"That was brilliant!" Greyson exclaimed as he walked into his room later that night.
Indianna was lying on the bed, on the verge of falling asleep.
"You should really consider acting, sugar."
Indianna smiled and sat up as Greyson sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her.
"So, it worked?" Indianna wondered.
"I'm pretty sure we convinced both Stacy and Rogue that I would have no problem hurting Stacy," Greyson smirked. "He'll be there in two days' time with Martha. He wouldn't dare risk his mate getting hurt. He's going to do exactly as we say."
"You didn't hurt her, though, did you?" Indianna asked cautiously.
"I want to," Greyson said, "but no. Stacy won't be harmed."
Indianna nodded and closed her eyes.
"Good," she murmured and linked her fingers with Greyson's. "I love you."
"I love you," Greyson said softly and ran his fingers through Indianna's hair. "How is your burn?"
"Healing," Indianna said tiredly. "When are Janson and Olivia arriving?"
"Tomorrow."
"I know that, idiot. What time?"
"Tomorrow morning," Greyson said. "We've got a busy day tomorrow. We'd better sleep."
Indianna didn't need to be told again, and she fell asleep in Greyson's arms.
"Sugar."
"Mmm."
"We need to get up," Greyson mumbled.
"Five more minutes," Indianna groaned and snuggled closer to her pillow.
"You said that five minutes ago," Greyson said.
"I mean it this time," Indianna yawned.
"Up," Greyson said. "Or I'll make you."
"Whatever," Indianna said tiredly.
She gasped in surprise when she suddenly landed on the floor.
"You ass!" she exclaimed and sat up, glaring at Greyson.
He smirked.
"I warned you," he shrugged.
"Dick," she grumbled as she crawled off the floor. "What's the time?"
"Seven a.m."
"Why are we up this early?" Indianna whined and rubbed her eyes.
"Because I'm aware it takes you two hours to shower," Greyson teased. "We've got a busy day. We've got a lot to do and little time. Olivia and Janson will be arriving soon, so we need to be ready."
"I guess I'll go take my two-hour shower, then," Indianna said sarcastically.
"If you're not out in ten minutes, I'll come in there myself," Greyson warned.
Indianna couldn't help but smirk.
"I'll leave it unlocked, then," she teased.
She walked into the bathroom, smiling when she heard Greyson laugh.
It all suddenly dawned on Indianna as she showered.
Tomorrow was the day.
Rogue—her brother—was going to die. And there was nothing she could do about it. All of this drama and chaos was going to be over.
But her brother was going to be dead.
Indianna sighed loudly and shook her head. She had to forget about it. Rogue was a monster. He deserved to die...
But—
"Stop it!" Indianna told herself.
She distracted herself by washing her hair. She was going to make it her mission to forget about Rogue until tomorrow.
She wouldn't think of him until she laid eyes on him.
"Damn, you were too quick," Greyson tutted as Indianna walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
"Shut up," Indianna said and rolled her eyes.
"What are you hiding?" Greyson asked.
Indianna frowned.
"Hiding?"
"You blocked your thoughts from me when you were in the shower," Greyson said. "What don't you want me to know?"
"I didn't even realise I was—" Indianna sighed and shook her head. "Nothing, Greyson."
"Sugar—"
"You keep secrets from me. I think I deserve some secrets too," Indianna huffed.
"Not at this point in time, you don't," Greyson said sternly.
"I was just thinking about Rogue," Indianna snapped. "We clearly don't share the same opinion on how tomorrow should go down."
"Because your opinion is wrong," Greyson shrugged.
"No, you just have to choose the more violent option."
"Unlike yours? What do you expect to happen if we do what you want? Do you think we'll all sit around a campfire and chit-chat? Tell each other our biggest secrets? Indianna, if we give him one chance to beat us, he'll take it. No one else but him needs to die," Greyson growled. "You can dislike it all you want, but your brother is going to die. I don't give a shit that you want to talk to him about his stupid life choices. He dies. End of."
Indianna glared at Greyson and grabbed some clothes from the pile that was starting to form in his wardrobe.
"You could be a little considerate," Indianna snapped.
She stalked back into the bathroom and quickly changed into jeans and a vest top. She then walked back into the bedroom, straight past Greyson and out of the door, ignoring his scoff.
