Stealing His Mate - part 3

Michelle Torlot

Second part here: Stealing His Mate

Chapter 29

Sebastian

Walking away from Skylar is the toughest thing I've ever had to do, but it's something I need to do.

I trail behind the druid king, heading towards another structure. It's odd to see that the other druids don't treat him with any special respect. They just go about their business as if he's just another guy.

I highly doubt that's the case. Does he single-handedly control the forest and the glade's defenses? Or is there a whole army of druids working to keep everyone safe?

Ever since I arrived here, I've been filled with questions. I'm hoping I'm about to get some answers.

Does Skylar have the power to control nature? Or has her werewolf blood weakened her abilities?

She was able to sense Lila's familiar, but she couldn't defend herself from the vines that nearly killed her.

As we near another building, I realize this must be the druid king's home.

The trees here have literally shaped themselves to the druid's command, creating a house from the twisted branches that have formed a dome-like dwelling.

The other buildings are also made of wood, but not like this. It's as if a natural magic is pulsating through the air here.

The contrast between the place where I left Skylar and here is stark. The hospital building is modern, but this place has an ancient vibe to it.

Maybe druid kings have resided in this place for ages.

There are no guards here, but I doubt they're necessary. The only people who can enter this glade are those who are invited.

The king glances at me and smirks.

"You're starting to get it."

I wonder if he can read my thoughts, or maybe all outsiders who are invited come to the same realization.

I was allowed into the glade because the king permitted it. If I want to leave, I'll only be able to if the king allows it.

I can't leave this place. I can't fight and I can't shift. I'm essentially a prisoner of the druid king.

Once inside, he motions for me to sit in one of the chairs. This place is far from being a palace. It's more like a cozy cottage.

A table surrounded by several chairs sits in the center, and he gestures for me to sit.

He then fills an old copper kettle with water and hangs it over an open hearth.

The druid king is making me tea!

I don't say anything. I guess I should consider myself a guest, in a way.

Besides, I don't want to upset him. I've seen the power he can unleash, and while I'm not a coward, I'm not an idiot either.

When he moves back towards the table, he's holding two clay cups in his hand. He places one on the table and slides it towards me.

Steam gently rises from the top and I eye it warily.

"It's just tea, son. Now tell me, why did you come here? You must know that there's no love lost between the druids and the Weres."

I sniff the cup, and even though I can't shift in this place, all of my wolf's senses are still sharp.

The liquid in the cup is, indeed, just tea.

I take a sip and let out a sigh."The witch suggested it..." I pause. "Actually, she insisted. There's a war coming. She told me that without your help, my pack and my chances of reclaiming my birthright would be doomed. She said that Skylar was the key. The link for an alliance between my pack and the druids. It was part of some prophecy, she said."

The king rolls his eyes.

"Didn't it occur to you that the witch might be using you for her own purposes? That she knew how I felt about your kind and that she might be leading you to your death?"

I frown.

"Is it leading me to my death?"

The king smiles. Right now, he looks less like a king with murderous intent and more like a kind old man.

Well, he is an old man, but there's a gentle look in his eyes now. His voice is soft, not thunderous like it was when he was threatening to kill us both.

"If I wanted you dead, Alpha Sebastian, you wouldn't be here sipping tea with me. You don't strike me as a fool. Why would you put so much faith in the words of a witch?"

I run my fingers through my hair. Where do I start? Do I tell him that I had his great-granddaughter in my dungeon for nearly a week?

That she almost starved herself to death? That's probably not the story he wants to hear, and it's certainly not a good way to earn his trust.

"When I first saw Skylar, I felt something. Not the mate bond, but a certain pull. Her father gave her to me as part of a treaty. To be my chosen mate."

The king clenches his jaw and glares at me. So he does care about his great-granddaughter.

I can't help but smile as I remember how stubborn she was.

"Skylar wasn't thrilled. She didn't feel the same pull, so I sought out the witch. My father always trusted her, even though I never really did."She once told me that I would never reclaim my birthright without my mate by my side. My first mate betrayed me. I didn't expect to have a second mate, which is why I never really trusted her."

The king narrows his eyes.

"I said before that you're no fool, but your father certainly was. Your grandfather was a good man.

"I was saddened when I heard what happened, but not surprised that your father wasn't able to reclaim the throne.

"You remind me of your grandfather in some ways," he smiles. "A bit impulsive but with a good heart."

My eyes widen in shock. He knows who I am. He knew my father and my grandfather. He also knows Lila.

Did he know about Skylar?

He smiles and shakes his head before taking a sip of his tea.

"No. I had no idea. I didn't even know I had a granddaughter, let alone a great-granddaughter. Not until today."

He looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue, so I do.

"After I returned from visiting Lila, the witch, I discovered a few things. One of them was that Skylar had been mistreated. After her mother's death. her murder..."

The king stands abruptly, knocking his chair over as he does. He looks furious.

He must have known about his daughter's betrayal by the Alpha who refused to make her his mate, his luna. But I doubt he had any inkling that his granddaughter had suffered the same fate.

Or that she had been killed. If it weren't for her mother's quick thinking, Skylar would have met the same end.

I lift my hands in a gesture of surrender. He holds all the cards here. I can only hope he doesn't lump all Alphas together.

"Please, King..." I falter, realizing I don't even know his name. "Your Highness..."

His shoulders slump, and he retrieves the chair before sinking back into it.

"You can call me Taliesin. We're both kings. It's just that you haven't reclaimed your throne yet."

I let out a small sigh of relief and nod.

"There's more, Taliesin. The one who murdered your granddaughter was meant to kill Skylar too.

