The Storm Breaks

The early morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen window, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. It should have been a peaceful morning, but the air between Camden and me was thick with unspoken words. Camden hadn't slept much, and neither had I. The house felt different today—empty, as though something was quietly off, though I couldn't put my finger on it.

I glanced at my phone again, hoping for a miracle. No service. Again. Annabeth had tried calling Camden last night, but he hadn't answered, and now, both times I checked this morning, the signal was still dead.

"Nothing?" Camden asked from across the room. He was standing near the counter, his hands tense as he fiddled with a coffee mug.

"Nope," I replied, trying to sound casual, though the frustration was starting to show in my voice. "I tried calling Annabeth too, but there's just no signal."

Camden let out a quiet sigh and looked away, his gaze distant. "It's probably nothing. Some kids knocked over a cell tower nearby. No one's been able to get a signal."

I nodded, trying to ease the knot of anxiety that had started to form in my chest. "Yeah, that makes sense," I said, though the uncertainty lingered.

Just as I was about to grab my own cup, the door opened, and Alice stepped inside, her usual bright smile greeting us.

"You two are up early," Alice remarked, her tone light. She glanced at Camden, then at me, her eyes lingering a little longer than usual, though I didn't think much of it.

"Trying to make sure everything's in order before the day gets away from me," Camden muttered, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "I need to catch up on some work."

Alice's gaze shifted back to me. "Avery, you've been cooped up inside for too long. How about you get out with Caleb and me for a bit? We'll go to the park, maybe grab some lunch in town."

I hesitated, the idea of leaving the house seeming so simple. So normal. I hadn't realized how much I needed to step outside until she suggested it. The fresh air, the change of scenery—it sounded good.

"That sounds nice," I said, trying to keep things light. Camden was still looking at me, and I could tell he didn't like the idea of me leaving, but I wanted to ease his worries, to show him that I could still get back to normal.

Camden exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Avery... you sure? You don't have to go if you don't feel up to it."

I offered him a reassuring smile, though it didn't feel entirely genuine. "I'm fine, Cam. Just need a little break."

His lips pressed together in a thin line. "Alright. You guys go, but don't stay out too long."

Alice's smile grew brighter, like Camden's agreement had been the confirmation she was hoping for. "Of course. We won't be long. I'll make sure she's back before dinner." Her gaze flickered to me again, a glint of something in her eyes I couldn't quite place, but I didn't give it much thought.

I noticed Camden's expression soften a little. "You're sure you'll be okay, Avery?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "I just don't like the idea of you being out there... with everything going on."

"I'll be fine," I reassured him, stepping over to give him a quick hug. "I promise."

He hesitated, but I could see the moment he decided to let me go. "Alright. Just... be careful."

"I will," I said, pulling away from him with a smile. It didn't feel like enough, but I didn't want to make him worry any more than he already was. I didn't want to make this harder.

Camden lingered for a moment longer, then nodded. "I'll be here when you get back."

I didn't take long to get ready—just a quick change into something comfortable, feeling the anticipation of a change in scenery.  I was eager to leave the house, even if only for a little while.

The moment we stepped outside, the chill of the morning air hit me, but it was refreshing. Alice walked ahead, her pace brisk, but not hurried, as if she had all the time in the world. Caleb trotted along beside her, his little hands stuffed in his pockets, his eyes sparkling with the innocent joy of being outside.

Alice chatted about random things—nothing of real consequence, just small talk to keep the atmosphere light, almost too light. Her words seemed to flow effortlessly, a careful distraction, keeping my mind occupied. I smiled along with her. This was nice

Caleb tugged on my sleeve, his small voice breaking through my thoughts. "Are we going to play today, Mom?" he asked, his big brown eyes wide with anticipation.

I crouched down to his level, giving him a smile that I hoped looked genuine. "Of course, Caleb. We'll have so much fun."

We decided to walk to the park. It wasn't far from the pack house. Josh was in front and Luke behind as they watched over us.

I felt silly for worrying too much. Everything was fine. The sun was shining, birds were signing and Caleb's laughter was refreshing.

I stood back up, following Alice and Caleb as they led the way toward the small path. "It's nice to get some fresh air," I said, letting the breeze brush through my hair.

Alice smiled back at me, her expression soft. "Exactly. You've been cooped up in the house for too long. It's good to stretch your legs."

