October 14th
Leaving the school for potentially the last time ever, I sprinted into the forest in the direction of the Cerridwen village. With any luck I'd get there and back without being seen by any of Leo's men, or worse Leo.
But when I got to the houses in the forest that the pack people lived in, there was a huge amount of commotion.
"Ella Jones?" Stephen Wilson, Logan's Dad, asked with a confused by welcoming expression, "You don't want to be here right now. It's not safe."
I glanced around at the people, they were all stricken with fear, some weeping, others sobbing.
"We've been attacked by Alpha Loren's men. He's looking for my son and one man has already been killed."
My stomach churned, "Did they tell you why?" I asked my voice hoarse.
He shook his head.
"He's in deep, deep shit with Alpha Loren," I said. "Who happens to be my mate. So when Logan grabbed me and I had to go home with his scent all over me, Leonardo was livid and clearly still is."
Stephen ran his hand through his hair
"Alpha Loren is your mate?...and he wants my son dead? And does your Alpha know you're here?"
I nodded, "No... but I promised Logan I'd explain why he's had to flee."
Stephen cursed under his breath.
"My son is beyond stupid," he said, "Alpha Loren's Luna? Of all people to mess with?"
"Thank you for telling me Ella but you should go," he said, "They said they'd return later if they still haven't found him. To kill more of my people no doubt."
How could Leo be so ruthless? Cerridwen was a peaceful pack. They didn't even have an army.
"I'll find my mate and do everything I can to stop him," I promised.
Alpha Wilson nodded although looking incredibly anxious. I don't blame him. We both knew my power to stop Leo doing what he wants was next to nothing.
But I had to try.
Just as I turned to leave, something made us both freeze.
A scream sounded from the other side of the village.
"Logan Wilson!" A voice bellowed. "Come out, come out wherever you are! Or we will keep cutting the throats of your pack until there is nothing left of it."
Stephen marched passed me.
"Go, Ella," Stephen ordered, "If they find you here, we are all doomed."
I shook my head, "I can stop them."
I then ran towards the voices. There were five of them, all clearly Leo's soldiers and all armed with knives and cold expressions
"Logan Wilson isn't here," I said, standing in front of them, blocking their path, "Stop terrorising innocent people."
"Luna?" one of them said, glancing at my mark, "Does the Alpha know you're here?"
"Get off Cerridwen territory," I ordered.
"We are carrying out Alpha Loren's orders," another said, stepping towards me and grabbing my arm, "And you shouldn't be here. Julius, get her out the way and call Beta Blair."
"Logan Wilson isn't here," I hissed pulling my arm out of his grasp, "And don't you dare touch me."
The soldier sighed, "Luna, we have been told to thoroughly search this territory."
"Then search it but why do you need to kill?" I hissed.
The first beckoned to 'Julius' who came towards me as he pulled out his phone as another began dialling a number.
He then nodded to the others to continue as they were. I needed a better distraction than this.
So I immediately bolted. I knew these woods better than they did and I wound through the trees hoping they wouldn't risk being responsible for losing me, follow and leave Stephen and his people alone.
The forest was dense here so being small and nimble for once worked to my advantage against these burly men.
After fifteen minutes, I reached the road and the men were nowhere in sight. But I knew they'd be searching for me and not fulfilling Leo's heartless orders so I walked along the road in a relative amount of peace.
But I couldn't help but cry. Two of Cerridwen's people were dead because of my mate and as a result of me and that tore my heart apart.
About five minutes of striding along the forest-lined road with tears streaming down my cheeks later, a black car slowly rolled up beside me.
"Get in," Blair ordered rolling down the window.
"No," I spat unable to look at the Beta of a pack that would do such a horrible thing to another innocent and peaceful pack. "I am done with Leonardo. I will not be his mate and I do not want to ever see him again."
"Ella," he said deeply.
I only walked faster.
He sighed, stopped the car and got out before frustratedly slamming the door.
I noticed him marching towards me and began to run. Of course, he broke into a run too and it was only a matter of seconds before his long legs caught up to me and seized me around the waist.
Although I didn't appreciate the unwanted manhandling, I did observe that he was far gentler than Leo would have been. If we are going to look at the positive side of things.
"Let go of me," I growled as he tried to get control of my flailing arms and legs.
"I am not your enemy," he said in a deep voice after finally catching my wrists and holding me completely still. "I am just doing my job to protect you."
"Protect me from what? As far as I can see, the only person who I need protecting from is your Alpha. He really does live up to his reputation, doesn't he?
"I need you to get into the car, Ella," he replied calmly. "I'd prefer not to force you but I will if you do not cooperate."
"Why do you work for him?" I asked.
"Because he is my Alpha," Blair replied urging me towards the car as I continued to resist him.
"He doesn't have to be."
"I am loyal to him and that will never change. Now please get in the car."
I looked into his pleading green eyes and for a moment I felt a spark of sympathy and almost complied. Then I remembered what had happened to Cerridwen pack and thought otherwise.
"Call Leo and tell his men to never step foot in the Cerridwen village again," I questioned.
"No," he said. "He's made his decision and I'm not going to question him because he is the Alpha. What don't you understand?"
"Luca would."
"I am not Luca."
"Shame," I muttered.
"Get in the car," he ordered, the calm tone nowhere in sight.
"Innocent people Blair. Innocents!-"
"I know," he stated. "They are the Alpha's orders. There is nothing I can do."
"So you are just going to let it happen?!"
Blair let out a short breath before grasping my wrist and hauling me towards his car. He then angrily opened the door, bundled me in and slammed the door hard. My fingers could have been it that.
He then marched around the other side, got in and started the engine.
"If you want to speak to Leo about this you are more than welcome but we are not going anywhere until you have put your seatbelt on," he added, "I'm not risking you getting hurt in a car accident. The Alpha would murder me and I'm not even joking."
I scowled before reaching over and strapping my self in.
"Take me to him," I said.
"You think he'll listen to you? After you betrayed his trust and ran away again?" Blair questioned.
"At least let me try," I said, "Just let me call him...please."
Blake sighed, "I have to let him know I found you anyway," he said reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone before handing it to me. "You're a pain in the ass. You know that, right?"
"Thank you, Blair," I said taking the phone. "You aren't as bad as I thought you were."
"Gee, is that meant to be a compliment?" he asked with a smile.
"Fine, you aren't bad at all. You are just doing your job- even if it's the shittest job in the world," I corrected.
"Mildly better," he said with a grin as I searched through for Leo's contact.
It rang only once before he picked up.
"Did you find her?" he asked immediately.
"Yes, she's here with me now," Blair replied, "And-"
"And you have to stop your men," I interrupted, "They have killed innocent Cerridwen pack people."
"I'm not having this conversation with you, Ella," Leo said deeply, "You've betrayed my trust...again."
"Which is nothing compared to what you have done," I hissed, "Cerridwen was my home! The previous Alpha let my family settle there peacefully. They don't deserve this!"
I felt a tear drop from my eye.
"And what about the current Alpha, huh?" he asked, "What's he done? They are paying for that and my men will stop when they find him."
"He's not there!" I shouted, "The only people you are hurting are innocents!"
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