Indianna made her way downstairs and sighed in frustration as she walked into the kitchen.
"Coffee?" Laura called.
Indianna gasped in fright.
"Gosh, I didn't realise you were here," Indianna said. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Laura smiled and slid a mug across the counter.
"Thank you," Indianna said and took a sip.
"Are you all right?" Laura wondered.
"Yes. No. It's just... It's Greyson. This whole thing with Rogue—I don't know what to think. It's all too much," Indianna groaned.
"Greyson knows what he's doing, Indie," Laura said softly.
"Does he?" Indianna questioned.
"Yes," Greyson called.
He stopped in the doorway of the kitchen.
"He does. Indie, we can't afford to argue today. Not when tomorrow is so important. I know you don't want us to kill Rogue. It's understandable—he's your brother. But, Indie, he's a monster. I can't risk it. Not when you and the pack are in danger. Please understand."
"I do," Indianna sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I do. I just can't accept it. I know he's a monster. After everything he's done, he doesn't deserve to be alive, but I want an explanation from him. I need one. But I'm never going to get one."
"I'm sorry," Greyson said softly.
Indianna reached up and scratched the back of her neck, shifting uncomfortably.
"Is there any way not to kill—"
"No."
"But what if—"
"No."
"We can—"
"No," Greyson said and walked up to Indianna. "That's my final word on it, sugar."
Greyson cupped Indianna's face and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry."
"You should be," Indianna grumbled.
She gently pushed Greyson away, walked over to the kitchen cupboard and grabbed a bowl before making herself some cereal.
"When is the other pack arriving?" Laura asked.
"In a few hours," Greyson said as Indianna started eating.
He grabbed Indianna's hand and gently pulled her out of the kitchen and into the lounge.
"What?" Indianna asked as she sat on the sofa, crossing her legs.
"Are we good?" Greyson sighed as he sat next to Indianna and placed his hand on her knee.
"I don't think it's possible for us to go a day without bickering," Indianna admitted and chuckled slightly as she ate another spoonful of cereal. "You know what I think about what's going to happen, and I know what you think. We disagree."
"What a surprise, eh?" Greyson said and arched an eyebrow. "I think you were born to disagree with me."
Indianna shrugged and carried on eating.
"What's happening tomorrow?" she asked.
"We're meeting Rogue in a clearing just outside the border of our territory. He's going to give us Martha first, and then we'll give him Stacy—or so he thinks. We'll get Martha back safely, and then I'm going to rip his head off. The pack and Janson's pack will be in the surrounding woods, prepared in case things go sideways."
"What if they do?"
"The only way things can go sideways is if Rogue has his own people who want to fight. If that happens, there will be only one way to resolve it."
Indianna read Greyson's mind and swallowed.
"You'll kill everyone."
"We will."
"What about me?"
"You'll be safely inside our territory with a group of pack members to protect you."
"What? No, I want to be there—"
"You're newly shifted and you're an inexperienced fighter. I'm not risking your safety," Greyson said dismissively.
"But you can risk yours?"
"Yes," Greyson nodded.
"No!" Indianna snapped. "I want to be there!"
"And I don't care what you want," Greyson shrugged. "For once, please just listen to me. This is for your own safety."
"What about yours?"
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine—"
"You don't know that!" Indianna argued.
"I do. I'll come back to you. Don't worry, sugar."
Indianna sighed, knowing Greyson wouldn't change his mind.
"You promise?" she asked quietly.
"I promise I'll come back to you."
"Jansen!" Greyson called and greeted his friend with a manly hug. "Thank you for coming."
"You need the help," Jansen said. "I'm happy to help."
Greyson nodded gratefully and looked at Olivia, who was standing beside Janson.
"Olivia," Greyson said.
"Alpha Greyson," Olivia replied stiffly but respectfully.
"Jansen, bring your pack members inside. I'll get people to show them to their rooms," Greyson said. "Olivia, Indie is in the kitchen. Walk into the house, down the corridor, and it's the second door on the left."
Olivia nodded and followed Greyson's directions. She found Indianna with Brooke and Kimberly.
"Olivia!" Indianna said brightly. "Hi! How are you?"
"Better than the last time we met," Olivia chuckled.
