Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 22~Mole~

Autumn 

     I held onto Summer’s hand tightly, Goddess I missed her. It felt like ages since I had last seen her. We had talked everyday while she was at Black Pines, but it wasn’t the same. “Are you really that excited to see me?” she joked. I yanked her closer, “Of course I am.” Summer giggled, her smile softening her face. We only had a few minutes of peace before Ziva and Penelope burst in. 

    “Summer!” they squealed, jumping on top of us. Summer’s laugh was whimsical and loud. I knew she was still recovering from Aiden’s rejection, but she looked happier. Penelope suddenly broke down in tears, “S-Summer, I’m so sorry my daddy tortured you!” “It wasn't a big deal Penny. The torture wasn’t even that bad.” Summer giggled. Penelope cried harder, promising that her family would be different the next time she met them. 

    “So, why are you back so soon?” Ziva asked after Penelope calmed down. Summer’s face turned serious, “I got a weird text from August. After days of telling me to stay away, he was suddenly telling me to come home. He told me to come back quickly and to stay in the dorms until the Founders called me.” 

     I frowned, this sounded serious. Was Auggie on some sort of mission for the Founders? How was this related to Summer? Summer quickly changed the subject by telling us about her time at Hell’s Shield. She tried to keep us entertained but she kept checking her phone every few minutes. Her behavior and Auggie’s strange text had left me anxious. 

     When someone knocked on the door, I let out a breathless yelp. The girls’ laughter went silent, the atmosphere suddenly tense. I slowly opened the door, relieved to see Hudson on the other side. I gave him a bright smile, “Hey Hudson, what’s up?” “Hey. I was in the main office and I saw August. He looked worn out and tired. I offered to help him carry in some boxes that he was unloading by then he snapped at me. It was really weird.” he frowned. 

      “Anyway, the Founders are looking for you.” he gestured to Summer. She stood up slowly, her face pale. “They want you too.” Hudson said. I licked my dry lips, “Me?” Hudson nodded. “Why do they want me?” I wondered. Hudson shrugged, “I don’t know but they seemed anxious.” “Thanks Hudson, we’ll go now.” Summer said from behind me. Hudson smiled and went on his way.  

    “We’ll be right back.” Summer told the girls. “Why do you look so nervous?” Penelope asked. I shook my head, “We aren’t. We’ll be back soon.” Ziva chuckled nervously as she waved us off. “What’s going on sis?” my voice wavered. Summer shook her head, “I don’t know. I think this might be about my mission.” I bit my lip, wondering what her mission had to do with me. 

     We held hands while we marched up the stairs and entered the Founders Chambers. The three ancients nodded at our entrance, motioning for us to sit down. Our mentors, Vincent and Thaddeus were also present and sat across from us. Their faces were grim as they nodded in our direction.  

    Founder Olivia broke the silence first, “Thank you for joining us ladies. We have called you here to talk about your recent mission.” Summer tensed up, her hold on my hand tightened. “Ms. Frost, can you please describe in detail what your mission with the Atlari kingdom and Hell’s Shield entailed.” Lucas instructed. 

    “Yes, sir. My mission was to assist my teammates and guard the Atlari Royal family during their shedding season.” Summer answered clearly. Lucas nodded,” How many team members assisted you?” “None.” Summer stated. “Why was a rookie agent sent alone on such a high priority mission?” Iosai demanded.  

   Thaddeus cleared his throat and stepped forward. “The other team members were pulled away to assist with other missions. I submitted their paperwork as well as a cancellation request two days in advance.” he said. The Founders murmured amongst themselves. “Why wasn’t I notified of the cancellation order?” Summer’s voice was cold steel.  

    “We sent the envelope to your room. The clerk verified its delivery the night you were supposed to check in.” Vincent replied. “Why wasn’t I properly briefed? The two of you are my mentors, but you both sent me in blind.” Summer questioned them. “We gave you all of the information that we had at the time. A full briefing was supposed to happen when the team met up since the mission had confidential information.” Thaddeus explained. 

   Summer scoffed; her caramel skin was turning pink. “The confidential information was leaked. Do you have an explanation for that?” she growled. Thaddeus shifted uncomfortably, “I wasn’t aware of that.” Vincent stared open-mouthed, “How is this possible?!” he demanded. “A mole made it possible.” August’s voice boomed. 

    We turned to watch him stalk over to us. Hudson was right; August looked terrible. His clothes were covered in wrinkles and dirt. His beard was wild and unkempt, while his eyes were bloodshot. Vincent tilted his head, “Amole? Are you suggesting that the rumors are true?” Summer and I shared a shocked expression. Holy s**t! Was this August’s mission?! 

   “Yes, the rumor is true.” August confidently stated. Thaddeus scoffed, “Do you have proof?” August put down the large duffle back he was carrying and pulled out some books. “Of course, I do.” he said, handing the books over to the founders. “These journals and books are documented proof of the traitor’s deeds and their motives are clearly stated.” August explained. 

