Bethany 

The women, children, and elderly are still in here... but they're dead. HOW? How did anyone get in here? How could anyone kill these defenseless people? those poor babies! What have they been through? What did they see before they were murdered? 

I can't hold back my tears; I start looking around praying there's someone still alive but the longer I'm here the less hope I have. I call out quietly begging someone to answer me and someone does, I can't believe it. I move quickly to where the sound is coming from to find Mrs Thompson my best friend Carly's mom. 

"Mrs Thompson, are you ok?" 

"Beth dear hi, no sweetheart I'm bleeding pretty bad!" 

"Oh Mrs Thompson we need to get you help now; do you know where Carly is?" 

"No, it's too late for me Beth, as soon as I stand, I'll bleed out, I don't have much longer left. Beth sweetheart Carly... she's... gone... She's dead!" 

I knew in my heart that she was gone but hearing it out loud still feels like a knife tearing my heart apart, we've been best friends since we were 3 years old. 

"Beth is there anyone else out there?" 

"No... I've not found anyone alive yet. I don't understand how the Rogues got in here, it's never happened before." My voice is barely above a whisper as I try not to break down again. 

"Beth... I need you to listen to me, I don't have long and you need to hear this." I nod my head "Beth this was an inside job. One of our own was working with the Rogues. He showed a group of them this place, he let them in." I'm floored, I sit back on my bum in complete shock. 

"I don't understand, who would do that? Why?" Mrs Thompson suddenly breaks down sobbing her heart out and I move in to cuddle her while she continues. 

"Beth it was... Marcus who brought the Rogues in here he was a part of it, he doesn't want to have an Alpha anymore he wants to be one so he made a deal with a group of Rogues, they help him wipe out the pack, he'll be the new Alpha and he'll take them in." 

"Marcus... as in your SON Marcus?" 

"Sadly yes, Beth he killed Carly himself. I don't know who he is but he's not the son I raised!" 

I'm so stunned I can't move, can barely form any words. He killed his own sister, he destroyed our pack, FUCK! 

"Bethany... I need you to listen to me, he said for his plan to work everyone must die. He must be the only survivor to claim the lands. Beth, take Bella and run now sweetheart, and don't look back!" 

"I won't leave you alone Joan, I can't!" 

"Sweetheart there's nothing that can be done for me. You know I've always loved you like my own, I couldn't save Carly please let me save you and that sweet baby girl!" She's begging me and my heart is torn. 

"But... I can't, how do I live without everyone?" 

"Beth you are so much stronger than you know. You need to get off the pack lands before they come back, get into town amongst the humans. Have you got a phone on you?" 

"Yes, I do bu-" 

"Beth get you and Bella into town and call Brooke, she'll help you both, please promise me you'll get away from here before they come back?" 

Brooke, how hadn't I thought of that? I've been so consumed by anger and grief that I didn't think about my sister, she's still alive and she'll help us. 

"Ok, Joan I promise I will but I can't leave you to die alone!" 

"You can and you will sweetie. Don't worry about me I'm ok with dying, my family is waiting for me, please go now Beth let this be my dying wish!" 

This woman has just blackmailed me with a dying wish how the hell am I supposed to say no to that? I want to stay with her but I also know she's right, the Rogues have taken down an entire pack so they'll have no trouble dealing with a teenage girl with a baby. 

"Ok Beth it's time for you to leave now, promise me you'll phone Brooke, promise me you'll live life to the very most and you'll find happiness!" 

I don't know if I'll be able to do all she wants but I'm not going to tell her that, she doesn't need to hear different when she's minutes from dying so instead I promise her that I'll do it all, I kiss her on the forehead and my heart breaks as I run from her and out of the packhouse. 

I make my way off of the pack lands finally accepting that there are no other survivors and head for town. I stick to the roads as I need to avoid the woods, they could be anywhere in there. I can't run at my normal speed because of Bella but I jog as fast as I can, making sure to stay in the shadows as much as possible. 

20 minutes later and I'm Finally in town not that I feel any safer. Bella woke up about 5 minutes ago and is whiny so I walk to the local baby shop they have a baby room, it's public and safe. Once she's all fed, burped, and changed I make my way outside to a quiet corner, and with a lump in my throat, I call Brooke. 

