**ANTONIO**

Rain began to pour down in torrents, drenching Leila and I in an instant. Leila's hair, soaked and matted, whipped around her face as her hands still grasped at her temples. The air was alive with electric energy.


"Leila, focus!" I yelled, attempting to draw her attention back to me. "You must center yourself!"

Leila's eyes met mine, filled with desperation. 'I can't! It's too much!"

I could see the fear and desperation in Leila's eyes, the rain soaking her to the bone. The winds raged around us, and the thunder boomed overhead, the storm gaining in intensity with each passing second.


'Leila, listen to me!" I shouted, reaching out to grasp her arm. 'You must find the stillness within you. You have to control this!"

Leila nodded, her eyes shuttering closed. 'I'm trying, Antonio, I promise!"


The rain intensified as the storm raged around us, the very earth seeming to tremble. Despite Leila's valiant efforts, her power continued to spiral out of control.

I felt a surge of energy pulse through me as I fought to keep Leila grounded. 'You can do this, Leila! You have the strength within you!"

Leila's eyes flew open, her pupils dilating in response to the energy coursing through her. Lightning struck dangerously close, causing Leila to scream in terror.

Leila stumbled backwards, her arms flailing as she fought to regain her balance. As she spun, lightning struck again, this time slicing through a tree nearby, causing it to burst into flames.

'Leila, get down!" I shouted, lunging towards her. My feet slipped on the rain-soaked earth, and I went sprawling, but I continued to reach for Leila, desperation fueling my movement.

Another flash of lightning arced through the sky, and I saw Leila's form illuminated for a split second, the energy pouring from her like an unleashed torrent.

The ground shook as Leila lost her footing. Her power surged, and the rain turned to hail, the sharp stones hammering into our bodies.

I managed to grasp Leila's arm, my fingers digging into her flesh as I held on for dear life. 'Leila, you can do this!" I cried, my voice a mere whisper above the howling winds. 'Focus on me, Leila!"

Leila's eyes were wild, her hair flying around her face in the gale. She looked at me, desperation written in her features.

'I can't stop it," Leila yelled, her voice barely audible. 'I can't stop the power!"

The hail intensified, pelting us both as we struggled to stay upright. Leila's power continued to spiral, the lightning flashing more frequently, the thunder almost a constant roar.

'Yes you can!" I bellowed. 'You must! Think of the pack! Think of me!" I pleaded, my voice cracking.

I turned and bolted towards the house, rain and hail still pelting me from every direction. I threw open the front door and sighed as I set eyes on Amelia.

'Antonio?" Amelia asked, fear written across her features.

' I had to leave her," I choked out as I wrenched the rain out of my body.

"Of course you had to." She said as she helped me in but almost immediately, the rain and lightning died down.

Amelia's gaze was fierce, her words firm and clear. 'Antonio, now is the time to strike. We must take advantage of the chaos that has enveloped Xander's pack in the wake of Leila's disappearance."

I listened carefully to her words, my mind working through the possibilities. 'You're suggesting we split our forces? Isn't that the same thing we did last time and failed?

Amelia nodded. 'We send half to attack the pack directly, creating a diversion. The other half will trail Xander himself. We catch him off guard, and we strike hard."

'Do you think it's a viable plan?" I asked, skeptical. Xander was a cunning opponent, and I knew he wouldn't go down without a fight.

'It's our best shot," Amelia replied. 'Xander will be expecting an attack on his pack, but he won't anticipate being ambushed himself. This is our chance to finally end his reign."

I stared at the map of the region spread before us, tracing the paths our soldiers would take.

'And how will we ensure that Xander doesn't discover our plan?" I questioned, still uncertain. 'He has spies in our ranks, and the slightest hint of our intentions could spell disaster. I think that some of the leaders we connived fr ourselves are still working for him

Amelia's lips curved into a sly smile. 'That's why we won't tell anyone the whole plan. We'll spread misinformation, create a false narrative to distract his spies. And when they least expect it, we'll strike with the force of a hurricane."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

'You're a dangerous woman, Amelia. Sometimes, I can't recognize you as my daughter. I said, a faint smile touching my lips. 'But perhaps that's what makes you so essential to our cause."

Amelia's smile grew, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 'Perhaps dad Or perhaps it's just that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to see our enemies defeated."

'Whatever the reason, I'm glad you're my daughter and on my side." I replied, a slight chuckle escaping my lips.

"And Leila?" She asked gesturing outside and l rolled my eyes.

"When she's done, she'll head in herself. I even have bad news concerning her."