Victory

OLIVE

I was surprised Ella wanted to go face Salvador. Though I know she could do it, I worried for no reason. Having lost my parents and knowing the pain that comes with it, I wasn't ready to lose anyone else. When Nolan looked at me to know if he should let her go, I couldn't say no. I wanted badly to say no. To stand on my ground that someone else should go.

But looking around the room, I realized I don't want to lose any of them. Not even Martin or Arden who had been of great help to us. I realized in as much as I love Ella, I love every one of them too. But the work to be done must be done by one of us. I wouldn't risk letting someone else do it. Nolan will not accept too, after being betrayed twice.

It's surprising how he had come to trust every one of us in the room. I suspected he find it difficult to trust people. Within these recent days, Nigel had told me what had happened to him and I realized he had passed through a lot more than I am doing right now. Having lost his parent at an early age and been shouldered with the responsibility of leading the pack, he is stronger than I thought him to be.

I knew if I say no to Ella, he would volunteer himself. Nigel will want to go too. And Bella will avail herself. Everyone in the room is willing to sacrifice themselves for as long as we get Salvador. I had no option but to support her. Though I planned on making her change her mind without the rest knowing so I can go instead.

So, when the meeting ended, I dragged Ella to my room with Bella following us. "Are you out of your mind?" I yelled, after making sure the door was locked. "What were you thinking when you thought of that?"

"That's my way of helping" Ella answered sitting on the couch.

"It's a risky one," Bella said. "It's a risky move you're about to take. Nigel or Nolan should go instead"

"Are you both doubting me?"

"I am not counting you. But I can't lose you. You know you're the only one I have left. I can't bear to lose you. Let someone else go in your place"

"Olive, I want to do this. Please let me do it. I want to help. Mountain pack is my home too"

"Ella..."

Bella stood up and moved closer to her. "Ella, we can't lose you. Just have a change find please"

"I can't. I have made up my mind already. Trust me, I am the perfect person for this"

I folded my arms. "You ain't going to change your mind?"

She nodded. "No. Please don't force me"

I sighed. "You have to promise us, you won't get hurt. Not even a scratch"

"I promise"

We hugged each other. Though I never wanted her to do it cause I know how risky it might be, I couldn't help but agree she do it.

**

We meet up with the alpha from the northern hemisphere. As usual, they were adamant. "I am not going to say a word no matter how hard you try" each of them had said when we talked to me.

"You are willing to die for someone who doesn't care about you?" Was our reply to them but as usual, they were not ready to say a word.

"What is the next step?" I asked, confused about what next to do

"A visit to the northern hemisphere will do" Nolan answered. "That will take ages to get here and Salvador would have escaped" Nigel answered

"How long does it take to get there?" Bella asked

"A week or two" Nolan answered

"Let me go talk to them, alone please" Ella begged

I wondered what she had in mind. Would she be able to make them speak up?. They must say something to help us get Salvador. "Can you do that?" I asked

"I can try"

"Nolan you said one of them is our uncle right?" Bella asked

"Yes, but I don't know who he is among them. Or do you have a plan?"

"Yes. Let's visit the ice pack. I think my dad would know something about him" Bella said and I nodded.

That was a good idea. "I think that will work. How long does it take to the ice pack?"

"Three hours from the fire pack and two hours from here I guess" Nolan answered

"We should leave then, so we can come back as soon as possible" I answered

"What about making a phone call. Your dad will be willing to come over right?" Nigel asked

Bella nodded. "I'm sure he will. I will give him a call". Bella left and we waited for him. She returned half an hour later. "My dad is on his way"

I nodded, hoping his presence will make a change.

**

When Bella's dad arrived, we took him to each room we kept them. When we got to the third room, he stopped. "Marshall" he called. I could tell immediately, that was Nolan's uncle who had betrayed his father. It was a good thing out of the four alpha's we caught, one of them was his uncle.

