AYLA

"Ma, I'm scared," Milo whispers to me. 

I make him climb into the giant plastic bag, "I know Baba, I know. It's okay to be scared. But you have to remember what I told you."

He sighs and nods his head. Begin to stuff the bag with other things to make it less obvious. It's already pretty obvious, but I'm desperate. 

"Repeat it back to me again."

As Milo sits crouching down he says, "I get in the truck, truck stops three times. I get out of the bag in the second stop, in the third stop jump out. Run. And find somebody."

I raise my brows, "And?"

His eyes widen, "Oh yeah! And tell them about you."

I smile and nods my head, "Good boy. You are going to be fine." I lean in and kiss his forehead. I look at my little boy. My little Milo. He has been my life. He has been my reason to live this whole time. Tears start to sting my eyes, but I try to blink them away. I can't let him see me break. If he sees that I am okay, then he will feel okay. I take a deep breath and memorize every little detail of his face. I smile down at him, "I love you with all my heart Baba. You have made me so proud and so incredibly happy."

He smiles brightly at me, "I love you too Ma. You make me happy. And when you escape we can go stargazing together!"

I nod my head, "I'd like that."

My ears are stimulated by the sound of the truck coming. "It's Baba. Remember to be still, okay?"

He nods his head and curls up into a ball. I bunch the bag up at the top and lift him up. Damn, he is a big boy. I go outside. My heart is pounding against my heart. My nerves were on fire. As I stared at everyone, I feel like they all already know exactly what I was doing. However, I took deep breaths to try focus on the task at hand. 

The Truck was backing up so then I could get the trash in. The back of it opened up, revealing a whole bunch of trash. I juggle the bag in my hands. I could hear Milo whimpering slightly.

"That looks quite heavy, Ayla, why don't I help you?" My heart skipped a beat when I heard Kendrick's voice. 

Without turning around, I say, "No Thank you Alpha. I appreciate the offer."

He walks around and faces, "You sure?"

I am silent for a little bit. He knew something was up. I could see the truck was going to leave any minute. Milo needs to be on that truck. 

"Yes, Alpha. Now excuse me, I am trying to do my duties."

Kendrick slowly steps aside but keeps an eye on me. I step up to the truck and I put the bag down inside. As soon as he was inside the truck, I felt a sudden peace inside me. Milo won't be in this hell anymore. He's safe. The truck starts up again and begins to drive away. I stare at the truck, and I smile. My son is going to live a long life. In a way, I feel like I have completed a mother's ultimate missions. That her child will be safe and live. That's all that matters. 

I turn to Alpha Kendrick. He stares me dead in the eye, "What're you up to, she-wolf."

I smile and bow my head, "I was just making sure the trash was taken out. And it won't ever come back here...ever...again." I didn't care what happens to me anymore. He has nothing over me. I have nothing to lose anymore. 

He stares at me and I could see his nose was flared he was angry. He stood up straight and looked around. Then he turns back to me. He grabs my arm in a painful grip and drags me all the way to the attic. He bursts through the door. He looks around the room frantically. He throws me on the bed and yells, "Where is he?!?!?"

I sit up straight, "He is far away, in a place you will never find him."

Kendrick's eyes went black. He took a step towards, ready to do some damage.

I sat up, crossed my leg over the other. I displayed a smile as I said, "Come on then Kendrick...do your worst."

MILO

I was scared when I left Ma. Everything was dark and stinky when I went inside the truck. I wish Lamp was here. He would be able to glow and not make it dark anymore. 

I made sure I remembered every word Ma said to me. I had to wait until the second stop. I have already had the first stop. Now I am waiting for the second one. I hope I won't have to be in the dark for much longer. 

Finally, I felt the truck slow down. This was the second stop. I start to wiggle out of the plastic bag. I was scared because it was still dark. My nose crinkled because it was also still very stinky. I wish lamp was here and I wish bathtub was here and also pillow because they were my friends. 

But I know they can't be here right now. I will see them again when Ma escapes! She can bring them with!

For now, I will just sing my song, "One evening when the sun went down and the jungle fire was burning..."

After a long long time, I felt my heart beating really really fast because I was nervous. The truck stopped. It was the number three stop!

I stood up to get ready to jump. I saw the back door of the truck slowly open, a man was standing there. My eyes widen in fear. Ma didn't tell me what to do if I saw a man!

The man stared at me and frowned, "What're you doing in here pup?"

And so, I jumped out of the truck. It was dark outside and raining. I was scared. I wanted Ma. I wanted to go back home. But I remember Ma's special words. 

"Jump out, run, find somebody..."

