With the truth known, Aaron moved into preparation against the enemy that would attack, which they all knew was coming. They had to be one step ahead of everything and every other pack out there.
Zera didn’t dispose of her gold jewellery after Quincy’s revelation; if he spoke the truth, its poison would only act up when it came into contact with her blood. It was safe, as far as she knew.
As the day ended, Davine disclosed his intention of returning home. Zera told him that the decision might be risky and advised them to stay here until everything was in place. He told them he couldn’t stay here. His fate wasn’t here, and he wasn’t in danger. Quincy didn’t see any danger coming, and that was enough for him to place his hopes on. She couldn’t force him to stay, so they told him to be safe and bade him farewell.
The past few days have been quiet, and in those days, Viktor, who was no longer an alpha, joined the Dominio pack. Though he ranked among the strongest betas, Aaron gave him seventh place after Gabe Jackson, the weakest beta, in order of strength. Viktor didn’t complain; he accepted with gratitude, promising to serve and follow the pack no matter what.
Aaron remained sceptical of Viktor, and it showed in his communication with him. Damor said all he had to do was say the word, and he would rip out Viktor’s heart. It turned out Aaron wasn’t the only one with second thoughts about him. Ivan didn’t see him as a snake; his story checked out, and there was nothing fishy about him. According to him, he was just a man broken by life and trying to find his feet on the ground.
Ivan’s search for the enemy pack hasn’t been very successful, and with every day came at least three traumatising deaths of the wise ones to relive. They already knew the weaknesses, and Zera thought it best to stop searching for the enemy and rather prepare themselves. Ivan didn’t stop, though; he told them he wanted to do this for Xoe.
Aaron dedicated the week to reaching out to the other packs and making an alliance with them. They, just like Viktor before, didn’t want to have anything to do with him and blamed Zera for all the atrocities, promising to come when they least expected it.
Aaron told Zera about his failed attempt, but he told her he would continue until he made them see why they weren’t enemies.
“How is the painting going now?” Zera asked as Lionel ushered her into his apartment.
She had told him to move into the pack estate in the last few days. He, however, told her he had just moved from his old place, which had many memories of Sesi, and couldn’t start moving again. When she told him it was for his safety, he told her he knew how to use a silver bullet gun and a real one, both of which he had. In his drawer, close to his bedside, and in the art room, since they were the two places he stayed the most in the apartment.
“Well, some days are better than others.” He said that and took a seat on the stand before the paint board. “The last few ones I took to the gallery were not auctioned out that night. I am still hopeful and optimistic that these won’t be like them.”
“You know the opening of the Hart lab is next month. We could put some up and give them a bit of exposure amongst lovers of art. What do you think?” She asked and raised her brow.
“Really? You will do that?” He asked, and excitement filled his eyes.
She nodded. “Yes, we are in uncertain times, but life goes on, and if we can help, we will.”
“Thank you.” He said and pulled her into his arms for a tight hug. He pulled away and walked towards the kitchen. “I barely come here, but do you want something to eat or drink?” he asked.
She stayed back in the living room and thought about his offer for a while. Then she opened her mouth to ask what he had when she heard an explosion.
Her heart skipped in panic. “Lionel!” she screamed, and she ran into the kitchen in a second and found three men standing around Lionel and her brother on the floor.
“Lionel!” she called again, this time louder. She tried going closer, but someone pulled her hair back and slammed her face into the hard wall.
She groaned and tried to shake off whoever held her down, but whoever it was seemed stronger than the average werewolf. Perhaps she had gotten weaker after living in peace for two years and forgotten about the battle.
“Stay still; it will be over before you know it.” The man pinning her against the wall said it in a hoarse voice filled with malicious intent.
She didn’t need to be told who they were or why they were here. They were the enemy pack, and they were to harm Lionel. She didn’t know why, though, and she wanted to. Right after, she rescues her brother from their hands.
She heard a groaning from the kitchen, followed by a loud crash and them growling.
“Lionel,” she cried out, and she threw herself off the wall so hard that the man fell off her. She got up but didn’t give the man time to recover before launching at him and snapping his neck. He died immediately.
She hurried into the kitchen and saw the five men who were standing around Lionel, all on the floor looking dead, and Lionel standing above them. He looked untouched and didn’t look like he had tried hard enough.
“Lionel,” she called, and he turned to look at her, his blue eyes still blazing.
“Zera,” he replied, and the glow in his eyes faded. He fell to the floor unconscious the next second.