I can't tell how the three of us ended up outside in the backyard. One second I was in a bedroom unable to move as though glued to the ground, the next one Keenan, Ethan, and IÂ were running to the forest, trying to escape the inevitable, but suddenly Ethan's hand tugged me to a stop. I turned to him, my eyes wild, trying and failing to understand why the hell we are stopping. Behind me, Keenan angrily whispered "What the fuck?? We have to go!"
I tried to get Ethan moving by pulling his hand but to no avail. He stood there very still, sadness written all over his face. But I didn't care. I just wanted to get the hell away from the raging monster, still screaming my name somewhere in the streets. I pulled Ethan's arm again.
"Eira." His soft, almost sorrowful voice made me stop. "You and your brother - go." Not understanding a thing, I tried to pull him again, but he freed his hand out of my grip, took off his backpack, and outstretched it to me. Mechanically, I grabbed it. Ethan was not going with us. And then, I understood. I knew exactly what Ethan wanted to do.  I couldn't make myself say a word.
"You'll find money, fake IDs and plane tickets, and everything else you will need. I'll find you when it will be all over.'' Now, his voice was flat. His face turned to stone, free from any emotion. It made everything even worse.
''What the actual fuck, Ethan??" I basically screamed, even forgetting the killer near us, finally being able to form words. "Can't you just tell your pack members to attack and kill him or something? We can't do this without you" I begged. My last words were barely a whisper, but I knew my exertion was futile. He won't go with us.
"He came with four other packs, Eira. If at least one of my men tried to do something, we are all dead. I must do this myself.'' He turned around, then faced me again and looked me in the eyes, his pupils wide and full of raw emotion yet again. He couldn't keep his stone-cold mask anymore. "I hope... I really hope that after everything, we will be able to meet again. In different circumstances.'' He smiled at me, sadness reeking from him.
I can't let him go. I can't lose him.
''Now go. I will distract them and finish everything. Take these keys, you will find my car behind those bushes.'' It looked like he wanted to do something else, to reach for me, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't say goodbye. I couldn't leave knowing that will be the last time I see him. And then I made my mind.
I looked down, not being able to face him. ''Thank you for everything, Ethan. Thank you.''
For a second, I wanted to go and embrace him, to show him how thankful I was. But with relief in his eyes, he turned around and dashed to where Ronan's shouts could be heard. It was too late now.
I turned to Keenan.
''Brother, listen.'' He knew I was deadly serious. I never called him ''brother''. It was too formal for us. But now, I wanted to say this word loudly. Just in case it was the last time. ''You must go and take this car. Go straight to the airport. I will meet you there.'' I couldn't describe the look he gave me. He looked dreadful, to say the least. I never wanted to see him like that. It felt like I physically hurt him. I guess I looked exactly the same when Ethan made me stop.
''No, Eira, what the actual fuck?!''
''Keenan. I'm a werewolf. You are not. Our mother is not. Find our mother'' I begged him.
''I won't let you leave. Not again.'' There were tears in his eyes. My cheeks were wet too. I loved my brother with all my heart, but I knew it was the only choice. I knew what I had to say to make him leave. It broke my heart, but it had to be done.
''Leave now, or I will shout. And he will come and take me again. And I will never escape. You know he will find us, he always does. Let me finish this once and for all. Trust me, brother.''
*****
And there they were. Standing in front of each other. Ready to rip each other's throats out. There were many werewolves here too, forming a semi-circle around the two of the pack leaders. Their deadly fight could start at any second now. I needed to hurry.
I crept towards them, cold metal pressing against the skin of my palm. I knew what I will most likely have to do and I was ready.
Then, Ronan saw me. Sensed me, most likely. Even in the dead of the night, I could see him boiling in anger, ready to kill. In this state, he could slaughter every single one of us and he knew it. No one could stop him. And then his eyes met mine. I barely managed to stay still, my instincts screaming to run away from the beast. I whimpered, preparing for what's about to come, but stood my ground.
''You traitorous bitch'' he spat, pure venom in his voice. I didn't even have time to say anything back - in a glimpse of an eye, Ronan turned to a wolf, forgetting everything around him, and tore off to me. He wasn't going to catch me - he was going to kill me.
But Ethan was faster. The giant black wolf blocked the path of the brown one to me. And then, their deadly dance began.
It was a fight between two great warriors. Ethan was a good fighter, a great one, But Ronan was so out of his mind, crazy mad from his rage, that it was impossible to win against him. He didn't play by the rules. Now, he wasn't a man, wasn't even a beast - he was a killing machine. Everyone knew that. The was no chance for Ethan. I knew it even before the fight began.
So as the monster was holding the black wolf still beneath him, ready to snap his neck, I loudly and clearly shouted "Stop!"
Normally, no one would take a second look. No one would listen, especially Ronan. He never listened to me, he never cared. Ethan would be dead by now. But this time, all of them had to listen, especially Ronan.
His mate, pressing a hunting knife to her throat, was ready to take her life away for an enemy of the pack.
The monster waited for a second, his black eyes locked on me, then moved. Slowly, he released his teeth, the limp body of my friend falling to the ground. The monster unceremoniously stepped over him and paced to me, taking his time as though not to scare me away.
I did not trust him. ''No. Not a step closer'' I whispered and pressed the blade to my neck harder. I knew he would hear me. A few drops of purple-red dripped down the blade, through my fingers, and then down on the ground. The monster stopped, his mouth slightly open, blood dripping down his chin. I was facing a killer.
I closed my eyes for a second, took a deep breath, grounded myself, and focused. It was the moment of truth.
