Rhydian knew that something was wrong- he could tell by the way everyone in the department looked frantic and scared. It had been several hours since they'd heard from the team in New York and everyone knew how good Xander was at ensuring that they stuck to the report times.

In fact, it was one of the reasons Xander was always away on missions and probably also why he wasn't the head of the security department at Segolia Nevada- he was a valuable resource, paperwork was beneath him and he couldn't be allowed to stay in an office all day.

Rhydian, on the other hand, well, he was still a junior. The security department was split into two sections, with several teams within each section- people who managed the domestic problems- monitoring transactions, deliveries etc. and people, like him and Jana, who managed the national and international missions- including the integration projects such as communes and wolfblood education programmes. The department was split into 'infants', 'juniors' and 'seniors'- the juniors didn't have any leadership roles within the teams but the seniors did. Xander was a 'senior' and Jana would probably because the next head of department once the old hag retired.

Which was a scary prospect, Rhydian thought to himself. He'd never say it to anyone for fear of Jana overhearing him but he didn't want Jana to be the next leader. He didn't think she'd be able to manage raising four children and running one of the busiest security departments in the whole of the USA.

Of course, whatever happened he would be there for her and help her. But he couldn't help but be concerned, whilst Jana had calmed down a fair bit, she did still have her moments where she would flip out. Usually it was on missions where they would be somewhere old and her Ancian would be triggered with no warning. As per usual it was assumed that Rhydian or Xander would pick up the pieces. For Rhydian, that had been his lifetime occupation.

And something told him he'd be expected to pick up the pieces again today.

He spotted Jana standing across the room, talking hysterically with one of the supervisors, and was aware of the eyes of his colleagues watching him intensely as if telling him to go and sort out the issue before it became a major issue.

Rhydian sighed, sharing an understanding look with Tom, and darted off towards his sister.

He could tell immediately that Jana had been crying and she appeared to be trembling a little as well. Her emerald eyes were wide with fear and her face was exceptionally pale.

"Rhydian!" she cried, before flinging her arms around him.

He hugged her tightly, "I heard. I'm sure they're fine."

Jana shook her head, crying, "You didn't hear properly then. They've been captured all of them. They're being held for ransom."

"Jana," Rhydian said, not knowing what else to say, knowing full well that if Maddy was the one who had been captured he would have been hysterical. Maybe Jana does have enough restraint to be a good leader, he thought with a sad silent laugh.

"You should go home, Jana," the supervisor said, "Elizabeth left earlier and we've got this under control."

"No…no…" Jana protested, crying hysterically, "I need to be here…I need… you can't…Rhydian please…I have to stay…"

"Jana, he's right," Rhydian said, "You're not going to be able to focus and there are plenty of us who will be working on this."

"Us?" Jana asked.

The supervisor nodded, "Go on, Rhydian, I'll get the others to cover your work. But not a word to Mrs Morrissey otherwise she'll have both of our heads."

Rhydian smiled, "Thank you. Come on Jana, let's get out of here."

BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK

When Adrian saw Arianne he expected her to do what always usually did- go running straight into his arms, almost knocking him over in the process. But now, when she saw him, she looked surprised and then angry. It was almost as if she didn't want to see him, he thought.

"Adrian," Arianne said politely, "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting you of course," Adrian replied, "Olwenna's here too, she's just talking to Jazz and Lily, then we're all going out for lunch and bowling along with your gran and Uncle Pedr. I don't supposed you Mom had a chance to take you into town but there's a great Mexican restaurant there apparently."

"That sounds cool," Arianne replied, "It's just this is a little unexpected."

"What? Really?" Adrian asked in confusion, "I actually planned this. I planned something for once. I texted you about ten times. Although you didn't reply, which is a bit weird. Is your phone broken?"

Arianne shook her head, "We've got a bad signal here. Are Charli and Melissa invited?"

Adrian shook his head, "We don't have enough tickets. It's strictly A-team kids only."

The A-team was the name for the old Stoneybridge pack and consisted of Maddy, Rhydian, Shannon, Tom, Jana and Xander and all of their kids.

"Except Cass couldn't make it because of work, hence why Olwenna is here," Adrian replied, "And Katana and Louis are going to the new theme park in Las Vegas with Gramps."

"Wait, you drove over a thousand miles to go out for lunch and bowling?" Arianne asked puzzled.

"It's a little more complicated than that," Adrian replied.

"Why? Why are you lying to me?" Arianne asked suddenly furious, "What has my brother told you?"

