The Alpha's Human Mate

The Journey Needed

“It’s been five days! Five! Why won’t she open her eyes?” Max grumbled, his hair askew as he ran his fingers through his head several times.

“Max-” His mother started

“Don’t touch me” He said aggressively as he shrugged off her touch to his shoulder.

Heather’s face fell as she moved away from him, his anger a living, breathing entity in the room. Five days ago, after witnessing the truth about Max and Gemma's past and possible future, Ben; Max’s beta and Gemma’s ‘brother’ had stabbed her repeatedly in the stomach. The warriors had tackled Ben to the ground as screams of worry and disbelief rang out, their frozen bodies of shock finally moving to approach the bleeding girl lying in Max’s arms.

Ben had been taken to the underground cells where he had been chained up and only given water and small meals. He didn’t show any emotions as he sat in the cell, his eyes dead, his body stiff and unyielding. The warriors stood outside the cell, watching him and wondering what had prompted him to do such a thing, especially as he loved her as his sister for so many years. His father and alpha Jon had visited separately, trying to find out what made him do this, but throughout the questioning, he stayed silent. His eyes not moving from the floor. Maddie had gone into shock, her mind unable to comprehend what she had seen and that the man who was her mate and the one she loved, could act so bruitily.

After Max had taken Gemma to the couch away from Ben, they had summoned the pack doctor even as Carrie tried to stem the blood flow. Gemma’s wound was large, her stomach torn with the flesh exposed and it had taken Carrie a considerable time to even help heal the stomach enough to ease the bleeding. Max had kept his mate close, her body in his arms as he silently cried, the tears running down his face before falling onto Gemma’s cheek. Liam had helped the warriors take down his son after Ben had pulled out the knife the third time, punching him on the jaw and knocking him out for a few minutes. As the warriors had picked him up, Ben had awoken, his eyes darting towards Gemma who was deathly pale, her body cradled by his mate even as his mother tried to save her. They had dragged him away even as the rest tried to crowded around her, their worry great, their sorrow etched into their faces. It took ten minutes of trying to help Gemma that Carrie realised the wound was not made with just a normal knife. Asking Cindy to show her the knife that was left on the floor, Carrie cried out; her body shaking as she realised it was a sacrificial knife. Not having the time to explain all this, she changed her spell and placed her hand on Gemma’s pale, clammy forehead even as she chanted words.

It was an hour later when the pack doctor arrived and when Carrie was able to close most of the wound. The doctor had taken one look at Gemma and had helped the group move her to Max and Gemma’s room, laying her down carefully before he insisted everyone leave the room except Carrie. It had been especially hard to make Max leave, his instinct to be beside his mate too strong. The doctor had to tell Max that his presence could be a hindrance to her survival because he wouldn’t like how they took care of her healing. He knew that Carrie would be performing magick that may cause Gemma discomfort but that would save her. He only left the room because his wolf assured him that it was needed and her safety and care came first and over his own feelings.

It had been almost two hours before the doctor and Carrie came out of the room and addressed the waiting group outside of the door. The doctor had explained that the treatment had been intense and that he had set up a drip on Gemma and that her bandages would need to be changed according to particular timescales. Carrie had looked drained, her eyes dull; her hair limp and lifeless. Much like how she felt. She didn’t inquire after her son or his deceit, her sole focus was on her daughter and her treatment. Going to her mate who she hugged, she turned and looked at Max and explained that the dagger used could bring about different outcome depending on the action of the person using it but because they didn’t know why Ben did what he did, she was unsure how long it would be before Gemma would open her eyes.

That had been five days ago. Since then, her bleeding had stopped and her stomach had started to heal. While the skin was tender and slightly raw, her breathing, which before had been helped along with an oxygen tank; finally now she breathed on her own. In that time, Ben didn’t speak a word. Maddie had stayed silent and pale, refusing to see her mate yet craving his touch. Liam had doubled the guards and more had arrived at the packhouse over the last two or so days ago, stationing them around the house on rotation. Jon had a couple of doctors and caterers arrive three days ago and now the packhouse was abuzz with many people. The living room had been closed off and everyone refused entry until the alpha said. Heather had watched her son live through Gemma, never leaving her side after going in once the doctor left. He took his meals in the room, cautious of anyone entering, his trust even in the closest of family members broken.

