"Part of her mystery is how she is calm in the storm and anxious in the quiet."
~JmStorm

Anna

I'd like to say my family handled the shock of Spencer and Elsa's relationship with grace and style like us Laroches typically did. I'd also like to say the Starks did as well.

The reality was outright chaos. The moment the runaway couple was out the door, all hell broke loose. At least our packs waited for the humans to leave, which Hayley and Chris Stark instructed them kindly but firmly to do so. Like my parents, they weren't ones to be trifled with, especially considering how everyone could see how livid they were. I stole a look at my parents, both were ashen-faced.

The moment the humans were all out, our packs began fighting. I'm honestly not sure who started it all, although I swear Dom mumbled something under his breath because suddenly Caleb lunged at him. Within the blink of an eye, Ember was fighting with Lily, and Noah and Brian were going at each other's throats. Hunter would've been helping Caleb had he not been restraining Josie from ripping Callie's throat out.

As much as I loved Josilyn, I knew she stood no chance against the red-headed O'Connor girl. That was one pack member I didn't want to get involved in a fight with. Not only was she strong and intelligent, but she fought dirty. And when she was mad? God help anyone who got in her way. You either stood with her or against her, and if it wasn't the latter, you either moved aside, or she'd make you.

Riley and Grey were holding back Thea and Gigi, respectively, from going at each other. I was surprised Riley wasn't getting involved in the fight, but now was not the time to be questioning my packmate's unexpected, sound judgment call.

"Enough!" The Alphas shouted simultaneously over the cacophony. But no one listened to them, all too far gone in their anger. Ember moved on from Lily to attacking Callie after the feisty redhead tried to lunge at Josie, with Hunter placing himself between the two girls. Gracie backed Ember up, protecting her from Lily, who attempted to strike my sister from behind.

Dad and Chris ripped Ember and Callie apart, snarling at them to stand down and stay down. Both girls were so shocked by the savageness of their tones that they listened. One by one, the Alphas subdued the fighting, but it took them at least fifteen minutes from the time the fights broke out.

"If any of you try and fight again, you will be incapacitated, is that understood?" Hayley growled.

"For once, we agree with the Starks," Mom said, earning a few raised eyebrows from both sides. "We need to find Elsa and Spencer. If they do not consent to come back to their packs, they will be charged with treason. Betas and Omegas, block any exits to the town. They'll most likely be going by car to make a fast getaway. The rest of you, fan out and find them. If you do, call your Alpha and alert us. We'll stop them. Alphas, stay here. Anna, I want you to stay too. The rest of you, disperse, and if we hear any fighting amongst you, there will be severe consequences."

"Lily, Callie, you stay as well," Hayley commanded.

Although there were many looks of disapproval and disdain at that last request, our packs listened. They filed out of the room, Laroches and Starks sending dirty looks to each other. When the doors shut, dad asked, "Anna, do you have any idea where they could've gone? You know Elsa better than anyone, and unless you want to get kicked out of the pack too, I suggest you tell us where they went."

"I don't know. They could've gone to either compound because both would need to get their things," I said. I didn't want to rat out my sister, but I didn't want to get kicked out of the pack either. I had to be strategic though, and at least try to buy some time for my sister and her boyfriend to escape.

"Our compound is closer," Mom said. "I say we start there."

"Agreed. I'll have Brian and Jack check on ours. They can hold off Spencer long enough for us to get there," Chris said.

"You underestimate my sister's strength," I growled. "She's Omega by title, not by power."

"Be quiet, Anna," Mom snapped. I shut up. "Let's go. Anna, you're with me and dad."

We dispersed. I lagged behind, acting as inconspicuous as possible so as not to alert my parents that I was, in fact, trying to warn my sister about her impending doom. I couldn't reach her, though. I think the excitement and whirlwind of what happened was causing her to have tunnel vision, and that tunnel vision didn't include hearing any telepathic messages from me.

Dom fell into step beside me. I studied the expression on his face, to see what was running through his mind about this situation. He appeared stoic on the outside, but when his eyes met mine, I could see the fear in them — the worry. I wanted to reach out and hold his hand, if not to comfort him, then to comfort myself, because I knew that by the end of today, I was going to be losing my sister, if not to death, then to distance. At least in the latter case, she'd be alive, but not having her by my side constantly? I could barely stand to think about it.

"Mr. and Mrs. Laroche," Dom said, "I'd like to request that Anna rides with me. If we find them before you do, I know that we can easily keep Spencer and Elsa at bay long enough for you and my parents to arrive. I understand Starks and Laroches are not meant to be close, but in this situation..."

I was taken aback by his words and shocked he wanted me around. He hadn't spoken to me since he cut things off, and by some of the things he'd said the night Elsa and I rescued Spencer, I thought our 'friendship' had only existed because our siblings were romantically involved with each other. Now he wanted me to ride with him? I couldn't understand it.

"It's your call, Arya," Chris said.

Mom stared at Dom as if she was trying to figure out any ulterior motives for his request. If she found any, though, she ignored them, conceding to his wish. I tried not to show the relief that surged through me.

Dom led me to his car, not saying a word until we were both safely inside with the doors shut.

"I'm sorry about all this," he said.

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault," I replied.

"Because in some way, you're going to lose your sister tonight."

"And in some way, you're going to lose a brother."

Dom pulled out of the parking lot behind our parents, his eyes glued to the road. "I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you these past few months. After what my parents told me the truth about our pack feud, I understand. Don't get me wrong. I hate the fact it exists, but I still understand."

"It'd be nice to know exactly why," I replied, unable to hide my bitterness. I was tired of all the secrets that had to do with our pack feud. I hated that the Alphas could know, but we couldn't. What was so bad about this secret that we couldn't?

"I'm sorry, Anna. I wish I could tell you, I do, but-"

"You can't. I get it," I said shortly. Dom must've known it was a futile battle because he didn't continue the conversation any further.

I stared out the window, watching the world go by, envious of all the people in Estes blissfully unaware of the current shitstorm. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Dom continually taking side glances at me, prompting me to ask, "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"No reason." He gave me another sidelong glance. "You just look really beautiful tonight."