"She must have sensed danger was near, so she sent Skylar on an errand. That probably saved her life that day. Skylar was only six."

Taliesin buries his face in his hands. He looks shattered. The knowledge of what Skylar must have endured as a child must be tearing him apart.

I press on.

"Fate can be cruel sometimes. It turns out that the killer was none other than the second son of Alpha Lucien of the Nightshade pack."

Taliesin's head jerks up at the mention of the Nightshade pack. He knows they're the ones who killed my grandfather.

"His name is Damien, and he was Skylar's mate until he rejected her.

"The reward for killing your granddaughter was that when the Luna's firstborn came of age, she would be his mate and he would become Alpha of the Moonstone pack."

I let out a sigh.

"I planned to kill him. To give Skylar the revenge she deserves, but it seems fate has other plans and his father is sending a large force.

"If he defeats me or my brother, then there will be nothing to stop him from becoming king. It seems the witch was right about one thing.

"The fate of the world rests not only in the hands of my pack but also the druids."

Chapter 30

Skylar

I gasp, sucking in a lungful of air. I'm alive. The vines and roots that had ensnared me didn't squeeze the life out of me. But what about Sebastian? My heart pounds with fear.

He was being crushed too. He can't be dead. I'd feel it, wouldn't I? I reach out to my wolf, but there's no response. Just like after I was rejected.

No, this is what it felt like before Sebastian rescued me from the Moonstone pack. Something is suppressing my wolf, but not completely.

She must still be able to heal me because I'm sure those vines broke some bones, and my sense of smell is intact.

I know there are people in this room, and I can sense they're not entirely human. They're druids.

"Sebastian," I croak, trying to sit up.

A firm hand presses down on my shoulder.

"You need to rest, child."

I shake my head, my jaw set.

"No. I need my mate."

The hand pushes down on my shoulder a bit harder.

"Sebastian!" I scream, my eyes snapping open.

Why am I so weak? My werewolf genes should make me stronger.

It's a woman whose hand is holding me down. She's not particularly large, either. Not as large as a werewolf. Yet, she still manages to overpower me.

All my fight drains away and I freeze when I hear a voice I recognize. The same voice that labeled me the enemy. Not even Lila could convince him otherwise.

"Is she always this stubborn?"

I smell him before I hear his voice, but his voice is like a melody to my ears and my heart flutters with pure, unadulterated joy.

"Since I first laid eyes on her," Sebastian says, smirking.

The hand holding me down instantly lets go.

"Sebastian!" I shriek.

He's walking purposefully toward the bed, but not fast enough.

I hurl myself toward him and he catches me.

My legs wrap around his waist and my arms around his neck.

"You're alive," I gasp.

My hands roam over his face, then his shoulders.

"You're not hurt? They didn't hurt you? I thought you were dead. I thought they had killed you."

I'm babbling almost incoherently, but I don't care. Sebastian is alive.

I barely notice he is siting on the edge of the bed. 'm siting astride him. His hands are gently rubbing my back sending sparks through by body.

"Shh, Skylar. It's okay. I'm fine."

A sob escapes my lips, and I bury my head in his chest. I breathe in his scent like a drowning woman gasping for air.

Sebastian's hand cups my face.

"It's okay, but we have things to discuss with your great-grandfather."

My head snaps to the side, and I glare at the old man standing there. He's wearing a long robe, and his hair hangs at his shoulders. His hair is gray, just like the beard that covers his face

I narrow my eyes.

"You," I hiss. "You tried to kill us. Are you the reason I can't reach my wolf?"

I know he is. I know that Sebastian would have shifted as soon as we were attacked if he could have.

He glares right back at me, and I watch as he curls his hand into a fist.

I can feel the magic in the air, similar to how I knew that Ralph wasn't a real donkey, but that thought vanishes from my mind in an instant when I feel like my throat is being crushed.

I try to take a breath, but I can't. I can't force the air past the constriction in my throat. My hand goes to my neck, and my eyes widen with panic.

"You are a guest in my realm, and you will show me some respect," the old man thunders.

I'm not the only one panicking. Sebastian looks at me, then back at the old man. How can my own flesh and blood find it so easy to hurt me...to kill me?

"Please, Taliesin. She knows nothing of the world. Her father kept her a virtual prisoner until I took her away from

The lack of oxygen is starting to make my head spin.

"Ignorance is no excuse for disrespect. This will be my final warning."

The pressure on my throat disappears as quickly as it came, and I gulp in a lungful of much-needed air.

I want to curse this relative of mine, but I'm not stupid. He could kill me with a snap of his fingers.

Is that why Lila said we needed to come here? Is he Sebastian's only hope of winning the war and reclaiming his throne?

Why does he need me? This great-grandfather of mine seems to hate me more than he hates Sebastian or all werewolves.

Is it because I'm not a pure druid? Would he have hated my mother this much?

Sebastian wraps his arms tightly around me and gently rubs my back.

"I want to go home," I mumble into his chest.

His lips press a tender kiss to my forehead.

"Soon, little wolf. We'll go home soon."

Sebastian carries me as we follow my great-grandfather, the king of the druids, back to his house.

I know Sebastian wants his help, but the sooner I get away from him, the better I'll feel.

I'm surprised that he lives in such a small cottage. With the power he wields, he could rule over his people and demand a palace.

You could barely call it a cottage. It's more of a hut. It reminds me of the home I shared with my mother before Damien killed her.

Sebastian sits down at the table in the center of the room while my grandfather goes over to the fireplace.

Although there are plenty of chairs, I sit on Sebastian's lap with his arms wrapped around me.

It gives me a sense of safety, but I know I can't be truly safe here. Not when my great-grandfather seems to hate me so much.

