“Violet, are you here?" a voice came from outside of the bedroom.

　　“Yes! Just a minute." she answered, getting up from the bed.

　　Violet was about to go on the mission of her life. She didn't have much of a choice, since her adoptive father summoned her to be in charge of that.

　　While going through the plan on her mind over and over again, she couldn't stop her anxiety from kicking in. She was so nauseated by her fear and worries, that she could throw up at any minute.

　　If she kept overwhelming herself with those thoughts, she was going to cry for sure. She couldn't allow that to happen.

　　She had to be strong. She was strong. She just lacked a little trust in herself.

　　Violet closed her eyes for a few seconds, breathing in and out slowly, trying to stay calm.

　　Another knock on the door pulled her out of her meditation.

　　“I'm coming!" she yelled, annoyed.

　　Violet opened the door to find a woman from her pack waiting for her impatiently on the other side.

　　“Finally! I thought you had given up or something. Come on. Arden wants to talk to you before you leave." the woman said making way for Violet to pass.

　　She closed the door from her bedroom and followed the woman to the living room.

　　Arden was the Alpha of the Diamond Pack, and ever since she could remember, Violet lived at his palace, which she always found unnecessary and stupid. Why did they have to live in a palace anyway?

　　But she never complained because, how could she? He had adopted and taken care of her during all her twenty-one years of life.

　　She owed him too much. Every little thing she ever learned came from him. Everything he gave to his biological daughter, he made sure to give to Violet as well.

　　Arden.There he was, waiting for her seated on the couch, smoking his cigarette and looking at the window, contemplating the big yellow moon that was starting to rise in the sky.

　　He was a middle-aged man with gray hair, blue eyes and a goatee that Violet thought it was ridiculous. But she never told him that, of course.

　　“Violet, my daughter. Here you are!" the man said enthusiastically, getting up and opening his arms to her.

　　Violet smiled and hugged him tightly.

　　She was having mixed feelings about that whole situation, but was trying her best not to show it.

　　After all, Arden had trained her himself, alongside Gwen, his biological daughter, and a boy named Lance, and Violet had learned not to show weakness to anyone. Not even her family.

　　Violet was left as an orphan at a very young age, because her parents died on a rogue attack.

　　She didn't know much about that incident, but she never felt very comfortable to ask Arden about it.

　　She was then brought to the Diamond Pack, which was a very powerful shifter empire that enforced law and order across the continent Crescent.

　　Crescent was populated by wolf shifters and was mostly ruled by the Diamond Pack.

　　“So, is everything ready for your departure?" Arden asked, sitting on the couch again.

　　Violet did the same, while some servant offered her a glass of water. She politely accepted, although she felt that whatever entered her stomach would come out as quickly as possible, since she was feeling very sick and nervous.

　　“Yes, I believe so." she nodded, taking a sip of the water, because the servant was still looking at her and she didn't want him to feel upset or anything like that.

　　She liked to value other people's work. And something that always made her out of her mind was when someone didn't treat the servants from the palace correctly and politely.

　　“You probably don't need me to repeat everything about this mission, but do you still have anything you need me to clarify for you?" Arden asked inhaling the smoke from his cigarette.

　　Violet nodded her head in denial, trying to keep herself calm and not think about the worst that could happen.

　　“Once you pass the gates from the palace, you'll be by yourself, honey." Arden continued. “I have faith that you can get the job done, so don't worry about it. I wouldn't put you up to this if I didn't think you were capable."

　　Violet smiled at him, although his words weren't very reassuring for her.

　　She couldn't think of a worst person to do what he wanted, and as much as she tried to persuade him previously to change his mind, Arden was very stubborn.

　　At that moment, a hustle came from the door of the living room, and Arden stopped talking to see what was happening.

　　A young man with brown eyes and a black hair perfectly coiffed was crossing the room and coming towards them with a smile on his face.

　　He had a very strict posture and was wearing a military uniform.

　　“Violet, you're still here!" he said looking at her.

　　“Hi, Lance." she smiled at him as he got closer.

