Page 34

chapter Thirty-three

Michaela

“ Miko, don’t go too far,” Liz says to her son.

Last month was the first time I got to see the little boy in his human form. It took him a while, but he finally trusts me enough around his mama. I smile as he runs up ahead to the river that cuts through Chayton’s land.

It’s been ten days since Enzo invited me to go camping. We have yet to go. It seems like every time we go to make the date, something comes up. Just two days ago, a mutilated cow was dumped on the land. The ferals are going after livestock now. Which is not good. If the townspeople start complaining too much, it will draw the attention of the council back.

“What are you stressing about?” his voice is like clockwork. The moment I have any feeling other than happiness or calmness, he checks in on me.

I try so hard to keep from smiling or getting excited when he does this. Look, I won’t lie, I’m enjoying his company. All the touching and kissing is new but pleasurable to me. He’s funny, charming, assertive, protective, and the way he cares about Marley brings me to my knees. But I know this isn’t real. It never is.

“I’m good, wolf. Stay out of my head.”

He chuckles, causing my nipples to harden. “You didn’t have a problem with me being in your head last night. Do you only like me in your head when I’m feasting on your pussy?”

A flash back of his face buried between my legs last night while I fought to keep moans at bay flashes through my mind. I have to admit, as much as I want to keep the distance between us, I can’t turn this man down in the bedroom. I crave his sex about as much as I crave blood.

“If you don’t mind,” I say, laughing. “I am trying to spend time with my best friend. Please don’t fill my head with dirty thoughts.”

His chuckle has me squeezing my thighs. “I’ll leave you alone. For now.”

Enzo slips out of my head. I hate how I immediately miss his presence.

“I know that face,” Liz says, getting my attention. “You must be talking to your mate.”

I cut my eyes over to her as she rubs her 35-week-pregnant belly. I ignore that tinge of jealousy that hits me. I’m over the moon happy for my best friend, but I won’t lie like it doesn’t remind me of what I’ll never have.

“Maybe.”

She tosses her head back and laughs. “Just admit it, you are head over heels for Enzo.”

Stopping to think about that comment for a minute, I take in the way I feel about him. I like him. I can even admit that I’m always eager to see him when he gets home. And the way he fucks me should be celebrated like a holiday. But am I in love with the Beta? Do I even deserve love?

“I don’t know about all of that. Besides, it’s best I don’t get caught up in all this. I’m sure it won’t last long.”

Her gaze narrows at me. “Why are you always like this?”

“What?”

“Ever since we were kids, you have been the most supportive and encouraging person I have ever met. However, when it comes to you, you are so negative. It’s like you don’t believe you deserve happiness.”

I shrug as I look out over the river where Miko is splashing.

“Because I don’t.”

When I look back at Liz, her gaze is locked in on me.

“Why do you think that?”

“I’ve lived a long time, Liz. I wasn’t always a good person. I’ve done things. Things that make it hard for me to sleep at night.” This is the most honest I’ve ever been with anyone about my past. I have built up walls and created barriers around myself to keep my past exactly where I left it. But for some reason, I wanted to share it with Liz.

“I was once everything the wolves hate about vampires. Things I’ve done, things I participated in, they can’t be forgiven.” I don’t turn to face her. Yet, I still feel the heat of her gaze on the side of my face.

“Who are you now?”

Her question has me looking over at her. She stares at me, her brow pinched.

“You’re telling me who you were once, but who are you now?” she asks. “Because no one is perfect, Michaela. Everyone has a past. You need to forgive yourself. You deserve redemption.”

I chuckle, but it lacks humor. “I’m not so sure about that.”

Liz turns her body toward me. Placing her hand on my cheek she turns me toward her.

“You may not be sure, but I am.” Her hand falls back to her side. “For years I wondered how we were able to pay that house off when mama had her first big flair my sophomore year in high school and couldn’t work anymore. When I asked her, she told me not to stress because it was handled. Next thing I know, the house, the cars, and mother’s medical bills were all paid off.

“For the longest I thought she had some rich sugar daddy or fairy godmother that I didn’t know about, but now I know it was you. Did you also pay for my college?”

I laugh. “Yes.”

That was the least I could do for the two people that brought me into their lives when I was at my lowest and loved me despite not deserving it. From the moment Ms. Cheryl lost her job, I paid for everything for them.

“Someone that doesn’t deserve redemption wouldn’t do that. I don’t care who you once were. All I know is in the last seventeen years you have been in my life, you have been the most thoughtful and caring person I’ve ever met. Our friendship may seem brief compared to your long life, but it means a lot to me. And I want you to be happy.”

I shake my head. “Even if I forgave myself or believed I deserved forgiveness, Enzo and I won’t last. He’s only staying in this thing because he thinks it’s what the Goddess wants. Eventually, he’s going to realize that I’m not what he wants.”

“I think you’re wrong. I’ve seen him around you. He likes you.”

“He is under the mating spell,” I say, tossing my hands up. “He’s only doing all this because he thinks it’s what he’s supposed to do. Enzo doesn’t want me.”