When he returns from the fireplace, he holds a clay cup in his hands. He places it on the table in front of me.

I keep my gaze lowered, just like my dad taught me. He never liked it when I met his eyes, and I learned to avoid it.

Now, I do the same with my great-grandfather.

He lets out a sigh.

I can't seem to do anything right in his eyes.

"Drink the tea, Skylar. It'll soothe your throat."

I risk a quick look at him and his expression softens.

"I shouldn't have hurt you again. We've been at odds with the werewolves for so long, it's hard for me to accept that my great-granddaughter is more werewolf than druid."

I peer into the cup and take a sniff. It smells safe, and I trust Sebastian would know if it were poisoned.

"Maybe it would've been better if I was never born," I mutter under my breath before daring to take a sip.

My great-grandfather's hands crash onto the table in anger. I can't help but flinch.

Sebastian rubs my back gently, then turns to the druid king.

"When Skylar's dad found out her mom was pregnant, he went to Lila for a potion to end the pregnancy."

I risk another look and instantly regret it.

His face is a picture of fury.

I quickly look away, focusing on the cup. The tea has suddenly become very interesting.

"WHERE. IS. HE?" he bellows.

Sebastian shakes his head.

"Calm down, Taliesin. He's already dead, Either Damien or the Luna's daughter killed him to take over the pack.

"He always believed Emmeline was his daughter, but she wasn't. She was his brother's child."

I flinch again when I feel his fingertips under my chin. But this time, they're gentle as they lift my head. I look at him, unsure of what's coming next.

"I would never wish you dead, Skylar. If I'd known about your mom, about you, I would've come for you. Do you understand?"

I nod.

"Yes, your majesty," I whisper, my voice shaky.

I use his title because I don't want to provoke his anger.

He chuckles.

It's odd, since I've only ever seen him angry.

"I may be a king, Skylar, but before that, I'm your great-grandfather. I've never cared much for titles anyway."

He smirks.

"I think great-grandfather is a bit of a mouthful, so you can call me grandfather, or if you like, Taliesin."

I bite my lower lip. I don't want to upset him, but I need to know.

"So, you don't hate me?"

He shakes his head and laughs again.

"No, Skylar. I don't hate you. You're just going to take some getting used to."

I manage a smile because I feel the same.

Before I can say anything, there's a loud knock at the door, then it swings open.

A man stands there, dressed like my grandfather. He's much younger and looks a bit panicked.

"Taliesin, werewolves are coming. One's in his skin form, the others are in their wolf forms. The witch is with them."

He glances at Sebastian.

"The leader is demanding that you release his Alpha and his Luna."

Sebastian shakes his head.

"Kyrian," he sighs. "I was worried this might happen. Please, Taliesin, let me talk to him. I don't want my brother to get hurt."

Chapter 31

Sebastian

Skylar clings to me, her grip tight and desperate, as we trail behind Taliesin, leaving the cottage behind. It's a familiar sight, reminiscent of when I first rescued her from my dungeon, when she was terrified of everything around her.

It's not surprising, really. Taliesin has made two attempts on her life. If he truly wanted her dead, she would be by now. But the threat was real enough to scare her, and I was helpless to shield her from him, my only option being to beg him to stop.

I never knew these druids held such power. My father never mentioned it when he was alive. They're elusive, always hiding. I used to think it was because they were weak. Now, it seems, the opposite is true.

I don't think Skylar is in danger, but I hold her close anyway. If it brings her some comfort, then it's worth it. She must understand that while we're in this glade, I'm as powerless as she is. If she does, she doesn't voice it.

Talisin guides us towards a dense cluster of trees. I'm guessing that's where the path is, the one that disappeared behind us when we entered.

With a simple wave of his hand, the trees seem to pull back, revealing a path through the forest.

As they do, I feel my wolf stir within me. And he's furious.

Furious that we were essentially held captive. Furious that Taliesin tried to harm our mate and furious that he's been suppressed for however long we've been here.

Time is a strange concept in this place, hard to grasp.

Long enough for Lila to return to my pack and stir up my brother, it seems.

As soon as I feel my wolf, I'm able to mind-link with my brother. Through our pack bond, I can sense his worry and anger.

More anger, which is unusual for my brother. He's typically the calm one.

I can't help but wonder what Lila told him.

"Calm down, Kyrian. I'm safe and so is Skylar. The druids are our allies now."

I can feel the tension ease.

"Lila said that the druid king had killed Skylar and taken you and Ralph prisoner?"

Of course. That's why she returned to my brother. She didn't care about Skylar, or me for that matter. She was only interested in getting her pathetic little familiar back.

A growl slips past my lips.

Taliesin narrows his eyes, glaring at me.

I raise my hands in surrender and suppress my wolf.

"That damn witch," I growl. "She told my brother you had killed Skylar and imprisoned me and..."

I pause.

"What exactly did you do to Ralph?"

Taliesin rolls his eyes.

"Without her familiar, your witch will be weak. She probably thought that your brother could defeat my druids, and then retrieve her little friend.

"Even with the numbers he has, he would not have succeeded."

I frown. Numbers?

Before I have a chance to mind-link my brother or ask Taliesin what he means, the other druid speaks.

I'm not sure if he can read my thoughts, or perhaps my worry is written all over my face. If Kyrian is here with numerous wolves, then who the hell is guarding our territory?

"We estimate around five hundred wolves."

My face drains of color. How could he be so reckless? We're on the brink of a war and he has left the borders virtually defenseless, all on the word of that foolish witch.

I feel Taliesin's hand rest on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, son. We're allies now. Your borders will be perfectly safe."