*Ring ring* ring ring* ring ring* ring... 

No answer ugh! she always answers her phone. I try her again and again but still no answer, Shit! I shoot her a text to phone me ASAP and head for the local Diner I know; I'll hide out there until she calls. I head into Danny's Diner and take a seat in a booth at the back out of the way and order a BLT and coffee. I'm really not hungry but I have to keep my strength up for Bella who's fallen back to sleep again snuggled into my chest. 

4 hours later and still no call from Brooke and I've lost count of the number of times I've called her. Why is she not answering? It's 8 pm and I know I need to find somewhere to spend the night, somewhere for Bella to safely sleep. I ask the waitress for a local hotel and she sends me in the right direction. 

It's only a 5-minute walk and thankfully they have a room for me. I request a travel cot to be sent to the room and make my way up to the 7th floor in the elevator. I arrive at the door at the same time as a guy arrives with the travel cot, he sets it up for me and I thank him before he leaves. 

It's a small room, there's a double bed on one wall with the cot on one side and a bedside table on the other side. A unit on the wall at the bottom of the bed with a tv, kettle, and water bottles on it, a built-in wardrobe is on the left-hand side and the bathroom is on the right. Sink toilet and shower nothing special but all we need. 

I place Bella in the travel cot, going in my backpack I take out her blanket and bunny teddy and place them in with her. I've not showered since before bed last night so that's next on my list and thankfully this hotel provides travel-size bathroom accessories or I'd be screwed. 

I lock the door and go turn on the shower leaving the bathroom door open so I can hear Bella. I strip off and step under the hot running water, it may be doing a great job of soothing my muscles but my mind is anywhere but here. I can't stop reliving everything that's happened in the last 24 hours. 

The tears I've been holding back since leaving the pack lands come to the surface only this time, I don't stop them in fact I welcome them. I slide down the shower wall, pull my knees up to my chest and I break down. I cry for losing my family and my pack. I cry for Bella losing her parents. I cry for Mrs Thompson and having to leave her to die alone and I cry out the anger and frustration that just makes me want to tear apart everything in my view. 

It feels like I'll never stop crying but then my mind wonders to Bella and the fact that right now I'm all she has. I have to be strong for her. I made a promise to Josh and Harley that I'd look after her, and protect her and that's exactly what I'll do. 

I Wash up, brush my teeth and get into my pj's before crawling into bed. I try calling Brooke again but no answer ugh! The day slowly catches up with me and I fall into a nightmare-filled sleep... 

*Ring ring* *ring ring* ring ring* 

I'm dragged out of another nightmare by my phone ringing, I dive out of bed, it's Brooke Oh, thank moon goddess. 

"Brooke, where have you been? I've called you about 30 times, why didn't you answer?" I'm speaking so fast I'm struggling to breathe in between. 

"Whoa whoa, calm down sweetheart, I'm sorry I didn't answer we had a BBQ last night and I left my phone in my bedroom, what's wrong? Are you ok?" 

"No Brooke I'm not, nothing's going to be ok again, I can't do this!" I'm back to holding the tears in. 

"I need you to take a deep breath, ok sweetheart? And tell me what's wrong?" 

"Tuesday night Rogues attacked the pack lands... the... they killed everyone, Brooke... Mom, Dad, Josh, Harley, Carly... everyone's gone!" My sobs are back and I feel so broken. 

"Oh, goddess no!" I can hear the sheer terror in Brooke's voice as she realizes what's happened. 

"How did you... what about Isabella?" 

"Bella's fine I've got her but it's just us two now." 

The phone goes quiet before I hear shuffling from the other end of the phone. 

"Bethany, this is Alpha Calvin, are you safe? Where are you?" 

"I'm safe, I have my niece Bella with me. We're at a hotel in the human town called the tree line in room 319." 

"Ok Beth, don't worry you won't be on your own much longer I am sending my Gamma and a few warriors to come and get you both straight away, they will bring you here to Brooke, to us, ok?" 

"Thank you so much, Alpha... but how will I know they are your warriors?" 

"Smart girl. Gamma Jack will be there with my warriors John, Callum, Jake, Scott, and David. I will give them the password of Brooke how's that work for you?" 

"That sounds ok." I quickly write down the names he gave me. 