Her smile was warm, almost maternal, but it felt natural. I didn't see anything off about it—nothing that made me question her intentions. After all, she had always been the one trying to keep things light and easy between us.

We made our way farther into the clearing, Caleb still skipping ahead with the energy only a child could have. I admired how carefree he seemed, how untouched by the worries that constantly weighed me down.

As we reached the edge of the woods, Alice stopped and turned toward me, her face bright with enthusiasm. "What do you think? It's a good spot for a little walk, don't you think?"

I glanced around at the peaceful surroundings—the trees, the distant rustle of the leaves in the breeze. It really was perfect.

"Yeah, it's beautiful," I agreed, feeling the tension in my shoulders start to ease. Maybe this was just what I needed.

Alice clapped her hands together, still bubbly. "Great! Caleb and I will go ahead a little. You can catch up when you're ready." She turned to Caleb and gave him an encouraging nod, watching him run off a few paces ahead, his laughter echoing through the clearing.

I smiled softly to myself, watching them. It was hard not to feel comforted by the calmness of the moment. The worries, the dangers that had been hovering over us for days, seemed so far away. I could almost believe that we were just another family on a carefree stroll through the woods.

I watched as Caleb ran ahead, his little legs carrying him effortlessly across the uneven ground. He was lost in his own world, delighting in the freedom of being outside. His energy was contagious, and I found myself grinning as I followed after him. I caught up to Alice, who had slowed her pace to stay near me.

"It's good to see him so happy," I said, my voice quiet, almost as if I didn't want to disturb the moment.

Alice nodded, her smile never faltering. "He deserves it. He's been through so much already. He's such a bright little light, though, isn't he?"

I couldn't help but agree. "He is. He really is."

We continued walking in companionable silence for a while, with Alice occasionally commenting on the weather or the beauty of the woods. I noticed how calm the air felt, how the quiet moments between us seemed to carry a certain kind of peace. It was a contrast to the storm that had been brewing in my mind since the day Camden had revealed everything that was happening.

Alice glanced over at me again, her face soft and kind. "You know, Avery, I really admire how you've handled everything. Being Camden's Luna... it's not easy, but you've always done it so well and now look at you. You're killing motherhood."

I blinked, surprised by the compliment. "I don't know about that. I'm just trying to keep things together, especially for Caleb."

She gave a small, understanding smile. "Of course. You're doing an amazing job, though. I can see why Camden's so protective of you."

Her words made me feel good, but there was a small twinge of discomfort buried beneath the flattery. It wasn't the first time someone had commented on Camden's protectiveness. But from Alice, it felt... different. I brushed the feeling away, telling myself I was just being paranoid.

We walked further into the clearing, and I suddenly became aware of how far Caleb had run ahead. His small figure was a little too distant for comfort. I called out to him, trying to keep my tone light, but something about the increasing distance made me feel uneasy.

"Caleb! Stay close, sweetheart!"

"I'll get him" Josh said.

"Let him explore a bit. He's fine. It's just a short distance." Alice countered

I wanted to argue, but something about her voice stopped me. I turned back to Alice, who was looking at me with such serene confidence that I didn't want to question her. Caleb had always been independent, and this was just a small stretch of forest.

I nodded, though a small voice in the back of my mind warned me to stay vigilant.

Caleb continued his play, his laugh fading as he ventured farther. It wasn't that I didn't trust Alice—it was just that I was starting to feel the weight of Camden's worries pressing into me. I had promised him I'd be careful. I had promised.

"You're right," I said quietly, my voice barely audible over the wind that had begun to stir the branches around us. "He'll be fine. He just... he's growing so fast. It's hard not to worry."

Alice's smile softened, a touch of sympathy in her eyes. "It's natural to worry. But you're doing your best. Camden sees that, too. And I'm sure he knows you've got everything under control."

Her words were soothing, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, just beneath the surface. It was silly, I knew that. I should have been enjoying the peace of the moment, but my instincts kept whispering that I shouldn't let my guard down.

I looked toward Caleb again. His laughter was still ringing out, but the air seemed... too quiet. Too still.

"Alice," I started, my voice almost uncertain, "maybe we should go get Caleb. I don't feel right about this."