“Max” Carrie said softly “While her body has healed, her spirit hasn’t”

“So she is still here?” Max asked, his eyes suspiciously wet

“Oh Max!” Carrie said as she hugged him “Of course she is love. She is tethered here for you and you alone”

Heather watched on in despair as her son hugged and seeked comfort elsewhere, her heart broken as with a sob, she left the room; her flat shoes hitting the floor in her haste to get away from a scene which should have been her supporting her son.

“UUooooofff!” Said the body Heather crashed into “What’s happened?”

“Oh Jon! Max is just so mad at me! H...h..he won’t even let me comfort him!” Wailed Heather, clinging to her mate

“We knew this might be the case when we forced him to accept our deal” Jon sighed

“What was I meant to do? Let two little kids be hunted? Let my son be so intune with his mate from such a young age that he couldn’t live without her presence! He’s barely sane now! How would he have been able to cope then? And going away for his training”

“I know my mate”

“And we both know that if they hadn’t had this done to them, if we hadn’t altered their memories…..we would have been grandparents when they both had been twelve! Their connection is so much stronger. They wouldn’t have been able to resist the pull. Look at them, knowing they were connected before they were sixteen. Other boys would have had at least an innocent kiss before then but not Max!”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t have loved to hold your grandchildren if they had them that soon?” Jon teased his mate

“Oh Jon” Heather sighed, her tears still falling “They would still be hunted. How could we place them in so much danger? I know he is an alpha, but is it so wrong for a mother to want to protect her child?”

“Mate, you know how it is when your other half is found. We both read the book. We know what was going to happen” Jon said as he wiped his mates tears.

Holding her hand, he took her down the stairs and into their room, greeting the guards along the way. Once inside he took a hold of his mate and tipped her face up to his for a kiss, his desire to comfort his mate strong. Heather sighed and leaned against him seeking his heat as it warmed her cold body, her heart breaking at how her son saw her and his mistrust of her.

“Do you think he will ever come around?”

“Yes but right now, no one exist for him except Gemma. Until she wakes up, he won’t care about anyone or anything” Jon said, sitting on the bed with his mate on his lap “Give him time Hetti”

“You haven’t called me that for a long time” Heather said, a wobbly smile on her face

Jon smiled as he kissed her forehead, encouraging her to lay back against him; taking a few moments for themselves. Right after the doctor had encouraged them all to rest, Max had barred anyone from entering the room except carrie. After comforting Maddie and Cindy and making sure the girls were safe and ok, they had left them to go down to the basement. They had passed the door where the cells were and instead, waked a few steps away where there were a row of doors. Unhooking his watch, Jon turned it upside down and with a flick of a finger, pushed an artificial backing of the wall of the watch away. Inside the little compartment was what looked like, a toothpick but made of copper. Releasing it, he held it in his hand and pressed the small black button on it, instantly watching the copper change, the smaller stick pushing out within seconds to become a key.

Placing the key into the door in front of them, they unlock it and enter, their footsteps echoing in the hollowed room.Heather took a deep breath as Jon walked towards the small raised platform in the middle of the room, the circular section giving off its own glow. Beside it, there was a single wooden stand which had a low glowing fire, the flames dancing gently. The rest of the room dark, the brick walls cold to the touch. Even with the fire burning, there was no smoke or black burning clouds. Stopping in front of the circle, Jon bends his head and closes his eyes, his body in-tune with the white light coming off from the middle.

“I request permission for entry upon the house of Astrid. To seek guidance and knowledge until the true heir releases me” Jon said, his head still bent.

The fire turned blue, before rising and billowing out. Suddenly, the room was alight, as if a thousand light bulbs had been lit and someone had painted colour into the rooms. The walls which were once dark and cold, now had three cones of fire each. Two walls coloured gold and two white. Along the left side of the wall, there was a long table with a white cloth with platters of food lining it. Along the right, rows of bookshelves with many different books, some hard copies and some soft, all handwritten. There were a couple of chairs and tables placed strategically beside the bookshelf with a floating ball of light in the middle of the table. The dias in the middle suddenly shifted as a compartment opened and with slow movement, a stand started to rise. As it slowly came above the opening, the stand clicked into place and two wings opened up on each side before turning the entire stand to white marbled stone and with a flashing light, a thick gold book appeared .

