Chapter 71

I had just opened the kitchen window when the sound of a vicious growl ripped through the air , making my heart thunder , seeing the flock of birds erupt from the trees and the unease that seemed to swirl around me .

It took me a split second to recognise the voice that was barely recognisable .

Liam .

That was Liam ! I rushed out of the house , telling the guards to watch Azura and Monica as I raced in the direction of the commotion , faltering when the sound of Raven’s scream pierced the air .

No.

Goddess no ! What has he done ?! ” Elijah , it’s Liam and Raven ! ‘ I called through the link to Elijah .

‘ I’m on my way .

‘ His soothing voice came despite the worry that was consuming me .

‘ Raven ! Liam ?! ‘

Nothing .

I was hitting a wall .

Fuck ! The wind was rushing through my hair as I broke through the trees , the smell of blood seeping into my nose .

The sheer blanket of something dark and evil that hung in the air made my blood run cold .

I took in the horrifying scene before me , Damon was holding Raven , who was bleeding profusely , her heart beating far too fast as she choked on the blood that was pouring out of her neck and mouth .

She was grasping at her neck , blood running down her fingers , making my stomach churn sickeningly .

Worry and fear for her whirled around me , my heart beating fast .

My eyes snapped to Liam , who was advancing on Damon as he was placing Raven down .

That darkness … It was him , it was coming from him .

His normal aura was completely gone … Replaced by this horrible , sinister darkness … ” HOW COULD YOU ?! ” Damon shouted , sounding angrier than I had ever heard him .

He blocked Liam , who had just lunged at him , his canines out and anger clear on his face .

Damon jumped to his feet , meeting him mid – strike .

It was clear both were ready to rip each other to pieces , I was about to intervene when Damon’s next words made me freeze .

” YOU MARKED HER ! ” Reality came crashing down on me as the realisation settled in ..

Her neck … Her neck ….

Fear washed over me like a bucket of ice cold knives , piercing into every inch of my body .

Marked .

Fuck ….

Memories from long ago flashed to the forefront of my mind , the pain with them making it hard to breathe .

History cannot repeat itself .

” No … NO ! ” I cried , staring at the blond male before me … His blond hair was matted with blood … So similar to his …

I walked towards them , willing every fibre of my shaking body to move .

Just as Elijah ran past me , a menacing growl ripped from his lips .

In a flash , he was next to the two boys who were tearing into each other , ready to kill one another .

Elijah slammed Liam to the floor , pinning him down , only for Liam to flip them as both men growled with all they had .

The surge of their Alpha power and that darkness enveloped the area like a blanket , their growls making it feel like the ground was vibrating at the intensity o f the sound .

Raven’s whimper made me come out of m y thoughts and I rushed closer , not even realising I was trembling excessively .

She needs a doctor !

But before I could even reach her , Damon got there first , tears in his eyes as he scooped her up as if she was the most fragile thing on the planet .

She was … Fuck Liam had done this … Guilt and anguish enveloped me as our eyes met for a second .

I had failed them … Failed He turned , rushing from the scene , his only wish clear … To save his mate … Suddenly , I felt something snap inside of me and my mind seemed to become clear .

This was not Zidane … My eyes blazed as I spun around just as I felt a searing pain through the bond and turned to see Liam had ripped through Elijah’s side , clearly winning this battle .

No one hurts my mate .

I growled menacingly , rushing over in a flash and ripping Liam off Elijah .

I pushed him to the ground , staring into those frightening black pits of the man before m e .

This was not my son … He had let his jealousy and anger fuel the darkness … Let it take over him completely .

” LIAM ! ” I growled , striking him across the face , letting my claws dig into his face .

He hissed , attacking back , but I didn’t care .

” Liam , what are you doing ?!

” I shouted as my back hit the ground , growling as 1 flipped us over , pinning him to the ground .

Nothing but blood , pain and agony .

It was all I could see , smell , and feel .

My only thoughts were that I did not raise a monster …

I did not raise a monster … 1 did not raise a monster ….

” Scarlett ! ” Elijah’s voice came , and I felt myself being pulled away .

I gasped coming to , my heart was thundering as I stared at Liam who lay on the ground breathing heavily , his eyes now his usual cerulean blue .

A bloody mess , I had wounded him badly .

I could see the wounds that I had made weren’t healing … They wouldn’t , because of my ability to slow down the healing of any wound I inflict upon anyone … ” He’s back … Calm down .

” Elijah murmured , rubbing my arms as he buried his face in my neck .

” He marked her ! He marked her against her will ! ” I screamed , pulling out of Elijah’s hold .

How dare he ?! Did he think this was ok ?! Yes , he was cursed , but … He had let his own emotions fuel that darkness …

He had let the curse take over … Tears blurred my eyes and I didn’t even realise I was crying until now , the pain ripping me to pieces .

