Chapter Twenty Six

Beast

I've relived that same nightmare for years when Lily hasn’t visited me in my dreams. Waking with a jolt, I realize I'm lying in the woods. The very ones I was cursed to roam all those years ago.

Since connecting with Lily, the dreams have stopped, but with her shutting the bond between us, they have returned. I feel unsettled as I look up at the night sky. The stars don't seem to shine as brightly as they normally do.

That wicked woman. All because I didn't love her, so she puts a ridiculous stipulation in it on how I could break it. The girl wasn't even my mate, but she swore she was the love of my life. Not to mention she hated the white wolves with a passion for some odd reason.

I guess she is partially right because Emily is the great-great Grandmother of Lily and, well, Lily is mine.

As for Natalia, she camouflaged herself, and I lost track of her at some point. I’m fairly certain Corbin is a descendant of hers, since he is resistant to silver, but that is the only proof I have, but I don’t know when she would have infiltrated his family.

Poor Lily is stuck in the middle of a family feud she never asked for. Their family lines along with mine are all tied up because of the spell she cast, and now there is only one way to undo it all.

Sighing, I try to fall back asleep, but I'm just as restless as she is. I can feel her tossing and turning, even through the closed bond.

If only she'd let me in.

Eventually, I drift off and wake when it's day. Lily is already awake and listening to the boot steps headed for her. She's been crying again as she thinks about what to do and say.

It's so simple. I wish she could see the answer that's right in front of her. She and her white wolf are the key to everything. I know she has thought about it, but it’s like she’s fearful to make that leap.

All because of her grandfather being the alpha of this pack long ago.

I stand and make my way toward the edge of the woods.

Passing by Grandmother's house makes me sad because it's so quiet there and I miss Lily running up the path to see her. Once I'm at the edge of the tree line, thoroughly hidden behind the thick brush, I peer out to see what's going on.

People are moving about like normal. Alana, Corbin's mother, is on the porch with a cup of coffee. The fragrance hits me even from this distance.

I'm not sure how she can be okay with what he's doing to Lily, considering she saved her life. If it wasn't for her, she'd been dead. Nigel's alpha abilities were weak, and that was putting it lightly.

I jump as the bond opens with Lily and I hear all that is going on.

“Have you changed your mind?” Corbin's voice taunts her.

I can see through her eyes as she looks at her Grandmother. “Yes.”

Trying to not scream through the bond, I wait to see what else happens. She can't be giving up. I look down at my paws, realizing if she does, then I’m forever doomed to these woods, never to be set free.

“That makes me so happy, kitten. How about we get you both out of here and get you cleaned up? I'm sure you would love a hot bath and I have some salve for those burn wounds.”

The way his voice goes sweet makes me sick, and what's up with him calling her kitten? I don't feel any emotion from her other than disgust, so that makes me feel a little better.

“A bath sounds nice.”

I growl with rage, but try to keep it on my side of things. Disbelief rushes through me, as I can't believe she agreed to this.

I hear her sigh on the other side of the bond as the cuffs fall off. Her vision becomes clear on my end and I can see her grandmother looking at her. Corbin has moved over there and is undoing her cuffs as well.

Her displeasure courses through her as thoughts of having to mate with him comes to mind again.

My rage keeps growing and I can't take it anymore. Lily, what do you think you're doing?

She jumps as my voice booms in her head, but she tries to play it off that she was cold and had a chill. What are you doing? Trying to get me killed or for Corbin to realize we are connected like this?

Why are you considering mating with him? What good will come from this?

She sighs as she stands, and they start up the stairs. I can at least save my pack. There is no escaping this. I have to regain my grandfather’s pack.

No escaping? Of course, there is always a way to escape. You just have to hold on a few more nights.

She grows angry with me with each step she takes. What would you know? Where were you all these years and helping me then?

My jaw falls open as I stand to my feet. Where was I? Do you really need to ask? I've been in these woods all this time, watching you from a distance.

I can feel what she really wants to say as she shakes from holding it in. You murdered my parents! You're nothing but a monster.

Are you so sure the monster isn't standing right in front of you? The things I've been accused of can't be more untrue. I didn’t kill your parents. The only person I have ever killed is Nigel, and that was to protect you.

She sniffles. What?

Something snaps inside. I can't believe she'd call me a monster after all we shared. How could I be a monster when I was the one who was cursed, all because I refused to love that witch when I wanted my true mate? You ungrateful brat. Maybe I am wrong about you. I shouldn't have trusted you to be the one to break the curse.

Lily panics as the bond closes between us. Wait!

It snaps shut, and I can't feel her at all. A single tear rolls down the fur of my face as I mourn what could have been. My wolf can't handle being this close to her, knowing in a few short days she'll be mated to another.

I take off deeper into the woods, crossing miles of terrain before I realize where I am. As I come upon another pack, I stop at the edge of the woods and watch them. The Night Walkers are so different from where Lily is.

These people are actually a pack as they work together for everyone's wellbeing. I come here sometimes just to clear my head and escape the horror of Dark Moon. It’s at the edge of the territory and the boundary line I must remain within.

A couple catches my eyes and I smile. I remember when I helped them come here.

They were left for dead in the woods, and I did my best to put them on my back. I knew they could never return to their pack, so I brought them here. The Night Walker pack rushed forward and gathered their broken bodies up.

I'm glad to see them doing so well.

The woman's blonde hair moves from the wind, and I catch her scent. She stares at the woods as if she senses me here. I know each time I've visited, if she is out, she looks this way as if hoping someone will come walking through at any moment.

One day, I hope it comes true for her. I just wish Lily knew her parents were alive and I'm staring right at them.