Chapter 5 5

"Ella! Ella!"

I was woken by my mom's voice calling me. Since Khloe had left, I'd become somewhat lazy, not even visiting Alex at the restaurant.

"Alex is here, Ella," my mom called again.

"Okay, Mom," I responded lazily, already knowing why he was here, to convince me to come to the restaurant.

After a quick bath, I put on black baggy jeans, a blue crop top, matching sandals, and applied a little makeup. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail and headed downstairs. I didn't bother eating because I planned to grab something at the cafe.

"Alex, you came early," I teased. "Did you even sleep? Is our alpha coming to the cafe today?"

Alex chuckled, "Haha, naughty girl. We had a lot of orders last night, and my brother decided to open early to keep up with delivery times."

"Okay, can we go now?" he asked.

"Yeah, let's go," I replied.

As we rode in Alex's car to the cafe, I remembered I wanted to ask Alex about Khloe. It had been 12 months since she traveled and 6 months since I'd last spoken to her.

"Alex, have you spoken to Khloe recently?" I asked.

"No, the last time we spoke on a video call was 7 months ago, and she looked different," Alex said.

"Yeah, I suspected something was off. She sent me a selfie, and she looked healthy, but something seemed different. I hope she's okay," I said, expressing my concern.

"Have you visited her house?" Alex asked.

"Yes, several times, but her mom always said that she got a job and it's keeping her very busy," I replied.

"I hope she's fine too," Alex quoted. So, we drove to the cafe. Thinking about Khloe and the busy day that awaited us.

It turned out to be a long, exhausting day. The orders kept pouring in, and we worked tirelessly to serve every customer.

As I returned home, utterly worn out, I bid my parents goodnight and headed to my room, longing for some good rest. However, my dad's serious tone stopped me in my way.

"Ella, I want to talk to you," come sit down.

I turned my worried gaze from my dad to my mom, who was sitting nearby. Then, I looked back at my dad, looking increasingly concerned.

"Is there a problem, Dad?" I asked,

He smiled and gave a sign for me to sit closer to him. I took a seat between my parents, This was the first time I had seen my dad so serious.

Once I was seated, he gently held my hands in his and began, "You know I'm one of the strongest warriors in the pack, actually, the strongest," he boasted.

Listening to him curiously. "I've been selected to escort the alpha to the Nightshade Pack. Rogues have been causing them a lot of trouble, and as a strong pack, they've asked for our help in defeating the rogues."

I interrupted, "How long will you be gone, Dad?"

He replied, "I can't say for sure, but I calculate 3 to 4 days should be enough to handle the situation and return. However, your mother doesn't want me to go. She's asked me to make excuses to the alpha and stay behind."

I looked at my mom with a questioning look. She confirmed, "Yes, Ella. I don't know why, but every time your dad mentions this trip, I feel a deep unease. I have a bad feeling about it."

I turned back to my dad. "Dad, if Mom asked you not to go, please listen to her," I pleaded.

"Don't worry, my dear. Your mom is scared and acting on her fears, forgetting that her mate is the strongest in the land," he reassured me, smiling. "I'll be just fine. Now, go to bed. I just wanted to let you know."

"If you say so, Dad. Be careful, and please come back on time," I pleaded.

"That's my girl," he said, ruffling my hair. "But, Dad, when are you leaving?"

I turned my worried gaze from my dad to my mom, who was sitting nearby. Then, I looked back at my dad, growing increasingly concerned.

"Is there a problem, Dad?" I asked, my voice reflecting my apprehension.

He smiled and gestured for me to sit closer to him. I took a seat between my parents, still wearing a worried expression. This was the first time I had seen my dad so serious.

Once I was seated, he gently held my hands in his and began, "You know I'm one of the strongest warriors in the pack, actually, the strongest," he boasted.

My concern deepened as I listened intently. "I've been selected to accompany the alpha to the Nightshade Pack. Rogues have been causing them a lot of trouble, and as a strong pack, they've asked for our help in defeating the rogues."

I interrupted, "How long will you be gone, Dad?"

He replied, "I can't say for sure, but I estimate 3 to 4 days should be enough to handle the situation and return.

However, your mother doesn't want me to go. She's asked me to make excuses to the alpha and stay behind."

I looked at my mom with a questioning look. She confirmed, "Yes, Ella. I don't know why, but every time your dad mentions this trip, I feel very uneasy. I have a bad feeling about it."

I turned back to my dad, my concern growing. "Dad, if Mom asked you not to go, please listen to her," I pleaded.

"Don't worry, my dear. Your mom is scared and acting on her fears, forgetting that her mate is the strongest in the land," he reassured me, smiling. "I'll be just fine. Now, go to bed. I just wanted to let you know."

"If you say so, Dad. Be careful, and please come back on time," I begged.

"That's my girl," he said, ruffling my hair. "But, Dad, when are you leaving?"

Tomorrow morning my dear, he said, and I nodded. "Alright, come back for us," I replied, kissing him on the cheek before heading back to my room.

The next morning came with a mix of emotions. It was the day I turned 18, my birthday and I was supposed to shift fully as a wolf in the night when the full moon arrived.

Khloe also returned that same morning. I was overjoyed to see her again and also ready to welcome my wolf, yet I was still sad due to my father's journey with our alpha.

Sadly, that very morning, The rogues ambushed them, just barely leaving the Blood Moon pack territory.