"Look, if you've trodden on Jazz's tail or he's trod on yours then that's between the two of you," Adrian began, "But you need to put that to the side because this day is for everyone. Anyway what are you so afraid of me finding out?"

Arianne bit her lip, regretting her outburst, "Oh, it's nothing."

"You mean it's something I wouldn't approve of?" Adrian replied with a smile.

"I have a boyfriend," Arianne admitted, "And he's nice and he's on honour roll and all of those things, it's just…"

"Well, he sounds ok so far," Adrian began, "So why are you worried?"

"He throws a lot of parties for the seniors," Arianne replied.

"You mean he's a senior?" Adrian asked astounded, "And he throws parties where's there's alcohol and no doubt drugs and stuff like that?"

"Yes and yes," Arianne admitted, "That's why I thought Jasper had said something and why I didn't reply to your texts, I didn't want to lie to you, Adrian."

"Does this guy do drugs?" Adrian asked, in his rarely used serious tone.

"Maybe, I don't know," Arianne admitted.

"Ari," Adrian began.

"Oh, spare me the lecture," Arianne snapped, "I know you're going to tell me he's no good for me, or he's too old for me or whatever, I've heard it all already from Jasper."

Adrian grabbed Arianne's arm before she could walk away from him, "Jasper and I, we're just looking out for you. And this time around I think he's right, you're thirteen, Arianne, this guy, he's what seventeen, eighteen, he's pretty much an adult and add on drugs and alcohol on top of that. I don't want you getting into a bad situation and ending up with a baby at the age of fourteen and living on social security for the rest of your life. You have the potential to do amazing things and to achieve whatever you want, Arianne. I'm not going to stand by and let one guy stand by and ruin everything for you."

"I love him, Adrian," Arianne protested, "And don't tell me I don't know what love is because I do."

"How long have you known him?" Adrian asked.

"Four days," Arianne replied.

"Four days," Adrian repeated, "Has he told you about his hobbies, his family, his friends? Have you even been on a single date? Have you asked about what he plans to do once he leaves school? Have you?"

Arianne shock her head, "I just know I love him."

"Arianne, at the age of thirteen," Adrian began, "I thought I knew for definite that I'd be the CEO of a world-leading bank and a millionaire by twenty-five. Now look at me, humble ancient history student. Things change, and they change fast and you know that better than anyone else considering what happened only a couple of weeks ago. Arianne, you thought you were too human to transform and then poof, in one evening you're a full wolfblood. Do you see what I mean? Things are going to change for you and you need to take the time to find out what's right for you."

"And if he is right for me?" Arianne asked.

"Then he'll allow you to go through all of that and give you the space to become to person you're meant to be," Adrian said, "He'll know better than to force anything on you."

"He's the first guy who's ever taken me seriously," Arianne admitted quietly, "All the other guys…"

"I know, I know," Adrian said, hugging his cousin, "Cass told me what the other kids said back at your old school."

"You don't believe them do you?" Arianne asked panicked, "You're like a brother to me. A brother."

Adrian smiled, "Of course I don't believe them, little sister. Now come on before the cubs steal the alphas' share of the nachos."

BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK

"Better?" Rhydian asked as he sat down on a large rock, Jana sitting quietly next to him, just slightly out of breath.

Jana nodded, "A little. At least your mum promised to look after Eddard and your Dad's taking Kat and Louis to that theme park they've been going on about for ages. I don't know how I can handle…"

Rhydian hugged Jana as she began to cry again, "Segolia will sort everything out. They always do."

"They can't!" Jana exploded, crying hysterically, "Not this time."

"Don't be like that," Rhydian said, "They know the answer to everything."

"Not this," Jana began, "It's not just Xander. They're… they… they're asking for my Mum. They'll set everyone free in exchange for my mum."

"What?" Rhydian asked in shock, "Why?"

"They she knows the secret to something," Jana began, "The secret to something that will change the world forever."

BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK

"Darius!" Eliya complained, "Let me have some of the nachos, and stop stealing all the cheesy ones! Adrian, tell him, he's being mean again!"

"Eliya's right," Arianne added, "There'll be burritos in a minute anyone, and then ice cream. You know how much you like ice cream."

Darius's face lit up, "Ok, Eliya you can finish them off. I'm going to see where Auntie Arianne went, she's taking forever getting the drinks."

"Arianne," Jasper began, looking at her clean plate, "I know you're a full WB and all, but did you honestly eat all of those nachos?"

Arianne nodded, "Of course, it's the alpha's share."

