Night time  

              Shadow moon pack   

Clara and Linda already packed a small duffel bag which contained their little belongings, and now, they were ready to leave. 

They already planned their exit out carefully, and since Linda doesn't have her wolf anymore, and Margret is too old to even face any battle, they'll be needing wolfsbane, which Clara already got, at least, it'll make it easier for them if they happen to run into any trouble.

"C'mon, let's leave through the back door, I know of a shortcut which will lead us straight out of the pack, and it has little guards guarding it since no one uses it, so there's not much to worry about". Clara said, strapping the little bag to her back. 

"good, and I've got the wolfsbane here with me". Linda said. 

"but we can't leave this way, we need to mask our scent to avoid many problems". Margret said worriedly. 

"don't worry about that mother, there's mud at the back, we'll apply some before leaving". Clara said and Margret sighed in relief. 

"ok ok, let's go, there's not much time to waste here". Clara said. 

They all left through the back, and just as Clara said, there was lots of mud on the floor at the back. 

They all bent down to quickly apply the mud on their face and hands, at least that'll be enough to mask their scent. 

They began walking hastily towards the shortcut which will lead them straight out of the pack. 

They walked for quite some time before they completed half of the journey, Clara and Linda had no sign of tiredness on their face, but Margret, her face, tells that she was tired already and her pace began to slow down. 

"Clara wait". Linda said and they all came to an abrupt stop. 

"I think we should stop for a while,mother seems tired". She said. 

"n no child, it's fine, let's keep going, the more time we waste, the more it exposes us to danger, I can manage, let's not stop". Margret replied, breathing heavily. 

Clara gave Linda a worried look, contemplating if they should stop or listen to her and continue. 

Margret noticed the look they shared and she repeated the word she said. 

"I'll be fine, let's keep moving, we've been walking for quite some time now, and I'm sure there's little to cover up now, we'll be out of here in no time, right Clara". She said and Clara gave a positive nod. 

"So let's keep moving, I'm fine". She reassured once more. 

Clara walked up to Linda and whispered something in her ear. 

"OK, that's fine, you're right about that, I can manage, but she can't, so we'll just do that". Linda replied. 

"hey you two, what are you whispering about". Margret said and the Two ladies giggled.

"it's nothing mother, let's get moving". Linda replied and they continued their journey. 

they kept on walking, almost reaching the pack exit, three wolves popped out of nowhere, growling ferociously at them. 

"where do you three think you're going". The 1st wolf asked. 

Margret quickly stood in front of Clara and Linda, using herself as a shield. 

"I think the answer would be, none of your business". she replied, glaring at them. 

they stared at her for a while before bursting into laughter.

''Hey, old lady, do you have a death wish?". The 2nd wolf said. 

"Linda, take care of mother, I got this". Clara sighed, pushing Margret and Linda aside. 

"You know, that's not a nice way to talk to an elderly lady''. She smirked. 

as Linda watched Clara, she felt bad that there was nothing she could do to help, she can't even fight because she's lost her wolf. 

"please moon goddess, help us". She prayed silently. 

"oh really, so what are you going to do about that girl". The 3rd said and they all laughed once more. 

"we just caught all three of you sneaking your way out of the pack, and that's one hell of a big crime, so now, you've got two options, come quietly with us or, I'm sure you know the second". The 2nd wolf said with a growl.

"and what if we don't". Clara growled. 

"then you won't like what's coming your way". He said. 

"Linda, no matter what, stay back with mother". Clara said. 

The three wolves all surrounded Clara, fangs and claws out and their eyes glowing a bright gold. 

Clara looked at them before giving the control to her wolf (Courtney).

*well girl, I don't need wolfsbane to kill these idiots* Courtney giggled. 

The first wolf attacked her with a punch, but she was quick to see this, she grabbed his hand, twisting it roughly to his back causing him to groan in pain as he also felt her sharp claws dig deep into his wrist.

*how are you liking this huh* she smirked. 

she gave him a smack down which sent him to the floor, then she crouched down and quickly ripped his heart out of his chest. 

*easy peasy*

the other two growled dangerously at her before attacking her. 

Linda and Margret watched in awe at how she beat them up, who knows Clara was this strong. 

