Chapter 33 Expect the Unexpected

*Athena*

"It seems there's a blizzard headed this way," Jonathan said. He turned up the volume of the radio of the car. "How are you going to fly back to New York, Athena?"

"If all flights are cancelled, I won't have a choice. I'll just have to fly in tomorrow morning. Don't worry, I have an alibi. How about you guys? What's your alibi?" I asked Jonathan so I can keep my story straight. Usually when I'm in Boston, I meet up with a few of my friends from college. I asked them to vouch for me if someone, anyone calls or asks where I was. My friends instantly thought I was cheating on my husband, but I really didn't care. I just needed them to vouch for me.

"Madam has friends in Providence. We said we were going there. The pilot of the chopper we flew in was an ol' army pal back when I was still active so, our secret is safe with him." Jonathan winks at me.

Speaking of Madam, I turned around to check up on her. She was awfully quiet while Jonathan and I were catching up. She was leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed, her forehead creased into a frown. She's probably asleep.

"No, I'm not asleep, Athena Lockwood." When she was Headmistress of our school, she would always do that...know what we were thinking. It made us kids avoid her like the plague. "I was thinking of the memories Diana's wolf allowed me to see."

"Diana's wolf, Elder Allen? What about her wolf?" I was intrigued and wanted to know what Elder Allen had seen.

"Diana's wolf is very angry. Diana's mother was hand chosen by the Moon Goddess herself to bear the wolf with the lotus symbol. We wolves have been so arrogant in our ways, knowing we are stronger, faster, smarter and more powerful than any human on this planet. Diana will be living proof that we wolves are terribly and completely wrong."

"Whatever family issues you Lockwoods have, almost cost Diana's wolf's life. She has never forgiven the lot of you and she will have her revenge. One other thing, Diana's wolf has been suppressed all these years as Diana struggled to live a normal human life. Come the Blood Moon, there will be no escape. The black wolf will be unleashed."

"Elder Allen, I sensed the strength of Diana's wolf. My wolf whimpered and bowed when I came close to Diana."

"Yes, the wolf of Diana was blessed with a portion of the soul of the Moon Goddess herself which makes the wolf all knowing and all powerful. Diana the human may appear weak, however the wolf is very strong, creating a balance. As always, the Moon Goddess's work is perfect."

"Diana's wolf is distrustful of anyone except Ethan Crowne. She growled at me knowing I had a connection with Eric Lockwood so she only showed me what had happened to Diana's mother. It was very tragic. I can still feel the fear Diana's mother was feeling that night almost 18 years ago." Elder Allen hugged herself, trying to shake off the feeling.

"So Elder, what should we expect on the Blood Moon?" I was starting to fear Diana's wolf would run havoc and start killing those who tried to kill her and Diana. Maybe even kill me which I hope wouldn't happen.

"Expect the unexpected, Athena. Didn't you learn that while you were still at school? Now had me something to eat. My blood sugar is going down."

I laughed. Minerva Allen was as sharp as ever. I took a look at the doggie bag that Didi had waiting for us at the counter and I took out a wrapped piece of their pie and handed it to Elder Allen. She took it and bit into the warm pie.

"This is so good." She leaned back and closes her eyes in bliss. "Too bad they have to close the diner. I wonder if I could help Lucas open a branch if he decides to settle again in New Jersey. I would think that would be his plan. The ring of the Lotus pack has already uttered Diana's name as Alpha."

"So Lucas has had the ring," I gasped. "Chase turned his office upside down looking for that ring. Without it, he could never be anointed as Alpha. If the ring has already uttered her name then, Diana is already the rightful Alpha of the Lotus Pack. And judging by her wolf, she will claim it." My burner phone starts ringing. It was our cook back at the mansion. Father must be there. I answer it knowing it wasn't good news.

"Mama Lucy, what's wrong?"

"Miss A, your father is trying to get to Boston. I heard he found out you went somewhere else before flying off to Boston. He's angry all aircrafts are grounded because of the coming storm." Ahhhhhh, the weather is on my side.

"Yeah, I know, Mama Lucy. I won't be able to fly in tonight. Just keep an eye and an ear on my brother and father. Call me if there are any developments."

"Okay, Miss A. I'll keep you updated."

