Hello everyone!

I hope you are all fine!

Here is a new chapter! Enjoy!

***********

"The alpha will die soon," Ethan muttered under his breath repeating the sentence Anna deciphered yesterday.

"What the hell does it mean?" Aiden said and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

The Salviatti's family along with Anna were sat around a meeting table. It took them nearly most of the day to figure out what that one sentence meant.

"The alpha in werewolves' world is the leader." Anna rationalized.

"And grandpa is the leader in our world," Eric concluded.

"They are planning to kill the Don," Hunter said and moved to sit beside Anna.

"There are numbers in the document, do you think they mean something?" asked Lillian who didn't utter a word since the start of the meeting.

"I don't know, does 2203 represent something to you?" Anna said in confusion.

All the gathered shrugged their shoulders and looked at each other. Ethan who was sitting at the head of the table stood up and looked at his friends.

"I will call father later and inform him of our findings. Maybe he will have some answers."

After Ethan took his leave from the group, the others just eased in some mindless chatter. Loud shrills sounded from the other room in the mansion breaking the peace that was short-lived for the teenagers.

"Good God, who invented something annoying like those damn babies?" Eric groaned and took his leave to check on his so-called daughter.

Lillian looked at Aiden and Hunter and motioned to the stairs.

"You are the fathers. It's time you bond with your children."

With matching huffs, the two took their leaves as well. The two remaining girls sat in awkward silence.

"how has it been going since you came here?" Lillian was the first to speak.

"good, it had been two months since the school started, and until now, everything is going great. I made a new friend, she is super fun."

Lillian flinched at the comment and bowed her head. Anna felt satisfied as she meant it to hurt the green-eyed girl.

"she even has similar eyes to yours. But I think that hers are more honest than some other people I know." Anna said.

"Enough!" Lillian snapped, "why are you doing this? You are hurting me on purpose."

"Sorry, but I think that the truth hurts sometimes," Anna said indifferently. "And that's what I was obliged to realise because of you. When you have a friend who can stab you in the back at any moment, then you will understand my words." Anna got up from her seat next to Lillian and brushed the invisible dust from her clothes.

"I never stabbed you, and I would never dream of it. We are friends Anna, and it's not in my nature to turn my back to anyone that matters to me." Lillian said honestly.

Anna was beyond angry with her friend's words. She took the steps that were separating her from Lillian and got in the girl's face.

"Apparently I don't matter to you." Anna snarled, "You have to remember some of the words you said, Lillian. Maybe then you will understand."

With those words hanging heavily in the air, Anna took her leave. Lillian sighed and plopped on the couch. She ran her hands across her face. Damn this girl, she is so stubborn.

"where is Anna?" Hunter's question brought Lillian back to reality.

"she left moments ago. I believe Scott was here to take her back to her dorm."

"Why did she leave so abruptly?" Aiden asked.

"I don't know, but your sister's attitude is repulsive. I can't continue working with her like this. She was great and all, but suddenly she changed in one night. I wish to know what happened." Lillian said tiredly.

"believe me I am at loss here too. She was happy and coping well with our lives until I took her with me to Don's mansion. It seems like she went through something tragic there. It was like magic how she changed."

"wait, did you say the Don's mansion? When did you take her there?" Hunter said urgently.

"I don't remember the exact date, but I think it was around the end of summer." Aiden shrugged.

"I want the exact date Aiden, come on man, think harder," Hunter growled.

"Okay, just calm down, I took her with me to visit Noona the day you were coming back from your trip."

"and what happened there? I want details." Hunter said as the pieces started to fall into place.

"We just sat with Noona and chatted. Then Anna went to the bathroom, and when she came back, her face was white like a sheet of paper, and she demanded we go home immediately." Aiden recalled the events of that day.

"Damn it," Hunter said angrily and punched the wall facing him.

Lillian covered her mouth with her hands and shook her head. She looked up at Hunter and asked the dreaded question.

"do you think she overheard our conversation with the Don?"