"I don't think we'll be needing that wolfsbane anymore, just look at her, she herself is the wolfsbane". Margret said and they both laughed. 

"True, this is also quite a show, and I'm enjoying it". Linda added with a smile. 

Courtney beat them up till they could take no more. 

"no witnesses, sorry". She smirked before ripping their hearts out. 

"wow". Linda said as they both began applauding her. 

"oh my, never knew my darling sister was this good at fighting, that was sweet girl, I didn't even need to use the wolfsbane". She giggled. 

"oh please, stop it". Clara smiled. 

Courtney already gave the control back to Clara, and her eyes were back to their normal blue. 

"it's all thanks to Courtney, she's the warrior here". She smiled. 

"Who's Courtney". Margret asked. 

"she's my wolf".

"wow, good job Courtney, now we can journey in peace and walk without fear". Linda said. 

"yes we can, we're almost there, let's get going". Clara said. 

They all continued their journey, chattering happily. 

                            ******** 

Gwen sat in their bedroom, she was still brooding over Emily and her mother, at the same time, thinking of a way to get them back. 

Lance was busy making dinner, even after telling him she's not hungry, he still insists she eats something, and she had no choice but to give in to his request. 

"please come downstairs my love". She heard his voice through the mindlink. 

"I'll be there soon". She replied. 

*gwen, I know you're still feeling down about what happened, but you need to get yourself together, we'll definitely get them back, just believe in that* Kiara said. 

*i know that Kiara, because I won't rest till I get them back from that witch*

*and you need to be strong to do that, so let's go down there, get something to eat, then we can plan on how to get them back, so girl, cheer up please*

*you're literally frustrating mate with this behavior of Yours, he's also in pain seeing you like this, and I'm sure he's also blaming himself for this* Kiara said. 

Gwen let out a sigh before replying. 

*you're right Kiara, I now feel bad hearing the plain truth*

*oh please, no need to feel bad, both behaviors are normal, and he's our mate, let's just go down to eat*

*haha, thanks Kiara, you're the best wolf ever*

*yea yea, I know that already* Kiara replied proudly. 

Gwen went downstairs, and she met Lance setting the table. He looked deliciously sexy with his black apron on, and he was shirtless. 

she stood there quietly, drooling over him, how blessed she was to have him as a mate. 

*gosh, I just want to jump on him right now* Kiara purred. 

Lance turned, he had a mischievous smirk on his face the moment he saw the look Gwen had on her face. 

"you look like you're about to eat me". He smirked 

"like what you see".

"shut up lance". She blushed. 

"you know too well what I mean, you're also blushing". He said, slowly approaching her. 

he pulled her to him, then his lips came down on hers, kissing her passionately. 

a loud knock sounded on the door, interrupting them. 

"alpha". They heard someone call from outside. 

Lance quickly pulled away with a frown on his face, clearly he was mad about being interrupted. 

"let's go see who it is". Gwen said. 

"that person better have a good explanation for this or I'm going to kill someone". He growled. 

"oh please". Gwen laughed as they both went to open the door. 

"what's it". Lance growled out seeing it was one of the pack guards. 

"Alpha,please forgive me, but your presence is needed immediately". He said. 

"what's wrong". Gwen asked. 

"I don't know Luna, but the alphas' presence is requested immediately".

"ok, let's go". Lance said and they both followed the man. 

He took them both to the place he was asked to bring them. Asher, Leo and their mates were there, but it wasn't just them, they seemed to be with three other people. 

"asher". Lance called. 

Asher turned quickly to stare at lance with tears in his eyes. 

"lance". He called in tears. 

"what's going on here, and why do you have tears in your eyes". He questioned with a frown. 

his gaze went to the rest of them, and their expression seems to be the same as asher.

"what's happening here, why do y'all look like someone just died". He growled in frustration. 

"someone is here to see you". Lily said as they made way for the old lady to come through. 

It was dark, but he could still see clearly. The old lady walked slowly with her head down, and when she raised them up, there were tears in her eyes. 

she looked at him with tears in her eyes and he looked at her with confusion written all over his face. 

They both stood quietly looking at each other, suddenly, his eyes widened with shock as the recognition hit him hard. 

"no, this can't be". He muttered as hot tears streamed down his cheeks. 

"MOTHER"