I frown.

"How far does your power reach, Taliesin?"

He looks at me and smirks.

"It's not just my power. I just guide our people. We work together as one, a little like your pack, except there is only one 'pack' of druids, and we are one with all things natural and earthbound.

"The trees, the rivers and streams, the air and even the earth itself."

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

He could wipe out my entire army with a flick of his wrist and there would be nothing I could do about it.

I push my alpha command through the mind-link, reaching every pack member who is following my brother.

"Everyone in wolf form, SHIFT! Stand down."

Even in human form, my warriors are strong, but we always go to war in wolf form. There will be no war today, at least not against the druids.

I release Skylar from my hold. I know she'll be safe and no doubt she will begin to feel her wolf, just as I have felt mine.

I stride down the path, and the trees seem to move out of my way as though they sense my purpose.

When I finally reach the opening, I see Kyrian standing there with Lila beside him.

Relief washes over his face.

"Sebastian..." he sighs.

I scowl back at him.

"Don't you fucking Sebastian me... What the hell do you think you're doing, leaving our borders undefended?"

His shoulders slump in defeat. I expect he thought it would please me to see him. He probably thought he would look like a knight in shining armor, riding in to save the day.

"Lila said..." he begins, but I don't let him finish.

"You trusted that damn witch. The witch knew full well how much the druids hated us. She probably hoped she was leading us to our deaths.

"The only reason she came back to you was because her fucking shapeshifting familiar got taken. And the only reason he got taken was because the druids don't trust her, either!

"If they had killed me, it would make you the next Alpha. An Alpha doesn't leave his borders and pack unprotected.

Did our father teach you nothing?"

As I end my rant, Skylar and Taliesin emerge from the forest.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lila stride forward with a scowl on her face.

"Where is Ralph? What have you done with him?" she screams at Taliesin.

She points her staff at him, or is she pointing it at Skylar?

"Get him here now, or I'll finish you both," she growls.

A wave of surprise and relief washes over me as Taliesin steps in front of Skylar, doing what I should be doing— protecting my mate.

Despite his past actions, I can see that Taliesin genuinely cares for his great-granddaughter. He's willing to risk his life for her.

Before Lila can even think about casting a spell, I lunge at her. My clothes tear as I shift into my wolf form, knocking her to the ground. Her staff skids out of her grasp. Without it, she's practically defenseless.

Before I can finish her off, vines and roots burst from the ground, wrapping around her and holding her in place.

They don't squeeze the life out of her, though right now, I wish they would.

Taliesin steps forward and picks up Lila's staff from the ground.

With a swift motion, he snaps it in half over his knee.

"Is that what you wanted, witch? For me to do your dirty work for you?"

Lila glances at me and smirks.

"You're a pathetic alpha. Just like your father and your grandfather."

Her gaze shifts to Skylar.

"And that pitiful hybrid would be dead if the beta had followed his alpha's orders. But he switched the potion to a harmless one, so the child lived.

"But it's too late now. Alpha Damien will soon overrun your pack, and any chance you have of reclaiming the throne will be lost.

"This world needs a strong king. Your entire line is weak. You're a fool if you think these druids can save you."

I shift back to my human form, and as I do, I glance at Taliesin and smirk before turning back to Lila. "You're the fool, Lila. You chose the wrong side to ally with."

I stride towards her, claws extending from my fingertips.

For the first time, she looks scared, and she should be.

"This ends now," I growl.

I thrust my hand into her chest. There's a barely audible pop as my claws pierce her heart.

Blood froths from her mouth as the life drains from her eyes.

I pull my hand back.

Kyrian hands me a rag and I wipe the blood off my hand.

Taliesin shakes his head.

"Werewolves," he scoffs. "Always so messy."

Skylar darts out from behind her grandfather and leaps into my arms again, wrapping her legs around my waist.

"You saved us," she squeals, glancing back at her grandfather.

"I was so stupid. I can't believe she was your enemy all along...our enemy," she cries.

I press my nose to her neck. Her scent soothes me, soothes my wolf.

I've scolded Kyrian for his recklessness, but I was just as reckless in trusting that witch.

Taliesin steps forward and looks at Kyrian, then at me.

"That's one problem taken care of. Now we just have to deal with the other one, so you can claim your crown."

Chapter 32

Skylar

I gently pull away from Sebastian's embrace, despite his obvious disappointment, and approach my great-grandfather.

"I'm sorry," I murmur.

He cocks his head to the side.

"Sorry?" he echoes. "What for, child?"

I knit my eyebrows together and wring my hands.

"I trusted her. I thought you were the bad guy, but you were ready to risk your life for mine."

I look down at the ground.

"I'm sorry I thought the worst of you. You were just trying to protect your people. I get now why you saw us as the enemy."

His weathered fingers lift my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"We both made mistakes. You're my family, Skylar. I should have seen that, and I shouldn't have let my temper get the best of me."

He grins. It's a warm, genuine smile.

"You're our future, Skylar. You're a druid princess and a werewolf queen, and my great-granddaughter. Of course I would risk my life for you.

"Soon you'll sit on the throne next to your mane as queen of all weres, and when my time comes to an end, as it inevitably will, you're the only surviving heir of druid royalty.

"You're the bridge to peace for both our people." I feel my cheeks heat up, and my heart starts to pound as I realize my destiny was always set in stone.

They tried to kill me and they failed. Not because I was lucky, but because, together with Sebastian and my great-grandfather, we're destined to bring peace to this world.

I feel Sebastian's strong arms wrap around me from behind. He must sense my unease.

"You're not alone in this, little wolf. You never were."

He plants a soft kiss on my collarbone, and all my worries evaporate.