But before Alice could respond, there was a sudden rustling in the trees behind us. My heart skipped, my instincts flaring up. I turned quickly, my eyes scanning the shadows.

"Did you hear that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm, but the unease was growing in the pit of my stomach.

Alice's expression didn't change. She stood there, relaxed as ever, as if the moment held no danger. "It's probably just an animal. Nothing to worry about."

I looked at Luke who seemed to agree with me something was wrong.

I could see the way his posture stiffened, his gaze darting around the clearing.

There was something in his stance, something about the way his eyes narrowed, that made me feel a surge of urgency. He was watching something, something I couldn't see, and it made the air around me feel charged, like the calm before a storm.

"Luke..." I said quietly, my voice wavering just enough to betray my growing sense of dread. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

His response was a single, sharp nod, but his jaw was tight. He was listening

He wasn't as calm as Alice was trying to make everything seem.

Alice, on the other hand, seemed almost too relaxed. Her smile didn't waver, her movements didn't falter, and for a second, it struck me as strange—unnerving. It was as if the calmness was forced, like she was trying too hard to convince me that everything was perfectly fine.

"Don't worry, Avery," Alice said, her tone sweet and soothing. "It's probably just a deer or something. Nothing to be concerned about. Besides, Caleb's fine." She paused for a moment, her eyes flicking over to the boy who was still a little too far ahead for my comfort. "Let him enjoy himself. He's always so full of energy. It's good for him."

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, I heard another noise—closer this time. A snap of branches followed by a rustle that was too deliberate, too heavy for it to be just an animal. My heart skipped, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I didn't know what it was, but I could feel it in my bones—something was wrong.

Luke shifted, his growl rumbled low in his throat, sending a chill down my spine. His posture had shifted he had taken the attack stance, his eyes darting between the trees, aware of something that I wasn't yet seeing. Something was out there, something that was closing in on us, and my instincts were screaming at me to run, to get to Caleb, to protect him.

I didn't waste another second. I shifted in one fluid motion, the world around me changing as I felt my body contort, fur bursting from my skin, claws digging into the earth as I landed on all fours. My wolf instincts were in overdrive, sharp and focused on the task at hand—Caleb.

Josh... My mind barely registered his transformation, the huge form of our pack's protector. He was standing over Caleb protectively. I quickly caught up a flicker of relief crossing his face. I lowered myself so Caleb could hop unto my back.

Before I could act, there was another movement—a blur in the trees that was too fast for me to track. A split second of hesitation, and then everything exploded into chaos.

There was smoke everywhere. I needed to get Caleb out of here. Josh was standing protectively in front of us, growling at the foggy figure approaching us.

Wait... it wasn't that the figure was just foggy, everything was becoming blurry. My energy was depleting. Josh started to sway before collapsing.

The smoke.......it was putting us to sleep.

Run my mind screamed.

I tried but my legs gave out.  No...No...No...Caleb.

I saw the figure approach as my body went limp. Caleb slipping off my back as he was already passed out.

No! Camden please......help me. That was my last thought as everything went black.

___________________________________________________________________________

When I woke up, the first thing that hit me was the cold, the air biting at my skin. My body felt like it had been pulled from the depths of a dream, disoriented and heavy. I was no longer in wolf form, but lying on a cold, hard surface. My limbs were stiff, and I could barely bring myself to sit up. The sharpness of my surroundings made my head throb.

I blinked, trying to clear my blurred vision, but the room around me was still a haze. The dim light filtered through the edges of my consciousness, and the realization hit me all at once—I was alone. The room was quiet, eerily so.

"Caleb?" I called out, my voice hoarse, cracking. No answer.

I struggled to sit up, groaning as I pushed myself against the floor, finally finding the strength to get to my feet. The room I was in felt unfamiliar, stark, and cold. It had the scent of a place abandoned, unused—a place no one should've been.

"Caleb!" I yelled again, panic starting to rise in my chest. Where was he?

Footsteps approached, the sound of them echoing against the hard floor. I turned, my heart in my throat, and there she was—Alice.

But there was no warmth in her smile now, no kindness in her eyes. Instead, she looked almost pleased, too composed for someone who had been standing on the precipice of chaos only moments before.

"Alice," I breathed, feeling the cold sweat break out across my skin. "Where is Caleb? What have you done?"

