Awakening Fate

Chapter 9: Disaster

Emmeline’s POV

              I cough trying to catch my breath, but my lungs burn. I can hear screams from those in the mall who have survived the explosion. I struggle to pull my eyelids open and look around. The air looks hazy due to all the dust and smoke. The floor around me is covered in chunks of concrete, broken glass, and water. I don’t see Lily anywhere.

I try to sit up but sharp pain radiates from my stomach. I move my hand to the spot hoping to stop the pain but hit something sharp. I raise my head slightly and spot a large shard of glass coming out of my stomach. I groan and try to look for someone for help. I hear footsteps amongst the rubble and look up to make eye contact with Matteo who is looking down at me concerned.

“s**t! Roy, she is over here.” He yells before crouching down next to me. “Emmeline, it’s going to be okay.” He rips a piece of his shirt and places it around the glass trying to stop the bleeding. I groan and try to move away but it hurts too much. I look down at where his hands are and notice that my entire shirt is now covered in dark red blood.

More footsteps approach us and I look up to see a large male leaning over looking at me. “Roy, he was awfully specific that she was to come back unharmed. The bombs were too close or something.” Matteo says still focusing on my wound.

“Move.” The larger male says leaning over Matteo he grabs me and hoists me up into his arms making me scream.

“Should we really be moving her?” Matteo shouts.

“Shut it. We just need to get her out of here, and then Dr. Adams can handle it from there.”

The larger male carries me quickly towards what is left of an exit. Matteo gets in and the larger male hands me to him. I start to feel cold and tired.

“The Alpha is not going to be happy about this.” Matteo says still applying pressure to my wound.

“Shouldn’t she be able to heal?” The other male asks from the front seat.

I shake my head and feel tears run down my cheeks as every breath I take hurts. “I turn seventeen in October.” I croak out before taking a shaky breath.

“Crap man, she is really young. She doesn’t even have her wolf yet. How could she possibly be our Alpha’s mate?” Matteo asks looking up towards the male in the front.

I stare at him wide eyed. There is no way I have a mate outside of our pack yet. You must meet each other in order to know your mates, and I haven’t met anyone outside of our pack. I try telling them that they are mistaken but instead of words I cough again, and this time I’m coughing up blood. My body shakes as fear sets in. I’m going to die because of this so-called mate.

The male in front speaks up. “Her age isn’t our concern; we just need to get her to our Alpha and he will figure it out from there.”

“Figure what out? I thought the witch said she was his mate!” Matteo yells out looking down at me with concern.

“She was directed to find what our Alpha needs, and that is a mate. So, I guess she isn’t wrong. The Alpha and I know what we are doing.”

I groan a little as my eyes continue to get heavier. “Emmeline, you need to stay awake.” Matteo instructs me tapping my cheek softly. However, all I can do is groan. I feel my body become heavy and I embrace the darkness that greets me.

Clark’s POV

              The day passed by achingly slow. Matt and his father joined my father and I for the many meetings that were crammed into the morning. The worst meeting was with the Head Elders, who oversee the elders placed within each pack. Our pack hosts the living quarters as well as all the functions of the Head Elders. This makes my father the Head Alpha for all the nation, which also means extra responsibilities.

              The Head Elders is a group of 12 old wolves from across the country who meet and develop the rules and laws for the packs within the United States. My father represents the other Alphas and presents concerns when they arise. He also is the one who determines the final decision when there is a tie. Today the Elders discussed my training with my father, and the importance of having an Elder from the group also educate me on what they do in their little corner within our lands. Of course, my father obliged their demand, which made me groan. Sitting with them is the one thing I hate more than anything. Of course, it got a little better when one of the elders piped in and suggested my future Beta attend as well. Matt looked just as pleased as I was to spend time with these old farts.

