Chapter 35

SERA

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my mind running through every possible scenario. Not about dying, I was powerful enough now that death didn't scare me the way it once had, but the thought of losing control of my power, exploding and killing innocent people, killing my own father..

That terrified me.

I gave up on sleep around midnight and walked out of my room. The compound was quiet, most wolves were already resting before tomorrow's mission, my feet carried me to the clinic almost without thinking.

Maya was awake, sitting up on a bed reading. She looked up when I entered, a smile spread across her face.

"Couldn't sleep either?" she asked.

"How did you know?"

"Because I know you." She patted the bed beside her, "Sit, talk to me."

I sat, and for a moment neither of us spoke. Maya had been my friend since childhood, she'd been there through everything, my mother's death, my years of invisible pining for Thorne, the rejection, all of it.

"Thank you," she said suddenly, "for everything."

You're most welcomed."

"You've changed so much," Maya continued, studying my face. "When you left Silvermoon, you were this scared Omega, now look at you, you're powerful, confident, you saved your sister and me."

"I also got you kidnapped and tortured," I said quietly.

"That was Vivian, not you."

"She took you because you're my friend, because being close to me makes you a target." I looked down at my hands, "everyone I care about becomes a target and tomorrow I'm taking Kade, Marcus, Thorne…people who matter, into the most dangerous place in our world. If something goes wrong.."

"You'll handle it," Maya said firmly.

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do," She grabbed my hand. "Sera, I know what you did to those guards at the warehouse, I felt your power when you healed me. You've trained, you've grown and you have control now."

"But what if I don't?" The fear spilled out. "What if I see my father hurt and I lose it? What if my power explodes and I kill him along with everyone else? What if I.."

"Stop," Maya interrupted, "You're panicking, breathe."

I forced myself to take a breath, then another.

"Listen to me," Maya said. "You're going to save your father, you're going to control your power and you're going to come back. You know how I know?"

"How?"

"Because you're Sera Blackwood, the invisible Omega who awakened as the most powerful wolf in generations, the woman who makes Council Elders afraid, the Silver Blood who chose to heal instead of destroy." She squeezed my hand, "That woman doesn't lose control, that woman saves people."

Tears filled my eyes, "I'm scared of hurting the people I'm trying to protect."

"That's what makes you different from the Council," Maya said, "they don't care about damage, you do. That care, that fear, it'll keep you in control, It'll remind you of what matters."

I wiped my eyes, "when did you get so wise?"

"I've always been wise, you were just too busy being self depreciating to notice, " She smiled. "Now go get some rest, you have an important day tomorrow."

"I don't think I can sleep."

"Try anyway, your body needs it even if your mind won't shut up."

I hugged her and left the clinic feeling steadier and less alone with my fear.

Back in my room, I managed a few hours of restless sleep before the day broke.

The compound was still quiet when I dressed in dark clothes, strapped on the light armor Marcus had provided, checked my weapons..knife, small blade, nothing that would slow me down, my real weapon was my power.

I found Lila still sleeping in the room next to mine, I stood in the doorway watching her breathe, so peaceful and safe.

"I'm coming back," I whispered, "I promise."

She didn't wake, I moved away before I could second guess leaving without saying goodbye properly.

The team gathered at the eastern gate, the one hidden by trees, less visible from the main compound. Kade was already there with Marcus, two other wolves I recognized but didn't know well, and Thorne, looking uncomfortable but determined.

Kade's eyes found mine immediately. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Marcus approached, his expression serious, "Elena knows what to do. As far as anyone's concerned, you're in your office reviewing reports and I'm running drills, by the time anyone realizes that you're gone, you'll either be back or.."

"We'll be back," Kade said firmly.

Marcus nodded, "Good luck."

We slipped through the gate, six wolves moving through the forest like shadows.

The journey took most of the day, we moved fast but carefully, avoiding main roads and pack territories. Thorne navigated us, knowing the safest routes.

No one spoke much, the weight of what we were attempting hung over us.

By late afternoon, we'd reached the forest bordering Council territory. Through the trees, I could see the headquarters, a massive stone structure that looked more like a fortress than an administrative building.

My father was in there, somewhere in the underground levels, in a cell, waiting.

We camped in a small clearing, hidden by dense trees, we had hours to kill before midnight.

Kade reviewed the plan one more time, simple on paper, potentially fatal in practice.

"Is everyone clear?" Kade asked.

Nods all around

"Good, rest while you can. We move at midnight."

The team dispersed to prepare, I found myself staring at the headquarters through the trees, my heart pounding.

Kade appeared beside me, "What are you thinking?"

"That building holds my father and probably a hundred ways to die."

"We've survived worse."

"Have we?"

He was quiet for a moment, "your friend was right, you know, what she told you in the clinic."

I turned to him, "You heard that?"

"I was checking on the night patrol when I passed by." His expression softened, "You're not going to lose control Sera, you're stronger than your fear."

"I hope you're right."

"I am," He glanced at the others, then back at me, "get some rest, we'll need you to stay sharp tonight."

I nodded but didn't move, just stood there watching the headquarters as darkness fell.

Somewhere in that building, my father was waiting and in a few hours, we'd either save him or die trying.

The team settled in as night deepened, I managed to eat a little, though the food tasted like ash. I tried to rest but couldn't stop my mind from going through scenarios.

Finally, Marcus checked his watch, "Eleven thirty, it's time to move."

Everyone stood, checked their weapons, the nervous energy was thick. We moved through the forest toward the headquarters.

Through the trees, I could see guards patrolling, lights through windows, the loading dock exactly where Thorne's map showed it.

We crouched in the shadows, waiting.

Kade counted down quietly, "five minutes to shift change, is everyone ready?"

Quiet affirmations.

My power surged under my skin, eager.

Four minutes.

Three.

I took a slow breath, speaking to myself, control, I had control.

Two minutes.

The guards at the loading dock began moving, heading inside for the shift change, Just as Thorne predicted.

One minute.

Kade looked at each of us, then nodded.

"Move."

We slipped from the shadows towards the loading dock.