I had just opened the kitchen window when the sound of a vicious growl ripped through the air , making
my heart thunder , seeing the flock of birds erupt from the trees and the unease that seemed to swirl
around me .
It took me a split second to recognise the voice that was barely recognisable .
Liam .
That was Liam ! I rushed out of the house , telling the guards to watch Azura and Monica as I raced in
the direction of the commotion , faltering when the sound of Raven’s scream pierced the air .
No.
Goddess no ! What has he done ?! ” Elijah , it’s Liam and Raven ! ‘ I called through the link to Elijah .
‘ I’m on my way .
‘ His soothing voice came despite the worry that was consuming me .
‘ Raven ! Liam ?! ‘
Nothing .
I was hitting a wall .
Fuck ! The wind was rushing through my hair as I broke through the trees , the smell of blood seeping
into my nose .
The sheer blanket of something dark and evil that hung in the air made my blood run cold .
I took in the horrifying scene before me , Damon was holding Raven , who was bleeding profusely , her
heart beating far too fast as she choked on the blood that was pouring out of her neck and mouth .
She was grasping at her neck , blood running down her fingers , making my stomach churn sickeningly .
Worry and fear for her whirled around me , my heart beating fast .
My eyes snapped to Liam , who was advancing on Damon as he was placing Raven down .
That darkness … It was him , it was coming from him .
His normal aura was completely gone … Replaced by this horrible , sinister darkness … ” HOW COULD
YOU ?! ” Damon shouted , sounding angrier than I had ever heard him .
He blocked Liam , who had just lunged at him , his canines out and anger clear on his face .
Damon jumped to his feet , meeting him mid – strike .
It was clear both were ready to rip each other to pieces , I was about to intervene when Damon’s next
words made me freeze .
” YOU MARKED HER ! ” Reality came crashing down on me as the realisation settled in ..
Her neck … Her neck ….
Fear washed over me like a bucket of ice cold knives , piercing into every inch of my body .
Marked .
Fuck ….
Memories from long ago flashed to the forefront of my mind , the pain with them making it hard to
breathe .
History cannot repeat itself .
” No … NO ! ” I cried , staring at the blond male before me … His blond hair was matted with blood … So
similar to his …
I walked towards them , willing every fibre of my shaking body to move .
Just as Elijah ran past me , a menacing growl ripped from his lips .
In a flash , he was next to the two boys who were tearing into each other , ready to kill one another .
Elijah slammed Liam to the floor , pinning him down , only for Liam to flip them as both men growled with
all they had .
The surge of their Alpha power and that darkness enveloped the area like a blanket , their growls making
it feel like the ground was vibrating at the intensity o f the sound .
Raven’s whimper made me come out of m y thoughts and I rushed closer , not even realising I was
trembling excessively .
She needs a doctor !
But before I could even reach her , Damon got there first , tears in his eyes as he scooped her up as if
she was the most fragile thing on the planet .
She was … Fuck Liam had done this … Guilt and anguish enveloped me as our eyes met for a second .
I had failed them … Failed He turned , rushing from the scene , his only wish clear … To save his mate
… Suddenly , I felt something snap inside of me and my mind seemed to become clear .
This was not Zidane … My eyes blazed as I spun around just as I felt a searing pain through the bond
and turned to see Liam had ripped through Elijah’s side , clearly winning this battle .
No one hurts my mate .
I growled menacingly , rushing over in a flash and ripping Liam off Elijah .
I pushed him to the ground , staring into those frightening black pits of the man before m e .
This was not my son … He had let his jealousy and anger fuel the darkness … Let it take over him
completely .
” LIAM ! ” I growled , striking him across the face , letting my claws dig into his face .
He hissed , attacking back , but I didn’t care .
” Liam , what are you doing ?!
” I shouted as my back hit the ground , growling as 1 flipped us over , pinning him to the ground .
Nothing but blood , pain and agony .
It was all I could see , smell , and feel .
My only thoughts were that I did not raise a monster …
I did not raise a monster … 1 did not raise a monster ….
” Scarlett ! ” Elijah’s voice came , and I felt myself being pulled away .
I gasped coming to , my heart was thundering as I stared at Liam who lay on the ground breathing
heavily , his eyes now his usual cerulean blue .
A bloody mess , I had wounded him badly .
I could see the wounds that I had made weren’t healing … They wouldn’t , because of my ability to slow
down the healing of any wound I inflict upon anyone … ” He’s back … Calm down .
” Elijah murmured , rubbing my arms as he buried his face in my neck .
” He marked her ! He marked her against her will ! ” I screamed , pulling out of Elijah’s hold .
How dare he ?! Did he think this was ok ?! Yes , he was cursed , but … He had let his own emotions fuel
that darkness …
He had let the curse take over … Tears blurred my eyes and I didn’t even realise I was crying until now ,
the pain ripping me to pieces .
