Chapter Thirty One

Beast

The last few days have been agony without her. As I stare at the alpha's house from the edge of the woods, I argue with myself about what I should do. She has clearly chosen the pack and doesn't care what happens to me or the curse. If she only listened to her wolf.

Destiny is never wrong.

I heard her wolf's cries about how she has the answers within, but my Lily argued she didn't know and was tired of hearing how it was her choice. Laughing to myself, I realize I can't say that anymore. My Lily. After tonight, she will belong to Corbin, which makes me internally gag.

Looking toward the house, it's finally dusk, and the moon will rise soon. I've debated with myself repeatedly if I should do this or if I should wait for another chance. Tonight is my last night escaping the woods before being bound to them forever, unable to escape. Though I’m not sure if I’m going to use it or not.

The lights in the house come on, distracting me from my depressing thoughts. Alana walks by the kitchen window, her hair done in spirals and make-up to match. I see her hands reach up as Corbin comes into view, and she hugs him before straightening his shirt. Her lips move, but I can't tell what she is saying from here. It’s too far for my ears to hear.

They both turn toward something inside the house, probably Lily coming down the stairs. My heart longs to see her in a ceremonial dress adorned with her signature red cloak that has been passed down in her family for years. Oh, what a sight that would be.

But it isn’t for me to see.

Soon, the door opens, and Corbin walks out, followed by his mother. I can see the moon rising just over the trees on the opposite side of the woods as me. Shaking, I reach out with one paw and pass through the barrier easily. Now, to wait for the right moment.

The pack is already gathered at the spot they hold their ceremonies. I watch as they unanimously move to make an aisle for Lily.

My stomach rolls at the thought of what is about to happen to Lily. They will say the vows, and then Corbin will perform his mark, followed by her returning it. After that, I can't possibly even say it because it's just too awful to think about.

I swallow back the emotions and watch as they get ready for Lily's arrival. Moments pass, and the alpha's house door swings open. I hear the soft pat as she walks out barefoot, clothed in a white long sleeve dress. Her red cloak drapes over her dress beautifully, but I'm confused as to why the hood is over her head. The night is chilly, but not terribly.

As she walks down the steps, I realize the hood acts like blinders, so she sees nothing on the sides. Maybe that's why she did it. She doesn't want to see the look of hurt in my eyes as she willingly chooses another.

A low growl escapes as I become restless in my thoughts.

Lily crosses the frozen ground, snow still covering it from the earlier precipitation. The very thought of her feet touching the cold grass makes me blood thirsty. How dare Corbin not take care of his mate and carry her?

I understand the importance, but he doesn't have to do it this way.

Scoffing, I turn to watch intently as she continues up the aisle between pack members. Her back is facing me, but I wish I could see her face. Just one last look before she takes him as hers.

I quietly make my way around the forest, moving stealthily, so I don't make a sound. Samson starts the ceremony by welcoming everyone, as I'm almost halfway around. Kas still doesn’t look well, but he is there, near the front.

I grow impatient at my pace, because I want to see her before the mating mark. A branch breaks and I freeze as heads turn in my direction, but she never glances my way.

Once everyone sees nothing else is going to make a noise, they all turn their attention to Lily. I try to watch my step until I'm standing directly behind Kev, right in Lily's line of sight. She freezes as our gazes meet. Her face flushes a pleasant shade of pink the longer I stare at her.

I can tell she isn't too happy to see me and is fighting the urge to tell me off, but she doesn't want to alert Corbin to my presence.

"Are there any objections to Lillian becoming the Luna to the pack?" Samson asks, as he looks over the crowd.

I object. I object. I object.

Lily shakes her head slightly and Corbin finally notices her blank stare as she keeps looking off into the woods behind him. He turns slightly to peer over his shoulder with a smirk. I want to laugh about his cockiness. He truly thinks he has won, but the night is far from over.

"Since everyone is silent, then we will proceed."

Samson recites the binding words as Corbin and Lily join hands. I'm dying on the inside as I recognize those words. Though I've heard them at other ceremonies, I just never paid much attention. It isn't like I thought I'd have a mate to share them with or that I'd ever be rid of this curse.

My heart breaks in two as I watch the scene before me. Lily gazes up at Corbin now, intent on watching him instead of looking at me. The last words binding them as mates leave his lips and now it's their turn to bind themselves as a mated pair, along with the words for becoming alpha and luna of the pack.

Corbin recites them perfectly, as if he's practiced the line a hundred times. It's rather shocking because I had always thought he was on the dense side. When it's Lily's turn, she glances back in my direction, making eye contact with me once again.

Her throat bobs as she swallows, her mouth going dry. "I..."

Corbin grabs her chin roughly in his hand and forces her to meet his gaze. "Say the words, Lillian. You are mine."

My heart is hammering in my chest as a snarl forms on my lips, ready to pounce on him for daring to touch my Lily like that. The snarl dies as I realize again that I can't keep saying that. She isn't mine, and she doesn't want whatever is between us. There is nothing I can do unless she calls for me.

"I take you as my..." Shaking her head, her hand comes up over her eyes as if she's trying to clear her thoughts. "What am I doing?"

"What do you mean, what are you doing? You are becoming my mate, as you agreed to do. Now, say the words."

She looks up at Corbin with a narrowed gaze. "I know what I said, but I can't do this."

He grabs her shoulders and shakes her. "You already agreed, and he has started the ceremony. Be a good little mate and say the words."

A smile that I've longed to see spreads across her face. "No."

Grandmother becomes delighted and starts shouting from the back of the crowd. “That’s my girl!”

Corbin looks toward the crowd to where Grandmother stands, smoke floats on the breeze from the contents in her hand. Once he sniffs the air, he takes a step back. "No, this can't be happening."

