Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 20~Mexico City~

Aiden

    I threw another log into the fire, welcoming the warmth it provided. I listened to the sound of approaching footsteps. “You’re putting us at risk every time you sneak away to go see her.” I growled. Archer scoffed and growled back, “Maybe we wouldn’t need to hide if we just asked for help.” I shot up to face him, raging coursing through my veins. 

    “WE WILL NEVER ASK THOSE PEOPLE FOR HELP!” I screamed in his face. Archer pushed me back, his jaw ticked. “Those people have done nothing wrong. You’re the one that made them turn their backs on us.” he hissed. His words cut through me like a sharp blade, forcing me to take a step back. 

    “I did it to keep us safe.” my voice suddenly weak. “No. You did this for your own twisted sense of justice. Do you really think we don’t need their help? We are struggling to make it to the end of the week. How long are we supposed to last off of stolen goods and limited shelter?!” he yelled. “We’ll make it work.” was my lame reply.

    “Tell that to them!” he shouted, pointing to our crowded refugee camp. Over the past few weeks we’ve been helping the survivors of the rogue attacks. They were the victims the Elders and the Council left behind. Our numbers started off small but now our camp held over a hundred. We were poor and carried what little possessions we had left. 

     Archer and I never asked them to join us, it just happened this way. We tried to get assistance from other packs but they had refused us. Each one of them said that we were technically rogues and could pose a potential threat, leaving us out to fend for ourselves. We were all orphans with no pack or home. I was suddenly responsible for all of us. 

    Archer turned his back on me, “If you really wanted our people to have a better chance, you should’ve thrown away pride. The war Mama So warned us about is already here, Aiden. She told us that we were going to need our family to survive it. You squandered our chances for survival because of your hate. So don’t try to shame me because I want to spend the remainder of my days with my mate.”  

    Archer walked away, leaving me alone. I threw another log into the flames, holding back the urge to light the whole forest on fire. f**k! I stomped over to the camp and searched for Ethan. He was the first to join us after his pack was killed and I trusted him as a brother. “Why do you look like someone pissed in your water?” he smirked. 

     “What's the update?” I asked gruffly. Ethan chuckled and pulled out his phone, “The rogue attacks have stopped in the US for now. There are reports in South America, Canada and a few in Europe. The Council was faster to respond and dispatched help from their branches. We've got a request from a group of survivors in Mexico City.” he showed me the encrypted email.

     “How many are there?” I asked. “Fifteen, but they were able to gather a lot of supplies. Supplies that we desperately need.” Ethan said, reminding me of our lack of resources. Damn, a trip to Mexico was risky. “Where do they want to meet?” I wondered. Ethan shrugged, “Somewhere safe. They're camping at the Mexican headquarters but they are being released soon. Their supplies are secured a few miles away. All we need to do is meet them, get the supplies and come back.”

      “I'll leave now.” I said already walking to my tent to pack. “Just you?” Ethan frowned. I didn't want to tell him that Archer and I had another fight, just thinking about it pissed me off all over again. “Yeah, Archer will stay here. If anything happens just call me. I'm just a warp away.” I replied. Ethan acknowledged then let me pack in peace.

August

    Two days into the internal investigation and I was able to confirm the Founders’ suspicions of a leak. I rummaged through the piles of paperwork again, trying to make sense of everything. I groaned as I rubbed my face in irritation. The spy was smart and had everything documented. There were very little discrepancies; just enough to avoid raising the alarm. 

   The Founders wanted an update but I wasn’t sure if they were ready to hear what I found. I collected my evidence and went to the Founders’ Chambers. “Alpha Frost, we hope you are coming to us with good news.” Iosai bellowed. I cleared my throat, “Well, I’ve been able to confirm that there is someone hiding in the Council.” The founders shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. “Do you have proof?” Lucas asked.

   I handed them my report. “I started with the recent rogue attacks. Our forces were quick to respond, but there are some cases that don’t make sense. On several occasions, a team was sent out and prior to their arrival, the rogue forces would retreat. There were other occasions where our teams would be enroute to a battlefield, but were ambushed before they arrived at the main location.”

    “What does this mean?” Olivia asked. “It means the rogues already had knowledge of our movements and used it to their advantage.” Iosai grunted. I nodded my head, “Yes. I haven’t reported this officially because I wasn’t sure who I could trust at the time, but in reference to the mission my sister was recently sent on. She was supposed to meet with ten other members to protect the future queen of Atlari.” 

      Lucas nodded his head, “Yes, I am aware of it. I heard the team would be returning soon.” I scoffed, “What team? My sister was sent in alone without a proper briefing.” “That’s impossible; I signed off on the team’s paperwork!” Lucas shouted, his wrinkled cheeks shaking. “You did. However, the people who were supposed to go were either pulled away, or not notified in time. I made sure to interview everyone.” I said. The Founders grumbled in angry whispers. 

   “My sister also relayed that the designated location was compromised. There were thugs from the black market waiting for them. I verified this with both Hell’s Shield and Altari officials.” I announced. Olivia huffed as she fanned herself, “One of our own is threatening the royal family!” I let out a harsh chuckle, “This wasn’t the first time.” Oliva narrowed her eyes to glare at me, “What do you mean?” I grabbed another stack of papers and handed them out. 

   My voice was cold, “The siren Williams family.” The Founders gasped in confusion. “The documents state that a council member was the one who reported the family’s death. They were supposed to follow up at the Williams residence on April 20th. So why was the member at the residence three days early?” I asked. Lucas cleared his throat, “I-I’m not sure.”