Her smile twisted into something darker. She didn't even flinch at my accusation, and that sent a chill down my spine. "He's fine, Avery," she said, her voice calm, unnervingly calm. "Better than you, I'd say."

I felt my heart drop. I wanted to run, to tear apart the world until I found Caleb, but my body still felt weak, shaky. "What do you mean? Where is he?" I demanded, my voice shaky with both fear and anger.

Alice stepped closer, her expression almost pitying as if she were speaking to a child. "Oh, Avery... you don't really get it, do you? You think you can demand answers from me? Please!"

As she spoke a figure moved in the back.......Maddison.

"Come on mom, she should at least deserve to know why she's going to die"

I recoiled, the words hitting me like a slap. "You— You were behind this?" My voice cracked as the realization finally dawned. "You planned this, you and Maddison."

Alice's smile widened. "Oh, yes. Maddison was more than happy to help." Her eyes sparkled with something almost unrecognizable in their depth.

Wait did she just call her mom?

"Avery my dear, please don't take it personal but you were just... an obstacle. Caleb, too.

Five years ago I thought I got rid of you." She spat. "Now imagine my surprise when you showed up here without a care in the world."

Every word out of her mouth felt like a punch, the weight of the betrayal crashing down on me. "You..."

"...you've been planning this all along?" My voice came out in a choked whisper, disbelief flooding my veins. I could hardly process the gravity of her words. Five years ago... Alice had known me before. Known me well enough to want me gone. But why? What had I done to make her go this far?

She laughed, a soft, cruel sound that sent ice creeping through my blood. "Planning it? Oh, sweetie, it wasn't a plan—at least, not at first. It was a matter of necessity. You were about to take from me something I worked so hard to achieve.  There was no way I'd surrender my power to you."

I could feel the walls of the room closing in on me. I wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the shock left me breathless, my body frozen in place as I tried to piece everything together.

"Caleb..." I whispered, my heart aching. "What have you done to him?"

Alice's eyes flickered, a moment of hesitation before she spoke again. "He's safe—for now. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to do with him, Avery. But you? You've always been part of the bigger picture."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, the woman who had once been like my own mom, my family, Camden's family. But now, every word she spoke was a cruel reminder that I was nothing more than a pawn in her game.

"I never should've trusted you." The words left me before I could stop them. "You used us. All this time, everyone thought you were our family."

Maddison stepped forward from the shadows then, a faint smirk curling her lips. "This pack has always been so trusting, so naïve," she said with an almost fond tone, like she was talking about a child who still believed in fairy tales. "But it's all over now."

"You're never gonna get away with this, Camden has people looking into this, he'll know it's you"

Alice laughed. "You mean that PI, don't you worry my people are going to take good care of her. Just like they did Dr. Armstrong. You remember him don't you? He's the one that put you to sleep that day"

I faintly remembered his face. "You killed him? Why wasn't he you're partner?

"All loose ends need to be cleaned up" she said simply.

The door opened as she spoke. Two figure were tossed on the floor.

"Josh!"

"Luke"

My stomach turned as I looked at Josh and Luke, their bodies thrown carelessly to the ground like discarded objects. Blood stained their clothes, their faces unrecognizable with bruises and cuts, the marks of a brutal assault. A wave of nausea hit me, and my breath caught in my throat.

"What have you done to them?" I cried, trying to rush to their sides without thinking. But the moment I stepped forward, Alice raised her hand, halting me.

"They're fine, for now," Alice said, her tone disturbingly calm as if the agony they were in didn't matter. "But I'm afraid they've outlived their usefulness. Just like you."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn't help but shake with rage and disbelief. They didn't deserve this.

"Get up, Avery," Alice continued, her voice cold as ice. "You're not going to save them. Not now.

I kneeled beside Josh first, my hands trembling as I checked for a pulse. His breathing was shallow, but he was alive. The same with Luke. My heart ached with relief but also with fear. They were still with me—but for how long?

"I'm going to kick your ass," I said, my voice trembling with both fear and defiance. "

Alice's lips curled into a sinister smile. "That's exactly what I'm counting on, Avery. You see, the fight is what I need. It'll make everything so much more... interesting."

I didn't know what she meant by that, but the dark gleam in her eyes told me it was far from over. And as long as I had breath in my lungs, I would fight back. For Caleb, for Josh, for Luke.