"I think I know why she broke up with me. And also I know that it wasn't a coincidence. Grandpa wanted that, and that's why it happened. He wanted us to leave Anna alone so she can focus on her work. I know him and his ways of thinking." Hunter said as he paced around the room.

"what will we do?" Lillian asked her cousin.

"we will fix it, but not now. Let me think of something to solve this mess. For now, we need to focus on this mission, because I am starting to get a headache from all that shit." Hunter said and stormed upstairs but not before warning his cousins to keep secrecy about what occurred.

"Can someone explain to me what's happening here?" Aiden asked Lillian.

"later Aiden, I am not ready to talk right now," Lillian said and walked out of the room.

"These people, they really love mystery and drama." Aiden shook his head and went to the kitchen to make a night snack since it was obvious he was the one to stay up with his never stop crying baby.

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

"what's up?" Anna turned around to see Alex standing beside her.

"From where do you pop out in front of me? Are you a mind reader, a ghost, or what?"

"I wish I was a mind reader so I can read whatever running in your mind." Alex gave her a cheesy smile that made Anna chuckle in amusement.

"you would be horrified to see the thoughts swimming in my mind. So it's better for you to stay out."

"is it related to the Salviatti family?" Alex's tone turned serious, and his gaze was intense which was strange for the all smiles boy.

"no, of course not, I am new here and didn't meet them before this year." Anna hoped her lies were smooth enough for him to believe her.

"be careful Helena. The members of this family are dangerous. They don't care about others and their feelings. Stay far from their affairs, because the more you get close to them, the more you will be hurt."

Only if you know! I am already deep in their affairs. What would you think of me if you know that I am a member of the Salviatti family? Anna thought bitterly.

"and why are you saying this to me?" Anna asked as she snapped from her dark thoughts.

"I am saying it from experience, Helena. You are a good girl, and I don't want to see you suffer. Believe me, they will hurt you." Alex said with sympathy in his eyes.

Unfortunately, I found out about their true colours the hard way. I am already suffering and hurting because of them.

"are you okay?" Alex asked worriedly as he saw the far-away expression on Anna's face

"yes I am fine. Don't worry about me. I just need some good night rest." Anna said hurriedly.

Alex looked at her suspiciously not believing her words but smiled and nodded.

"good luck with that, Mary is on night duty." Alex winked playfully.

"oh no! And here I thought that I will sleep soundly tonight." Anna groaned.

Alex laughed and ruffled Anna's hair playfully and kissed both her cheeks.

"good night my friend," Alex said and took his leave.

Anna stood there shocked. Alex kissed her! What the hell? Anna touched her cheeks in the hope to cool them down a little. She was sure they were burning from embarrassment.

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

Anna slammed her laptop shut and sighed heavily. If she knew before that the mission will be that hard, she would have never agreed. Anna hoped that one day, Kayla and Jaycee realise how much she was sacrificing for them.

Anna found herself once again in the headmaster's office searching through his computer, but luckily this time, she was grounded to his office to do her school work. So she had a lot of time to get all the files she needed without stress. She recalled what she did in economy class and laughed at the memory. The look on the young teacher's face when the water balloons hit her head was worth billions. And what was more humouring the look of pure disbelieve in the students' faces as Anna walked to the front of the class and took the blame without batting an eyelash. It turned out that this mission was benefitting Anna and pulling her out of her shell.

Returning to her laptop, Anna tried once again to hack the files in front of her. Surprisingly this time, Anna didn't find difficulties in copying the files to her laptop. But it was near impossible to hack them as the security system was more complicated than last time, which means that the information inside these files was very important.

Forty minutes later, the lunch bell rang disturbing Anna from her rapid typing. As if on cue, the headmaster entered the office.

"I am sorry Miss. Ivanov that I had to leave you alone in here as I had an emergency to deal with. I hope you benefit from your alone time here."

Anna rolled her eyes and gathered her things from the desk. It was obvious that the emergency was created by Ethan and was enough to keep the man busy all morning.

