Chapter 32

The flat terrain along our journey to the camp set up helped cut our trip time. We got there sooner than I was expecting, and the less treacherous trail mapped out by the warriors kept us from having to take breaks to catch our breath. Luck is on our side because by the time we arrive some people are starting to set up for dinner.

"Here." Quentin shifts first slipping on a pair of shorts before holding out a shirt and leggings for me to take. Surveying the area I decide to change behind a tree because of the amount of strangers with wandering eyes. I don't waste any time getting dressed and rushing back out to find Quentin to see if my family has arrived yet.

"Emeric!" I spot him standing next to Quentin. He turns opening his arms for me as I run over throwing myself at him. It feels like forever since I last saw him because every time Della and Aidan come down he has to stay back to watch over the pack.

"I've missed you girly." He picks me up spinning me around before setting me back on my feet. Swaying slightly from the dizziness I lean back against Quentin's chest, and he wraps an arm around my waist to help steady me. "I was telling Quentin that your dads are planning on having a small dinner with just the family tonight." I smile at the thought of getting to spend a few hours with just my family, but it quickly falls as I remember the circumstances of why we are doing it. This very well could be our last night together.

"We need to get the warriors settled in first." I'm hopping that my dads left room for our pack next to theirs because I want to spend as much time together as possible.

"We are in the middle, your dads are to our left, and we left a space for you to set up to our right." He points to the area before running off to find Melody.

"I already have them getting the main tents set up, but I thought we could do a quick parameter run after setting up our tent and finding the rest of your family." Quentin takes the bag from my hand and slings it over his shoulder. I take his hand in mine and pull him in the direction Emeric pointed to. I'm glad Quentin brought up the idea of a parameter run because my wolf is already uneasy at the aspect of being in new unfamiliar territory.

It's good that Quentin is staying focused because it feels like my brain is being pulled in fifty different directions. I want to spend as much time with my family as possible, but I also have a pack to protect and watch over while mentally preparing to fight a brutal battle as soon as tomorrow. My heart and my brain are conflicting each other on every thought, and I'm terrified that it's going to distract me ay the worst possible time.

"Quentin!" I almost stumble over at the sight of Troy. There's is no way in hell Della and Aidan would let him fight, so why isn't he at Jasper's pack with the rest of the kids.

"Tessa!" Victoria rushes over crashing into my chest. I hug her back looking over her shoulder to Della who is slowly approaching with a semi guilty look.

"Why don't you guys go help find some kindling for the fire later." She ruffles Troy's hair ushering them in the opposite direction. "I'm sorry. I couldn't leave them." Her voice sounds defeated and worn down, and honestly I can't blame her. "They aren't going to fight though." She looks between us both waiting for a response.

"I understand." I smile giving her a quick hug before taking the tent bag from Quentin so he can greet her as well. "Where my dads?" I scan the tents that are open trying to spot them.

"They went with Aidan to find some meat for dinner. You guys can set up right here." She leads us to a small open space between a few tents. "Do you guys need any help?" She asks me while Quentin starts unpacking the tent.

"No I think we've got it. You can go make sure they aren't about to brawl it out." I attempt to lighten the mood, but her smile still doesn't reach her eyes. Della is one of the hardest people to read, so I don't know whether to be concerned or not.

"I'll leave you two so you can settle in." She turns to leave but Quentin speaks up from behind me.

"Do we have enough time to do a quick parameter run before they get back?" He curses under his breath as he pinches his finger in the frame of the tent. Della chuckles nodding her head.

"Yeah, just know every other Alpha and Luna have done the same thing." She winks at me before jogging off into the woods to find Victoria and Troy. Turning back around I walk over and help Quentin finish setting up the tent, and place our bags inside.

"Let's hurry." I interlace our fingers pulling him towards the tree line. Thankfully the back of our overall set up is at the base of a mountain, so we only need to really run a half circle parameter.

"I think after this we should add onto the pack house." Quentin blurts out of no where as we manage to find a walkway wide enough for the both of us. The fresh shoe and paw prints prove Della's point that every other Alpha and Luna has the same thought as us. It's just a instinct like checking to make sure the doors are locked at night.

