The wolf howled, the gunshot echoed in her head and then she took the smell of death...
~about one day later, too early in the morning, somewhere in Northern Alaska~
Mason's pov
"Shoot only in case you are certain. We have only two for each one of us." I say abruptly and hand him the second gun.
Lucas shakes his head bored, not even willing to reply or show me his annoyance, and then takes the gun. I put mine in my bag in hurry and give one last look around me. I want to make sure that I have forgotten nothing, because I want everything perfect this time, I deny failing, not again, it's not acceptable.
I want this story to end today, with me the winner, and I think that I will make it this time, since nothing is the same with all the others.
It's the first time that I have such an opportunity. I mean...
It isn't only Mila, but someone else from the opposite team, the doctor... These two won't be a problem for Lucas and me. They are just two weak, stupid, helpless and unprotected women, so it won't be such a big deal for us to get separated and try to find them and then...
Kill them slowly and torturously!
Many things pass from my mind this one day we are staying in the cave due to the bad storm. I have made many scenarios about them, I have thought even the slightest detail for each one of them, but...
There is one inner voice inside me that it's worried!
I don't know why I feel this way. Lucas tells me that I am pessimistic, still crazy in love with Mila and not so willing to kill Aiden (if he is still alive) and Diana, and I deny admitting it, but the truth is that I love Mila and our kids deeply, I always did.
I always wanted to find my mate, and Mila became my world immediately. She was the most important person for me, it wasn't difficult for me to fall in love with her, trust her and give her anything I could, show her my love and loyalty and make a family with her. She had everything I wanted, she loved me, she was caring, sweet, calm and supportive, although later I found out that I was wrong about everything, especially the last one.
When Aiden came in our life, my dream about having a family came true and I was proud of having a son, him. He was an amazing kid, smart, strong, confident even from the first moment that he was born and very energetic, but I had one more wish, to have a daughter.
I wanted someone like Mila, because Mila was the best woman on earth for me, so I was dreaming of having a daughter like her. And my dream took shape soon, but later I realized that it was a curse.
I can't lie, I adored Diana, I think I still do, she is a part of me, my own child, but her real identity, I mean her becoming the Queen goes against my greatest dream.
The dream to become King!
She made everything... Much harder!
Don't get me wrong, I never wanted to become King only for myself, I wanted it for my family too. I was dreaming of the day I would step back and Aiden would take my place as the werewolves' King and Diana would be on his side safe and sound with a luxurious, peaceful life. I wanted all these power and fame for them and Mila, and then for me.
Finding out that Diana was going to be Daniel's mate was the most painful hit. It changed everything and I had to decide, and so I did. I decided to not step back because of that small detail, of Daniel.
I realized that he was my real problem, not Diana. I mean, I could weaken and kill him when the right time would come, that's why I wanted him to reject Diana and I came up with a whole plan about accomplishing it. I did nothing without thinking about it and it was very hard and difficult for me, but in the end I made it, he did reject her.
I helped a lot, with many things I did, with Samantha's help and nonstop support, with Diana's dramatic condition and how he met her, but I am not so proud about it anymore...
I... Well...
Hurting Diana will always be the worst torture for me. I hate myself for abusing her or watching Mila doing it and me feeling happy. Call me crazy psychopath, but the truth is that I never wanted any of these, I was just angry, outraged that she was the Queen and I had to kill her mate and ruin her future in order to make all my dreams come true.
Sometimes I still wish Morana had never told me the truth about Diana's real identity, and I agree with the way Mila hide the truth from me and tricked me. It kills me to know that both my own son and mate went against me, but I totally understand them. If I knew nothing, I wouldn't cause them so much pain, especially to my Diana.
Also, I am still trying to understand why Morana revealed to me that Diana would be the Queen. I don't know exactly what she had to earn, because the more I think about it, the more I get convinced that Morana was working only for her own self and nobody else, but I suppose that it has to do with the prophecy about Diana's posterities. Maybe she had her plans and Diana would be an obstacle for her and she wanted me to kill Diana after I would made her suffer, but I can't say anything for sure, not anymore.
And now I bet you want to ask me why I did all these when I admit that I never wanted to hurt like that my daughter and then son and mate. Am I right?