"Now," my grandfather continues, "we should head to your territory, Sebastian.

"I have no doubt that Alpha Damien is about to make his move, and my druids can't hold off those numbers forever. If we're going to succeed, we need to work together."

He snaps his fingers, and two druids appear, leading a magnificent white stallion.

I can't help but gasp at its beauty.

"You have horses?"

My grandfather chuckles.

"This world is too big to get anywhere if we always walk."

He extends his hand to me.

"Ride with me, Skylar?"

I swallow nervously. I've never been this close to a horse before, let alone ridden one, but I nod and take his hand anyway.

I'm probably more scared about shifting again than I am about riding a horse with my grandfather.

He glances over at Sebastian. "You'll get there faster if you travel in your wolf form. We'll be right behind you."

Sebastian looks at the horse and frowns.

"Won't it scare your horse if we shift?"

My grandfather rolls his eyes.

"He can already sense your wolves. Besides, a beast like him isn't scared of anything."

As if on cue, the horse snorts and stamps his front leg.

I start to wonder if he's a normal horse. Nothing would surprise me now.

Sebastian steps away and stands next to his brother. His eyes glaze over for a second as he orders the warriors to shift. Kyrian strips off his clothes and shifts, too.

I can sense my wolf wants to shift, and at some point, I will let her. Just not now. I owe this much to my grandfather.

With one last look at me, Sebastian takes off, Kyrian and the other warriors close on his heels.

My grandfather climbs onto the massive horse and lifts me up so that I'm sitting in front of him.

I'm relieved because I'm pretty sure that if I sat behind my grandfather, I would end up on the ground, my pride bruised.

I look down at the remains of Lila. Blood is still seeping from the hole that Sebastian's clawed hand made.

"What will you do with her?" I ask.

I can sense my grandfather's contempt. He looks at one of the other druids. He's the one who brought out the horse.

"Burn her," he growls. "Witches have a knack for cheating death, even a messy one."

As soon as he gives the order, his heels dig into the side of the horse and it bolts forward, going from standing still to a full gallop in a heartbeat.

I feel my body jerk backward into my grandfather.

He chuckles.

"Hold on tight, Skylar. This is going to be fast."

He doesn't have to tell me twice as I grip the saddle horn tightly.

Sebastian

I leave Skylar with her grandfather. I trust him, especially after he stepped in front of her to protect her from that damn witch.

I knew I shouldn't have trusted her, but that's all in the past. I guess if it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have realized that Skylar was my second-chance mate.

I understand now that that was for her own benefit, too. It would be a lot easier to get rid of us both at the same time, or so she thought. I have Taliesin to thank for the fact we're both still alive.

It doesn't take long for us to reach the packhouse, and surprisingly, Taliesin and Skylar aren't far behind us.

Knowing Taliesin, I doubt that his horse is just a normal horse. No ordinary horse could keep up with a werewolf's speed.

Skylar looks a little pale. I'm not surprised. I doubt she's ever ridden a horse before, and certainly not a horse like that.

Taliesin dismounts first and then gently lowers Skylar to the ground. Her legs look a bit shaky, so he holds on to her for a moment.

A wave of jealousy washes over me. If it wasn't for the fact that Taliesin was her great-grandfather, my wolf would be going nuts. As it is, he's not too pleased.

I walk over and wrap my arms around her.

She manages a smile.

"I think it's best if you stay at the pack house while we handle Damien," I suggest.

She gives me a stern look, her eyebrows furrowing.

"No way! This is my fight too," she insists.

I glance at Taliesin, hoping he'll support me. But my hope fades when he speaks up.

"Skylar's right. This is her fight as much as it is ours. We all need to avenge our kin who've been wronged by Damien and his father."

I sigh and nod. I don't really have a choice but to agree.

Skylar has more reason than any of us to want revenge, but if she thinks I'm going to let her fight, she's mistaken.

The strategy that Taliesin and I devise is straightforward. Simple but effective. The only way to get to the pack house and my pack is through the forest that encircles it.

That's how Taliesin was able to safeguard my pack when my brother lost his mind and came looking for me with most of our warriors.

He essentially sealed off the forest the same way he seals the forest that surrounds the druid town.

I can almost feel the tension in the air as we return. It's not from my pack, but from the warriors who are hiding just beyond the tree line.

They're lost and confused. They can't understand why they can't find the path that leads to where we now stand.

When the time is right, I position my warriors next to the tree line. Taliesin and his druids open a path through the trees.

It's only wide enough for two or three wolves at a time, and as they come out, it's like lambs to the slaughter.

My warriors tear them apart.

There's not sign of Damien. He's not leading his man into battle like a true Alpha would. I he was anywhere near the front, he would realize that this was a trap. But he doesn't.

He commands the advance from as far back as he can. A real coward who only knows how to murder women and children.

He's only interested in power, and I suspect that if he had succeeded in overpowering my pack and killing me, he would have claimed the throne for himself.

Probably encouraged by Skylar's cousin, his chosen mate. I wonder if Damien would have rejected Skylar so quickly if he had known who she really was.

It's too late for that now, though, and his loss is definitely my gain.

The swarm of wolves pouring through the gap seems endless. Like worker ants mindlessly heading toward their destination.

I rotate my warriors when they start to tire. Kyrian and I take turns slaughtering the wolves that chose the wrong side.

Finally, I hear a howl of anger from deep within the trees. I can't help but smirk. It's Damien.

The fool finally realizes that we've slaughtered his wolves. It took him long enough. Then I understand why. These aren't his warriors.

They belong to his father's pack. It gives me a sense of poetic justice. A little revenge for what he did to my grandfather.