“No matter how many times I see that, it never fails to amaze me” Heather whispered reverently.

Jon raised his head and walked to the dias, his steps quietly echoing. When he approaches the stand, the book opens itself and the pages start to flicker, opening to the page he needed. After reading the passage, he visabilly shakes, his throat working hard to swallow from the lump now growing.

“What? What is it?” Heather whispered. She gasped when she saw Jon raise his head and look at her

“Jon. Your eyes!” She exclaimed.

“It’s time. It will happen and I was right!” Jon said quietly, his lavender eyes flashing.

Upstairs, Max paced back and forth, his eyes darting to Gemma’s serene face, his mind trying to will her to open her eyes. Maxsius howled inside of him, torn at the thought of his quiet mate who lay there as a pale corpse. Even though she had a slight colour to her cheek, the rest of her lay still and unmoving.

“Max” Maddie whispered

Max froze, before turning to look at his sister who stood at the threshold of the open door. He took in Maddie’s appearance, her disheveled hair that had loose strands from her single plait, her once sparkly eyes now dull with pain and confusion. Her body trembled slightly even though she had an oversized jumper on. Max growled softly and Maddie froze, her leg still in midair as she thought to cross over into the room.

“I’m sorry magpie” Max said, running a hand over his face “f**k, I’m so stressed”

“C...can I come in?” She asked, her eyes lowered as she realised that she spoke to an alpha in defence mode right now and not her brother

“Yeah. Come in” Max said, even as he stood between her and the bed that had his heart on it

“How is she?” Maddie asked quietly as she closed the room door “And where’s auntie Carrie?”

“She’s not waking up. Her vitals are all fine and she should be awake but” He sighed as he gestured to the machines around her “I sent Carrie away. She needed rest. If Gemstone needed her later, Carrie had to be in full capacity to help. Right now she’s drained”

“Y...You’re a good mate to acknowledge that Max. Some would insist she stay in the room”

“I nearly did. I had to commend her to move. I need her at her best. I got Liam to slip some sleeping pills from the doctor into her coffee. He took her away about half an hour ago”

Maddie nodded, looking between Max and Gemma, her throat trying to swallow around the lump; her eyes watering as she took in her brother’s haggard look. Max ran his fingers through his hair again before folding his arms.

“Y….you need food. You didn’t even have lunch properly”

“How can I eat, when she is being fed through a drip. Everything is so f****d up”

“Max, she wouldn’t want you to be like this. You need your strength. You also need to have energy and stamina. You’ve been sleeping on the bed side chair.”

“I can’t sleep. I just can’t stop thinking how I couldn have saved her if I knew all this before”

“You couldn’t have -”

“I should have!” Max interrupted “And now with f*****g Ben and his betrayal”

“I...I didn’t know he’d do it Max….If I had thought he was serious” Maddie said, hugging herself

“Serious about what?” Max said dangerously, moving closer to her “What do you mean?”

“Ben...he...he had said that he h...h...had t..to kil her”

“He what?” Max asked quietly before he moved to stand toe-to-toe with her

“I...I-” Maddie stammered

“You knew and you never told me?” Max asked, his eyes flashing wolf

Max roared in anger, his voice carrying all over the house. Liam burst through the door as did Carrie behind him, their eyes darting around the room, looking for the threat they thought was there. When they saw that Max had partially shifted, their eyes widened.

“Max” Liam said as he approached him slowly “What’s wrong son?”

“Calm down Max” Carrie said, her voice hoarse from recently waking

“You knew Ben was going to attack and kill Gemma and you didn’t say anything?” Maxsius said, his voice a deep timbre

“Maxsius” Liam said as he recognised the change of voice

“What do you mean” Carrie asked, her eyes wide

“Maddie has said that Ben told her he planned to kill Gemma and SHE NEVER WARNED ME” He bellowed, his anger heavy in the room

“I...I...i’m sorry. I swear I didn’t know-”

“Apology unaccepted! You have let your alpha down! You have lied and conspired against my mate and I…...That is treason and punishable by death!”

