— Something’s changed in you. I can’t explain it, but you’re different, Hayley.
I tried not to tremble at his words. Much less to think of the abyss that had opened inside me. As I always did throughout
my life, I hid that dark force and pretended it didn’t exist.
That I was just a wolf, a Pure, a Labonair. Nothing but
thereof.
— Pain changes people, Isaac. Suffering transforms us. There is no
like running away from who I’ve become, what they’ve done to me.
I was trying to hold the pieces of who I was and keep them from losing me.
Grabbed me anger and made it my strength, pain and desire to
revenge. It was those feelings that kept me standing.
I startled when the male held my arm without using
strength, just forcing me to stop walking. The look that Isaac me
directed was pure understanding and tenderness. No judgment or
rebuke.
— Don’t let your light go out, Hayley. Don’t let the suffering
and pain change its essence, do not allow this to happen.
I swallowed hard, a grip grew in my throat. I blinked to
tears from my eyes. It was not the time to cry.
— Why are you telling me this? — I asked, hoarse.
Isaac let go of my arm slowly and took off his jacket, throwing it on
my shoulders to notice how I trembled by the low temperature of the lair
and for wearing only a fabric in rags. I thanked him with a
nod, still waiting for an answer.
— My parents were killed in rebellion, and I was alone in this world
horrendous and cruel.
— I’m sorry— I was able to say it quietly.
He rubbed his face, scratching his beard badly.
A while ago, I said you were the hope of the Supreme.
But when I saw what you did, Hayley, the revolution you started, the force
that ignited in the females, realized that you are the hope of our
people. And if the light of our hope goes out, how shall we find
our way through the darkness?
Tears were burning in my eyes, I looked at the ceiling. I pressed my lips in a rigid line, tension spreading through
my shoulders. He still believed in me, my people still believed
on me. They needed me to guide them, but how would I do that,
being myself without hope?
— Sometimes it’s hard to hope through dark nights, Isaac.
Before I could say anything, I noticed Isaac stiffening. A smell
familiar hit me.
— How long have you been here, you nosy little witch? — He asked in voice
high.
I was surprised to see Madison coming out of the shadows of the corridor. The
Her cheeks were pink, she looked embarrassed to have been
discovery listening to our conversation.
— I didn’t want to hear your conversation, but I didn’t want to
disrupt. It would be rude to interrupt.
Isaac took his hand to his mouth, shaking his head in denial. It was
When I saw him hide a smile, I raised an eyebrow.
Always curious, little witch.
Madison blinked, opening a shy little smile.
— Beautiful words, Isaac. I didn’t imagine a tough wolf like you
I could say such beautiful things.
The beta looked away quickly, looking somewhat
ashamed of being caught.
He’s a bit of a surprise, don’t you think?
The witch turned towards me and ran, giving me a hug
overwhelming. I fought not to push her away for the pain she radiated from mine
body, I held a grimace.
— You’re alive. We’re so afraid of losing you. We
we went crazy, I mean, Jack went crazy. He lost his head, no
ate, didn’t sleep, didn’t even talk to us. He freaked, Hayley and...
— Mad, I don’t think this is the time. — Isaac interrupted, supporting
the hand on her shoulder.
Madison widened her eyes, realizing she had talked too much. But
at least it was out sincere, did not hide what my attitude had caused
in Jack. I’d deal with that later.
— There are still trapped females, we need to release them.
I dodged Isaac and Madison and kept walking, even with the
heart bleeding inside the chest and barely having the strength to continue
standing, I didn’t give in, I couldn’t give up, that wasn’t an option. Jackson
I would avenge Victoria once and for all.
( ... )
Madison and Isaac helped me find the rest of the captive females.
And it was pleasurable to arrest the strays in the cells, soon after
Then, of course, and fasten them with silver chains. The lair was in
silence, most of the wolves and wolves had already left the place that
would soon be consumed by flames.
