Chapter 11

Tristan’s POV

Something didn’t feel right here; it didn’t add up. Ayla fit the description of one of our girls perfectly, but she was the wrong age. The elders and our Alpha made sure of that.

I have known my whole life there was a reason why there were no girls of a certain age in our Pack. Only recently, when I turned twenty-one, I learned what that reason was.

According to legend, there is a prophecy meant to come to pass that could change everything. The Sun Valley Pack is in charge now; we have the power. It’s due to switch to the Winter Moon Pack this summer. If the legend is to be believed, then it says

A girl of Auburn hair shall rise

And reign above us all, on her

Eighteenth year upon this earth she

Will be the one true ruler, with

…………..

There will be no more leading pack,

no pack above another.

All will be restored; all will

Become one once more.

The middle part was missing, though, so we don’t know who with. But we know if we allow this auburn-haired girl to rise, never will the power return to us.

Our elders do not wish this to happen; they cannot be sure if the power change would be for good or bad. They took it upon themselves to eradicate all girls that fit in the time frame for the Prophecy. There was something about the time and date, but I was never told about that part. I was just told about the Prophecy.

If this is true and Ayla is one of ours, she is not meant to be.

Only one other Pack could have red hair colouring: the Molten Vale Pack. They have redheads primarily, but the colour is close enough. They live miles away; they are the furthest away from the Winter Moon pack, whereas we are only a few hours’ drives away.

I must ring Marcus and tell him, see what he says.

I ring the number, but it takes ages for anyone to pick it up. It’s of utmost importance they do, though.

“Hello”

“Marcus, it’s Tristan,” I say

“Oh, hello, Tristan, don’t tell me you have gotten yourself in trouble already,” he growls at me.

“No, uncle, nothing like that!” Goddess, that’s annoying; nice to know they have faith in me.

“Then what is it? I’m swamped,” he snapped back.

“There is a girl here with auburn hair,” I tell him

“Okay, and?” he was starting to sound annoyed at me

“She turns eighteen this coming Wednesday!” I state. The line goes silent for some time

“Fuck sake, why didn’t you say so sooner” he yelled at me down the phone.

“Uncle! I just did. I have only known for about twenty minutes!” nothing I do is right.

“Right, okay, we need to find out if she’s one of ours, don’t we? To be honest, though, I think it would probably be better to be safer than sorry,” he says in a slower tone.

“What are you saying?” I ask, not liking where this is going.

“I need you to get rid of her before she turns eighteen,” he tells me

“What, you mean to kill her!” I wasn’t feeling okay with this.

“Yes, boy, don’t be stupid; we have no one else there now other than you. You are going to have to step up and do this for your pack,” he tells me sternly.

Sweat starts to trickle down my neck; I wasn’t a killer. I wasn’t much of anything, really. I liked to think I was a bit of a lady’s man, but that was about it.

Marcus was my mother’s brother. His mate had been in a serious accident many years ago, leaving her paralysed. They do not have any children of their own.

They eradicated the only child they did have – this is how they preferred to call it, as killing or murder is just too harsh, apparently – eighteen years ago. They had a baby girl, but they willingly chose to get rid of her due to this Prophecy.

“Tristan, man up, for Goddess’s sake,” he barked. “You are a Sun Valley Pack member, my heir to be exact; now you have to do what is right for our pack, so get this done.”

“Yes, Uncle” there was nothing else I could say.

Ayla’s POV

“Why does the world hate me” I silently cried in my head

I looked like a complete idiot, and the brothers loved it. Once I saw them there, I staggered to a stop and almost lost my well-earned sandwich! I know my face was red; it was becoming a habit around them now. I don’t think my skin knew its actual colour anymore when those stupidly sexy men were around!

“Nice moves, pretty lady!” Aiden said, with a chuckle

“Yeah, I have to say, I didn’t think you had that kind of rhythm, Ayla, but there you are, knocking us all out of the ballpark” Axel tried so hard to keep a straight face while saying it.

“Come on, guys, she looked adorable, and you can’t deny it” Archer winked at me; that was the worst one of them all; I think the Micky taking was easier to handle.

