Chapter 114 Blindsided

*Diana*

After burying my grandfather, Eric Lockwood, and Uncle Chase, we had a somewhat quiet Christmas. I was able to settle down in my new home and correct the mistakes of the Alpha before me. However, I had postponed the anointment as well as the appointment as Alpha of Lotus Pack. I was waiting for the elections before I could finalize my decisions.

We decided to destroy all the black sapphires we had in our possession. Theodora reverted back to a young she-rogue named Jenny. She was banished from her pack for exhibiting powers she had inherited from her priestess mother. Emmett said he could use her and decided he would take her in as an apprentice only if she would abide by the rules. She was a card shark and did some recreational drugs, but according to her, it was because she felt so alone. She said she wanted to go back to school which my dad vowed he would finance. Now, we have a new pack member.

As for the Wolf Troop who transformed into Amos, Beta to Aranck, his leg healed up due to the transformation and was happy he was able to get out of the sapphire. Apparently, the sapphire served as their prison. He has back in service under the new chief, Chief Hathaway.

Alpha Connor and his men went back to their territory. He had been away for a long time and was happy to be home and celebrate the holidays with his pack. He told my dad to come by to the truck stop. He even sweetened the deal with a lifetime of free beers.

Emmett moved in with Uncle Mike in Uncle Mike's old home in the territory. Two Betas are now living under one roof. Uncle Mike was used to living with seniors and thought it would be nice for his grandmother to have a companion. He also booked a ticket for her to come live with us for the time being. We still had to make a trip back to Maine to settle all our affairs before everything is final.

Aunt Athena forcibly had her mate sent to the territory... in other words, she asked me to make him come. I ordered him to the Lockwood Mansion and for him to bring his girlfriend. It wasn't a pretty sight when he finally appeared on our doorstep with the redhead in tow.

"So this is the redhead the kids were talking about. I have been faithful and loyal. I expected the same from you, Anthony. According to wolf laws, once I utter my rejection as mates, you and I are no more," Aunt Athena said.

"Go ahead, Athena! Reject me and I'll make sure you rue the day you did. I will take our kids and I'll take the investment my father gave your father to keep your empire afloat," Anthony said. The redhead looked uncomfortable. She wasn't expecting a confrontation.

"I'll speak with your father, Anthony and make sure he knows of your infidelity," my dad said. "Whatever amount he has put into our empire, I will make sure he agrees to give it to your children. As such, you will no longer be welcomed on any of the Lockwood properties. I hope your redhead companion knows once you both leave, you are homeless and uhm, without a car."

"And how am I suppose to leave without a car?" Anthony said angrily.

"I'll drive the both of you to the bus stop," Uncle Mike said, clearly enjoying the scene. "I'll even give you fare."

"Athena, are you just going to sit there while your family disrespects me?" Anthony asked. Aunt Athena stood up and slapped Anthony on the face. I glanced at Ethan who was feigning astonishment.

"That isn't enough for all the shit you threw my way," Aunt Athena exclaimed. Anthony raised his hand to strike back, but he couldn't move his hand. Aunt Athena laughed at him. "Know where you stand, Anthony. You are in the presence of the black wolf."

"B-black w-wolf?" Anthony asked nervously. I scoffed. The idiot didn't know who I was.

"She can tell you to jump off a bridge and you will have no way to stop yourself," Aunt Athena warned. "I reject you as my mate, Anthony Callahan. Tomorrow, you will be hearing from my attorney for the proceedings of our divorce. I will be taking everything from you. Even the shirt off your back!"

"As Alpha of Lotus Pack, I banish you Anthony Callahan, former mate of Athena Lockwood. You may go," I said. Uncle Mike opened the door and ushered them out.

"Uhm, Anthony the keys to the car, please. That is still Lockwood property," Uncle Mike said. "I'll drive this lovely couple to the bus stop," he paused and looked at them, "unless you have other means of transportation."

"We'll just book a ride from an app," the redhead said, meekly.

"Okay then. Good-bye." Uncle Mike slammed the door in their faces before they could utter another word.

We invited Ethan's family to have Christmas with us. Edward Crowne, Ethan's father, showed up, asking for forgiveness from Didi for killing her human mate.

"Look at my son, Edward. Harley has grown up without a father," Did spat at him. My dad coughed and she rectified what she said. " What I meant was his biological father. If it weren't for Lucas and Michael, I would probably be part of the Rogues in New York swindling people of their money."

"What do you want me to do so I could earn your forgiveness?" Edward Crowne asked mournfully.

"I want you to make it up to my sister. She deserves your time, respect, love and devotion, but you treat her like your doormat. She is your mate, Edward. Not a business deal your dad and my dad made to suit their needs. Look at your son and your daughters. Ethan has grown up to be self-reliant wolf. He is twice the Alpha you could ever be." Ethan smiled proudly at what his Aunt said.

"Consider it done," Edward said, holding Harriet's hand.

"Also, I want permission, Ethan, to join Lotus Pack. Diana is like a daughter to me and Lucas and Michael are like brothers and have been Harley's dads since day one. They gave me a happy home even if it was just the five of us. I have realized, although I lost Enrique, I gained a family. I can say, I'm truly happy. I want to stay."

Ethan and Harriet gave Didi their blessing and just like that, Didi was part of the pack.