My son , my son had done this … The pain o f the entire fucking situation hurt .

Zidane’s blood would forever run through my veins … in the veins of my children … H e was gone , but his shadow hadn’t .

” F Elijah held my arms tightly , staring down into my eyes with sadness in his blue ones .

” I know baby … He made a mistake and- ‘ ” MISTAKE ?! HE RUINED HER LIFE ! ” I screamed .

Was just marking someone a ‘ mistake ? ‘ It was so much more … I still awoke with the nightmares of that man … ” What hap … “

Liam whispered coughing u p blood , rolling to his side as he tried to sit up .

He was losing a lot blood .

” Kitten … Calm down , I know- ” ” Don’t tell me to calm down ! ” I shouted , hitting Elijah’s chest .

History was repeating itself .

History was Elijah’s lips crashed against me , kissing m e hard .

I struggled for a bit , but he held me in place , one hand in my hair and the other around my waist , until I finally began to calm down .

The sparks of the bond coursed through me , soothing the storm within me slightly .

Just a little …

” I’ll handle this .

” Elijah said quietly when I stopped struggling .

I could see the pain in his eyes , as he let g o of me and walked over to Liam , who was getting to his feet .

I was shocked he still could , considering the injuries , but he was a strong Alpha .

My son … I had hurt my son … he had committed an unforgivable crime … but it didn’t stop a mother from feeling that pain .

The pain of his injuries , but more than that , the pain of his sins … and the pain that he had no idea what he had just done …

” You marked Raven without her consent .

Elijah said , his voice ice cold , laced with sadness , regret and burning anger that he was doing his best to control .

The look of horror and shock that crossed Liam’s face made my stomach twist and m y heartbreak .

He didn’t know … This was going to break him … ” What ? No … No … ” He looked around , as if trying to see where he was , or what had happened .

” Fuck … No.

No.

No ! ” He staggered back , staring at the blood on the ground , swallowing hard .

Blood that belonged to all five of us … He must have caught sight of the scent , staring at the blood that belonged to Raven .

Any colour he had left in him was gone , his ashen gaze turning to Elijah , who nodded gravely .

” I know the curse has given birth to this darkness , that you have lost to it … allowed your emotions to let it consume you …

I am your father Liam , and I will help you .

You are not alone , you will never be alone , but you have committed a heinous crime and for it , you will be punished .

I love you and I will be there for you , but you need to pay for what you have done .

“ I watched the anguish in Liam’s eyes , watched his entire world come crashing down around him …

And it was at that moment that I realised what this curse had cost .

Not only had Liam become unhinged ….

he had committed a crime that was equal to rape in our community …

One that Raven may one day forgive him for … but one he himself never would … His gaze flicked to me , looking over my body before his gaze snapped to his father’s bloody body ….

I watched my son crumble before me , that young boy who had nothing but love for others … who would hide his own pain and give away everything he loved for others ….

My smiling , little Liam … ” I understand and I agree … ” He swallowed ; his breathing was ragged .

” I Liam Westwood , renounce my claim as Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack to my father , Alpha Elijah Westwood , and am ready to pay for the crimes I have committed under the laws of this pack and the council .

” Liam said , falling to his knees as the surge of power shifted .

I felt the power of becoming the Luna once more course through my veins .

Neither of us was expecting this .

My heart pounded a s I realised that he was giving up , on himself and life ..

” Liam … ” Elijah said , shocked .

” I have one request … ” Liam said , his chest heaving as he tried to breathe .

He was losing too much blood … My vision was blurred with tears , the urge to comfort him … The pain he had caused both clashed against one another inside of me , but he still needed someone …

Before I could even move , he tumbled sideways , losing consciousness .

I rushed over , my heart pounding .

Yes , I wanted him to pay for his crime , but he was still my son , cursed by the wretched gods for his ancestors ‘ crimes .

” He needs a doctor .

” I said , my voice shaking .

Elijah looked at me , his eyes pained before he sighed heavily .

” His final request , he mind linked me it .

” ” 1 ” What is it ?

“ I asked , my heart thundering as I pressed my hands to the long gashes that I had made through his chest trying to stem the blood loss .

” No one is to heal him , he made me take an oath upon you I won’t break it .

” Elijah said , pain and sadness in his eyes .

My heart squeezed in pain .

He was punishing himself … I pulled my shirt off and pressed it to the wounds .

” Then at least get some bandages !

” I screamed .

I stared down at my son , my heart pounding .

The image of Raven’s neck flashed to the forefront of my mind … A brutal bite that had almost killed her .

Was she ok ?

” And get someone to call Kiara , we need her ! ” What have you done , Liam ? There’s no going back …

I kept my hand firmly on his stomach and chest , but i my shirt was already drenched .

I knew my son was deep down in there somewhere … and I knew that he would never be able to forgive himself .