Aadaya and Marcus found themselves perched on her hospital bed, quietly observing the frenzied activity of her aunt. Aunt Miranda's harried state had propelled her to the hospital in record time, laden with an excessive amount of items meant for Aadaya. Many of these items remained untouched and were promptly discarded, their wrappers tossed into an overflowing dustbin. She darted from one end of Aadaya's limited hospital space to the other, muttering to herself in a rush.

Aadaya and Marcus exchanged amused glances, their eyes tracking Aunt Miranda's frantic movements with a comical synchrony. Seated on the bed, Aadaya sported her largest hoodie, a garment she had "borrowed" from her brother. Her hair was in disarray, and her oversized glasses perched precariously on her nose, lending her a whimsical resemblance to an owl, albeit a cute one. Marcus, on the other hand, wore his pyjamas, and they snuggled together like a bear and her cub, observing the commotion with a mixture of amusement and affection.

As the doctor approached, bearing discharge papers and a warm smile, he inspected Aadaya's bandages and offered some gentle advice. "Take it easy. Your brain needs plenty of rest," he cautioned her, directing his words to Aadaya. Turning to Aunt Miranda, he discussed post-hospital care instructions, leaving the duo to observe the doctor's interaction with Aunt Miranda.

Aunt Miranda soon received the news that Aadaya was ready to leave the hospital, and the doctor redirected his attention to Marcus. He beckoned Marcus to join him, prompting the boy to hug Aadaya and make a heartfelt plea. "Come meet me...please," he implored, his eyes watery, and his face flushed with emotion. Aadaya's heart melted at his endearing plea, and she assured him, "Of course, I surely will."

With that, Marcus left her embrace and walked over to the doctor, taking his hand. As he left the room, he cast one final, hopeful look at Aadaya, waving his hand before disappearing from her view.

The room fell silent, and Aadaya resumed her position on the bed, her head bandaged as she patiently awaited her aunt's completion of the preparations. Then, without warning, the hospital room door swung open wide, and in marched a woman with arms outstretched and a beaming, almost unsettlingly wide smile on her face. Aadaya felt an uneasy shiver crawl up her spine as she watched the woman's approach.

Bringing up the rear, a colossal bouquet entered the room, its sheer size dwarfing everything around it. Chris, the bearer of this oversized floral offering, strolled in, causing Aadaya's mouth to fall open in astonishment. She couldn't help but question, "Where did you get that, and why...?"

Before she could finish her query, Saddie strode forward, crouching down to Aadaya's level. She easily scooped Aadaya into her arms, her towering stature unfazed by the act, and as Chris offered an explanation, "You know... how are you feeling?" Meanwhile, Aunt Miranda completed her packing with a triumphant declaration, "Now we are ready."

Aadaya responded to Chris's concern, "I'm fine... a lot better," as she wrapped her arms around Saddie's neck for better access to her. Chris scrutinized her bandaged head with a concerned furrow in his brow. Saddie chimed in, "You should have also gotten a fracture; we had a plaster ready for signing and drawing," her comment inciting excitement from Chris.

The scene was a blend of chaos and camaraderie, as they prepared to leave the hospital, their interactions filled with warmth and lighthearted banter. Aunt Miranda's overzealous packing and Chris's oversized bouquet were the stars of the show, adding a touch of humour to an otherwise tense situation.

Chris's eyes practically twinkled with the idea of decorating Aadaya's plaster cast. He nodded so vigorously that it seemed like he was auditioning for a headbanging competition. "Oh, absolutely! I could have turned that cast into a masterpiece," he exclaimed, his artistic ambitions overriding any concern for Aadaya's well-being. Aadaya, on the other hand, shot him a withering glare that could have curdled milk.

But before Chris could dive headfirst into his artistic daydreams, a sudden slap materialized in the room, but it seemed to have a mind of its own. It was originally intended for Chris's head, but alas, the slap got lost on its way, landing somewhere in the vicinity of thin air, courtesy of her height. It was a slap that missed its mark so spectacularly that it left everyone bewildered. The source of this comical mishap was none other than Aunt Miranda, who had reached her wit's end. Her voice reverberated through the ward as she chastised the misbehaving duo.

Caught in the crossfire of Aunt Miranda's displeasure, both Chris and Saddie fell into an awkward silence, like two naughty schoolchildren who'd just been scolded in front of the whole class. They exchanged sheepish glances, realizing that maybe, just maybe, drawing on a plaster cast wasn't the most pressing matter at the moment.

Amidst this rather theatrical scene, a familiar voice made its entrance. It was Aadaya's Uncle Ethan, known for his punctuality in a family of perpetual latecomers. With impeccable timing, he arrived, chanting his signature "Let's go... let's go... let's go..." It was a reminder that it was high time to leave the hospital and put an end to the chaos in the ward. The group, despite their earlier antics, quickly rallied and prepared to make their exit.

