With Ayla, Titan, Phoenix, Raphael, and Rhae trapped at the border, it seemed they'd have to count on Alexander and Stella to get them out of the territory.
Ayla rested her head against the building they'd taken for shelter, eyes shut as she steadied her breathing, hoping whatever had Rhae grinning would arrive soon.
Tuning in to every sound around her, she could hear the mobile patrol drawing nearer, even if they were still out of sight, on the other side of the buildings.
It wouldn't take long for someone to notice Ayla was missing, and soon the patrols would double.
She was meant to attend the celebration as a special guest in Alexander's honor.
Since she was the one who found him for Luna and Orion, they wanted to show their gratitude in a special way.
Or so they claimed.
Ayla was certain that wasn't how they had intended things to go.
Titan hurrying her out of the pack house only confirmed her suspicion that they were up to something more sinister.
Or at least he believed they had more devious things in the works.
Waiting was the hardest part.
Waiting like sitting ducks behind the last house on the border was pure torture for them all.
Anything could go wrong at that moment, from the guards picking up their scent to being caught on the spot.
With each passing second, Ayla felt her anxiety steadily grow.
Her heart was racing as the anticipation swelled within her.
Sensing it, Titan took her hand, gently tracing small circles between her index finger and thumb with his own to soothe her, as the patrolling guards' footsteps trailed away.
This was quickly becoming a regular thing for the two of them, marking the third time he'd done it since she broke Julius out of his cell.
A sudden commotion rose from the front of the house they were hiding behind, and Ayla tightened her grip on Titan's hand.
They all wished they could see what was going on, as not knowing only made their anxiety grow.
The sound of two wolves echoed as they ran toward the edge of the territory with a single intent in mind.
As they approached the two guards stationed at the border near the house where the group was hiding, they shifted uneasily.
They wasted no time getting their message across.
"Your Luna wants you at the celebration tonight. She and the future Alpha, Orion, said it's important for the whole pack to be there for the announcement. You can head back once you've heard what they have to say."
Rhae glanced at Ayla, lifted an eyebrow, and gave a sly smirk.
The two guards exchanged uncertain glances, wondering if they should follow the orders they'd just been given.
"Next Alpha Orion ordered us to keep the border secure. With the escaped prisoner still at large, he doesn't want anyone coming or going without his knowledge."
One of the wolves who had just arrived sounded offended.
"You dare defy a direct order from the Luna? I'll tell Luna Alina right away. She's going to be furious when she finds out you're ignoring her announcement. It's apparently a big deal!"
The guards exchanged uneasy glances, knowing the last thing they wanted was to upset their Luna.
"No, no, we are coming, wait for us."
Ayla knew time was short, so the moment they cleared the passage, the group took off running.
In the background, the men could be heard saying, "Who are you, anyway? I don't recognize you. How does the Luna know you?"
The rest of the group kept running with Titan leading the way, while Ayla found a quiet spot to pause and listen.
"Oh. We didn't talk to her directly. A new girl sent me. Her name was like Selena or Stena, something like that. Told us that Luna said it was her order that every pack member, no matter their position, was at the gathering. Said it was really important that I made sure everyone was at the party."
Ayla's face lit up with a smile.
She knew right away who had sent them.
The guards froze in place.
"So, you're saying you didn't come directly from the Luna herself to get us? Someone else sent you instead?"
One of the two men who had come to distract the guards chuckled at the guard's ridiculous comment.
"Well, duh. She said our Luna told her that everyone needs to be there tonight to hear the announcement because it's that important."
One of the guards was growling and leaning in close to the smaller of the two.
"Our orders come directly from the Luna and the Alpha, not from other pack members. If we're meant to be there, they'll pull us from our post. Understood? There are more important matters for us to tend to."
He was mad at the pack members for ousting him, but even more upset with himself for letting it happen.
"Got it," the young man murmured.
"Come on, Mooney. Obviously, they'd rather be the only ones in the pack left in the dark. Let them stand alone at the edge of the woods."
Ayla realized they were on their way back by then.
She had hidden in a thicket in the woods, listening as her friends got the head start they needed.
The main reason was to ensure the guards didn't notice what they had done and come after them.