Grandmother takes another step forward, shoving what's in her hand further toward Lily. “It’s time for you to rise, my darling girl.”

Lily grabs her head between her hands as if the smoke is causing her pain. "I don't understand."

As Grandmother comes to her side, she leans in close and lets her smell the contents fully. "I promised your parents that I would try to let it wear off on its own, but there is no longer time.”

As Lily straightens her back, I can see a shift in her demeanor. “I still don’t understand what you are saying.”

“Your parents obtained something that could suppress your alpha abilities so you could be hidden. I’m sorry, but it had to be done. Now, it’s time to awaken.”

Alana moves from the crowd and approaches them. "Don't be silly, my dear girl. That is just your grandmother spinning tails.”

Lily stares at her with a venomous gaze. "You aren’t Alana.”

Alana narrows her gaze at Grandmother. "What are you talking about, Lillian? Of course I am. Don’t believe your grandmother and her nonsense.”

“I told you things were never as they seemed,” Grandmother says with a huff.

Her mouth drops open, feigning hurt. "We have been gracious and allowed the prior alpha's family to live here in peace instead of killing all of you off, like most challenges are done. I will not stand here and take this. Lillian will be mated to Corbin. It’s been decided and announced in front of all the pack. Now, let’s continue as planned and stop with this stupid nonsense.”

I watch as Lily eyes Corbin. "I will do no such thing because I already have a mate."

Alana's gaze cuts through me. "I knew I should have killed you years ago. You only bring me problems."

Let the show begin. It’s about time and now I understand what that pouch was that Grandmother retrieved from the edge of the woods all those years ago.

I take one tentative step out of the woods right as the moon crests the trees. All eyes are on me as I come into view. The pack looks unsure of what they are seeing, but Lily is in awe.

"Beast."

Once Corbin's eyes land on me, he rushes toward Lily and grabs her. She collides against him with a gasp, her hood falling over to reveal her face. "Don't come any closer or she dies. Then how will your curse ever end?"

With a trembling breath, she asks, "Beast, why did you come out of the woods? Now you'll be forever bound to them after tonight. I told you not to waste it on me."

This isn't a waste. Wrong has been done and I will set it right. There is more to the story, my Lily. Much, much more.

Corbin drags her back a step. "Quit coming closer. I will kill her."

Grandmother stands strong in her position as she watches Alana like a hawk. "It's time the lies come out, Alana."

"What lies? I've never told any."

Corbin glances between Grandmother, his mother and me. I can see panic set in as he realizes what could happen tonight. He looks down at Lily's neck as his fangs descend.

"Mother, do something. She's mine!"

Before anyone can react, his fangs sink into her throat, and Lily lets out a surprise yelp.

"No!" She screams as she bats him away.

I can't control my rage anymore as I head straight for him. He hears my approach and throws her to the ground right as I collide with him. My fangs are inches from his face as I snap at him. He pushes me back, but my claws rake down his arms and he lets out a wail. "You ugly monster."

Monster? I'll show you a monster.

I take a few more swipes at him, but he dodges before tripping over a root and falling to the ground. As I close in, ready to make the killing blow, Lily jumps out of nowhere and blocks my path. "No, we're better than this."

Out of my way. He deserves to die.

"I know he does, but you are better than that. This isn't the way."

My curse. It has to end before dawn, Lily. Move out of my way.

I feel her confusion as she looks at me. "He has to die for your curse to be broken?"

It wouldn't hurt to find out.

Her mouth draws into a thin, tight line. "I want you to break your curse, but not like this. I'm the key, aren't I?"

Glancing up at her, I can't help but admire her. My gaze softens as I take a step closer to her. Then I catch a glimpse of Corbin sneaking up behind her with a dagger raised. With her distracting me, he took this opportunity to plan something awful.

No!

She turns around to look behind her, right as I pass her to launch myself at his chest to ram him. He falls back with the air knocked out of his lungs and lands against a nearby tree. I watch as he slides down the rough bark to the ground, out cold. I hadn’t exactly planned for that to happen, but quickly realize it will do until I can finish this.

"How dare you? After all that we've done for you, and this is how you treat Corbin?"

I turn to face Alana, who is being blocked by Grandmother from getting involved.

"Alana, stay out of this,” Grandmother snaps. “If that is even who you are.”

Suddenly, Alana shifts uncomfortably. She looks at the contents that were in Grandmother's hand that now lie on the ground. "You used something in that. What was it?"

Her chest heaves as she breathes deeply. She shakes her head and tries to suppress whatever she is feeling, but it doesn’t look good.

Grandmother looks at the herbs lying on the ground, smoke still rising from them. "Why are these bothering you? They dissolve spells."

Grandmother picks up one of the smoldering leaves and waves in front of Alana, who is desperately trying to get away from it.

"No, drop it. Don't wave that near me."

We watch as Grandmother takes another step closer. "Why, Alana? It's just an herb and harmless to wolves."

The pack looks on, still in shock at what has occurred. Alana glances around for help, but no one comes to her aid. "I said stay back."

Grandmother blows the smoke in her face and that is all it takes. Alana writhes as she stumbles back and screams, covering her face as if it burns. I'm confused and Lily looks like she's in shock from it all. I glance behind us, and Corbin is still against the tree.

Another shrill scream steals my attention and I look at Alana. Her back is turned to us and her shoulders droop. Her breaths come in ragged gasps and Grandmother takes a slow step back. "Alana?"

As she turns around, she no longer looks the same and I recognize her instantly.

The witch. She’s still alive and has been hiding as Corbin’s mother for years. Now I know where she disappeared to all those years ago.