Hello everyone, I hope you are okay.

Here is a new chapter.

Enjoy!

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

"Are you okay?" Ethan panted as he laid beside his brother on the floor.

Their encounter with Damien and Jasper ended fifteen minutes ago, but neither could bring himself to get up. They were sweaty and sore. They were feeling pain in places they didn't know existed before today.

"Yes, I am good as much as it can get at the moment. By the way, I suggest you and your team in Switzerland upgrade your anti-shock shirts and pants because, against father's blows, they are nothing." Hunter replied.

"Hey, I didn't say they are professional or anything. We are still in the experiential stage." Ethan countered.

"Excuses, excuses." Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Jasper wasn't lying when he said he would let out some steam, was he?" Ethan ignored his brother's taunting.

"The man never plays around. He even learned a new kind of martial art. They took us by surprise. Well, dad was like always fast and brutal, but the real surprise is Jasper, he changed. Before, he used the same style as father but now, he is calm and takes his time before streaking." Hunter remarked.

"Do you remember the first time we faced father in the ring?"

"Yes of course. And do you remember that it was the last time you were there with me?"

Ethan cursed under his breath in frustration. How could he say that and upset his brother that way? Finally, he was making some progress in their relationship, but like the idiot he was, he ruined it with one sentence. He watched as Hunter stood up and dried his hair with a white towel.

"Where are you going?" Ethan asked dreading his brother's answer.

At first, he thought Hunter would just continue walking and ignore the question, but he proved him wrong and turned around to look at him.

"I am heading to where Anna is staying. It is time we talk, and it will be good if we are in the camp by midnight."

"Don't be hard on her. Let her know her mistakes without hurting her. She doesn't belong with us, but she is here so she has to deal with it." Ethan advised.

Hunter didn't comment on his brother's words and resumed his walking to the gym's door. He didn't decide yet how he will deal with this, but for sure he won't hurt her, at least not intentionally.

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

Anna was pacing the small room where she stayed last night. The room was pretty empty apart from a queen-sized bed, and two small tables beside it. She stood at the window that gave her a clear view of the city. The lights were already on since the sunset was two hours ago. Her mind was racing one thousand miles per hour. At first, when the guards brought her here, she expected someone from the Salviatti family to come to her, but now, she was losing hope maybe they were keeping her here to come and kill her.

A soft knock on her door brought her away from her thoughts. She tore her gaze from the window and looked at the door in time to see Becky who she suspected was the housekeeper entering with a tray of food.

"Good evening Ms. Anna here is your dinner."

Anna gave her a tight smile and mumbled her thanks hoping she sounded polite. She gave up on convincing the woman in her late forties that she is not hungry. Anna wasn't in the mood to eat anything. Her nerves were acting up, and her stomach was knotted painfully. After Becky took the still loaded tray of lunch, she left Anna again to her own device.

The food smelt delicious which made Anna's stomach protest with loud growls. Anna sighed and took a seat on her bed since the room lacked any chairs or sofas. She put the tray on her lap and stared at the steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. The dessert consisted of a mouth-watering chocolate cake. She sighed again and took her fork to start eating.

It was true that eating tasty food will raise your mood no matter what. Anna was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling with a contented smile while closing her eyes and trying to relax in what seemed like forever. She heard her bedroom door open but didn't bother to look who was the visitor since it was probably just Becky taking the tray away.

"Thank you so much for the food Becky, it was delightful." Anna felt the need to thank the woman for the well-prepared meal.

"I am so happy to know that you like Becky's food. She is the best cook I have ever met."

Anna froze. Hunter's deep voice paralyzed her, and she couldn't bring herself to move a limb. She felt the bed deep slightly meaning that Hunter took a seat at the other side of her bed.

" Hi," Anna said when she couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Hello," Hunter replied with his emotionless voice.

Anna shifted uncomfortably in her position on the bed then decided to sit up so she can make eye contact with him. His eyes were looking in the distance, and his lips were set in a hard line. He looked upset and in a bad mood.

