THIRD PERSON POV:
"Did you see how hard she came onto Ryder the last time?" Finn asked in a raised tone. "She looks like she has been brainwashed by the vampires against every one of us, and we need an adult."
"Why haven't you even involved Halle?" Kai asked, and before Hazel could speak, he took the words from her mouth. "Let me guess, Bella doesn't want her to know?" He scoffed.
"Bella doesn't know what she is doing, and she is clearly brain..."
"No, she is not. I protected her against that spell, and you guys, come on!" Hazel's voice rose more than she intended. "Stop acting like Bella initiated that fight. Ryder did, and Bella was just stronger. Would you have acted the same way if Ryder had won? And besides, I was there to stop it from escalating."
She was trying to avoid the fight that was brewing, but that didn't seem to be the case for the twins. As a matter of fact, they looked more pissed.
"Nothing I say now is going to appease you guys. I know she is your mate, and as males, you all are bound to be protective. You all want to be in charge, but give Bella her credit. She isn't some weak omega, and she has survived Enzo." When she said this, their mouths fell ajar because she had skipped the part where she was supposed to tell them that Enzo had been released.
"Enzo is alive?" Finn cut in, and Hazel paused, then nodded slightly.
The twins felt their throats drying up at once, and the fear in their chests heightened.
"This is bad, and we need to get Bella out of there at once. Look, we cannot let her kill herself. That man will kill her before she can..."
"She has been with them for two days and counting. We need to allow her to do her job as Alpha Princess." When she said this, Kai got to his feet at once, pacing around the room.
"Can you even hear yourself, Hazel? Alpha Herald is somewhere in his mansion at the Rune Pack, without a clue that his daughter has been running with vampires. He is a fucking Alpha King who has seen wars, but you do not see him forming an alliance with the vampires, do you?" he asked, and Hazel swallowed hard, sinking into the couch.
She realized there was no need to argue with them at this point because they were hell-bent on getting Bella back, no matter how or what it took.
"What do you all suggest? We cannot just break into their territory either way. I heard he feeds on supernaturals, not humans. Also, he loves people with royal blood." The twins tried to act tough, but deep down, that news struck a nerve or two. They couldn't imagine coming face to face with Enzo because he would probably cut them down before they could do anything.
"I suggest we meet at Ryder's place because he said he wanted a break from school. This place reminds him a lot of ." "And his house doesn't? A place with half of Bella's life belongings?" Hazel asked, raising a brow, and the twins shrugged.
She felt there was a loop in Ryder's words, but there was no way to find out except by going over to his place. The twins threw on their clothes, and they headed out at once.
Shortly, they arrived at the Alpha's house, then found their way inside in search of Ryder. But when they got to his room, it was bare.
Ryder had been in Bella's room since he left the school. He had been stressed over her, and he hated to admit it, but Hazel was right-the fact he was losing control over her bothered him. Although he had asked for the fight, it still hurt him to know she would fight him without batting an eye, and being in her room was the only place that reminded him of the old Bella, the girl he had a crush on since he was young.
He knew the Moon Goddess never made mistakes, but watching people lose their lives so easily lately made him fear. And just like the twins, he didn't really believe in some prophecy because no one knew exactly who carried it. It just became a rumor, and the entire Moon fire Pack ran with it. A part of him felt guilty, and he wondered if he had neglected her after Evelyn died.
"Just one more chance, and I will give her all the love she deserves," Ryder said aloud, shutting his eyes on the bed. This was his prayer to the Moon Goddess, and he prayed it would be answered. He prayed Bella would be in his arms once more, where he could console her and protect her from everything she feared.
His eyes were still shut when he heard Finn yell his name, causing him to spring to his feet at once. He dashed out of the room immediately because he didn't want any of them to see him. That would make him seem weak. But his plan was foiled because the moment he stepped into the hallway, Hazel stood face to face with him. She had a feeling he would be in Bella's room.
"I..." He began, trying to search for the words. "I had to check..."
"You do not have to lie to me, Ryder," Hazel said, cutting him off. "I know you miss her, and she does, too. I told you to stop taking it the wrong way. Bella loves you all, and we can all support her in this moment, even if it means involving your father."
His heart calmed a bit, and Hazel threw her arms around him.
"Come here," she said as she rubbed soothing circles on his back. "We will all be fine, and I believe Bella will fulfill her destiny in one piece. But we cannot just sit around either."
At that moment, they heard the twins calling out to him, and Hazel pulled away immediately.
"We should get going, or they will find you here, and you will have a lot of explaining to do," she said, and he nodded. Then they walked out of the hallway, meeting the twins at the landing of the stairs.
"We have been looking for you," Finn said the moment they saw Ryder and Hazel.
"Well, you found me." His reply sounded flat, but the twins didn't read meaning into it.
Ryder and Hazel made their way downstairs to meet the twins. Then they all sat around in the living room.
"Does the Alpha know about Bella?" Finn asked, and Ryder nodded.
"And what did he say about it?" Kai asked, as all of them stared at Ryder.
"He said he would get to it, and he will have his men out there to rescue her."
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, and Ryder searched their faces, hoping to be filled in.
"Why do I feel like you guys are against that plan?" he asked, and Finn chipped in at once. "Because we are!"
"Let me start from the top, unlike Hazel, who started from the bottom to inform us," Kai began. "Enzo Darkmoore is walking amongst us, and a bunch of werewolves jumping into his territory isn't advisable. He will cut them down, and I hope your father doesn't join the operation."
"Why?" Ryder asked, assuming they were insinuating his father was weak.
"Because Enzo feeds on royal blood, mostly. He could feed on other things, but what he prefers is royal blood, and we all check that list."
"Except me," Hazel cut in, feeling relieved for the first time that her parents were never in power.
"But
you are a Baudelaire, and boy, will you make a tasty meal." Kai cut through her mini celebration with his words. "Guys, we are deviating!" Finn called them to order. Then he turned to Ryder. "But the worst thing is that Bella is supposed to die after the entire ritual. Enzo is aiming for immortality, and he will drain Bella's entire blood."
Those words hit Ryder like a punch in the gut, and he got to his feet at once.
"Then why are we still here speaking about it? We have to do something right now!" His voice was laced with panic, which surprised the twins. They believed he was too pissed to care, but he seemed to care as much as they did.
They didn't question him. Instead, everyone got to their feet, heading to the door. But before they could pass through, Alpha Fred opened the door.
"I heard about your little plans, and you are going nowhere."
Before they could open their mouths to speak, he snapped his fingers, and the men behind him walked in, grabbing the triplets and Hazel.
"Dad, what the hell are you doing?" Ryder screamed.
"Trying to prevent foolish children from plunging themselves into death."