The answer is simple... I felt betrayed from all of them for different reasons, because all of them turned their back on me.
It would be just a matter of time before Diana hate me for killing Daniel and taking his and hers places and also, I was angry for who she really was. I felt like my own blood was a threat to me. I was releasing my anger, complaints and hatred on her, but I swear that the day in the forest after Daniel had rejected her, I attacked and hurt her against my will, that was Morana's job. She wanted me to kill Diana, but I couldn't, my heart couldn't bear it.
Moreover, Aiden chose Diana over me from the first moment. He was just a small boy and he was capable of standing opposite of me. I know that he did the right thing, I mean... When we found out that Mila was pregnant to a girl, I had started telling him that he would be the best big brother for his sister and he seemed to understand me, although he was too young. Diana became his weakness and he forgot me, I was nothing to him and later it got worse. He became my enemy, he never approached me, he hated me and I lost it, I felt hurt, alone.
And in the end we have Mila and her betrayal, the last I could bear. I had never imagined that she would be able of something like this, lying to me, fooling me and pretending. She was a great actor, she always had everything under her control and I had suspected nothing, I trusted her... She was helping Aiden and Diana behind my back, she knew about Diana, she had tried to run away with the kids about two times, but she didn't stop there. She proved that she knew me very well, she could manipulate me until a moment and later she tried to kill me or better, create the ideal circumstances for it.
Her betrayal broke my heart, this is the reason I transformed so much and I got angrier, so damn outraged, but I have to say that I never thought about killing her, because I love her. I can't explain why it would be easier for me to kill Aiden or Diana, and not Mila, but this is the truth. I sound paranoid, as my kids are supposed to be my greatest weaknesses, just like it happens to everybody, but they aren't.
Mila comes above everyone for me, she has me and I don't know how or from where I will have to find the strength in order to kill her. I prefer Lucas finds her, because he is capable of killing anyone, he cares about nothing and sometimes I feel jealous of how coldhearted he is. If I was like him, I wouldn't feel broken, I would kill them all and the end, but I am not like him, no...
Lucas killed his mate with no hesitation, lied about the way she died, used to sleep with a different woman every single night, showed no affection to his kids, expelled his son in order to keep his title for himself, wanted to use his daughter to accomplish an alliance and as you understand he feels generally nothing and this makes him strong, he has no weakness expect from his ego.
He keeps on telling me that I am an idiot for caring about them and according to him I should have killed Mila and Aiden with Diana years ago. He is the one who convinced and pushed me in order to kill Aiden with Preston's help. He is the one who had advised me to kill Grayson and in this way weaken Diana to death. Also, he is the one who came up with the plan with the hunters who almost managed to kill Diana, but...
This is when Nikki appears in this frustrating story!
She saved Diana's life more than twice and I hate her for this reason, even though a part of me is grateful for her accomplishment. You see, this is complicated, because I partly want Diana to live, as I love her, but at the same time I wish she hadn't saved her, because in this way my torture would stop and I wouldn't be in the place I am now.
I owe Nikki, but I don't know what, it's confusing!
"The storm is almost over. We can leave now, even though the dense fog will delay us at the beginning. Are you ready for it?" Lucas asks me hoarsely and I snap my head to him, blinking my eyes surprised.
I look at his cloudy expression and my skin shivers from his intense, warning glare. He already knows what I am thinking about, my face said it all. It's too easy for him to read me at any time, we are like brothers for years. He is the only one who can raise his voice, disagree and stay unharmed and alive. Imagine that even Marcus was incapable of bossing me, but with Lucas is different.
Alright, sometimes he willingly steps back and keeps his mouth shut, as he knows that I can kill him any time, I am stronger than him, despite the fact that he is an Alpha and I am a pure Beta, but most of the times he challenges me. This is exactly what has been taking place the last one and half day, from the moment we realized that Nikki is the young woman that he saw almost two days ago.
I guess that after our first shock, our roles changed. I began to feel scared and he got angry, thirsty for Nikki's blood and determined to find Mila and kill her. I didn't try to change his mind, because I know that he is right this time, they must die.
