I'm Not Going Anywhere!

"Tonight is a full moon, Father. When do you decide to launch an attack on the territory?" Augusta inquired as they both entered the room filled with weapons.

Philip let out a groan. "I can't believe my own family has lied to me."

"I warned you that marrying October to Edward was a bad idea. You didn't listen."

Philip reached for a rifle. He positioned it and displayed it as if he were shooting something. As he lowered the assault rifle, he made a low groan with a smirk on his face. "We're going to attack tonight, Augusta. Shoot any werewolves you come across."

"And what do we do when we find Scarlett? I doubt you mean to hurt your own granddaughter."

"Don't hurt her. Just make sure she is tamed. I'll consider her family and lock her up in a lab somewhere in Massachusetts."

"She is part of our family, father. She deserves to be treated as such."

"She's no longer a member of my family. I'll simply refrain from killing her because Edward, my son, was her father. Ever since the venom became one with her, she is now one of them and no longer an O'Hara."

"So you're abandoning her?"

"Have you ever seen an O'Hara transformed into a werewolf?" Philip took a wolfsbane-laced bullet and loaded it into the gun before turning to face Augusta. "Well, it demonstrates Scarlett's weakness, and she should be imprisoned. She is not a warrior. She'll never be a warrior, and being treated like family doesn't sound appealing. What do you think society would think if they discovered my granddaughter is one of our worst enemies?"

"So society is more important than your own flesh and blood? Edward's child?"

"Augusta. Just do your job and get ready for tonight. It's either kill or be killed. We've all been waiting for this moment, and now is the time for you to exact your revenge on the Alpha. He will die tonight. Once and for all." He put a hand on Augusta's shoulder. "Are we on the same page?"

"Yes, father. We are."

…

"I can't believe he has been your cousin this whole time. When he told me his surname, I was curious, but then he told me some stories around it that made me pity him. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Luke." Scarlett said. She and Simon talked until morning came. He had consoled her and made her feel better the night before, but the thought of Mace being gone was still unbelievable for Scarlett and Simon. It was the same as losing her father. He was gone for good, never to be seen or heard from again.

"You are not to blame. He purposefully approached you. He knew who you were all along and approached you, but he couldn't poison your mind against us."

"What do you think made him do what he did?"

"I'm not sure, but I've been looking for him for months. He said something about...telling me who he is on my deathbed. He was desperate for me to die. Actually, we all assumed he was dead. When we were young, there was this story that went around. Luke's father, my uncle, murdered his wife after going insane. When he felt guilty, he also committed suicide. Uncle Viggo told this story."

"Uncle Viggo?"

"I hadn't yet been born, but Luke was attacked by rogues when he left the pack. His body was never discovered, so we all assumed he was eaten by rogues."

"Do you think that's true?"

"After all he said last night or how he looked at me, I don't think anything was true. Uncle Viggo was filled with lies. He might have killed my uncle in order for my father to take over the pack so that his sister, my mother, could rule."

"Then everything is settled."

"What is?"

Scarlett let out a sigh. "I believe Luke believes you are to blame for everything that has happened. The murder of his parents in order to secure a place for the new Alpha's son when he is born. You know the saying, "The young Alpha can't lead until he is of a certain age."

"How did you know that?"

"I have been studying werewolf ways. If that's the case, Luke believes your father took the role and sent werewolves after him to kill him so you could take over. Just my opinion."

"You are right, Scarlett. I'd known all along that Luke was meant to be Alpha, not me. I tried to find him but couldn't find him."

Scarlett took a deep breath. "I feel bad for Mace's mate, Lisa. Where is Lisa, by the way?"

Simon examined the bracelet and gently rubbed it. "I guess you weren't aware."

"Aware of what?"

"He and Lisa went their separate ways a long time ago. When your memories were no longer with you. She returned to her pack in Switzerland to serve the werewolf king."

"I had no idea. Poor Mace. I'm still in shock that he's gone. Just like that." Scarlett turned away from Simon after she finished speaking. Her heart was in pain. Hurting really bad. If she had been present, she would not have allowed this to happen. She would have used her abilities to fight the rogues... and Luke. She would have prevented Mace from dying.

"I am hurting too, Scarlett. He is my best friend. He is gone forever and ever. I wish there was a way for me to see him and speak with him one last time." And she wished there was a way for her to see her father one last time.

"Simon."

Simon took a deep breath and rose to his feet. He took her hand in his and lifted her up. "Well, Scarlett, it's a full moon tonight. We'll have a burial ready for him. For everyone who has died. They should be remembered."

"Of course. I'll be there every step of the way. I'm not going anyway, Simon." She pressed her hand against his. "I'm not going anywhere."