Chapter 49 Expensive Pass

*Diana*

I looked at all four of them, stunned, they all were thinking the same thing. I pouted, feeling ganged up on, a bit angry my father and my supposed mate were agreeing on the same thing.

"It's not your driving skills were worried about, pumpkin, we just don't want you to be the target if somehow it leads to a chase. It will be easier for them to separate you from the group. Anyway, you are riding with me." My father pulls me into his arms and gives me a hug. I felt a little better. I thought they saw me as small. "You and Onyx will help us off this island. I just have to make a phone call to an old friend. Ethan, tell your boys and your aunt to be ready at the estate. We'll be picking them up and all our things. Diana, did you unpack?" I shook my head.

"No, Dad. I had a feeling we'd have to leave. I really wanted to stay there, but we need to be safe." He smiled at me and rubbed my arm. I knew he was grateful for being so understanding. He leaves me to make his phone call while I open the car door of the Shelby I wanted to drive and hop inside the driver's seat just to get a feel of the steering wheel.

"Onyx, what do you think? Should we leave Martha's Vineyard?" I ask her.

"Yes. Once you are safely off this island, your grandfather and his men will not be able to follow you allowing you time to prepare for your first shift. Prepare the money. It is your ticket off this island. Be blessed, Diana."

Seems like my grandfather will stop at nothing to find us. Such a pity. I wonder if my mother were alive today. Would it be the same...running and hiding or would my father be man enough to confront his father? But my father I'm guessing didn't want to hurt his own father, he just wanted his approval. The story of children and their parents. Me included.

"Hey, Kiddo. I hope you aren't mad at us for not allowing you to drive. Not right now since we need to get off an island. Once we are safe back on the main land, I'll let you drive what I'll be driving. Okay?" Uncle Mike popped his head through the door crack.

"No worries, Uncle Mike. I understand. By the way, I need to talk to Aunt Athena. Onyx mentioned a Christmas Ball we need to attend. I'm suppose to ask her and the Elder to get us all invitations to this party."

"Hold on. Athena! Diana wants to ask you something. It's about the ball!" My Aunt hurriedly walks towards us.

"The ball? The Christmas Ball of the Council of Wolves?" My aunt asks.

"I guess that's the one. I'm suppose to ask you and the Elder for invitations," I tell her.

"I need to coordinate with my father's secretary through email to get extra invites. And I need names from your fake ID's."

"I don't have a fake ID." I told her.

"What's this about a ball?" My father and Ethan come and huddle with us.

"Diana wants me to get invitations for you for the  annual Christmas Ball, Luke," Aunt Athena answers him.

"I got mine through email. I haven't RSVP'd back. I wasn't sure if I was going to attend," Ethan said.

"Ah, there you go, Kiddo. You'll go as Ethan's plus one. No need for a fake ID." My aunt nods her head in agreement.

"Well, we'll have that all fixed once we're off this island. My friend told me to meet the ferry at the dock in 30 minutes. If not, we won't be able to get off this island. Let's go. Diana, sweetheart, I need you to go to the passenger's side please." I nod my head and move to my side of the car. The others take one car each.

We all drive back to the estate, my father leading the convoy. He was very quiet the whole way, his concentration on the road and any obstacles that may be waiting.

We turned into the small road leading to the house when we see the Tesla heading towards our direction. Jonathan and the Elder were making a run for it. Behind them were the cars of Ethan's men, following them, not exactly giving chase. The Elder must have used her power to manipulate Ethan's men. I was impressed. The old lady still has it in her.

"The Elder runs." Onyx let out a low growl. She disappears into the shadows and before I could ask her what we should do, the Tesla stops and out comes Jonathan from the driver's side with his hands above his head.

"What is going on here?" My father slows down and stops several meters away from the Tesla. "You stay here." My dad walks out of the car, followed by Uncle Michael from the car behind us, who jogs up to my dad. A few moments later, I see Ethan pass the side of the car and walks up to his men while my dad and Uncle Mike talk with Jonathan.

"Onyx, what's going on?"

"The Elder, she weeps." I waited for Onyx to tell me more, but nothing followed. I saw Ethan's men turn their cars around while Jonathan went back inside the Tesla and turned the car around to head back to the house. My dad, uncle and Ethan run back towards me and their cars.

"Okay. Everything is settled. We just need to get our luggage." My dad didn't look too happy about something.

"What happened, Dad?" I ask and crossed my fingers, hoping he would answer me.

"The Elder lost her eyesight a few moments ago. She's blind now." My dad said shaking his head. "She went hysterical and told Jonathan to stop the car and surrender to us."

"She will be forever trapped in the memories of her sins. She was given fair warning by her wolf. She did not listen. Next, I will take her tongue." Onyx said her green eyes flashing, making clear her words were not a threat, but a promise. A promise the Elder needn't endure, just as long as she would heed her words and not betray us.