I look down at the bodies of wolves. Now it's time to take the fight to him.

Taliesin parts the trees to allow my warriors to pass freely. Skylar stays at the back with her grandfather.

I know he'll keep her safe, and as much as I know she wants revenge on Damien for killing her mother, I don't think her wolf would be able to kill him.

He may have rejected her and she accepted it, but there's still a fragile link. The moon-goddess doesn't look kindly on mates killing each other.

Although it's possible. She made an exception in my case, but only because it was part of her bigger plan.

That being said, Skylar is a pure soul. She stopped her wolf from killing Jade, and as long as I'm alive, I'll try to prevent Skylar from taking a life.

You're never the same after you've done that. I'm used to it now, but I wouldn't want to tarnish Skylar's soul. She's the light in my darkness and I want her to stay that way.

As we move through the woods, I can smell the scent of fear clinging to the leaves and branches. But that's not the scent I'm tracking.

I'm tracking the scent of a certain cowardly Alpha, and he's close.

I'm surprised when a shadow darts across my peripheral vision, and then a large black wolf stands in front of me, blocking the path.

Damien's wolf is big. But not as big as mine, or even Kyrian's.

He snarls, saliva dripping from his fangs. He looks almost wild.

I mind-link the rest of my pack.

"Stay back... he's mine."

Chapter 33

Taliesin

I never imagined I'd be able to look at a werewolf without a surge of hate. But here I am.

Sebastian is different from any werewolf I've ever met, except maybe his grandfather. His grandfather was a man of honor, and it seems Sebastian is cut from the same cloth.

He cares deeply for my great-granddaughter, unlike the other werewolves who've crossed paths with my family. Their actions are what sparked this hatred in the first place.

Now, I have the chance to end this feud for good. But first, there's something I need to do.

My druid kin and I manipulate the trees and plants, keeping the pretender and his wolves at bay. We let just enough through for Sebastian's pack to take them down.

They deserve no less.

People think druids are peaceful, that we're one with nature.

That's partly true, but even the most peaceful men can resort to violence when pushed. And I've been pushed far enough.

I let Sebastian handle the wolves until we hear a howl.

I can feel in my bones that the howl comes from the beast who killed my granddaughter. He would have killed Skylar too, if fate hadn't stepped in.

I let the trees return to their natural positions, opening a path through the woods.

I stay back with Skylar, letting the wolves go ahead.

I feel a strange sense of pride watching Sebastian lead his pack. He's nothing like Damien, who let most of his warriors die.

We don't walk long before the atmosphere shifts. Then I see him. The wolf.

He's blocking the path, snarling at Sebastian.

Sebastian's warriors hang back, likely following his orders.

He wants this wolf for himself, but he's in for a disappointment.

The only one who will kill this wolf is me. I'm going to avenge my granddaughter.

Before either wolf can attack, I call on the earth to obey me.

A large root bursts from the ground under Damien's wolf, impaling him.

He howls in pain and as I let the root retract, he falls to the ground.

He's not dead, not yet, but he's fatally wounded.

The sound of bones cracking confirms this, as he shifts back into human form.

I walk toward him, my eyes narrowed. He'll know who I am before he dies. He picked the wrong enemy.

Sebastian

Damien clutches his stomach, blood bubbling from the wound. The wound that Taliesin inflicted.

I should have known that Taliesin would want to avenge his granddaughter. If Damien had murdered my kin, I'd want the same.

I shift back into my human form as Taliesin steps forward. I have a feeling he's not done with Damien yet. Damien looks terrified as Taliesin approaches. He should be. I know what Taliesin can do, and Damien is about to find out.

"Wh...who...are you?" Damien stammers.

Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth. I doubt he has much time left. His wolf can only do so much.

"You killed my granddaughter, and you tried to kill my great-granddaughter. You should have been more careful, Alpha Damien. Killing druid royalty carries only one sentence...Death!"

I gasp as another root bursts from the ground. This time it pierces the back of Damien's neck and comes out the front.

Every time he tries to breathe, blood bubbles through the hole the tree root made.

His body spasms then goes still.

Another scream echoes from the trees, a woman's scream.

I know who it is. Emmeline.

He may not have been her fated mate, but once they marked each other, the bond would be the same.

Maybe this is poetic justice. Now she knows how Skylar felt when he rejected her. I should kill her when she shows up

Kill her for everything she did to Skylar growing up. For making Skylar believe I would rape her.

But I won't. Skylar didn't want me to kill her when I said I would. This punishment seems more fitting.

The pain of losing your mate is intense and is no less than she deserves. She might not survive it, but if she does, she'll live the rest of her life in misery.

Every time she sees another mated pair, she'll be reminded of what she'll never have again.

Emmeline runs through the trees until she sees what's left of her mate. But all she can see is how he was in life.

Not the lifeless body lying on the forest floor, covered in blood.

She throws herself on him, sobbing.

"Are you going to kill her?" Skylar whispers in my ear.

I shake my head and press a soft kiss to her temple.

"I think this is punishment enough, don't you?"

Skylar nods, and I guide her away from the scene, following her grandfather.

We have one last thing to do, and this time I'll be the one getting my revenge as I avenge my grandfather's death.

We follow Taliesin until he stops at the pack house. It's deserted, just as I expected.

I don't think the rest of the pack was loyal to Damien, and now that he's gone and his mate is mad with grief, they've all scattered.

The Alpha is the glue that holds the pack together. Without an Alpha, there is no pack.

I mind-link William, who's acting as Gamma. He's holding down the fort with a small group of warriors while I'm away.

