by Nana Adu
I narrow my eyes, my head spinning as I try to use my powers against him. My wrists and ankles burn and I bite my lip in pain. He smirks.
"I can tell you're trying to use your powers, but if it's anything to try to get out of here like I said before, these bonds are meant to keep you glued to this wall until those hags show up." His grip tightens as I bare my teeth at him.
"Why don't you go sleep with your mate and stop bothering me?" I ask, letting my eyes stay on his.
I won't look away this time. I won't look down.
He smacks me across my face. I sigh, turning back to look his back in his eyes again.
If that's what he thinks will have me submit again, he's wrong. I'm not the same girl who ran away months ago. I'm stronger than her and grateful she choose to leave this pack.
Liam scoffs, chuckling as he lets me go and walks to the wall opposite of me, hiding in the shadows of the furnace.
"When we were little, we had a lot of fun, didn't we?"
What's his point?
"My father tore you away from me the moment the witches told him they were going to take you in the future. He didn't want us close, in fact, he didn't want you close with anyone." Liam tilts his head at me, the moonlight only revealing his figure.
So I've been like cattle in a farm, raised to be eaten. What did I expect? Years of torment, all because of a promise made at the expense of so many lives.
Sam. My actual pack. What do these witches want? Why so much bloodshed?
"I couldn't be nice to you and to be honest, I was bored without you. Being cruel was the only way to maintain any relationship with you. I hated it at first, but I soon came to love it better than our friendship before." Liam chuckles again. I frown.
He's been a bastard since he was little, so what? I don't care about that anymore.
"I even hoped they would erase the memory of when we got along, just like they erased your memory after we took over." My eyes widen.
What is he talking about? They erased my memory? That's why I can't remember anything before I was five? Is that why I don't remember my parents, not a little?
"What?" I ask. Liam pushes off the wall, coming towards me again.
"Oh, I forgot you don't know about that either. You didn't know anything. That's how I liked you and why I couldn't help but want to explore your naivety, even after I found Vanessa. You stopped me last time, but there's not much you can do now." A shiver of fear travels up my spine as the ancient itch on my thigh under my skin, throbs again.
He's fucking gross. No one is allowed to touch me but Noah. No one.
"Let's continue." He lays his finger against my throat. I cringe back.
I'd rather die. I'd rather kill him. I will.
I'll kill him.
CHAPTER 58
Noah POV
My parents sit across from me, behind my desk as I sigh. The quiet between us spans miles as we stare at each other.
I need to hear them say it. Before the pack, before Beth, before everyone, I need them to say it first.
"Noah, listen. We couldn't imagine that what she told us today, was the case. We all thought what was shone to us." My father says, fidgeting with his fingers.
"We don't even know if what that girl said, is true. She's a part of the enemy pack, why would she betray them for Eliana?" My mother speaks up, trying to reason with me.
This is what I was afraid she would say. I don't want to hate her. I really don't want to hold any anger against her like this, but after all that, she still believes what she wants.
"Mom, why would she lie? What would her pack gain with us knowing what they did to the Royals and who they're in line with, the witches?" I ask, keeping my rationality.
My patience is drawing thin.
"I don't know but we can't just trust her. We can't trust any of them. Noah-" My father puts a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
"I know you're angry, honey, but blaming Eliana isn't going to avenge our daughter. You have to open your eyes to our actual enemies." He whispers, rubbing her shoulder. She looks away, her breathing faster.
"I just- I kept everything bottled up so long when I could finally let it out at someone, someone who was there, I did." Tears leak out her eyes, sliding down her cheeks as my father holds on to her.
"I wanted to move on. I wanted to move on so you could stop blaming yourself, Noah. I wanted to see you happy again and I was so glad to see you smiling with Eliana. But when I heard she was a part of the pack that attacked us, I-I forgot everything about that. The pain inside me just wanted to cause more pain, even though I knew she was the light in your life." My mother sobs, as my father pulls her in, hugging her.
I understand that. The only release I got from Samantha's death was caring for the pack and even then I devoted myself to finding her killers. It was a cycle of pain that I didn't know I was putting myself through.
I didn't think about how my parents were impacted, I just hated that they locked up away from the world and refused to get revenge.
She's still hurting. We all are still hurting.
"I loved Samantha. I miss her everyday and my sadness finally had a place to go. I knew it wrong acting the way I did but it felt good. It felt good to blame her and I'm ashamed to admit that." My mother cries harder against my father's collarbone. He nods.
"I felt the same. It was wrong and now, even more than before, we know our angry is misplaced. We know who to direct this pain towards." He growls, as I nod.
They tried so hard to be strong after Sam's death years ago, they forgot to take care of the injuries within themselves. The whole pack needs more time to heal.
"You both know who to apologize to. I'm sorry for shutting myself away all those years ago. I blamed myself and wanted to fight back. Now, we can fight back." Their eyes land on mine, my mother sitting straight as my father turns face me.
"We'll be with you to save Eliana. We'll stand up against who we have to." My mother states, her eyes bright with a new light.