For the pack.

I stood, trying to steady my shaking hands, my legs wobbling beneath me. I wouldn't let them win. Not like this.

"You evil bitch" I watched as her smile fell.

I gasped as the impact hit me, sending a wave of pain through my side. My vision blurred for a moment, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I had no time to process what had happened before I was crashing to the cold floor, my body already protesting the force of the blow. I instinctively raised a hand to my head protectively, but I could feel the wetness seeping through my fingers. Blood.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision, but my body felt heavier with each passing second, as if the weight of the situation was physically dragging me down. The pain in my side made it hard to focus, but I forced myself to look up at Alice and Maddison, both of them standing over me with cruel smiles.

"You were saying something, Avery?" Alice's voice was a mockery of sweetness, her gaze cold, assessing. "I'm afraid the fight is no longer yours to control. You'll find it much harder to resist once you understand the game we're playing."

I coughed, the taste of iron sharp on my tongue, but I forced the words out. "I'll... never give up."

"Of course you won't," Maddison chimed in, the smirk still playing on her lips. "That's what makes it fun, doesn't it? Watching you struggle, fighting something you can't possibly win."

I could feel the energy draining out of me as my vision began to swim. My body was weak, and my head felt like it was going to split in two from the pounding pain. But still, I wouldn't back down. I couldn't.

I gritted my teeth, pushing myself back up with trembling arms. My hand clutched the floor beneath me as I tried to find my balance. "You think you've won, but you're wrong. I'll fight until my last breath."

Alice's smile only widened, but there was something darker behind it now—something almost predatory. "Oh, Avery, it's already too late."

Before I could react, something sharp pierced my skin again—a pressure against my side, and I gasped. I looked down to see the blood leaking freely from the wound, and my vision blurred even further.

I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears, each thump a painful reminder of how close I was to breaking. But I refused to give in. I couldn't.

"Not today," I muttered to myself, gritting my teeth as the darkness crept in, threatening to pull me under.

I could hear Alice's soft laugh, and Maddison's mocking voice echoed in my ears, but all I could focus on was the image of Caleb—his face, his smile, the warmth he brought to everything around him. He was out there. I couldn't let them win. Not when he still needed me.

I clenched my fists, fighting against the weakness that threatened to drown me. "You... you won't win," I whispered through gritted teeth. "I swear... I'll stop you."

Alice stepped closer, looming over me with that predatory look in her eyes, savouring my pain. "Stop me? You can barely stay conscious, Avery. You're already fading. And you think you can stop what's already set in motion?"

I didn't have an answer for that—not one that made sense, anyway. I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. It was hard to focus, hard to think straight. But then, something unexpected happened.

A low growl rumbled from the next to me, sharp and fierce. My eyes darted toward the sound, desperate for anything that might break through the suffocating darkness.

Luke's growl echoed in the room like a warning, his body moving with an urgency I hadn't seen before, despite his obvious weakness. I watched, heart pounding, as he used every ounce of his strength to tackle Maddison to the ground. The impact of their collision was brutal, and Maddison crumpled, her head hitting the floor with a sickening thud before she went limp.

A flash of hope surged through me—Luke had done it. For just a moment, I felt the weight of the world lighten. But that brief flicker of relief was quickly crushed when Alice's voice rang out, sharp with panic.

"James! Get in here!" she screeched, her composure cracking for the first time since this nightmare had begun.

The man who had thrown Josh and Luke into the room earlier, James, appeared in the doorway almost immediately, his eyes flicking over the chaos before fixing on Luke. The sight of him—bloodied, weak, but still fighting—seemed to be more than enough to make James pause.

"Do something!" Alice's voice was nearly hysterical now.

James didn't move at first, instead watching Luke with a wary expression. It was clear that he wasn't eager to engage with a wolf who had just demonstrated how lethal he could be, even in his weakened state. But after a beat, James straightened, shaking his head as though clearing his thoughts before approaching.

I was still on the ground, struggling to stay conscious, but I could feel my muscles aching, my blood pounding in my ears. Every instinct I had screamed at me to do something—to fight back, to help Luke, to get to Caleb. But my body refused to cooperate, betraying me at the most critical moment.

