Chapter 33|The Attack.

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**Isabelle's P O V

A week after Alexander and Arabella's engagement party a meeting was held by the council of leaders, Old Bea was included among the members in attendance. None but the leaders were literate to the topic discussed but from the looks I've been receiving from some pack members I had a feeling it was related to me.

I began to feel like a true outcast despite being included in the Pack's affairs for the past couple of weeks. When I went to the orphanage where I read to the kids as a volunteer I got shunned away none too gently by the headmistress claiming the gaps in their schedules were filled and they've gotten a permanent replacement for me. I only confided in Leah about it but she brushed my worries off stating out the possibility that I was letting my imaginations run wild, she suggested that I take it as a reason for a little vacation, also that I needed the reprieve.

I didn't agree with her suggestion though as I was neither in need of a vacation nor a break because most of my days spent in the pack weren't the least bit productive. Having something to keep me busy was what my mind was vying for.

That same day after the meeting was over, Old Bea walked me through the gardens at the back of the Manor that was said to be created by Alexander's grandmother and the De Luca Pack's Luna when his grandfather, the Late Stephano De Luca was still Alpha. The garden was in bloom and to say it was stunning would be an understatement. It was my safe and peace haven. I'd always felt a certain sense of belonging and content whenever I was there, I also use the beautiful place to gather my thoughts whenever I was feeling the littlest bit confused or overwhelmed.

"Not everyone might seem to be what they truly are, trust a few and know what you say to whom you speak." Old Bea began out of the blues, her eyes distant. I've come to realize that more than eighty percent of the words she speaks are wise words of wisdom that shouldn't ever be taken for granted or as a joke.

"The people of the De Luca Pack aren't wicked, they're strongly attached to each other like the twigs that make up a witch's broom. They stand in solidarity with one another and tend to avoid any problem that will lead to their cascade individually as powerful beings or from their position as the greatest Pack in the hierarchy of Werewolf Kingdoms as a whole, unlike so many other Packs, we do not live in past glory, our accomplishments today surpasses that of a hundred years ago in unity and in all kinds of success. Even though we live in the modern world our hearts still belongs to the past." She took my hand into her gnarled ones.

"Predicaments you've never known will be forced upon you my child, your chest will heave with worry and unease but you'll be able to conquer it all, fear not for you're one of a kind. I saw it in you the first time you came into our home with your hand attached to the Alpha's. Now is the best time to be at your bravest, conquer your fears and fight the devil of a battle with your enemies. They won't see it coming." Her words were spoken from somewhere deep within her chest, there was so much emotion in it.

All I could do was listen as she spoke in a daze. My thoughts were in a jumbled mess at how confident she was of my asserted bravery and courage while she's never witnessed me in a situation that beseeched for a show of courage.

"I can feel your thoughts disputing my views. Trust me when I tell you you're strong. Stronger than most wolves who have met their mates are, every woman is territorial and possessive when it comes to her soulmate and you amaze me by how strongly you tolerate the sight of Alexander with another woman. Another woman addressed as his woman."

"It's very hard," My voice shook at my admission making me feel a tad bit weak, "I cry myself to sleep every night."

That was a fact.

Alexander gave me a smartphone to use before our return to Staten Island where the Pack manor is located at from his condo in Manhattan. Eversince his engagement party was held, there wasn't a day that passed without us spending the night conversing over the phone. It wasn't the same as spending the night literally in each other's arms and that was what we both wanted. Scratch that, we need it, I needed it more than anything.

But then we make do with what we have.

That was the straw that was keeping me sane and I loathe the thought of that connection too loosening or heavens forbid, breaking.

Francis does his best to cheer me up whenever he mistakenly catches me sulking and Lucas was nowhere to be found. Not even his brother was made aware of his whereabouts but he was an adult who had the right to do as he pleased. Those were Francis' words, he tossed in the fact that Lucas never stays long in a particular place before moving to another because it bores him. I applauded him for that.

My new worry was his mother,  Lucia De Luca was a pain. After returning from her vacation she decided that I was the bad guy. She showered Arabella with gifts and the two became besties within the blink of an eye. Lucia is what you call a barbie girl because that woman doesn't look one bit like a woman who's birthed a child, talkless of a grown up like Lucas. With her platinum blonde hair and wardrobe choice she could easily pass as his sister.

She had a carefree attitude and a hell of a snobbish nose, the type that turns upwards when she sees something she doesn't like, or me.

So, I try my best to ensure that our paths are crossed the least bit possible unless when absolutely necessary or by chance. It never ends well when it does though.

The Alpha and the two closest in rank to him were all in different packs visiting for their routinely peace sustenance summits so the pack was literally under Adrianno Dimitri's governance as he was the fourth in command. I got this slip of information from Old Bea last night when we were taking tea.

Old Bea's lips parted with a sigh, "It's been a long day for you, I heard that you helped in the kitchen again." I knew the next words that were coming so I covered my hands over hers, my gesture assuring her that I was glad to be of help, it kept me busy but she brushed me away by speaking her mind. "It's not your jo.."

An eerie sharp scream tore through the air rendering Old Bea's words to a halt. A second scream resonated through the sudden silence and the woman's eyes widened in horror.

"Hurry, let's return to the manor." Old Bea whispered to me as shots began to ring in the air. "We don't have much time, come, there's a cottage that belongs to the old gardener." She urged, turning me towards the direction of the abandoned apartment within eye reach.

My heart was thundering hard in my chest as we made our way into the house and locked its doors. My hand slipped into my purse finding my phone, I dialled on Leah's contact and was met with no response. Worry made its way underm y skin as I breathed with my lips slightly parted.

"Stay back Isabelle. Don't leave until I come for you." Old Bea instructed, she was already making her way towards the door as she spoke.

I ran past her plastering my back to the door heaving from my short run. There was no way I was letting a helpless old woman out of my sight when we both were clueless as to whatever was happening behind the door.

"Trust me, no one will dare to hurt an old woman. Especially one like me. Move away and do as I say Ysabelle." Her voice turned strange as the pupils in her eyes enlarged until the white was barely visible.

My brain processed the odd way she referred to me as but I shoved it to the back of my head. Now wasn't the time for questions. That could come later.

As though in a daze I moved away from the door only to have her walking out and locking me from outside. I stared through the window as she calmly walked towards the path that led to the gardens before disappearing into thin air.

With a hand on my frenzied chest I lowered myself to the ground wondering what the hell was happening.

A terrorizing scream pierced through the air once again before shouts began to be heard. Shouts of commanding officers taking charge. Damon, the head of warriors and security wasn't around. So were the best men the Pack had.

A single shout cut my thoughts short and made all the blood in my veins freeze.

"Attack!!!"

That was all I heard before sounds of explosions began shaking the walls of my shelter. With trembling fingers I prayed for everyone's safety. Arabella included.