"if you think that some alone time in your fancy office will change my attitude, then you are highly wrong sir."

"I am considering expelling you from my school, Miss. Ivanov but unfortunately......"

Anna cut him mid-sentence and continued speaking with her own words, "my parents are paying you a fortune so you can't complain about my attitude. I am off to lunch because staying here surely made me famished."

Anna said and stifled a laugh bubbling in her throat as she could nearly see smoke coming out of the man's ears.

Anna made sure to slam the door behind her. She took a deep breath and started walking towards the cafeteria to have her lunch with the problems of the file running through her mind and putting her under pressure.

What greeted Anna as she entered the cafeteria made her blood boil in anger. The Salviatti's family table as Mary called it was housing an unappreciated guest. A fake blond girl was taking Hunter's lap space and whispering in his ear.

What the hell is wrong with that boy? Just days ago he was trying to win me back and promising to never let me go.

He even had the audacity to show his jealousy and punch Alex in the face claiming I was his. Alright, Hunter Salviatti I will show you how properly people claim what is theirs.

Anna calmly put her school bag and laptop on her usual lunch table. She ignored Mary's concerned questions and walked purposefully to Hunter's table. The fake blonde was chatting her head off while Hunter just focused on his food while nodding occasionally. Anna got closer and snatched the girl's arm so they were face to face.

"I am so angry today and looking for something to let off some steam, so for your sake, I suggest you leave that table without making a scene. Because believe me, you will make a perfect punching bag." Anna said with menace in her voice as she squeezed the girl's arm painfully.

"ow!! Hunter, she is hurting me." The girl whined in a sickly fake voice.

"I am out of this catfight." Hunter raised his hands in a surrender gesture.

"let me finish with your little bitch, and then I will deal with you Mr. Hypocrite," Anna said angrily aiming her words to a speechless Hunter.

Lillian made a move to break the fight, but Hunter raised his hand stopping her. He stood up from his seat and released the blonde girl from Anna's like vice grip. Then he stood like a wall separating the two girls.

"go, Natalie, I will call you later."

"but Hunter ......." the girl protested with a pout on her make-up covered face.

Anna got sick from her poor acting abilities and attempted to reach for the girl. Hunter turned to her and pinned her with a cold glare warning her to stay put, which only earned him an arched brow from Anna as if challenging him.

"I said go, Natalie," Hunter said forcefully which made the girl take a haste leave but not before letting an annoyed huff.

Without another word, Hunter grabbed Anna's arm and dragged her out of the cafeteria after taking her things from the table where a confused Mary and an annoyed Alex watched the altercation. He didn't stop walking until they arrived at the parking lot. He snatched his keys from the guard and opened his car's passenger door. He motioned for Anna to enter.

"no, I am not going anywhere with you," Anna said stubbornly.

"Okay, like you want. I will do it the hard way." Hunter grabbed her arm and forced her into the car. He slammed the door shut and took the driver's seat.

"do you think you can force me to go with you? I swear to god I will throw myself out of this car even while it is running." Anna threatened.

"don't test my patience Anna, because I am losing it right now. You caused a scene back at school which will put our mission in danger, and now you are acting like a defiant little girl who didn't get her candy." Hunter scolded as he pulled out of the school's grounds.

"and weren't you acting like a baby who got his toy snatched from his hands when you punched Alex in the face?" Anna retorted.

Hunter's hands tightened around the steering wheel, and his knuckles turned white from the pressure he was putting on them.

"maybe I should have punched him in the face once again for kissing you."

"It is none of your business." Anna protested as she felt her cheeks heating from embarrassment.

"wow! Just great Anna, he is making you blush. Is it the end Anna? Do you like him?" Hunter asked with anger lacing his words.

"maybe I like him, so what? Is the great Hunter angry because he can't get what he wants?" Anna mocked.

Hunter breathed through his nostrils and pointed his finger in Anna's direction, "I am too angry to speak right now, to respond to you, or to drive for that matter. I need to find a spot to park, and then we will talk."