"You think you're the alpha in our family?" Jasper asked.

"Of course I do," Arianne replied, "I'm the eldest, it's my birth right."

Jasper rolled his eyes, "Just you wait until I transform."

"I can't believe you're actually eat nachos, Ari," Lily added, "Don't you usually stick to salads?"

Arianne shook her head, "Nope. Not anymore I don't. Lettuce is fine for humans like Melissa but real wolfbloods have to eat properly."

"WBs," Jasper cautioned his sister, "Honestly anyone could have heard you!"

"Doubtful," Arianne replied, "This restaurant is packed."

"Adrian's been an awful long time in the restroom," Lily announced, "Do you think he's hooking up with one of the waitresses?"

Arianne laughed, "Actually he's talking to my gran about some important stuff they need to talk to us about."

"Are we going camping?" Eliya asked excitedly, "I mean I know our yearly trip was only a couple of months ago but I wouldn't mind another trip to Alberta."

"Yeah, especially in the winter," Lily added, "We should all go skiing. It would be fun."

"Yeah, it would be awesome," Arianne agreed, "My dad used to go skiing a lot as a kid. I'll definitely talk to my parents about the idea."

"Me too and I'll talk to Kat," Jasper replied, "Dad gives in to pretty much anything but Mom won't agree unless we get Kat onside. Mom's not good at saying no to little kids."

"I'll work on convincing Mom, if you try to convince Dad," Eliya offered.

"Agreed," Lily replied.

"What are you lot plotting?" Adrian asked as he returned with his great aunt.

"Nothing," Lily and Eliya said in unison, smiling sweetly.

Adrian rolled his eyes, "Ari, your gran needs to talk to you about something."

Arianne gave her cousin a confused look.

"Don't worry, I'll guard the burritos," he reassured.

Arianne shook her head as she followed her gran out of the crowded restaurant and onto a small dead end road just behind it that was pretty much silent.

"We don't have long," her gran began, "Your father has been kidnapped by a wolfblood terrorist organisation. Adrian didn't know until I told him a couple of minutes ago. You can't say anything to the others. The Segolia security department is sending out people to find him and his team.

"Did Mom call you?" Arianne asked panicked, "What did she say?"

"I don't have time to tell you everything," her gran began, "Adrian will be staying at the school to make sure you are safe. He's been working part time at Segolia whilst your aunt and uncle think he's studying. He was training with Segolia to work undercover."

"Why is he being sent to our school?" Arianne asked, feeling her stomach sink as the question answered itself.

"The security of your school may well have been compromised," her grandmother replied, "The terrorist group- The Howling Rage- they're extreme purists. They think tames aren't real wolfbloods just pretenders who stole the wild wolfbloods DNA, they think that obligates should be subservient for life and never mate with wolfbloods, they think telling humans the secret is betraying our whole species and most importantly, they think hybrids, like yourself, are an abomination that should be eradicated."

"So they would kill me and Jazz and Kat?" Ari asked, trying to process everything, "And what about Auntie Ellie and Uncle Bryn and my cousins?"

"Your aunt and uncle and your cousins are safe," Arianne replied, "They've fled to the wild pack, they've essentially disappeared. The pack will protect them."

"But Gran how do you know so much about all of this?" the young wolf asked, "Did Mom tell you? Are Mom and Kat coming to the school as well? What about Eddard?"

"Hush, your Mom and sister will be fine," Arianne replied, "No doubt they will go straight to your Uncle Rhydian for help. He will keep them safe. As for Eddard he won't be in danger, he'll be staying with your Aunt Shannon and Uncle Tom. Ari, there's something you need to know but I don't have enough time, so you'll have to make do with what I can explain now, ok?"

The young wolf nodded.

"The THR want me," her grandmother explained, "Because of something that happened years ago, even before I was born. It's to do with my great grandmother and my grandmother, something that they planned and the THR want to stop it."

"I don't understand," Ari replied, "These guys are after you because of some of our ancestors. How do they even know anything about us? Why are we so important all of a sudden? And why didn't they attack us years ago?"

Her grandmother looked nervous which made the young wolf feel unsettled, "They didn't know anything until recently. Just before your grandfather died."

"Grandfather died on injuries," Ari began confused, "He was fighting another alpha who wanted to claim their territory."

"No, he didn't," her grandmother replied, "He died trying to clean up the mess he'd created."

"What?" Ari asked, "What mess?"

The older woman sighed, running her hand through her red curls that were beginning to turn grey with age and stress, "Your grandfather was the leader of the Howling Rage."