Coming home

OLIVE

I was out with Mary. We had decided to stay a bit longer but that was cut short when her dad called. He asked us to return home as quickly as possible. From the look in her eyes, I could tell something was wrong and when I asked her what had happened, her reply was worrisome. She could not tell what had happened but she knew something was wrong.

On our way back to my uncle's pack, I kept thinking and wondering what had happened. Maybe Mary had done something wrong before leaving the packhouse with me. I doubted that could be the case. Mary had been with me although the morning until we left the packhouse.

Could there be an attack at their pack? I thought. Different thoughts ran through my mind as I kept wondering what was wrong. The car came to a stop, jolting me out of my thought. We came down from the car to the arms of my awaiting uncle and aunt.

With the look on their faces, I could something was wrong. "Come, Olive," my uncle said and when I moved closer to him, he pulled me into a hug. I could hear my aunt sniffed and I knew something was wrong.

I pulled away from the hug. "Uncle is there something wrong?" I asked

He smiled wearily but quickly hid it. "Everything is fine, ok?. Let's go in"

I doubted what he said. I doubted if everything was alright but I couldn't tell what was wrong either. I sighed and followed them in. Mary held my hand and squeeze it gently. "Did you in any way know what's wrong?" I asked in a whisper.

"No. I'm as clueless as you are" she answered back in a whisper.

I sighed. Why do I have this feeling something was wrong?. Why do I have this feeling it has to do with me?. We got into the living room and I made to sit down but my uncle stopped me. "To my room, everybody"

I sighed and followed them sluggishly to my uncle's room. When we entered, my uncle made me sit down. I could tell he was about to break the bad news to me. Or maybe partially bad news. "Olive," he began. I held my breath hoping the news won't be as bad as I thought. "The mountain pack got attacked today..."

I batted my lashes. "What?!!!"

Mary held my hand and my uncle continued. "The pack is in chaos but I can't say the state of the pack right now. I..."

I stood up abruptly. "We should leave. Aren't we supposed to go help?"

"No. Your dad wants you to stay here until he sends a message"

I frowned. "What?. My dad won't say that. He has always wanted me to fight and keep the mountain pack safe. That's his reason for raising me like a boy. He..."

My uncle moved closer to me and patted my shoulder. "He might have raised you like a boy but he still wants you safe. He wants you to be his successor after he leaves for the world beyond. That's the reason you have to be safe and stay out of this fight"

I sighed. "But..."

My aunt moved closer. "No, but, Olive. You know we love you, just as our daughter. We can't let you go. Not against your father's wish"

I knew I needed to go to the mountain pack. U needed to know what was going on there. I needed to know who had attacked but all this, I can't find out about except I go to the mountain pack but I can't. "Who brought the news?"

"Your dad's must trusted guard"

I widened my eyes. If my dad sent his most trusted guard who would have fought alongside him, that means my dad... I blinked. "Did he say the pack attacking?"

"No. No one knows the pack who had attacked" my uncle replied.

"Is my dad, ok?" I asked

My aunt stared at her husband before replying. "He is and so is your mom"

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I need to see the guard"

My uncle touched my face. "You can't...."

"I need to was him now. Please, uncle. I can tell something is wrong. Please let me see him"

I was taken to where the guard was. My uncle spoke to him first before letting me move closer to him. I knew my uncle must have warned him from telling me some important information because he was so brief in answering my question. He also tried as much as he can to avoid my gaze. "Is my dad dead?" I asked. "Are my parent dead?" I yelled

"W-what are you saying?" He answered in surprise.

"You can't lie to me. My parents are dead right?. Answer me!!!"

He looked away and that answered my question. My dad had saved him so he could convey the message to my uncle. They had to lie to me to keep me from going to the mountain pack until everything dies down. I moved backward and tears dripped down my face. I need to go back home. I need to see things for myself. Without having a second thought, I ran off.

**

As the car drove into the gate and down to the packhouse, I kept staring at the houses that had been burnt down. Most of the houses were completely burned down while others were half-down. You could tell they must have stopped the burning. The faces of the people depicted great sorrow and pain. I blinked the tears away from my eyes. Who could have done this?. Mary held my hand, squeezing my hand.

I was somewhat happy she came with me. My uncle and aunt and my dad's guard came too. He had run after me and held me back when I tried to leave some hours ago. He promised to go with me if I promise not to do something nasty. Surprisingly, my uncle came out and promised to go with me too. My aunt and Mary were not left behind.

Now, being here and seeing what had happened, I realized coming alone would have been a bad idea. I needed support. I needed people to lean on and I am happy they came with me. The car stopped a few meters away from the packhouse and we stepped out.

I took a few steps and stopped. I could see Ella and Bella crying. Nigel was standing with his hand folded. He looked so sad. Mary held my hand. "It's well, Olive. It is

I pulled my hand away when I heard Ella say my dad died while trying to save her mom. Right there I knew my instinct was right. My parent her dead. I wanted to break down and wail but I couldn't. In as much as I wanted to cry, my eyes were dried. My heart was as hard as a stone. "Where are my parent?" I found myself asking. When no one answered me, I had to yell. "Where are my parents!!!"

My uncle held me back and I hugged him. I wished I could shed tears but I couldn't. I could only sniff and groan. I could only scream out in pain but no tears fell down my eyes. I wanted to mourn my parents just like every other kid would. Watching Ella cry because she lost her dad, I knew I was supposed to be soberer than she was. I should cry more than she had cried but I couldn't.

I watched Nolan wept too. I had never seen him cry before but seeing him shed tears I knew something was wrong with me. Why do I have to be cold-hearted in this case?. Everyone was crying, Bella, Ella, my aunt, Mary, Nigel, my uncle's eyes were red for losing his brother. Nolan who is the ruthless alpha could not stop himself from crying. Every member of the pack had cried for the loss of their alpha and luna.

They had cried for losing one loved one or the other. Why is my own different?. Why can't I shed tears like the rest? All that kept lingering in my heart was revenge. I want revenge for the death of my parents. For the death of some of my pack members. For the pain that had been caused. For the places and buildings been destroyed. I wanted revenge, maybe that's the reason I could not shed any tears. Maybe that's the reason I felt so cold-hearted right now.

I was taken to where my parents were. Seeing them lay down about being able to move an inch. Seeing them close their eyes without being able to open them, I thought I would be able to cry, knowing I have lost them. Knowing I won't be able to call them. Knowing I won't be hearing my mom's sermon anymore. I won't be able to train with my dad anymore. I thought I would be able to shed a lot of tears but I could only sigh.

I walked out of the room and decided to take a walk. My dad's most trusted guard walked up to me. "Your dad asked me to give you this. If you need any help, you can always come to me"

I nodded and took the paper from him. As I opened it, I wondered what he wrote. The paper was stained in blood and I could tell he wrote it while he was dying. After reading every word inscribed on the paper, I screamed in pain. I had thought he could be him. I had suspected he could be the one. The last attack was him and now this?. I tried to hold my temper and went straight to Nolan. I don't know why my heart had chosen him even when we aren't on good terms. My heart had chosen him as the one to help me in this revenge scheme. He is the only one who understands what it feels like to lose both parents on the same day. To be left in charge of a pack. He alone can feel my pain just like I can feel his right now. "Let's talk," I said and he stared at me in surprise. "We need to talk. I need your help, please"

I heard him sigh and then nod. "Ok"

"And you too, Nigel". Nigel stared at me. "Please"

He sighed. "Ok"

"Bella and Ella too," I said

"I will go get them" Nigel answered. He left and returned a while after with the two of them.

"I have a plan," I said and they stared at me with keen interest.