Chapter 26

Jillian stood up on the stage holding a bouquet as though this was her wedding and she was marrying the love of her life. And maybe to her that’s exactly what this was; her special day that would start the rest of a happy life with Jackson. But to everyone else this was no dream come true, this was a nightmare turned reality. I got about halfway through the crowd when suddenly Jackson stiffened and his eyes immediately found mine. Quickly I gave him the same signal I gave everyone else, I lifted my finger to my mouth like I was telling him a secret. In a way I was, me being here was our little secret. He gave a slight nod as to not draw attention to us. He turned back to Jillian, allowing me to continue.

Eventually I made it to the stage’s stairs, I knew that at the very least some of the missing pack members were coming soon. I bolted up the stairs while extending my claws like I did while in the cave and launched myself at Jillian. We both tumbled off the stage together, the second I had a chance I rolled away and got into a steady stance. Jillian would have been standing long before me if she weren’t in her dress. I took the chance to put distance between the two of us, and brace myself for any one of her lackeys that might come to her aid.

As she steadied herself she held out a hand stopping anyone from coming closer. Her eyes snapped to mine glowing gold in anger as she growled, “You bitch!”

“This isn’t your right, Jillian. You’re not meant to be the Luna here.” I reasoned.

She circled me as though I were merely prey, “Isn’t my right? This has been my pack from the day I was born, my family. I have more claim to Luna than you; A mute, orphan wolf from another pack.”

“I’m stronger than you give me credit for. I may not have been born in this pack, but I was born Jackson’s mate. Just as he was born mine.”

At this Jillian lunged towards me, luckily I dodged in time before she made contact. Seeing this, Jackson made attempts to get to me, but he stayed chained to the stage, being able to do nothing but watch this go down. I knew, however, that he was rooting for my victory. He was hoping I would win against his ex-best friend.

“I’ve been his best friend all his life! You've known him for a few months. We both know I’m better for him!” she exclaimed whilst continuing to take swings at me.

She landed a few good blows and I landed a few of my own. “Best friend? You ran off on your own years ago; then the second you come back in his life, you do nothing but torment him.”

Jillian was about to lunge at me again when suddenly the doors burst open and all the pack warriors came rushing in behind Christian. Immediately multiple battles started between our pack and Jillian’s rogues. I could tell Jillian was getting angrier by the second. I could see her vibrating with rage, and in the blink of an eye she transformed. Suddenly I was staring at her raging golden eyes, only this time they were surrounded by auburn brown fur.

“Leana!” Jackson called out. I could hear the worry, I glanced his way, sending him a signal of ‘okay’ with my hands before I transformed into my light gray wolf. If I was gonna have any chance, I had to transform.

Immediately we were in a battle of claws, and fangs clashing together. I kept myself aware of those surrounding us and I noticed Christian sneaking up to Jackson and his family. It was only then that I realized their chains were made of silver. That’s why none of them transformed and broke free sooner, they were purposely being weakened to the point they couldn’t. Christian had something in his hands but I had no time to figure out what it was because next thing I knew I was being pinned to the ground.

I was kicking and biting frantically, as I tried to flip us over. If I stayed here I stood no chance at surviving this. Somehow I was able to get a strong enough kick to fling Jillian off of me. I wasted no time before lunging at her to take the upper hand. I had to keep this contained for the safety of everyone around us. I stood above her and the second I saw an opening I latched my teeth around her neck. I didn’t bite hard enough to kill her but enough for her to know she had to submit. She fought and fought trying to detach my mouth but she was in no position to succeed.

Seeing their leader in such a position, many of her followers started making their way to free her, but before they could get close enough, three huge wolves leaped between us and them. Though I had not seen these wolves before, their power alone told me that Christian had somehow succeeded in freeing the Alpha and his family. Immediately wolves all around, both pack members and enemies, cowered in fear and respect at the power and rage radiating from the Alpha. Even Jillian stilled when he turned to her with a warning growl. Christian came up to me holding a set of silver chains with patches of torn fabric, and swiftly attached them to Jillian’s paws.

As the silver burned and weakened her she had no choice but to shift back. Christian simply threw what I assume to be a torn table cloth at her so she could cover herself. Finally I was able to release my jaw and step away from her, I kept her in my peripheral as I surveyed the scene. Everyone besides Jackson, the Alpha, the Luna, Jillian, and I had not shifted and had been doing hand to hand combat. Due to this a few of the pack members were able to rush to get us spare clothes. A lovely looking woman came up to me with a blue flannel shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants. I gave her a nod in thanks and went behind the stage to shift and change.

By the time I was done everyone was back in human form and clothed, thankfully. Suddenly I was being crushed by two pairs of arms in a bear hug.

“Leana, are you okay!?”

“You were such a badass! Who knew you had that strength in that short little body of yours''

The boys released me and I gave them a tired smile, the adrenaline was leaving my body fast and I was going to pass out soon enough.

“I’m okay, only some minor injuries that should heal fully within the next couple days.” I responded. “Oh yeah, Christian?”

“Yeah?”

“How did you get the Alpha and them, free?” I questioned.

He looked at me with a triumphant smirk, “I was able to knock out one of the ‘guards’ and found a set of keys on him. Figured one of them might be to the chains.”

We were interrupted by the Alpha’s booming voices announcing that we were finally safe. Thankfully all of Jillian’s wolves had been defeated and were either dead or captured and our pack came out of this battle with no casualties. Jackson led the way to the Alpha who was standing over Jillian.

“What are we going to do with her? After all she’s done, we can’t just let her go can we?” Christian asked, barely sparing her a glance.

“She’ll go to the dungeons, she’ll be under high security lockdown and constantly monitored day and night.” Jackson declared, earning his father’s agreement.

I simply looked at the girl before me, no longer were her eyes golden with rage, instead they were back to their natural state. She was covered with claw and bite marks along with bruises, I assumed she had a couple broken bones but nothing too serious, except for the burns that the silver was leaving on her skin. My guess was I looked no better than she did, if anything I looked worse just from my escape at the caves. She looked nowhere other than Jackson, who only looked at her with disgust.

“Jackson, please. I did this for you,” she whimpered as pack warriors started to drag her out.

“No, Jillian. You did this for yourself,” he voiced with no emotion.

“Jackson, I love you. I’ve always loved you, I just wanted us to be together,” she cried, trying to run to him.

“I love my mate, I love my Luna.” He stated, before turning to face me. “I love Leana.”

We heard her scream as she finally was removed and I all but jumped into Jackson’s arms. The room filled with cheers and applause. I slowly detach myself before signing one of the most universally known things in sign language.

“I love you.”

Jackson took me by the hand and the Alpha took my other and declared, “Leana Woods, savior and future Luna, we thank you and welcome you to our pack!”

“Leana Woods, savior and future Luna, we thank you and welcome you to our pack!” Everyone echoed.

Christian came up to me as the Alpha started directing people to either their rooms for rest or the pack infirmary.

“Well now that the big bad wolf has been defeated, I guess that means I got to go back to Blood Moon.” He sighed.

“Actually, my dad and I were talking and we think that you fit in quite well with us.” Jackson suppressed a smile.

“Is this your roundabout way of asking me to stay?” Christian asked dramatically.

My smile grew as I watched the two of them. “I think he’s just too embarrassed that you two bonded and now he actually likes you.”

The two of them burst out in laughter, and for the first time in what felt like forever, things felt right. My life’s puzzle had been missing pieces for so long, and finally after all this time, I had found the pieces to fill the holes. I could now see the big picture. And let me tell you, it was beautiful.