James bent down, his fingers brushing against Luke's neck to check for a pulse, his expression unreadable. But before I could breathe a sigh of relief or hope for an opening, I saw James' hand tighten around a syringe hidden in his jacket.

My eyes widened. "No—don't!"

But it was too late. The needle plunged into Luke's side, and I saw his body stiffen, his breath hitching.

"No!" I shouted, my voice cracking with the desperation that was rising inside me. I tried to move, tried to fight the fatigue that threatened to consume me, but it was as if my body had turned to stone.

Luke's body slumped, his muscles going lax as the sedative took hold. The relief, the fight that had once filled him, vanished as quickly as it had come. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't focus. It was happening again—one by one, they were taking everyone I cared about.

I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the protests of my body as I glared at Alice and James, the two people who had destroyed everything I had ever believed in.

"You think you've won?" I gasped, my voice hoarse, but it was still strong, defiant.

Alice's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Oh, Avery. You're fading fast. You really believe there's a way out of this, don't you?"

I could feel my body growing weaker with each breath, the blood still leaking from the wound in my side, staining the floor beneath me. But even as the room began to swim, I wouldn't let my resolve crumble. I was not going to die here—not by her hand.

"You don't know Camden," I spat, forcing the words out with as much venom as I could muster. "He'll find me.

Alice's eyes flickered with something—was it doubt? A shadow of uncertainty. But it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. She sneered at me. "Camden? Oh, I don't think he's as clever as you believe. No one knows you're her Avery. Plus i made sure to jam all electronic communications from coming in. After you're dead I'll probably take Caleb and pass out in the woods, pretend whoever kidnapped us left us for dead. The pack will feel so sorry for us that no one would even suspect looking our way."

She was a sick woman. How did we never notice? A sense of dread swept over me, but I didn't flinch.

Think of Camden, he'll find you! I repeated the thought over and over in my head. I needed something to give me strength. I had to hold on. I had to keep fighting.

I knew he was out there, searching for me. I just needed to survive long enough for him to reach me.

But then, just as Alice raised her hand to strike again, something shifted in the air. The temperature in the room seemed to drop, a heavy presence filling the space. I barely had the strength to lift my head, but I heard it—the sound of a door being smashed open, the heavy footfalls of people rushing in.

"Camden..." I whispered under my breath, relief and hope flooding through me.

Alice froze, her expression going from smug confidence to something I couldn't quite place—shock, maybe, or fear? She spun around, eyes wide, as if she couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.

"Impossible," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly. "How did you find us?"

The sound of the pack bursting into the room was deafening—pounding footsteps, snarls, growls. Camden's commanding voice rang out, sharp and forceful, "Avery!" His voice cut through the chaos, steady and unyielding.

Before Alice could react, the room exploded with a flurry of movement. Camden's imposing form appeared in the doorway, flanked by the rest of the pack.

Zach! Oh my god. He was probably the most deceived. His own wife was a monster.

There was a girl too,  Annabeth -alive, her pale face determined—entered, her eyes sharp with fury. My heart almost stopped when I saw her. She was supposed to be dead. Alice had told me she had her killed . But here she was, standing, whole, and very much alive.

I felt Camden's presence fill the room like an overwhelming wave, and the tension shifted. The pack spread out, positioning themselves between me and Alice, their eyes narrowed, growls low in their throats.

Then, he was at my side. His gaze swept over me, landing on the blood staining my face and dripping to the floor. The anger in his eyes was unmistakable, but it was the other emotion that made my breath catch—something darker, more dangerous. There was a promise in his gaze, a silent vow that Alice would pay for everything she had done.

Alice's hands trembled as she pointed at James, the man who had tossed Josh and Luke into the room. "It's not what you think, It was him," she insisted, voice cracking with panic. "He kidnapped us, took us all. I was just trying to get us out of here! You don't understand!" Her eyes flicked from Camden to the rest of the pack, her desperation evident as she tried to shift the blame, spinning her lies.

But Camden didn't flinch. His jaw tightened, and he glanced at James, who was still standing in the corner, his posture stiff, hands in the air as though trying to distance himself from the situation.

"Don't try to play that game with me, Alice," Camden said, his voice cold, slicing through her excuses. "We know exactly what you've done. You're not fooling anyone. Your little game is over."