At the house, Didi was waiting, really ticked off the boys left her. She couldn't believe they would do such a thing and run off without her. While we were getting our luggage from our rooms, she had Ethan's men sit down and scolded them for running off like that. When I arrived down the stairs with my carry-on in tow, all of them rushed to my side trying to help me with my luggage.

"That's right. You boys better be nice to Diana. Her wolf will gut the hell out of all of you." I allow Colt to take my bags and look at Didi, a questioning look on my face. She shrugged her shoulders and walked past me, patting my arms. I raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled.

I walked outside to the parking area. Aunt Athena would be driving with Jonathan and the Elder in the Tesla. Didi and Harley would be riding with Uncle Mike. Ethan would be riding with me and my Dad, while the two other cars we brought from the warehouse would be driven by Ethan's men. Since their cars were rentals, they decided to leave them at the house so we wouldn't be tracked.

When everyone was settled, we drove off to the dock where a ferry was waiting for us. We got there with enough time to board before the ferry left. According to the crew, it will be their last transfer for the day since the weather has gotten bad.

"Lucas, three black cars headed this direction!" Uncle Michael yelled.

"Let's go." My dad told the crew. "How much for the ferry to leave now?"

"Ten thousand." A big man smirked at us thinking we didn't have the cash. My father was about to call his friend on his phone when Onyx reminded me of the money I had with me.

"Give them the money, Diana." Onyx said. I took a bundle of money that I had placed in my coat. It was equivalent to ten thousand.

"Here. That's ten thousand. Now let's go." It was an expensive pass, but when you have people chasing you in black cars, it was worth it. The big man smiled at me, but his smile turned to fear when he accidentally touched my hand when I gave him the money. He yelled at his men to close the end of the ferry and signalled for the ferry to leave. My dad told us to hide. None of the cars looked like Ethan' pickup which would be the car they would look for.

We were far off when the black cars arrived at the dock. Now, we just had to make sure no one was waiting for us at our arrival.

"Your father is right, Diana. The wolves still believe you are still on the island. They search for the pickup." I gave off a sigh of relief. I could now relax and have some snacks. They ferry was equipped with food and drinks. Ethan's men  had already asked for beers and some appetizers. The rest of us asked for coffee and some sandwiches except for the Elder. She asked for wine.

"Give me the whole damn bottle. I would like to wallow in self-pity if you don't mind," Elder Allen told the server.

"Of course, ma'am. We can give you two bottles if you'd prefer. It has been paid for by the young woman with you," the server said.

"If that's the case, give me a whole bottle of scotch too. She's the reason why I lost my eyesight in the first place." The server gave me a dirty look. Great. Now, it's my fault.

"Elder Allen, stop blaming me. You pledge to serve me then you try and run. By the way, I need invitations to the Christmas Ball. It's supposed to be held at the Four Seasons and only a limited number of people can be invited."

"How many invitations do you need? Each guest is allowed a plus one." She sounded impatient.

"I need one for my dad, Uncle Mike, Didi and Colt. Ethan and Aunt Athena already have their invites, so I don't need any for them. Ethan's men, on the other hand, will serve as our security," I tell her.

"Lucas, are you seriously considering going to the Christmas Ball? Eric will be there," Elder Allen laughs like it was a joke for my dad to attend the ball.

"The Christmas Ball is an event merged on the consensus of peace, Elder. No violence is allowed even if your enemy is staring you right at your face. I doubt my father would attempt to break that agreement knowing it would break his chances of becoming a High Councilman let alone the High Lord Wolf." My dad knew the rules of the ball. Non-violence was strictly adhered to.

"Diana, kiddo, why do we need to go to the Christmas Ball of the Council of Wolves? It will be difficult to come in and difficult for us to leave." I know my Uncle Mike had his qualms. I did too, but Onyx has been nagging me to get the invites.

"I need to speak to the High Lord Wolf, Uncle Mike," I said nonchalantly. Elder Allen, upon hearing this, laughed so loud, it gains the attention of everyone on the ferry which, thank goodness, wasn't many.

"And how do you propose you do that, you foolish girl? Do you honestly think the High Lord Wolf would speak to you? Lucas tell your stupid daughter the High Lord Wolf doesn't speak to your kind. Hell, he doesn't even speak to my kind and I'm an Elder," Elder Allen spat each word with disgust. Jonathan looked at her with disdain, obviously not liking the behavior of his boss.

"You're already blind as a bat and you still underestimate me, Minerva. The High Lord Wolf knows who I am. Just like you, I have taken something of his. If he wants it back, he will speak to me and give me what I ask. All I ask from you, you old fool, is invitations to the occasion. Now serve your master or I will take your forked tongue." Onyx never minces her words.

Of course, the crowd is only acknowledging that now.