Ava couldn’t believe what was happening. She couldn’t believe that Lucas was dead. He was winning at first, but Fillip had somehow defeated him, pushing his dead body off the cliff, and now, she will never see him again.
She fell to the ground crying as one of the rogue soldiers gripped her hand roughly, dragging her to where Vulcan and Fillip were standing.
“Here she is, Alpha,” he said to Fillip.
Fillip turned an angry gaze to the soldier holding Ava roughly. Using his claws, he slit his throat, pushing his choking body away.
He then turned to an angry Ava and smiled. “You look as beautiful as I remember,” he said and made to touch her face.
Ava spat and jumped on him, scratching him in every place she could lay her hands on.
“You killer, murderer, scum….” she said.
Filip threw Ava to the ground with great force, hurting her arm. He bent beside her and raised her head.
“Where are the evacuees of the clan?” he asked her.
She smiled and spat on his face again, and he struck her on her face, making her whimper.
“We can make this easy or hard, whichever one you prefer. None of these men are willing to talk, but you are just a woman. Tell me, and I will let you go,” Fillip cajoled.
“I think you better kill me. Don’t expect me to tell you anything, and besides, I beg you to kill me. At least I get to be with my mate in the afterlife,” Ava closed her eyes, remembering the hurt she felt from Lucas’s death.
“Kill her already,” Vulcan said impatiently.
Fillip took a good look at the beautiful woman before him and changed his mind. She will be of much use to him. He decided to lock her up for now.
“Lock her along with the rest of the dawn soldiers. Kill anyone that refuses to surrender!”
And with that, the soldiers dragged Ava and the rest of the Dawn soldiers into prison.
Upon being thrown into the cell, Ava stayed on the ground crying bitterly for her mate whose life was taken so cruelly.
She cried so much that some of the soldiers started consoling her.
One of them suggested holding a tribute for Alpha Lucas like they would have done if he were being buried.
When an Alpha dies, his followers sing a song of thanks for him. The song would list out all the Alpha achieved during his reign. Sadly, this was not a tribute of gratitude but, rather, one of despair. Ava and the dawn soldiers listed all his achievements as they asked the moon goddess to receive Lucas’s soul.
There was total silence in the cells as Ava reminisced about their life together, how they first met, and how he kidnapped and saved her from Ethan. How they defeated Sabrina, all their memories with their child and how far they have come together.
Ava began to weep afresh; she couldn’t bear a life without her mate, Lucas.
She remembered all their last moments together, and Ava couldn’t stop crying.
******************************
Nani played a sleeping Ramsey to his bed. The boy had started crying all day for nothing; he was inconsolable.
Nani had been feeling that something was wrong somewhere but couldn’t tell what it was. Everything she had touched since a few hours ago kept falling off her hand. She quietly sneaked out of Ramsey’s room to avoid waking him up and went to find Madeline.
A few days ago, Nani had arrived at Madeline’s house with Ramsey, as Ava directed. Everything had been fine, but up until a few hours ago. Mischievous and cheerful Ramsey started crying and had been unconsolable, unlike his usual self.
Nani went to find Madeline, who sat down on her porch, looking at the sky with a sad expression.
“Madeline, I think something is wrong,” Nani said to Madeline as she looked up. She finally turned to Nani, who was already worried.
“Am sorry, Nani. It’s the sign of the gamma.”
“What do you mean, Madeline?” Nani asked.
“The Gamma curse had happened, the prophecy I told you long ago. The former Gamma, Fillip and the ruler of the black dynasty have taken over Dawn pack.”
Nani’s eyes began to well up. “Are Ava and Lucas still alive?”
“Ava is still alive but in prison, locked up with some of the Dawn soldiers. As for Lucas… I can’t feel Lucas.”
“What do you mean you can’t feel Lucas? Does that mean he is dead?”
After receiving no response, Nani threw herself to the ground, crying, and Madeline started to console her.
“I am sorry, Nani, but if there is any best time for you to be strong, it’s now. Lucas may be gone, but Ava and the rest of the Dawners are still hopeful; they are still trying to fight for what is theirs.”
Nani nods and begins to wipe her tears. “You are right. They have been by my people for so many years. I should not even be here if it weren’t for Ramsey. I have to go and stand by them and face the outcome, whatever it is. I’d rather be there than here.”
“Are you sure about that, dear?”
Nani nodded confidently. “It is my destiny to help Lucas De’ Clan in his greatest time of need, just like I did in the past. If I can’t help him now that he’s dead, I might as well help his people, his family, and the rest of the dawners. I will be back for Ramsey, but for now, I need to go. I have no idea what to do, but I’m sure something will come up along the way. Please, take care of Ramsey for me.”
“As much as I hate to agree, you are right, Nani. Everything in me suggests that you go back immediately. I pray for the goddess’s protection over you, Ava and the rest of the pack.”
“Thank you, Madeline.”
“Ramsey is safe here; I will take care of him. You must leave tonight before it is too late. Go stand by your people, dear Nani. May the goddess be with you once again.”
Nani holds Madeline’s hands, “Thank you for everything, Madi. May the moon goddess bless you. I will go and pack my bag immediately. Please take care of Ramsey.”
Madeline nodded and hugged Nani.
“May the moon goddess bless you too. May your Journey be fruitful. Also, remember to rest when you are tired.”
Nani left to pack her bag, placing essential things like clothes, food, water and other things into the bag. She was careful not to make it too heavy but sufficient to travel.
Going into Ramsey’s room, she kissed him goodbye.
“Goodbye. Little prince. May the goddess be with you and our home.”
To her fears, he turned as if he was going to wake up, but thankfully, he dozed off again.
Nani set off in the night to Dawn pack. She needed to be strong for Ava, especially her Ramsey, who was in danger of becoming an orphan if anything happened to his mother.
Her first intention was to visit the evacuees and see if anyone could ask for help from their former pack. With such help, Ava and the soldiers would be set free.
She walked for a long time, not stopping to rest or drink water. She wanted to reach the camp before nightfall. It took a lot of strength, but with her determination, Nani travelled far.
She stopped at a tree to eat and rest a bit when she got too tired to walk.
She was resting by the tree side eating a loaf of bread when she felt someone behind her, she turned, and the person grabbed her throat, placing a knife close to her skin. But for the blade that would pierce her, Nani nearly jumped out of terror.
“Who are you!” She heard the angry voice.