Chapter 4 where it all started.

Chapter Four- where it all started.

Five years later,

"Mummy, Rick, and Ryan got it!" Rita shouted excitedly as she watched her brothers swim.

"That's wonderful," I said, getting a towel for Rick and Ryan to dry themselves.

Rita looked at me and asked, "Mom, why don't you like swimming with us like Uncle Fred?"

I paused momentarily, feeling nostalgia and pain wash over me. I remembered the events from five years ago that had changed my life forever.

But before I could say anything, Fred stepped in, saving me from revisiting those horrible memories. "Hey babe, it's not that your mom doesn't like swimming; she just doesn't have the knack for it," he explained to Rita.

Rita nodded, accepting his explanation, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's okay; I'm bad at math too," Rita said, and we laughed.

I leaned in and whispered to Fred, "Thank you."

Fred had been a great friend and father figure these past five years after saving my life.

"Mummy!" Rick and Ryan called out as they raced towards me.

"I was amazing today!" Rick exclaimed with a big grin on his face.

"That's my boys," I said, holding them tightly. As I looked into their eyes, I was reminded of the man I wanted to forget. But, as much as I tried, the memory of him lingered in my mind and heart. My sons were a daily reminder of Derrick.

"Miss Edward, I'll miss your children," the swimming coach said, and I smiled.

"We'll come by and visit whenever possible," I promised him.

Turning to my children, I said, "Kids, it's time to go. I've granted your wish to swim before we go back home. We have a flight in two hours, so hurry up and grab your bags!"

They ran off to get their things; Fred turned to me.

"Thank you for agreeing to return to Mexico with me and join my pack," Fred said, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"You left your family and packed to be with me when they rejected me," I replied, smiling. "How could I not come with you now when you're about to become Alpha of your father's pack? Besides, one of the people I hate most is Alpha of the pack next door to your family in Mexico. Getting my revenge will be easy with you by my side."

It felt good to finally take action after years of waiting.

Fred's gaze was intense as he took my hand. "I can't wait for you to get your revenge finally, and I hope that one day you'll become my Luna, with our children by our side," he said, his voice filled with longing.

I cleared my throat, feeling a slight discomfort at his words. While I cared for Fred, my heart was still focused on revenge and the trauma of my past. I didn't want to lead him on

The past five years since the incident at the river had changed me. I had developed a fear of water, but I trained myself to be fearless in all other aspects of life. Life had been good to me since I gave birth to my triplets. I even won a lottery that improved our lives significantly. I had become a billionaire, owning a company doing incredibly well. But despite my success, I couldn't move on from my past. The pain and betrayal I had experienced haunted me every day, and I couldn't let it go.

I had made a promise to myself that I would return and exact revenge on those who had hurt me and who had tried to kill me and my unborn children. They wanted me gone, and I wouldn't stop until I had made them pay for their crimes.

I swore to myself that I would become their worst nightmares, that I would make them pay for everything they had done to me. Zen tried to talk me out of it, suggesting that we should stay in Miami and enjoy our lives there, but I couldn't be swayed.

Ultimately, he agreed to join me in my quest for revenge, promising to protect me and my children. He said it would be his way of helping me, of showing me that I wasn't alone in my mission.

I knew Fred had feelings for me, but I couldn't accept them at the time. My heart was full of vengeance, leaving no room for love. This time, I was more than ready, determined not to be defenseless again.

We said goodbye to our staff and made our way to the airport. I opened a branch of my company in Mexico, which was also a great success. No one knew that I was the CEO of,d that company.

******************

The plane touched down on Mexican soil, and my children slept peacefully in their seats.

"Home sweet home," Fred said, his voice excitedly. But for me, the words were more chilling than sweet. It had been over five years since I had fled Mexico, running for my life after escaping death at the hands of my former pack.

The memories of that time flooded back, sharp and painful, and I took a deep breath to steady myself. I was back now, more robust and wiser and ready to face whatever awaited me.

Rick, my eldest, turned to me with concern in his eyes. He had always been sensitive to my emotions, even as a child.

"Mom, are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the rush of memories. "Yes, honey. Everything is fine," I replied, smiling for his benefit.

As we entered the waiting room of the airport, Fred excused himself to retrieve our luggage from the plane.

The children and I took a seat in a quiet corner, waiting patiently for him to return. The airport buzzed with activity around us, a stark contrast to the silence in my heart as I remembered the last time I had left Mexico.

The quiet hum of the airport was suddenly disrupted by the sound of engines, and my ears picked up the familiar roar of motorcycles. The sound was as clear and distinct as the memories that came flooding back, memories of a time when I would accompany Derrick to the airport to pick up his father, the Alpha of the Night Pack.

Without turning to look, I knew that the entourage of motorcycles belonged to a powerful Alpha, either coming to pick their leader up or drop them off.

Before I could react, Rita cried out in excitement, "Mummy, my favorite doll!" and dashed towards the entrance where she had spotted her doll.

Instinctively, I chased after her, knowing full well that no one was allowed to be near the entrance when an Alpha was entering.

"Sorry, little girl," said the man who had just entered the waiting room with his entourage, bending down to retrieve Rita's doll from the floor.

As Rita took her doll from the Alpha, she mumbled a quiet thank you.

"Where is your mummy?" he asked, and I could hear the gentleness in his voice. My heart thumped in my chest as I hurried towards them, and I was shocked to see the Ortega family symbol on the Man's entourage.

"Bastard," I muttered under my breath, anger burning inside me at the sight of that hated symbol.

The man turned his head to see who Rita was pointing at, and I saw his eyes widen in recognition.

"Tina?" he said, disbelief coloring his voice.