I was so scared, but I had to do it for Ma! I have to find Pa and get him to save Ma! I couldn't see much because I was crying. I looked around in the dark. I rub my eyes, but I couldn't see anyone. 

"Help!" I sobbed, "Please! Help me! I'm scared!" I sobbed again. I was trying to be strong, but it's really really hard.

But then I saw a light up ahead. I gasped in hopes. I ran towards the light. I kept rubbing my eyes from the wetness.  I saw it was a small house. 

I burst through the door and saw there was a group of people. There were lots of big scary male wolves, but also some female wolves and their pups. 

One of the scary looking men looked like the man from Ma's locket. It was my Pa. 

SOLOMON

I had left early in the morning to my old pack. I was sure excited to leave. I couldn't stand being in that place for another minute. I don't know how I will be Alpha. I just wanted to go home and see my family. 

I was excited to see Noah and Mia's new home. Even though me and Mia kind of dated, I was beyond happy when we decided to be friends and she found her mate, who was Noah, the beta of my previous Pack. He was also a Lycan. An extinct race of wolf. I was looking forward to seeing them along with everyone else.

I have been running for a couple of hours now. I got to my pack around lunchtime. As I shifted and put on my clothes, I walked up to the Packhouse. I didn't knock,  I just walked in. As I went inside saw Zapora reading a book and Eddie on the phone in the lounge while Lizzy was sitting in the rocking chair with her little baby girl while Xavier was playing with his toys with his cousins Lily and Jenavieve. 

I looked to my left into the kitchen and dining area where Mia was cooking something and Noah was sitting on up the counter reading a book with Kieth. I smiled, and Xander is probably in his office. I swear the man is a workaholic. 

"I see nothing has really changed around here," I said loudly. 

Everyone's heads raised and their eyes widen when they saw me in the doorway. 

"SOUL!" They all screamed. All the girls practically jumped on, except for Lizzy since she was holding her little pup.

"Hey girls." I laughed. All of their mates rolled their eyes, but I knew they were happy to see me also.

I went up to Lizzy and leaned down to give her a kiss on her cheek. She smiles sweetly and says, "Welcome home, Solomon. It's good to see you."

I smiled down at her, "It's good to see you too Lizzy."

I turned and saw Mia. I felt myself soften quite a bit when I saw her. She has always been such a good friend to me. I leaned down and gave her a giant hug. She laughs as pick her up. 

"I'm so happy to see you, Solomon!"

I laugh and say, "It's always good to see me."

I put her back on her feet. She rolls her eyes and hits my arm playfully. I look to Noah and see he was not happy that I touched Mia, but I could see even the hard-ass English wolf was happy to see me.

He just nods his head and says, "Solomon."

I laugh and shake my head, "Yeah I missed you too, you bastard."

Noah chuckled slightly. Only slightly. But that was still big for Noah. 

We all went through to the lounge and sat down, except for Mia. She smiled at everyone and said, "I'll make everyone drinks. Does anyone want coffee or tea?"

Everyone mumbled their own preferences of coffee and tea and then Mia went to the kitchen. 

"So, what's been happening this past month I've been gone, huh?"

Zapora stood up with a big smile, "Well, I'm pregnant...again. So that might be news to you?"

My eyes widen, "And you didn't think to tell your big brother that?!?!?!"

Zapora rolls her eyes, "Calm down, I only found out last week."

I laugh at my little sister. Of course she would just drop a bomb like that so casually. I stand and give my baby sister a big hug, "Congrats Zay. It seems you're always pregnant."

She groans, "I know!" She glares at Eddie, "When are gonna stop." She mumbled. 

Eddie smiles brightly and says, "Until we have a little pack of our own."

Zapora rolls her eyes, but I could see the softness in them as well, She may make having lots of pups is a bad thing, but she secretly loves it. 

Suddenly I heard some steps coming down the stairs. An air of dominance became evident. I looked up and saw Xander standing there.

His eyes scan the room and stop at me. There was no happy expression, or sad. It was just the typical Xander expression.

He stares right at me and says, "Hello little brother."

I gulped slightly. I bowed my head, "Xander."

The air in the room became tense. And as usual, Izzy gets up and smiles brightly with her pup in her arms. She makes her way towards Xander. 

His eyes are instantly drawn to her and they soften. She leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Hey honey, how's work?"

"Hey sweetheart, work is...work, just the usual."
 
Izzy smiles at him. But it seems like as she was staring at her mate, she was communicating something to him.

Xander looks tense afterwards as Izzy leaves to feed the pup.

He coughs to clear hid throat, "I need to get back to work...I'll see you all at Noah and Mia's house tonight for dinner." Then he leaves afterwards.