My son , my son had done this … The pain o f the entire fucking situation hurt .
Zidane’s blood would forever run through my veins … in the veins of my children … H e was gone , but
his shadow hadn’t .
” F Elijah held my arms tightly , staring down into my eyes with sadness in his blue ones .
” I know baby … He made a mistake and- ‘ ” MISTAKE ?! HE RUINED HER LIFE ! ” I screamed .
Was just marking someone a ‘ mistake ? ‘ It was so much more … I still awoke with the nightmares of
that man … ” What hap … “
Liam whispered coughing u p blood , rolling to his side as he tried to sit up .
He was losing a lot blood .
” Kitten … Calm down , I know- ” ” Don’t tell me to calm down ! ” I shouted , hitting Elijah’s chest .
History was repeating itself .
History was Elijah’s lips crashed against me , kissing m e hard .
I struggled for a bit , but he held me in place , one hand in my hair and the other around my waist , until I
finally began to calm down .
The sparks of the bond coursed through me , soothing the storm within me slightly .
Just a little …
” I’ll handle this .
” Elijah said quietly when I stopped struggling .
I could see the pain in his eyes , as he let g o of me and walked over to Liam , who was getting to his
feet .
I was shocked he still could , considering the injuries ,
but he was a strong Alpha .
My son … I had hurt my son … he had committed an unforgivable crime … but it didn’t stop a mother
from feeling that pain .
The pain of his injuries , but more than that , the pain of his sins … and the pain that he had no idea what
he had just done …
” You marked Raven without her consent .
Elijah said , his voice ice cold , laced with sadness , regret and burning anger that he was doing his best
to control .
The look of horror and shock that crossed Liam’s face made my stomach twist and m y heartbreak .
He didn’t know … This was going to break him … ” What ? No … No … ” He looked around , as if trying
to see where he was , or what had happened .
” Fuck … No.
No.
No ! ” He staggered back , staring at the blood on the ground , swallowing hard .
Blood that belonged to all five of us … He must have caught sight of the scent , staring at the blood that
belonged to Raven .
Any colour he had left in him was gone , his ashen gaze turning to Elijah , who nodded gravely .
” I know the curse has given birth to this darkness , that you have lost to it … allowed your emotions to
let it consume you …
I am your father Liam , and I will help you .
You are not alone , you will never be alone , but you have committed a heinous crime and for it , you will
be punished .
I love you and I will be there for you , but you need to pay for what you have done .
“ I watched the anguish in Liam’s eyes , watched his entire world come crashing down around him …
And it was at that moment that I realised what this curse had cost .
Not only had Liam become unhinged ….
he had committed a crime that was equal to rape in our community …
One that Raven may one day forgive him for … but one he himself never would … His gaze flicked to me
, looking over my body before his gaze snapped to his father’s bloody body ….
I watched my son crumble before me , that young boy who had nothing but love for others … who would
hide his own pain and give away everything he loved for others ….
My smiling , little Liam … ” I understand and I agree … ” He swallowed ; his breathing was ragged .
” I Liam Westwood , renounce my claim as Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack to my father , Alpha Elijah
Westwood , and am ready to pay for the crimes I have committed under the laws of this pack and the
council .
” Liam said , falling to his knees as the surge of power shifted .
I felt the power of becoming the Luna once more course through my veins .
Neither of us was expecting this .
My heart pounded a s I realised that he was giving up , on himself and life ..
” Liam … ” Elijah said , shocked .
” I have one request … ” Liam said , his chest heaving as he tried to breathe .
He was losing too much blood … My vision was blurred with tears , the urge to comfort him … The pain
he had caused both clashed against one another inside of me , but he still needed someone …
Before I could even move , he tumbled sideways , losing consciousness .
I rushed over , my heart pounding .
Yes , I wanted him to pay for his crime , but he was still my son , cursed by the wretched gods for his
ancestors ‘ crimes .
” He needs a doctor .
” I said , my voice shaking .
Elijah looked at me , his eyes pained before he sighed heavily .
” His final request , he mind linked me it .
” ” 1 ” What is it ?
“ I asked , my heart thundering as I pressed my hands to the long gashes that I had made through his
chest trying to stem the blood loss .
” No one is to heal him , he made me take an oath upon you I won’t break it .
” Elijah
said , pain and sadness in his eyes .
My heart squeezed in pain .
He was punishing himself … I pulled my shirt off and pressed it to the wounds .
” Then at least get some bandages !
” I screamed .
I stared down at my son , my heart pounding .
The image of Raven’s neck flashed to the forefront of my mind … A brutal bite that had almost killed her .
Was she ok ?
” And get someone to call Kiara , we need her ! ” What have you done , Liam ? There’s no going back …
I kept my hand firmly on his stomach and chest , but i my shirt was already drenched .
I knew my son was deep down in there somewhere … and I knew that he would never be able to forgive
himself .
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