Zach, who had been silent up until that point, stepped forward, his face a mixture of disbelief and anger. His eyes flicked from Alice to Annabeth, who stood by Camden's side, glaring at Alice with an intensity that made it clear she wasn't the victim here.

"Is this true, Alice?" Zach's voice was soft, like he was still processing what had just been revealed to him. But there was a sharpness to it, a demand for answers that Alice wasn't prepared for.

"No!" Alice snapped, her composure cracking. "Zach, please. You have to believe me. It wasn't me. I was only trying to protect us—protect you!"

But Zach didn't look convinced. His gaze flicked toward Annabeth, then back to Alice, the woman he had married, the woman who had been lying to him all this time. The woman who had manipulated him into believing that she was just as much a victim as the rest of them.

Annabeth's expression was hard, unforgiving. She crossed her arms, eyes locking onto Alice with an intensity that seemed to challenge everything Alice had built up.

"Look over here Alice, I'm not dead." Annabeth said, her voice low but filled with quiet rage. "I never was. You tried to have me killed, but it didn't work. And now, it's over. We have all the doctors dirty little secrets about you"

Alice's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Annabeth, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine fear in her eyes. The cracks in her façade were widening, and there was nowhere left for her to hide. She had underestimated Annabeth—and everyone else.

"You..." Alice's voice wavered, but she quickly recovered, trying to salvage what little control she had left. "You're all wrong. All of you. I've done what was necessary. I did what I had to do for the benefit of the pack, for power..."

"For yourself," Camden interrupted, his voice sharp with disgust. "This wasn't for the pack, Alice. This was always about your own selfish gain. You've been lying, deceiving us for so long, and now it's time to face the consequences."

Alice took a step back, eyes darting around the room as if she were searching for a way out, a way to escape this nightmare she had created. "You'll regret this," she hissed, voice dripping with venom. "All of you. You don't know who you're dealing with."

Zach, his face hardening, stepped forward, cutting off her escape. "You've been lying to me this whole time," he said, his voice a mix of hurt and fury. "You used me, Alice. You came after my family......my son and his mate, MY GRANDCHILD!" he roared.

Alice's eyes darted to James, her gaze wild with panic. She was cornered now, with no way out. Her attempts to manipulate the situation were failing, and the pack was closing in on her.

"Zach, please..." Her voice cracked, desperate. "Please, you don't understand."

Her voice trembled as she turned to him, her tone pleading now. "You can't do this. Baby, please... Don't make a mistake you'll regret." She was begging, but the desperation only made her seem more pathetic.

Camden's voice was cold, low, and threatening. "You're the one who's going to regret this, Alice." He took a step forward, the pack moving in perfect sync behind him, a wall of strength and unity. "You've taken enough from us. This ends now."

Alice's eyes widened in horror as Camden drew closer, the reality of her defeat sinking in. There would be no negotiation, no last-minute plea. She was cornered, her power gone.

"You'll regret this," Alice spat, her words weak, hollow—nothing more than a desperate attempt to hold onto control.

Without another word, Camden turned to pack, signalling them to act. It was time for her reckoning.

The room seemed to grow colder, the tension thick as smoke. Every single person in that room—every wolf, every ally—was ready. Ready to end this nightmare.

I could barely hold myself up. The blood was still flowing from my side, soaking through the shredded fabric of my clothes. My vision blurred again, darkening around the edges. Every breath I took felt like it might be my last.

I tried to stay conscious—tried to cling to the moment—but I could feel the darkness pulling me under.

Alice's gaze was wild, her body jerking in frustration. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her mind was scrambling, finding no way to escape, no way to manipulate the situation any longer.

I wanted to see it. I needed to see her face when it all fell apart. To know that she wouldn't walk away. But the blood loss was too much. My body betrayed me, and the darkness overcame my senses.

I could hear voices in the distance, muffled and indistinct, but they were too far away to make sense of. It felt like I was sinking into a void. I didn't want to pass out. Not now. Not when everything was finally falling into place. But my body refused to obey. The world tipped sideways, and my knees gave way.

"Avery..." Camden's voice pierced the fog, but it was already too late.

I crumpled to the floor, darkness swallowing me whole.

The last thing I heard before everything went black was Camden's voice—desperate, raw, urgent. "Get her out of here. Now."

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Can't decide if i should call this chapter: The Storm Breaks or The Breaking Point