"That's a great idea." I keep my eyes forward so he can't see me wince at the tone of my voice. How can he be so sure there will be a tomorrow let alone next week? I know he tends to be optimistic, but planning the future when it's so uncertain is just creating a fantasy.

"Hey." He stops walking spinning me around so I'm standing in front of him. Bitting my lip I let out a sigh as he tilts my chain up with a finger. "We don't know what tomorrow holds. A rogue army bigger than every pack combined could show up or we'll out number them by a long shot, but none of that matters. You know why?" His blue eyes soften as I feel a tear slide down my cheek, but he brushes it away with his thumb before it can go far.

"Why?" My voice cracks, but he bends down planting a delicate kiss to my forehead helping me calm down a bit. The way his touch has the ability to automatically soothe me is intoxicating, but it doesn't make all of my worries and fears disappear.

"Because we have some of the most powerful, strategic, and resilient packs working together. Have you ever heard of that happening before?" I shake my head thinking about his words. Even when Black Moon was being harassed by Blake no one other than Crescent Pack helped in any way. "I'm scared shitless too, but I know that if you are by my side we can overcome anything." He lifts my hands in his pressing his lips against the back of them.

"I love you." I mummer taking a step closer wrapping my arms around his neck. He takes my face into his hands caressing my cheeks with his thumbs brushing the remaining tears away.

"I love you so fucking much." He breaths his pupils dilating as our bond sparks with desire. I gasp as he lifts me up wrapping my legs around his waist. He walks a few feet into the trees before pressing me against a trunk of a large tree.

"Quentin." I moan as he start kissing down my neck. He swipes his tongue across my mark, and I burry my fingers into his loose curls tugging lightly. His hands slide down my waist to my hips until they reach my ass where he squeezes tightly. "Please." I pant out before taking ahold of the back of his neck and smashing our lips together.

"Fuck Tessa."  he grinds against me causing me to tremble under his touch. I trail my hand down his chest slipping my hand under his shirt and lightly scratching his skin. He reaches for the button of my jeans, but we are interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

"Gross." I push Quentin's chest jumping from his hold and almost knocking him over. "You might want to fix your shirt." Emeric's face is scrunched up in disgust. "And your hair." He motions to his head like I don't know what the hell hair means. "Your dads are right behind me." That gets us both working fast to look innocent. Even though we are both adults and have nothing to be ashamed of, it's not something I want to openly share with my dads.

"Don't say a word." I point a finger at Emeric sending him the best threatening look I can muster. It's hard to be anger at Emeric, but if he snitches he's a dead man. Reaching up he makes the zipping his mouth motions and pretends to throw an invisible key into the bushes.

* * *

Carl, Jasper, Asher, and Oliver showed up shortly after dinner, and thankfully there was plenty of food left for them. My dads were the first to call it a night, but I know they were the first one to show up this morning and spent all day helping set up so I can't blame them. Plus we all need to get as much rest as possible, so it didn't take long for Carl, Oliver, and Asher as well as Emeric and Melody to say goodnight before leaving to their respected tents.

"Shut up Vic." Troy snaps at Victoria who lays across one of the logs in front of the fire poking him with a long stick. Aidan's been ignoring their relentless bickering, but he seems to have reached his limit.

"That it off to bed you go." He stands up ushering them both towards his and Della's tent.

"Goodnight guys." I whisper yell not wanting to disturb anyone else trying to fall asleep. They both pout whispering goodnight back. Quentin has his head in my lap while I run my fingers through his hair scratching lightly. As much as I try to hid it he must somehow sense my yawn come on.

"We should get to bed." He peaks up at me only opening on eye at first to see what I say. I look over at Jasper who sits on the log to our left silently watching the fire flicker.

"Are you going to be okay?" After they showed up I saw how out of place he felt realizing he didn't have a place to set up. I tried to make it seem like we had reserved the small space behind our tent for his, but to be honest I forgot which has been eating me alive with guilt.

"Yeah, I'll probably go to bed in a minute." He shoves his hands into his jacket pockets smiling reassuringly. "I promise." He adds when he sees I'm still unsure. Sighing I nudge Quentin standing up and stretching my arms above my head.