I have to stop being so fucking worried about everything, I need to end this and there is only one way for this, Nikki has to die, as my revenge to Diana, Daniel and all the others and Mila has to join her for leaving me and taking Diana's side.
I have no idea what is going to happen next, I am not so sure that I can face Daniel and Diana, since I have lost everything except from Lucas, but taking my revenge like this will definitely be something. They will suffer, all of them...
I will feel pleased and quite 'healed' by knowing that I will take Nikki's life, because Diana loves her, she is Landon's mate and very important to everyone. In addition, I will make sure that Diana and Aiden find out the truth about Mila, I will find a way to let them know that she always loved them. In this way I will punish them for hating her unfairly, I will make them feel exactly the way I do.
"Yes, I'm ready. Let's just hope that Nikki is here alone, otherwise we are done." I murmur breathless, thinking about the possibility of anybody else accompanying her, and Lucas groans.
"I can assure you that she came here alone, because if she wasn't, I wouldn't see her on her own. She seemed to be upset... I have no clue as to what took place, but there is no doubt that nobody followed her." he replies and closes his bag with force.
"I don't know... Landon..."
"That asshole can't be here, Mason. Focus and think! Your bitch has stolen your mind!" he cuts me off growling, and I roll my eyes.
I knew he would say it, everything least to Mila for him, every time the same words from him, that instead of helping me, make me feel worse and madder.
"She isn't mine anymore and she has to be dead by now. You said it by yourself, so stop mentioning her all the fucking time!" I answer back in frustration and he raises his eyebrows challengingly , not willing to cut it just like that.
"Yeah... Sure... Now you want to believe that she is dead, right? Why? It suites you, doesn't it?" he asks me wickedly in acknowledge and I turn my back on him, avoiding looking at him in the eyes.
Damn it, he is... Genius!
"Yes, of course it suites you, because if she is still alive, something that would be a miracle after such long and intense storm, and you manage to convince me to forget about her and focus on finding Nikki, she will live. You don't want to see her dead, you won't stand..." he says, this time outraged, walking behind me in hurry, and I grit my teeth, doing my best not to attack him and kill him.
I swear that if he don't stop and continues, I will rip his throat out.
I'm done listening to him talking about Mila nonstop. He is aware of my feelings for her, but he also knows that I have no other choice, but killing Mila, if she hasn't died yet.
I stop abruptly, without warning him about my intention and then turn to face him. My wolf growls all the time, asking from me to give him what he wants the most, which is blood, and Lucas stops, makes a step backwards and waits patiently for me to speak up.
He senses that it will be better for him to be more obedient for now and I exhale heavily, doing my best to find back my lost strength, courage, composure and clear way of thinking.
This time I will win, I will run away, but after I have send them Nikki and Mila's dead bodies with a very detailed letter about the way I killed them, my reasons and the whole truth about Mila's actions. I will disappear forever, knowing that they will suffer forever for not being able to protect and help these two.
I'll leave my eternal mark!
"Listen to me and don't you dare disrespect me or try the less patience I have been left with, Lucas!" I state harshly through my teeth and he groans nervously, but doesn't try to protest.
"I want them dead, both of them. We may don't know where they are, if Nikki has found Mila or the opposite, if the second is alive or not, but it doesn't matter, because their end will be the one I want! They die, today! Stop talking and follow me! If you want some smart talk, get ready to die!" I say strictly, not willing to stand him for more, and he smirks quite satisfied with the result, me angry.
"Excellent! From where do we start?" he asks me victoriously and I sigh annoyed with him, turn again and start walking towards the cave's entrance.
This is it, time for action!
Time to scatter death!
"From the place you met Nikki. Let's hope that if we take the direction she took, we will find her!"
~about an hour later, somewhere not far away~
Nikki's pov
I open my eyes and smile immediately when I see her sweet face above me.
Her shinning eyes caress my face, her contagious smile warms me up and her gentle hand rests on my belly.
Mila certainly is my secret angel and I am hers, our bond keeps on getting stronger and it's affecting us. I feel like she is my mother and it's incredible. I had never thought that I would feel this way with anyone else except mine, but Mila made it possible, it happened because of her. Now I know that I will always have two moms...
