Priscilla opened her eyes to find herself alone in Layan’s room. She blinked slowly and hugged the pillow that still had his fragrance on it. He smelled so good that it made her feel comfortable. She could still feel her skin tingling from the contact with the wolf and found herself smiling slightly.
Layan seemed to be reciprocating. After all her work had not been in vain.
She got up and went into the bathroom. She was determined that day to accomplish part of her plan and no one would stop her. She would do whatever it took to get Litus to release his emotions.
Then she remembered Layan’s words. Red eyes… Madness Had she almost gotten into that state because of Liam? She only remembered a rage flooding through her when he had threatened to assault her wolf.
She had to calm down. She shouldn’t be impulsive. If she lost control her body would end up vulnerable and she didn’t want to hurt Layan or make her mate suffer. She knew too well of Layan’s history with her sister and also her father’s longing for puppies of his own for her to have to put them through that suffering. Even if her mother could help her get back she was sure they would suffer anyway.
She sighed finishing dressing. She was too young for so many worries. If she kept it up she would have the same hair as the twins but with gray hair. She longed for the moment when she could simply wake up thinking that she would only have to kiss her partner and let herself be loved.
But now she had to prioritize in order to get to that future. Leaving the room she set out to find Litus. Today she would convince him to release his emotions if he changed his name.
With a firm step he began to walk through the immense castle following his trail. The cursed man was moving from one side to the other, what was he doing?
The wolves that passed by her were running, both because of the respect and some fear they had for her and because of the conviction on her face. It just reminded them of their alpha when he got something in his head and no one could change his mind.
After more than an hour.
-LITUS,- she shouted around the corner. The wolf stopped and looked over his shoulder, -You should know that if you’re in this pack you can’t run away from me.
The alpha turned with a slight smile.
-I really thought you would give up but you kept after me insistently. I can’t imagine what Layan will say if he finds out– Priscila walked towards him.
Priscilla walked towards him and stopped in front of him.
-Firstly, Layan is not my owner so I don’t need neither his permission nor opinion to do what I want and secondly, you’re a bastard for playing with me, I don’t send you to tell with anyone- she was serious and the silver in her eyes was very powerful.
Litus tilted his head to one side.
-You know my answer and I’m not going to change it, so don’t question me with that puppy dog look.
Priscilla narrowed her eyes.
-I really need you to release my emotions.
-No and end of discussion,- she turned around and started walking.
Priscilla bit her lower lip. If that kept up she would definitely lose her chance and if she kept delaying more events could happen at the manda and she was sure Layan wouldn’t forgive her if he knew that part of the blame was hers.
-He… is alive- she blurted out almost silently but loud enough for the alpha to hear.
Litus stopped in his tracks and turned quickly.
-He who?
Priscilla shifted uncomfortably. It was hard enough to tell her that taking the risk that Liam might do something against the alpha. She looked down at her hand and there was the handle made by her hair. She didn’t know how effective it really was but she hoped enough to keep Litus’ wiggle safe from Liam’s control.
-He grimaced with his face.
To her surprise Litus’ face transformed and he grabbed her by the shoulders. A dry sound was heard as Priscilla’s back was pressed hard against the wall.
-Why the hell didn’t you say so before,- Litus snarled at her with his face completely transformed into a grimace of hatred.
Priscilla buried her nails in the wall behind her. The alpha’s eyes glared at her but she kept her cool.
-I had my reasons,- she said in a deep voice.
-Reasons?- the alpha’s claws were beginning to sprout and they dug into Priscilla’s shoulders, wounding her, -You have any idea what we went through because of that wolf. The lives that were lost, the disaster that was. The balance we’ve had for years and that it took so much to achieve was almost broken.
Priscilla’s face tightened a little at the pain that was piercing through her shoulders. Blood was beginning to paint Litus’ fingers.
-You don’t understand, if I said so….
-He shouted angrily, -You don’t understand, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. You are a simple puppy who has barely lived, who is going to understand everything we have been through. You’re selfish,- the last word echoed in the hallway.
Priscilla stared at him with wide eyes and then frowned painfully. She bared her fangs and despite the pain she struck the alpha’s stomach hard with her fist. The pressure of the blow was such that the alpha was thrown two meters from her and staggered backwards.