"Goodnight." I look between Jasper and Della, who sits on the other side of the fire going through last minute strategy plans. Quentin and I step inside our tent, and he zips it shut behind me. We are both silent as we change into pajamas and slip under the covers.

"I love you." I reach over placing my palm against his cheek. There is so many things I want to say, but my brain just can't seem to put it into words.

"I love you." He takes my hand in his turning his head and kissing my palm before pulling me into his chest and closing his eyes. Gripping his shirt I force myself to attempt to sleep even though my brain doesn't want to shut off. After a few minutes Quentin's light snores finally lull me into a semi peaceful sleep, but know the nightmare will soon come.

Della's POV:

Watching him sit in front of the fire brings back old memories, and the fact he has his eyes doesn't help. It's heart breaking and warming at the same time seeing her mannerisms and hints of personality in his ways. He brightens a room just like her, and has the same natural instinct to take care of those around him. He has the best qualities of her and I pray to the Moon Goddess that he has nothing of his.

"You have her smile." I sit down on the fallen log next to him. The Déjà vu washes over me in waves. He slides away from me, only about an inch but it's noticeable enough. My stomach clenches at his apprehensive attitude towards us all except for Tessa. He was taught not to trust from a young age considering he still technically a child, and I have a dark feeling she is still like that never staying in one place too long, and always looking over her shoulder. "Your mother's." I clarify.  His eyes widen in shock but he stays rooted to his spot.

"How do you know my mother?" In that moment I hear a hint of Alex in him, and I have to suppress showing the chill that runs down my spine. There's no possible way for him to have met his father, and sadly I'm grateful for that. It makes it easier for me to reassure myself that Alex's darkens ended with him.

"She's my best friend." I look over the flicker of the flames to me and Aidan's tent to see him getting the kids in bed. Thinking back to that night it feels surreal to be sitting here with our kids living the same nightmare over again. "Your mom and dad were our Betas until Blake's final attack." I trail off knowing what happened next isn't a fun discussion, and certainly not one I want to have with him.

"What?" I wasn't expecting Violet to tell him the truth, and I don't blame her either. It was the best way to protect him because if he would have known he would have gotten curious, and we all know what curiosity does.

"Your mom, Violet." The color in his face drains and I start to get a bit concerned he might pass out. His reaction has me wondering what she told him about her past, or why they are rogues.  "She is one of the most amazing women I know." He sits there silently processing all of this information.

"Does Tessa know?" He eventually asks after a minute. The hint of fear in his voice breaks my heart. Even if she did know it wouldn't change anyone's opinions of him, and I really need him to know that.

"No, but she remembers your mom." I want to be honest with him, but still articulate my words correctly. "Tessa was so excited when Violet announced she was pregnant." I chuckle remember how she jumped up excitedly and the high pitched screech that still leaves us a bit deaf to this day. "Although she was convinced you were going to be a girl." The corner of his lips lift into a tiny smile. In a way you could say they were always meant to be close it just took a lot longer than originally thought.

"I don't want her to know." His eyebrows furrow as he stares into the fire. I feel bad for unloading all this information onto him tonight, but I would never forgive myself if I died without telling him.

"That's completely up to you. Aidan and I are the only ones that have pieced it together, and we have no plans on telling anyone. It's your secret and you decide who knows, so I don't want you to worry about others finding out." He lets out a sigh, but I don't know whether it's one of relief or irritation. He's good at hiding his emotions just like his father. Maybe it comes with having the same eyes, but the shield he puts up is admirable. "If you ever need absolutely anything you can come to us." I don't want him to feel outed from this conversation, but instead to know he has a ally if he needs one. His eyes soften as his posture relaxes slightly.

"Thank you." He smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes. I chew on the inside of my lip on how to shift the conversation to a bit of a lighter note. The urge to ask him if he know where Violet is is huge, but if she wants to be found she'll be here.

"When your mom left without another word I was so worried that she was going to run into the wrong rogue, or fall to the effects of losing a mate. But the day I had Troy I knew she was out there somewhere keeping you safe." He turns his legs slightly so he facing me.