Maddie paled, her breathing becoming choppy as silent tears ran down her cheeks, her body shaking as she saw it was not her brother but an alpha king who was addressing her. Liam eased forward slowly and finally reached Maddies shaking form, his body moving in front of her. Maxsius eyes tracked him and he growled menacingly.

“Step away from this traitor” He growled even more

“Maxsius think! She is your sister-”

“I have no relationship with her!”

“She didn’t think he was serious. Let us speak to her properly rather than assume anything. Do you really think Gemma would want you to her hurt her best friend and your sister like that”

“Stand aside” Maxsius said as he stepped forward, flexing his claws

“Good Goddess!” heather whispered, as she stepped through the door.

“Maxsius!” Jon shouted out as he entered the room

Maxsius turned towards them, his body expanding as he looked at everyone in the room. He took a step towards Maddie who cowered in fear behind Liam. Jon ran and stood in front of his daughter too and raised his eyes to Maxsius, who let out a whine when he saw his father’s eyes

“You have lavender eyes like mine. Why?” Maxsisu asked in confusion

“Change back and I will explain” Jon said

“WHY?” Maxsius shouted

“You really wish to kill your sister?” Jon asked

“She is no sister of mine. She is a traitor”

“No. She is a girl who didn’t think her mate was serious when he made a comment” Heather said quietly

Carrie walked to Heather and hugged her. Turning to face Maxsius, Carrie showed her second wolf eyes to him and quietly encouraged him to calm down before talking to him

“Please calm down. You can’t freak out in here.You will hurt Gemma”

Those words had the desired effect. Maxsius whipped his head around to check that his long hybrid tail hadn’t hurt his mate or damaged her bed. When he saw how close his body was to her, he looked at Carrie and nodded. Running to grab some boxers for him, Carrie threw it to Max when his body returned to normal. He put it on and turned to look at everyone as they all stood tense.

“Explain” He said as he looked at his mother.

“There is another part to the prophecy” Jon started “As you know, Gemma is the Astrid and that she has two other entities in her body. When we took you both to have your memory altered, it was done so strongly that Gemma lost her other two beings. For a while we thought that was a good thing because we assumed that her wolf would show itself when Gemma would come of age at 16, but-”

“But?” Max asked, his arms folded

“But it didn’t. She was too sad, too tortured over losing you. We thought it was her wolf who was too upset but it wasn’t. Her wolf was still bound. We have a book” Heather said

“A book? What does a book have to do with anything?” Max asked in frustration

“Something extremely important, but that will be explained at a later date” Jon said

“I’m so f*****g tired of being told that!” Max exclaimed as he threw his hand up in the air

“This book explained how Gemma needed to release her beings in order to evolve and be her true self. Do you remember the day when you called me and suddenly, while talking to me; you collapsed?” Heather asked her son softly

“What the hell does that have to do with what is happening here right now?” Max huffed out

“A lot Max. Since the day you lied to Gemma and went away, day-by-day, she started to become weaker. I’ll. We all tried to help her but we couldn’t”

“I’ll?” Max whispered

“To the point that she started to throw up. At first it was when she had food. Then even when she didn’t. She started to get weaker and she stopped eating, stopped sleeping. It was like she had given up on life. Of course at that time, none of us knew what was happening to her. We thought she was going into depression”

“But it was her wolf, trying to set herself free” jon continued “The pack doctor gave her some pills to help her sleep and for a while it worked, until” He stopped and sighed

“Until what dad?” Max asked, taking another step forward

“Until she took too many” Heather said “Carrie found her in the nick of time but when we got her to the hospital, her heart rate had slowed drastically. Max...oh Max!” Heather cried out

“What?” Max asked, his voice higher

“She overdosed and by the time we got her to the doctors and...and...it was too late. She was declared dead for a short period. That is why you collapsed Max. You felt her die”

“WHAT??” Max shouted, his eyes wide with shock “AND YOU KEPT THIS FROM ME?”

