisper. You know when you really want to shout, but you can't make noise? So you do that whisper-shout? That's what I did.

"Come out here. I need to show you something."

I groan and release a frustrated breath. But roll over and crawl out of the tent. Solomon was standing there with a smirk, "You like your sleep, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes, "Anyone would love their sleep if they were woken up at some ungodly hour of the freaking morning!" I hissed. 

I hear him chuckle, "Come on...I need to show you something."

I groan and stand up tiredly. I don't even know why I am following him. I never do what he says! But I guess knowing what will happen in the morning gives me a little bit of grace for him. 

As I follow him deep into the forest he says, "Be careful, there are some roots raised from the ground that can cause  you to trip."

I roll my eyes, "We have been walking for ten minutes and there has definitely been no-" My foot gets caught on something, making me stumble. Warm hands hold tightly around my waist. My arms landing on his hard chest. I look up and see our faces were close. He chuckles, "You were saying?"

I shove him back, making his chuckle turned into a deep laugh.

I scoff and walk ahead, "Where is this stupid place anyways?"

"Not too far." He says with an amused voice. I knew he was still smiling even though I couldn't see him properly. 

As I was about to take another step, Solomon grabs my arm and stops me, "Stop...we're here."

I stand still and look around, "There is nothing here, Solomon! Just a bunch of forest."

"That's because we have to climb up this tree, here," Hey says patting the trunk.

I am silent for a moment because I was trying to process what he just said, "You woke me up at 2 in the morning to climb a tree..." 

"Well, when you say it like that it sounds stupid."

"That's because it is stupid!"

"Shut up and climb the tree, Ayla."
 I groan but comply. I used my phone light to try to see where the branches are, "You are so going to pay for this, Solomon."

His deep chuckle reaches my ears, "I will pay gladly. You'll thank me by end of this."

I laugh, "You wanna bet?"

As we get to the top, I still see nothing. I roll my eyes, "Solomon there is still nothing to look at."

Solomon smiles, "Turn off the light." I sigh and do what he says. We were standing on the top of a giant tree in utter darkness. I was trying to get comfortable on the branch but missed my footing. I yelped as I was about to fall. But arms, as quick as lightning, wrap themselves around me and lift me up. 

"So I think that was the nin hundredth and ninety-ninth time I've saved you these last few months."

I playfully hit his chest causing him to chuckle. "Shut up! I am not that bad! And besides this is not about me, this is about why we are here."

Solomon took a step closer which made us very close to each other. I felt tingles rush between the warmth we were sharing at this moment. My breath hitched when he leans down towards my head. His lips close to my ear, giving me shivers, and then he whispered, "Look up."

I crane my head back and I gasped in shock. Stars covered the night sky. But it was like I've never seen before. There were SO MANY! I felt like I wasn't on earth right now...that I was in some other world. 

"It's so beautiful," I said breathlessly. 

I have never ever seen so many stars in one sky. There was hardly any space between them. Each gap was filled. Tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down the side of my face, I couldn't stop looking at them. I felt my very soul come to life, "This is amazing. There are so many SOLOMON!" I shout in excitement. 

I hear him laugh and tighten his hold on me. I look back to him and see he was already staring at me softly. 

I frowned in confusion, "Why did you do this?"

"Because I realized something." He came even closer and I didn't push him away, "You said that the girl I knew was dead. When we went to the diner, I wanted to remind you that she wasn't dead. But seeing how unhappy you were proved that maybe the girl I knew really is dead and being at the diner only reminded you of your loss."

I gulped as he continued, "So I decided to accept that she is dead.  With the person you are now, I will love you and cherish you.  And I decided that I wanted to make new memories with you, Ayla. Memories that you can go to and realize that you can be happy."

I released a shaky sigh. I shook my head at Solomon. His face immediately dropped, "I'm sorry Solomon. I can't."

"Why not?" He pleaded desperately, "Look at me. I've changed. I'm a good man."

I nodded my head and finally say, "You are a good man. You're a great one."

His brows pulled together in confusion, "Then what's the problem?"

Seeing Solomon like this. It made me sad. I knew he was trying so hard. He was doing everything he could to try and be with me. I step closer to him, "I know you are trying so hard Solo. You're my mate. And you will always be my mate. We will always have this connection between us. But what you don't understand is that even if I do love you...I will always resent you."

I could see this was like a knife to his heart. He stood there broken before and I knew I was about to ruin him more, "A part of me will always hate you no matter how much I might come to love you. I will never love you wholeheartedly."

"I don't care if you hate me. I will take what I can get. Please just give me a chance."

I shake my head. And I cup his face, his painstaking face, "If I only can give you half of my heart...then I won't give you any because no matter how much I may hate you...I know you don't deserve to be half loved. I am not, Ayla anymore. I am just a reflection of her now."

Even though I resented him, my heart hurt when I saw tears well up his eyes. He was a scary looking wolf. He was tall and muscled. He had scars from battles and fights. He was intimidating to most. But seeing this big man break...it breaks me because I am the cause. His tears run down his face and he shakes his head, "Please don't give up," He begged, "I will do anything. ANYTHING!"

I stroked his cheek and said, "You have done everything you could. It's not you anymore, it's me. So please Solo... you have to let me go now."

