Hayden's POV

I stared at the orange church in front of us. We made it.

"Yes! Home, here I come!" Daniel yelled.

Aiden did a fist pump in the air and made a warrior cry face while Alex laughed beside him a bit.

This sudden feeling of relief entered me and I could finally crack a real smile.

"Hayden! Come on!"

Daniel sprinted out of the RV with a duffel bag dragging behind him. I grabbed Mia's car seat and followed behind the group of teens.

Jade grabbed my hand causing me to look down at her with adoration.

"We did it." She whispered softly.

I nodded and moved out of the way, letting her climb off the RV first. Then, it was my turn.

The cold Utah air hit me like a ton of bricks and goosebumps rose on the surface of my skin. Oh, how I missed the feeling.

I handed the car seat with Mia to Jade making my way to the large corridors of the church.

My hands fumbled for the keys in my pocket, which I surprisingly didn't lose. Once I grabbed a hold of them, in a swift second they were in the keyhole.

The lock clicked under my hand and I opened the door roughly.

"Okay, let's call your parents shall we? They must be worried sick...this trip was longer than expected." I spoke with a jitter.

I held the door open for everyone as they piled through with bags and belongings in their arms.

Blake was the last one before I could walk into the church's warmth. He turned around and held his hand out for me.

We shook hands with such confidence that I could feel his power.

"So. What now? The kids are going to finally go home, but what about you?" Blake asked.

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I want to go home but it doesn't feel right. The entire time we drove here, Diana was on my mind...and Alpha."

Blake looked around and walked up the three steps that lead to the fellowship area, where snacks and food are given out.

"You made the right choice leaving her, trust me. Just remember that you and those kids are able to come and visit any time you all want. The Woods Pack is open to all of you."

It made me happy when he said that. The Pack was a place of security for everybody and that's what made it special.

Blake was about to speak again until Daniel jogged towards us.

"Hayden, my parents are outside! I'm sure they would want to meet you." He said while catching his breath.

"Alright, I'll be right out,"

I looked at Blake and nodded at him. He gave me a smirk back.

"Want to come to meet them with me? I'm sure they would love to see the men who saved us all."

"Sure, I'll mind-link James right now."

I headed out of the doors once again with Blake, heading to the family.

Many parents waited for their kids outside in the freezing cold weather. They were already here? I didn't want to see Diana's parents, but they were also here. What would I tell them?

Would I have to lie to them? Or tell them the truth about everything? About the whole other world that lurks among ours?

"Hayden, oh Jesus you are all alright! What happened?" Daniel's mother screeched at me, giving me a loving hug.

I patted her back, laughing awkwardly.

"Well, you see...We sort of...were attacked by wolves. There were many in the area we were camping."

That got all the parents' attention. Great.

"Wolves?"

"Oh crap! Was anyone hurt?"

"Hayden, we need answers NOW!"

I raised both hands and waved them up and down in a calming motion.

"Hold on, I'll answer all your questions in a second! First I want you all to meet Blake, one of the men who saved us."

All eyes averted the chestnut-haired man next to me. Suddenly, he was bombarded with questions. He gave me a look of help.

"Okay! Why don't we head inside and discuss everything? It's quite cold out," I spoke loudly,

They began to quiet down and muttered words under their breaths. I understood that they were scared...I mean their children were gone for a few months!

The camping trip was meant to be a week-long! Plus, none of us had cell service to contact home. Even if we did, Alpha would have never let us give away the territory location.

I sighed and made my way back inside the old, creaking church...again.

Let the discussion begin.

Lena's POV

We were in the basement of the church, also known as the youth room.

Pipes ran along with the ceiling and the walls were white. I sat on the new wooden floor that we installed before the, well, trip.

James walked to the pool table that was on the left side of me. He smiled a bit while pushing the solid white ball into a hole.

"So, this is your hang out spot huh?"

I chuckled and winked at him.

"Yup. This is where the youth hangs out. It's our safe spot." I said.

The vegan leather couches made a horseshoe shape from across James and me.

I stand up and sit on the couch, moaning at the comfortable material. James sat next to me and grabbed my hand in his.

"Tell me, what was the best memory here?"

Best memory? Oh, there were so many to choose from!

Flashback

"Please, Lena! You HAVE to go! I mean you are seriously going to regret it if you don't!"

I rolled my eyes at her exaggeration walking past her. Was a mission trip really that fun?

"Oh yeah! Come on! Doesn't it sound fun to go out of state and help those who need us? Painting and building houses!" Diana squealed while jumping up and down,

"Girl, HELPING PEOPLE." she yelled out.

I winced at the horrible noise.

"FINE!"

Diana grinned widely and hugged me tightly.

End of Flashback

"If I didn't choose to go, I would have never been close to everyone here. That's probably why it's my favorite memory."

James hummed.

"Cute."

We enjoyed each other for a moment until it was ruined. Always, gosh darn it!

"Lena? Are you down here?"

Shoot!

I jumped up and off of the couch staring deeply into his eyes.