Hunter said through his gritted teeth and took the first turn in the road. Ten minutes later of total silence, Hunter parked the car out a small diner. He took off his seat belt and motioned for Anna to do the same. He grabbed Anna's arm and led her towards the entrance of the small yet elegant building.

"where are we going?" Anna asked as she struggled to keep up with Hunter's fast walking.

"I think it is pretty obvious that we are going to have a talk in that diner. We need someplace calm so we can solve our problems." Hunter said holding into the little patience he still possessed.

"I suggest we stay out here, it will be better for both of us considering that our discussion to solve our problems" Anna made air quotes and resumed talking, "will consist of a lot of yelling, and honestly, I don't want my picture all over social media."

Hunter considered Anna's words and sighed. She was right, he was sure that their conversation will turn ugly at one point, and he didn't want the audience to witness it. He turned away from the diner's door and started walking towards his car once again.

"Now what?" Anna took the passenger seat and faced Hunter. She wanted to solve the problems between them. She wanted a final conclusion to their relationship because screaming and accusing each other were getting old and tiring.

"I need to know the real reason behind your break-up with me." Hunter knew the truth already, but he wanted to hear it coming from Anna's lips.

"I told you before. Our relationship was suffocating me....."

"liar! Stop lying Anna. I am tired of that. Tell me the truth, Anna." Hunter yelled and slammed his hand against the car's steering wheel.

Anna was startled by his sudden reaction. She never saw him that angry. Apparently, Hunter crossed his last straw.

"and what will change if I tell you the truth? We are done, Hunter. Let's just move on." Anna said softly and looked out the window.

"it will change a lot because I love you." Hunter sighed in relief, finally, he was able to confess and take that load off his shoulders. It was getting hard to stay away from Anna, and he hoped she would saw the sincerity behind his words.

Anna turned so fast to face him she was surprised that her neck didn't break in the process.

"what? Do you think I will believe that bull? I am sure it is just another scheme to get me more involved in that damned mission." Anna said angrily.

A look of hurt crossed Hunter's face that he masked quickly.

"I lay my heart out to you, and that's how you respond." Hunter clapped his hands."I was really stupid to think that you will see the honesty in my words. It turned out that you are blind Anna."

"no, you are wrong. I was blind before and believed you, but thank god now I can see the truth, and I won't make the same mistake again." Anna said bitterly.

"So is this your answer to my confession?"

Before Anna could respond to Hunter's question, the latter's phone started ringing. With a groan, Hunter took it from his pocket and snapped.

"Hunter Salviatti."

In the thirty seconds Hunter was on the phone, Anna watched the emotions on his face turn from annoyance to concern to shock. By the time he hung up, his face was white like a sheet of paper. Without a word, Hunter turned on the car and pulled out from the parking lot. The speed he was using made Anna pray for her soul.

"Can you slow down, please? We are going to die." Anna said pleadingly.

Hunter was deaf to Anna's words. He was like a possessed man on a mission.

"Stop!!!!" Anna yelled as they nearly collided with a speeding truck.

Hunter slummed his feet on the brakes and stopped inches from the truck. The car was silent apart from the heaving breaths of both of them.

"what's wrong? Who called you?" Anna said after she put enough courage to speak in the intense atmosphere.

"I am going to the airport, call Scott so he can come and pick you from there," Hunter said as he resumed driving but with a reasonable speed this time.

"why are you going to the airport? What's wrong Hunter?" Anna was concerned with his actions. He was never that disturbed. It must be the news he received that caused him to act this way.

When the minutes dragged by and he didn't answer her, Anna knew that keeping silent for the time being was the best solution.

The drive to the airport didn't take them more than twenty-five minutes. Anna was stunned that they arrived there intact and without injuries. Hunter didn't wait for her and started running towards a back door at the end of the parking lot. Anna wasn't surprised by his actions but nonetheless followed him. When she caught up with him, she was gasping for air and trying very hard to stay upright.