“Oh, shut up the lot of you,” I tried to say as fierce as I could.

“Aww looks, she’s like an angry little kitty when she gets all wound up,” Aiden teased.

“Watch yourself, or you will see what this angry kitty can do,” I warned with a smile.

“Is that a promise?” he said; his eyes smouldered, and bam, hot pulse between my legs!

I roll my eyes at him and try to move on.

“So, what’s the plan? I don’t have any projects whatsoever to do?” I ask them all

“I don’t know? Maybe we could just go out; you could show us around, show us some places you like,” Archer suggests.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Axel and Aiden say together.

I just shrug and grab my Sandwich. Aiden goes to try and take a bite; well, he’s brave! As I don’t share my food very often!

“Not in a sharing mood this afternoon,” he laughs

“Angry kitties don’t share well,” I tease

Thirty minutes later, we had walked from the Packhouse and wandered around the forest surrounding the grounds.

I loved it here; few people came this way unless they were shifting for the first time or just wanted a run. And that was mostly at night.

Right now, it was early afternoon, around three forty- five. It wasn’t cold, but as the time drew on, it would chill right down.

I was in the lead, leading the boys further into the forest. I loved how this place made me feel. I was so at peace here.

It was here that Michael found me when I was just a baby. I didn’t say anything; I just carry-on marching through the trees. There was a specific place I wanted to show them. My favourite place. I never took anyone here, but with them, I wanted to.

“So, what’s this way,” Archer asks

“You’ll see. “I smile over my shoulder at him.

It didn’t take us long to reach my special place. In total, I think it took us another ten minutes. Up ahead, the tell-tell signs that we were getting closer could be heard.

“Is that rushing water?” Axel asks, coming up close beside me; his arm brushes mine, sending sparks all over my body.

“Yes!” I say, all breathy. I didn’t know why these boys could affect me the way they did.

Aiden came up on my other side, it looked like he wanted to ask me something, but he just walked in silence instead. I shake my head to clear it.

“Come on, Ayla, stay focused,” I beg myself

“Whoa!” that’s amazing. Archer gasps

“I told you. It’s the best place around. I come here all the time,” I tell them.

In front of us was the most majestic-looking natural waterfall. The water poured over the side, landing in a crystal-clear pool. The natural formation of the rocks left a cave opening behind the waterfall itself. You had to get very wet to get inside, though. Gorgeous wildflowers grew around the pool's edges, popping up between the rocks partially submerged in the water. The canopy of trees provided a natural barrier from the heat in the summer and held the rain back a bit when it poured.

You had to make your way down a natural set of simple steps to reach the bottom where the pool began. There was a particular rock I loved to sit on when I came by myself. It was my favourite place to think.

“Ayla, this is amazing!” Archer says

“I know, it’s beautiful, isn’t it,” I say with a smile.”

“Just like you,” Aiden said, real close to me. It Sent goosebumps all over my skin. I take an audible breath in.

Turning my head, I came face to face, nose almost touching with Aiden; he was ridiculously gorgeous. His emerald eyes shone brightly; I couldn’t take mine off them. I’m sure I could see his wolf staring back at me.

Aiden lifted his hand and tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my heart. His fingertips lightly ran across my cheek. It felt like fire blazed where his skin touched mine; it was almost too much. He was breath-taking.

“Heads ups, Aid,” Axel shouts as water comes splashing down on us

“Ahh,” I scream

“Axel, you dick,” Aiden Growled. He turned around and was chasing his brother.

“You got it is coming now, Axel,” Archer laughed.

I rub my hands over my face to clear it of water and laugh as I watch Aiden chasing his brother around, determined to dunk him in the water.

It was so funny to watch; I loved it!

Laughing out loud, I shout to Axel.

“You better run Axel; he’s catching you up,” and I laugh

“I regret my choices,” he bellows back, still laughing.

With that came a massive splash, and Axel went head first into the pool.

“Serves you right,” I laugh as his head breaks the water’s surface. He flicked his hair and rubbed his eyes.

“You know what, I think it’s Ayla’s turn” Aiden laughs as he stalks toward me.

“NO, NO AIDEN,” I screech, laughing as I start to run.