Diana and I share too many things and Mila became one of these.
"How do you feel sweet, future mommy? Did you rest?" she whispers and leans on me in order to kiss my forehead.
I purr when her hot lips touch my much colder skin and I raise my right hand to place it above hers, on my stomach. When our eyes meet with each other's, I nod weakly and my smile becomes wider.
"I can't understand how you made me fall asleep, seriously..." I mutter sleepily and she chuckles, beginning to caress my belly.
It's true, she made me sleep, but I don't know how she did it. I never realized when I stopped crying and sleep surrounded me, but I am glad about it, because I needed to rest for my baby.
Before too many questions get born, I will start telling you about everything, taking it one by one. Don't worry, I won't keep any secret.
So, I am going to start with the fact that Mila has stolen not only mine and Stacy's hearts, but Albert's as well. She proved to be a true angel and a rock, despite the hell she has been through. After she told us her story and shared her pain, fears, regrets, complaints and worries with us, she calmed down and she was a completely different woman before we know it. She has shown us nothing after that moment, she became our supporter, our shelter, and I'm talking mostly for myself right now, since she made me feel comfortable enough to open up to her.
I told her that I am pregnant, I explained what took place between Landon and me, I confessed absolutely everything, even the truth I hate. Yes, I found the bravery to reveal to her that I was about to become a professional underground fighter, or else a killer, and I cried.
I cried... A lot!
I broke for the first time after many years, I lost my heart's control, I stopped having my composure, I couldn't hold the memories away, but now I realized that I needed to face them. Running away from what hurts and hunts you doesn't help you, it just freezes everything. Mila taught me that by telling me her truths, those I could have never imagined. She inspired me somehow, I wanted to do the same and face my past and she helped me!
She didn't leave me alone, she was holding me in her arms, she was wiping my tears, kissing the top of my head and whispering that she is very proud of me. She gave me the love I needed and she eased my pain, she scattered him.
All these... Except from the reveal about me being pregnant, took place too late last night, after Albert and Stacy had fallen asleep downstairs and we are alone up here. I am sure that you understand why I and the guys couldn't hide my pregnancy from her, it was impossible, but we hadn't told her about Landon and me. You see, I was talking to her about Diana, Aiden, the rest of our big family and our new, amazing life for the whole day yesterday, since she had every right to get informed about her kids, and when the night came, she asked about me. That's when I decided to tell her the rest about me and my life...
"I have my ways, remember? They were working on Diana, and they work on you too!" she states proudly and I smile more, remembering my friend.
Friend... No! My chosen sister!
"You aren't so different eventually... Both of you are strong fighters, kind, caring and brave." She continues and I sigh overwhelmed while sitting up quickly.
I guess she knows better, although I don't believe this.
Diana is unique, I'm nothing, but a fucking sensitive liar, someone who keeps dark secrets. Diana is a true fighter, I am just a coward. She has weaknesses, she is kind and generous, but she is logical, she gives everyone what he deserves, and I... I don't know anymore, honestly...
"Nikki..." Mila begins and takes gently both of my hands in hers, making me look at her again.
I bite my lower lip, ready to cry for everything and at the same time nothing specific and close my eyes instinctually. She knows that I'm a wreck, and I also I bet I look awful and still exhausted, but I don't want to even try to pretend for the opposite.
I was expecting this emotional change due to the hormones, but the current circumstances make it worse, it is extremely intense. I need time to calm down, heal myself on my own, like I always do and then put on the usual calm mask of mine.
"You think too much, this is your mistake. Overanalyzing the past won't erase it and won't change your future, sweetheart!" Mila continues and I shake my head in clear denial.
"You are a very lucky woman, no matter the small problem you have with Landon now. You are blessed, Nikki! Your mate is a great man who loves you. He made a mistake, but he couldn't deal with it, he didn't know how to and he wants your baby, I'm sure. You have everything, don't kick your happiness away like this. Love yourself and your life, accept it and move on with your baby, Landon and your friends and family." She says next and I open my watery eyes, clear my throat and take a deep breath, feeling my heart beating much faster than before.