What are the chances that he isn't upset because of me? Anna wondered.

Zero percent! You idiot! Her subconscious answered.

She shook her head to rid herself of this unwanted conversation.

"We are leaving."

Anna nodded and got up from her bed. She wore her shoes and waited for Hunter to do the same. Without a word, Hunter opened the door and motioned for her to follow him. They exited the building and ascended a black car with tinted windows.

"Did Carlos misdirect the reporters?"

"Yes, sir. They think you are heading to the DON house."

"Good," Hunter said in approval.

Anna felt nervous, she thought they would take the same route as last time. But the moment the highway ended, they took a turn to the forest. She looked at Hunter with wide eyes.

"Is this the moment you will kill me? Or are you going to order someone else to do it?"

Anna watched as Hunter's stony expression crumbled, and he burst out laughing. He was laughing so hard that he needed to clutch his stomach. After he was calm enough, he looked at her and shook his head.

"You are funny Anna. Do you really think I would kill you?"

"Well, the look on your face was murderous and we are deep in the woods so I thought.....I thought you are going to kill me." Anna said embarrassedly.

"First of all, we are deep in the woods, because it is the new location of the camp. The murderous look on my face has nothing to do with me planning to kill you, but with you betraying my trust. How could you Anna?" Hunter said seriously.

The guilt Anna tried to suppress for the last two days came bubbling to the surface. She felt tears coming to her eyes at his expression. He didn't look angry anymore. He was just tired and hurt, and to think she was responsible for that was painful.

"I...I didn't mean it like that Hunter. I was just loyal to my friend." Anna tried to explain.

"And by that, you betrayed your boyfriend Anna. I warned you before Anna. Our world is different, too different from what you are used to. We don't give second chances. It is not every time I can save you like this. If your little escapade reached my granddad, he would have punished you without delay. We put rules for a reason, and you know who can break them and get away with it? Us. We are the rules makers and breakers at the same time. I trusted you to come to me if Lillian was planning to do anything, but you go behind my back and helped her."

"You didn't give us a choice. You were refusing to let her go and see her father even when you know that she is crazy about him. She was desperate and I helped her. That's all." Anna argued trying to prove her point.

"We were making arrangements for her to travel. Arrangements Anna, it means taking everything into consideration. Her safety was our priority, and we were going to make sure she has a capable security team, but no, you went and act out of foolishness." Hunter spoke angrily.

"It seems you don't understand the feeling of vulnerability. If you did, you wouldn't have been sitting here and saying that. I did it because I know when someone is frantic and in need, and I would do it again. I am sorry I broke your trust Hunter, I am so sorry. I will make it up to you." Anna said as she scooted closer to him, and she held his hand between her hands while putting her head on his chest.

Hunter didn't push her away and caressed her hair with his hand gently. He never imagined his girl to be someone that obstinate. The fire in her eyes when she was talking about her help to Lillian made him know that the girl is untameable. If you want to tame her, you need to break her, was the conclusion Hunter made. He just hoped that no one will get the chance to do that. He will make sure of protecting her and being always there for her.

I was vulnerable once Anna......... I was frantic before and wanted to be with the people I love... .........I know the meaning of helplessness.

Hunter thought to himself as the driver came to a stop and announced their arrival in their direction.

"come on. Let's put this show on the road." Hunter said as he extended his hand to Anna.

Anna took a deep breath and left the car. She placed her hand in his and looked at him with worried eyes. He didn't say anything since her last outburst. Hunter understood her look and sighed.

"Look, Anna, I am not a person who forgives easily, especially if someone I trust betrayed me, but I know that your heart was in the right place, and you just helped a friend in a bad situation so I will let it go." At her big smile, he added sternly "just this time."

Anna nodded her head vigorously and hugged him once more.

Hunter led the way to a large clearing where tents were spread around. She looked at Hunter questioningly. He shrugged his shoulder and continued walking to another clearing which was situated behind a bunch of tall trees. There, they found all the other participants in the camp waiting. Anna spotted Diana standing with Nicholas and Matt. Anna motioned to them, and she and Hunter made their way to them. Matt was the first to see them, and immediately engulfed Anna in a bear hug.