              The rest of the meetings focused on the pack officially transitioning towards the summer season. Discussing crops and tasks that could be done at this time that would not be able to be handled in the winter months. It also focused on scheduling warrior training which got me excited. At the end of the all the meetings my father’s gamma expressed needing help preparing for the training tomorrow. Matt and I quickly offered our assistance.

              After sparring for about an hour we decided the focus for the first day of new warrior training. Matt and I are now sprawled out in the courtyard staring up at the sky talking about training over the summer.

              “I can’t wait to get my hands dirty and actually do something of worth.” Matt says breathing heavily laying parallel to me.

              “Yeah, dad has been talking about this for the last few years. I’m ready to lead.”

              “Your not nervous?”

              I look over at Matt and raise an eyebrow. “Why would I be?

              Matt shrugs and looks at me. “Because it’s a lot of responsibility.”

              I nod slowly understanding his concerns. “The pressure of my future role has always been there. It has been there since birth, not only the expectations from my family, but also from the pack as well. It’s nothing new.”

              “Sorry man, that has to be rough.” Matt says looking over at me and all I can do is nod.

              We sit in silence watching the clouds roam over the courtyard until the chime of Matt’s phone redirects our attention. I catch him glancing at his phone quickly, but instead of replying he sighs and lays down throwing his arm over his face. I recall him checking his phone secretly through out the meetings, but not actually responding.

              “Girl issues?” I ask giving him a small smirk.

              “Yes. Two girls specifically.”

              “You’re seeing more then one female?” I ask raising my head a little shocked.

              “What no. The other female is my sister.”

              “What’s wrong?” I ask starting to get anxious about his little sister.

              “Well Kenzie keeps texting me wanting to discuss our relationship and boundaries we need to place with others. Whatever the hell that means.” He says shaking his head side to side almost in disbelief. “Really man, I didn’t know she would be so much work.”

              I can’t help but chuckle at his statement. “You should have known by how her friend acts.” I state laughing at his disbelief. “What’s wrong with your sister?”

              “That’s just it. I don’t know! Emmy has always been so loving, kind, and open. However, lately she has been pushing me away.” He says sitting up and rubbing his temples trying to get rid of the stress.

              “How has she been doing that?” I ask, wondering myself what could be going on since the girl I met was nothing but kind.

              “It’s hard to explain.” He groans running his hands through his hair. “The other day for example. She was having a nightmare. I woke up to hear her screaming and when I entered her room she was thrashing her arms around wildly. After I woke her up and tried to comfort her she told me to leave. He exact words after that were ‘I don’t need you anymore.’” Matt looked at me and there was so much emotion in his eyes. “It hurt to hear her say that.”

              “I doubt she meant that.”

              “Well, it sure sounded like she did.”

              “Were you alone when she said that?

“No, Kenzie had come to check on me after a few minutes.” He stated looking at me funny.

 I groan and pull myself into a sitting position. “It’s not you then.” I turn to see my friend looking

at me as if I had lost my mine.

              “Uh, did you hear me? She said ‘I don’t need you anymore.’” Matt states seriously.

              “Yes, but there is something you don’t know.” I say turning to face him fully. Matt looks like he is about to lose his temper as he stares at me.

              I hold my hands up and take a deep breath. “I just found out about this, and I planned to talk to all those involved. I just wanted to tell you first, and now seem the best time. Did you know that Emmeline is being bullied?”

              Matt’s face turns from angry to shocked. His mouth gapes open at his best friend as he slowly shakes his head to tell me “no.”

              I take another deep breath. “Apparently this has been going on for years. From taunts to physically being harms, your sister has been taking it all without complaining. The only reason I found out is I saw the bruises on her arms and asked Lily about it.” I state and then wait for Matt’s reaction.

              When I look up I see that my friend is no longer looking at me but down at the grass with his fists clenched. I could see that my best friend was unaware of his sister’s abuse by her own peers, and that it was eating him up inside. Matt had always been one of their friends, so he was use to being popular and well liked by other pack members. He never considered his sister had enemies within the pack.

