Chapter 57: A Run Back to Callum

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." —

John Muir

Mara's point of view

Running Running as fast as the wind will carry me. I had left my mate in his blissful slumber. When He awakens He will see I'm no longer there. A deep regret I fear but perhaps its for the best. My wolf whines in the back of my head she longs to be reunited with her mate. She doesn't understand I'm doing this for the both of us. Our mate will forget about us and move on. He will produce strong heirs for his bloodline and we will amount to just his past. Xena whimpers at the thought of losing her mate.

Gripping the thin brown blanket that I was given to weak to shift. I hoped the brown blanket would give me a sense of some type of camouflage. In the dark meadows I was running to. Any moment I will be approaching the borderline into unknown territory. In hopes of making it back to Callum. My breath shaky with every stride I make pushing past the need of exhaustion. The cool breeze brushing against my exposed skin. The night wind making itself known through the forest floor. It felt like a breath from another world. My blonde hair sticking to my forehead. My heart racing through my chest. In hopes to make it back to my dear brother. To carry out his revenge. It's quiet too quiet I listen to the sounds of the crickets in the distance. I am alone with my thoughts. A frightening thought nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded.

Coming to an abrupt stop trying to catch my breath sucking in air like my life depended on it. I wait listening to the forest floor. There is an old saying in the werewolf society. When there are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls thats when you should be the most scared. Then I hear it the sound that sent shivers up my spine. The howling of rage. Only an Alpha can make such a sound. With the last bit of energy I have I take off once more. My frieght or flight kicking in. They were fast on my heels I zig zag through the trees dodging the branches. My adrenaline kicking in " Xena I need you to shift now"

' I don't know if I can '

" Xena if we ever want to make it out of here alive you have to shift now."

Her whimpers echoing in the back of my mind.

Skin rippled, bones shifted, and in the blink of an eye, she stood as a magnificent mahogany wolf, my fur draping me like a winters coat absorbing the faint light.

Growling became louder in the distance encouraging my wolf it was now or never. Taking off on all fours. My mate's smell had caught me off gaurd He was with them his pheromones calling to me. " Xena don't even think about it."

Xena became slower " what if he accepts us we will finally have a place where we belong."

Shaking my head internally " it can never be. Our home is beside Callum that is where we belong." I was truly caught at the cross road if I chose Callum I betray my heart. However, if I chose my mate I betray my brother, my blood. In the end I will choose my blood that is the way it must be and will always be. I'm too damaged forever unloved.

I was too far in my head I didn't even see my mate right beside me slamming me to the ground. The dirt flying through the air leaves falling on my fur. I quickly get up. Growling eye on my target. My wolf growled showing a fierceness that was both proud and lonely, a tearing, a howling... A strength that would die fighting, kicking, screaming, that wouldn't stop until the last breath had been wrung from her body. Sizing up her mate fangs sharp ready to sink her teeth into his very neck. His reputation was on the line mine however, I had nothing to lose. Circling eachother He makes the first move big mistake. I swiftly dodge his effort. Charging at him knocking him off his paws and slamming him into a near by tree. He quickly shook his brown fur. Shaking his head before charging at me once more aiming at my neck. Missing and sinking his teeth into my hind leg Xena yelping trying to get out of his grasp. Pulling away I kicked him off of me. Before biting him with my own fangs. But I made sure not to miss sinking my fangs into his neck holding tightly to not let go. He struggled underneath my grip. I bit down harder. His wolf whimpered before going completely still. Pulling back and ripping his throat out. My first kill would be my mate. Blood dripping from my mouth the taste of his blood on my tongue a sad victory. His wolves eyes turning black as charcoal a sign of no longer having a life.

" Xena I am so sorry."

' We can't think about this right now we have to get out of here and fast.'

Agreeing with her I take off once more they were fast on my tail right behind. Nipping at my hind legs I swiftly dodge their attempts. Sensing that the borderline was near with every last bit of strength I had I leaped into unknown territory. I was once my way to Callum to finish carring out his plan. But not without the regret weighing heavily on my heart of killing my mate. Stopping howling letting my heartbreak be heard my mate would have been everything I ever wanted but in the end I could never never truly have him. Maybe in another life He will be waiting for me and I will truly be able to embrace him. But not in this life I have chosen a side and he had chosen his in the end.