I am convinced this man is only going through the motions of what he thinks a mate should do. He believes the moon goddess wants this, so he’s giving it his all. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed this time. But I’m not stupid. If any other wolf would’ve mated with him that night, he would do the same thing for her. I’m not special to him, I’m just a job.

“I think I get it now,” she says, shaking her head. “I mean thinking back, I understand why you didn’t date in middle school and high school. That age difference would’ve made it weird, but as time passed and you were able to have adult relationships, you still made every excuse in the book. I think it’s more than you not thinking you deserve happiness. I think you’re afraid of love.”

I laugh to play off the fact that she has just cracked my code.

“I’m not afraid of love.”

She lifts her brow and folds her arms over her chest the way her mom would do when she knew we were lying.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “I’m not afraid of love, Liz. I’m afraid of what love can do to you.” I turn to that lake watching Miko play. “Love can turn you into someone that you don’t even notice when you look in the mirror. Someone that is so stained that no number of good deeds will ever wash away the filth. For me, love has been brutal, it’s lied, it’s been manipulative, and it has hurt. And once it has taken everything out of you, it discards you like trash leaving you broken and lying on the cold hard ground.”

When I turn back to face my best friend, tears are falling down her cheeks. Using the back of my hand, I wipe her face. Those pregnancy hormones have her extra emotional.

“Don’t cry for me. I don’t deserve your tears.”

She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. I shut my eyes, enjoying her warmth.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I’m sorry that some undeserving man hurt you. I’m sorry that no one has ever told you how important you are or how much you deserve.”

Liz pulls back and looks me in my eyes.

“I’m telling you, as your best friend, you are worthy. And you will find the right type of love again. Someone that deserves you and will cherish you.”

I smile even though I know her words will never come true. There isn’t anyone out there for me. My story does not end with a happily ever after.

“Come on,” I say, grabbing her hand. “I’d hate for one of your pack members to walk up on us and find you crying. They will swear I hurt their precious Luna.”

She tosses her head back. “You leave my pack alone.”

We both turn to pay attention to Miko. After only a moment, she breaks the silence.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” I say, bumping her shoulder with mine. She turns to me.

“Could you have saved my mother?”

Her question catches me off guard. I didn’t think she would ever ask me this. I let out a deep breath.

“I wanted to,” I admit. “I even begged her to let me save her. She said eternity didn’t sound appealing to her. She’d much rather go meet her God.”

Liz laughs through her tears. “That sounds like mama.”

“She had me make her a promise, though. She said that for as long as I lived, I had to look out for you. And you know I’d never break a promise to Ms. Cheryl.”

We both laugh before she sobers. “Can you make me a promise?”

Liz had no idea that she could ask me anything, and I’d do it for her.

“Sure,” I say, even without knowing what she wanted.

She grabs my hands, turning so we face each other. “Promise me you will give love a try. For me.”

“Elizabeth,” I start, but she cuts me off.

“I mean it, Michaela. Forgive yourself and let love in.”

I couldn’t argue with her. As I said, I’d give this woman anything she asked.

“Okay,” I say.

She beams, wrapping her arms around me. Her big belly hits mine, and once again, my niece kicks me to say hello. Liz laughs as she leans back and rubs her stomach.

“This baby is dying to meet you.”

“Trust me, I’m more excited to meet her.”

“You know, you’ve got me believing it’s a girl now, too.”

I shrug.

“Welp, we better head back,” she says, placing her hands on her hips. “Chayton is summoning me. Ever since I hit my third trimester, he has been on my case about not going far.”

“He’s right. You need to get as much rest as you can before she gets here.”

“Not you too.” She shakes her head before calling Miko out of the water. He runs up to us and shakes the water off his fur, spraying the both of us. Liz softly chastises her baby boy, but I freeze.

The smell is light, but it is there.

“Miko,” I say into the pup’s head. I never thought I’d see a startled and confused looking wolf. “Call your father. And no matter what, stay with your mom.”

It’s the last thing I say before the vampire rushes out of the trees. I immediately pick up on its direction. He’s not coming for me; he’s charging straight toward Liz and Miko. If I were another wolf or human, I’d be too slow. But thankfully I’m neither.

Before he can get close to them, I tackle him from the side, knocking him through the foliage on the ground. We roll until we come to a stop. I land on top of him, the blade to my right cuff out, and pointed at his neck. His eyes widen when he realizes who and what I am.

Her scream has me turning in their direction. While I was busy with this vampire, another one approached them. Miko is doing his best to keep him at bay. Snarling, I stand, grab the vampire at my feet and hurl his body through the air until it hits the other one. I move like a blur, keeping Liz and Miko behind me. The two vamps stand on their feet. When the new one sees my cuffs, he looks shakingly at the other one.

“What do we do now?” he asks the first vampire.

“If you want to live, you better reconsider this,” I warn them both.

I’d love to capture these two and question them, but I can’t risk them hurting Liz or Miko. Hopefully, I can track them back to wherever they go.