The man in question raised his head. He was surprised to see Bella's dad. "Edward" he called

Bella's dad turned to face us. "You should leave. I will speak to him"

We left the room and waited outside for the next line of action. As we wait, different thoughts ran through my mind. Why did he betray Nolan's father in the first place?. Why did his father not tell him, he has an uncle?. Bella's dad did not tell her either?. What other secret was kept by these two parents away from their kids and why?.

I kept trying to figure out what had happened some years back but I couldn't get any answer. We waited for over an hour before Bella's dad walked out. "He is ready to talk" he announced and we couldn't hide our joy. "You've done a great job, kids" he complimented us. And though I wasn't comfortable with the word kid, I wasn't much bothered about it. "You should go in and ask him everything you needed to know. I will wait here, just in case you need anything"

We entered the room which joy in our hearts, knowing victory is doing to be ours. Nolan and Bella's uncle whom we find out to be Marshall did not waste time in telling us what had transpired between him and Salvador. He told us how Nolan's dad had found out their deal even after being sent in exile. He had kept it a secret when he thought his brother had changed which then less to his death.

I could see the anger in Nolan's eyes as he tried to prevent himself from losing it. Marshall told us so many things. Enough to pin Salvador and let him know he lost. I couldn't ask what brought my parent into the picture, seeing the atmosphere isn't nice for that but Nolan asked to my surprise. I never thought he cared so much about me to put me first instead of himself. "Love changes" my subconscious mind had said. "Love changes a man"

I couldn't agree less. Though I have always thought he cares so much about himself than he cares about others, some of his actions had shown he cares for every one of us but I had been blinded by my anger and fears to believe those acts were genuine. "Why did he attack the mountain pack?" He asked when his uncle wasn't saying anything

I wanted to tell him not to ask anymore. The reason his dad was killed was enough to pin Salvador down. But when he persisted, I couldn't stop him. "He did not have a good reason to attack. He only wanted their territory. There had been rumors that the mountains in the mountain pack territory contains diamonds. We confirmed it wasn't true but Salvador wouldn't give up"

Hearing those words, I disliked Salvador the more. He killed my parents and destroyed my pack over something that isn't true. I shuddered with the wave of rage that swept over me. The beating of my heart was so fast I feared it might jump out of my chest. Someone touched me and slowly, my heart returned to my chest and began beating in a regular rhythm again. I could tell it was Nolan who touched me.

We left Nolan's uncle and went to talk to the remaining three. When they heard Marshall had spoken, they also told us how he threatened them with their past and made them work for him. Gathering all the information we needed, we returned to the fire pack, with the hope that victory is ours.

**

Ella left for the Starmoon pack while the rest of us got ready to meet her. We had agreed to meet at the space outside the Starmoon pack territory. We were to wait in ambush and come out only when she signals us. We followed the instructions and waited for her. We waited for an hour and Ella wasn't coming out. I began to fear Salvador must have found out about the plan and held her back. Nolan noticed my fear and assured me Ella would be fine. He told me Ella is very smart and must have stayed back to prevent some things.

I tried as much as I could to believe him. To believe she is fine. A few minutes later, I saw her walk out of the gate with Salvador. They were with twenty other men if I counted them well. That was when I realized she stayed back to let us know they might not be coming out alone. That was our secret way of sending each other messages. I had forgotten so soon but as never did.

We waited for a while until we heard her signal. We came out, surrounding them. Salvador put up a fight. His men lunged toward us with a snarling fit for a threatened tiger. We lunged towards them too. Salvador held Ella and had plans to use her to make us fight but just as Nolan had said Ella is smart.

In the end, we caught him and his men. I wanted to kill him on the spot. I wanted to vent my anger and hatred on him but Nolan held me. "W-what are you doing?" I asked stuttering vigorously due to my anger.

"I can't let you have more blood in your hand" was his anger. I couldn't understand what he meant by that. I watched him tie him up. "We will take him to the elders for judgment," he said and everyone nodded in agreement.

Though I was furious I couldn't kill him, I was happy we got him at last.