Chapter 49

Kate POV:

"She's here," Ma says, fear lacing her voice.

The clouds grow darker by the minute. Blackbirds fly from the clouds, surrounding a particular spot. Then a lady with long, white hair and a black dress steps through the forest.

Her eyes are white and she has big, black feather wings on her back. She gives a signal and a bird resting on her wrist flies away.

This unknown creature gives me goosebumps. Her eyes focus on us with a devilish smile.

She walks towards us, power radiating from her. Every step sends fear into us and she knows it because her smile never flutters.

"Who are you?" Lawrence orders. There is no sign of fear in his voice, but there is confusion and anger.

The unknown creature laughs like she heard the funniest thing ever. "You deeply hurt my feelings, Travis," she says before glancing at elder Mathias with a smirk. "It seems like you didn't do your duty effectively, but not too worry. I can help with that," she says walking confidently towards us. "I am the Goddess of Darkness and it's so splendid to be in front of you all."

She walks towards me, staring into my eyes with distaste and anger. She uses her index finger to lift my chin up.

"I was thinking that instead of killing you, I would give you a chance. Join me," she says maliciously. "With your strength, we can build an empire together. I see a girl who deserves more and not just these pitiable feelings," she says in disgust.

"I can never fall for your devilish schemes," I say harshly. "I will pass because I would rather not end up like you, bitter and a total scumbag," I spit coldly.

Her finger digs into my skin, drawing blood out. I hiss in pain while Lawrence growls a warning for her to release me.

"You better think twice before I end your life and this time you won't resurrect," she says maliciously, bringing my chin higher. I could feel the aching of my bones.

I wrap my hand around hers.

She releases her hold slapping me so hard the air knocks out of my lungs. I fall on the ground clutching my face and feeling the hotness of the slap.

Lawrence growls angrily, going in for an attack, but he was pulled back by elder Mathias.

She picks me up with a smile on her lips. "It looks like I have to teach you how to show respect."

She claws my stomach making me hiss from the pain.

"Kate, hold on for few minutes," Tiara informs me, sadness lacing her voice.

"What's going to happen in a few minutes?" I exclaimed.

Before she could reply, I felt pain run through my body from the claws digging into my sensitive flesh.

"I love hearing you cry in agony. It gives me joy," she said laughing.

Lawrence rushes to my side, pulling me away from her before she could bite into my neck. "I am so sorry. You will be alright okay?" he said, placing my head on his lap and trying to stop the bleeding.

Light surrounds us as the clouds clear up. The Moon Goddess came through the clouds.

"You have done enough. Take her away," she orders.

White wolves run towards the Goddess of Darkness putting her into chains and pulling her into an unknown place while ignoring her cries. "Let me go!"

I feel weak as darkness clouds my vision. "Kate, don't close your eyes," Lawrence whispers, brushing my hair as tears run down his eyes, betraying him.

I cough trying to keep my eyes open, but it's difficult when all I want to do is sleep and forget all this ever happened. I wanted to pretend my life was a fairytale and not a nightmare.

"I can't. Let me sleep okay? Just for few minutes," I plead, feeling exhausted and drained both physically and emotionally.

"Don't you die on me, Kate. You have to keep your eyes open. Anderson, call the pack doctor," he yells.

"I am here. Let me see," the pack doctor says, kneeling in front of me and going through his medical kit.

Everyone watches intensely with tears in their eyes.

"Take this," the Moon Goddess says, handing a small bottle of liquid to Lawrence as the doctor tries to stop the bleeding. "She should drink it. It will stop the bleeding and give her strength," she says with a smile.

Lawrence takes it from her with a grateful nod.

"Drink this," he says placing the bottle near my lips.

I drink the whole contents of the bottle, and the bitter liquid brings my tastebuds back to life.

I close my eyes for a few minutes feeling my energy renewed and my heart feeling whole and different as if I have no worries.

I open my eyes to see Lawrence's face filled with concern.

He hugs me tightly before helping me to my feet. My arm wraps around his shoulders for support.

The Moon Goddess says with a smile on her face, "Thank you for saving my children."

"We should be the one thanking you," Lawrence says with a smile.

"Just remember, everything I do is for the best and well-being of my children. You should guide and lead them in the way of honesty and love."

She turns towards Ma and elder Mathias. "You two deserve the love of a mate," she says with a smirk. "Mathias you shall be Alex's mate to love and protect her, and Alex you do the same."

Ma blushes while elder Mathias smiles lovingly at her. "I always knew they would end up together," I whisper to Lawrence, laughing lightly.

"Hunter, I bless you with the strength to lead your pack and a mate to stand with you," she says staring intensely at Hunter while he bows in appreciation.

"Melanie, live your life doing good deeds and share the love because you are blessed with a heart filled with love," she said walking towards Aunty Melanie and holding her hands.

"I will do that," she says with a smile.

She leaves Aunty Melanie's side and walks to Lawrence and me. "Love and selflessness, that's what you both need."

She looks at everyone with a smile. "I will always watch over you all because what is a mother without her children?" she says.

Everyone bows as she walks into an unknown place. She turns to look at me. "Your mum is proud of the woman you've become. I never once hated you," she says disappearing.

I smile feeling happiness and freedom overwhelm me. We all change into our wolves and lycans before running back to the mansion.

We celebrate our victory, and I receive hugs and gratitude from everyone.

I walk hand in hand with Lawrence into our room to change for the party with our kingdom and other packs.

I grin widely, locking eyes with Lawrence who has a grin of his own.

I've only just realized how utterly exhausted and drained I am after living in a near-constant of fight-or-fight for so long.

I'm so done feeling like everyone is tired of me or doesn't want me because I learned being hurt is one of the ways to find your strength.

Crying doesn't indicate that you are weak because since birth it has always been a sign you're alive.

I have learned tears are words that the heart can't say and pain makes you stronger, fear makes you braver, heartbreak makes you wiser.

And forgiveness makes you better, but repeating the same mistakes makes you worse.

"When I look at you, I see my hope and my salvation because you helped me become the woman I am today," I say with a smile.

He pulled me closer, wrapping his hands around my waist and I put my hands around his neck. "You are mi vida. You show me there is more to life than what you see" he says with love in his eyes.

"I love you with my whole life," he says his eyes sparkling from the lights.

"I love you," I say with a smile. "Thanks for teaching me it's never worth holding on to the pain, and that letting go means strength," I say locking my lips with his.

This doesn't mean this is over. This is the beginning of something new and maybe dangerous because I love taking risks.

Like what Aunty Melanie said after the end of the battle. "We are glorious and will no longer be afraid. Only through pain can you achieve greatness!"