Chapter 71

**AUSTIN**

Fuck me. That's exactly what I thought when I saw Aria in the hallway, coming out of Adam's office. We didn't wake Aria because Alex warned Adam that he had news about the neighboring pack's beta. Since we didn't know what it was, we didn't want to worry her for nothing. We were on our way back to our mate when we saw her in the corridor. 
My heart stopped when I saw her approach the baby. I thought she was going to break down, burst into tears or whatever, but not at all. She looked so beautiful with that baby in her arms. For a moment, it reminded me of what we'd lost, but also gave me hope that one day, that's what we'd have. I don't know if it's selfish, but somehow I'm glad we can keep her all to ourselves for a little while longer, especially if eternity awaits us.

Well, eternity may be a long time if all I do is screw things up all the time with my stupid jealousy. I don't even know why I'm doing this. I know she only cares about Adam and me, but the thought of her spending time with another guy drives me crazy.

The three of us enter the dining room and Aria goes straight to our usual table where everyone is already seated.

"Why are you always playing the dick?" Adam gives me as we hang out back. 

“What?! Okay, I admit it, but I can't help it. She didn't get dressed up like she usually does, so let me ask." 

“That she's taking the time to make herself pretty is rather good news. After everything that's happened.” He says to me, and he's right. Fuck, I'm such an idiot. 
I sit down next to Adam and Sasha joins us at the same time. 

"Hi guys are you okay?" He asks us before taking from our hands the toast Aria was about to put in her mouth.

“Hey! Are you going to do this to me every time or what?” Aria huffs and I want to rip the toast from his hands.

Cassius hands his little sister a slice of toast, which she accepts.

“I just saw Alex. He told me about the wire. Ouch.” He says as I kick him under the table. 

“What are you talking about?” Aria asks him puzzled. 

“Well you know Austin bugged the pack on your last visit and Alex overheard a conversation... fuck but you're going to stop hitting me.” 

He's starting to get on my nerves. He doesn't understand a thing. 

Aria looks briefly under the table. “Austin let him talk.”

“Not in here. We should all meet in my office to talk about it after breakfast.” Adam replies calmly.

Sasha is about to take a piece of bacon from Cassius's plate, but his grunt dissuades him.

**ARIA**

As I eat my breakfast, I notice that Austin is avoiding my gaze and he seems uncomfortable since Sasha mentioned Alex. It seems that my two mates know something I don't, and that's pissing me off.

I remain silent as I eat, trying to hide my annoyance as much as possible. They must have been in Alex's office before coming to meet me. I don't know what he told them or if they were going to tell me. 

I hate the fact that they could be hiding something from me. Haven't I already proved that I'm not a fragile girl? 

Once we've all finished, we all silently make our way to Alex's office. Everyone... except Cassius and Leila, who can't seem to keep from saying sweet nothings to each other. 
Adam holds the door for me as I enter Alex's office, and he turns around when he hears us. 

“There's more news.” He says to Adam, looking at me uncomfortably.

“Everyone here is concerned. You can tell us everything.”

Sasha, Leila, Cassius, Austin, Adam and I take our places around a round table in the room adjacent to Alexander's office. The latter looks at Adam as if asking permission to begin, when he nods he clears his throat.

“Okay then, during his visit to the Dawn Pack, Austin placed microphones in various locations. We hadn't managed to hear anything interesting until this morning.” He pauses, tapping away on his keyboard. “I overheard a conversation Justin... the Pack's beta had on the phone.” He looks at all of us before clicking on his keyboard.

*“So you have new recruits?” “Are you fucking kidding me?” “We need more people. Call me back when you've got something new.”*

“This is the recording I had Adam and Austin listen to this morning. We thought they were trying to recruit people to continue what Riley had started, but I have another recording.” Alex pauses. “He stopped talking a few minutes ago. it seems the first conversation was in the bathroom and the last in the office of the Alpha, who was absent.”

*“I don't have too much time to talk, he'll be joining me soon.” “Aria Scava already got pregnant once... we have to intervene before she has a child.” “Look... we both know what's at stake.” “I don't give a fuck. Her father's out of the picture.” “Austin didn't say anything...I don't think he knows anything about it.” “If she knew anything she would have told them.” “The council's instructions are simple. They are to be eliminated... the prophecy is not to be fulfilled under any circumstances.”* 

A heavy silence stretches out. 

“What the fuck?” Cass growls. 

“I don't know, but...” 

“He spoke of our father.” I cut Alex off, looking at Cassius. 

“What does he have to do with this?” He asks the question aloud without waiting for an answer.

Adam stands up and paces. “We need to find out what prophecy he's talking about. Aria and Austin try to talk with Rosalie, she might know something.” He pauses, turning to my brother and Leila. “You should go to your father's house. Try to find something in his things. There must be some answers in there. Alex, keep listening to everything. As for me, I'm going to brief Fares and the deltas, we need to redouble our vigilance.”