Indianna smiled.
"Brooke, Kimberly, this is Olivia, Alpha Jansen's mate."
Brooke smiled cheerfully and hugged Olivia, whereas Kimberly simply looked Olivia up and down before nodding.
"Sit," Brooke said and pulled up a chair for Olivia. "We were just discussing tomorrow."
"I'm so sorry about your pack member," Olivia said sadly.
"If all goes to plan, she'll be back tomorrow," Indianna said confidently.
"It will go to plan," Brooke nodded.
"What are we going to do?" Olivia asked.
"Well, we're all human apart from Indie, so we're not going to be much use," Brooke huffed. "And I don't think our mates are going to let us anywhere near Rogue tomorrow."
"You got that right," Indianna muttered.
A wave of nausea suddenly hit her, and she placed a hand over her stomach.
"Shit, I completely forgot!" Indianna gasped.
"Forgot what?" Brooke asked.
"I need to go to the shops," Indianna said.
"Today? Really?" Olivia questioned.
"Yes," Indianna nodded.
Indianna stiffened when Greyson walked into the kitchen with Janson, Ian—Janson's Beta—Harry, Ace and Kal.
"Shopping? Really, sugar?" Greyson said.
Indianna nodded.
"Yes. We girls can go and give you guys some space to plan for tomorrow."
Greyson narrowed his eyes at Indianna and frowned.
What are you hiding?
Nothing, Indianna said innocently.
Don't lie. You've blocked off your mind, Greyson said suspiciously.
You've made it clear that you don't share my opinion on what we should do with Rogue, so I don't think you'd want to hear those thoughts, Indianna said dismissively.
Greyson pursed his lips but nodded, believing Indianna.
"Be back before dark," Greyson said sternly.
"Yes, Dad," Indianna said sarcastically.
Greyson rolled his eyes.
"Come on, let's go!" Brooke said brightly and jumped up from her chair.
"Not so fast," Harry murmured and grabbed Brooke's wrist, spinning her into his chest. "You're staying here tonight, yeah?"
"If I have to," Brooke said teasingly.
She went up on her tiptoes and pecked Harry's lips.
"I'll have to run back to my house to grab some things."
"We can go after we've shopped," Indianna said.
"Can I come?" Kimberly blurted, surprising everyone.
"I assumed 'girls' included you," Indianna said.
"Oh," Kimberly said awkwardly. "Right."
"You told me you hate shopping," Kal said.
Kimberly shrugged.
"I do," she said and stood up, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "But I want to get out of this bloody house."
"Thanks," Kal said sarcastically. "I'm feeling the love."
"What love?" Kimberly shrugged and looked at Indianna. "Can we go? I'm bored."
"Do you have to come?" Brooke blurted, looking at Kimberly. "I mean, come on, you hate us! I'd rather spend my day with someone who doesn't hate us."
"She's trying," Indianna said, attempting to sound sure of herself. "If she's trying, then we should give her a chance too."
"And this is why you're the Luna and I'm just the best friend," Brooke laughed and linked her arm through Indianna's. "Shall we go?"
"We shall," Indianna nodded and looked at Olivia and Kimberly. "Let's go."
"You're serious," Kimberly said when she looked at the test in Indianna's hand.
"Oh my gosh," Olivia whispered, her eyes wide. "That's insane."
"This is so great!" Brooke exclaimed and grabbed Indianna's arm in excitement. "Does he know?"
"I don't even know," Indianna gulped. "This is to find out."
"You have to tell him," Brooke urged.
Indianna shook her head.
"I can't. Not now. When this is all over, I will."
"Indie, this is huge," Brooke said softly. "You can't hide this from him."
"How are you hiding this from him?" Olivia wondered.
"I'm getting surprisingly better at blocking my thoughts," Indianna smirked and dropped the test into her bag. "I'll let you know later when I find out."
"Nope, now," Brooke said. "You can't just drop this on us and expect us to wait."
"Yeah, she can," Kimberly shrugged and inspected her nails.
"Hush!" Brooke scolded. "Indie, come on!"
Indianna smiled at Brooke's eagerness.
"Later."
"The wait had better be worth it," Brooke warned.
Indianna rolled her eyes and led the way out of the shop.
"Where to now?" Olivia wondered.