"If any rogues or members of the Moonstone pack show up while we're gone, lock them in the dungeons. I'll deal with them when we return."

They'll have two choices: join my pack or join the Dark Moon pack.

If they choose the Dark Moon pack, they'll only find death.

Damien's father will feel the loss of the warriors he sent. He'll also feel the loss of his son.

I doubt he'll tolerate what he sees as cowardice, even if the biggest coward was his son.

The Dark Moon pack has always been a study in contradictions. They despise cowardice, yet they're perfectly fine with achieving their goals through sneaky tactics. But that's about to change today.

As we journey through the Moonstone pack's territory, it hits me how effortlessly Damien could have slipped in, killed Skylar's mom, and slipped out.

Before Skylar, I never paid much attention to this pack. It was too small, too unimportant to be on my radar.

But the pack that shares its border does catch my attention, because that territory is home to the Nightshade pack and Alpha Lucien. The Alpha who murdered my granddad.

As we near the border, I feel Taliesin's hand on my shoulder.

I raise my hand to stop my warriors, who are still in their wolf forms.

"He'll be expecting you, but not me. It's best if it stays that way.

"I'll help you with the forest to slow them down if they outnumber you, but as always, the killing is up to you and your wolves."

I nod and glance at Skylar.

"You'll look after Skylar?"

She shoots me a glare.

"My wolf can fight," she retorts.

I gently hold her chin.

"I don't doubt that, little wolf, but this is war and you've never fought in a battle. Stay with your granddad. He'll keep you safe."

She crosses her arms over her chest and sighs.

Even when she's trying to be mad, she's adorable.

"And who's going to keep you safe?"

My brother steps up behind her. He towers over her, just like I do. "I'll keep my brother safe, my Luna."

I let go of her and she whirls around to face him.

"You know, I could order you to let me fight."

Kyrian chuckles.

"And Sebastian would order me to keep you away from the fight, no matter what it takes."

I can't help but smirk, because I would. I would do whatever it takes to keep my little mate safe, even if it meant tying her up again.

She sighs again, but her shoulders drop a bit.

She steps closer to me, stands on her tiptoes, and cups my cheeks in her small hands before pressing a kiss to my lips.

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

I nod.

"You have my word."

Chapter 34

Sebastian

Taliesin stays behind with Skylar and a few warriors in wolf form.

I have faith in Taliesin to keep Skylar safe, but a little extra backup never hurts, especially when it comes to my mate.

I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to follow us into the fight. But I don't want that for her. I never have.

As we cross the boundary, Kyrian and I transform into our wolves.

Lucien will know that my wolves were the ones who killed his warriors. He'll assume that I killed his son too. I would have, if Taliesin hadn't gotten to him first.

He won't have a clue that Taliesin killed his son, or that I had help from a druid. The distance was too far for Damien to have mind-linked his father with his dying breath.

Even if it wasn't, he was too stunned that Taliesin could kill him to even think about it.

With Kyrian at my side, we slowly navigate through the forest surrounding the Darkmoon pack. I lead my warriors from the front, unlike that coward Damien.

We're ready when the first attack comes. I smell the patrolling wolves before they show up.

They charge at us until they realize it's not just Kyrian and me. That behind us is a pack of wolves.

The trees are too close together for them to figure out just how many, but their paws scramble in the dirt as they try to stop themselves before it's too late.

But it is too late. I pounce on the first one and Kyrian takes the second. My fangs sink into the wolf's throat and I tear i out.

A howl in the distance tells me they were able to report our invasion. I doubt they were able to tell Lucien our numbers.

He'll assume that we lost some of our warriors when Damien attacked. He'll be wrong.

I don't know his numbers now, but considering how many wolves we killed back home, I guess that his warrior numbers will be somewhat reduced.

Now that he knows we're here, we need to push hard. End this while we have the upper hand.

"Spread out and take no prisoners."

As we push forward, I sense Lucien. His Alpha aura is strong, and unlike his son, he leads his warriors just as I do.

When I first see him, I want to charge in and rip his throat out, but I don't.

I remember some of the last words my grandfather said to my brother and me.

We had been sparring, and I had knocked Kyrian down several times. He was so mad. He was about to charge at me when our grandfather stepped between us.

"Never attack with anger, Kyrian. You'll lose your focus and ultimately lose the fight. Control your emotions. Fight with logic, not with emotion."

We were just kids, but the lesson stuck. It doesn't seem like Lucien was given any such lessons. If he was, then they seem to be forgotten now.

He lets out a howl and throws himself at me.

He's so enraged that it seems he hasn't even ordered his warriors to attack. I won't make the same mistake.

"Attack."

I command my warriors through the mind-link, and they do just that, surprising some of Lucien's warriors.

My fighting instincts have always been sharp, so I dodge Lucien's first attack, although I'm not completely unharmed.

His claws scrape through my side, but it's barely a scratch and I can feel my wolf healing me even before Lucien lands.

He turns, his paws struggling to find grip on the ground. That's when I realize that Taliesin has my back.

The ground ripples beneath Lucien's feet, so I seize the opportunity to press my advantage.

I see wolves in my peripheral vision heading toward me. I ignore them and focus on Lucien.

Kyrian, as in all the battles we've fought, will fend off the wolves hoping to be heroes by killing an alpha while I focus on Lucien.

Once I take out Alpha Lucien, the tide of battle will be in our favor, but I don't doubt that his oldest son will quickly take his place.

If for some reason I should fall, I know that Kyrian will take my place and see this through to the end. But I don't plan to fall.

While Lucien struggles to regain his footing, I launch my own attack. He's a skilled fighter, but while he's struggling, he can't completely avoid my attack.

