Forty One |

"And that's everything," I sighed finishing my story.

Alpha scratched the back of his head, "And that's a lot to take in. However, what you've said doesn't excuse the fact you've brought someone very dangerous here. Not that you knew who he was exactly. Regardless, he needs to leave as soon as possible."

"I understand," I whispered knowing he was right.

We'd only cause Wolf Cove more trouble.

"Alright, enough serious talk. You may leave when Cam does and until then you are a guest. Lia will show you to your room – Mira your room's the same as last time. Let's go see the bees later on ok?" Luna asked with a bright smile.

I sighed deeply. That was last night, and now it was almost noon. I had been hiding in my room. Honestly, I was hiding from Alpha and Luna as well as Cam. I was sure they had questions that I definitely couldn't answer. Thus, I was still in bed. At least, there was a comfort in this room.

It looked exactly the same as last time. The same soft brown carpeting against crème coloured walls. The same king sized bed with a brown cover and a few pillows stacked together, a dresser pushed to one wall, with a small side table beside the bed with a candle lantern on it. The only difference was my former stash in the bed frame was now gone. That made me worry a bit, but after telling Alpha and Luna some of the truth hopefully that covered for some.

A knock sounded on the door and I sat up, "Come in?"

Thinking it was Luna or Cam I was utterly surprised when Lisa stepped through. She looked just as I remembered – darker tanned skinned, brown braids and hard, brown eyes. Today she wore a long dress with long sleeves – a dress that hid those tribal tattoos I once remembered. Instantly, my eyes narrowed.

"What do you want?" I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest.

She flipped her braids over her shoulder, "You said I could come in."

"I thought you were Luna or Cam. Get out."

She rolled her eyes, "Fine, I just thought you'd want to know who got rid of all your secrets. I guess not then."

My blood turned to ice at her words. Of course. Of course it had to have been her. Instantly, I was out of my bed and storming across the room. My hand found her chest as I shoved her back. She let out a hiss before falling against the closed door.

"What do you want then? Blackmailing me?" I snarled.

Her eyes widened before they narrowed, "As if I would do anything so sketchy. I did it because I wanted to. Simple as that, you don't need to be such a bitch about it."

My eyes continued to stare at her as I wondered what she was planning. Her actions were suspicious, and almost nice. But Lisa was definitely not nice and she didn't do anything nice for me ever.

"What are you planning?" I demanded.

She looked up at me before sighing loudly, "Look, I want to be your ally."

My ally?

I couldn't help but laugh, "What are you talking about?"

"You and Leon – you're going to the City of Ash aren't you? Take me with you!" she snapped almost desperately, "You have to take me with you!"

"How do you know about that?"

"Alpha and Luna really didn't tell you anything huh? B-But I will! Just please, trust me," she whispered, her head hanging forward in defeat, "I need to go there. For my brother's sake."

Her brother?

"Don't think stupid thoughts again. Lisa's brother suffered from PTSD I was merely asking for her advice," he sighed, growing serious again.

My interest was perked again, "and what happened to him?"

Jax leaned back, his eyes hardening. I bit my lip wondering if I had asked the wrong question. He looked across the room – towards the large window that showed the stars brightly hanging in the dark sky.

"He killed himself a year ago."

That's right. Her brother had killed himself a year ago. Sympathy spiked at my heart as I dropped to my knees in front of her. She looked up at me, tears dripping down her cheeks and I could only see myself in her eyes. Such heartbreak...it was the same. The same I had felt over and over again. For mom, and dad and Cici.

"Stop crying ok?" I said softly, "And if you can tell me something good then maybe I'll take you with us. But know if you die along the way don't blame me."

She wiped her face and nodded, "Thank you."

I shrugged my shoulders, ignoring the burn in my cheeks at her gratitude. Instead, I crossed my legs and got comfortable for her story. She leaned her head against the door and looked up at the ceiling lost in thought.

"Junior and I were born in the slums, basically. With our dad being black and our mom being white they were constantly bothered for their relationship. Our dad would laugh it off but our mom was a spitfire. She'd fight the world for us. That's what saved us on the day, the end of the world. Just before the hour of the end, mom got a job as what she was told would be a security guard," she explained, "At a brand new city all closed in called the City of Ashborne."

"But it wasn't?" I asked softly, absorbing all this new information.

She laughed bitterly, shaking her head, "It was originally created by a man named Fletcher Grant. Which was Alpha's father. Co-leader was a billionaire scientist Eric Maxwell. My mom was assigned to be his son's bodyguard. Which meant Junior and Felix became really close. And, Marianne being Felix's girlfriend, I tagged along as well. But this didn't stop our dad from getting bullied. I was lucky to have lighter skin so people didn't bother me as much. Junior however, was born with skin like the night sky. It seemed when the world ended people resorted to acting like it was the eighteenth century. Disgusting."

"I'm sorry for that," I sighed knowing an apology from me would not undo all the wrong my people have done.

She waved me off, "At least you were bitchy because I was bitchy. As someone who grew up with no one, I'm sure you wouldn't care if I'm black or not."

"It's true!" I laughed, "Actually, when I first met Cam and Jax, and Flynn I was excited and terrified. I hadn't talked to another person in years."

"Why are you laughing? That's pitiful," she snickered.

My eyes narrowed, "Whatever. Continue your stupid story."

"Sure, sure. Anyways, eventually Junior became one of Eric Maxwell's body guards and Fletcher Grant died. Eric Maxwell got full control over the City of Ashborne. When this happened, Alpha and Luna were twenty three. They left for unknown reasons, taking a few people with them – my family included," she whispered, tears filling her eyes, "T-The night before we had planned to leave, our parents were put to death by Eric Maxwell. Apparently mom and dad had broken into Maxwell's office and tried to kill him. It was a lie! I swear to god himself Maxwell was lying – my parents would never do something like that!"

I nodded, trusting her words, "I believe you. Eric Maxwell is trouble. Whatever your parents found in that office Eric didn't want getting out. He's a bastard."

She sniffled, rubbing her face as if to control her emotions, "H-He made Junior prove his loyalty. Prove he wasn't on our parent's s-side. He made Junior kill our parents. After that Junior was never the same. Even when we left with Alpha and Luna. T-That's why Junior killed himself. It's all Maxwell's fault! That's why I need to go to the City of Ash! I need to go back!"

My eyes dropped down to the floor and I thought hard about her request. After what she told me I thought it was only right for her to go with us. But what if Eric recognized her? Or worse, she gave us away by trying to kill him. Not to mention getting there was also an issue.

"How old were you went you left?" I asked her.

She wiped the back of her sleeve along her nose, "F-Fifteen. I know how to fight too! I have a desert eagle, and I'm good with it!"

That meant she was twenty now and she knew how to survive. Five years was a long time. Fifteen to twenty was a huge difference, I'm sure Eric wouldn't be able to recognize her. Alright, I guess I had no choice. I couldn't refuse her request.

"Fine, just make sure it's ok with Luna and Alpha," I grumbled, "And if you fuck me over I will hurt you. Don't take me lightly."

"Thank you Mira," she sobbed, "Thank you."

I nodded with a small smile, "Alright now get out of my room. I should probably stop being a hermit now, I'll need to let Leon know you're coming with us."

She nodded, standing up, "I promise you, you won't regret it. I'll hold my own AND be the perfect ally."

I rolled my eyes, "Stop being nice to me, it's weird."

"Whatever," she humphed, slamming the door as she left.

However, I was sure she was smiling on the way out. I was too – it was nice to have another friend. She reminded me of Cici – or rather Cici's spirit. It made my heart ache but also made it warm. I couldn't help but smile.

It was a nice feeling.