   I continued, “I also reviewed the witness statements. As you can see,” I pointed to the paper, “the documents have been altered. The lines don't match up and in certain areas, the handwriting is different.” The Founders took their time reviewing the statements, mumbling loudly. “Even though the documents are altered, they all mention seeing the fugitive walk out of her home covered in blood and no injuries.”

   Iosai leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Get to the point Alpha Frost.” “How can a 17 year old take down over 40 expert assassins and not sustain a single wound? Then somehow, after that battle, she still managed to escape the eight Council members who tried to stop her?” I asked. “Eight? Why were there so many members present for a simple follow up?” Olivia's face was red and indignant. 

   Iosai’s weathered face paled in understanding. “We have royal blood on our hands!” Lucas shouted. “I don’t understand, who would do such a thing?!” Olivia demanded as she stood up, her old body shaking in the process. I stood taller, “I’ve narrowed it down to three suspects.” “WHO?!” They shouted in unison. I shook my head, “I can’t reveal until I know for sure; I don’t want to accuse anyone prematurely.”

    “When will you have an answer?! The traitor must be put to death immediately!” Iosai roared. I clenched my fists, “There’s one more thing that I need to check before my investigation is finished. I’ve searched the archives, but there is nothing here from 30 years ago. I believe that is when the traitor first appeared, but without the files I cannot prove it.” 

    The Founders shared a look and grumbled some more. “30 years ago, that was when the main headquarters was still in Mexico City. We left a majority of our records there since it was a hassle to move them. The campus is still active for the nation and the records will be available to you.” Lucas explained. “I’ll be off to Mexico City then. I will return in three days with the traitor's name.” I declared confidently. The Founders murmured their approval and dismissed me. It was time to bring the traitor to light.

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      I was given a warm welcome as I entered the archives in Mexico City. The campus was small and practically empty. I was surprised to hear that the members were busy with rogue attacks. This was further proof that the Council wasn't involved; someone else was pulling the strings and wreaking havoc worldwide.

      I was ushered into the main library and quickly got to work. All night I studied the files of the Wisteria m******e, my heart breaking with each new discovery. I flipped through the photos of the burned cottages, stores and library. My lunch threatened to make a reappearance as each photo became more detailed.  

    I put down the photo of my grandfather’s mangled body; it looked like it was straight out of a horror movie. The last picture was of my grandmother. Her attackers had brought her body to the front of the pack house where she was dismembered, her body put on display while her home burned down.

      The sound of approaching footsteps broke my concertation. I stood still, trying to hear over my thudding heart. “Why are you here?” I growled into the darkness. A cold chuckle filled the quiet space, “I was about to ask you the same thing. Why are you following me?” Aiden stepped out of the shadows. “Why would I waste my time following you?” I asked curiously.

       Aiden's face remained cold as he studied me, his gaze cautious. “Why are you here?” he demanded. “You have a lot of questions for a dead man.” I stated, putting down my paperwork. I walked away from the desk and rolled my shoulders. Aiden stepped away from the bookshelves with his fists up and ready. I raised my eyebrows, impressed that he wasn't backing down from a fight with an Alpha.

      Neither one of us waited for the other to make the first move; we sprinted towards each other with fast punches. Aiden was fast but his skills weren’t able to keep up with my hits. I blocked his hand from connecting with my ribs. I swung hard, knocking him down to the ground. He was able to block a majority of my punches, making me take a step back to get a better angle. He used that space to launch his body forward, knocking me down. 

      We rolled around, both of us trying to gain the upper hand. We knocked over several bookshelves, their contents flying down on us to add extra damage. Aiden had managed to get on top of me, his hands tight around my neck. I tried to buck him off but the lack of oxygen was making me dizzy. I jerked my hips and rolled us over, managing to push his ironclad hands away. 

     I climbed on top of him and let my furry control my punches. All I could think about was Summer's face when she collapsed. I could still hear her cries as she asked our mother why  she wasn't good enough for him. “Bastard!” I roared, delivering my last punch. I rolled off of him and tried to catch my breath. Aiden groaned, “Why didn't you kill me?”  “I-I don't wanna make Summer cry.” I gasped.

       Aiden rolled away from me and took a few staggering breaths, “Is... is she doing ok?” I shook my head. “No, you don't get to ask about her welfare when you're the one who caused her pain.” I growled. Aiden let out a heavy sigh as he clutched his ribs. He slowly moved over, groaning in pain. I stared at the floor, confused by what I was seeing. 

      “What are you looking at?” Aiden sounded annoyed. I reached out and ran a finger over the square outline on the floor. “A secret door?” Aiden asked, equally confused. “It must have been hidden underneath the bookshelf.” I said absently, my fingers catching the small hook. I lifted it up, coughing on the small cloud of dust that rushed up.

   “Why would there be a secret room in the archives?” Aiden asked, rolling his shoulder. I ignored his question and examined the steps that led down into the room. Aiden created a magic ball of light and pointed in the darkness. I raise my eyebrows at him. “Let's call a temporary truce.” he proposed. I nodded in agreement, groaning as I stood up. Aiden was the first to descend into the secret room.

     He walked around and found a well-used lantern and lit it. He handed it over to me then walked around the small space that was covered in books and papers. “These books don’t have any dust on them.” Aiden said, pointing to a pile. I walked over and went through the papers, “Its reports about the rogue attacks.” 

      I put the pages down and continued to search. I picked up a weathered journal with a large cursive L engraved on the spine. Aiden opened the cover and held the light closer. “It's a diary, my father's diary.” Aiden murmured softly. It was dated with a card stating that the Wisteria Pack would be expecting a new royal member. Aiden cleared his throat and began to read the entry.