SOULBOUND

WEREWOLF PACK POLITICS

When Ava got home, she thought of assuring Luca, that's the head of the pack about Drake's commitment, because she doesn't want to seem like a betrayal, when Luca later finds out about her collaboration with the vampire clan in the future. Her thought were still also reeling from the mysterious fighter intervention.

Later at midnight Drake gathered the Resistance leaders, including Ava to discuss their next move.

"We can't stay here," Rachel said. "The elders will regroup and attack again."

"I agree," Drake said. "We need to take the fight to them. But first we need allies

Ava spoke up. "I think i can secure Victor's support, but at what cost?"

Elijah's eyes narrowed. "We will discuss that later. As of now lets focus on the werewolf packs."

"The werewolf packs! What have they gotten to do with this and why do you want to drag my pack members into all this?" Ava questioned.

Rachel handed Drake a paper in form of a folder. "I've made contact with the werewolves pack alpha, Luca."

Drake's expression turned serious. "Luca's unpredictable. We need to tread carefully."

Ava's curiosity piqued. "Like i asked earlier, what does the werewolves has to do with this, and why contact Luca without my consent?"

Rachel explained, "The elders have been exploiting a lot of packs, including your own pack, using their power to maintain control.

Ava listened actively and came to the conclusion that even if she hadn't joined in the battle from the onset, all packs would still have to work together, so she only nodded her head.

The meeting concluded with a plan to meet Luca and negotiate an alliance, but that would require Ava, since she understands her pack leader best.

As Ava prepared for the meeting, she couldn't shake off the feeling that werewolf politics is deadlier than any elder. She knew how cunning and manipulative it might be.

Ava arrived at Luca's den, a sprawling compound on the outskirt of the town.

Luca, the alpha greets Ava with piercing yellow eyes.

"Welcome, Ava," Luca says, his voice low and commanding. "I see you seem to have made new friends, and they seem to be from the vampires, because their scent says it all. I just hope you aren't colliding with the enemies inorder to overthrow this pack."

Ava's hackle raised, she felt fear engulf her, but she tried her best to maintain composure.

"My Lord, it's not like that, and no one is overthrowing this pack. They only came to form an alliance with us the werewolves, inorder to defeat the evil elders," She explained.

Luca only gazed at her without uttering any statement. And this made Ava choose to assure Luca of Drake and the Resistance commitment.

"Drake and the Resistance have proven themselves to be great allies," Ava said. "They've helped me uncover the elders secret and take down their operatives. Drake in person has also saved Lucas from death during the last war we had with them."

Luca's expression remained skeptical. "And what's in it for the vampires? What drives Drake to aid our kind?"

Ava met Luca's gaze. "Drake understands that the elders downfall benefits all supernatural creatures. He's willing to work together to achieve that goal."

Luca nodded thoughtfully. "I'll consider your proposal. But first, i need assurance that Drake won't turn on us once the elders are defeated."

Drake stepped forward, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "I give you my word, Luca. Our alliance will endure until the elders are destroyed. After that... we will reassess our partnership."

Luca's gaze lingered on Drake before shifting back to Ava.

"I'll summon the pack leaders for an emergency gathering. If they agree, we will join forces with the Resistance."

Ava's heart swelled with hope. The packs' support could tip the scales in their favour.

As they left the den, Drake turned to Ava.

"Well done, you've helped secured a crucial alley."

Ava smiled. "It"s nothing. We still have a long way to go."

Suddenly, Drake's expression turned grave.

"Ava there's something i must tell you. A secret about your past, your connection with the elders and the secret to the soul bond between both of us."

Ava's instincts told her to refuse. She didn't want to hear Drake's secret, fearing it will shatter her fragile trust in him.

"I don't want to know," Ava said, her voice firm. "Whatever it is, it won't change anything, so just let it be."

Drake's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Ava, this is crucial information. It concerns you and I, your family, your past--"

Ava interrupted, her voice rising. "I said i don't want to know! you kept all of this all along, so why reveal it now?"

The tension between them was palpable. Drake's jaw clenched.

"Fine," he said. "But know this: the truth will come to life eventually. And when it does, you'll wish you'd listened."

