Aadaya stood in front of an array of screens, where countless lines of code and data scrolled rapidly. Chris, her trusted tech expert, was hunched over a keyboard, typing furiously. Feeling a bit restless, Aadaya decided to take a break. She walked back to the pristine white sofas and settled into the love seat, with Saddie sitting across from her.

Saddie looked effortlessly elegant in her crisp white shirt and red pants, her attention focused on important reports. The spacious room was bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city, the forest, and the sea. Despite their exhaustion from back-to-back meetings, they knew there was more work to be done. Their company operated smoothly, but regular meetings were essential for effective business management.

While Saddie delved into the background history of the man Aadaya had fought in the facility, Chris sifted through the hacked data from the facility's servers. The volume of data was staggering, making analysis a daunting task. Terabytes of information and complex encryption made Chris's job even more challenging.

Aadaya observed her friends, both fully engrossed in their tasks. Their professionalism and dedication reassured her. They were reliable, responsible, and fiercely loyal, qualities she valued immensely.

Just as Aadaya was lost in her thoughts, Chris called out, "Guys, you need to see this." His tone sounded urgent, causing both Aadaya and Saddie to walk over to the screens.

Chris, visibly nervous, spoke up, "The hacked data I worked on, I've condensed it. Domious got lucky, and he also had information about us. Someone tipped him off about you when you joined the pack. He suspected you would come after him, which is why he had top-notch security."

Saddie, upon hearing the news, unleashed a string of colorful curses while slamming her hand on the table. Aadaya, her eyes fixed on the screen displaying footage from Domoius's party on the night of the attack, took a deep breath. Trying to keep her composure, she asked, "Is there anything else?"

Chris, his eyes glued to the screen, continued, "About Damein and the pack warriors arriving at the facility, they received a tip from someone. I looked into it, and found someone anonymous messaged the council member, Fernandoz. They had been tracking down the culprits from your pack for a while. The team consisted of warriors from different packs. I gathered this information by hacking into the details of various packs and council members. This anonymous person send him information regarding everything about Domious and also gave a hint to them about us. We were lucky that we started the plan just a bit early. We had been tricked the anonymous knew everything from the start."

Pushing his glasses up, Chris turned back to the screen and added, "Furthermore, about Domious, he received funding from the Brar brothers around the same time the incident occurred eleven years ago. That's how he established the entire company. Before that night, he had provided information to the Brar brothers. I also discovered that your father had complete trust in him, as they finalized a deal just one month before the incident. That's how he had information about your pack."

A heavy feeling settled in Aadaya's heart as she absorbed the information. It felt like the weight of everything she had buried inside her was resurfacing, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Saddie watched her friend, her concern evident, as Aadaya clenched the seat, her knuckles turning white.

Chris continued, "Additionally, it seems he was deliberately exposed through the investment he made. Someone threw him under the bus, knowing we were searching for him all along. The day he invested in the dummy company, he received the details in the morning, sent by someone."

Aadaya felt her chest tighten, and she whispered to herself, "But how?" Her question hung in the air, echoing her confusion. Both Chris and Saddie exchanged concerned glances, watching their friend struggling to comprehend the situation.

Saddie placed her hands on Aadaya's shoulders, trying to offer comfort. Just then, an alarm blared, and one of the screens turned green. Chris, his eyes widening with surprise, quickly turned his attention back to the screen, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

Excitement lit up his face as he exclaimed, "Guys, I found him! I traced the IP address backward and found nothing, but I looked into Domious's call records. I found a number that contacted him around the same time he received the company details. They spoke for just a minute before the call was disconnected. After that, Domious quickly searched for the company online, even though he had no prior knowledge of it."

He paused briefly, taking a quick breath, then continued, "So, I traced the call back. It led to a burner phone, but I managed to pinpoint the country and city. By examining all the calls made around the same time, I discovered that the early morning hours had fewer calls. With the lower population density at that time, we narrowed down our search."

Both Aadaya and Saddie waited anxiously for Chris to reveal the location. Growing impatient, Saddie snapped, "WHERE?" She stood in front of Chris, her eyes demanding answers. Chris whispered, "Euthania... the same city where we received the tip about Viscious." His words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Aadaya's heart raced as Chris's words hung in the air. Euthania, the same city where they had received a crucial tip about Viscious, now emerged as the location connected to the mysterious caller. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be falling into place, yet the situation only grew more complicated.

Saddie's eyes widened in shock, mirroring Aadaya's astonishment. "Euthania? That can't be a coincidence," Saddie said, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and concern. The implications of this revelation were enormous. Euthania had been a focal point of their investigation into Viscious, and now it was directly linked to the person who had orchestrated the attack on the facility.

Aadaya felt a surge of determination. "We need to go to Euthania. Find out who's behind this," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she was resolute. This was a battle they couldn't afford to lose.

Saddie nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We can't waste any time. We need to uncover the truth and put an end to this once and for all," she said, her eyes reflecting the same determination as Aadaya's.

Chris, despite his initial nervousness, seemed more focused than ever. "I'll gather all the information we have and prepare a plan for our trip to Euthania. We need to be cautious and strategic," he said, his fingers already flying across the keyboard, processing the data at his disposal.

As they worked together to formulate a plan, a sense of unity settled among them. They were a team, bound by loyalty and shared purpose. The challenges ahead were daunting, but they faced them head-on, ready to confront the shadows of the past and unveil the truth hidden in the depths of Euthania.

Little did they know that their journey to Euthania would not only test their strength and resilience but also unveil startling revelations that would shake the foundations of everything they believed in. The truth awaited them, shrouded in darkness, and they were determined to bring it into the light.