As they returned to their post, they didn't seem to notice any scents, at least, nothing they mentioned, and resumed standing guard just like before.
Ayla was ready to send the guards on a wild goose chase if they decided to come after them.
As she sat listening, her face showed fond memories of Stella and Alexander, mingled with regret for leaving them behind.
It was obvious they had no idea anyone had crossed the border, and as they returned to their positions, she slipped away quietly and quickly to follow her friends.
If she excelled at anything, it was slipping through like a ghost, leaving no sound, no trace.
Stella was sharp-minded, and Ayla felt proud of her friend.
She had chosen what appeared to be two of the best people to distract the guards so the group could make their escape.
How Stella pulled it off was a mystery, but she did.
Stella was also enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done.
Her smile was larger than life as she strolled through the crowd of wolves gathered in the newly decorated open space at the entrance of the pack house.
Before, the vast area was simply an open grassy field with a mountain in front, trees flanking both sides, and the stretch of grass in between leading to the houses where the members lived.
The pack house was home to the pack's higher-ranking members.
Now, as Stella walked in the valley, tables, chairs, and flowers were scattered across the grassy area, with pack members enjoying food and drinks as they played music.
Cheer filled the air, touching everyone in the valley.
Even though they didn't yet know what they were celebrating, they knew they'd been called together for a celebration, so they decided to simply enjoy the moment.
Alexander glanced at Stella, and the smile she wore confirmed she had made sure their friends were safely out of the territory, or at least past the guards.
When she nodded, they both decided to join the others and have a bit of their own celebration.
They were finally back with their pack, and Stella and Alexander were no longer the shadow they had been running from for so long.
Orphans.
Something the two of them could never have imagined back when they were just little pups in the orphanage.
Leaving their lives behind felt like a small thing in the grand scheme of it all.
There, they had family and blood relatives, and for the first time, they truly felt like they belonged.
Happiness coursed through their veins, though it might have just been the moon water infused with scarlet firethorn.
It was unlike anything the two of them had ever tasted at his club in Scarlet Crest.
This water had one hell of a bite.
Once everyone was in a relaxed, free-flowing state of mind, Luna finally emerged with Orion by her side.
While she appeared unconcerned, Orion's eyes roamed over every inch he could take in.
Alexander didn't seem to realize that his brother might be looking for someone else when he raised his hand to catch his attention.
Orion nodded and kept scanning the crowd.
With the firewater clouding his senses, he was slightly off in his judgment.
He finally got to see Stella, but after a few moments, he grew restless and leaned in to whisper something to his mother.
She simply nodded, turned around, and gave his shoulder a pat.
It felt like she was reassuring him that everything would be okay.
Alexander, tipsy from the Moon water, still had no idea what was going on.
Orion glanced back at his brother and motioned for him to step up beside the stairs.
Once he was settled, the Luna's face lit up as she spoke to the crowd, sharing the good news and recounting how they had managed to find the once-lost pup.
Not sparing a single detail.
She had gotten Ayla's name out there in every possible way.
Luna Alina decided that if Ayla was going to run off and leave her hanging, she'd make sure to get her revenge.
Nobody disrespects the Luna and walks away without facing the consequences.
She came across as a sweet, innocent woman, but she was nothing of the sort underneath.
Orion appeared entertained by his mother's latest actions.
The Alpha-in-waiting still had much to learn from his mother.
Alexander wasn't thrilled, however, as they pulled him on stage and showed him off to the whole pack.
But they didn't stop there.
"This young lady, Stella, would you please come up?"
Stella never minded being in the spotlight, so she happily stepped up to join her friend on stage.
"Hey, I know her," said one of the guys who had helped out earlier.
"Me too!" the other person said with a chuckle.
Once she was settled and the crowd's chatter faded, Luna Alina resumed introducing her.
"She's a beautiful, strong, and smart person who has traveled all this way to reunite with her family and bring our Alexander home to us. Let's all give her our thanks and help her find her family as well!"
Stella and Alexander knew exactly what Luna was up to.
She was calling them out in front of the entire pack.
Everyone knew who they were now, and all eyes would be on them for a long time.
They were new and significant.
