Chapter 2: A Bittersweet Farewell

Gwen got closer to her and pulled Violet for a hug too. She returned the gesture with the same affection.

“You already know what to do once you get there, right?” Gwen asked.

Violet's heart was pounding and she was feeling a void on her stomach.

She saw those expectant eyes on her, and whatever fear she was feeling inside, she had to hide.

Specially now. They were all counting on her.

“Yes. I memorized the map that one of the spies gave me. I’ll say I’m from the Mahina Pack, which is a pack of female wolves that lives in the North. They are special guests and they never came to this part of the country, so they won’t be able to recognize any of them.” Violet repeated as she was instructed. “I'll say I got lost from them on the way, that’s why I arrived alone.”

“How did they know all of that?” Gwen asked in shock. “I mean, that’s very detailed.”

“We have a few spies from the Diamond Pack infiltrated outside of the walls to get information from them once in a while.” Lance answered briefly.

Violet's mission consisted in meeting the leader of the Rebels, Jack Morde.

The Rebels were the main rogue pack opposed to the Diamond Pack government. And anyone that was against them was considered an enemy.

Violet had never met the guy in her life, but she always heard the members from her pack talk about him like he was the most feared and powerful wolf among the resistance.

Some spies said that the Rebels would have a party hosted by Jack soon, so she had to infiltrate the place without being caught.

The part of the Crescent where she lived on was surrounded by walls, which only allowed people from the Diamond Pack to live there.

It was like a small city inside another city. No one from the outside could come in if they didn’t belong to the pack.

It was a weird segregation. That was what Violet always thought about it, but again, she didn’t have space to question that either.

It was going to be the first time she crossed the borders of the palace, so she had no idea what she would face once she got to the other side.

Violet got up on her feet and stretched her back.

“Well, I think I better be going. It’s getting late and the party must be starting.”

Arden pulled her for another hug and patted her head as they separated.

Lance also came in her direction and gave a kiss on her cheek, which felt a little uncomfortable, specially with Gwen and Arden looking at the both of them.

Violet gave him a little smile in return and received a hug from Gwen right after.

“Vi, take care, okay? Don’t forget to pay attention to everything around you and if you feel like you will lose control, just close your eyes and take a deep breath.”

Gwen’s advice made Violet feel a warmth inside her heart. It was nice to know she had people that cared for her at home.

That would make her even more eager to return.

To have a purpose to fulfill the mission and have a place to go back to made her feel a little encouraged.

Maybe that's what she needed to gather some bravery.

“Alright then.” she said looking at the three of them.

It did feel like a goodbye. One that she wasn’t ready to say.

She had never been away from them before. She had never been on her own. And now she would have to face the outside world by herself.

And even go on a mission she was pretty sure it was basically impossible to accomplish.

“Promise me you will be back!” Gwen ordered with tears in her eyes.

“I promise.” Violet said, trying to convince herself too. It was getting harder and harder to believe that she would indeed come back. “So wait for me.”

“We will. Just do what you have to do and make us proud.” Arden said putting his hands on Gwen’s shoulder.

And then Violet got out of the living room, realizing that it could be the last time she saw the ones she called family.

She got back to her room to finish getting ready.

Violet sighed as she brushed her blonde hair and stared at her figure in the mirror.

She put a black dress on and a light make up, but she opted for some comfy combat boots and a pony tail, since her long hair could get in the way during the mission.

Violet couldn’t have any disturbance.

She couldn’t bring anything with her, since she was supposed to go to the party and leave without making others suspicious.

So whatever happened, she would have to survive with just the piece of clothes she was wearing, which was not very comfortable.

Walking towards the door, ready to leave, Violet suddenly recalled something.

“Oh, sh*t! How could I forget it?” she asked to herself as she went back to her wardrobe.

She opened one of the drawers and took some clothes out of the way to find a tiny silver dagger under it.

Violet lifted her dress and, with some difficult, was able to hide it underneath her dress, making sure to protect the blade so it didn’t cut her on the way.

And as much as she thought of different scenarios for what was going to occur on the next few hours, what really happened had never crossed her mind.