Alfa and Arya were in the back seat of the car, traveling towards Sugarlake City. The car was driven by none other than Ronald Sinclair, and the more they traveled toward home, the more Arya felt uneasy.
"Are you alright?" Alfa asked, sensing her tension.
Arya just nodded. How could she explain to him about the turmoil inside of her. He wouldn't even understand.
She looked behind their car and spotted the medical jeep driven by Amelia, behind them. She was just glad they were leaving, without asking any more questions.
Vivien was still missing. Arya tried following her scent, but Bella was confused. There were so many scents in that particular place that she didn't know which to follow. After all, she was still a pup, learning to navigate through this life.
"Ronald, did you find Vivien?" Arya asked, and she saw him flinch.
"No, Luna. My men are still looking as we speak."
"Who's leading the search?"
Ronald swallowed. He looked at the alfa through the rear view mirror and took in a deep breath. "Trevor."
"Who's Trevor?"
Another deep breath. "Luna, he is the gamma of our pack."
"You mean Garry's father?"
"Yes."
Arya looked towards Alfa, her eyes questioning his.
"Look love, Trevor is the best hunter in our pack..." Alfa tried saying, but Arya looked the other way. She knew that even if Vivien was alive, she'll be killed by him because of the embarrassment 'she' caused his son. No one in the pack would blame the mighty 'future gamma' because they all blame the weak girl. It's easier.
"Love?"
Arya didn't react. Alfa's voice sounded far away.
"I know what you're thinking!" Arya finally looked at him, and Alfa continued, "Trevor answers to me... if he does anything, I'll know..."
"And?" Arya asked when Alfa went silent.
"If he does anything inappropriate, he'll be dealt with."
This statement seemed to calm Arya. Her only hope was that Vivien was safe.
The car stopped, and Arya collected her thoughts. What was she going to say? 'Aunt Kim, Uncle Pete, you're never going to believe it, but I'm getting married.' No, no, no... sounded too much. She began again, as she noticed they stopped at a red light.
'Aunt Kim, Uncle Pete, meet Alfa, my mate. He's actually the alfa, and he...' no no no. 'I met him...'. Fuck.
"Love, calm down. Take a deep breath, and relax," Alfa held her hand.
Magically, her mind did calm down. Was this the power of the mate bond everyone was talking about?
As they entered the city, she looked back to the jeep that was following them.
Amelia had turned right, towards the WIAR center, and they kept going straight. Straight to Kimberly and Pete's house.
Since it was Sunday, Arya knew that Aunt Kim would surely be home.
"Ronald, can you stop at this house..." Arya said.
"This one?"
"No, number 29."
"Ok," Ronald said as he pulled over near the driveway.
"No, enter the driveway... you can stop by the pool.
"Arya..." "Don't worry, it's my house... at least till now it was..."
Arya hopped out of the car and went to the door. She opened the door using the spare key she kept in the flower pot and got in.
Alfa and Ronald got out to stretch. "Wow, Alfa, I must admit Luna has great taste," Ronald said, looking around. "Can we jump into the pool?"
"Ronald, can you zip it," Alfa said, not too happy about this. "What's she doing there?" He asked, no one in particular.
Just as Arya came out, two police cars came up to the driveway, sirens blaring, Pete got out of the car, gun in hand, "Hands in the air," he shouted, pointing his gun at Alfa and his friend.
"Officer Pete," Arya screamed, running to him. "They're with me."
She knew better to call him Uncle when he's on duty and had his gun in his hand.
"Arya?" He asked, then turned to the others, "False alarm, guys."
"Arya, where were you? No calls, no messages, Kimmy was worried sick," he asked her, as they hugged.
She heard a low growl. She knew that Alfa was possessive and didn't like any other man touching her.
"Are you alright?" Pete asked, eyeing the two men in front of them.
"Yes, I'm fine. When are you getting off work?" Arya asked.
"In three hours..." his eyes fell on her neck. "Where's your necklace?" He looked back at the strangers, then at her. Arya's green lens were gone. One of the strangers has blue eyes.
"Oh God, Arya. No. Don't do this."
Arya knew he had figured it all out. "Uncle Pete... " "We'll talk when I get home." He walked towards his car, his phone in hand, dialing someone.
Arya stood there, silent. The sound of police siren bluring in a distance, then silence.
Arya took a deep breath and slowly walked to the car. The men followed. No one said a word.
Arya knocked on the door of her childhood home. Alfa and Ronald sat in the car, which was parked on the parking spot on the road.
Kimberly opened the door, "Arya? Where have you been?" She asked, hugging her. "Do you know how many times I've tried calling? I was so worried!"
"Hey Aunt Kim, I..." "Pete?" Arya looked back and saw Pete's car turning into the driveway. He got out, eyed the black sedan parked across the street, clenched his jaws, and then walked in.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Kimberly asked, gesturing for Arya to get in, and followed Pete straight into the bedroom.
Arya, who was sitting on the sofa, heard the shower turning on, and Kimberly walked out, confused and hurt. Pete had never done anything like this. No matter how tired he was, he always told her about his day. And he didn't acknowledge Arya's presence.
"Arya, I'm sorry for his behavior... Arya, where's your necklace?" Aunt Kimberly's voice went from confused to fearful in a second.
"Aunt Kim..." "No, you don't understand. They'll know you exist. They'll come here..." Kimberly's heartbeat was now so high, Arya knew her companions could hear it.
"Honey, calm down," Pete was at her side, holding her close. "Calm down, my love, just relax." He engulfed his wife in a hug.
"But Pete..." "Kimmy, they are here, but with Arya."