The Order

Chapter 14

Aurora's POV

My entire body trembles with a restless, frenetic energy. I can’t seem to settle. Even now, with everyone here, finally here, all I can think of is the battle we just barely escaped and the question that echoes relentlessly in my mind: How did they find us? We were careful; we told no one. Yet somehow, they knew.

Azura growls inside me, echoing my own unease. She paces in my mind, fuming and tense, her claws digging restlessly into the earth. The shift—our first—should have been thrilling, but all I feel is anger. Azura and I both know the truth: this war has stolen so much from us. We couldn’t even savor the joy of our first shift or the reunion with our family. Every moment, even the ones I should cherish, are tainted by this conflict.

Suddenly, a gentle voice interrupts my chaotic thoughts. Aurora? Annalise’s voice hums softly in my mind, attempting to soothe.

Azura’s low growl cuts off my sister’s calming energy, and I feel her growl ripple from my throat. No.

Annoyance flares, but Annalise holds her ground, her gaze soft but firm as her eyes shift to the most vivid shade of blue, signaling Nova’s presence. “Azura,” Nova’s voice fills our link, calm but authoritative, “I know this is your first time out, and you’ve both been through so much. But now you need to calm down. Look around, sister. We’re home. We’re safe.”

The words sink in, and though Azura is hesitant, I begin to take in my surroundings. It’s the dining room—our dining room—perfectly preserved as if waiting for our return. The warm light flickers across my family’s faces, and I see my mates—each watching, concern etched in their expressions.

Azura, let Aurora come forward. You both need balance, Annalise continues, her voice reaching through the bond. But Azura’s anger is fierce, and she snaps her jaws, refusing to concede.

Then Noel’s wolf steps forward, and his voice rumbles through our minds like thunder. Azura, shift. Now. His command ripples through us, unwavering, and Azura yields. I feel myself shift back to human form, Noel’s firm gaze steady and grounding.

Before I can even process, Oliver’s arms pull me close, his scent wrapping around me, and the tears I’ve been holding back finally fall. All the emotions—fear, pain, relief, and exhaustion—come pouring out in gut-wrenching sobs. The memories of our father flash through my mind, reopening wounds I thought I’d buried. Another pair of arms grabbed hold of me and I already know its Annalise, her presence a reassuring anchor making me cry yet again, she has so much on her plate, yet she's here comforting me.

That’s what big sisters are for, she murmurs gently through our link, her warmth steadying my ragged breathing.

By the time night has fallen, we’ve found some semblance of peace, and we sit down to eat together. Annalise, Noel, and I have shared stories, filling in the gaps, rebuilding the threads of family we lost. It’s just the three of us now, but each word is a reminder of all we’ve endured. Meanwhile, the others have gone to the library to search for answers about the alignment.

When the food is finally served, Damien clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. His expression is serious, his eyes lingering on each of us.

“Do any of you want to tell us what you were thinking, putting yourselves in danger like that?”

None of us speaks. We know, in hindsight, how reckless it was, but we also know we didn’t have another choice. Damien lets out a long sigh, then places an ancient leather-bound book on the table with a thud that sends dust flying.

“We got the time frame wrong,” he says, his voice tight. “The alignment isn’t in four months. It’s in six days.”

The world seems to tilt, and my pulse pounds in my ears as Annalise shoots to her feet, her hand gripping the book. “Six days?” Her voice cracks, incredulous. “Who gave you the four-month timeline?”

No one answers; all of us wear the same stunned expressions. Six days. Six days to prepare, to brace ourselves for the alignment we thought we had months to plan for.

Damien’s face remains grim as he studies each of us.

"Teodora," Damien replied, his voice heavy, and the uneasy feeling from earlier settled in, confirming my worst fears.

“What?” Annalise’s voice trembled with confusion, disbelief evident in her eyes.

Damien looked directly at her. “Did you know that Teodora used your blood to bring me back?” he asked. Annalise’s eyes widened, and she shook her head slowly.

“That’s what I thought,” he muttered, his gaze darkening. “Your spell didn’t bind me the way it should have because of the blood bond Teodora created. I could see what she was doing. She cast a blood spell, locking us in the gym that night... and I saw her again, on the battlefield, right behind your father.”

His words hung in the air, thick with accusation and revelation. The room fell silent as we processed the weight of his statement. Annalise’s face shifted, her mind clearly racing to piece together the fragments of memories, betrayal, and hidden motives.

“I don’t understand,” Caleb’s voice broke the silence, laced with frustration. “Teodora was with us, she helped us fight the Council. Why would she suddenly turn against us?”

“She didn’t ‘turn,’ Caleb,” Annalise snapped, her voice strained. “This... all of this was her plan from the beginning. She’s been orchestrating every step, every event. She’s the one who started this prophecy. She’s been waiting all along for this moment.”

The realization hit us like a shockwave. Teodora didn’t just turn on us—she had been a puppeteer, guiding us toward this outcome, manipulating us to get exactly what she wanted.

"The star," I whispered, my heart pounding as the realization dawned on me. "She wants the star."

“Where is it?” I demanded, searching the faces of my siblings, a rising panic swelling within me.

“It’s safe,” Annalise assured, though her voice was laced with uncertainty. “I cast a spell to keep it hidden, beyond anyone’s reach.”

I opened my mouth to ask where she’d hidden it when, suddenly, Annalise’s eyes shifted from bright blue to a blinding, ethereal white. A chilling silence filled the room just before she crumpled, her body going limp. Damien was there in an instant, catching her just before she hit the ground.

A powerful energy pulsed through the room, and the lights flickered as if responding to a surge of magic. We all crowded around as Annalise lay in Damien’s arms, her head resting against his shoulder, her face pale but serene, almost as if she were in a deep sleep.

“She’s gone somewhere,” Damien whispered, as he placed his hand on her head, almost as if he was looking for their bond, glancing at the rest of us with a look of grim understanding. “Somewhere only she can reach.”

The air in the room grew thick with a mixture of fear and anticipation. The prophecy, the alignment, Teodora’s true intentions—all of it was coming to a head. Then the panic set in once more. What are we going to do?

Dropping next to Annalise, I grabbed her hand, gently rubbing it, begging her to come back. Noel grabbed her other hand, following me.

"Enough" Damien said quietly as he stood with Annalise in his arms. "I'm taking her to her room, then we are going to prepare for war",

After Damien left, Noel stood next to me as the guys leave the dining room.

"You ready for this huntress",

"More than ready Alpha after all, this is what we trained for isn't it", I replied, as I let the calm feeling of knowing at least we would be a little prepared this time. Because in six days there is no stopping the battle that's about to take place.