The War of The Autumn Equinox Chapter 83 The Coundown Begins: 3 Days Left (Evacuation)

(Amanda POV)

I look down at my gorgeous baby boy, Leo, who was sleeping in his baby carrier and I stifle a tear. When I was a baby girl, I was sent away to Alabama to live with my Nana, Goddess bless her heart, to spare me from the war. I have fond memories of my childhood which I feel terribly guilty of because while I was having tea parties in a tree house Nana had someone build for me, my parents were out there fighting a war. I knew it was just a matter of time until The Rogue Lord would make a comeback and instigate another war, I just wasn't expecting it would be now.

I look around my room to check if I had packed everything I needed and sit down on my bed and let out a sigh. I'm being sent back to my Nana's again, but with Baby Leo this time. I hung my head in shame. I was an Ulrich and I was suppose to help my pack on something as important as a war, but I have always been treated like a baby. Now, I'm a baby with a baby and nothing is more important than Leo right now.

I hear a knock on the door and I quickly wipe my tears. I never show my family any weakness fearing they would treat me even worse.

"Come in." Alexander walks in with an envelope in his hand.

"Big brother, I don't need money. I'm fine." I tell him, smiling.

"This isn't money, Amanda. These are important documents I need you to have. The numbers of my lawyers are in here just in case you need to give them a call. If anything were to happen to me, they'll find you anyway." He hands me the envelope and gives me a hug.

"Stop it, Alexander. If there is anyone who can win this war, it will be you. I'll just keep these docs for safekeeping." I place the envelope in my bag.

"You and Leo will inherit everything. I know Hope has you and Leo in her will, too. So, if anything were to happen to her, expect her lawyers to give you a call, too."

"Why can't I just go to Chelan with the Alarie's?" I try to bargain with him once again. Jim and Mirasol decided to move back to Chelan with their boys to be safe from the war. I tried to convince them to send me there as well because it was close to Dark Moon Territory, but my father did not agree with me. He preferred it this way. "You'll be happy in Alabama, Amanda. I promise." He said.

"Amanda, the Alarie's are actually thinking of going to Alabama to get away from the war and you want to be near it?" Alexander argued.

"They want to come to Alabama?" At least I will have more family with me even if it was across the country.

"Yes. They will give you a call when they finalize their plans. Amanda, we need you to stay safe. You and Leo. That will be the biggest help you can give us. Now, gather your things, baby sister. The helicopter will be here soon to transport you to the airport. Hope sends her love by the way." Hope accompanied her family to Chelan yesterday and helped the two new members of her family get situated. After the helicopter takes me to the airport, it will fly to Chelan to pick up Hope.

Alexander walks over to the baby carrier and gives Leo a kiss on the forehead before picking the baby carrier up."I'll bring Baby Leo with me and we'll meet you downstairs."

I walk toward the door after I had made sure I had everything I need. I turn around to take one good look at my room. I'll be back. I promise.

My mother was waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. She motioned me to give her hug and I went straight into her arms. "Amanda, sweetheart, I'll fly to Alabama as soon as I can."

"Mama, you aren't just saying that to make me feel better, are you?" I ask her.

"No baby. I need to finish the production of the healing elixir then I'll fly to Alabama to help you take care of Leo." She fixed my hair and kissed my cheek. I felt so much better my mother will be with me...eventually.

The flight to Alabama was a peaceful one. Mark was a good pilot and Leo slept the whole way. Alexander had a limousine already waiting for us in the hangar when we arrived.

Mark and Ava ride with us to make sure we arrive safely to my Nana's. The car suddenly stopped in front of a beautiful 2-storey house. I looked at Mark and Ava confused. "This isn't my Nana's house." I told them.

The door of the limousine opens and Lucian pops his head inside. "Hey guys! You finally made it."

I step out of the limousine, surprised to see my mate here in Alabama. He was holding a bouquet of roses and a teddy bear. He gives me the flowers and takes the baby carrier. "The teddy is for Leo." He smiles.

"Surprise, my love. Welcome to our new home." Lucian kisses me. My eyes started to water.