"How?" I chuckle hoping that I can see the day he finds his mate because the skeptical look on his face isn't going to stay there forever. One day he's going to understand.

"Because one day you will hold your own child for the first time, and in that second you will vow to do anything to protect them. Mark my words." I can't help the smirk that takes over my face. With Violet as a mother I can't imagine how protective he will be over not only his mate but also his children. It's admirable how mature he is for his age, but to think why is painful.

"If I find my mate." He shrugs but I can see the pain in his eyes. The atmosphere tonight has had the same heavy dread in it, and it kills me that I can't make them feel better. I know nothing is going to happen to them because we've all agreed to protect the kids at all cost, but if I told any of them that it would effect how they fight and cause more harm than good.

"You will." I leave no room for objection. He raises an eyebrow squinting his eyes at me, but nods none the less.

"Can I ask you something?" By the way he fiddles with his fingers in his lap I know it's going to be about his parents.

"Anything." I glance up making eye contact with Aidan who steps out of our tent zipping it close behind him.

"Did he try to kill any of you?" I snap my eyes back to his, and I feel like I'm back to that day watching Violet sob while she pleaded with Alex to stop what he was doing. I can't lie to him, but I don't know if I can look him in the eyes and tell him what his father was really like. My silence or facial expression is enough for him because he nods stiffly running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry." He whispers so quietly I almost don't hear him.

"Never apologize for him. You are not him and you will never be him. In the little time I've known you you've been nothing but compassionate, respectful, and selfless. You're an Alpha, one of the youngest, but yet one of the most qualified." He's half the age of the other Alphas we are fighting along side with, but he was the first to offer assistance when this all started.

"She's right. Your father was my best friend for a long time, so believe me when I say that I have no worries about what truly fuels you. You lead with your heart, but make decision with your brain. He only used his heart with one person, and that resulted with you, so trust us when we say that you are going to grow to so amazing things." Aidan sits down next to me pulling me into his side. Jasper sits up straighter watching Aidan closely.

"She's proud of you, and he would be too." I add reaching out and taking his hand in mine. I'd hug him but he doesn't seem to appreciate affection too much. "We are all proud of how you've stepped up." His smile is genuine for the first time tonight, but he masks it as fast as it came.

"I should get some sleep." He clears his throat standing up and brushing the dirt off of his pants.

"Goodnight sweetie." I snuggle into Aidan's side as Jasper waves awkwardly before walking to his tent.

"Feel better." Aidan look down at my with those stunning emerald green eyes that still to this day take my breath away. Slipping my hand in his I relish the sparks that haven't dulled in the slightest since the day we met, and I pray to the goddess they'll never.

"Yes." Although immpending bloodshed looms over the entire camp I can't help but feel a sense of peace. As crazy as it sounds being together with the entire family, Jasper included, makes me have a positive outlook on tomorrow and the future. Aidan and I have been through hell and back before, but the force that awaits us tomorrow is much larger than we've dealt with. On the other hand if there's one thing I've learned over the past fifteen years it's that Aidan and I can get through anything as long as we do it together.

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Song: Ready For War by Tommee Profitt and Liv Ash.

First off I know a lot of you already figured it out, but I've had the idea of doing Della's point of view for the reveal of who Jasper's parents are for a while. Plus I wanted to keep it just in case anyone hadn't figured it out yet. Secondly I want to thank you all because this book has reached over 15,000 reads! Your guy's support of my books constantly blows me away, and it means the world to me. Thirdly I need to ask for your advice. So I know I've mentioned a few times the book (the one not related to this series) that I've been working on, and unfortunately I've hit a sort of a motivational wall. My plan was to write the whole thing and then post it, but I'm just stuck. Your feedback truly does help me steer my books in the right direction, and motivates me to write more. Do you think I should just start posting it? Keep in mind the updates for it will be slower than this series because this series will remain my top priority. The book is a mafia romance so I know that not everyone will want to read, but I just want to know what you all think. And if you have any questions feel free to ask. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and if you did don't forget to vote and comment! Stay safe! Until next time.

~ Stella Gordon