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

Aadaya felt the familiar burn in her muscles as she effortlessly completed the last lap of the training ground, her body conditioned to handle the intense physical exertion. Her pack members, on the other hand, were visibly drained, panting heavily and collapsing in exhaustion as they finished the session. Alpha Arthur scolded some for their lack of speed, urging them to push harder.

Ignoring the fatigue of her pack, Aadaya made her way towards the pack house. Just then, her aunt emerged from the front door, holding a ringing phone. Her eyes lit up upon seeing Aadaya, and she handed her the phone, saying, "Aadaya, Saddie's calling you."

Taking the phone with a soft thank you and a morning kiss for her aunt, Aadaya answered the call, preparing to greet her friend. But before she could utter a word, a loud scream came from the other end, leaving Aadaya momentarily speechless. "I've got a surprise for you. Get your ass to the school," Saddie's voice exclaimed before abruptly ending the call.

Aadaya stood there, phone still at her ear, her shock evident. As she looked up, she realized that a dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on her, everyone around her having heard Saddie's message. Aadaya felt a flush of embarrassment, mentally cursing her friend and the werewolves' acute hearing abilities. The situation grew increasingly awkward as she pointed back towards the pack house and stammered, "Uh, yep, that's my cue... Good morning, everyone."

With that, Aadaya swiftly made her way back to the pack house, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Unbeknownst to her, someone particular stood nearby, a sly smile on their lips as they observed Aadaya's retreating figure, having witnessed the entire scene unfold from the moment she stepped onto the training grounds.

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

I step out of Zack's car, where he had given me a lift, scanning the parking lot for "my Saddam Hussain" and Chrissy. Since the incident, I had been teasing Chrissy relentlessly, attempting to get back at Saddie for her actions that day.

I notice a crowd gathering near my Camaro, which is oddly parked there. My memory reminds me that I had left it in the company garage. Curiosity piqued, I push my way through the people to find Saddie sitting on the hood of my car, and Chris snoring with his legs hanging out of the window in the back seat.

Frustration bubbles up inside me as I approach my friends. I push Chrissy's legs aside and whisper-shout at them, my embarrassment evident, "What the hell are you both doing? Stop it!"

Saddie laughs, putting her arm around me as the crowd disperses, clearly enjoying the attention. "Come on, aren't you excited for your gift?" she asks, laughing.

Completely fed up with their antics, I take a deep breath to control my rising anger. "You cannot gift my car back to me," I say, gesturing toward my car, unable to comprehend their notion of a nice gift.

Rolling her eyes, Saddie walks to the car and says, "Surprise!" Just then, comically, her brother Desmond pops up from behind the car. He smiles like a Cheshire cat, attempting to appear joyful as he moves closer, as if attempting to hug me. I'm completely baffled, sensing that something planned is going on between Saddie and Desmond. Thankfully, vampires don't have the pack link, a fact I'm grateful for, or else my friends might have driven me insane.

Growing suspicious, I inquire, "What is going on?" Chris, surprisingly wide awake now, watches the commotion, seemingly anticipating something. Saddie and Desmond, who are blood-related, exchange awkward glances and laugh, trying to act nonchalant. Saddie dismisses my question, saying, "What? Why would you think that?"

One stern glare from me prompts Desmond to blurt out everything, "Uncle(Saddie's father) sent me here so that you can teach me. I failed my final year." I listen in silence, a calm veneer masking my inner storm, while Saddie hits her head comically, seemingly awaiting the storm after Desmond's confession.

My mouth opens to say something, but I'm momentarily speechless. Then, in frustration, I scream, "What?! Why? This shithead has no brain...," preparing to give Desmond a piece of my mind.

Saddie takes a deep breath, as if trying to gather her thoughts to explain Aadaya this complicated topic. She licks her lips in a bit of fear, "ummm.... You see I tried to teach him, butyou see I have the patience of microsecond, and I end up beating him black and blue, hospitalizing him....", just when Desmond remember those moments and visibly shiver in fear. Both Aadaya and Saddie watches him, and takes a deep breath, as Saddie continues, "...so Dad banned me from teaching him. You taught him in junior year. So, Dad thought of maybe you could also teach him again...", as she takes a deep breath ending her apologetic speech feeling sorry for her friend.

Aadaya stared at Desmond, her eyes wide with shock. "Teach you? Seriously? Your education should come with a warning label: 'May cause severe brain malfunction,'" she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Saddie, trying to diffuse the tension, chimed in, "Well, we thought maybe he needs a crash course in common sense, and who better to teach him than our dear Aadaya?"

Desmond, attempting to defend himself, stammered, "Come on, Aadaya, give me a chance! I just... got a bit distracted by, you know, life."

Aadaya raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. "Distracted by life? Desmond, you got distracted by your own reflection," she retorted, her words laced with dry humor.

Chrissy, who had been quietly observing the scene, couldn't help but join in. "Maybe we can create a 'Desmond's Guide to Basic Life Skills' manual. Chapter one: 'How Not to Fail Your Final Year Because You Were Too Busy Taking Selfies.'"

Saddie laughed, nudging Desmond playfully. "Well, it's settled then. Aadaya will be your life coach, and we'll publish the manual. We might just save a few brain cells in the process."

Aadaya shook her head in mock despair. "I can't believe I'm voluntarily signing up for this. Prepare yourself, Desmond. It's going to be a bumpy, brain-cell-deprived ride." She sighed dramatically, adding, "But hey, at least it'll be entertaining for the rest of us."

The group burst into laughter, Desmond looking equal parts embarrassed and amused. As they continued to joke and tease, Aadaya couldn't help but smile. Despite the unexpected turn of events, laughter had a way of easing even the most awkward situations. Little did she know that teaching Desmond would become an adventure filled with hilariously bizarre moments, making her question her life choices at every turn.

...to be continued

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