　　“Lance. What are you doing here?" Arden asked looking a little impatient for the interruption.

　　“I just got home. I had some things to discuss with you, but I didn't know you were in a meeting. I'm sorry!"

　　“It's ok." Arden waved his hand and put out his cigarette.

　　“How are you feeling?" Lance asked Violet with a concerned look.

　　Her relationship with him was something awkward sometimes.

　　Violet grew up with Gwen as a sister, but Lance joined them later on when his parents died.

　　He was left as an orphan just like Violet, which kind of served as a bond for them.

　　Gwen and Lance also got along well, so the three of them started to do a lot of things together, including training with Arden.

　　But when Violet turned eighteen years old, Arden said that she was supposed to marry Lance someday, because Arden's plan was to make him the next Alpha.

　　She could never understand that one of the rules of the Diamond Pack was that bonding with one's destined mate was extremely forbidden. The marriages were always decided by the council.

　　Lance was the Beta of the pack, and Violet simply couldn't believe what Arden wanted. How was she going to marry someone she didn't love in that way?

　　She kind of considered him as an older brother or something like that.

　　And why her and not Gwen?

　　But Lance didn't seem to be very opposed to the idea, which left Violet intrigued. Did he like her that way, that's why Arden wanted him to marry her, instead of Gwen or anyone else?

　　Since that day, Violet tried her best to pretend that conversation didn't happen and tried to act normally in front of Lance, like she always had.

　　They always liked to tease each other and talk about silly things. Just as she did with Gwen. So she continued to do it, until she was forced to face her destiny with him.

　　Which she prayed it would take long.

　　“I'm okay, I guess." she answered, trying to sound positive. “I mean… I'll only know once I get there, right?"

　　“You'll do great." Arden said, trying to ease her mind. “Now is the time to put in action all those years of training. You're going to see if you're finally able to control the wolf inside of you." he smiled, but that only made Violet feel worse than she was already feeling.

　　That was her biggest fear. And Arden had to bring it up.

　　That was keeping her awake every night in the last days.

　　Violet had always struggled with her werewolf side since she was really young.

　　She suffered from an uncontrollable shifting and her inner wolf was feral, unstable and very powerful. She couldn't control it. So they trained her and taught her how to suppress it inside.

　　She was doing much better now, as a grown woman and all that.

　　But there wasn't a day that went by without making her worry about her actions.

　　Was the mission a test from Arden, to see if she had learned correctly? That's why he chose her instead of anyone else to go?

　　And suddenly Violet felt the need to ask something.

　　“What will you do if I don't come back? Will you send someone after me?"

　　Arden seemed to be caught off guard for a moment, but he was very good in pretending, so that passed unnoticed by everyone present.

　　“Nothing will happen. But if you don't come back after a few days, we will figure something out. So don't worry about that, just think about your next move."

　　Violet nodded.

　　She didn't feel very secured with his words, but it was getting late and she was getting more nervous, so she decided to simply accept her fate, whatever that was.

　　“Thank God you're still here. I thought I missed the chance to say goodbye to you." a soft voice came from the door, and Violet didn't need to look to know who it was.

　　“Always late, right?" Lance mocked the girl.

　　Gwen was a very delicate and nice girl. She had the same blue eyes as her father and her black hair fell down her shoulders like a curtain.

　　Violet felt a lump on her throat.

　　Seeing Gwen there made her want to cry so badly.

　　She wasn't having a good feeling about the whole thing and was trying her hardest to accept that. But the fact that she had to say goodbye to her family was making Violet doubt herself.

　　What if she failed? What if she wasn't able to control herself once she got to her destination? What if something went wrong? Would she still be able to fulfill her task and come back home to her family?

　　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.

　　As soon as she saw herself out of the palace and its boundaries, Violet started to take the path to where the party was being held.

　　She memorized the map because she didn't want to walk around carrying that piece of paper.

　　What if someone caught her? How would she explain that map?

　　She needed to pretend she was a part of the Mahina Pack. It shouldn't be too hard.