I sink my teeth into his shoulder, drawing first blood before he pushes me off with his hind legs.

This time, when he regains his footing, instead of throwing himself at me, he starts to circle slowly. Blood drips down his front leg and he limps heavily.

It's more than just a scratch, but I know Lucien. He won't give up until his last breath.

I feint toward his injured side. If he wasn't hurt, he would have realized it was a trick. He moves to try to protect the injury.

As he does, I attack his good side, which means he has to put more weight on the injured leg.

It makes him stumble, leaving him open to a killing blow.

My jaws clamp down on his throat, crushing his windpipe. Even then he thrashes at me with his claws, so I fling his body away from me hard.

There's a loud crack as his body hits a large oak tree. His head flops lifelessly to the side, his neck broken. His dead eyes stare blankly ahead.

One Alpha down, one to go.

The loss of Alpha Lucien gives my wolves the upper hand.

The Dark Moon pack wolves freeze for a split second when they feel the loss of their alpha, and some of their wolves fall to mine because of it.

With Lucien down, I push further into their territory, taking down wolves as I go.

That's when I see him. A young-looking wolf. Lucien's oldest son, the new Alpha.

He's the only thing standing between me and my birthright. On another day, I might have even let him live, but not today.

When he bares his teeth and growls at me, I know that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Another wolf who knows nothing about control, but this one has less battle skill than his father had.

Sparring is no substitute for real battle. That was a lesson I learned when I saw my father die.

I can't deny it, the council was right. They said he wasn't ready for the throne, and he proved them right. He wasn't.

The young challenger lunges at me. I dodge and roll, and he sails over me, missing his target.

I don't miss. My claws rip through his belly. Blood and guts spill from his wound.

He crashes onto the forest floor, bleeding out.

I walk over to him, the battle still raging around us.

I could let him bleed out slowly, painfully, but I won't. I'm not that heartless. He was just trying to defend what he thought was his birthright.

He was braver than my father, who fled when his own father was killed. This young wolf had no chance of winning, but he fought anyway.

His eyes beg me for mercy, and I grant it.

My jaws close around his neck, and I bite down. His neck snaps, and he dies instantly.

The Darkmoon pack howls in grief for their fallen alphas. Some continue to fight, but most surrender.

My warriors end it quickly. The Darkmoon pack is no more. If Alpha Lucien had done the same to my grandfather's pack, he'd be king now.

But he didn't, and I won't make the same mistake.

I survey the bloody scene. Dead wolves and blood are everywhere.

Before I can take it all in, I hear Skylar screaming my name.

I look up to see her running toward me, barefoot as always.

I didn't want her to see this. All this death and blood. I didn't want her to be reminded of her dead mother, but it seems she's made peace with that.

She throws herself at me, and I catch her, holding her tight.

She's been doing this a lot lately. I don't mind. The more I can hold her, the better.

"I did it," she squeals, kissing my neck.

I frown.

"Did what?"

Before she can answer, Taliesin approaches us.

"I didn't cause the ground to shake," he says.

"It seems my great-granddaughter has more druid blood in her than I thought. She sensed Lucien's evil before I could intervene. She shook the earth beneath his feet."

I can't help but smile at my clever mate.

"Did it help?" she asks, her eyes shining.

I smile and nod.

"It did, Skylar. More than you know."

I sigh.

"But I didn't want you to see all this."

She tightens her hold on me.

"We do what we have to do, but always together," she whispers in my ear.

I nod

"Always," I whisper back.

Epilogue

Skylar

The first time I laid eyes on this room, I tried to brush off its grandeur. It's a whole different ball game when you're forced to your knees in it, compared to sitting on a throne next to your mate.

If someone had told me back then that I'd be a queen, I would've laughed in their face.

I was just a little omega. A nobody. At least, that's what everyone around me wanted me to believe.

But Sebastian, he changed my perspective. He made me see my worth, even when I resisted it at first.

His large hand wraps around mine as we gaze at the crowd.

Werewolves and other werekind. Druids and witches. All here to honor their new king and queen.

Sometimes, I still feel like a fraud. But whenever I start to doubt myself, those feelings seep through our matebond and Sebastian either scolds me or soothes me, depending on what I need.

He turns to me and smiles, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. These events can still be overwhelming, but having Sebastian by my side makes it a little easier.

The wolf council heard about the final battle and Damien's treachery, about how he killed my mother to become an alpha and then murdered my father.

They immediately declared Sebastian as the rightful king. It wasn't hard to figure out that Alpha Lucien was aware of his youngest son's dirty deal.

How convenient it would be for him to have his son ruling the territory next to his rival, the only one standing in his way of the throne.

They were a bit hesitant about having a hybrid queen, but Sebastian wouldn't tolerate a single word against me. He even enacted a new law stating that hybrids should be treated as equals among werewolves, and no mate should be rejected because of their race.

Several hybrids revealed themselves to the council after Sebastian's coronation. If I'd been a regular wolf, that wouldn't have happened.

Sebastian wouldn't have needed to ensure that hybrids were accepted, although I'm certain he wouldn't have discriminated against them.

He didn't discriminate against me when he discovered my true identity. Those hybrids felt safe to reveal their heritage and I'm proud that I could make that happen.

Proud that the druids no longer feel the need to hide from werewolves, even though they never really had to.

They're a powerful group that only a handful of people know about, even though they prefer peace. I think my grandfather wants to keep it that way.

The druids are still a bit cautious around werekind, but as my grandfather always reminds me, trust takes time, and time is something we now have.

Peace has finally come to our land, thanks to my mate and my great-grandfather.

Two kings who are more than deserving of their titles.

------------------------------The End------------------------------