"Good now it will take them roughly 6 hours to get there, they will be driving straight through to get you both so they should be with you around twelve, ok? In the meantime, I'd prefer it if you didn't leave the room so anything you need order through room service and Gamma Jack will settle the bill when he arrives, please don't worry about the cost!" 

"Thank you, Alpha Calvin thank you so much, I don't want to be alone anymore!" My voice breaks as the tears keep falling. 

"There's no need to thank me, Beth we are family and you won't be alone for much longer, ok? I know you've lost your home and nothing can replace that but there's a place here with me and Brooke waiting for you both ok?" 

"Ok thank you Alpha that means more than you'll ever know, how's Brooke doing?" Bella starts waking up as I'm waiting for his reply. 

"She's not doing great but I imagine you are the same?" 

"I am, Bella's waking up so I need to make her bottle, please look after Brooke Alpha Calvin." 

He assures me he will and that he'll call back soon to check on me. I pop my phone on charge and make a start on Bella's morning routine... six more hours on our own... we can do this. 

*Knock knock knock knock* 

My heart picks up pace at the sound of someone knocking on the door. 

"Bethany, it's Gamma Jack, we're here to take you and little Isabella home." 

"Gamma Jack... who else is with you?" I have to be sure. 

"Bethany, I have 5 warriors with me John, Callum, Jake, Scott, and David." As he says the names, they all say hi to me one by one. 

"Ok, and what's the password?" Better to be safe than sorry. 

"It's Brooke." 

I decide I'm happy to believe it's them and I slowly open the door to a huge guy standing there he's at least 6ft3 short jet black hair, bright blue eyes, and very muscular, the power coming off him tells me he's of a high rank. The other 5 guys are also incredibly tall and muscular and I know Bella and I will be safe with them. 

He gives me a kind smile as I open the door more so they can come inside. Bella is babbling away in her travel cot while sucking on one of her teddy bunny ears and I swear I see every single one of the guys soften looking at her. 

We make quick work of gathering mine and Bella's stuff and leave the room. Gamma Jack offers to carry Bella but I want her with me. I'm not saying he's a bad guy but I don't know him well enough yet and until I get to Brooke, she's all I have. 

I go to pay the bill for our room and room service but Gamma Jack stops me and insists he pays and I'm too lost in myself to argue it.

We make our way to the SUV they brought, strap Bella in the car seat and all pile in ready to leave this place behind, to leave my family behind.

Future Luna Brooke

The music is pumping, the dancefloor quickly filling, the drinks are flowing and the food is endless, this BBQ is going great. My mate certainly knows how to throw a party. The Alpha of this pack is one incredible leader, he's everything an Alpha should be and would lay his life down for any one of his members. He's been Alpha for the last 2 years after he took over the position at 18 when his dad was ready to retire. 

A lot of Alphas won't retire until the future Alpha has found his Luna but Alpha Calvin wasn't getting any luck and his dad was ready to retire so he took on the role without his Luna by his side. 

He finally met his Luna 3 weeks ago; it turns out the reason he hadn't found his Mate before was that she lived in a different pack that he had never visited. I don't know what I did in life to deserve him as my mate, never imagined I'd be a Luna but I honestly couldn't be happier. 

"Is my Luna enjoying the BBQ?" His strong arms wrap around my waist as he places a kiss on my mark and a shiver runs through my whole body. 

"She is, is my Alpha enjoying the BBQ?" I cheekily grin his way. He spins me around gracing me with his sexy smirk. 

"He is although he's looking forward to taking his Luna to bed more." He winks at me; he's got such a cheeky personality and a dirty dirty mind and he brings out the sexual side to me that I never knew I had. He pulls me in tight against his body and gives me a slow sensual kiss. 

"Put him down Luna, we wouldn't want you corrupting his innocent mind!" Liam, Calvin's best friend, and Beta bellows in his fake British accent as he makes his way over to us. 

"Don't worry Liam, our dear innocent Alpha could never be corrupted, he'd much rather play scrabble than ever be swayed by the beauty in front of him." Comes the fake Scottish accent of Jack, Calvin's other best friend, and Gamma as he makes his way over with his mate Ashley and Beta Liam. 

