"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."
~William Shakespeare

Anna

The next few days were silent at the compound. According to Dom, it was similar at his. No one dared to breathe Elsa's name, or Finn's and Killian's. It was as if they'd never existed at all—the only reminder being their lingering scent.

Caleb constantly asked me how I was doing, and I'd always tell him I was okay, even though I wasn't. Hunter was always asking me to join in on patrols; I guess he thought keeping me busy would keep my mind off of Elsa.

But it wouldn't.

Elsa and I stayed in touch through our twin connection, but for my safety and hers, she wouldn't tell me where she was. These people- the Controllers, she called them- scared her. I wanted to talk to Dom about it, but I didn't dare mention them over text. For all I knew, they were able to read our conversations.

I was patrolling with Thea and Sebastian when we were called back by my parents via a long, low howl. Whatever they needed us for, it certainly wasn't good news. I prayed they hadn't caught Elsa and the others.

The three of us headed back to the compound, where we found the rest of our pack congregated outside. I scanned around for my parents. They were nowhere to be seen. Shiloh and Loren were in a heated discussion a few yards away from the pack, keeping their voices low to avoid being overheard.

Suddenly, all conversations came to a halt, and everyone shifted their attention to my house. Mom and dad stood on our front porch with four people I'd never seen before. The man was tall, had hair black as night, and eyes the color of the ocean. If the malicious expression weren't on his face, he'd be devastatingly handsome.

The woman next to him was close to my mom's height, albeit slightly shorter. She had pale green eyes and long, wavy blonde hair. Her features were soft, but her attire suggested the complete opposite.

Two kids flanked them: a boy and a girl. They were probably close to my age, if not slightly older. Both took on after their mother with their facial features and hair, but they had their father's piercing blue eyes. The boy's eyes landed on me, and all the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I didn't like him.

The girl seemed quiet but extremely perceptive. Her blonde hair was pulled back, and rather than making eye contact with any of us, she seemed extremely interested in her surroundings and what her family was doing. Her clothes were more neutral, less 'I could kick your ass to Timbuktu' and more 'let's talk about the world.' She was the odd one out of her family, that much was obvious.

"Everyone, this is Markus and Lyanna Kellerman, and their children Justin and Karina," dad introduced, his tone flat and serious.

"I know most of you don't know who we are, and that's okay. We wanted to keep it that way. But due to recent circumstances, caused by one of your former packmates, we've been forced to make ourselves known to you, and to also illustrate what will happen if any of you disobey our orders again," Markus announced. I swear to God, he stared at me for the last part of that sentence, giving me an intense feeling of foreboding.

"Everyone, please line up by family. Arya, Ren, please join your children," Lyanna instructed. My parents didn't argue, taking their place next to Hunter at the end. I watched my brothers carefully. Both Hunter and Caleb wore blank expressions, being careful not to let any emotion show. It unnerved me to see them like that.

I maneuvered my way next to Ember. My sister and I shared a look that clearly said, 'what the hell is going on?'

"Very good. Now, let's see..." Lyanna slowly walked in front of us, stopping in front of Josilyn. "You dear, you're Hunter's fiancée, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am," Josie responded shyly.

"Timid for a future alpha, aren't you?"

"Only around people I've never met before." My friend's voice became stronger, almost challenging. I was proud of her. Lyanna noticed it too.

"You have spirit in you, I see. We'll need to strengthen you up to prepare you for being an Alpha, but I think we can make do."

"She can't overdo it," Shiloh began. "She has a he-"

"Silence!" Markus roared. "Do not speak unless spoken to, understood?"

Shiloh cowered. "Yes, sir."

The Kellerman matriarch continued down the line, arms crossed, calculating eyes searching for her next victim to interrogate. "Thea Fray. How do you feel about the Starks?"

"I hate them," my packmate responded immediately. "They're always causing trouble in school, and they strut around with cocky smirks and act like they own the place. I'd love to wipe it off their faces."

Lyanna smiled. "Good."

With that said, she moved on, stopping in front of Sebastian. "If Spencer Stark set foot back in this town, and you were the only one here, what would you do?"

"I'd fight him. I have a bone to pick with him after the stunt he pulled in gym class."

"Oh? What was that?"

"He picked some of us to be on his team and forced our packs to mix."

"How did that go?"

"Not well. I nearly got into a fight with him."

"Do you think you could win a fight against him?"

"I might be smaller, but I'm just as strong. I have a good chance."