My hands did not shake this time. My skin wasn't burning. I was not afraid. I held the weapon steady in my hand, drawing in full lungs of air. It felt so good to just be able to breathe properly again. It seemed I wasn't able to draw full lungs of air the whole time I was with him. But now, I finally could.
I am my father's daughter. Too stubborn, too wild, impossible to tame. But now, I did not call the blizzards and wind and storms inside me. I was so very calm now. I was the midnight, the sea breeze, the smell of the summer. I was at peace.
And now, if Ronan won't let me go, I was ready for oblivion. I was ready to see my father again.
''Enough, Ronan. It's enough.'' I said quietly, only to him. I knew everyone around us tried to hear what I said. I didn't give a shit. I only had to convince only one wolf today. ''Can't you see? I would rather be dead than be with you. You made me like that. You sucked my soul out of me. You ruined me." My voice was gentle, calm, no shouting, no anger. But the hand holding a knife was steady. The monster seemed to be listening carefully.
So I continued. "I won't let you do this to me anymore. I will take away the last thing I have left - my life - if you won't stop. This has to end. And you are the one in charge of the outcome today - like you always were. And this time, I am giving you a choice. Either you slaughter this pack and try to take me again or you step away, forget me and never show yourself ever again. But my life will be spared in only one of the ways, Ronan.''
I knew that most likely Ronan won't listen. He won't let me win, because, at the end of the day, he was the alpha, he was the one who got everything he wanted.
So I waited. Maybe for a killing blow, maybe for teeth against my throat. He didn't move. Finally, after what felt like hours, he slowly took a step towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. He didn't was to kill me. He wanted to lock me again. I pressed my blade deeper. I won't go with him. Not again. Not ever again.
Then, he turned to a human once more and stretched his hand to my face. At first, I thought he would try to smack the knife out of my palm, but as I was ready to slide the knife across my throat, his palm gently cupped my cheek. Very slowly, his fingers caressed my skin.
I was shaking violently, trying to keep a steady grip around the blade. His eyes, now icy blue, not black anymore, were deep as the ocean, stars reflecting in his pupils. After a second, he took his palm away, took a deep breath in, turned his head to a side, and looked in my eyes, locking my gaze. He stared so long my eyes started to water, but I was too scared to look away. Time seemed to stop around the two of us.
Then, gently and so very quietly, he whispered two words I will remember till the day I die.
''Goodbye, Eira.'' He leaned in, kissed my forehead, his lips lingering on my skin for a second, then turned away, shifted, and disappeared in the night.
The monster was gone.
I stood there stunned, not being able to believe what just happened. Was it actually all over? Was I actually free?
Finally, as though awoken from sleep, I ran to Ethan. To my surprise, he was already standing in human form, all dressed up. He looked at me with pride in his eyes.
A ray of sunlight reached my eyes. In the east, the dawn was starting to break, illuminating Ehan's form. The darkness slowly but surely gave up to the light.
''You did it, Eira'' Ethan said gently. Those orange eyes, so very gentle, looked straight to my soul. ''You are free.'' Then he leaned to me, pulled me in, kissed me passionately and I kissed him with as much emotion back.
EPILOGUE
The two of us were sitting in the townhouse kitchen, sipping tea. We were quiet for some time, both of us lost in our thoughts. Finally, Ethan spoke.
''I never thought it will end this way.'' I turned to him, not sure if I understood him correctly. ''You mean Ronan?'' Ethan smiled at me with his famous feline smile. ''No. You and me.'' I didn't understand. I thought his intentions were clear when he kissed me.
''But we...''
''Listen, Eira. You know my feelings for you. But I don't think you are ready.'' He wasn't smiling anymore. He was holding back his tears.
I wanted to object to him. I wanted to say it's not true. But deep down, I knew he was right. What were those feelings I felt for him? Love? Gratitude? Both? For now, I wasn't sure.
And most importantly, I needed to heal. Both mentally and spiritually. After all, I was ready to kill myself.
But at the same time, I didn't want to lose him. Not again.
''But I am not ready let you go, Ethan. I don't think I can.'' He took my hand in his palms and kissed it. ''One day, Eira'' he gently whispered ''One day, when you will be ready, come back home to me.''
*****
The day was just like the one when I was taken away. Sun and warmth kissed my skin and I was free. I was able to finally go home. I was heading to the airport to meet my brother and start a new life. Nevertheless, my face was wet from tears.
Our goodbye was raw and emotional. After all this time, I was finally heading home, but now, my heart ached from wanting to stay.
But I needed this. I needed to step away from men, to step away from werewolves and packs. I needed to find peace for myself. I will find my place beneath the sun, I will find my mother. I will have my family back together. From now on, everything is going to change for the better.
And once my soul will be whole again, I will go back to Ethan and mend my heart too.
The End.
A/N
So after more than a year, this story has finally come to an end. To me, this year was filled with happiness and sorrow, with ups and downs and this story had accompanied me through it all. Not gonna lie, there were times when I thought I will never finish it. But you guys, my lovely readers, pushed me to go forward. And I will be forever thankful for that. Thank you all for every comment, every message, every vote, even for those who just silently read my story - I will be forever thankful. Because of you, I pushed myself forward and, even though English is not my mother tongue, IÂ wrote a god damn story! I made my childhood dream come true!
I hope that you enjoyed reading my work. I hope it summoned some kind of emotion or made you feel something - maybe sadness, maybe happiness, or maybe it simply made you smile. If I managed to do at least one of those things - I think I did enough.
I cannot express how thankful I am to you all, and, now for the last time in this book,
I love you so so much,
JuniStorm.