"Fuck off!" Shouts Calvin and we all bellow out with laughter. I may only have been here 3 weeks but it honestly feels like I've been here forever in a good way, of course. Everyone has treated me like family, and Liam, Jack, and Ashley have become more like brothers to me. I take a moment to think about my family back at the moonshine pack I miss them so much. 

I couldn't wait to move here with Calvin but It was hard leaving them behind. Mom and dad are incredible people. Josh my brother, and his mate Harley are high-ranking warriors and became parents 6 months ago to my niece Isabella and she is the cutest baby ever. 

Then there's my little sister Bethany she's honestly one of my best friends. We talk all the time but I still miss her like crazy but they are coming here next week for my Luna ceremony and will be staying for 6 days and I can't wait to see them all. 

It's gone 1 am before we're climbing into bed. It has been a brilliant night but we are both shattered, not that tiredness ever stops us, and certainly not Calvin. We make love twice before curling up and passing out. 

I slowly start opening my eyes adjusting to the beaming light shining through the window. We always forget to close the curtains and we always regret it. I feel sparks on my head and know my mate is running his fingers through my hair, I'll never get bored of the feeling. 

I've sprawled myself across his chest, my legs on either side of his body, I push myself up using his chest to support myself and grab my phone off the bedside table. I forgot to take it to the BBQ last night and well I was a little distracted when I came to bed so didn't check it but as soon as I look at the screen, I'm on high alert. 

"Brooke, what's wrong baby?" He's noticed me tense up and instantly looks concerned. 

"I don't know but I've got 22 missed calls off Beth since yesterday afternoon and a text for me to call her asap, what if something has happened?" 

"I'm sure everything's fine baby it's probably just some teenage thing or maybe she's argued with your parents? Why don't you give her a call and check in before she goes to school? You'll only worry all day otherwise." He knows me too well already. I check the time, it's 6 am, she'll be up now getting ready so I take Calvin's advice and call Beth. 

*Ring ring* ring ring* ring ring* 

"Brooke, where have you been? I've called you about 30 times, why didn't you answer?" 

She speaks so fast... what the hell is going on? I wait for her to explain, expecting some sort of teenage problem, a fight with Carly, boy trouble, or maybe even trouble with my parents but what she tells me isn't anything close to that. What she tells me destroys my world. 

"Tuesday night Rogues attacked the pack lands... the... they killed everyone, Brooke... Mom, Dad, Josh, Harley, Carly everyone's gone!" She starts to sob into the phone as my world falls apart. I manage to ask her about Bella but everything else is just a cluster of words. 

I start telling Calvin what's happened even though I know he's already heard everything for some reason I need to tell him. I'm spilling my words out as tears start to fall, I can't hold them back anymore. Calvin pulls me off of his lap and onto the bed he goes to the closet and comes back with underwear and one of his tee-shirts and dresses me in them, his tee-shirt is big enough to come down to just above my knees. 

He goes back into the closet and returns dressed in joggers and a tee shirt; he's so fast it's only taken him a minute to dress us both. I see him mind link someone then he comes and takes the phone off me. Shit, Beth is still on the phone while I'm just sitting here. 

"Bethany, this is Alpha Calvin, are you safe? Where are you?" As Cals talking on the phone with Beth there's a knock on the door. Calvin answers, and in walks Liam, Jack, and five of our warriors. Calvin motions them in and goes back to Beth he must have linked them when he got us both dressed. He doesn't say anything to them but goes straight back to talking to Bethany. 

He's straight into Alpha mode but also being extremely gentle towards Bethany and I couldn't be any more grateful right now. I'm a mess. I can barely hear what he is saying. Everything's a blur. 

Liam calls out to me but I just stare at him. I can't form any words and I can't tell him that my family is dead, if I do it will make it all the more real and for some reason, I need to hold on to some kind of hope that this is all a dream. 

I pull my attention back to Cal while I concentrate on taking deep breaths and I can hear Beth on the other end of the phone. 

"Thank you, Alpha Calvin thank you so much, I don't want to be alone anymore!" 

I hear her voice break and her sobs bring on mine. Calvin makes his way to me, pulls me onto his lap, and starts to run his fingers through my hair to try and calm me while I bury my head in his chest. 

"There's no need to thank me Beth we are family and you won't be alone for much longer ok. I know you've lost your home and nothing can replace that but there's a new place here with me and Brooke waiting for you both ok?" 

