Maverick POV
It has been a week since everything has happened. Micaiah hasn't talked to us, she only leaves her room to workout and grab something to eat. Alaric and I both were not fond of the distance, but we understood she was going through a rough time. So much has been happening and the death of her friends and finding out she has another brother who was taken when they were little, I do not know what I would do either.
I was talking with Lacey about her time with them, I needed to get some ideas about where they are located and how they run safety protocols. Maybe if we can get an insight into how they run their pack we could get in there to get Malcolm. “I am sorry you had to endure that Lacey, no one should have to go through that.” “Thank you, Maverick, but there are still others going through it. I was lucky enough to escape.” She said with sadness in her voice because her mate was still one of those enduring that.
Micaiah then entered the kitchen grabbing herself a water, “Hey Micaiah, how are you feeling?” I asked missing her voice, wishing she would talk to me. Nothing, no response as she began to walk away. In any other circumstances that is disrespect to the alpha, but I was trying to keep my composure. “Micaiah I have been very patient, but there is no reason to keep disrespecting everyone here.” Still no response. EJ, Emma, Shawn, and Dylan had walked in at this time overhearing me and seeing Micaiah not give a damn. I growled at the reaction she was giving and decided Alaric needed to be free for a moment and left the kitchen letting him go for a run. I was trying my hardest for her, she was my mate, and she was treating us like it was our fault and as if we meant nothing to her.
Lacey POV
I couldn’t stand seeing Maverick go through such heartache, I have been there not being able to touch or talk to my mate. It was going through me like a slap in the face her thinking she is the only one with pain. “That is enough, Micaiah.” I shouted feeling all anger bubble to the surface, but it caught her attention she was staring straight into my eyes which I am sure are glowing at this very moment. “You are not the only one in pain, you lost your friends, but so did Dylan. You lost a brother, so did EJ.” She was silent but was paying full attention with tears in her eyes. “everyone here is behind you fighting on your side and you treating them as they are not even here. You have your mate who is trying to be understanding and respectful yet you treat him like this is all his fault. I cant hug my mate, I cant kiss him, nor speak to him. he is being tortured every day and yours is here trying to help you and you don’t even care. You need to regain yourself and get your head on right before you lose everyone around you.” I finished breathing heavily for air. I left the room needing fresh air myself she needed to realize yes, it is ok to grieve the tragic loss, but she had friends’ family and a mate by her side that she could lose by acting the way she is. They are coming up with plans and strategies to get Malcolm back and stop this evil, but I just hope she fixes this before it is too late.
Micaiah POV
Lacey was right and I felt so guilty for treating them as I have been. I apologized to everyone in the kitchen, and we hugged it out. I needed to find Maverick, I needed to apologize and make this right before I lose him forever. ‘Akiva, I need your help we need to find Maverick.’ Akiva leant me her senses to try to track him down. I caught his scent and shifted into Akiva I needed to get to him. the need for my mate was strong I just hope he forgives me, and we can fix this. It took loss for me to realize that I love Maverick, and I needed him more than anything and he needed me.
We ran as fast as we could until we finally spotted Maverick by a small pond looking out at the moon in his wolf form. We can feel the sadness roll off of him for we have begun to break his heart. We walked over to him, he looked into our eyes his held so many emotions, I needed to make this right. ‘Maverick, I am sorry for all I have done to you. For treating you so poorly and cruel. None of this was your fault and yet I let my anger get the best of me and take it out on you. I don’t expect you to forgive me but one day I hope you can.’ I laid down next to him without a second thought he laid his large wolf head on top of mine. ‘Micaiah, I could never not forgive you, we all make mistakes, but it is what we learn from them that means more.’ He had such a big heart and was so wise for being a young Alpha. He could never understand just how much I already care for him.
We laid there in each other’s company for a while before heading back to the packhouse. As we entered sight of the pack house, the others were waiting for us. “Alpha, Luna, we have a few ideas on how to get Malcolm back and end this.” Shawn spoke with such certainty, and I smiled at my family before me knowing now I could always lean on them, and they would be there.
Suddenly a puff of black smoke appeared before me and there stood the witch Lacey spoke of. “Stella, what do you want?” Lacey shouted her name as venom to her lips. “Lacey, oh what a joy to see you again.” She then turned and looked dead into my eyes. “You, I know you will not stop or listen to my masters demands. So I am here to offer a deal.” “What deal?” I said quizzically. “You see as a Luna your job is to help protect and guide those in your pack. I know an Alpha will always fight for his Luna, so as long as he agrees to not try to attack my master, I will lift the deadly fog appearing to your pack and I will not curse them for all eternity.” She said pointing at Maverick. Before anyone else could speak I shouted “Deal.” I heard gasps and a growl coming from maverick, but I could not let the pack be harmed. She smiled and laughed a cackling laugh. “Oh, lacey dear, I will say hello to your dear Malcolm for you.” And like that she was gone into the air. I then walked into the pack house straight into Maverick’s office for I could feel the group following me. “Micaiah, how could you do something like that.” “You can not speak for me and tell me to not aide you in battle you are my mate.” “Everyone, enough. I made the agreement because I apparently was the only one listening.” They looked at me confused. “I agreed the Maverick would not harm the master and he will not. I will.” They then looked at each other and smiled. “she said Maverick not me and I will fight him Maverick will aide with fighting the others. Stella does not realize what she just set in motion.