Chapter 45: The Chaos

Harper’s POV



The car ride was long, and at times I had to pull over on the side of the road to have a quick sleep because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I had too much time to think about how I deceived Asher after a special moment between us.

He went to sleep thinking he would wake up with his arms wrapped around me. Instead, he’s going to wake up in bed alone and wonder where I am, only to realize I left without telling him. He’s going to be so mad at me when I return.

If I didn’t leave now, I would never get the chance to take on Artemis. Although this wasn’t my initial plan, it’ll have to do because I’m out of options at this point. My Father would be beyond disappointed if he saw Artemis’s true colors like I have in the past.

Artemis is ruthless and cunning; he’s willing to push people under the bus if it means saving his own a**. He’s not a true Alpha.

By the time the sun has risen in the sky, I’m parking along the road outside my family’s compound. I need to find a way to sneak in because if Artemis catches me here, I’m sure he would have no problem sending his friends to kill me because he knows he can’t kill me himself in front of the pack.

I leave my suitcase in the car and walk along the road until I reach the driveway. When I see the compound, I have a flashback to the first time I saw Asher’s compound. It’s as if my world has been flipped.

The yard I worked so hard on is completely dead and destroyed. It appears that there have been several fires burnt next to the wall because there are smoke marks all up the side. My mouth drops in horror when I see the window to my bedroom smashed to pieces.

What the f*ck has happened here? How long has my Father been dead, because this couldn’t have happened in a short period of time.

I run up the driveway, praying no one sees me. I walk around the side to the hidden door that only my Father and I know about. When I was young, he told me he had a hidden passageway built in the compound so we could escape if we were ever under attack. I’m not sure why he only told me; it was probably because he knew he could trust me to use it well and keep it a secret.

I pull out a key from my pocket and push aside the pot plants blocking the entry. I use the key to unlock the door and push it open as quietly as possible to not draw attention to myself. Before I shut the door, I pull the plants back into position.

As I walk through the secret tunnel, I’m hoping it’ll bring me to my Mother’s room. She is the only person in the compound I can trust at this point because Artemis said everyone is against me. Surely my own Mother would have my back in this situation.

It isn’t long until I reach a closed door. With my hand on the handle, I take a deep breath and pray my Mother is on the other side and not Artemis. When I open the door, I sigh in relief to see my Mother sitting at her vanity.

I make eye contact with her through the mirror, and she drops the make-up brush in her hand. She stares at me in shock, probably wondering if I’m a figment of her imagination or if I’m really here.

She gets out of her seat to face me; looking gorgeous in just a robe. I have no idea how she looks this good after waking up.

“Harper?” She says, looking me up and down, “What are you doing here?”

“I came here to save the pack.”

Mother rushes over to me, embracing me into a bear hug. I can hear her sobbing on my shoulder. I try to hold back my own tears because I need to be strong.

She pulls away from me, her hands firmly on my shoulders, “Artemis told me he visited you the other day.”

I nod my head, “He told me about Father’s passing.”

She looks sad, “It was a shock to everyone. I just woke up one morning and he had passed in his sleep.”

I couldn’t imagine going to sleep one night with the person you love most in the world, only to wake up the next morning and never get to talk to them again. If that happened to me with Asher, I don’t know how I would cope.

“Mother,” I say, bringing her attention back to me, “I’m here to put a stop to Artemis’s reign as Alpha.”

Mother drops her hands, her eyes filled with confusion, “Why would you do that?”

I frown, “Have you not seen this place? It’s turned to sh*t since he became Alpha. He’s not fit to lead the pack the way I can.”

“Harper, sweetie, you heard your Father. He chose Artemis for a reason.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. How can she not see the damage that Artemis has created just by looking at the state of the compound? Father and I always kept it in pristine condition for when other packs would come to visit or trade. But now, it’s not inviting in any way.

Comparing what’s happening here to how Asher’s compound looked, I can see that when leaders are in power who don’t care about anything but themselves, they put no effort into how the pack should be treated or their living conditions. What’s happening here is a product of an Alpha who is more concerned about their image than their people.

“Mother, are you seriously sticking up for him? He’s forcing you and the pack to live in this filth.”

I can see she’s getting annoyed with me because she turns away and returns to the seat at the table. She continues applying her make up.

“What your Father wants is what will happen,” She dabs some eyeshadow onto her lids, “Besides, I truly believe a male should be the Alpha."

My jaw almost hits the floor. I had no idea she agreed with my Father. Even if she knew what Artemis is capable of, I’m sure she wouldn’t change her mind about this.

I scoff, “I can’t believe this. Out of everyone I thought you would have your daughter’s back, but I guess you’re just as bad as the rest of the family.”

She looks at me through the mirror with a blank face, “Leave Artemis alone. We’re all doing fine here; we don’t need saving.”

I laugh in her face, “I’m the true Alpha. I will fight for this pack even if it kills me. So, you better get ready for the show because it’s going to be a good one.”

I leave without another word. I walk back into the secret tunnel despite my Mother calling out for me to stop. It appears I’m alone in this situation. I really thought my own Mother would have my back, but it’s clear she’s been brainwashed by Artemis, too.

When I’m out the front of the compound, I run into a couple who are coming back from a walk. I vaguely remember them. I think they’re around my age.

I stop in my tracks, “You didn’t see me here.”

I rush past them, but the man grabs my arm. I’m ready to fight him off but he tells me to keep quiet.

“Harper, stop. We’re on your side.”

I frown, “What?”

“If you’re here to save the pack, there is a small group of us who never gave up hope that you would return and fight for us,” The woman whispers, looking between me and her boyfriend.

I smile, “Take me to them. If you guys are ready to take the fight to Artemis, then so am I.”