Aura stomped her way into the grand hall toward the main chamber. Her final clash with her Alpha had arrived. This was going to end now. Enoch was going to get an ear full whether he was hurting or not. She made her way into the main chamber to see her sister Raika holding their sleeping Alpha. At that moment, Enoch didn’t seem like the immature Alpha that he had become, but the sweet wolf hunter she had once trained. Aura understood just by looking at them that Raika was all Enoch needed in a mate. Raika could soothe his beast and slay his temper. Aura’s rage calmed at the peace emanating from the two of them. Instead of causing an uproar, she changed her plans.

“How is he?” Aura asked Raika who had just noticed her presence.

Raika blinked a few times coming out of her daydream to see her haggard sister standing in front of her. “What?”

Aura chuckled at the daydreaming woman in front of her. “How is our Alpha?”

“You already know he’s a mess, but he finally let it all out.” Raika had a small smile looking down at Enoch’s face in her lap. He had cried, screamed, and destroyed furniture in his grief. It had taken a few hours, but he had finally agreed to rest on the only remaining furniture in the room, alone bench near the window. Raika had sat still for the longest time as Enoch rested his head on her lap. He had gone on and on about the stress and challenges he had faced lately until he cried himself to sleep like a child over the loss of Nyko and the others.

“When the morning comes, he will have to stand strong to keep the clan behind him. Enoch will have many difficult decisions to make. He will need you.” Aura said. “I want to let him rest, but I need to speak with him. It’s about some Elders’ Council business, so it can’t wait.”

Raika grimaced at Aura’s words. She had hoped to stay like this with Enoch longer, but he is the Alpha. She gently brushed her hand over his face to wake him. “Alpha,” She called to him. “Alpha Enoch, please wake up.”

“Hmm…” Enoch blinked his eyes at Raika’s violet eyes looking down at him. A smile stretched across his face. “Beautiful…” He muttered.

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“Alpha,” Aura coughed.

Enoch’s brown eyes grew large, realizing he was no longer alone with Raika. He turned to see Aura, feeling both flustered and guilty as he forced himself off Raika’s lap. Did she hear what he had said? What did he mean by what he said? He has feelings for Aura, his strong and elegant future mate, right?

Raika could feel the tension in the room, and she was uncertain of the cause. She wanted to be happy at Enoch’s words, but his sudden action to move away confused her. Raika could see that something was on between Enoch and her sister, which made her sick. Was there something going on? She glanced back and forth between the two and decided to leave the room. She would find out one way or another later.

“Aura, you came to see me?” Enoch said with guilt and excitement in his voice.

“I came to say goodbye. I owe you that because you are my Alpha.” Aura said nonchalantly.

“Goodbye?” Enoch mumbled. “What do you mean? You can’t leave.” He left the bench and walked through the rubble of broken furniture.

“Yes, goodbye.” Aura stood firm and closed off from him. “I can leave, Enoch, and I am going to. You, Lead Councilmen Titan, and the rest of the council members are not going to force me to do things. Sixteen years as a Huntress and all you wolves see is a tool. I will not mate you just because you like me. I will not kill someone because Titan thinks they are keeping me from committing to you. I just honestly don’t like you that way. Aside from that, you forced a kiss on me and abused your power to force me to mate with you. I am not something you force to be yours.” Her breath was heavy from her rant.

“Aura, I need you. You make me stronger.” Enoch persisted. “The clan needs you.”

“No, I am not what you need. I trained you, but I don’t make you stronger. You and the clan need someone focused on what’s happening here. My dreams are outside the underground village. I want to make a difference out there. I always have.”

“Is this about that human, Aura?” Enoch seethed. All traces of guilt and excitement had faded from his mind. How dare she do this! He puffed out his chest as he got closer trying to dominate her. He just lost Nyko. Enoch couldn’t lose her too.

“No. It never was! I am not attracted to you, Enoch! You can’t make me be attracted to you. I think you are confusing your feelings. Maybe you like me, but I don’t think I am the one you are falling for. I saw the way you looked at Raika. You have never looked at me that way. She has always liked you anyway.” Aura answered his challenging stance with her own. She wouldn’t give into him. It was a clash of wills.

Enoch stared into her golden eyes, and he could see her determination. Why was she doing this now? Was she right about his feelings? All he could feel right now was pain and grief. This was truly his worst day. If she wanted to leave him so badly, then he didn't need her around. He was going to give her what she wanted and a taste of his loneliness. “Fine! You want to leave, Aura? Leave! I hear by exile you from our clan. You are banished from this valley.” Enoch growled so loudly the clan felt his pain.

“Take care of my sister, Enoch.” Aura said as whisked her way out of the main chamber. Her speed carried her quickly through the village. Aura felt her bond to the Alpha Hunter break as she crossed the edge of the village. “Sorry, everyone.” She whispered under her breath.