“How could we tell you? When she died and you collapsed, we didn’t know it was related. It was only when you didn’t wake for a few hours when Ben called me, that your father consulted the book and understood the truth”

Pacing back and forth Max gripped his hair, his eyes wild, his body stiff. Letting out a roar Max became Maxsius and Maxsius became Max, the two sides shifting and battling each other. Maxsius was angry but more understanding because he knew what had happened now. He understood what Jon wasn’t saying; but Max was too emotional to allow Maxsius to explain. His highly aggressive temper made Max unreasonable and he wanted to rip out everyone’s throat, his eyes taking in the group of people in front of him as betrayers.

“He is strong. I do not have much time” Maxsius says

“Maxsius! You are not angry?” Heather asked

“I am, but I also remember something when we were children. Jon, you must explain the full Prophecy to him before he rips everyone’s throat out” Saying that, Maxsius retreated and Max came forward, his hand now lethal claws as he swung around to face everyone

“What else? What else have you kept from me? Who else has betrayed me?” Max spat out

“Noone son. Let me explain. This book we have is one passed on from generation to generation. Our ancestors came to this country a long long LONG time ago. They were blessed with a calling because Olvin helped a sick child who was actually a fae seer. One of the last at that time. His pack were chosen to become keepers of this book, to be the alpha and luna of this great country. But it came with a price. They were told that it would be someone from their line that would be the king to the Astrid and that until that time happened, there would be betrayal but also courage. That we would be given a second wolf to let the Astrid know that we were the one she was chosen for. This seer, Sebastian; his mother was the original Astrid who went into hiding because of an internal attack, one from the house of FAE. Her own brother. That is when the prophecy began”

“So what the f**k does that have to do with Gemma?” Max asked, his anger mounting

“This book was handed down to each generation until it came to me. One male or female is picked from our line to be guardian of this book. This book seems to expand and grow in itself. New spells, new information is added automatically. We don’t really know why or how except that when we really need information, it is there. Only one keeper is appointed at any one time until he or she dies. They say an incantation and the book reveals itself. It is only until the Astrid herself takes over the role from the books guardian until the rightful heir becomes her mate”

“So someone from our bloodline was always meant to be her mate?” Max asked incredulously “the eyes...you are the guardian that protects her. But I thought auntie Carrie was her protector, her..erm...Vo-Suie?”

“No Max. I am her guardian due to her age, her being orphaned. Her own Vo-Suie has yet to be either born or arrive” Carrie said softly

“I don’t understand” Max frowned, now calmer as he tried to understand the story

“Each WiOfa has her own Vo-Suie. I was her mothers. If a WiOfa dies before her child is 18, then the Vo-Suie’s powers automatically transfers to protect the young. But over time, her ability to mask the pup’s scent deteriorates and so, other means have to be used. I have never been sick Max, but I have been taking strong herbal tablets to help cover Gemma’s scent”

“You’ve never been sick?” Max whispered “You have deliberately putting your health at risk so roots and herbs were always around her to mask any strong scent she would have given off” he realised

“Yes. She started to leave a slightly stronger scent since she was 14, but even more so since she….she died” Carries said as she swallowed.

Max huffed out a breath. As other warriors suddenly came to speak to Jon, he advised them that all was well and that food would be needed soon. He closed the door even as he saw his head enforcer look at his eyes with respect before bowing to leavin. Carried helped Heather to walk towards her son and took his hands and placed them into his mother’s.

“I am her guardian but not her proper Vo-Suie. I have been waiting for the day her’s would come but I can only think that he or she has been killed since they have yet to appear. Your father’s bloodline, YOU, are her true mate. The blessed mate Max and your mother knew what that entailed because she was told by your father reading from the book. Any mother would worry about her child. But you should thank your mother. It’s because of her that Ben did what he did”

“What the f-”

“The book said that when an emotional stress is witnessed from the past, the dagger of darkness should be thrust in to allow for the light. So to should pass the being of one and allows the coat of the sun, to moon and rise to fly and be, her death towards light, life eternity” Jon said quickly before Max could become votile again