"Oh, I need to—"
Brooke was cut off by her phone. She frowned when she read the text she had received.
"I-Indie," she said quietly and held the phone out. "It's for you."
Indianna froze and looked at the phone in Brooke's hand.
"No."
"Indie, you should read it," Brooke urged.
"No, I don't need to know what he's saying," Indianna muttered.
"But you're going to want to know this," Brooke frowned.
"What's going on?" Olivia wondered.
"Rogue," Indianna muttered.
She glared at the phone before grabbing it and reading the text.
"Shit," she cursed and gulped. "We need to tell Greyson."
"What did it say?" Olivia asked.
Indianna, sweetheart, I'm afraid you're not going to win the Oscars anytime soon, but nice try.
-R
"He knows," Indianna groaned. "The whole act in front of Stacy. He knows it was fake. He knows we aren't going to hurt her."
"She was our insurance that Rogue would do as we said," Brooke said and glanced around cautiously.
"Not anymore."
"Okay, okay, we're heading back now," Brooke said into her phone. "Chill, Harry! My human legs can only move so fast. We'll be back in a minute."
Brooke hung up and looked at the girls.
"Our mates want us home."
"Do they know about the text?" Olivia asked.
Indianna nodded and tapped her head.
"Greyson knows all right," she said. "Let's go so we can figure out what to do."
The girls started heading towards the car, but Brooke sighed when her phone rang again.
"Harry, we're on our way—Brandon? Brandon! What's wrong?"
Brooke stopped in her tracks and gasped.
"Oh my God, Brandon, where is she? Oh God, I'll be there as soon as I can!"
"Bloody hell, what else is going to go wrong?" Kimberly scoffed.
Brooke glared at her.
"I-I've got to go," Brooke stuttered.
"What's wrong?" Indianna asked.
"My a-aunt... She's in the hospital. She was hit by a car."
"Oh God," Indianna gasped. "Let's get to the car. We can drive you there—"
"No, no," Brooke shook her head and fumbled with her phone as she put it back into her pocket. "I'm meeting Brandon at our house, and then we're meeting my uncle at the hospital. You three go back."
"Brooke, we can't leave you like this," Indianna frowned.
Brooke took a deep breath and shook her head.
"I'm fine," she lied. "My house is a short walk away. I'll be fine. You three go now!"
"Are you—"
"I'm sure. Go and sort this Rogue mess out, and I'll deal with my family," Brooke said and gulped. "I'll be fine. I've got to go."
Brooke suddenly turned around and rushed away, her blonde curls flying behind her.
"Christ," Indianna sighed and looked at Brooke's retreating figure. "I hope she's okay."
"Brooke's right. We should get back," Olivia said.
"Yay," Kimberly said sarcastically.
"Now isn't the time to be a bitch," Indianna said firmly. "We've got a lot to do."
"How does he know?" Greyson groaned.
He stood up and kicked his office chair.
"Fuck!"
"We obviously weren't as good at acting as we thought," Indianna sighed and grabbed Greyson's hand, pulling him down onto the sofa.
"No, we sold it," Greyson muttered.
"Then he found out another way," Indianna said. "We don't know how he knows anything. He has eyes and ears everywhere."
"We have a leak," Greyson growled and cursed. "It's the only way Rogue would know."
"Let's not dwell on how he knows. We need to figure out what to do," Indianna said.
"We kill him."
"I have a feeling that's going to be a lot harder than it sounds," Indianna said.
"I don't know what to do," Greyson groaned. "I can't let him harm Martha."
"That won't happen," Indianna said. "We just need to think this through."
"I'll call everyone else in," Greyson sighed.
Within a few minutes, Greyson's office was full. Kal, Ace, Harry, Janson, Olivia, Kirstie, Mac, Mark and Laura all looked at Greyson and Indianna expectantly.
"What's going to happen?" Kal wondered after Greyson had explained what had happened.
"I haven't exactly got that far yet," Greyson muttered and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Our numbers are now huge," Janson spoke up. "We're bound to outnumber Rogue and whoever he has following him."
"There's no way to know that for sure," Harry said and glared ahead of him.
"Thanks for that," Greyson snapped. "I say we just kill the bitch downstairs."
"No," Indianna said firmly.