We're home.

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(The Butler POV)

3 days left until the Autumn Equinox and no word of her surrender. The Rogue Lord was growing impatient and was already on the brink of starting his offensive, however he was warned by The Great Shadow to wait until the Harvest Moon or all our efforts will fail.

A battalion of the Rogue Army was already sent to occupy areas near The Crescent Moon and The Dark Moon Territories headed by The Rogue Lord's new Gamma. They were to set camp there until the signal was given to attack.

I had spoken with the Beta after the death of the High Elder. Something was off. I could not quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, I shrugged it off. He is to be celebrated. He killed the High Elder after all.

"Any news of her surrender?" I asked.

"Nothing yet, Sire. I will give them time to grieve, after which I will ask her for her decision." He answers me in a monotone.

"The Rogue Lord is pleased with you. He'll be extremely pleased if you have the daughter of Adella surrender. She has human parents. You may kill them next." I tell him.

"So be it Sire." He answered and hung up.

That was 2 days ago. What is taking The Beta so long to update his status? Yes, he sometimes goes off the grid somewhere, but he usually gives an update.

My phone rings. Well,  speaking of the devil. It was the Beta.

"The Rogue Lord is demanding an update. Where are you and is there any word of her surrender?"

"I am here in Seattle following the new High Elder. And no, the daughter of Adella has not come to a decision yet."

"The NEW High Elder? Who is it?" I was stunned by the new development.

"According to my sources, a woman." He replies.

"I will share this information to The Rogue Lord. I will call you later to give you your instructions. Good day." I hang up and walk towards the great hall.

A new High Elder. This is something The Rogue Lord would want to know.

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(Alexander POV)

Water is a priceless commodity and when you have to supply potable water to thousands, it becomes a huge problem. After we received the information The Rogue Lord intends to poison us via the municipality's water source, I had all bodies of water tested even the ground water in my territory. I had water tanker trucks transport water from the neighboring states to the territory and bought a water filtration system said to remove most poisons for both territories with several water tanks to store the purified water. On the bright side, our territories no longer have to rely solely on the municipal's water utilities. We can now manage on our own.

I was supervising the installation of the water tanks when Alarick calls.

"Alexander, the werebears have scouted a battalion of rogues camped just outside your territories." He informs me.

"How many?"

"Yuri estimates a thousand strong wolves."

"You guys know what to do. Tell Yuri, the supply he wants for his comrades is on the way."

"Copy. By the way, I spoke with Malcolm. He needs a safe place to transfer the women and children of his pack. I'd offer, but we have limited space."

"He can send the women and children here since we're on the process of evacuation. Buses leave every hour until all have been safely transferred. I'll give him a call to tell him."

I give Malcolm a call and when he answers I can hear the strain in his voice.

"Alexander, my man, I was hoping you would call. My pack isn't too happy your mate hasn't surrendered yet. She needs to surrender for all our sakes."

"Malcolm, listen to me. Do you actually believe  The Rogue Lord will hold his end of the bargain?" I ask him.

"Man, The Rogue Lord only wants her. He doesn't want anybody else." He whines.

"Whether she surrenders or not, The Rogue Army will attack." I tell him, frustrated. "Send your women and children to my territory. I have buses leaving every hour to evacuate the vulnerable. They will be well provided for."

"Can the men come too? Malcolm asks.

"What do you mean?"

"My entire pack doesn't want to be included in the war. The men don't want to fight."

"I understand. You want to keep your options open. So be it." The werecoyotes playing both sides to see what is more advantageous for them. I disliked this trait in them, but they had to play it safe. "I can only take the women and children. There is limited space. You must hurry though. There are a thousand rogues just outside our territories."

"Thanks, Alexander. I'll send the women and children right away." He hangs up.

I had a strange feeling he was going to make a deal with the enemy. Well, I'll have Yuri deal with him if he tries to betray us. I look up and stare at the blue sky. I could see Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the sky closing the gap for the alignment of the planets.

3 more days and the battle shall begin.