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

Aadaya's room, once a sanctuary of tranquillity, suddenly resonated with the chaotic symphony of distant voices as she abruptly woke from her nap. A sigh of exhaustion escaped her lips as she reluctantly peeled open her heavy eyelids, her vision initially blurred, and her ears assaulted by the persistent buzzing of her phone on the nightstand. Rubbing her tired eyes, she groggily reached for the device, her fingers clumsily accepting the incoming call from Saddie. The initial words that spilt from Chris's mouth, "Shit's hit the fan," jolted her awake.

With a mixture of annoyance and concern in her voice, Aadaya retorted, "I've told you countless times, Chris, to lay off the junk food. Your digestive system can't handle it." Saddie, lurking somewhere in the background, couldn't suppress her laughter, which erupted into snorts, setting off a contagious wave of chuckles among them. While Chris bore the brunt of their amusement, he responded with muttered complaints about his friends' propensity for outlandish antics.

Aadaya, increasingly exasperated, paced around her room, attempting to regain control over the chaotic papers that had been scattered haphazardly like fallen leaves. Sheets and notes whirled around her, and as she moved toward the window, she engaged in conversation with her friends, though her hurried movements left her slightly lightheaded.

Chris, undeterred, chimed in with a teasing tone, "The stock market's ablaze, and Edge, our company, is soaring higher than ever. We're pushing boundaries, breaking through limits – we're living on the edge of glory! See, I'm a poet, too." Aadaya, her patience growing thin, couldn't help but roll her eyes in response, urging Chris to get to the point. She quipped, "You're more of a menace than a poet, Chris. Now, cut the theatrics and tell me what's happening."

Directing her attention toward Saddie, Aadaya inquired, her voice tinged with genuine concern, "Has Chris completely lost his mind?" Saddie, struggling to contain her amusement, replied in a bemused tone, "Well, he did consume every last piece of candy in my room, and he's currently on a sugar high. Oh, and he nearly attempted a daring striptease at our company's headquarters."

Continuing their conversation, Aadaya listened intently as Saddie provided an update on their mission. She spoke, "Everything's good. Just Lander in air still invisible but we do find his hut a start. The hut is old but she does or living. Seems like he made his plan years before". The revelation that they had discovered Visicious's hiding place, a hut, an aged structure that was now inhabited, was a vital piece of the puzzle, hinting at an intricately planned scheme that had been in the works for years.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Aadaya solemnly pledged to be there. "I will be there give me the coordinates", she asks. Saddie's voice, now lowered and laced with seriousness, conveyed a stark warning about the meticulous planning and lack of vulnerabilities in their adversary's strategy. Saddie smiles at her antics, "In that condition, heck no. Don't worry I got this under my ass. Beside, ...", her voice turns an octave lower as she enters a empty meeting hall. ".. Aadaya whatever this is, it's dangerously planned with no loopholes. We need to be careful."

Aadaya, standing by the window, nodded in understanding as she readied herself for the challenges that lay ahead. Just as she was about to disconnect the call, her gaze shifted beyond the window to the gathering in the backyard, where the entire pack had assembled.

Her heart sank as she witnessed the arrival of Damien and his father, the older man a mirror image of his son, complete with dark hair and piercing green eyes. Aadaya's intuition began to gnaw at her, and it didn't take long for her to grasp the unsettling reality of the situation.

In an eerie turn of events, Damien began touching the hands of each girl present, a bizarre and disconcerting act that sent shivers down Aadaya's spine. A solitary tear streamed down her cheek as she sobbed quietly, the implications of his actions dawning on her. As Damien unceremoniously pushed his beta, Ryan, aside and transformed into his wolf form, Aadaya's heart shattered into a million jagged fragments, mirroring the tumultuous events that had just unfolded.

A parting line, laden with tension and foreboding, lingered heavily in the air as Aadaya grappled with the impending storm on the horizon, her world rapidly spiralling into chaos.

Aadaya's room plunged into an eerie silence, her eyes locked onto the disturbing spectacle unfolding beyond her window. As she bore witness to Damein's sudden transformation and his reckless flight into the dark, unforgiving jungle, her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. The once-inescapable bond that bound them had shattered into twisted fragments, leaving behind an unsettling residue of betrayal that clung to her psyche.

Aadaya stood alone by the window, tears streaming down her face, mirroring the chaos and heartache that consumed her. Within her, the beast stirred, its primal instincts awakened by the turmoil unfolding outside. The connection she had shared with Damien, once an unbreakable tether of unity, had now become a source of pain and confusion.