"And that's why we can't," Greyson sighed and sent Indianna a look.
"If we kill Stacy, then Rogue will definitely hurt Martha," Indianna said.
"Who's to say he hasn't already?" Greyson scowled. "I hate to think it, but I reckon Rogue is holding a pretty serious grudge against Martha. From what we've seen of him, it's obvious he has some psychopathic tendencies."
"Some?" Kal murmured and shook his head, ignoring Greyson's look.
"So, what are we going to do?" Ace wondered.
"Tomorrow happens as planned," Greyson decided and glanced cautiously at Indianna. "But if it comes down to it, I'm ripping that bitch's head off. It's her or Martha. I know who I'll choose."
Indianna wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. She looked down at her hands and gulped.
Was this good or bad?
Why was she crying?
Was she upset?
Happy?
She didn't know how to feel.
"Mum!" Indianna gasped and looked at Iris in shock as she walked into the bathroom. "What are you doing?"
"I came to talk," Iris said. She looked down at Indianna's hands. "But then I heard you crying."
"I'm fine, and I don't want to talk," Indianna muttered and stood up, washing her hands in the sink.
"What's the result?" Iris asked.
"None of your concern," Indianna snapped and splashed her face with water.
"Please, I want to sort this out—"
"I gave you a chance," Indianna said and spun around to glare at her mother. "You're the one who blew it. Again. What a surprise."
"You have to understand—"
"He nearly killed me!" Indianna exclaimed. "He killed our dad! My friend! He raped and kidnapped Brooke! My brother! My brother did all that, and you didn't even think to share it with me?"
"Indianna—"
"Save it," Indianna said.
She walked past her mother and into the bedroom.
"I've got too much to worry about already."
"I'm sorry," Iris whimpered.
"So am I," Indianna muttered.
She looked towards the door when Olivia walked into her bedroom.
"Oh," Olivia said and glanced at Iris. "I can come back."
"No," Indianna said quickly. "She was just leaving."
Iris looked pleadingly at her daughter. Eventually, she sighed and walked out of the room.
"Is everything okay?" Olivia asked.
"Fine," Indianna grumbled. "Actually, no. Not fine."
Indianna held out her hand, and Olivia rushed over, looking at it with curious eyes.
"How do you feel about that?" Olivia asked after a few moments.
"I don't know," Indianna admitted.
"Are you going to tell Greyson?"
"When this is all over," Indianna nodded.
"I think you should do it sooner," Olivia said.
"It's not the right time," Indianna sighed. "Especially when he's hell-bent on killing Rogue and hurting Stacy."
"I agree with him," Olivia said. "About hurting Stacy, if necessary."
"It seems like I'm extremely outnumbered," Indianna sighed.
"Sorry," Olivia murmured.
"Where is she?!"
Indianna and Olivia jumped in shock when Harry burst into the room, flanked by Greyson, Kal and Ace.
"Who?"
"The tooth fairy," Harry said sarcastically. "Brooke!"
"At the hospital..." Indianna trailed off when she saw Greyson shake his head. "She's not at the hospital?"
"No, she's not at her house either. Why the fuck did you separate?" Harry yelled.
Greyson grabbed Harry firmly and yanked him back.
"Take it down a notch, man!" Greyson snapped. "We'll find her."
"I've tried calling, and she's blocked me from her mind," Harry said and yelled out angrily. "I need to find her! Now!"
"We will," Indianna said.
"Save the bullshit!" Harry hissed. "Instead of talking, do something!"
"What do you expect her to do?" Greyson snapped. "She can't do much more than you can!"
"Wait a second," Indianna said. "Give me a phone."
Greyson frowned at Indianna but passed her his phone.
"Who are you calling?"
Indianna ignored him and dialled the number. The whole room waited in silence as the phone rang.
And rang.
And rang.
"Whoever you're calling is obviously not picking up," Harry said.
Indianna gasped in relief when the phone stopped ringing and the call connected.
"Brandon!" she said. "Brandon, please tell me you're with Brooke!"
"Try again."
Indianna frowned.
"Brandon?" she questioned.
"Not Brandon."
Indianna gasped when she realised the voice was too deep to belong to Brandon.
"Rogue," she whispered.
"Hello, sweetheart."