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(Hope POV)

Evacuations were all under way. I had accompanied my family to the red farmhouse with white shutter where it all began for me. I stared at the pictures my mom has lovingly framed of the wonderful memories of my childhood. Now, my parents have added two more.

"Hope, I'm coming with you." My Dad told me when the helicopter arrived to pick me up. "The boys can protect your mother. I need to protect you."

"Dad, it will be more help for me knowing all of you are safe away from the fight. I need you here with Mom. Can you do that for me?"

"But your my daughter and I can't just stay here when you have to fight."

"Dad, you fought well for me, for us in the past. It's my turn to fight for all of us. It is my fate and I can't run from it nor hide from it. I need to face it. The Rogue Lord is going to kill as many wolves and humans as he can if I don't face him. It is in the prophecy." I told my father. I hugged him. I knew my Dad wanted to be part of the action. He still wanted justice for what they did to his family. "Dad, let me serve justice for you. I promise, I'll come back." I try to assure him.

"What if you don't Hope?" My Dad was trying to fight back the tears. I have always been his little girl.

"Then live your life for me Dad until we see each other again. Promise me?" I look into his eyes. I needed him to promise me.

"I promise." His voice cracks and he gives me a hug. I know he didn't want me to see him crying. He has never ever cried in front of me and I know he didn't want to start now.

"Take this." It was a silver fang of mine. It fell off when I bit George. "You'll have a little of me with you all the time. Bye Dad. I love you." I kiss him on his cheek.

"I love you too, Hope. May God bless you."

Before leaving Chelan, I  went to check on the evacuation of the women and children located deep in the forests near the Ulrich Resort and Hotel here in Chelan. There were several huge pack houses built like dormitories with beds and cabinets. One building was the cafeteria which was already serving meals. I had my lawyers make sure they would be given a monthly stipend to provide for them.

Now, I was on board the private plane of the new High Elder with my Priestesses bound for New York. The High Elder Amelie needed to show us something and it was something she never ever wanted to touch ever again. So instead of bringing whatever it was to us, we were being transported to it.

A limousine was waiting for us when we arrived in New York. We were driven to the headquarters of Amelie's perfume empire in Manhattan where her assistant was already waiting to usher us in to the elevator that would  bring us to Amelie's office.

I had disguised myself as a rich middle aged woman while Maria and Leia were my daughters. Maria and Leia kept snickering, impressed I could talk in a Southern accent. What can I say? Amanda was easy to mimic.

The elevator was hidden behind a wall which needed a security code before entering. Amelie's assistant rode with us so we could go through security without any trouble.

An tall man, muscular man with ebony skin greeted us when we walked through the glass doors. Maria practically fell in love. I admit, he was beautiful to look at. He was about Alexander's height with very broad shoulders. He had a chiseled face with piercing silver eyes. I waved my hand and presented my true self to him.

"Madame Hope Ulrich, what an honor to finally meet you. I am Jacques, Madame Amelie's son." Amelie has a son! Obviously, Amelie had many secrets. He took my hand and kissed it. He had a slight French accent and I could see Maria was already entranced by him.

"Pleasure to meet you, Jacques. These are my Priestesses, Maria and Leia." He took Maria's hand and kissed it and Maria give a girly giggle. They looked at each like time stood still. Leia and I looked at each clearly entertained. Who said you couldn't find love in the midst of a war?

"Jacques, what are you doing having High Priestess Hope stand there?" Amelie came rushing in to guide me to her office.

"I think they have found each other." I told Amelie and gave her a wink. Amelie mouthed, "Oooohhh," finally understanding what was happening.

"Ah, oui, love. However, we have business to discuss. Come. We must make haste. The first phase of the alignment is to commence in 15 minutes." Amelie takes my arm and guides me to a wall. After placing her palm on the pad of the security panel, the wall moved to show us another hidden door.

Jacques opened the door for us into a small room which appeared to be Amelie's vault. In the middle was a pillar with a glass case perched on top of it. In the middle, was a white crystal with swirls of yellow in it.

"Ma cherie, that white crystal you see, came with the black stone as well as the gems you see on your rings."