Neither of them could make a move without the whole town finding out, Orion and her included.
Thank goodness she stepped in to help Ayla and the others when she did, because something like that would have been out of the question at that point.
Stella looked at Alexander with a mix of worry, anxiety, and a hint of challenge.
She was starting to question whether staying with him had been the right choice.
Sure, leaving him alone didn't feel right, but was staying really the best choice for her?
Her focus shifted back to the Luna, realizing she still wasn't quite done.
"I know this is a celebration, but I just need to quickly address one small matter before we get back to it."
Orion gazed at her with genuine curiosity.
Would she actually do that here tonight?
"As you know, we had a prisoner escape earlier, and despite our efforts, we haven't been able to track him down. It seems he's disappeared somewhere within our territory. Keep an eye out for him, and if you happen to see our dear Ayla, let her know I'm looking for her."
She actually went through with it.
Orion and Alexander stared at her, their expressions of shock almost identical, and for nearly the same reason.
Luna Alina made an open threat toward Ayla.
The entire town was now on the lookout for Julius and Ayla.
Alexander turned away from the woman with her fake charm and sugary smile, shifting his gaze to Stella, who stood there speechless.
From what they'd just heard, it seemed the others had no idea anyone had made it past the territory borders, and they intended to keep it that way.
"Luna, Mother, why don't I check if she just got caught up in the quarters with Titan? Those two have been pretty close lately. I don't see him around either. Maybe they're just being wolves, if you know what I mean."
Luna Alina and Orion exchanged a glance before Orion said, "I don't think that's what's happening. Titan wouldn't be with her. She's not his type. Have you seen the wolves that practically throw themselves at him?"
Alexander felt his anger rising as he responded, "Have you seen Ayla? You can't get any better than her. If he didn't want her, there's definitely something wrong with him. Besides, I've seen them together before."
Luna raised an eyebrow, "Really. They are together?"
"They're not together now, but they have been in the past. I'm not sure how serious it was. Ayla isn't known for mating like that, and I don't know about Titan."
That made Luna pause, glancing at Orion as she pursed her lips.
Alexander could tell they were engaged in a private conversation.
"Do you think Shaw had any credibility in what he said earlier?" she asked her son.
"If what he saw and smelled was true, then maybe. And considering what Alex is saying, it's possible. If not, then where's Titan?" he replied.
As if no time had passed, she resumed speaking to Alexander.
"You sound like you're speaking from experience. Was there something going on between the two of you?" she asked.
Alexander realized he'd spoken more than he intended, probably due to the moon water.
"We were just travel companions. I'm waiting for my fated mate, that's the only person I'll be with."
Luna Alina narrowed her eyes as if she knew he was lying.
"Alright. Go check if they're still in their quarters, but stick together. The last thing I need is for you to go missing, too. I just found you, and I don't want to have to search for you again."
Alexander never saw that coming.
He was only trying to stall for time, but not if his brother was coming along.
Stella listened attentively, like a good potential Beta, and did her best to help him.
"Orion, how about joining me for a drink while he fetches Ayla and Titan? I'm sure they just lost track of time. The drinks are this way, right?"
She put on her most innocent expression, playfully teasing him with all she had.
Seeing her in a low-cut top that highlighted her stunning figure made it nearly impossible to turn her down.
After all, she was a stunning and much-coveted she-wolf.
Her scent was intoxicatingly perfect.
"Mother, I'm sure it's fine. Let him go get Titan and the girl. He is your son, after all. Stella's new here and doesn't know anyone, and it would be rude to leave her alone after she asked me so nicely."
Luna glanced at Alexander and shook her head.
"Young wolves, there's just no helping them. I'm glad you seem to have a handle on your urges. Now, go fetch your friend and Titan, and hurry back. I'd like to have a word with them both."
Alexander quickly stepped out of the room for a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Yes, ma'am!" he called back to her.
Once he was out of earshot, he began muttering to himself like a man on edge, "What the fuck am I going to do now?"
"If I don't get back with them soon, everything's going to fall apart. I need a plan. Something solid. Maybe a fake note? No, they'd never believe that. I have to come up with a story. But what's a good one? Come on, Alexander, think!"