"By sunrise, we can have the pack prepare for battle. Just tell us what to do and we'll do it." My father adds, his stance taller. A smile grows on my face as they stare at me with the determination I've been waiting to see.
I love them, I really do love them.
"Thank you. I'll be counting on you both."
This war is about to begin.
Eliana POV
"Liam, you're not thinking straight. Vanessa is your mate." I try to reason with him, as he smirks wider.
"I told you. You're a toy I can't give up, even if I have Vanessa. You decided to run away when you're just a nobody. You came running back with your tail in between your legs." He snarls.
I did, but that's because I want to save them. I want to help them fight you.
"You were isolated by that pack because they found out about us, right? They drove you out after blaming you for our deeds. Are you sure you can go back after this? Would they even believe if you told them you aren't from our pack? You're better off staying here with me, becoming my pet again." His hand trails along the side of my jaw.
Don't listen to him. He doesn't know anything. You're stronger than this. You know why they did what they did. You're not hurt.
"I don't care. Fuck you." I spit at him as he freezes. He punches me again and I bite my tongue, blood filling my mouth.
"Why are you being so difficult? You used to be so perfectly obedient." He lays his hand on my cheek, coming closer and closer to lips as I cringe back.
He's convinced I'm this object of his. I can't believe this is happening again. I ran away from him, from this pack, from my prison of 18 years.
I won't let him have his way.
"Don't touch me!" I shout, a sound clicking in my ears as a burning hot sensation flows through my body, scorching my skin and insides.
What's happening? What is this?
Liam disappears from in front of me as my vision blurs, distorting everything in my view.
My breathing quickens as I
cry out, trying to contain my composure while I tremble.
Am I dying? Is this curse finally taking my life?
No, my child, you're awakening.
White blinds my vision as that voice transcends from everywhere. I float through the pure, white, softly adrift.
It's warm, empty, and quiet. Peaceful.
This is where I would have that dream, where I had all those dreams.
"You're finally here." The voice says. I look to find the voice but no figure appears, just the sound reaching my ears.
"Where am I? Who are you?" I ask, stretching out my legs to find a place to land. None brush by my feet.
I think I know but that would be impossible.
What's happening is impossible.
"You're in your mind and I am who you wolves call, Moon Goddess. I've been eager to see you awaken, my child."
CHAPTER 59
Eliana POV
"Moon Goddess?"
She has to be joking. There's no way.
"Yes, and you are the last of my dearest warriors." She says, her voice echoing in my head and the blank space around me.
"The last?- Wait, what happened to Liam?" I ask, panic rising in my heart.
Even if I'm in my mind, I wouldn't put it past him to do something to me anyway. Sick fuck.
"Don't worry. You teleported him to his bed. He won't be back due to the amount of power you put into your command." She whispers. I furrow my eyebrows.
I can do that? But I thought this power was only good for freezing people.
"You can command any wolf within the limits of my realm to do anything. That's the power I gave to the Royals, your ancestors."
If we had a power that great, why did we end up the way we are now? With only one left, me.
"That's amazing but then how did we lose against Moonstribe and the witches?" I ask, letting my question out into the air.
"Witches are not within my realm. They used spells and made the Moonstribe temporarily immune to your commands during that battle. Due to years, of being used by other wolves and killed so often, there weren't that many of you left to fight against them and win. I'm sorry I gave you all such a heavy burden." The voice cries, sending waves of sorrow within me as well.
Then they kept me alive to be their slave, to be given up to the witches.
"Yes, that's true. The witches want you so they can harvest your blessing. The pure energy of power I bestowed upon you is very powerful. The witches have been using it to make wolves submit to them. They want every drop of your blood when your power is at it's peak. Now." She explains.
She can hear my thoughts.
The witches are trying to... harvest me? With their power and the fact my powers have no affect on them makes me a sitting duck with no escape.
"Why are you telling me all this? What's the point in me knowing this if I have no chance against them?" I yell out, tears coming to my eyes.
"You're stronger than them. Witches use vessels because they are weak. You have to find a way to defeat them, my child. I can't keep you here much longer." She says, her voice getting quieter as if she was going away.
No. I have more questions. I need more answers. What can I do to defeat them? How do I win? Will I ever have a home?
"Just know that you have more allies than you realize. I'll leave you one gift as I part. The rest is in your hands." The voices fades away, taking the warmth and light away, leaving only a dark, cold world around me.
"Wait! Don't leave! I can't do this alone." I scream into the abyss, reaching out into nothing. My body jolts as I fall backwards, speeding towards whatever ground that doesn't exist.
She's gone but I need more. I'm tired of feeling so alone.
I want to see Noah. I miss him.
"Noah." His name slips out my mouth as I hurl down, hard and fast.
Down.
Noah POV
"We're going into battle tomorrow morning." I announce quietly, sitting at the dining table as the pack eats breakfast. They freeze at my words, the room becoming silent.
"Tomorrow? I thought we would give it a day or two..." A wolf says. Many nod with him, agreeing as my temper flares again.