              I sat there unsure on whether I should say something when Matt takes a deep breath. “Who was it?” His voice almost a loud whisper.

              “I need you to remain calm.”

              “Who Clark?” He yells at me. He is breathing heavily as he tries to reign in his temper.

              “Kenzie and some of her friends.” I state slowly. I watch as realization hits him that his own girlfriend has been tormenting his little sister under his nose. He growls out and rips grass from the ground as he pulls himself into a standing position.

              “Why didn’t she tell me? Why did others know, and I didn’t?” He growls out pacing in front of me.

              “From what I was told she didn’t want to hurt you or get anyone else involved. She pleaded with others to stay silent.” I say giving him a sympathetic look. I would be just as angry if it was my sister being treated this way.

              “I’m not going to let this go easily.” He states stopping in front of me.

              I nod and step towards him placing a hand on his shoulder. “We won’t let them get away with this. We just need to talk with your sister.”

              Matt nods and looks down trying to ease his anger. “I need to cool off first. I don’t want to go off on her about this.”

              I nod in understanding. “Let’s go get something to eat or drink, and then once the girls get back, we can confront this.”

              As we make our way towards the commons area alongside the packhouse a sudden chill fills the air. Alarm sirens start to sound and the pack members outside started to run towards the back of the packhouse. That is where the safehouse is. I feel myself stiffen as I witness the elderly, mothers, juveniles, and young children start to make their way quickly into the small house that leads to a large underground bunker.

              I spot my father and Beta Marcus making their way across the courtyard as warriors head into the forest. The seriousness in their expressions tell me that something bad has happened. Beta Marcus looked at his son with worry etched across his face before going into the woods with the rest of the warriors. Only a few more weeks until we join our warriors in battle. A few more years and then I would be leading the battles.

              “Clark, you and Matt need to join the rest in the safe house until we return. Right now!” He states before dashing off after the rest.

              Matt and I walk in silence into the safe house. This was not something new to us, and we typically helped ease the minds of our siblings and other pack members whenever those sirens sounded. Walking inside the bunker located within the safe house the air is filled with tension. Pack members are huddled in small groups trying to console each other. I look around and spot my brother on one side of the bunker pacing back and forth anxiously.

              “I’m happy to see you.” He states as he hugs me and claps me on the back.

              “Any word on what is happening?” Matt asks greeting my little brother with a small smack on the back.

              Lewis looks between Matt and I nervously as he slowly nods. “Members are saying that the mall was attacked.” He mutters looking at both of us assessing our reactions.

              Immediately I understand his hesitation and need to assess our reactions. Both of our households had family at the mall today. I’m at a loss for words. My heart starts to race as I consider the safety of my mother, sister, and Emmeline.

              “They will be okay.” Matt says from behind me. I turn to see that my best friend was talking to himself, trying to calm himself.

              “They were sent with a number of warriors. So, most likely that is true.” Lewis says nodding his head.

              “Matt! Matt!” A voice calls from the crowd. We all turn and spot a distraught Kenzie making her way towards us, pulling a sullen Hayden with her.

              Matt stiffens and looks at me panicked. I shake my head at home hoping he knows that now is not the time to confront Kenzie about the accusations made against her. The girls make their way over and I watch Kenzie throw her arms around Matt with tears gliding down her face. I hold my breath watching Matt’s reaction. In such a slow movement he hugs her back briefly before sliding away from her. Hayden stares at me with large eyes. I nod at her acknowledging her existence, but it just causes her to sniffle more.

              “Can you believe this happened? Some of our friends work there.” Kenzie says looking around our small group.

More friends have joined our small group. I spot Kenzie looking around the group as she stands close to Matt with her chin held high. She slightly nods to someone within the group. Ever so slightly, I feel hands on my upper arms. I look down to Hayden basically hugging my arms. I groan but hold myself back from ripping my arm from her grasp.

