Chapter 7

As I laid almost lifeless about to say my last prayers, Dolphus howled. I could tell it was a howl of bitterness and anger, he was reminding me about the half-bloods, about the people, about the fate of the pack and much more. While I was trying to feel myself again, Rory bit me badly. That was a kind of bite I had never gotten in my life, I mean I had never gotten one In all. I howled in pain and later started whimpering like a wounded cat.

Rory ran to the marked area but stopped by the line because no wolf was allowed in the battle ground and he howled again but this time it sounded more of hurt. I forced myself up and ran into the forest straight to the woods. I knew Rory would come after me, I started healing in the process but I knew it would take time too.

When I got to the woods, I cried my eyes out because I had shifted to my human form. I wept bitterly but consciously because I knew that Rory was close. I couldn't heal completely but I knew I had to do something. If I didn't do something early, Rory would win and the half-blood would be let low forever and I would be dead.

At that instance, I remembered the promises I made to Skai, I didn't just promise not to kill Rory but I promised not to die. I knew that if I died, I'll die serving my pack and my people but I couldn't die, Skai would not see it as that, she wanted all of me. But in all, I felt like I could not make it, I was too weak and at my lowest. I cried again. All of a sudden the was a serious wind and I felt like the world had come to a horrid pause. The wind blow leaves to me and I forced myself to stand up. At that point, I realized that Rory hadn't come after me so that actually means that he might win if she doesn't come back to the battle ground after the set time.

As I was about shifting, I heard a voice from my side "Alaya, my abode"

That voice sounded familiar, very familiar. I was stunned and I was scared to face the voice.

He called out again "Alaya, my abode. The one place I found peace all of life"

That last sentence broke me, I faced him this time with tears in my eyes. I knew who he was, he looked just the same way I had always known him. The most handsome man I had known in my entire life. It was only him that called me his abode because I was, I was his dwelling place, though since he passed away I couldn't feel him anymore.

With tears gushing down my cheek I said "Daada, my love" that was what I had always called him.

I continue "What are doing here? I mean you're dead and I have never seen you since you passed away. Why are you here now and at the wrong time?

"Alaya, I'm here just on time. Rory......."

I interrupted him because he's mention of Rory reminded me of the present situation, "Oh Rory would win and still be the Alpha and I would be killed or thrown away. How is it even possible that you are here now or......" It had just dawned on me, I mean why can I see him after so many years of his death and I realized that the forest to quit or does that mean that I'm dead.

I said sharply, "I'm dead" and I fell to the ground. My whole action could make a grumpy man smile because I didn't know that I was still alive.

"Relax Alaya, you're alive. Let me do most of the taking because my time here is very short" My father said

It was a relief to know that I'm alive but most painful at the realization that he would go away again and this time may be forever.

"So why are you here now especially when you know that you'll leave me again. My love, so it's been possible for you to come and meet me but you let me go through hell all myself."

"I am dead, Alaya. And the dead should have nothing to do with the living. I'm only here because you need me and I had promised you that I will always be there for you. Alaya, that I have tried to to fulfill"

"Daada, my love I needed you everyday of my life but you never came through" I started crying so loudly, I was broken. I had never cries like this since he died, his presence now made me know how much I had forced myself to believe the lie that I didn't miss him.

After letting me wail for a while, he yelled, "Lay Lay"

I stopped wailing, not because he yelled but because of the name he called me. He had never called me that, that name was reserved for Skai and sge alone called me Lay, Lay Lay or Laya.

"Daada, what did you call me??"I asked as I got up gently from the ground

"Laya, that shows you how much I've been here for you. I know how much you love Skai. You even lie unconsciously by saying you love your Daada more than you love her. Skai is the person you love most in the whole world and I know she loves you most too. Does that show you howich I've been in your life since I left"

I was short of words, I mean how was that possible. It means he had been there all along. He might have been a spirit but he had my best interest at heart.

"I love you, Daada" I said moving close to hug him

"No Alaya, you can't. When you meet with Skai after this, get a teddy bear hug from her for me. Skai is one gift to you"

"I might not make it to Skai"

He smile passionately and said "You will make it"

I smiled and nodded.

"I have so many questions for you and......"

He cut in " My time is close to being up. Alaya, I love you so much and like I've always told you, you will be exalted. You're not Alaya for plays, you are Alaya with the sauce. You will be the Alpha, it's your destiny. Do not let it be taken away from you.'

"But how? I need to heal before Rory finds me and I don't even think I can make it, the time might be dew"

I was worried sick, I began to panic.

"Don't panic Alaya, time freezed at my arrival"

"Huh?" I was lost. I knew my father was a wonderful man, I wish you could all see the smile on my face at that time. I took a step and I realized that I had been healed.

"Oh Daada, how I love you" I exclaimed

"Take care, Laya. You will be exalted" he said

"Hold on, Daada before you go. I'm confused about my mate, there's alot going on and I haven't found my own mate" I said

"Alaya, when he is your mate you will know. He that is coming will need you to triumph over Rory to get to him. It might be difficult but you will be exalted. There's alot to you than you see. Take care my love, I love you"

All of a sudden, before I could say a word, he had disappeared. Oh!!! No wonder he said there was no time. And I was wondering what he meant by the one that is coming will need me to triumph over Rory. What the heck did that mean??

Well, I had to focus on beating Rory now. I mean a determination to win, I felt stronger than ever at that point.

Rory came into the woods ready to eat me up. When I saw him, I shifted immediately and went at him, surprisingly he fell to the ground. I pounced on him and bit him seriously by the neck.He was too weak that he couldn't walk anymore. I used my mouth to drag him back to the battle ground.

That was my chance to get it done and dusted. When he tried standing up, I hit him so badly that he flew out of the battle ground. He was bleeding profusely and he was too weak that he shifted to his human form. I got back at him and wanted to pin his neck with my fangs but Dolphus howled and I stopped. I stopped because Dolphus was putting back Skai's words in my head again.

"Alaya, please don't kill him" Jules cried from behind

Rory was whimpering like a wooden cat, he was broken ok every part of his body. With the last strength he had, he screamed "Alpha Alaya" and the wolves howled and he passed out.