    “August, what the hell is happening?” Summer asked. “Here is the proof that someone was relaying information about the Council’s reinforcements during the rogue attacks.” August threw down a book, “This is the proof that Summer Frost was sent on a suicide mission for the Atlari kingdom.” He threw down another book, “These are from the Williams family slaughter, proving that the youngest Williams daughter was with a council member during the time her family was slaughtered.” August said, handing Summer a new stack of paperwork. 

   Thaddeus sat down slowly, sweat pooling on his forehead. Vincent stared with shocked eyes, his hand covering his open mouth. “This is documentation of a council member conspiring with the criminal Queen Kyra Virmys of Nysthgroth. The traitor not only set up the arrangement to have King Faedan sold into slavery, but also killed Princess Phoebe Virmys in a blood sacrifice.” August stated. 

   I gasped, trying to keep my balance. What the hell was happening? “This mole has plagued the Council for decades and has committed countless crimes. This council member has done something so unforgivable, that it makes me sick to my stomach. They were the cause behind the m******e of the royal family and the direct descendants of the first wolf pack. You are responsible for the loss of our people and our home!” August shouted, pointing a finger at Thaddeus. 

  Thaddeus stood up and took a staggering step forward, his eyes wild. “Y-You would accuse me of such crimes?” he stammered. “No, I’m accusing him.” August said his finger still pointed. A sinister laugh filled the chamber. Vincent removed his hand and threw his head back, letting his laughter run free. “Ahh, Alpha Frost, you’ve surprised me! Who knew you were such a great detective?” Vincent chuckled. 

     Thaddeus turned to his partner with horror-stricken eyes, “You’re the mole?”  Vincent sighed, standing up to face his friend. “I am. Alpha Frost has done an amazing job, but he failed to tell everyone why.” he said with sorrowful eyes. “Because you are a minion of the Fallen, Lord Merdok.” August declared, taking small steps towards Vincent.  

    My hands were tingling from adrenaline, did I hear that right? The Fallen was behind everything? Summer tensed up and linked me, He’s gonna run. Vincent remained calm as he confirmed August's allegations. “Yes, he is bringing in a new world order and I am at the head.” His voice was venomous. “You are a traitor to the council and to the people of Midhaven!” Iosai  shouted. We were silently closing the distance between us.  

      August clenched his jaw, “You will pay for all of the lives you've ended.” Vincent cackled wildly, “For each life I took, my master rewarded me. I fear no one but him.” Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Vincent suddenly kicked up his desk and launched it at August and the founders. The desk smashed into him, making August knock over the founders.  

       Summer ran at Vincent, trying to grab his arms to put him in custody. Vincent dodged Summer’s hands, pushing them away. She started to throw punches, none of them landing. “Colton has trained you well, but I was the one who trained him.” Vincent sneered as he grabbed her arms and flung her across the room.  

      Vincent ran towards the exit but I was closer. I ran in front of the door and got into my battle stance. Vincent grinned as he raised his hand, motioning for me to come at him. I lunged at him, keeping my body low. Vincent and I exchanged blows, mine never connecting. He feigned a hit to my face and jabbed out at my stomach. The force of the hit sent me careening backwards, my body breaking the door I was meant to protect.  

         Vincent leaped over me as I struggled to regain my footing. I watched his retreating form run down the hall. Thaddeus warped to block his path. “Turn yourself in!” he roared. Vincent skidded to a halt to laugh in his face. “But that would be foolish. Laverna!” Vincent yelled. The hallway darkened; a cold rush of air blew my hair back. A dark hooded figure appeared; their presence was suffocating.  

     Vincent grabbed her hand and glared at us. “I'll see you on the battlefield.” he said before they warped away. Summer and August watched the scene from the doorway. I got up on my feet, “Come on, let's track them down.” I started to run down the hall, but August pulled me back. He shook his head, “We can't, she’s using ancient magic.” “We can't just let them get away.” Summer growled.  

     August ignored her and made his way back inside the room. The founders were talking amongst themselves, already making plans for hunting Vincent down. “Founders, I have one more thing that I’d like to come to light.” August bellowed. The three raisins turned their attention to him. “You have done an excellent job, Alpha Frost. What more do you have to share?” Olivia asked.  

    August grabbed Summer’s hand, earning a confused look from her. “It would be easier to show you.” he said quietly. “Very well.” Lucas said, standing up to follow August. He led us down to the training gym and pushed the doors open. He let go of Summer's hand and pushed her inside.   

       “The reason I was late coming to the meeting was to make sure they were safe. Vincent had them hidden away all of this time to use as leverage.” August said. I frowned, not fully understanding. I followed Summer inside and stopped in my tracks. Summer fell down to her knees, clutching her head.  

    Her wolf broke through and let out a thunderous howl. A group of 50 people or so with a single wisteria flower marking on different parts of their bodies, stared back at us. “Alpha.” one of them murmured. The group dropped down in unison, placing their fists over their heart. Summer howled again, tears rolling down her face. I sunk down to the floor; my body suddenly weak. Survivors.