He shook his head vigorously, "I won't let go, little wolf, I can't. I will never let go." 

And for the first time in five years, I lean in and press my lips against his. His tears mixing with my own. Solomon pulls me tight against his chest and I hold his face against mine. 

We breathlessly separate and I whisper, "I want to be happy Solo...Let me go." 

SOLOMON

In the morning I woke up groggy. The memories of last night burn into my mind. I will try to be better, I'll try to make her see that being together is what we both need. 

I get up and stretch. I was tired. I rub my eyes. Ayla was being difficult. She is very defiant toward me. And I understand. I do. But it doesn't make it any less easy. I've been fighting so hard to control myself. Everything inside of is screaming to claim her, to be with her. I wanted so bad to just be with her and her be with me. But then hearing that a part of her may always hate me...that one stung a little bit. I remember the days when we were best friends and she always wanted to be around me...and I always wanted to be around her. 

I yearned for those days. The days when she was in love with me. I sighed tiredly but smiled when I remembered the day I met her. On that beach. Watching her surf. I chuckle when I was such an asshole to her...and she just wouldn't take it. I shouldn't be surprised that she is so defiant towards me now...because was defiant back then too. 

She was a strong girl. Even if she doesn't feel like it right now. It just reminds of why I fell for her in the first place.  But not having her in my arms now is killing me. I wanted her so bad. I am craving her. And my wolf has been going insane without her. He howls at night, mourning for his mate. 

 I decided maybe I should apologize to her. I kind of jumped on her last night with the whole star thing. I go to her tent, knowing she is still asleep.

"Ayla?" I softly call. I heard no response, I crawl into her tent, "Look, Ayla, about last night, I just wanted to say I'm-" But I am at loss of words when she wasn't there, nor Milo. I frown.  immediately get out of the tent and yell out, "Ayla?" 

My heart began to race. Thoughts of Kendrick snatching was all I could think about. 

"Shit!" I shout in a panic.

Zapora and Eddie get out of their tents with bedridden hair, "Solomon! Shut up! Why're you shouting?" Zapora hissed in anger. 

"Ayla and Milo are gone. I think Kendrick took them."

Zay's face paled.

I went to her and grabbed her shoulders, "Did you see'em? Did you hear anything? Zapora Tell me!" I yelled. 

Eddie pushes me back angrily, "That's enough Solomon! Just calm down!"

"Calm down?" I said shocked, "CALM DOWN?!" I said angrily, "My mate and son are missing!"

"What the bloody hell is going on!" Noah shouted with Mia following behind him 

Both Xander and Izzy get out of their tents.

"Ayla and Milo are gone!" I shouted. 

Mia nods her head understandingly, "Alright Solomon. Just calm down."

I shouted loudly in frustration and snarled, "Don't tell me to fucking calm down when my family is missing!"

Noah steps in front of Mia and growls with his glowing eyes, "You're asking for a beating, mate."

I growled in frustration. I grip my hair tightly. I was panicking. I looked around and saw all of them standing there calmly. I frowned in confusion, "Did you all not hear me? I said Ayla and Milo are missing! We have to find them."

But no one moves. Mia looks at me sadly and looks up at Noah. I looked at everyone in confusion, "What's going on? Why aren't you guys helping me?"

Zapora steps forward. She looked guilty and sad as she quietly says, "They're not missing, Soul. They're gone."

"What do you mean they're gone?"

Mia steps forward and says, "Ayla and Milo have left by their own choice."

I shook my head, I couldn't wrap my mind around this, "I don't know what's going on." I said. 

Xander stood forward, "Ayla and Milo have tickets to leave the country. You couldn't see it Solomon...but she wasn't happy here. She couldn't stand being here any longer. She needed to leave."

Hearing this makes me weak at the knees. My mate is gone. I shake my head, "No...no, she can't have left. They both can't have left! I was going to make her happy here! I just needed to convince her-"

"She almost killed herself, Solomon!" Xander shouted, "It wasn't about whether she needed convincing or not...it was about what was good for her and Milo right now. She wasn't happy here, and not you or anyone else could have changed that. She will be happier AND safer where she is. Kendrick won't ever find her."

They're gone. My family is gone. And I don't know where they are. Anger consumes. "How dare you all do this! You had no right to do this behind my back, you bastards!"

I wanted to fight them. I wanted to punch Xander right in the face. 

"It was not their doing, it was mine." I heard behind me. 

I turn around and come face to face with the one person I never expected, "Mother?"

She walked forward with her head held high, "Yes. I helped her escape."

"WHY!?" I yelled in anger. 

My mother was not fazed though. She shook her head with a melancholy face, "Oh my son...your intentions were good. I know you love her with all your heart. You were so lost in trying to win her that you forgot about what she was feeling. She didn't want to be here, Soul. She wanted to be free. You have to let her go."

I sink to my knees in defeat. She's gone. Ayla and Milo are gone. I feel like I've lost her all over again. 

"Where have they gone?"

My mother said, "They have gone to Italy. But you have to promise me, Solomon. You cannot chase them. If the Moon Goddess wills it, they will come back to you. But for now...you have to let them go."

I grip my hair so tightly is hurts. I look up to the sky, wanting to so bad to see Ayla. I yell in pain. she won't come back. Milo won't come back. I've lost them forever. I've lost my family.