Damn, someone was following me this morning or maybe there were eyes at that truck stop. Too bad my father won't be able to fly to Boston. By the time he sees me, everything will be set.

"Your father suspects, Athena?"

"He always does, Elder Allen. He knows I'm close to Luke and I assume he also knows I helped Luke escape. He just doesn't say anything to me because he's afraid I'll never speak to him again."

"Well, then, come the Blood Moon, he will no longer have to suspect. Diana will be coming for him. He has seen this in his dreams."

I sneer and look out the window. Good luck, Father.

___________________

*Lucas*

It was good to see my sister. She still had the same spunk, but she did look a bit older. She had 3 pups of her own and the business to run, so she had to put up with a lot of stress.

I was surprised Minerva Allen was with her and one of my pack members, Jonathan. Jonathan was a close friend of Athena's in the pack. When Athena went off to college, he enlisted in the military, but when he came back, he didn't like the changes.

My Gamma had warned him not to interfere nor challenge the changes that had happened. When he was recruited to start laundering money for the rogues, he spoke up and had said Chase was not the rightful Alpha. There was no ring on his finger. Without it, he would not pledge his fealty to him. He was thrown out, banished, instead of killed, a courtesy bestowed upon him because he was the younger brother of my Gamma.

My Gamma had instructed him to go to Minerva Allen who was looking for a bodyguard. Minerva Allen didn't need any credentials nor an explanation. She made Jonathan her right hand man, knowing he was a good wolf, someone she could rely on.

I drove into the street that led to Michael's. There in front was Ethan's pickup and Didi's minivan. We were the only ones they were waiting for. I parked into the driveway and Diana jumped out of the car once the car had stopped.

Michael opened the door and waved at us to come inside. Of course. We needed to have a meeting first before we all left. Diana gave Michael a kiss on the cheek and I patted his back and walked inside.

"So, we are taking 3 cars. Ethan says he has men coming into Boston. Plus, Athena's car that makes 4. So there's 8 of us, that's including Athena's group plus 6 men... make 14. Yup, we can all fit." Michael was looking up at the ceiling, doing the math.

"Athena is suppose to fly out tonight unless all flights are cancelled due to the storm coming. Yeah, we can all fit." I nod my head in agreement.

"So, now, we need to know who rides with who." Michael smiles and looks at Ethan and Diana who were seated beside each other.

"Fine. Michael you ride with me in Diana's new car. Diana, you ride with Ethan. Since you both are fated mates, this trip will allow you to get to know each other. We are all going to Cape Cod. From Cape Cod we head to Martha's Vineyard. I have property there. It is far from prying eyes and no one knows I own it. It'll be dusty, but it will serve its purpose. And yes it is big enough to house 14 people. We just have to share."

"Dad, how rich are you?" Diana blurted out. I couldn't blame her. I have never told her anything about my finances. I just wanted her to learn how to live within her means. Everyone had their eyes on me wondering if I would tell her the truth.

"I have enough," I answer her and I see Diana sigh. She knew she wouldn't be getting a straight answer. I saw her eyes glaze over for a second. She was speaking to her wolf.

"Never mind, Dad. Onyx already told me. Can I use the bathroom before we go Uncle Mike?" He nods his head and Diana walks to the bathroom.

"Onyx?" Michael whispers.

"Her wolf." I whisper back.

"Her wolf knows how much you're worth?!"

"Her wolf watches me, I guess." Late at night I could always sense something was there with me when I did the accounting. Even King had his ears up every time.

"You do know that is completely impossible."

"Not to this wolf, Michael."

Ethan's phone suddenly rings. "I'll take this outside." He walks out into the yard while we wait for Diana.

Night had fallen and it completely dark outside. The wind was howling pretty loudly, a sign a storm was brewing. We needed to leave now.

"Diana, let's go! There's a storm coming." I call out to her to get her to hurry up. We hear the door open and see the light switching off. I could see Diana's outline in the dark as she approached us.

"I know there's a storm brewing, Dad. I asked the Moon Goddess for cover." Diana came into the light and we all gasped.

Her once short hair was now long and wavy. Her pale skin glowed beneath the light. Her eyes were green as emeralds, her lashes long, her cheeks rosy and the corners of her pink lips were up in a sneer.

It was starting...her fangs were coming out.