The beta and the witch took the last rescued females out of the
lair. I insisted on looking for Jack before leaving, he was still in the
lair, I could feel it. After weeks together, I would be able to
find it even in the deepest ocean. The bond that always united us
would lead me to him.
I followed two interconnected corridors, attentive to any
movement or strange noise. But a metallic smell in the direction
opposite called me, blood. I went in the direction of the odor as fast as
got, my healing was slow and taking a long time to heal
injury to my ankle.
I caught the air when I saw Jack dragging an unconscious wolf down the hall.
I stopped in the place, not knowing whether to approach or not to notice that
was before the Supreme Alpha, the ruthless and cruel werewolf. When
the dominant male raised his head and stared at me with those eyes
Flaming red blood, I shuddered.
Jack? I loved him on a string of voice.
He kept on approaching, and when the low light from the corridor the
lit up, I wanted to vomit to see all the blood that covered his
body, and the wounds strewn across his chest. But apart from the look he directed at me that frightened me.
Jack held out his hand, claws still showing at the tips of his
fingers. I involuntarily stepped back.
— It’s me, little wolf. Don’t be afraid of me.
I shook hands, trying to calm my breath.
— How can I be sure of that?
I saw the claws in his hands slowly disappear, he continued
with his hand out.
— I’d rather end my own life by hurting her, you know that.
It took me a few seconds to make sure I could get closer. And
only when the gray green eyes of the Supreme returned to the
normal, overflowing affection and tranquility, I dared to advance some
steps. I took a quick look at the unconscious wolf.
— Is he dead or something?
I didn’t. I want to make him suffer before I kill him.
— How good— answered and spit in the body of the male, fainted.
I saw the shadow of a feline smile cross Jack’s face, the glimpse
of sharp canines gleamed in the dim light on the walls. I sought the hand of
Jack and when I held her, not caring about the blood that
stained his skin, tied our fingers, he shook my hand in
answer.
As confused as my mind was, I still needed the support
that my companion offered me to get out of there.
— Let’s get out of here, Hayley— he put his lips in my hair. —
Over, little wolf, over.
Inhaled your smell so familiar and comforting, wanting to record that
odor in my soul.
What about the stray?
— He will be taken and will pass the judgment, as the laws of the
our people.
Jack ran his arm over my shoulders and I hugged him by the waist,
enjoying my partner’s touch. And together, we walk out
lair.
Every step towards the exit of that place was like a weight
being lifted off my shoulders and placed in my heart.
It wasn’t over yet. It was just the beginning of the hunt and destruction of
straying. There were others scattered across our lands and I
hunt them down. Wouldn’t rest until finally
restore peace and security among females.
But for now, I would rest, and gradually, I could get back up
to keep fighting.
We reached the exit of the lair and a ladder would take me from the underground shelter
underground. Jack stood behind me, giving me support and security if
I fell. I grabbed the stairs and slowly, with my knees failing,
I went up the steps.
And when we finally reached the exit, Jack stood by my side.
Dozens of wolves and wolves awaited us outside the lair, and upon seeing us, all bowed before the Supreme and I.
I saw my family a few meters ago. A hiccup escaped my
throat to see Aiden, I barely blinked, and my brother was already in my
front, hugging me tightly. I clung to him, grabbing the fabric of
your shirt between my fingers and chewing your teeth so as not to cry.
The relief of being free almost made me fall into a violent cry.
My brother kissed my forehead long before he walked away, the light
of the moon illuminated, Aiden’s eyes overflowing with tears.
Becca gave me a quick but tight hug. And the smell I felt
her warmed my heart somehow. I tried to smile at my
family, but my laughter died when Clary appeared.
She didn’t smile, or hug me, or call me names or fight me.
Just stood before me, watching me with the indecipherable
blue eyes. Finally, Kitsune took a branch from the ground and lit it,
extending to me.
Get it over with, Hayley.
Clary had lit a fire in the branch so that I would throw it in the lair and end
with the underground shelter and the stray prisoners. But she also deserved to do
part of that moment. So I took another branch on the ground and also
I lit him up.
— We’ll do it together.