AURORA'S POV

I was strolling by the river bank, taking in the cool wind, it was peaceful but my heart was in turmoil. I had tried reaching out to Liam but came up blank. I couldn't even feel his wolf.

Knowing Maxwell's history of operating on him, he could be hurt. Not having his wolf could intensify the pain and he wouldn't even be able to heal, how would he be able to get out?

My fist clenched, the anger returning more intense than ever from Cora. Taking in a deep breath, I tried to calm down, I knew we needed to be level-headed for tonight. If all goes well I would have them playing by my tunes.

And we'll have them begging for their lives as well. Cora growled. I nodded in agreement

I had just gotten into the water when I got a link from Mark.

Aurora, I don't know how close you are but stay still Theo is here.

I frowned but replied. Copy

Getting out I asked Cora. What do we do now?

I think this is the perfect distraction we need.

What do you mean?

Get him to bring his friend over and keep them busy and we need a bow and an arrow, or anything that would do.

Why exactly do we need that and how are we gonna sneak in?

Trust me on this, I've got a plan. And let Mark know not to interrupt us later.

Trusting her I decided to link Mark

Mark, is he still there?

Yes, he is.

Good, keep him with you, get him to be loud or get Nathan to come over too.

Why, how will you sneak past them

Don't worry about that, just get him over and catch up or something, you need to forget that we're about to meet up. I need you to be clueless about my next plan

Fine then, link me if anything happens. Your mate will have my head if you get hurt under my watch.

I smiled at the thought. You've got it. And Mark, don't try to link me, you're gonna distract me if you do.

Mark has been informed so what's next?

Good, remember you told Kate about the cameras right?

I nodded

Perfect, tell her to click on the link and since doing that would disrupt the pack's signal, that means we can sneak in easily during the chaos.

Whoa Cora you're smart.

She rolled her eyes at me. I know that girl, you ain't got brain cells.

Hey, don't sass me now.

Tuning to Kate I reached out.

Hey Kate, I need a favour

Sure girl what's up?

Remember the app I showed you, that I use for my camouflage?

Yeah, the one with a long ass link that I still can't remember.

Yup, I'm gonna need you to click on it when I give you a signal.

You got it. Is that all?

Yes. Thanks, girl.

With the motion in place, I headed to the nearest mart to get a rope and any bow I could find. When I found a mini kid's bow, I tested it out and saw it was strong. Heading to the cashier, I pleaded and bargained with her before she agreed for me to drop my silver wristwatch which was way worth more and leave the store with the kid's bow and a rope.

I'm pretty sure the lady thought I was high on something. Especially if she saw the knives that were strapped to my body.

While walking back to my starting point, I picked up sticks till I found a good one, with my little knife I sharpened it till I got my desired shape. 

Tying the bow and my handmade arrow on my back, I strapped my knives in. Masking my scent, I got into the water and began my journey. It was a little difficult at first, considering I hadn't been training myself lately and the bow was disrupting my hand movements but I pulled through.

I finally got close to the point Mark was, swam a little close to the edge and waited for a little to calm my breath.

When I got my breathing under control I got out of the water, amidst the noise and discussion no one would hear me, so it was easy for me to crawl to the closest tree, my dark clothes blending with the huge tree's bark.

At intervals, I would hold my breath too slow my breathing when I sensed someone coming to caution them about their noise. And when the noise rose I slowly and quietly climbed the tree, moving to the top and balancing properly.

Ok Cora, what's the next plan?

Concentrate, balance our powers and paint them some frightening scenes and importantly involve Rex in it.

Why Rex?

We need either of the alpha's prints, right? Involving Rex will draw out the Alpha Stevens and we're taking his hand off.

I smiled. Let's get to work already.

I moved to a comfortable position on the tree and started balancing my power, it took a while to achieve because, within Cora, there was hidden rage because of her mate.

When I got it right and was settled I linked Kate.

Yo girl, you're on.

You got it.

Dave linked me. You sexy ass bitch, why didn't you give me something cool to do?.

I laughed. You'll get a super cool job when I get back.

Connecting to the pack link, I listened and shortly, the link got notified that someone hacked and messed the footage up.

Immediately I released images of Rex and a huge red wolf in battle. The link got active trying to know where he was

I quickly got into some minds and gave the images of them fighting and being gravely wounded. It was easy to get into their minds because everyone was already notified that the wolf was in the pack territory. Soon I was awarded with their creams and shouts and the confusion raged on.

Using the chaos I moved from tree to tree, it would be risky moving on the ground because I didn't get into all minds.

Cora suddenly growled out. We have to be quick with this.

I could feel her losing her grip on anger because her dark side was becoming overwhelming.

I reported to the pack link. Young Alpha Rex is fighting the wolf, we need backup here.

Shortly I sniffed out Alpha Stevens and headed towards him. He was distracted trying to ask through the link, what location the report came from so he could help his son.

Sitting directly above him on the tree, I took out my bow elongated my claws and smeared the arrow with a little venom, with a clear sight of his chest I released the arrow, and he screamed clutching the arrow to pull it out.

Before he could get his footing I was on him, with my knife, pining his hands to the tree, I chopped off his right hand with brute force.