　　No one from the palace was expected to do something that stupid. They didn't have any reason to get out of that safe and comfortable life to risk themselves outside.

　　And as Violet was getting near the place she had to go, she could see a few people on the street, walking freely, happily, like they didn't have a poor life.

　　Wasn't that what Violet always heard? She was always told that the wolves outside the Diamond Pack lived a miserable life that she would never want for herself.

　　But, for a first impression, it didn't seem too bad.

　　She shook her head trying to focus on what she had to do.

　　And a few minutes later, she saw herself in front of a giant gate.

　　The party was at a mansion.

　　One of the most beautiful she had ever seen. And she lived in a palace.

　　The front yard was packed with people drinking and talking.

　　A couple guards were standing in front of the gate, looking very friendly, but professional at the same time.

　　That was it. Her first obstacle.

　　Violet approached them with a big smile on her face, trying to put one foot in front of the other without showing how much she was trembling.

　　“Good evening, lady." one of the guards said.

　　“Good evening." she replied, faking the worst northern accent she had ever heard.

　　But if the guards noticed that, they didn't show. Maybe they thought it could be rude to do that.

　　“Where do you come from, miss?" the other man asked.

　　“Oh, sorry. I'm from the Mahina Pack. I got lost from the girls when we got near the city, so it took me a while to get here."

　　The guards looked at each other, and that little movement almost made Violet faint.

　　Did they know she was lying?

　　Of course they did. She didn't look or sound from the North at all.

　　What was she going to do now?

　　The first guard looked at her again and opened a big smile.

　　“Actually, it didn't take you too long. They arrived a few minutes ago."

　　Violet widened her eyes.

　　“Really? Well, I guess I'm not that bad at finding the right way then." she smiled, and they opened the gate for her to pass.

　　“Have fun and welcome!" they said, and she crossed the gate trying to keep her sigh of relief inside.

　　Violet didn't know what was the exact motive for that party, so she needed to talk to some people to be more aware of where she was getting into.

　　One good thing about living in a palace was that she learned how to behave in a lot of social events.

　　She was very good at making small talks and pretending to have fun by listening to some boring conversation.

　　She analyzed the place. How was she going to find the person she was there to find? She didn't even know what he looked like.

　　When she got inside the house, it took her a while to get used to the view. It was simply enormous. It wasn't bigger than the palace she lived in, but it was equally comfortable and luxurious.

　　She saw some servants offering drinks to the guests and a lot of people seemed to be already drunk.

　　Violet leaned against a wall in the corner and tried to listen to a group of women that was talking excitedly and loudly.

　　She grabbed a glass of champagne to fit in and not get too much attention.

　　“Can you believe that Jack decided to celebrate his birthday this year? I mean… He doesn't really care for parties, so this doesn't look like him at all." one of the women screamed, trying to be heard over the loud music.

　　Violet was almost breaking her spine to listen to them.

　　Another woman shrunk her shoulders and rolled her eyes before answering.

　　“Well, Jack always liked to please everyone. He may not be a party boy, but he knows his pack needs a little fun sometimes."

　　“Yeah, it makes sense. As the leader, he always did everything he could to make everyone feel included and to give us the best he could. It's not that easy to lead a bunch of people and find a way to fight this stupid government at the same time."

　　Violet frowned at that sentence. What was she referring to?

　　But she didn't have time for that. She couldn't get distracted with trivial things.

　　She had to find her target. She had a mission to accomplish.

　　But it was going to be harder than she imagined.

　　Firstly, she didn't know what he looked like.

　　Secondly, the mansion was full of people and she couldn't even think of where to begin.

　　Thirdly, and even more important, how was she going to do what she had to do with so many people there? She was going to be caught for sure.

　　Violet started to walk around the house to explore the chances of escaping that place without getting arrested.

　　She also had to think about how she would get to the limits of the palace without having anyone following her.

　　How the hell did anyone think that mission could be successful?

　　Arden must had been delusional to suggest she could do something like that.

　　How was she going to kill Jack Morde inside his own house, at his birthday party, with every single person from his pack present?