Rebirth in the Darkness

LIANA

~As the darkness takes hold, I let myself slip into it. I stop fighting to get back. There’s no point. This is the end for me. At least I will be with my mother again.~

~“Liana.” My mother’s soothing voice sings in the darkness, and her soft, fuzzy figure appears before me like a glowing beacon.~

~“Hey, Mom.” I think I’m smiling, but nothing feels normal here.~

~She smiles weakly and curls a loving hand around my cheek. “Oh sweetheart, what have you done?”~

~I chuckle weakly. “I couldn’t let Father win…”~

~“I know, sweetie… I know.” She sighs and pulls me into her arms as she peers out into the darkness. “Well, what do you know. Zeke’s protecting you.” She chuckles, and a tear falls down my cheek. I can still feel Zeke’s presence nearby.~

~“He’s not mating me?”~

~“Of course not, darling. He’s a sweet boy. I’ve watched him mooning over you your whole life. I’m sorry to say that it was me putting the doubt into him… I knew you needed Lucian and he needed you. It wasn’t Zeke’s time.”~

~“I know, Momma,” I whisper as a shiver passes through my body. Her words confuse me but there’s not much point in asking what she means now. My mother looks out into the darkness once more, and grins.~

~“Your mate will never leave you, you know. He’s found you.”~

“Baby… I’m here. I’ve come for you.”

~Lucian’s voice echoes in the distance, and my body jerks a little in response as I look out into the darkness too.~

~“You need him, darling, and he needs you. You have to go back, my love. I will see you again, but…not today, sweetheart. You’re still needed out there.” I nod as she wipes the tears from my cheeks. “Live your life, Liana. I will be here when the time comes.”~

~“I love you, Momma.”~

~“I love you too, my little princess.”~

***

My body jolts with a bolt of electricity, and I suck in a desperate breath.

I can feel Lucian’s arms around me, and I sense that Zeke is nearby too, cradling my hand.

“Oh Goddess, thank you.” Lucian’s voice fills my ears, and I smile, feeling my heartbeat rising and my pulse pumping harder.

My eyes flicker slightly in the dim light. Two fear-stricken faces are watching over me.

“Jeez, stare much,” I croak, and despite himself Lucian smiles even as the tears drip from his cheeks.

“You come back from the brink of death and that’s the first thing you say?” he teases through a pained chuckle.

“Hey, it’s original,” Zeke says, choking out a laugh. “You’re one crazy, little wolf.” I laugh a little and wince at the pain. “A beautiful one though.” He smiles at me before glancing up at Lucian with an apologetic look.

“I would kill you for your audacity,” Lucian says, “but I happen to agree with you—and I don’t break my promises.”

Zeke frowns in confusion and Lucian raises a brow at him.

“Marion?” I croak, and Lucian nods.

“If that is the name of Zeke’s—very brave I must add—grandmother wolf.”

I smile and Zeke smiles back warmly.

Lucian looks over my body pretty thoroughly to check I’ve stopped bleeding. “How are you feeling, baby? Are you okay to move?” he asks.

I nod and Lucian slowly stands, lifting me with him and keeping me in the safety of his arms.

Nuzzling into his chest, I breathe him in deep enough to warm my belly.

Zeke looks on from the sidelines, but I can feel his sense of loss and confusion as he backs away slightly. I weakly reach across and catch his arm, stopping him. Lucian allows the contact, even though his whole body stiffens.

“You protected me… I cannot thank you enough for that. But please? Come with us…”

I glance up at Lucian for confirmation, and he nods.

“I believe your grandmother has already accepted my offer of refuge at the palace,” Lucian says. “All of your pack members will be temporarily relocated to our grounds until the pack is rebuilt and a new alpha is chosen.”

My eyes widen at Lucian who nods solemnly. ~My father is dead~. I don’t feel sad, nor will I mourn this death. I thought my father loved me. And now I know the truth. He valued me as~ property~, not as a person. To him, I was just the vessel of his bloodline. He thought he had the right to do whatever he wanted with me, to “give” me away to whichever male he believed should be his successor.

“Are you sure?” Zeke checks, and we both agree.

“Of course. Please,” Lucian says. I feel a surge of love for my mate. Even though Lucian knows Zeke fought his wolf and won because he so badly wanted not to harm me, it can’t be easy for him to invite my ex-lover to the palace.

Zeke smiles shyly and nods.

Lucian turns on his heel and starts carrying me out of the safe house, followed by Zeke. Lucian steps over the body of my father and Zeke growls at his corpse before continuing to trail us through the woods.

***

As we emerge from the woods, all the warriors, including Kia and Charlotte, are standing around the SUV. As they catch sight of us, they all drop to a knee. Tears spring to my eyes to think that everyone came here for ~me~…

Lifting their heads, they howl in unison. The greatest sign of respect.

Lucian walks me through them all, carrying me to the rear door of the SUV. Kia hops to the side and holds it open for us. Lucian slides in, keeping me on his lap. Zeke climbs in beside us and sits back in his seat, trying to relax.

I snuggle into Lucian, who refuses to loosen his grip in the slightest for fear of losing me again. Kia and Charlotte climb into the front, and Kia starts the engine.

Glancing at the home I was raised in, I feel empty. I can’t feel any sadness for the loss. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Not after everything my father has done. Zeke reaches across and rests a hand on my shin, giving me a small, reassuring squeeze and a gentle smile. Without raising my head from Lucian’s chest, I mouth Zeke a ~thank you~. He nods once and looks off out of the window as Kia pulls the car out of the driveway and we make our way back to the palace.

Home.