KEILAH
As I sat in the backseat of the car, the scenery outside blurred into a haze of green and grey. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each one battling for dominance. Leaving the pack house had felt like ripping a part of myself away, especially knowing Ralph was left to deal with Zac and Isabella’s treachery alone.
The thought of them-the snakes in the grass-slithering closer to him, ready to strike, made my skin crawl. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in grave danger.
“Turn the car around,” I blurted out, leaning forward to catch the driver’s attention. My voice was laced with urgency and desperation.
The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I was ordered to take you straight to your house,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.
“I forgot something important,” I insisted, trying to keep the panic from my voice. “I have to go back. Please, it’s urgent.”
He shook his head, eyes focused on the road. “I’m under strict instructions. Whatever you left behind will be delivered to you. I can’t take you back.”
My heart sank at his words. The helplessness pressed down on me like a suffocating weight. Every fibre of my being screamed to return to Ralph, to stand by his side against whatever threat Isabella and her children posed.
Frustration bubbled up inside me, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. I needed to think clearly to find a way back to the pack house. The driver’s refusal was a hurdle, but not an insurmountable one. I have to find a way back to Ralph. I had to.
The car continued to glide down the road, each passing second feeling like an eternity. Desperation gnawed at me, pushing me to the edge. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing while Ralph might be facing danger alone. I could feel it deep in my soul that he was in danger. I took a deep breath, trying to think right, and just like that, an idea sparked into my mind, and without giving it a second thought, I reached for the passenger door lock.
The driver noticed immediately, his eyes widening in alarm as he glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Ma’am, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly with unease.
My hand hovered over the door handle, my heart pounding in my chest. “If you don’t take me back to the pack house right now, I swear I will jump out of this car,” I shouted, my voice ringing with a mix of fear and determination.
The driver’s face paled, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Ma’am, please, let’s not do anything rash. It’s not safe.”
“I’m not joking!” I screamed, my fingers wrapping around the handle. “Take me back, or I’ll jump!”
The driver’s eyes darted between me and the road, his panic palpable. He took a deep breath, cursing under his breath, trying to calm himself. “Okay, okay, just… Please, calm down. I’ll turn the car around,” he said, his voice strained.
I released the door handle, relief washing over me as the car began to slow down. The driver made a careful U-turn, heading back toward the pack house. My heart still raced, but now it beat with a renewed sense of purpose.
As the car pulled up to the pack house, my heart raced with a mix of dread and determination. I knew Ralph wouldn’t be pleased to see me back, but that didn’t matter. I had promised him once that I would be glued to his side, no matter the circumstances. If he was in danger, I was going to face it with him, even if it meant enduring his anger.
I threw open the door and dashed out, my legs carrying me as fast as they could.
I rushed inside and up the stairs, my breath coming in short, frantic gasps. Loud murmurs echoed through the hallway, drawing my attention. What could be going on? I followed the sound, my heart pounding even harder.
As I reached the hallway, I saw several pack members glaring outside through the many hall windows. Curiosity drove me forward, and I pushed through the small crowd to find out what they were looking at.
My heart stopped. Outside, in the yard, Ralph lay on the ground, groaning in pain. Above him, Isabella stood with her hand outstretched, lightning magic crackling from her fingers, striking him mercilessly. The sight of Ralph in agony filled me with a fury I had never known.
Without a second thought, I dashed out and down the stairs, my feet barely touching the steps. I nearly tripped in my haste but managed to regain my balance. I had to reach him.
Bursting through the doors, I raced across the yard, adrenaline fueling my every step. Isabella was so focused on Ralph that she didn’t see me coming. With a powerful shove, I pushed her away, sending her sprawling to the ground.
“Get away from my mate, witch!” I screamed, my voice filled with fury.
I knelt beside Ralph, my heart aching at the sight of his pain. “Ralph,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I placed a hand on his face, hoping to offer some comfort. “Ralph, are you okay?”
“What are you doing here? I have sent you to your aunt.” He asked.