Why are they acting like this? I won't have the same conversation twice.
"You heard what that girl said yesterday. We were wrong to treat Eliana as anything but our own pack member. She's just as much as a victim as we are, if not more. I'm ashamed that I looked at her in any other light." Beth speaks up, her fist clenching around her fork. I nod.
I knew she would acknowledge her faults. This is the least she can do, for now. Eliana will need more than an apology when this is all over.
I'll have them beg on their knees for her forgiveness.
"You're right." Kai says, nodding. The pack sits in a tense silence.
"It's hard to admit we treated her wrong for no reason. I don't know if I'm ready to face her." Hunter mumbles. Sounds of agreement echo throughout the room.
"Then make it your mission to bring her back and do everything in your power to redeem yourselves." Alyssa stands at the entrance, a frown on her face as she walks further into the room.
"Eliana is one of us now. Are you all ready to fight for her? Are you ready to throw your lives away for revenge and redemption?" Robert adds. The pack sits still, the air thick.
"I-I am." A small voice comes from the end of the table. Jacklin trembles, but her voice comes clear.
"I will." Another voice speaks up.
"We have to." Another says.
The voices get louder as others join in, chiming in, willing to fight for their fallen members and forgiveness.
This is the pack I grew up in. This is the pack I lead.
A smile graces my lips as the energy in the room settles. Determined faces with hope in each pair of eyes watch me. I stand, pushing back my chair and letting my hands lean against the table.
I won't let Eliana be taken by witches. These sleepless nights filled with nightmares will end with her in my arms,
"We have only hours to prepare. Let's not waste anymore time." I state, looking around the room at my brother and sisters. My parents sit quietly with small smiles on their faces.
We believe in you, Noah.
I'm coming for you, Eliana.
CHAPTER 60
Eliana POV
I squint as sunlight shines into my eyes. My ankle and wrists bound with the metal cuffs cream in pain and my neck's soreness travels down my back.
It's been two days since they hung me up here, right? What happened last night? The Moon Goddess, my powers, her gift?
A splitting headache hits me. I squeeze my eyes shut as images flash through my mind.
Someone's loving embrace, a kind smile, two figures laying in bed next to me.
The Moon Goddess has been that woman in my dreams.
I breathe rapidly, trying to understand everything myself.
Her gift. It was my memories from before I was five. These images... they're my family. The Royals, my pack, my parents. It seems even though I'm able to remember only bits and pieces from 4 years of age, they loved me.
I was loved. They held and played with me. Read me stories.
My face wets as tears flow out my eyes and down my cheeks.
This was enough. I did belong somewhere, I had a family. They were taken from me but they loved me.
I sob as my headache subsides.
I've been a slave to the killers of my pack for 18 years.
I clench my fists, as the anger already in my heart doubles.
They will pay for their crimes. The witches, Moonstribe, all of them.
Something inside my edges, as if about to jump off a cliff.
I'm livid.
The door opens as John in, stopping by my bed as he watches me, hiding something behind his back. I growl at him unable to hold back.
I've been so alone all these years because of a stupid deal. My parents, Noah's sister and friends. We all got caught in a web of greed.
Why did they attack Noah's pack? If it's harvest they wanted, the Royals should have been enough. Why is this still confusing? I wish I had more time with Her.
"You've slept for an entire day. Eat up. We need you strong for the witches. They'll be here soon." He pulls out a bowl of oatmeal, pushing it to my face, as I stare at him with wide eyes.
An entire day? What?
"What do you mean I've slept for a whole day? I've been here for three days?" I ask, using my chin to push the food out of my face. He sighs, shaking his head at me.
"No matter what we did, you wouldn't wake up. We thought you were dead, then the smell of tears made its way up to us and here I am now, with your breakfast. You haven't really eaten in three days, but I know you can go longer. Fucking freak." He snarls at me, pushing the bowl back on to my face.
The memories must've knocked me out before I could receive them. Today's the day the witches harvest my blood. They're going to kill me.
I can't die before seeing Noah's face again.
My lips open and I let the food fall into mouth. I chew the tasteless mush, swallowing and eating as John holds the bowl up.
I need energy if I'm going to go against these people. The Goddess told me to find a way to defeat them. I have to find a way to defeat the creatures who wiped out my pack, though small, full of Royals.
How do I win this? I need more clues. I have to think.
I'm not going out without a fight.
The door creaks open again Five hooded figures glide into the room as goosebumps wake all over my body at their arrival. John drops the bowl to the floor, kneeling before the short black cloaked group.
It's them. The witches.
My blood boils.
"This is the girl. If you have any trouble, we'll be outside." He says quickly, rushes out the small basement and shutting the door behind him. I face the beings alone, staring at them.
I didn't get to think, I didn't have any time.
"You seem stronger than the others. It's been so long I forgot how feisty you Royals are." A low, raspy voice whispers. I take a deep breath.
It doesn't matter if I have a plan or not. I just know I want these bitches dead. Now.
I need to fight for myself and the ones I love. I won't let myself be alone again. I'm tired of that sick feeling.