That night Valerie was not able to sleep. She knew very well that Randall could not have her mother and sister, still, she was feeling anxious. She decided to call Dmitri who was trying to sort the situation with the new vampires along with Alexei. They both were coordinating with the vampire council for this matter but then she decided against it. She was tossing and turning in her bed. Sleep was the last thing in her mind. Restless she got up and went downstairs to fetch some warm milk from the kitchen to help her ease her nerves. When she entered, there she saw Kevin on the kitchen island with a cup in his hand. His shoulders were hunched and he looked defeated. Valerie reached up to him and saw some worried lines on his forehead.

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and asked "Can't sleep?"

Kevin looked up and saw Valerie standing. "Yes, Val. I am worried about Genesis and mom. Jason was also here a few seconds ago. He could not sleep too. He is worried about his mate's safety as well."

"I understand, I couldn't sleep as well. Let's just hope Mark finds out about them and inform us soon."

"Can't we ask Autumn?" Kevin asked. "Or Flora? Clearly, our seer could help us."

"That is not possible Kevin and you know it. Magic leaves traces that Azazel can clearly trace. And Flora also uses magic in one way or other, using crystal stones to seer needs magic too."

"I know that Val. But this wait is killing me. What if they are torturing my baby sister?"

"Believe it or not Kevin, but I am getting to understand how Randall works. If he had them, he would not have left any chance to humiliate me with that. So I am assuming he doesn't. We will come to know in the morning when Mark will inform us about that. Hope for everything good. Now get up and get some rest."

Kevin stood up placed the mug on the counter and exhaled a defeated sigh. He looked up towards his sister and whispered. "Let's hope you are right." He kissed Valerie on her cheek and smiled painfully and left.

Valerie looked up towards the ceiling and closed her eyes. "I need to keep my pack safe, at any cost, along with my family. I can't afford to lose anyone after dad."

After the restless night, Valerie was waiting anxiously in her office since seven in the morning, for any news from Mark. Her wait got over when at ten she heard from Dominic that Mark has informed him that Randall was not able to locate former luna and her sister. It was just a hunch as Valerie predicted to know about their location.

Valerie sighed a relieved sigh and told Dominic to be in contact with Mark for any further updates. She immediately called Cayden and told him everything, who was also relieved. Cayden told him that he will come to her pack with his officials to strategize everything. They wanted to put an end to this Randall problem sooner now as he was now targeting their families. The next thing she did was inform Kevin and Jason who were beyond happy and relieved.

Later in the noon Alexei and Dmitri returned with some grim news which caused a dent in her mood. The newly formed vampires were not ready to leave Randall's side. The Vampire council does not allow drinking blood from the humans, the blood is taken from the blood banks to quench their thirst. But Randall was allowing these new saplings to drink directly from the humans which was making them more powerful. Plus he was allowing the new vampires to enthrall their prey for sexual gratification along with drinking their blood which was very euphoric for them.

"So every newly made vampire is with them now?" Valerie asked

Dmitri laughed. "You are saying as if every hour a new vampire is made. It is not like that and not that easy. Many die in the process of conversion and the rules of the council is very hard. Last year only ten new vampires were registered in the council."

"But that is the official data which can differ from the original data." Alexei butted it.

Dmitri rolled his eyes at his brother's antique. "Sure. But it is not easy to hide from the council. They have eyes and ears everywhere. Moreover, not all of them have joined Randall's side. But he is quite persuasive and has become a headache for the council too. This brings us to the good news. They are sending forty vampire soldiers in the next two days to fight by your side. So, I would suggest making room for them. Inform your people and stack your refrigerator with lots and lots of blood."

 "What?" Valerie asked perplexed. "But we don't have any strategy yet on how to attack Randall and when and where?

"Then I suggest you start planning and gathering the intel," Dmitri replied. "Now if you all will excuse me, I have to go and meet Flora."

"More like fuck her." Alexei murmured again.

"I heard you," Dmitri growled.

Alexei rolled his eyes. "I was not trying to hide my remark."

"Go fuck yourself," Dmitri yelled.

"Maybe I will. We all are not so lucky like you." He retaliated.

"Enough, both of you," Valerie shouted. "Cayden is coming with his officials. You will stay here with me and attend the meeting." Dmitri winked towards Alexei and left to meet Flora.

"Perfect," Alexei replied sarcastically while rolling his eyes. "I have come back from a long journey, you see. Sitting here listening to your boring talks for another hour and so, is not my idea of fun. Call me when you have reached a decision. Till then I am going to my room to take a nap." He took Valerie's hand in his and kissed it. "I will see you soon."

Before Alexei could leave Charles entered all excited and elated. "It's good to have you back Alexei." Alexei nodded and patted his shoulder before leaving for his room.