I think the first one knows my plan. His dark eyes narrow on me. He glances to his right toward the crop of trees and then back to me.

“It’s only one of her. I say we take the risk.”

The other one turns to face me with a smirk. I guess their minds are made.

“Dumb move,” I say, before I charge.

I kill the first one before he can even register my blade slicing into his neck. The second one is a little more prepared. He tries to claw at me. I lean back, avoiding his sharp nails.

“Michaela,” I turn in the direction my name was yelled. A fucking feral is racing toward them. My distraction caused me to take a claw across the jaw. My skin opens up instantly. Shit, that hurt.

I back hand the vampire and send him flying back into a tree. I then run toward the feral as he races for Liz and Miko. Leaping over their heads, I crash into the feral, sending me and him into the lake.

We both go under the murky water. I lose sight of the creature. But I don’t have time to look for him. That vampire is up there with Liz and Miko. I kick my feet to fight to get to the surface. My head pops out of the water. I spot Miko squaring off with the vampire. I go to swim for shore when searing pain locks on my shoulder. The fucking feral sunk his teeth into me. I groan as he drags me back to the bottom of the lake with him. His teeth are so deeply embedded into my shoulder that no matter how much I thrash, he won’t let me go.

Placing my arm over my uninjured shoulder, I release my blades. The sharp blades explode out of the cuffs. The wolf’s release of my shoulder and gurgled howl let me know I hit something. Spinning around, I slice through his neck, cutting off his head. Quickly, I kick my feet to make it to the surface. As soon as my head breaks the water, I gulp in air.

Miko has done a good job so far keeping the vampire away from his mother. I swim to the shore and climb out. The blood loss has me a little weak, but I have enough energy to kill this vampire.

Running toward them, I leap across the field and tackle the vampire. This time. I don’t hesitate. As soon as I land on top of him, I slice through his neck.

Feeling completely drained, I turn to Liz and Miko.

“Are you two okay? Are you hurt?”

Liz is crying, but she’s remaining strong.

“No. We’re fine—” her words are cut off when a large black and brown mass tackles me from the side. I roll across the ground a few times before my head smacks into a tree. I fight the urge to black out as I try with the last of my energy to keep this feral from snapping at my neck. Thankfully, the blood Enzo brought me from that bank has lasted for a while. We’ve been using it scarcely. Because of that, the injuries I’ve sustained have healed. However, all the energy it requires healing those injuries has sapped some of my strength. I’m struggling to keep this one from taking a chunk out of my neck.

I spot Miko trying to approach. “No,” I say, pushing the thought through his head. “Stay with your mother.”

His soft, “Okay,” tightens my chest.

I shove at the snout of the feral, but his heavy weight and my low energy have my attempts at keeping him away, getting harder and harder.

My arms burn with exhaustion. I can feel his hot breath getting closer and closer to my neck.

Another bite might render me completely vulnerable. If this is how I go out, I guess I couldn’t be angry. I think of my sister who is here safe with Liz. I think of my best friend who is happily mated and taken care of. I think about Tech, but I never doubted he would be okay. And last, I think of Enzo. I can finally set him free.

“Not going to fucking happen,” he growls in my head.

Suddenly, the massive weight that was just on top of me was gone. Growling and snarling come from the distance.

“Michaela,” Liz shouts my name as she waddles over to me.

Chayton is here with her. He comes over to my side.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

“Get her out of here,” I tell him. “They are after your family.”

His face pales as he looks at his mate and then back at me.

“Go,” I rush.

He stands and grabs her arm. “Climb on my back,” he says right before he turns into a gorgeous silvery gray wolf. Liz gets on his back, and he races her out of the forest back toward pack grounds. Miko is right behind him.

I try to roll to my side, but it’s a slow process. Standing, I get a little woozy. But something catches my eye. Moving through the trees after Chayton is a tall, thin figure. Another got damn vampire.

“They’re going after Liz and Miko,” I tell Enzo through our link.

He’s busy fighting the other feral.

“Don’t you move,” he snarls in reply. But he won’t be done in time. So, I do what I know how to do. I race through the trees after the vampire.

The vamp tries to come up on the right side of Chayton. He would catch him off guard and knock Liz completely off his back. Before he could make his move, I’m on him. We both go crashing through the trees. I land on the ground across from him. Quickly, I get back up on my feet, releasing my blades from my cuffs, I snarl at the vampire.

“You’re in my way, legion,” He snarls in reply.

“Then move me, pest,” I tell him.

He rushes toward me, his claws ready to slice into my skin. My energy is low, but I’m positive I can take this human-turned. However, right as he leaps through the air towards me, a huge black mass of fur crashes into him, knocking them both into a tree.

The vampire flips over on to Enzo’s back, wrapping his arms around him as he squeezes. The sound of bones breaking causes me to gasp.

“No,” I scream. I push the last of my energy through our link toward my mate.

Falling down to my knees, the last thing I see before I pass out is Enzo yanking the vampire off his back with his teeth and ripping his head off. I collapsed to the ground shortly after and everything went black.