“Is that so important right now?” I replied.
Says who that he’s your mate? Isabella’s voice beckoned. I turned to her. Have you ever seen a human mating with werewolves? Girl, are you that stupid? You’re just a temporary obstacle I threw at him for destruction. Little girl, you’ve never been his mate. It was all my work that you were here in the first place.”
I glared at Isabella, her words slicing through me like a knife. She was trying to undermine everything Ralph and I had to make me doubt the bond I felt so deeply. But I wouldn’t let her win. I wouldn’t let her poison my mind with her words.
“You don’t know anything about us,” I spat back, my voice firm despite the fear twisting in my stomach. “I don’t care what kind of magic you’ve used. Our connection is real, and nothing you say can change that.”
Isabella laughed, a chilling sound that made my blood run cold. “Poor, naive little human,” she mocked, getting to her feet. “Do you think your flimsy emotions can protect him from me? You can’t even protect yourself.”
I rose to my feet, positioning myself between Ralph and her. My heart was pounding, adrenaline coursing through my veins. “I may be human, but I’m not powerless,” I said, my voice steady. “And I won’t let you hurt him anymore.”
Ralph groaned softly, drawing my attention. His eyes flickered open, filled with pain but also something else-determination. “Keilah,” he rasped, struggling to sit up. “Get inside,” he insisted, rising unsteadily to his feet. I helped him up, supporting him with my arm. He turned to Isabella, who was watching us with barely concealed rage.
“You better listen to him, little girl, before you regret this,” Isabella hissed, her voice dripping with venom. She raised her hand, magic crackling at her fingertips once more.
But before she could strike, a fierce growl echoed across the yard. The pack had gathered, surrounding us in a protective circle. Isabella’s eyes darted around, realization dawning on her face.
“Leave now,” Ralph commanded, his voice strong despite his injuries. “You’re not welcome here anymore.”
Isabella’s eyes flashed with anger. As she opened her mouth to protest, another group of pack members interjected, declaring, “She’s not going anywhere. She’s the mother of our next Alpha.”
I watched as those who stood up for Ralph moved toward the others with deadly growls, and I knew right then that a fierce battle was about to erupt.
As they shifted to tear each other apart, a cold voice cut through the air, halting everyone in their tracks. Zac emerged from the woods, his body and face stained with blood, accompanied by a massive number of werewolves.
His presence was chilling, and when he reached us, Ralph pulled me protectively behind him.
Zac gave Ralph a wide smirk that sent a chill down my spine. Then his expression turned grave as he said, “This wasn’t the right time to do this, but you and that vampire ruined my plans. It was going to be a hell of a show, but you decided to step into it. Now you left me with no choice.”
He then turned to Isabella and said, “Mother, can you hold him up for me?”
I watched as Isabella’s palms glowed with magic. I instinctively stepped in front of Ralph, realizing the magic was intended for him. “I won’t let you touch my man again,” I snarled, baring my teeth. “I’ll kill you all if you try.”
With a flick of her wrist, Isabella sent a bolt of magic that lifted me off the ground, throwing me aside. Ralph’s roar echoed through the air as he shifted into his wolf form, a snarl that sent shivers down my spine. He charged forward, only to be hit by another wave of Isabella’s magic, stranding him in place.
I tried to dash toward Ralph, but Zac intercepted me, cupping my face and forcing me to meet his gaze. His grip was firm, and his eyes were filled with menacing intensity. “This whole thing started with you,” he sneered. “And it’s going to end with you.”
Zac turned his attention to Ralph’s struggling wolf, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Watch carefully as I destroy your little pet,” he taunted.
Before I could react, Zac grabbed both my hands and twisted them behind my back. Panic surged through me as I realized his intentions. With a swift, brutal motion, he drove his fist into my stomach. Pain exploded through my body, and the world blurred around me as I sank into a trance-like state. The sounds of the chaos around me faded into a distant hum, leaving me only feeling the warm liquid running down my legs.