"Are you okay?" Matt whispered in her ear.

Anna smiled and nodded her head against his neck. She pulled away from the hug and gave him a reassuring smile then looked at the others. Nicholas nodded at her in acknowledgment while Diana also hugged her and made sure to ask her if she was alright.

Anna was shocked by their care and interest in her well-being. She didn't know them for a long time, but here they are looking out for her and worrying about her. Their eyes and words were sincere and not fake. They surely knew about what happened and choose to keep the secret. Hunter told her that her escape with Lillian didn't reach the DON which means that those people who were mere strangers for her months ago decided to protect her secret.

"Hello, Anna." Aiden's stern voice came behind her.

She turned around and looked at him. His hazel eyes were almost black and his jaw was set in a straight line. Anna felt a shiver run down her spine at his look. She swallowed hard and returned his icy greeting with a weak hello.

Hunter stepped to her side and looked at Aiden threateningly.

"Don't Aiden. She already knows her actions frightened us, and it won't happen again."

"It's better not to happen again because I am sure as h*ll don't want to lose another sister," Aiden said with the same tone of voice and stormed away.

Anna looked at his retreated form with confusion. Matt came to stand beside her and patted her back comfortingly.

"Don't worry Anna, he is not mad at you. He was just afraid for you when he knew about what happened. He loves you as a sister Anna and losing you will destroy him. Destroy us. We lost a sister before, and don't want it to happen again." Matt said with a sad voice and followed his brother.

Anna looked at Hunter for help, but he just shook his head.

"It is not my place to tell you their story, Anna. When they are ready, they will tell you." Anna nodded her head although her curiosity is getting higher and higher.

A loud thud gathered the attention of everyone. Jasper and Damien along with Ethan were standing facing them.

"As you see, we decided to have the last week of the camp here in the middle of the forest, it will help you to develop your survival instincts." Damien was the first to address them.

Besides him, Jasper smirked and added.

"All the training we did in the last weeks was just a warm-up. Now, we are here to do the real work. As you see, in this place there are three things: You, us and the forest, nothing more nothing less. I suggest you sleep tonight because tomorrow will be hell."

"Do you have anything else to add, Ethan?" Damien addressed his silent son.

"Actually, I want to tell you guys, Jackson won't be here so there won't be any fooling around," Ethan said with a mischievous glint in his green eyes.

Damien shook his head at his son's words and continued.

"Your sleeping arrangement will be the same as it was in the camp. Apart from Ms. Sanders, you will be sleeping with Diana. That's all for the moment, any questions?" Damien asked, and was surprised when he saw Tatiana's hand raised.

"Go ahead, Miss Romanov," Damien said with a raised eyebrow.

"Why isn't Lillian here? Did something happen to her?" Tatiana asked smugly wanting to put Damien in a compromising situation.

"I think it has nothing to do with you if Lillian is okay or not, but if you are this curious, I will answer you. Lillian is being punished severely for something she did. And if you want to join her and make sure she is okay, just inform me, and I will make sure your wishes are fulfilled." Jasper was the one to answer her with a foreboding look on his face.

The shiver that crossed Tatiana's body was visible to everyone. Hunter was trying very hard to keep a straight face while Matt was laughing shamelessly at the look on Tatiana's face. The others watched the exchange with shock written on their faces, mainly Anna who wasn't used to this type of encounter.

Jasper didn't wait for a reply from Tatiana and turned his attention to the others.

"Now, it's time for you to go to bed. And I suggest you take as much as you can because training will be at 5 a.m."

Ethan ignored the gasps produced by Jasper's last words and continued speaking.

"As you can see, we are in the forest so you guys will be sleeping in tents. The red ones are for girls and the blue for boys. Good night." With those words, the instructors took their departure leaving behind them a bunch of confused teenagers.

Hunter kissed Anna goodnight and left with Nicholas to their tent. Anna gave him a little smile and along with Diana headed to theirs.