"Interesting." Lyanna made her way back towards my parents, walking past me, stopping, then backtracking to stand in front of me. "Anna Laroche. How are you doing?"

"I'm well," I told her emotionlessly.

"Really? So you don't miss your traitorous sister whatsoever?"

"I love my sister. I always will. But she caused nothing but trouble. Now that she's gone, the trouble has left with her," I lied. It physically hurt to say anything against Elsa. She was my sister. My twin. My other half. But for my protection, I needed to play along with the Kellerman's games.

"As much as I wish you were right, Anna, the trouble is far from over. Your sister's actions have repercussions, and you will all come to see how severe they truly are. The Starks are dangerous, duplicitous, and frankly, do not deserve to be here. But unfortunately, they are a powerful pack with powerful allies. They are people we do not want to get involved with. On the bright side, their allies do not want an entanglement with us either."

"I understand," I said. I knew Lyanna wanted me to ask what the repercussions were, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

"The first order of the day is marriage. Caleb, dear, you're single, is that correct?" Lyanna queried, moving to my brother.

"Yes, ma'am. Happily single," Caleb replied.

"We can't have a future Alpha without a mate. We'll have to change that. We'll have a meeting with you and your parents tomorrow," she remarked. My brother remained silent. "Right, next order of business. Justin, would you like to take this?"

A devilish smile formed on her son's face as he ordered, "Alphas, take a step back."

Dad, mom, Hunter, Caleb, and Josie took a step back.

"Betas, take a step back."

Ember, Noah, Loren, Shiloh, and I took a step back.

"All right... let's see, Thea, Sebastian, and Riley take a step back."

Justin continued saying names until everyone but the Omegas had taken a step back. Frank, Melinda, Akira, and Jake were the only ones in the front now.

"Melinda, you raised two children who have brought pride and strength to this pack. Gracie is one of the smartest, and Riley one of the strongest. For that, you may take a step back," Markus said.

"Thank you," Melinda whispered, stepping back. She had paled significantly, and to my surprise, the ever stoic Loren had too.

Lyanna spoke next. "Akira, you may be the Omega, but from what I've been told and what I've noticed, you're very intuitive and observant, something that can be very useful. You may take a step back."

Now only Frank and Jake were left.

"Jake, you lost your cousin, Barry, not too long ago. How are you handling it?"

"He was like a brother to me. I miss him a lot."

"Yes, especially with your dad and his being twins, I'm sure you were even closer. You may take a step back."

Jake did.

Now there was Frank.

"Mr. West, how are you doing?" Markus asked, standing in front of him, practically nose to nose.

"I'm well," Frank answered.

"Good, good. Tell me, what do you remember from the last time the Laroches and the Starks mixed?"

"There was a lot of destruction and death."

"Yes, there was, wasn't there? I'd hate to have a repeat of that." Markus turned around. "That was a bad time for all of us. Ren, Arya, you lost half your pack in that war."

"We did," dad said stiffly.

"Such a shame... so many lives lost because of a few rash decisions by some Alphas. Why is it always the Alphas?" Markus remarked casually, turning to his family to see if they had an answer. Lyanna, Karina, and Justin shrugged. "The adults understand the severe consequences of disloyalty and disobedience, but the children need a demonstration."

Markus faced Frank, commanding him to turn around. I'd never seen my packmate so terrified. He mouthed something to Akira and Taki, the latter of whom was wide-eyed from panic.

"Markus, please, they're only children. They don't understand," Mom spoke up. "I understand there needs to be punishment, but don't let it be this."

"Quiet. You're lucky it's only this and not your rebellious daughter," Lyanna snapped.

I'm not sure when it happened, or if I even saw it occur, but suddenly Frank was suspended midair, Markus's hand through his heart. Taki and Akira screamed. A few of my pack started crying, a few yelled out, a couple collapsed, and the rest, like me, stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, full of shock.

"If any of you conspire with the Starks again, there will be more death. And kids? Next time, it will be one of you," Markus snarled. He lowered Frank's unmoving body, removed his hand, and let it unceremoniously fall to the ground with a sickening thud.

"Dad!" Akira cried, rushing over to him with her mom. I tore my attention away from them to look at the Kellerman's. Markus, Lyanna, and Justin showed absolutely no remorse. The death seemed to bother Karina, though, but her reaction was barely visible. When she saw me looking, she steeled herself and followed her parents to the car.