Chapter 127

**Tommy **

I escort the Mage toward the direction of our border. She says she has the power to great a barrier but she made it sound like it will only be enough to give a little time to prepare for the attack we know is coming. I suppose any advantage is something worth trying but I admit I wish it would be enough to end this.

I am not in the right mind. I am supposed to be an Alpha ready to fight and protect my pack, but all I feel is lost. Truthfully my father never taught me how to prepare for anything like this when he was training me to take over for him. He was a passive leader and now I know what a disadvantage that is. When it came to fights I relyed on my anger to fuel me, but as a leader, I can't let myself go into that dark place.

I have to keep calm to lead and that is harder than I thought. I wish I was more like Maya. She is such a calm person even in intense situations, and that makes her a perfect leader. Even if she is battling herself on the inside she does not let it worry anyone else and she makes sure she takes care of everyone else before herself.

"You are troubled." The Mage next to me says suddenly.

"It's that obvious huh?" I say with a smile that doesn't reach my eyes.

"Yes it is, but I understand it. It's hard to find your bearings when chaos is all around you." She says with a voice of understanding.

"Truthfully, we had a bumpy start when Maya first came into our lives and it has been a rollercoaster the whole time. Without realizing it, we have come to depend on her to keep us together, and without her, it feels like I'm drowning. She is the strongest person I know, and I wish I could say that I can be strong for her but it isn't easy." I don't know why I am telling her all this, but it feels good to just say it.

"Being a soul mate means far more than you probably realize. It means only feeling complete when you are with her. You're right, she is like an anchor for you. Each of your souls is bound to her. She is like the sun that all of your surround and survive on. It is a blessing unlike any other, but it can also be a burden. I'm sorry to say you may not feel like yourself until she awakens." Her words come out like an apology but I stay silent. "Everyone is depending on one girl to be the answer to all their prayers, and that is far too much to ask of one person."

"But she is the only person who could do it. She is selfless and kind. Everything good in this world all wrapped up in one person." I say with a small smile.

She really is amazing.

"Exactly. And we had no idea she would be the right choice to take on this role given that she was not even born yet, but it must have been fate that such a burden has fallen on her shoulders. Now she just needs to believe in herself. The only thing holding any of us back is ourselves. You think you are incapable of being the Alpha you should be, am I right?" I look at her a little stunned at how spot-on she is.

She chuckles. "You're very easy to read. The same can be said of you. The only thing holding you back from being a great Alpha is your fear of failing. You need to accept that you will never be perfect but you can try like hell to be a good one. Your people need someone humble but strong to lead them. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, just don't let them hold you back."

I don't know what to say to that so I nod and say, "Thank you."

The sound of footfalls pulls my attention to the tree line ahead of us and I see one of our men heading my way.

"Alpha." He says bowing his head once he stops inf front of me.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"We have caught on to the cent of the Blood Demons sir. They are heading this way now. We have not yet prepared our strategies with the other packs." His eyes and voice portray fear even though he is trying to show calmness.

"Hurry. Show me to your border." The mage says to my patrolman.

"Yes ma'am." He says without question and we follow quickly behind him.

Through the trees we see the man men holding formation along the border of our land. With not even five feet apart they would be an intimidating sight to any who would make the mistake of passing by, but to an army of Blood Demons, they are nothing but an obstacle.

"Step back." The Mages' voice booms down the line of men, and they all move back through the line of trees.

She steps forward and starts to chant, her hands slightly risen from her sides. Then with her last words, her hands shoot forward and a pulse of energy has me stumbling back.

She turns to me and smiles. "I told you to step back."

I scowl at her and straighten myself out. My eyes take in the sudden clear luminescent quality now draped around us and I am in awe. A minute of silence passes and as if they had walked from the depths of hell, the Blood Demons come into view. Their eyes are the color of fire and their skin has a grey tone that is a far from the way they were described as in the stories I knew.

I feel the air stop deep in my chest when the numbers in front of me only grow. It is very clear that we are far outnumbered. Some of the Blood Demons have blood trailing down their mouths and necks. How many humans did they kill before they found us? The thought makes me feel sick to my stomach, but there is no time to worry about that now.

"Well well. Hello mother." The sound of Freddie's voice hits us before the man himself steps out in front of his army.

"Freddie, stop this. What can you possibly gain from killing these people?" The Mage woman asks.

Freddie laughs. "What can I gain? I don't give a damn about any of these people. I want her."

"Why?" I ask.

"My mate was killed so I am in need of a replacement."

"You will have to kill me before I let you anywhere near her," I say stepping forward.

"Taking her will do nothing son. You can not be mated to her no matter what you do." The Mage says firmly.

Freddie's head snaps to her and he smiles wickedly. "I don't need to mate her to take what I want. I want her power, but I can admit even I can't control it. I just need to control the one who can. So, bring her to me and I will leave right now."

"We can't. she is still in a coma." I remind him but he only smiles more.

"Is she? I think not." He says and his eyes move past me.

My eyes follow his line of sight until I see exactly what he is looking at.

"Maya?" I say in disbelief.

"Tommy." She says just above a whisper.

I don't waste a second before moving to her and pulling her into my arms. I pull back and hold her face in each of my hands, and feeling the burn of a hot tear trailing down my cheeks.

"I-I can't believe it. Y-you looks so different. Beautiful." I say having a hard time finding the right words.

Her hair is white now and her eyes are frost blue.

"Well isn't this touching," Freddie says behind us and I bristle and tightening my hold on Maya. "Maya Maya Maya. How nice of you to join us."

Maya gives me one last look before pulling back from me and stepping forward to stand in front of Freddie.

"What are you doing brother?" She asks.

He laughs. "Oh I will be many things to you but in no way have I ever been your brother."

Maya doesn't react to this and something tells me she has already figured this out.

"Okay, you have come here to take me away with you. I will go but you will leave these people alone." She says her voice firm and determined.

"Maya no!" I say stepping up beside her and grabbing hold of her arm.

She turns to look at me and smiles softly at me. "One for thousands. Do you not think that a fair trade?"

"Not if that one is you," I say, feeling my throat tighten with emotion.

She reaches out to rest her hand on my cheek. "I am always with you. All of you no matter where I am. Don't worry."

She turns back to Freddie. "Do we have a deal?"

Freddie smiles triumphantly. "Deal."