Chapter Seventy One

The storm hit seven days later. I had known to expect it.

Seven days spent in bliss no matter how short-lived Nikolai and I had known it was going to be.

I wasn't good with kids, I didn't even think I liked them that much until I met Lyle. He had been quiet and shy at first, barely met anyone’s eyes, and spoke only when spoken to on the first day but Nikolai had something about him, perhaps it was their father-son bond but it broke down Lyle’s protective walls, and on the second day the boy was running around happily.

There were fading scars on his body that showed abuse and it made me want to revisit and savor the pain impending death had brought upon Ada’s father but that was in the past and Nikolai was dedicated to making every day with Lyle better than the previous.

“What does it say?” Nikolai asked, referring to the letter I held between my hands. He approached me.

I read aloud. “I heard what happened in Emerald pack and as much as I believe you deserve to rest, I believe this is news you would want to hear so please, you must return immediately.”

I looked up from the piece of paper. “It is from Sophia.”

Nikolai glanced at it. “Something terrible has occurred.”

I nodded, my stomach tightening in knots. “Something really terrible that they need us for. Have you heard from Warren?”

Nikolai shook his head. “He left after the final rites of Gretchen. I don't believe his work is done but his silence is unnerving.”

“Elena, Warren’s true mate, had one goal and that was to avenge her brother so Sophia was her target. Warren hated you and wanted to be in your place.” My head was whirring. “I was none of their concern so why would they frame me? They could have easily framed Sophia instead or done something to you, why me?”

Nikolai thought my words over carefully. “It couldn't be just to get to me, could it? Warren, using you to hurt me, reached out to Emerald Pack’s Alpha to get him in it.”

I shook my head. “Something about all of these doesn't sit right with me.”

“I think I know why,” Nikolai started slowly before his head sharply lifted. “If I am right…”

“What is it?”

“I need to tell you something important.”

My heart dropped; not another secret.

“It's about Florence.”

And he proceeded to tell me everything Florence had told him when she’d woken up and when he was done, a cold shiver ran down my spine as the information settled.

“Silviu did what?”

“It makes sense that the three of them were working together even though they had separate goals, our lives are entangled. Elena wants your sister, Warren wants me, and you became Silviu’s target. He needed the Alpha position and you were occupying it, it's why they framed you and had you sent away.”

Nikolai took my hands in his. “With you out of the way, I assume Silviu made his first move and subsequent moves would involve Sophia and I. Without you, I wasn't in my right senses and neither was your sister so…”

“That would have been the perfect time for them to attack you and my sister except that they didn't and they still haven't now. Something is wrong,” I said.

“Warren isn't the type to sit still. He would have remained in my pack to gloat about his win by getting you arrested but he’d left immediately.”

“Because someone called him back, right? And that will be Silviu, his work was done and he asked them to return.”

It was incredible that not only was my Uncle alive, but he was also still very much active and playing his games.

“If there is anything I've learned about my uncle is that he doesn't care about anyone else but himself. He preyed on the emotions of his mate, he threatened to kill his child, Nikolai. The man wouldn't bother himself with Warren and Elena’s needs, he would come first, and with me in jail that meant it had, what would he do next?”

Nikolai nodded. “He would want to take action instantly, get the Mystic Hollow pack for himself.”

“But would Warren and Elena want that? They would think it's also the best time for them to attack you and Sophia and my uncle is smart, he knows this without them saying it. You were going to say something earlier?”

The corners of his mouth curved to form a ghost of a smile. “You figured it out too. Silviu has taken over the Mystic Hollow pack. It's what Sophia wants to tell you.”

“But Augustine is leading it now…?”

“Then it is safe to say Augustine is dead.”

He was back.

This was the moment I’d been waiting for all my life, the time was finally here and I could avenge my sister and father. Even though he didn't directly kill Sephora, Silviu was still to blame for the chaos my family had become. He ruined Sophia’s childhood, he was the force behind Sephora’s death, and he’d put a blade to my father’s neck.

The man ruined my family and the only way I could finally sleep well at night and put to rest the demons that plagued my sleep was if I slay the one that disturbed my day.

“We must return to our pack and prepare for war now, we don’t have much time to waste.”

But when I made to move past Nikolai, he pulled me back.

“Wait, Natalie.”

I met his eyes and I knew. “No.”

“Listen to me.”

“No, Nikolai.”

“When does it all end? We are happy now, you’ve made Emerald pack yours and these last seven days are the happiest we’ve been in a long time. You sleep well, you are smiling more and resting, Natalie but do you know what the best part is? You are still Alpha? What more do you need? Augustine already kicked your family out.”

“I want to be Alpha of Mystic Hollow pack, Nikolai, no position, not even being the Alpha of Emerald pack will replace that,” I said through gritted teeth, angry at the fact that he didn’t understand it.

“The Mystic Hollow pack treated you with disdain, they never cared about you at all. You said so, you said how they blamed you for Sephora’s death.”

“Yes, but that does not mean I would abandon my own people when they need me the most.”

“And how would you know that?” His tone softened. “For all you know, they could be fine with Silviu as Alpha. He’s an Alden after all.”

“Do you think a man who has coveted power all his life would be a good leader? Do you really think, Nikolai, unbiasedly that there is a world in which Silviu will have an atom of good in him?”

He ran his hands through his face. “This isn't about them and you know it.”

“Yes!” I screamed, “This is about the fact that I want to kill him, I want Silviu Alden’s blood to seep through my fingers. I want to be the last face he sees right before he dies.”

“Why? Do you think that will give you some form of respite?” His hand rested on my waist, pulling me into him. He buried his face in my hair and inhaled.

“Look at us, Natalie. We've been fighting for so long, we've fought ourselves, fought others, and fought for others. When have we ever truly just relaxed and simply given ourselves a break, simply just loved?”

I remained silent.

“I know I'm being selfish right now but I only just got back with my son after three excruciating years. I've only just got you back, Natalie, so maybe I am allowed to be a little selfish when I insist on holding on the both of you and remaining here for a little longer. Just us three.”

“He hurt the people I care about, Nikolai.”

“I know and I am sorry but currently, he's none of our concern. He's far away and he is no threat to anyone anymore.”

He gave me a small kiss and withdrew, his dark hopeful eyes pleading with me to listen and it was tempting, the thought of it.

“I'm sorry, Nikolai. I really wish I could listen to you this one time but I can't. Silviu has done too much harm for me to let him get away with it.”

He stepped away from me. “Don't do this to us, Natalie,” he begged. “Don't make me choose.”

Between Lyle and me.

I could never do that to him, I couldn't be that insensitive. I wasn't that insensitive “You don't have to come with me, stay with Lyle. Stay with your son.”

And when I walked out of the door without Nikolai attempting to stop me, the first tear fell from my eyes.