I love this man so much. My sister and niece are alone and he doesn't even question what will happen to them now or who will look after them he just instantly commits himself to now taking on the role with me and at this moment, I don't think I've loved him more. 

"Alpha what's happened?" I'm dragged out of my thoughts by Liam's voice. 

"I don't know all the details yet but Tuesday night Brooke's old pack, her family's pack was attacked by Rogues. So far only two survivors are known. Brooke's 14-year-old sister Bethany and her niece Isabella who's 6 months." 

"What do you need from us?" Liam and Jack ask at the same time. I send a grateful smile their way. I've only been here 3 weeks and they haven't even met Beth or Bella yet they don't hesitate in helping them, in helping me. 

"Jack, I want you to go and collect Beth and Bella from the hotel they are staying in I'll text you the address now. John, Callum, Jake, Scott, and David, I need you to go with Jack. It's a 6-hour trip and I need you to drive straight through. I need you to get to them asap, these girls are our family and they've been on their own way too long. Oh and when you knock on her door she'll ask you for the password, it's Brooke." 

"Of course, Alpha, we will get to her as quickly as we can. We'll keep them safe Brooke I promise." Jack looks at me as he finishes speaking. 

"Calvin it's her birthday tomorrow, what kind of birthday can she have with everything she's been through." 

"It's her birthday tomorrow... wow poor girl." Liam looks at me sadly. 

"I know sweetheart and granted this isn't going to be a great birthday for her but we will still try our best to make the day special for her ok baby?" I throw him a grateful smile because I know if I talk, I will break down again. 

"If you need any help, I know Ashley will be more than happy to help you, Brooke you know he loves any reason to get out his organizing folder!" Jack rolls his eyes while he speaks and for the first time this morning, I hold a genuine smile for a few seconds. 

"Thank you, Jack, yeah that guy loves that bloody folder, I think I will do just that. Beth deserves a great day but I know I don't have it in me to organize anything." 

"No problem, Luna, I will let him know to keep his day free that way you can see him once you are ready. Right men let's all go get ready to go we have two very important girls to bring home. I want you all in the kitchen in 30 minutes no later!" All the men nod and leave the room including Jack. 

"I'm going to go and get some food and drinks for them to take with them, it's a long drive and they won't be stopping, it's the least I can do," I tell Calvin as I get off the bed. 

"That's a great idea let's go." He holds out his hand to me and I think he knows I need to keep busy. 

"I'm right behind you," Liam calls out, that guy will do anything for anyone without a second thought. 

We head down to the kitchen, make a huge pile of ham salad and cheese salad sandwiches, pop them in a cooler and add in bags of chips, cookies, and granola bars. We then grab another cooler box and fill it with bottles of water and energy drinks. 

Just as we finish up all the guys start making their way into the kitchen, it's only been 15 minutes and I'm grateful for their eagerness to leave. Jack comes down last with Ashley at his side. 

"Luna Brooke, I'm so sorry for what's happened, if there's anything I can do please don't hesitate to ask. Jack mentioned you may be needing my help with Beth's birthday and I'm more than happy to help. I will be in the packhouse all day today so please call me whenever you're ready." 

"Thank you, Ashley, I really appreciate it." He gives me a kind smile, nods, then turns to Jack, kissing him goodbye, and wishing all the guys a safe journey. Calvin takes out the coolers and puts them in the SUV while the guys thank us for the supplies. 

Liam disappears into another room and returns with a baby car seat and hands it to John. I send him a grateful smile as I hadn't even thought about that. The guy's pile in and gives us a wave as they leave the packhouse. 

Calvin texts Beth letting her know that the guys have left then turns to me picking me up bridal style and carrying me towards the bedroom. I'm too sad to question anything today and leave him to it. 

"Liam you are in charge today I'm taking the day off to look after our Luna." 

"Of course, Alpha don't worry about anything I've got it covered, if either of you needs anything please let me know." 

We both thank Liam as Calvin continues to the bedroom. He puts me on the bed and lays down next to me tapping his chest. I lay down on him sprawled across his chest with my legs on either side of his body. He pulls the blanket over us and starts stroking my hair. Laying in his arms feels like the safest place in the world and it doesn't take long for me to fall into a fitful sleep.