He let out a loud growl at the pain, the venom already in his bloodstream intensifying the pain.

Cora pushed forward and growled. "Now listen you punny ass alpha I've got your best assassin with me. He had so much faith that his pack was strong. But taking your hand to him is going to show just how weak and useless your pack is.

What do you want, why are you after us?

Don't bother your pathetic brain about that. The next person I'm coming for is gonna be your Lunas, whichever one my coin decides.

With a headbutt and a punch to his gut, he was out.

I could sense more people coming so I took off throwing the passed-out Alpha on the ground and climbed back up.

I was barely balanced when some troops came in. Not a second later a wolf ran in looking around and sniffing the air, I recognised by the smell that it was Alpha Miguel.

I didn't bother holding my breath since everyone was out of breath. I just sat silently on the tree and realised another bout of images in their head.

The moment they got distracted, I was off, moving fast and diving head-first into the water I swam as fast as I could. When I was a little further I came up for air, withdrew the images and used my Alpha command on them

Silence. But it didn't sound like Cora's usual growling, it was much more intense and terrifying

Immediately the link got quiet and I continued my journey.

When I got out, I linked Mark

My work is done for now, also don't believe that lie, someone was hurt.

Hope you're safe.

Yes. I left a message with your alpha, ensure you goad Rex about it till he's frustrated, I need him to make a lousy move.

What was the message?

I smiled. That I have their best assassin with me and the next will be a Luna of my choice.

~~~~~~~~~~

When I got back to town, I got into the cave by the river where I kept a change of clothes and lay down.

Please you need to shift. Cora growled,  I'm barely containing myself.

Cora, you're pissed, you might cause a rampage.

Trust me, I just need to calm myself down a little. I'll be safe. I won't hurt anyone.

I understood perfectly. Cora's dark side was becoming more prominent. Her urge to kill was always tamed but with her mate taken and the quest for revenge, it was making it hard to control her urges.

Shifting and giving her control, I let her roam free cause she needed it.

When she was done, Cora and I were a lot more calm. I shifted and went back to the house.

The moment I stepped into the house, Dave was onto me "You left me alone with these rugrats, they ate all the chips Aurora, all of them"

I laughed holding two shopping bags filled with chips, "good thing I got some on my way back".

He stretched out took a bag from my hand, pulled out a pack of chips and dug in.

Kassandra pouted "Why did you get for just Dave?"

"Cause I'm awesome honey" he retorted.

We laughed at him, Dave was always one to make us smile and I would get him as many chips as he wants.

I dropped the backpack on the floor, "Dave when you're done I've got something cool for you to do and it's in here"

He hurriedly dropped the pack of chips, "I love me some cool jobs"

I pulled the bag from him, "as I said, eat first, okay"

He grumbled but ate, eying the bag.

Cora chuckled. If only the dude knows what we have in stock for him

I can't wait to see his reaction.

The minute he was done, Dave ran to wash his hands in the kitchen sink and came back, "ok I'm ready now"

I opened the backpack pulled out the waterproofed package and dropped it on the floor.

"Wait Dave don't..."

But it was too late, he had grabbed the bag and ripped it open, the moment his eyes fell on the object he ran back to the sink and emptied his guts.

Neil was with his mate calming him down, "that was unexpected"

Mary shook her head, "she tried warning you, man"

"Oh well it isn't my dad's" Kassandra grimaced

I shook my head, "Nah, I needed Stevens"

Kate picked up the pack, "Why his hand, thought you needed just his finger, maybe one or two".

I shrugged "Taking just some fingers would be suspicious, I don't want them to know we're aware of the tunnel".

Plus It was an opportunity to just hurt him. Cora added.

Dave came back looking pale, "next time you have something like this with you, don't let me near you"

We laughed, "Sorry buddy but I tried warning you."

"So how do we make use of his hand and who's gonna do it?"Mary asked

"We're going to get his prints on some gloves I got" Turning I pointed at Dave "And he's gonna do it"

Dave looked greatly alarmed, "who me? why should I do that?"

Kate laughed getting my point, "You're the one who wanted a super cool job to do right?"

Dave shook his head wildly, "Nope, nada, I ain't interested anymore, keep your jobs".

Neil pulled his mate closer laughing, "It's fine babe, I'll do it for you, that way you can brag it was you who did it"

He's such a big baby, Cora laughed

I know right.

Standing up from the floor, I gave Neil the pack, "You know what to do, sorry I'm making you use your uncle's hand"

He shrugged, "don't wanna sound like a bad person but he deserved it."

When I was on my bed that night, I went into my head laying on Cora.

It's been 12 hours. She spoke out

I know, 12 more and if he's not out they're gonna regret messing with our mate.

I just want him out of there, I don't care what it's gonna take.

And he's going to be out either he gets out himself or we do that.

Some parts of her fur were turning red. I knew that the fact she couldn't feel her mate was the cause. So I decided to take her mind off, petting her fur and reminiscing about our parents.

We fell asleep in anticipation of what the next 12 hours would bring. I hope Liam gets out himself, I don't think I could hold Cora back if we have to get him out.