Chapter 55

(Maya POV)

Eli pulled my hand which spun me slightly to face him.

“What are you doing? Why are you thinking these things Maya? Why are you so ready to push us away?” He asks me through our link.

“Eli, he is right about me. I am turning into something dangerous. I don’t know how to control it! Look what I did back there! I killed those men so easily, and I am supposed to return to your pack and become the next Luna. How will your pack except a Luna like me?” I reply.

“You are afraid because running and hiding is all you know. You have never learned to stand and fight, but you also never learned how to stand and keep still. You have been running for so long, always seeing everyone as a possible enemy. We want you to see that there is somewhere you can call home. Somewhere you are safe! And maybe right now that feels impossible, but you belong to me and Tommy and Noah. We are your home, and we will protect you even against our own pack. We were brought together for a reason Maya, why would the moon goddess bring you to us if we were not meant to help you. Stop running and let us.” He says pulling me into his arms.

He was right. Why would the moon goddess bring the four of us together if not for a good reason?

Then I remembered what he had said before. Noah needed me! I had been so wrapped in myself that I forgot that Noah needed me! I needed to get to him!

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to be the reason so many have their lives ruined or put in danger. It isn’t an easy burden to carry.” I admit.

“None of this is because of you Maya, you didn’t put anyone in danger. You are a victim or that man’s obsession. He is the one hurting everyone including you! So, don’t ever blame yourself for this! You didn’t ask for it, and you didn’t want it. But it changes nothing. We will always want you, and no matter how hard you try to push us away we will always come for you. So, make this easy for us, and just come willingly please.” I laugh softly and nod.

I pulled away and took his hand again, waiting for our window to escape.

“Maya is powerful, but I guarantee that if you keep her here it is you, she will outgrow.” Tommy says to my father. “I am not afraid of what she can do, I am afraid of what she will do to you when she is strong enough to fight against you.”

My father growled a low deep growl, that had his guards shifting anxiously ready to attack. His alpha growl had them submitting to his next command within a heartbeat. Several of the guards shifted and rushed through the barrier.

Tommy and his father moved in time to not be knocked to the ground as the guards lunged toward them. They took on a defensive posture eyeing the three guards ready to attack them. I turned to watch my father and wait for the moment he sends more guards through. I heard the sound of bones cracking and a heavy thud and turned to see Tommy had shifted into his wolf as well, but his father stood firm in his human form.

“Do you always let kids fight your battles Alpha Christopher?” My father said with a smirk and his arms crossed looking on unimpressed.

Did they know each other? I guess most alphas know each other, I just didn’t think my father seemed like the social type. How would they have ever met?
Tommy’s father glanced at him but did not show any sign of agitation or that my father’s words affected him at all.

“Yeah I heard all about you Alpha. The alpha who rather talk than fight, who wants peace between all of our kind. A fairy tale that was bound to end, and I will be the one to burst your dreams of peace for good. With my daughter fighting beside me, there will be no peace. The world, all the world will know just how powerful I am.” My father said with his head held high.

Tommy’s father turned away, not even sparing a glance any longer and looked toward the trees. Slowly wolves began to emerge from their shadows walking slowly behind the guards who had turned their backs to them.

Tommy’s father raised his hand signaling them to stop before turning to face my father again.

“Ask your men to stand down, and they can walk away.” He says.

“Have you forgotten where you are? This is my pack, and I have many more men where these came from.” My father said with a huff.

Tommy’s father nodded and turned to the guards. “Your alpha has decided your life is not worth sparing. Do you wish to die for your alpha’s pride or would you like amnesty and to join our pack instead? You can leave with your life, and you can be welcomed into our pack without question.”

The guards quirked their heads for a moment in confusion. I had to admit, it was an interesting tactic in such a heated moment. Two of the guards took a step back and their bodies relaxed, and they bowed to their new alpha. The third watched and growled as the others moved away from him, and when he realized he was alone he huffed in frustration. It seemed like he was willing to submit like the others but when Tommy’s father turned to my father once more, I saw something in the guard’s eyes.

He was ready to attack.

I didn’t think, I rushed forward pulling Eli behind me and ran through the barrier. As soon as we were through, I released Eli’s hand and ran into the space left between Alpha Christopher and the guard. The large wolf’s impact knocked me to the floor instantly and Alpha Christopher was knocked down a few feet away from us. The wolf snarled and growled down at me, but he looked up at his real target and was about to try to attack again.

I grabbed at his fur trying to keep him from moving but he stepped over me and lowered again ready to attack again.

“No!” I screamed closing my eyes and suddenly the world grew quiet.

I opened my eyes and saw the guard and I were trapped inside a sphere of light. Pure energy surrounded us and had knocked the guard to the ground stunning him. He scrambled to his feet slightly dazed but was quick to snarl at me in anger.

“Stand down.” I say to him in a low voice. “Don’t let my father make you into a monster. Stop killing for him!”

The wolf growled and snarled more circling the sphere eyeing me intensely. I could see the others on the other side of the shield, trying to talk to me but no sound was getting through. The electrical energy surrounding us was to intense for their voices to reach us. My eyes fell on my father, and his pleased smile made me feel instantly sick. I was giving him exactly what he wanted! He wanted me stronger, using my powers to show everyone how dangerous I could be.

I couldn’t let him win, but as long as I was alive, I would be proof of his power.

I turned to the wolf and said, “Kill me instead. Take his last chance at power away, and you will be free.”

He watched me for a moment not moving but not retreating either. So, I lowered myself onto my knees and lowered my head to him. He glanced over my shoulder to where my father was watching us, and what almost looked like a smile crossed his face. He lowered his head and with a quick motion dug his long canines into my neck and slicing through the skin.

Even though to many this death would looked horrific, I felt no pain.

I felt.....peace.