We campaigned as much as we could so my dad and Alpha Connor could win as High Councilmen. Since, my grandfather was no longer with us, the High Lord Wolf tried to pull as many strings as he could. My dad and Ethan also promised business deals left and right, guaranteeing the deals would happen just as long as either one of them sat as High Councilman.

On New Year's Eve, we all drove to Wolf Hall in New York City where a banquet was set to welcome the new members of the Council of Wolves. I promised my dad that I wouldn't use my power to influence the election.I asked Onyx to temporarily withhold our powers and I also told her to drown out the noise. I didn't want to hear the criticisms nor the judgements. If they only knew what Alpha Connor and my dad had been through all these eighteen years... but of course, they were snobs.

The election was done in the Wolf Hall chambers. I waited downstairs with Uncle Mike and Ethan at the Grand Hall where the banquet was being held.

"So kiddo, what do thine ears hear?" Uncle Mike whispered.

"Uncle Mike, I told Onyx, no eavesdropping nor influencing. I don't want the wolves to the think Dad's a cheat," I whispered back.

"Diana sweetheart, think of it this way, by influencing the others you are actually doing wolfkind a favor," Ethan reasoned. "I mean it will be good for Lucas and Connor to be elected."

"Of course it will, Ethan, but I don't want them to be elected because of me and what I can do. I want them to be elected on their own merit. So, for now, I'm just plain old Diana. No, spying, hearing, seeing, listening nor controlling," I told them. "How long will this election take?"

"Ninety minutes I heard an Elder say," Uncle Mike answered. "The candidates will be given time to say a short speech, then the election will commence. Why?"

"I promised Sixth I'll go and see him. He is going to give me the documents One signed," I replied. Uncle Mike looked at his watch.

"We still have time before the crowd comes in to watch the countdown at Times Square. I'll drive," Uncle Mike said, standing up.

"Hey, what about me?" Ethan asked.

"We stay here as Lucas and Connor's cheering squad," Nana Josie said. She, Emmett and Rose came rushing into the Grand Hall. "Sorry, we're late, but Emmett here wanted to take some pictures."

"You guys stay here," I tugged on Ethan's arm so he would stand up. "We just need to go get something."

"Alpha, do you hear that? They-" Emmett had a happy twinkle in his eyes. I raised my hand to shush him. He covered his mouth to stop himself from spoiling the announcement. "I'm sorry, we aren't suppose to say what's going on upstairs. But we can definitely enjoy some champagne." He took a sip from the glass the server had just put infront of him. As we were about to leave the banquet hall, Nana called to us.

"Hurry back you three!" Nana said.

"We will," I promised. We all quickly went to Uncle Mike's car and Uncle Mike sped off out of the parking lot into the street.

I tried to tell Sixth to expect us through mind-link, but I felt something strange, like his mind had turned blank. I asked Onyx to check it out. Because I had asked to stop linking with all wolves temporarily, I didn't know what was going on.

"Diana, we have a problem," Onyx said. "One has gained powers and I can no longer access his mind. The wolf you call Sixth is on the floor, breathing, but knocked out cold."

"One? How is that possible? We have been watching him in his apartment," I told her. Great, just like all the football we've been watching...we were blindsided.

"Well, there were times when his thoughts were masked. Remember?" Onyx said. I thought long and hard. I knew he dropped of Aranck at the penitentiary, but I couldn't hear much of their conversation nor did I see him nor hear him when he got to his building. I only saw him when he was at his home packing.

"Uncle Mike, we have a problem," I said. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror and frowned.

"What is it this time?" Uncle Mike asked.

"One has powers and I don't know how he's gotten them," I answered. He groaned.

"Is it because of those damn sapphires again? I thought we destroyed them all," Ethan said. "Is it just him or does he have an army?"

"It is just him, but he's controlling the rogues," Onyx answered. "However, that is not a problem. I already have commanded them to stand down.

"Onyx said it's just him," I answered. Uncle Mike looked at Ethan.

"Well, if we wait, who knows what he'll do. Ethan, I have tactical gear in the trunk. Diana, alert Emmett, Lucas and Alpha Connor. Tell them where we're headed and ask for reinforcements. Tell them we need them asap," Uncle Mike instructed. "For now, it will just be three of us. It is better if we fight our way to him."

I sighed and linked with Emmett, my dad and Alpha Connor.

"One's building on Broadway. Bring reinforcements. It's still not over yet."
________________

*One*

I was imprisoned in my own mind. I was seated in a jail cell wondering what was going on. I could hear myself speaking, but that wasn't me. Last thing, I remember I was having dinner. Eighth brought me take-out and I had seated myself at my dining table with the food and plates ready and then, I blacked out. When I woke up, I was seated in a jail cell with a view of the ocean from a tiny window of my cell.

After the black wolf told me to stay, I had this eerie feeling I was being watched. I went through my whole apartment and I couldn't find a bug or any surveillance devices. Even then, I couldn't shake the feeling I was being watched. I even put up a CCTV camera in my room to record me sleeping at night. I would go through the whole footage, but I never saw a thing. Nothing. Not a damn thing.

I did know that whatever spirit possessed me was immune to the black wolf. I heard my office and the voice of Sixth and I knew I wasn't in my apartment.

I sat in the corner of my cell, backtracking, thinking what could I have possibly done and if I was going to survive. After hearing E.L. and Chase didn't make it, it was clear to me that I was next.