I sigh in disappointment. He and I have never been the same brothers as we were when we were little pups. Ever since he returned from Matheseus, he had not been the same. Which is understandable...but I never would have thought that he would treat me, his own brother, as a stranger sometimes. I didn't like it. But I've lived with it for so long that I seem to have grown used to the new Xander...and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Everybody ended up doing their own thing. Continuing on with their day.

Mia came to me and smiled, "Noah is on patrol duty, why don't you keep me company at the cottage? You can help me get it ready for the dinner tonight."

I nodded my head, "Sure, it's not like I've got anything to do. It's weird coming back here and not doing my usual duties around the pack."

"Yeah it would be weird. But I guess you're just moving on into a new step in life."

I shrug my shoulders, "I guess so."

Mia leads me to her and Noahs new home. I have to admit. It was a really nice place.  It was very homey. As soon as you walk, a wave of peace and calmness flood your system.

"Noah did a good job on the cottage. It looks really nice."

"Ya think so?" Mia said with a bright smile. I could tell...she was proud of her cottage and proud of Noah for building it.

"Yeah. It suits you guys."

She goes around the kitchen with her smile and says, "Thanks. I'm glad," as she starts preparing good, she asks, "So how are things with your new Pack?"

I groans and rubs my face,"It's okay..."

She looks at me and raises her brows, "But?"

I sigh, "It's just gonna be a lot more work than it should have which is annoying. I pretty much gave to restructure the whole damn pack. And every time I see Kendrick I literally want to go murder him right there on the spot for doing what he did to you as well as Lizzy. But I can't unless I want to start a war! And we've only just won some peace on our side. And then on top of that, I've had Ayla on my mind 24/7."

Mia's eyes widened,"You've been thinking of your mate a lot? "

I nod my head silently. "I don't know why.  I mean, for some reason I think of her wherever I go. I have caught traces of her scent. I found a scarf that belonged to her with her scent all over it. I know it's crazy...but I feel like she might be closer than I think she is. Almost like she's been right here all along and yet...she has been so far away," I groan and rubs my face in stress, "I don't know what to think anymore, Mia."

She had stopped stirring and looked at softly, "Soul, maybe this is a sign. Maybe this peace we have is fated to only be short-lived to prepare and energize ourselves for the war that is to come."

"What war?"

"The war that will begin once you find your mate, and break the connection with Kendrick...permanently."

***

Everyone was sitting around the table laughing and having fun. I stayed quieter this time due to the fact that my whole world has gone to chaos. But still...it felt nice being around my family. 

As everyone was talking Xander was also quiet. Except I noticed his eyes have wandered towards me every now and then. 

There were a couple of times he turned towards me slightly, as if he was going to say something...but I didn't. But it seemed that something was definitely on his mind. 

My thoughts were interrupted when Noah stood up and hushed everyone down, "I wanted to thank every single one of you here. All of you have contributed to not only my life but Mia's life too. I will be forever grateful. I know that because of Mia's wounds that she wouldn't be able to bear pups. But by the grace of God, we have proven that wrong."

Everyone's eyes went wide. Including my own.

Noah coughed in his hand and said: "Mia and I are expecting a baby."

I was at loss for words. I felt pure and utter joy for them. I looked at Mia and her eyes caught on mine. I smiled at her. I wanted her to know that I was happy for her. She deserved this. She learned that due to her injuries that she had earlier in the year, she was to most likely be barren. But this is a miracle. It was a blessing that she could have children. Children seem to always be a blessing no matter the circumstance. Kind of like Xander and Izzy. When she thought he was dead and was pregnant, though the situation was painful and lonely, she could not help but feel peace and love when she thought of her pup.

"YUSS GIRL!!" The girls shouted

The women rushed to Mia and gave her hugs and kisses. Us males came and gave our congratulations. I had the biggest smile on my face.

But then suddenly, the moment was cut short when we all heard a voice we had not heard before, "Hello?" We all fell silent when we looked at the front door which was opened. There stood a little boy. I frowned. Where did this young pup come from? I suddenly felt my wolf become extremely protective. I took a step back to try and clear my head. What is happening?

He had tears in his eyes and he looked scared. He was wet from the rain that was outside.

Xander stood forward, "Who are you, pup? You are not of this pack."

The boys sniffled. His big doe eyes scanned the room cautiously as if he was trying to find someone. Then his eyes stopped right on me.

The little boy points to me, "Is your name, Solomon Nightwalker?"

I felt my internal sirens go off. How does this pup know my name? "Ummm...Yes?"

The boy hiccuped on a sob and said, "My name is Milo Nightwalker, I am the son of your mate Ayla...you are my Papa. I need your help...mama's in trouble."