"Hi...Dad."

Dad was one of my best friends but telling him that his little girl found a man would break his heart.

James stood behind me, resting a hand on my back. I felt better knowing he was here but, how would I explain this to my dad?

Dad ignored James and held me in his arms, kissing the side of my head, not letting go of his strong grip.

Something wet trailed down my forehead and I realized it was his tears. Dad was crying.

James cleared his throat causing Dad to finally let me go. I hugged James's torso to prevent any jealousy to rise in him.

Dad wiped his eyes, sniffling loudly.

I started to speak shakily.

"Uh- M-meet James, my boyfriend."

I knew James was smirking proudly as I told another person that he was mine, or I was his.

"Pleasure to meet you," James answered.

Dad stared back and forth from both of us. He pointed his finger at James.

"When? Lena, you were gone for a long time and you come back with some boy?"

James tightened his grip, trying to hold himself from doing anything regretful.

"Not just some boy dad! James is the man I love and I hope you accept that because...he and I are moving together back at his place..."

Was that too sudden? I mean I just got back from the pack and met my dad not even a couple of minutes ago.

"Lena, no! You are to come home!"

James stood in front of me this time. I knew something wasn't going to end well.

"James, hey, don't worry. I'm not going anywhere,"

My arms were around him, but he stood stiffly anyway. I turned my head to the side a bit, looking back at Dad.

Maybe I can go home with my dad for a couple of nights. I really did miss him. I missed my mom and younger brother. This could also be an opportunity to pack all my stuff.

"I'll come with you, " Dad looked proud of his achievement. "If only James is coming with us."

His face faltered.

"Yes or No?" I ushered.

He sighed with defeat and nodded. I squealed a bit and wrapped my arms and legs around James.

My lips went to his ear,

"Don't fret about this, I'm just going to pack all my clothes and get ready at home, "

James purred a bit but held in place. He cleared his throat.

"Perfect! Why don't we take the RV back to your house?" James asked.

Dad immediately disagreed,

"No! The car will be faster, "

Well, okay then.

Hayden's POV

"...And that's how we lost Diana."

The parents all kept quiet, I watched as Mrs. Ried (Diana's Mother) wiped under both eyes with her finger.

"My little girl is dead?" Mrs. Ried whispered. Mr. Ried held her in his grasp, trying to calm her down.

"I didn't say that, " I tried to calm her down,

"Well then what do you mean?!? My daughter is out there and we don't know if she is alive at all! How could you just...leave her?"

She was right. How could I leave her there? Diana is alone with Alpha fighting for her life and ours. That should be me.

I should be the one doing that. How could I have been so selfish and just leave her there?

"You're right. I believe she is still alive and well. So, I am going to go back and find her. She will be alive."

"Wait, what?" Blake asked.

A deep sigh left my chest,

"We will leave in a couple of days. Tell Monica and James to prepare."

"Hayden, "

I turned my attention to the voice calling my name. Mrs. Ried gave me a slight nod, a saddened look rested on her face.

"Thank you."

There was no reason for her to thank me, I was the reason her daughter wasn't here in the first place.

"Don't thank me. It's my fault anyway..."

Blake pats my back speaking once more.

"Come on, let's go," Blake whispered.

I followed him away from all the hateful eyes of the parents. James and Lena walked by Blake and me, talking amongst themselves.

"You aren't going back there, it's too dangerous," Blake said sternly.

Monica and Jade walk in. Mia resting in her mother's arms.

Blake opened his arms for Monica as she rubbed her stomach in a circular motion.

"What's going on? Anything we can help with?" Jade asked while standing next to me.

"Your husband wants to go back," Blake told her.

Jade furrows her eyebrows and glares at me along with Monica.

"Are you crazy?!?"

"Why the hell-"

Blake covered Monica's mouthy before she could swear in the house is the Lord.

"Babe! We are in a church!"

I rolled my eyes and cross my arms over my chest.

"I'm going and that's final. Jade will stay here, you have to keep Mia safe."

Blake knew there was no way to stop me.

He sighed in defeat.

"Alright, here's the plan. You better listen real close or I'm not taking you back." He snapped.

"Wait you're actually doing this? Hayden, I don't think this is a good idea..."

"Jade is right, coming back with us is a death sentence all over again," Monica added.

"Monica, you are staying here with Jade. James and Lena will stay here and guard everyone-"

"What? No, I'm not staying here."

"Yes, you are! I can't have you or the baby get hurt!"

Jade and I stood in silence.

"Blake!" Monica screams.

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Jade whispered.

That was some news! Now she can't go. I don't want her to go through the same thing as Jade.

"I agree with Blake. You need to stay here. Keep your baby safe."

I turned back to Blake and gave him a quick nod.

"Let's go to the youth room, we will have a plan there."

Crap, we were really doing this...

AN: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I hope you all don't mind me switching back and forth from Diana and Luca, to the group. I want you all to read everything happening so we get a perspective of both sides! Anyway! I love you all!