RECAP: Elora is downgraded to the role of understudy in her school's musical, and to cheer her up, Kaia and her go to the local burger joint. After Kaia leaves, Elora is approached by a strange younger man, claiming to be Ian's cousin. Once Maverick arrives and after some speculation, the chapter ended with them connecting the dots that the previous Alpha of Valiant Ula, Alpha Alek (who is deceased) greatly resembles Ian's supposed "cousin." The question is, who is this strange man and why is he so interested in Elora?

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Once we make it to the packhouse, Maverick gets out and motions for us to go inside. He's briskly walking as he leads us down the hallway.

He seems unfazed when looking at his face, but just by listening to his erratic heartbeat, I can tell he's freaking out.

"Maverick, you haven't said a word, and it's starting to worry me..." I wait for him to respond but, instead, he keeps dragging me along, practically digging his nails into my arm, until we reach the main meeting room. 

Once inside the room, we sit down at the large ovular table across from Vander and Eclipse's head of the warriors, Maxwell. I look around for Opal since her head of the warriors is present, but it looks like she isn't here. 

Odd, I think to myself. 

Before Maverick can begin to speak, the door opens, revealing an angry Opal. She doesn't say hi to anyone as she plops down in an empty seat next to mine.

Maverick must've tried to leave her out...again.

"Alpha Maverick ... I have been trying to get ahold of you for over a day now and you have not been responding. So, I will be making visits here to make sure you are listening to what I am saying." Her voice is clipped, indicating her frustration towards my mate.

I can't even blame her for being upset. Maverick should be way more inclusive in letting her know what is all going on. She is an ally leader for a reason. We have to have each other's backs. 

"Luna Opal... I have been busy. I was going to be getting back to you but needed to make an emergency meeting with my board. Could you please excuse us." It isn't a question; it was more of an order.

"Aw. I like how you think you can boss me around. It's cute." Her eyes are alit with fury. Turning to me, she winks, staying in her seat. 

"I'm glad you're here...there was too much testosterone in this room before," I say jokingly to her, trying to keep the mood light. She snickers at this. 

"Gotta keep it balanced." 

Maverick seems to contemplate before shaking his head, seemingly giving up. "Fine. You can stay... it's probably important for you to know anyway."

"Know what, Alpha Quinn?" I turn my head towards Maxwell. His eyes have dark circles under them, indicating a large lack of rest.

Maverick takes a deep breath. "Remember the story that Alpha Alek's mother, Ally, may have had another child?" They all nod their heads except for Opal. Her face is emotionless.

"Are you talking about your previous Alpha who was more of an asshole than you? I thought he was an only child?" I feel myself wanting to laugh but shake it off quickly as my mate is currently drilling his eyes into the side of my skull.

"That is what we all thought, but there is speculation that they gave up the other child due to it being a bastard. Ally had an affair with another."

"Wouldn't people have noticed her with a pregnant belly?" This time it is Vander who asks. I nod in agreement. People would've known if she was pregnant... unless she hid out for a few months once she showed.

"I'll have you look back at our past records of when Arman, Alek's father, was Alpha to see if any doctor visits or any vacation days occurred. I want to be sure."

"Sure of what?" Opal asks, showing some slight annoyance. 

"That the person that approached my mate and who may be in charge of the Dracs is in fact Alek's long lost sibling."

I watch as Vander's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. Maxwell chokes on the water he's drinking, while Opal only raises her brows.

"So?" Opal crosses her arms, leaning a bit back in her chair.

"So that means we have an up on them. We know who the leader is. We can track his whereabouts. " He pauses, his eyes scanning everyone in the room. "This man isn't a Drac himself, so it shouldn't be too difficult to track him."

Opal nods, her face easing into a smirk. "Good. Once we catch the bastard, I call dibs on clawing his eyes out." 

"But why would Alek's long lost sibling want to start an army of Dracs? And how is he able to change them?" I find myself spewing out questions. 

"I don't know..." Maverick replies. I can almost hear the gears of thought grinding together in his head. 

"Perhaps he felt betrayed since he's a bastard child? And he may have help from someone who has the ability to change werewolves into Dracs," Vander chimes in. 

"Vander may be right with both of those answers...the more we look up in our past records, the more knowledge we will be able to gain on the enemy," Maverick says glancing at everyone around the room. 

Opal gets up from her seat. "Alpha Maverick, since we are about done here, I need you and your Delta to go over battle plans I have."

"Alright. Vander, go through our records. Maxwell, come with Luna Opal and I." Maverick begins to get up until I grab ahold of his wrist.

"What about me?" I ask with a sweet voice, hoping he'll let me join him and Opal with their battle plans.

"I need you to do your homework and stay out of trouble."

"I'm not a child, Mav." I stand up, still clinging onto his wrist.

"You're still a student who needs to graduate." With that he shakes my hold off him and exits the room with everyone else.

Letting out a huff, I begin my short trek to the house while also formulating a plan to get myself into more of the battle planning meetings.

Who says I can't multitask?

...

*Ring Ring*

"Ugh!" I snatch my phone from the bedside, answering it with a, "hello?!"

I glance over at Maverick who, surprisingly, still remains asleep. I can't help to smile at how peaceful he looks. His blond hair is spread around his pillow, ironically mimicking an angel's halo.

"Elora? Thank Goddess you answered!"

"Dante? Why in the world are you calling me at midnight?" For some reason my stomach drops, but I brush it off. I'm sure he needs help for how to propose to Kaia. He's called me a few times before asking different things like ring shape he should get or how big or small the proposal should be.

"Kaia's there, right? She told me she would sleepover at your place." My stomach sinks further.

"No?"

The line is quiet for a second until he begins to chuckle a bit. "Yeah, okay. Funny joke. I know she's there. She never lies to me."

"Well, I'm sorry to break it to you, but she must have. She isn't here. I haven't seen her since we were at Wolfies after play practice." I begin to think of the worst.

"Did you call her parents? She might've slept over there?" I ask.

"Oh. Um no... maybe she's nervous about us possibly moving... I'll call them in the morning. It's too late to call them."

And it wasn't too late to call me? I want to exclaim, but I don't.

"Okay. Let me know tomorrow. I'm sure she's there. She was anxious about moving, so that would be my next best guess. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Elora." The line clicks off, and I set my phone back on the dresser.

She has to be at her parents. Right?

If only.

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Hey!

Wow! It's been forever since I've updated!

This summer turned out to be busier than I expected... and I've also had the worst writers block with this story. 

Once completed, I will be thoroughly editing this and making some changes to the storyline as it's a bit rough in the beginning.

Thank you to all of you for reading and continuously supporting me! You all rock! 💕

Much love ❤️
~Madelyn Joy

**Edited 2/11/22**

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