Face-Off
\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare at the woman in front of me, taking in her face that looks so much like Aunt Elise’s. It’s disgusting that she would use that face to draw pity from Uncle Jose and Uncle William only to turn around and betray their trust like this.
My anger begins to bubble as my claws and canines extend, and I can feel Mahogany beginning to grow excited over the ending of this long war that we have been trapped in.
“Such a brave little thing.” Ellie coos, lifting her hands so I can see balls of power appearing in them. “But do you really think a wolf is any match for me?”
We’ll find out, I think, keeping my gaze fixed ahead, watching and waiting for her to make a move, and when she does, I’m more than ready to counter it.
I jump out of the way, avoiding the power she throws at me, and then move in for my own attack, but before I can get close, power explodes from her, threatening to throw me off balance.
Straightening up, I move, avoiding another attack all the while staying in front of the door to the room that Aunt Elise is hiding in. Although I’m certain that she will be safe since it is clear that I’m the one they want, I just can’t take the risk. Not when she was as helpless as she was.
I need to get us out of this building. I think, peeking past Ellie and taking in the open grounds beyond her. That way I can focus on the fight.
Deciding to take a chance, I move, rushing forward and then ducking and diving between Ellie’s legs as she lashes out in an attempt to stop me. Her nails graze my skin, and I can feel her magic tickle all my senses, but I continue to move, jumping up and rushing toward the building's exit.
When I reach it, I dive outside and then turn in time to see Ellie following me.
“Look at you.” She giggles, building up her energy for another attack. “Attempting to protect the innocent. Don’t you know that will get you killed?”
You won’t kill me. I think, remembering that they wanted my blood. If I die, then you won’t have anything to go through with your plan.
If I died. This thought hits me like a ton of bricks, and though I know that it is a ridiculous thing to do, for just a second I consider ending myself to end all this. But I know that won’t make things end. Even with me gone, they would still attempt to stop the wolves, and the next best option would be killing them.
“You talk too much.” I tell her, beginning to circle her in an attempt to find an opening, but she’s more than ready to attack at a moment’s notice.
Then the only other option was to meet her head-on and hope for the best.
Sending a silent apology to Maverick and everyone else, I move forward, allowing one of Ellie’s blows to hit me so I can grab her arm and spin, throwing her against a bench that sits just to the left of us. As she hits, I rush forward, ignoring the burning pain that I’m feeling, and then pounce. However, I’m unable to pin her as her knee comes up and connects with my stomach.
Hissing in pain, I try to pin her again but am stopped by someone grabbing the back of my neck.
Eyes widening, I feel myself being lifted, and when I peek behind me, I find Forrest. He’s smiling, and his eyes are filled with a look of victory, and I know that I’ve fucked up.
‘We can’t go down like this.’ Mahogany tells me as I thrash. ‘We can’t let everyone down.’
‘But then what do we do?’ I hiss, feeling Forrest’s claws digging into my flesh.
Think, Serenity, think. I growl inwardly, trying to figure out how to get myself out of this mess. There’s got to be something that I can…
I don’t finish my thought as a howl that I easily recognize rips through the air, and then a familiar essence hits my skin.
“No!” I gasp, looking in the direction it is coming from to find my mother moving toward us. “Why is she here?”
\[Denali’s POV\]
I stare straight ahead, taking in the scene that is unfolding while my anger comes bubbling to the surface. Who was that bitch to have my daughter treated like this? I would be damned if I would stand back and watch.
When I arrived at New Moon, I wasn’t expecting to find this much distress, but now that I was here, I wasn’t going to let it continue as it was.
I’m sorry, everyone. I think before letting a howl rip from my lips. I may not make it after this.
My determination begins to grow as all eyes come to rest on me, and once I’m certain that the enemy is aware of my presence, I storm forward.
As I move, I can feel my wolf begging to be released, but I don’t allow it, not when I know that I need to be able to speak in order to stop the ones that are hurting my child. Of course, it would be better to try to fight as a wolf, but I could recognize the boy holding Serenity as Forrest, and from what Uncle Jose said, he was dangerous.
“Drop her,” I growl, drawing his gaze to me. “And fight me instead.”
For a moment, he doesn’t move. Instead he just stares at me, but when his eyes begin to glaze, I know that my command is working.
“Now!” I hiss, feeling blood trickle from my nose. “LET HER GO!”
“Don’t listen to her.” Ellie hisses. “She is…”
“I’m what?” I demand, turning my gaze on her. “Go on, what do you want to say?”
As I speak, I feel my power trickle from me, but before it can reach her, it runs into what feels almost like a wall.
“What?” I hiss, confusion rushing through me. “What is it?”
“Did you think your command would work on a witch?” She asks, moving forward and wrapping a hand around Serenity’s neck. “Now, stand down before I do something that you will end up regretting.”
“DON’T TOUCH HER!” I scream, beginning to see red. “DON’T YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON MY CHILD!”
Not thinking twice about it, I move, rushing forward ready to attack if necessary, but realizing that I can’t even move fast thanks to my injuries in the past. However, despite that, I continue to move, and when I reach I grab Forrest’s free hand and draw his gaze to me.
“Let her go.” I repeat, letting my command slam into him. “And deal with this woman.”