In the background, the voice of her Aunt reached her ears, its words muffled and distant. The group of girls in the backyard continued their joyful chatter, oblivious to the maelstrom of emotions tearing through their Alpha.

A solitary tear slid down Aadaya's cheek, its salty trail echoing the profound anguish gnawing at her soul. She understood the gravity of the choice she now faced, a path laden with consequences that would reshape not only her own destiny but also the fate of her entire pack. With a steely resolve, she tore her gaze away from the window, her eyes aflame with unwavering determination. The moment of reckoning had arrived, and Aadaya was prepared to confront the formidable challenges that loomed ahead, no matter how harrowing the journey might become.

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

As they burst into uncontrollable laughter, the cafe's patrons couldn't help but stare at Chris and Saddie like they were characters in a slapstick comedy. People at nearby tables exchanged bemused glances, and even the waitress couldn't hide her grin as she passed by. The manager, however, didn't find their outburst amusing and shot them a stern look, which only made them laugh harder.

Saddie's laughter was so infectious that it spread like a contagious disease. Tears streamed down her face as she recalled the image of their friend getting caught naked in front of the elderly janitor, Mary. Her laughter became more raucous with every passing second, and it was soon joined by Chris's hearty guffaws.

Chris, with his attempts at looking pensive and turning comically pig-like, sent them both into paroxysms of giggles. Saddie laughed so hard that she snorted, which only made her laugh even harder. Chris, now wearing an amused but bewildered expression, joined in the snorting laughter.

Their uproarious mirth continued to echo throughout the cafe, drawing the attention of everyone present. Some people regarded them with curiosity, others with annoyance, and a few with amusement. The waitress, growing increasingly exasperated, issued two warnings, and the manager shot them a disapproving glare.

Amidst peals of laughter, Chris, oblivious to the chaos around them, devoured his fries with wild abandon. He seemed to inhale them rather than eat them, causing bits of potato to fly in all directions. Saddie, although struggling to contain her own laughter, couldn't help but gag at Chris's voracious eating style.

Saddie managed to regain her composure enough to comment, "Did he really touch every girl's hand? Wow, he seems desperate." Her face contorted into an exaggerated expression of disbelief.

Aadaya joined in, adding, "Yeah, and stubborn enough to pose problems for us." She appeared pensive for a moment before her expression turned serious. "I was actually thinking about letting him go of the bond. He might be happier without my baggage," she admitted.

This declaration took Chris by surprise, and he nearly choked on his fries. After a brief coughing fit, he asked incredulously, "Like a mate bond? A werewolf bond, right?"

"Exactly," Aadaya affirmed. Her words left Chris momentarily speechless, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Saddie, however, couldn't contain herself any longer. She suddenly slapped Aadaya's head with an annoyed expression and scolded her, "Have you lost your mind? Don't tell me you're drunk at, what, 11 a.m.? It's still morning. Have you even had breakfast?" Saddie's growling admonition carried a mixture of concern and frustration as she stormed out of the cafe, her jacket in hand.

A heavy silence descended upon Aadaya and Chris, both contemplating the implications of what she had just revealed. Chris, looking stern and concerned, finally broke the silence, his voice a measured tone of caution. "You really need to think before acting. This is a one-time thing," he emphasized.

Panicked and filled with remorse, Aadaya could only nod in agreement. She couldn't meet Chris's accusing gaze, instead hanging her head in shame.

Just when the jingling of the bells announced the entrance of people in the small café, particularly familiar people. In a desperate attempt to correct the situation, Chris whispered urgently, "And don't turn,... your mate's here, especially not when he's here with his friends and your brother." Aadaya's eyes widened in realization; she had forgotten to wear her contact lenses, and her natural wolfish eyes had been exposed. Her shoulders tensed as she prepared herself for a hasty escape.

Reacting swiftly, Chris chanted something under his breath, and a misty burst of energy emanated from his hand. Realization hit Aadaya like a punch to the gut, and she hurriedly began to put on her jacket. Unfortunately, Saddie had taken it with her in her abrupt exit.

"He's looking this way. On the count of three. One, two, run," Chris whispered urgently, his voice barely audible. He extended his hand, and a misty blast erupted from it. Fueled by adrenaline, Aadaya sprinted toward the back door as if her life depended on it, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ryan's shout, "Catch her!" reached her ears, and she knew there was no time to lose. She reached the back door, which led into the forest, and burst outside. The cool air hit her face, and her lungs burned from the exertion, but she had no intention of slowing down.

As Aadaya disappeared into the depths of the forest, her heart raced with uncertainty, leaving behind a chilling question in the minds of those who remained:

"What had she become?"

...to be continued

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