Chapter 81. Truth

I lock eyes with each of my mates as I look over the yard. I see the look of fear cross Chase's face as I am about to look away. But, I already know what is happening before it happens. Barrett has his arms around my chest again. I throw my head back, but this time, I don't connect.

"Did you really think that would work twice?" He says in my ear. I look forward and see all my mates headed toward us. I am lucky to have these three incredible men by my side. I notice they stop moving toward us, and I feel my body being shoved forward by Barrett's body. His grip on me loosens, and I spin to see him turning and reaching for someone. They must have pushed him from behind, making him release me. Before I could manage to grasp what was going on, I saw who it was, my mom. I go to grab Barrett to keep him away from her, but he is faster than me. He grabs her, and they both vanish again. I hear a loud growl from behind me, but I already know who it is. Bastien knows his mate is in the hands of the enemy. I spin back around, looking to see if I can see where he went but with all the people and fighting, it's hard to tell. So I think of mom and let my body go to her. I open my eyes, and I am on the far end of the yard, away from the house. I look from left to right quickly when I see her. She is lying on the ground, so I rush to her. She is breathing, so I know she is still with me.

"Mom, wake up," I say as I rub her face. She makes a sound but doesn't open her eyes. I look up to find Barrett. He will pay for this. I see him, but he is on the backside of Bastien. Before I can scream or do anything, he grabs Bastien around the neck and spins him so that he is facing me. As soon as Bastien's eyes meet mine, he sees mom in my arms, and I see something flash in his eyes. Before I can process what it was, I see the glint of silver as the knife enters Bastien's chest. Mom starts to spasm in my arms. My eyes never leave Bastien as his body gives and his knees hit the ground.

This can't be happening. I hear the howls from all around. I feel it inside me as the packlink with Bastien snaps. Two howls stand out above the rest. My mates felt their father leave. I go to stand to look for them, but I see them. They are both shifted and headed straight for Barrett. I lay mom on the ground and pull another pack member near us over.

"Stay with her. Let no one near her." I tell him as I make my way toward Barrett, who is still facing me. He doesn't even know that my mates are coming up behind him. I feel the fire building in my hands as I let every bit of hurt and anger flow out of them. He has taken too much, and for what? As I feel the peak of magic in me, I release it toward Barrett. I notice the fire looks slightly different this time, and it is more intense. Barrett has a smile on his face, but it doesn't stay there long. Levi and Luca reach him while Luca takes his lower body as Levi takes his top. I also notice Chase is next to them, holding some power over Barrett. I watch as my fire passes them and hits a group behind them. They scream out in agony as I watch them burn. They are not from our people. They are Barretts, luckily, because it looks painful. I look back to see Barrett being torn in two. I know that Barrett is no more, so it is time to do away with his people.

I start to storm toward the yard where everyone is watching like this is a sideshow attraction. I feel anger building inside me at what these people have done to my family and me, what they have done to my pack. I let my rage and anger take over. I feel like I can sense who is good and who is evil. I let the fire swirl out and find its targets. It was almost like the fire controlled itself. I let it do what needed to be done.

I felt arms go around my waist, and I heard a voice in my ear.

"You have to stop. You can't let the pain take over." But, wait, is that my dad. I look back over my shoulder, but there is no one there. I feel the arms around me, so how can there be no one there?

"I need you to listen. You can't let the pain and hurt consume you. You are better than this. Don't let evil win without even knowing it's happening." I let the words sink in and looked around. Fire marks scorched the ground all around me. I could see the path I walked scorched. As I took in, everything blackness took over, and I felt my body collapse.

I open my eyes and see darkness except for the bright moon shining above me. I look to the left and right, but there is only darkness as far as I can see.

"Are you going to sleep or come and talk to me?" I sit up fast, not knowing who is talking when I see her, The Goddess. The last conversation I had with her rings in my ears. I notice now we are in the same field as last time. She goes and sits on the same rock formation as last time. I don't wait for her to tell me to sit. Instead, I follow her to it and sit beside her.

"My dear child, I am sorry for the things that have happened, and that will continue to happen." She says as she looks around the field of flowers.

"Why did Bastien have to die?" I ask her as my voice breaks, and tears break free.

"Death is a part of life just like living is a part of dying. I know this does not make losing someone easier."

"No, it doesn't. I still don't understand why all of this is happening."

"With the light comes darkness Raine and you have plenty of darkness to face, but you can defeat the darkness. You have your mates, and most importantly, you have yourself. You can't let the darkness take over when you face it."

"I thought having two mates would be hard, and now I have three," I say with a small laugh as I think about it.

"Well, where there is a will, there is a way, my child," The Goddess replies with a laugh of her own.

"How will I help them with losing their father? My mother has lost another mate. How will I help her?"

"Your mother is a strong woman. I know I made her. She will endure. As far as Luca and Levi go, it is time for them to rise along with you, my child. It is time for you all to take your rightful places among my children. You will not only lead my children, but you will lead many races." I let her words sink in for a minute, but when I go to respond, she smiles, and everything goes black again.