“Meaning?” Max asked as he walked towards his father

“In order for Gemma to release Jianna, after being in an emotional state from witnessing the past, a black dagger must be stabbed into her to help release the spell put on her wolf. Ben didn’t betray us son. Your mother told him of the prophecy words and he figured it out. The emotional stress wasn’t just about her witnessing her past but the mental state of the person who would help to release her. Only Ben could have done it as he was both beta to you and brother to her. His loyalty was to both, so enough desire to do good helped him take out her darkened past; her cloaked wolf. I just checked with the book to see if Ben did betray us and as I spoke to your mother, she told me what she told Ben and that he had figured out the clue. Apparently there is more to this than just Ben helping her at this stage, but he figured out the first part”

“Then he didn’t betray us” Maddie whispered softly

Everyone looked at her in surprise as they had forgotten her presence. She still stood huddled against Liam’s back, her mascare now a mess as streak’s of it had washed down with her tears. Max groaned and walked towards her, his eyes filled with sadness and embarrassment as his eyes darted to his father before he looked at Maddie again. Laim, seeing that Max was now in control, moved to her side to allow him to meet his sister.

“I...I’m sorry. I never meant-”

“I know. I know how much you love her and you’re right. If the treason had been done, then it really would have been punishable by death. I wou...uld never-” Maddie hiccuped as she started to cry again

Max pulled her into his arms, his big body providing her with warmth as she cried against his body. His arms secure around her, he whispered words of apology and love to his sister, his guilt at his actions, great. Max mind-linked his father’s enforcer and asked him to release Ben and to bring him up to the room. His father nodded in approval.

“I don’t get why she is isn’t awake then” Max said as he stepped away from his sister

“Healing. She’s still trying to connect to her wolf” Carrie explained.

Max walked to his mum and reached over to take her hand in his. Heather started to cry as she hugged her son, her smaller frame being dwarfed by her son’s bigger body, his muscles bulging as he hugged her back. She cried for the last few days he didn’t come near her, his anger and disgust at her actions keeping him away from her touch

“I’m sorry mum. I really am. Even now I can feel myself be angry that you kept so much from me. But I just can’t help it”

“I know. It’s because you are true mates. I never wanted to keep you apart. I’ve always loved her and wanted her for you. I just didn’t want to have you look over your shoulders all your young life” Heather sniffed as she hugged her son again

“And Neither did I Max”

Everyone gasped as they turned towards the bed, their eyes widening as they all rushed forward. Max reached Gemma first and took her into his arms as he hugged her, his tears falling freely as he took in his mates scent. Gemma hugged him back even as her eyes touched on each person in the room, her smile brilliant as she looked at Carrie and then Jon

“Let her breath son” Jon said huskily, his voice rough from all the emotions

Easing his hold on her, Max touched her face lovingly before kissing her lips a few times, then her jaw. His body vibrating while holding his emotions in check. He huffed out a breath which moved Gemma’s hair a little. Smiling, she cupped his face and made him look at her

“Hello little mate. You have grown from my little pup into such a fine male”

“Jianna” Max breathed, suddenly his eyes changed and Maxsius came forward “Oh how I have missed you my queen. Each breath without you has been torturous. Each parting a mini death until I could hold you again”

Jianna allowed a tear to fall before she sniffed and took in her mates scent “As it was for me too. For these last few days, I watched from inside, hidden. Knowing that it was time soon and trying to reach you but the spell was too great. Ben did this, he freed me my love. He should not be punished”

“So I have been told. I have asked for him to be brought here. I could not have gone on without you if you had left me” Maxsius said, his caressing hand gentle on her face

Moving her eyes over to Carrie who was silently crying and yet her Vo-Suie wolf was present, she nodded to her and smiled

“You have done well and kept your promise. She is alive because of you Vo-Suie. Mother would have been so proud” Jianna expressed her gratitude

“And yet you still had to die for this to happen” Carrie bubbled

“As it was always the case” Moving her eyes to Jon she smiled brightly “Thank you keeper. For helping silently all these years. For knowing what to tell your mate so she in turn could appoint the right person to set me free”

“I...I am honoured to have helped Astrid” Jon bowed his head, his lavender eyes changing back to his own

“Gem...Jianna” Maddie stammered, her eyes now awash with tears, her nose leaking “I...I’m so sorry-”

“GEMMA!”