“It’s just so sad. I hope everyone is okay.” Hayden says softly.

“When will we know about our friends Matt?” Kenzie asks, while looking up at him batting her long fake eyelashes. Matt growls lowly and gives her a stern look asking her not to push it.

“What is wrong with you?” She asks harshly stepping back to look at him more closely.

Lewis clears his throat and looks at Kenzie. “Our mother, sister and his sister were at the mall today.”

The entire group gets quiet as they glance around at our expressions. I feel Hayden give my arm a slight squeeze. It’s like she is trying to comfort me, but honestly, I feel no comfort.

“Well, I pray to the moon goddess that our Luna and her daughter remain safe.” Kenzie says while failing miserably to ease the tension in the air.

Matt looks at Kenzie with so much hate as he moves away from her. He is breathing heavily as he stares at her, looking as if he is having an internal battle on whether he will kill her right here and now. Kenzie stares back at him appalled by his demeanor towards her. Before she can say anything to fully set him off I step between them.

“You need to leave now.” I state glaring at her. I speak with authority making sure she knows I’m serious. Only one more week and I will have my wolf, then my Alpha aura will kick in making others submit to my demands.

Hayden places her hands over her mouth trying to muffle her shock. She steps forward hesitantly and looks at me and Matt. “Come on Kenzie. Now is not the time for this.” She grabs her friend by the elbow and pulls her towards the other side of the bunker.

“She didn’t even notice that my sister was also in danger.” Matt growls lowly with his hands still clenched.

Lewis huffs out a chuckle making Matt turn his icy gaze towards him. “Sorry, it’s just she knows she is out there. She just doesn’t care.” Lewis mutters, not even realizing how much Matt already knows about this situation.

“Did you know?” Matt grits out through clenched teeth staring at my brother.

“Almost everyone knew.” Lewis states glaring back at Matt and me. “A lot of people knew.”

Matt opens his mouth wanting to ask the others standing around the group, but the doors of the bunker opening break his opportunity.  Warriors come filing in finding their loved ones. I watch as one warrior makes his way towards us.

He points at Matt, Lewis, and me. “You three need to go to the pack hospital now.”

My heart clenches as I know this means someone I love has been hurt. I hear Matt and Lewis suck in deep breathes the realization dawns on them. We quickly make our way to the pack hospital where we are ushered to a private sector.

              I spot my father pacing back and forth at the end of the hallway. My mother sits beside him in a wheelchair. Dirt and bruises cover her arms and face. She has some deep cuts on her arms, but it appears they are already healing.

              “My babies.” She cries and tries to stand as my brother and I approach. Father puts his hand on her shoulder pushing her back down to sit in the wheelchair. Lewis and I quickly hug her so that she continues to remain sitting. She sobs as she continues to hold us.

              “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep them safe.” She cries making my brother and I pull back from her grasp.

              Our father rubs her back trying to console her, but even he looks distraught. “No one could have prepared for this kind of attack. We are already working on solutions.” He states looking down at my mother lovingly as she continues to sob.

              I hear Lewis suck in a quivering breath from beside me. I turn to see Lily laying on a hospital bed with the top of her head wrapped in bandages. She lays motionless hooked up to machines.

              “She has a concussion, but other than that she should be fine.” Father says following our gazes. Mother continues to sob and shakes her head in a defeated manner.

              I look for Matt and see him slumped on the floor with his head in his hands. Unshed tears in his eyes as he looks towards me. I spot Beta Marcus holding his mate in his arms. His mate is sobbing uncontrollably as she clings to his shirt. A lump fills my throat making it hard to swallow.

              “Dad what happened?” I ask in a low voice, tilting my head in the direction of the Beta and his family. My mother whimpers and starts to sob harder.

              My father hangs his head for a minute. When he finally looks up at us his eyes swim with raw emotion and his voice is almost a whisper. “Emmeline is missing.”