Anna wasn't surprised when she saw her bags at a corner along with a bedroll and a fluffy pillow. She made her bed and lay down. It took her some time to find a comfortable position, a smile made her way to Anna's face.

This is what she thought the first time when she was informed about the camp. Forest, tents, fresh air, and glowing stars. It was heaven in Anna's eyes. She was always fond of nature and its beauty.

Finally, something was good in this camp. Well apart from Hunter, he was the most beautiful thing that happened to her in years. He always kept a hard facade that seemed unbreakable to her. She was sure he will punish her somehow or hurt her for breaking his trust. But he proved her wrong and He forgave her and gave her another chance. Maybe her prayers and wishes for a happy life were answered in the form of Hunter Salviatti.

"I can't believe they came with this twisted idea to put us here." Diana who was fidgeting in her bed complained.

"Hey, don't be overdramatic Diana. Try and savour this moment in the middle of this beauty." Anna laughed.

"What beauty are you talking about? I won't be sleeping tonight with those mosquitoes flying around me. This bed is uncomfortable and scratchy, and you are talking about beauty." Diana scoffed.

Anna shook her head and muttered under her breath.

"You don't know the meaning of scratchy and uncomfortable Diana. What did you expect from a princess Anna?" Anna thought to herself.

"I am mad at you," Diana said monotonously.

Anna blinked twice and faced her. The girl who was whining seconds ago was now wearing a very serious face. Another bipolar member in this family how shocking, note the sarcasm.

"What?" Anna expressed her confusion in a one-worded question.

"You planned to escape and didn't involve me. I missed all the excitement." Diana pouted.

Anna rolled her eyes and raised an eyebrow at her friend's words.

"Are you speaking for real Diana? We were in a hurry and the mere people, the merrier. We couldn't afford failure at the time, and we tried to keep our group as small as possible." Anna tried to explain.

"Fine, but next time you decide to escape from somewhere call me, or I will be mad. Trust me, you don't want to see me mad." Diana said with a devil smile.

Anna felt a shiver through her body as Diana's blue eyes turned icy and cold, another trait in this family. When they are angry, their eyes turned scary, very scary. Anna can't imagine her own blue eyes turning like ice. It was really strange.

"Good night," Anna said quietly.

When she didn't get an answer from her roommate who technically was her tent mate, Anna closed her eyes and drifted to a dreamless sleep.

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

"What the h*ll is wrong with these people?" Nicholas cursed as he was awaked with the loud noise of a trumpet.

He stumbled his way out of bed and got changed to his training uniform. He was surprised when he saw Hunter's bed rolled and in the corner. It seemed that his cousin was excited for this camp to lose his beauty sleep, and wake up at this ungodly hour.

After making sure that their tent was in proper shape, Nicholas went out. He spotted Hunter leaning against a nearby tree waiting for the instructors to start speaking.

"Good morning, man." Nicholas greeted.

"Morning." Came Hunter's grumpy reply.

"What's up?" Nicholas asked, immediately knowing that there is something wrong with his friend.

"I got bad news from France last night."

Nicholas patted his cousin's shoulder and didn't add any comment knowing that talking about this subject won't bring any good.

Everyone gathered and waited for the next orders. Some of them were fully awake, but the majority seemed like they are still in a sleepy state.

"Good morning everyone. The breakfast will always start at 5 a.m and end at 5:45. Today, we were generous and woke you up, but starting tomorrow, anyone who will wake up after the set time won't get any food until lunch. For now, I will let you enjoy your meal." Jasper said.

The breakfast was presented in the form of a buffet of different kinds of food from pancakes, waffles scrambled eggs and sausages. Anna took her dish and filled it with pancakes since they were her favourite. She sat at the same table with Hunter who was sipping from his cup of coffee.

"Morning," Anna said with a smile on her face. She was in a good mood today. Who wouldn't be in a good mood after waking up to birds singing?

"Morning," Hunter replied dryly.

Well here came your answer, Anna, apparently Hunter wasn't in a good mood.