The silence that followed was oppressive. Ava regretted her actions but couldn't shake off the feeling that Drake's secret would destroy everything.

As they parted ways, Ava received message from an unknown source.

"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

The message seems ominous.

Ava ignored the mysterious message, focusing on the pack gathering. But the encounter with Drake still weighed on her mind.

As she walked back to her den, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Drake's secret is crucial, especially the part where the mentioned the bond between both of them. She couldn't deny the fact that after what happened during their first encounter, she had being feeling sparks in her body, anytime she was closer to him, or they locked eyes with each other. But still she doesn't want him to make mention of any of them.

Just as she was still in thought, Rachel suddenly appeared beside her.

"Ava i've been digging into Drake's past, and he seems to have a lot of connections with you and the elders."

Ava's heart skipped a bit. Not again, she thought.

"What is it?" She asked.

"It's about--"

Ava interrupted, her protective instincts kicking in.

"Rachel, drop it," Ava said firmly. "I don't want to know. The pack gathering is tomorrow, and we need to prepare, so forget about it."

Rachel's expression turned serious. "Ava, what if Drake is hiding something critical? Something that could put us all in danger. What if he knows or has an idea of why both of you are connected by the soul bond." Or do you actually want to fall for him, and cause another conflict between us again."

Ava's resolve wavered, but she stood firm.

"I'll deal with Drake's secret later. Right now, our priority is securing the packs alliance."

Rachel nodded reluctantly. "Fine, but be careful Ava. Drake seems to want something else from you."

As Rachel disappeared, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that there are lots of mysteries to unveil, including the rare bond between she and Drake.

Later that night, Ava received an unexpected visit from Luca.

"Ava, i've received a disturbing news, Luca said, his voice grave. "One of our scouts reported a rouge werewolf lurking near the elders' stronghold."

Ava's instincts went on high alert.

"Description?" She asked.

"Matching your brother's profile," Luca replied.

Ava's heart sank, but still, her decision was instantaneous.

"I'll investigate now," She said, already moving towards the door.

Luca nodded. "Be cautious. If it's your brother, we don't know his current state of mind."

Ava's heart ached at the thought of her brother, Axel, lost to the elders manipulation.

She set out into the night, following the scout's directions to the elders stronghold. As she approached, Ava detected a familiar scent - Axel's.

Her emotions in turmoil, Ava crept closer, careful not to alert the elders guards.

Axel stood outside the stronghold, his eyes fixed on the building. Ava sensed his turmoil. His inner struggle.

"Axel?" Ava called out softly.

Axel spun around, his eyes locked unto hers. For a moment she saw her brother, not a brainwashed warrior.

Then his expression hardened.

"Ava, you shouldn't be here," Axel growled.

Ava's heart broke, but she knew she had to act. Axel's compromised state makes him a danger to himself and others.

With a heavy heart, Ava prepared to take down her brother. She shifted into her werewolf form, readying herself for the confrontation.

Axel snarled, transforming into his own werewolf form. The two clashed, their movement swift and deadly.

Ava fought to subdue Axel, avoiding lethal blows. She needed to break the elders hold on him.

As they battled, Ava senses Axel's internal struggle. His mind was torn between loyalty to their family and the elders' programming.

Just as Ava gained the upper hand, Axel's eyes flashed with recognition.

"Ava... sister?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Ava's heart swelled with hope.

"Axel, come back to me!" She pleaded.

Ava's gaze locked unto hers, and for an instance, Ava saw her brother, free from the elders control.

But the moment passed, and Axel's expression hardened again.

"No.... can't trust you," Axel growled, breaking free from Ava's grasp.

He fled into the night, leaving Ava feeling shattered.

Ava pursued Axel, tracking his scent through the forest. She refused to give up on her brother.

As she ran, the trees blurred around her. Ava's heart ached, remembering the fleeting moment of recognition in Axel's eyes.

Suddenly, Axel vanished. Ava lost his scent, leaving her disoriented and worried.

Breathless and defeated, Ava returned to Luca's den.

"I lost him," Ava admitted, her voice shaking.

Luca's expression turned grim. "We'll find him."