Chapter 11

Running as fast as I can back to the car, shadows whip past me. I slip, fall, and roll a few metres.

There are three wolves in front of me, who shift into their human forms and approach me.

“Come. We will safely return you to Alpha Tate,” one offers.

“No, I don't want to go back there. I want to stay with Max,’ I say, shaking my head.

“But Alpha Tate is your mate. Why would you want to stay with a lycan?’ The man asks.

“They're both my mates. I rejected Alpha Tate,’ I explain. The men look at each other in shock.

“You rejected Alpha Tate to be with that thing? That monster?’ He asks.

“Yes, and I would reject Alpha Tate again if I could. Now let me pass,’ I say.

“You must be crazy. I don't think you're in the right frame of mind. Just come with us to the

house and we will get the doctor to check you out. Maybe you hit your head or something. You're

not thinking clearly,” he gestures.

“No, I told you. I'm staying with Max," I say.

“This she-wolf has lost the plot boys. Let's take her to the pack house,” he yells.

He grabs my arm and I slap him across the face, which is a shock to me. The man rubs his

cheek, and glares at me.

“You're as feral as that damn lycan!’ He says.

He runs off towards the bloody battle of at least one hundred wolves. Knowing Nathan and

Max can't protect me right now while they tear shreds off other wolves, I run to the trees and pray

to the Moon Goddess I can get away from the men running after me.

I can't outrun them unless I shift, but Storm hasn't been talking to me and I know she’s too

afraid to shift.

The three men pounce on me, and hold me down. Two of them lock my arms in theirs and

escort me back to the pack house.

“Please. Let me go. Let me go to Max. Please!’ I beg, bursting into tears. They completely ignore

me. We're near the house where Max and Nathan are still fending off the pack; but most of them

are limping away, injured.

Nathan isn't looking too good; he is starting to sway.

“Max!’ I scream, when I am captured, and Max growls ferociously at the men holding me. A wolf

lunges at him from behind him, biting a chunk of flesh, and he grabs the wolf by the scruff of his

neck and throws him down on the ground. After a loud crack and a yelp, the wolf lies lifeless.

I bite down as hard as I can on the arm of the man holding me, tasting his blood. He yells and

pushes me away. I get up and run to Max and Nathan, who is naked and badly injured. I try to

concentrate on healing him.

Max is still fighting off wolves, and the odd pack member unsuccessfully grabs my ankle or my

arm.

Alpha Liam removes his shirt, and is about to attack Max. With my hands on Nathans wounds, I

inhale deeply, my hair rises, I begin to glow, and my eyes turn silver.

Alpha Liam and his pack freeze. Max is breathing heavily, and steps away from them, closer to

me.

With his wounds almost healed, Nathan opens his eyes and the pack members watch. Nathan

sits up, wraps his arms around me, and pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“Witch!” Alpha Liam yells, pointing at me. Chaos growls at him. I hide behind Chaos, and Nathan

growls at Alpha Liam.

“You're both freaks! Get off my territory before I ask other packs to kill you!" He yells.

Chaos scoops me up in his arms protectively, and roars. I wrap my arms around his neck and

cry.

Chaos backs away cautiously, making sure no one attacks as we leave. He shifts back into Max

and puts me in the car, but I won't let go of him, and just hold him tighter. He squeezes me tightly

and nuzzles my neck to comfort me. My body instantly explodes with sparks.

“It's okay, Hope. We're safe now,” he says, stroking my back. He sits on the seat with me in his

lap, and my arms around his neck, and I bury my face in his chest.

“Where do we go from here?’ Nathan asks, and Max sighs.

“If Silent Howl reacted like that, we need to expect the other packs will too,” he says, and

Nathan nods.

“We'll stay in hotels. If there aren't any, we can shift into our wolves and sleep outside,” he says.

“Hope, you didn't shift when you ran away. You know those men would have caught you in wolf

form, right? He asks. I release my arms from around him, and stare into his eyes with sadness

“What is it, Hope? Tell me,” he says, gently.

“I've never shifted before,’ I explain. Nathan stops the car and turns around. Max wraps his arms

around me to protect me.

“Never?’ He asks, and I nod.

“Nathan! Stop braking like that!" Max says.

“Why haven't you shifted yet, Hope?" Max asks.

“Storm doesn't speak to me very often. Sometimes I don't hear from her for months. She's too

scared to come out after the way I have been treated,’ I explain. Nathan looks away, saddened.

“Let Storm know, when you hear from her next, that we love her very much, and we can't wait to

meet her. Chaos will kill anyone who looks at her funny,” Max says, cupping my cheek. I smile at him.

“Thank you,’ I say.

“Hope, I know you've been through a lot, but there is still so much I don't know. I have

questions. Could you answer them for me?’ He asks. “Why did Alpha Tate and Alpha Liam say you're

Alpha Tate's mate when you're mine?’ He asks.

“When I turned eighteen, I could smell my mate. I followed the scent and it led me to Alpha

Tate's room. When we made eye contact, we both knew straight away we were mates. He was

furious and rejected me. When he was badly injured, I healed him, and he wanted me back as his

mate. But not because he loves me. Because he wanted to use my abilities. I rejected him and tried

to escape, but failed. While killing you, he wanted me to heal him, and the others, until you were

dead. I refused, so he kept me in the cell for weeks. Then you arrived,” I explain.

“So, I'm your second-chance mate?’ Max says.

“Or second mate in general,” Nathan adds.

“It's very rare, but some people have two mates who must share you. Or, yes, a second-chance

mate,’ he says, shrugging his shoulders.

“You did the right thing rejecting him Hope. I'm incapable of sharing you,” he says, nuzzling my

neck. I giggle and blush.

We arrive at a very fancy hotel. Everyone gawks at us. We're quite dirty and roughed up. Max

carries me into the foyer bridal style, and we have the biggest grins on our faces.

“May I help you? The lady at the desk asks, staring us up and down.

“Your finest room, please! And a room for the man behind us, as well." The lady adjusts her

glasses, and tilts her head to look at Nathan, who steps forward and pays for the rooms.

“Here are your keys. Rooms eighty-three and eighty-four,” she says.

We go upstairs to our room, where Max gently puts me down to unlock and open the door.

Inside, there is a couch and a TV. I walk through to the next room that has a large bed with red

coverings and a bedside table either side.

There is an empty inbuilt cupboard, and a door that leads to the bathroom, with a large

bathtub, a shower, and two basins.

“Will this be suitable for the night?” Max asks.

“It's better than the cell and the attic," I reply.

“Your room was that cold and dirty attic?’ He asks, and I nod. He walks over and pulls me in

close.

“I'm sorry for what they did to you,’ he says, saddened.

“It's fine. I'm here with you now,’ I say, happily.

“You know, I'm so lucky to have you as my mate. I never thought I'd ever have a woman so

happy to be around me,’ he whispers.