Turning as one, all the people in the room looked towards the door where four guards and Ben were standing, his disheveled appearance and big eyes unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Pushing Ben away so she could stand, Jianna got out of the bed. Her freshly changed clothes from this morning giving off a sugary smell, Her white long night t-shirt now longer as it hit the floor, her capped sleeve sparkling with radiance. Ben held her hand to hold her back but Jianna kissed his lips softly

Trust me my mate

I can’t lose you

You won’t. He is an allie, not a threat

Maxsius let her go and as she walked by Carrie, Heather and Jon she ran her hands over their arms lightly, infusing them with peace and well being. She walked towards Ben who had taken a couple of steps into the room before stopping. As she stopped a few feet away from him, he stumbled forward and kneeled down before her, his chest heaving with grief, his bent head nearly touching the ground

“I’m sorry!” He whispered “i’m so sorry. I could never hurt you. I swear! I swear i’ve not betrayed you. I-”

“I know Ben. Rise” Jianna encouraged

Shaking his head, he gulped in deep breaths, his shoulders shaking from his emotional turmoil. Reaching down, she helped him to rise and touched his face lovingly before he gasped

“Who are you?” He asked

“Jianna. Her wolf and it was you who released me Ben. You did it and I am forever thankful. I know you are not a traitor”

“My sister-”

“Is here, alive and well thanks to you. You worked out what the prophecy required you to do. Well part of it and for that I am eternally grateful” Jianna kissed his cheek lightly and turned towards the group who all walked towards Ben slowly.

Suddenly Maddie rushed past them all and flung her body into his, her arms going around his neck as he hugged her to him, his arms like bands of steel as he kissed her neck, her body heaving from how deeply she cried. After a few minutes of hugging each member, apologies and regrets expressed, the group of people sighed in relief to have discovered that not one of their own had betrayed them. Taking Jianna’s hand into his, Maxsius kissed her neck and moved her hair away from her face.

“My love, Max is impatient to see his human”

“Then let them celebrate. Now that we have awoken, we will have our time, like before” Jianna whispered

“How I look forward to that. Besides, they have yet to mate properly” Maxsius mischievously hinted

Laughing quietly, Jianna nodded before releasing Gemma and giving her back control. Gemma blinked before crying out loud and hugging everyone, her arms the tightest around Ben as she thanked him. Max pulled Gemma back into his body, not caring if anyone was watching as he placed small kisses on her neck and jaw.

“You did good Jon” Carrie whispered, her hand squeezing his in support.

The strong alpha nodded once, his eyes catching his mates as she smiled and walked to his side. She reached up and kissed his cheek, her body still trembling at all that had happened in the last few days.

“His spells and guidance helped. It’s always strongest here” Heather smiled, her pride in her mate in her eyes “He is a great guardian”

“Well of course it would be” Gemma said laughingly

“What do you mean “Carrie asked

“Well this pack house is the power source” Gemma said as Max maved behind her to hug her, keeping her in his arms “It always has been”

“I’m not sure I follow” Jon says, frowning

“This packhouse….wait...are you telling me you don’t know?” Gemma asked, her eyes wide

“Know what?” Jon asked, bewildered

Looking at Carrie, Liam and Heather who also shook their head in bewilderment, Gemma gasped before chuckling. Ben and Maddie walked towards Gemma, their confusion evident on their faces.

“Jon, Do you know the history of this packhouse?” Gemma asked, smiling

“Only that it has been in the family for generations. Anytime I have seeked answers for information regarding this place, the book said not yet”

“Really?” Gemma asked in surprise, her perfectly shaped eyebrows rising up

“Why?” Carrie asked

“The reason you both, Mammie and uncle Jon, are so powerful here is because this is where it started. Jianna has just told me that this is where it began”

“Began what pumpkin?” Carrie asked

“The prophecy. This is where the original Astrid was in hiding with her son who was changed by Olvin, into his true form. Mammie, this packhouse was built on top of and around the Astrid’s house and why Magick here is the strongest. If I had died anywhere else, I would have stayed dead. But because this is the original home of the Astrid and her son and seer, Sebastian; I transformed into my other being”

Gasping in shock, Jon’s eyes flashed as he took a step forward, his hand out in question “Are you saying that the Astrid was here? In this very house?”

“Yes” Gemma said, her smile brilliant “Her very essence is in this home and I have come home here to be re-born”