"I don't know anymore, Mila... I feel like I am in the middle of nowhere. I don't recognize me and it's like I live someone else's life, I am lost." I confess, fighting not to cry and she doesn't lose time to hug me tightly.
I bury my face in her long neck hold back a sob out of nowhere, while Natalia leaves out some low, encouraging howls. I deny crying, not again. I have to be strong, just for a little bit longer, until we leave from here and get sure we are safe. I am responsible for them, since Albert and Stacy have no idea of this kind of things and Mila must rest in order to reach to her kids perfectly healthy. There is no doubt that I can count on her, but I don't want to. She is healed, she has recovered, but this doesn't mean that she can get tired, upset, worried or help me.
"It will be okay, yes? I'm here and I'm not leaving you no matter what!" she whispers and kisses my hair with affection, sending curing chills all over my body.
It's relieving to know that she won't leave me, because she is a part of my life now, I can't lose her, I need her. She makes me feel more confident, she is an example of strength, I admire her and I feel sorry for what she had to deal with on her own, with absolutely nobody's help. I wish I could be half of how strong she is, but I will do my best, I won't fail this time, I will make everything right.
I wrap my hands around her and start rubbing her back. I take my time, push back every feeling and thought, remind to myself that I have a baby and it's my duty to protect it and keep it safe, and then open my eyes, pull back and break my hug with Mila. My eyes land on hers, Natalia gives me a firm nod and my heart tightens. Mila is serious and motionless, trying to read my thoughts, but I decide to break the silence, noticing that I hear no raindrops, lightning strikes or thunders.
The storm is finally over!
"We have to leave immediately!" I state breathless, jumping up like I get electrocuted, and rush to the small window as fast as I can.
"This is why I came to wake you up. Everything is ready and we can go." Mila says from behind me, while I reach the window and look outside.
I open my eyes widely, watching that the house is surrounded from fog at the forest's edges, but narrow them when my gaze lands on the garage's entrance. It didn't have gravels from what I remember.
"I told Albert to cover the mud till the dense grass with gravels he had in the warehouse. Otherwise the car would stick in it and wewould be unable to leave." She explains, preventing me from asking her about it, and I sigh heavily relieved.
What did I tell you? Mila is a true angel!
"What would we do without you?" I ask her, while turning to face her and she blushes, approaching me slowly.
Her expression turns melancholic the closer she gets to me and I understand instantly why. She is terrified of meeting Diana and Aiden, not to mention everybody else. I can't blame her for feeling this way, because deep inside my heart I feel the same, I don't think I have the guts to look at them in the eyes after the way I run away, but for Mila it's worse. It took Albert, Stacy and me one entire night in order to make it clear for her that we would take her to Diana and Aiden despite her denial, worries, dreads and constant flight tendencies.
"I won't leave your side. We will be together constantly." I say in sympathy and she doesn't try to reply, she just joins my side.
We stay on our places without moving for a while. It's like the time stops and everything around us is perfect, but then it hits me and I tremble, looking at the bedside table, where I have left my bag.
MY PHONE!
Now I can open it and call the guys!
Shit, where is my mind? What is wrong with me?
"Nikki, we are ready!" Albert sounds worried from downstairs and I run towards the bedside table to grab my bag and take Mila to get downstairs and then outside.
"We are coming right away!" I yell, grabbing my bag some seconds later and next heading towards the stairs with Mila one step before me.
I open my bag by unzipping the zipper and put my hand in it, fighting to find my mobile. We start running down the stairs when I finally take it in my hand and press the button which opens it and I thank the Goddess for how quickly it responds. I deal the safety's number before I set my foot on the ground floor and look at Albert, who is standing at the open door's entrance, and I stop unconsciously when messages and phone calls' notifications start bombarding my mobile.
FUCK MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!
My eyes widen, watching the numbers getting increased on the screen and I don't lose time, I know the one person I must call.
Daniel!
Don't ask me why I choose him, because it will be hard for me to explain all of my reasons. I will just say that I trust him, I believe in him and I feel the need to hear his voice. His support means the world to me, because I always believed in him, even from before I meet him. I have never said it to anybody, but I had a good feeling about him, despite what Diana had told me about him. My instinct was whispering that he wasn't that bad, so I trusted it and I was right.