–Selfish you tell me,- Priscilla felt a flame of fury vibrate inside her, -You have any idea how much I’m doing to keep them safe. I haven’t even been able to spend time with my parents, brother and uncle because of the power inside me. I can barely feel anything unlike the others. I don’t understand when they smile in happiness. I don’t understand when to cry in pain. I can’t be sensitive,- she gasped, moving closer to him, which made him recoil accordingly. Do you know that I almost sacrificed my life to lock him inside my mind knowing that it would destroy my parents- this time she was the one who raised her voice- That I almost went into Madness simply because I have to put up with him threatening my whole family and the wolf I love by my side. That I have to think about so many things and put a thousand things before my happiness.
His voice echoed in the corridors. Litus’ face was serious but he said nothing. He never imagined that Priscila could say all those frustrations.
-Yes, you’re right, I didn’t say anything, but what do you think it would cause. Look how you just got,- she glared at him.
Litus clicked his tongue.
-That’s no excuse to hide something like this…- A throb of pain began to invade the alpha’s head and he brought his hand to it.
-Litus?- Priscilla became alert and then she saw the wolf scream and fall to her knees clutching her head.
The she-wolf crouched down before him and grabbed him by the shoulders and….
-Precious, I’ll see you again.
I knew it. I knew this was going to happen. Liam was there. He hadn’t failed his theory, as long as they used the handles they would be effective as long as they didn’t know of Liam’s existence and left a gap. But now that the wolf was aware of this he was a very easy target.
-Liam, disappear,- Priscilla spoke directly into the alpha’s head.
-Why would she do that,- he sneered.
Priscilla growled and tried to probe further when Litus’ hand wrapped around her neck tightly. The she-wolf was lifted easily as the alpha was restrained.
-Li… tus- she gasped grabbing his wrist trying to pull him off of her. The worst part of it all was that she feared hurting him if he used his powers- Layan- she wanted to hold on to the image of her wolf.
Remember Priscilla… you are strong. Don’t be afraid and you can achieve anything you want.
The voice of her mother’s memory came to her mind and even though her sight was blurring she used what strength she had left and focused all her senses on Litus. He created a mental barrier inside the wolf and forced to expel Liam from inside him.
-Ohhh- she heard him exclaim- That reminds me of your mother when she used the mental barrier- she laughed- Too bad you’re not as strong as her-.
Priscilla was then the one who smiled.
-This time the potency of her power was stronger and focusing it simply on Liam she managed to expel him completely closing the barrier over Litus’ mind.
Automatically the wolf’s hand let go of her neck making her collapse on the floor coughing. The alpha’s hand was large and sinewy and had squeezed until it almost tore the muscles.
-Priscilla?- Litus looked confused beside her but hearing her cough he crawled over to her side -What happened?
She looked at him sideways and took a breath with her mouth.
-What I imagined would happen,- she gasped loudly as the alpha helped her to sit up, -He took over your mind because he knew about it.
-I don’t understand.
Priscilla wiped the sweat from her brow and explained everything that had happened so far. She trusted her mental barrier that at least she could keep in only one person with that intensity.
-I’m sorry,- Litus apologized, -After you said he was alive it was like my head went crazy. I don’t remember much of what I said.
-You’d better forget it, it’s not nice and I think I might beat you up for it.
Litus didn’t insist and helped her up from the ground although her body was quite unstable so he held her against his body.
-So, now that you know this, release my emotions,- the she-wolf blurted out.
Litus frowned.
-Are you out of your mind? If I release them, your life is in danger. You know very well that your body develops faster than normal given your powers.
-Litus,- her voice was so low that the wolf did not reply, -It is the only alternative. You will see the consequences later. I already told you, I think first of the pack, then of my family and finally of myself. Release my emotions so I can get rid of Liam. Once you do you will have to leave, I don’t know how long I can keep your mind with the barrier so you won’t be controlled again.
Litus was reluctant but he saw the marks on Priscilla’s neck and though his memory was fuzzy there was the feeling in his hand of squeezing that soft flesh. Rather reluctantly he nodded his head and wrapped his arms around her waist.
-I’ll do it,- he let a faint whitish mist begin to envelop him, -I know Layan will kill me for this,- he said.
Priscilla also but she said nothing.
-Close your eyes,- he ordered her and she did. She imagined the process was just like when she was little where he would put a hand on her chest and a cold sensation would start, but this time it was different.
Something warm rested on her lips, but when she was about to protest her whole body shuddered and she went limp in the alpha’s arms.