"Tell me you have some good news for me," Valerie asked.

"Of course sister. Have I ever disappointed you?" He replied. "Judging by your sour mood I am guessing that you don't get good news from those two vampires." Valerie nodded.

"Okay so let me uplift your mood. Your soldiers will be safe from vampire venom. Vampires won't be able to slow them down now."

"Oh thank moon goddess. I am so relieved." Valerie replied and sat down on her chair in elation.

"Yes, silver check, wolfsbane check, and now vampire poison check. Can you believe it? I would have gotten noble prize if there would have been any, in the werewolf world." Cayden boasted.

"Yes, yes brother. You are great and we all owe you a big one but let us not flaunt our talents. Shall we? I don't want you to get kidnapped. Now as you have finished your work here, I want you to go to some safe place. You are vulnerable here. Randall doesn't know about your specialties' and I want to keep it that way. So I will be sending you to Iceland."

"What? But why?" Charles asked perplexed. "Cayden has his parents with him. See, his younger sister is also staying with him."

"I will be more focused if you are away from all this?" Valerie said

"Then you should send all your pack members there. Don't you think you are getting partial? Saving your family and sending them away in the safest places but keeping all your pack members here in the war zone." Charles pointed out.

"Some of my pack members are soldiers and some are trackers. How can I send my army away, Charles? I need them to win this war."

"Then send their family members away." Charles retorted.

"I can't do it. It is not practically possible." Valerie replied, "And I haven't asked Kevin to go somewhere safe."

"Because you need him, he will act as the alpha after your demise. Isn't it?" Charles asked and Valerie looked down ashamed.

"I love you, Charles. All I care about is your safety."

Charles exhaled and embraced Valerie. "I know but I trust you. You will keep me safe like you will do anything in your power to keep your pack mates safe."

Valerie sobbed. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I promise." Charles kissed her on the forehead and continued, "I have made some weapons for myself too and I am training with Dominic since that incident that happened with me. I will be good."

Valerie disentangles herself from his embrace and said. "I am so proud of you. Dad will be so proud of you Charles."

"I know." He replied. "I should leave. I have a lot to do." Valerie nodded and Charles left.

*******************************************************************************************

In the evening Cayden came with his officials. He embraced Valerie and pecked her on her lips and asked about her wellbeing.

They took their respective seats in the dining hall and started discussing the strategy for the war. In between the meeting, Dominic's cell phone rang. Everyone looked towards him.

"It's Mark. He is using one of the burner phones to contact us." He picked up the call and the other people sitting at the table were only hearing some syllables like "yes", "Ok", "No", "alright"

When he disconnected the call everyone looked towards him in curiosity. Dominic who was more of a wallflower was not comfortable with all the attention he was getting. Valerie knew about it. She placed her hand on his as he was sitting on the chair beside her calming him down.

He looked towards her in gratitude and started speaking. "Mark told me about the major bunkers that Randall is using for storing his weapons. Destroying them will definitely cause distress to him. But they are heavily guarded by some vampires and few hunters. He is also causing some politicians in Canada and here in the United States to join his agenda and cause some ruckus. So we will have to target them too."

"Thanks for the valuable information, Dominic." Valerie patted his hand. "Cayden, I presume, some of your men were able to infiltrate the Canadian political system. Right? Ask them how they think we should proceed with the situation and how dire it is. And I will ask my men here in the United States."

"I have few of my men in Alaska County too. I will see what they can tell." Cayden suggested.

"Yes, that will be good. And another important piece of information that Dmitri told me is that few vampires will come to help us with the situation." She continued and explained every bit of information that Dmitri gathered from the council.

"How is Scarlet, alpha Cayden," Jason asked out of the blue.

He looked towards him a bit surprised. "Same as before." He replied.

"I thought Mark's visit would have healed her a bit. Guess I was wrong." Jason said.

Everyone was silent for a few seconds which was broken by Valerie's voice. "We should plan to destroy those bunkers as soon as possible."

"I think our betas and head of warriors should handle this mission," Cayden suggested. "We should focus on gathering the political intel."

"I agree. But only one will be able to lead the soldiers for this mission." Valerie said.

"Then I think it should be Dominic," Cayden said surprisingly.

"What?" Valerie asked perplexed. She was sure that he will make Ryder the head of the mission.

"Yes, he is good on the battlefield. He leads well in stressful situations. He is a wonderful warrior head and I am sure he will lead the soldiers towards victory. Our betas can help him in strategizing the attack and how to carry it out." Cayden replied.

Dominic looked towards his alpha for the order. Valerie looked towards him for few seconds before uttering. "Make us proud." 

An update and that too early!! Enjoy!!!

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