In addition, Daniel has shown me his respect and admiration from the first day. He didn't know me, but he accepted to trust me, he didn't try to change me and make me a fighter, like the first female Beta I should be. He wants me the way I am, a doctor, a sensitive idiot. He is like the big brother I never had and I am sure I have given him a big fright that he will never forget and it hurts me a lot that I disappointed him.
I go to my contacts, and stop when I reach his name. I start the call, getting panicked for a reason I don't understand, and I feel my heartbeat raising. Not even three seconds have passed when Daniel answers my call and I hear my name from some terrified voices.
"NIKKI!"
I get paralyzed before I get out of the house, a sob escapes me and I start trembling uncontrollably. The voices keep on talking and I discriminate Landon, Diana, Gideon and Aiden's, not Daniel, he is the calmest one, just like I had imagined
"Guys..." I mutter dizzy, stumbling now, overwhelmed that I can finally listen to them again, and Mila grabs me out of nowhere before I fall.
"We are almost there, Nikki! Just some minutes away, we..." Diana screams and I gasp, not believing my ears.
They are here?! They are coming?! For me? To save me?
"Baby, are you alright? I'm sorry, I love you, Nikki!" Landon shouts in despair and I close my eyes, feeling the pain in his voice.
Yes, kill me more, Landon.
"My child, talk to us!" it's Gideon's turn to yell and I shake my head, putting great efforts to gain my composure, but Aiden speaks up before I open my mouth and try to talk.
"They could be close. Mason and Lucas and... Mila!"
I open my eyes determined, when he mentions them and I give one last look at Mila who is already crying. I know for sure that she doesn't want me to tell them that I found her, but I have to. I think that I distinguished agony in Aiden's voice, maybe...
"She is with me!" I state confidently and continue immediately.
"I found her and she is fine. I saw Lucas and he..." I say, but my choice of words is enough to trigger everybody's reaction.
Landon screams horrified, Gideon and Aiden curse and Diana starts asking me if I'm okay, but Daniel has no patience left.
"STOP IT, NOW!" he roars in his imposing tone and they shut up before he ends his phrase.
Even I get shook from it, although I was expecting it.
"Nikki, do you hear me?" he asks me the next moment and I groan positively.
I can't talk now, great...
"I want you to wait for us, we are too close. Get locked in the house and keep talking to me, it'll be alright!" he states and I exhale, wanting to reply to him, but...
A loud howl echoes from somewhere close to the house, I jump up caught off guard and my heart stops.
The phone slips from my hands and falls on the wooden floor, but doesn't break. I hear Stacy screaming something from outside, I see Albert running in order to go to her, Mila shouts something to them, but I can't move.
The howl plays in my mind again and again, and then I see it...
The bleeding figure from that night, it appears one more!
The howl was a threatening one and it was his...
A second one follows I don't know how much time later and this time Mila runs outside to Albert and Stacy, I listen to the others yelling, screaming, shouting and calling my name from the phone and I scream when I hear it.
A gunshot!
********************
Hello my friends and welcome to the 58th chapter!
This chapter changes everything for some's fate, because Mason and Lucas are here with... Deadly intentions.
I hope you liked it and I can rest in peace from exhaustion (I am not sure I am kidding about it). Work, guys! Due to coronavirus our lab works every day and all day long, so my time isn't allowing me to write that much, but I will try to write more. Imagine that on Friday, I was at the lab for 15 hours nonstop, it is just crazy. The city in which I live has too many bouts and everyone comes to make the test, so it is really chaotic, believe me.
And now back to our story and usual questions. How do feel about this chapter? What do you think of Mason's point of view? What about his paranoia? How do you feel about what he said? And now what about Nikki? What do you think about Mila and their bond? How do you feel about the ending? What is going to happen next?
As always at this point I would like to thank you very much for your love, support, commends and impatience in order to read the chapters! Also the book has reached about 145.600 views and I don't know what to say, I am at least grateful. I am trying my best so continue showing me how much you want more and:
1) Vote,
2) Commend and tell me your opinions and thoughts, or
3) Share the story.
This is it for this time, see you again in the next chapter. Be safe and happy until next time!
I love you all,
Marie...