I felt so helpless as I watched my father’s werewolves head in my direction with almost military intent to recapture me for my father.

They didn’t care that it was for an evil purpose. It was an order issued, they simply followed it.

Maverick and Kane stood firm against them as they approached. Neither moving out of the way of danger. Unwavering. It took a different kind of person to face danger head-on when your instinct for survival was to run.

I wasn’t strong. I wanted to run and hide like I had done countless times before. But I could not leave Maverick.

I trembled, adrenaline pumped through me, keeping me on my feet in the red stained white dress.

It felt unreal, like I was outside my body watching it unfold from afar, like an alternative reality that was not my own.

I exhaled lifting my eyes to meet the bold eyes of my father. He was smiling like he would get what he wanted no matter what anyone tried to do. My resistance only temporary to him.

Sebastian tried to pull me back but I shook free of his hold. I couldn’t put any further distance to my mate. In fact I couldn’t stand back while he risked his life to protect mine. I just couldn’t.

Instinct pulled deep inside me..

You have to keep back. Sebastian said through the mind link to me.

I didn’t respond. My welfare wasn’t my pain priority. My entire concentration was focussed purely on Maverick.

I need…I need. I couldn’t put into words what I needed in that moment. My head was filled with thoughts but none that I could grasp. I shook my head, putting my hand to it. Trying to shake off the spell of dizziness I felt.

It was then I could feel my wolf inside me, trying to break free. I was too weak to keep her from pushing to the surface.

I dropped to my knees.

Alexandria. Sebastian’s voice in my mind was laced with alarming concern.

I could not even respond. My transformation was already happening. There was pain but I refused to cry out. I allowed the instinct to take over. Giving myself over to something bigger than myself.

Once I had shifted I could feel Sebastian shift beside me but I was already trying to push my way through the werewolves standing to protect me.

You have to stay back. Sebastian said, as he jumped in front of me threading me a growl.

I have to do something. I responded, pushing past him. I had to believe I could stop this, before it was too late.

I headed toward the danger, not backing down for a second. My human self wouldn’t have had the courage but my wolf was not afraid.

Watch out. Sebastian yelled. A werewolf leapt at me but I was already diving out of the way to roll to the side before getting to back on my feet. Sebastian jumped in front of me and growled at the werewolf. I stood behind him, trying to get my bearings.

Sebastian bared his teeth but the werewolf had quietened it’s focus entirely on me.

I could sense the change but I couldn’t explain it.

Stop Sebastian. I commanded.

Are you crazy? He shot back refusing to back down.

Then the most absurd thing happened. The werewolf cried out softly, like they were trying to communicate with me.

What the fuck? Sebastian was taken aback. He stopped growling but remained in a defensive stance, protecting me.

I just knew, somehow that the werewolf wouldn’t hurt me. I walked around Sebastian, my eyes on the wolf as their eyes held mine.

The wolf bowed his head to me, in the same way Colt’s pack had bowed to Maverick.

But I hadn’t killed anyone. It made no sense. This was a wolf from my father’s pack and my father was still very much alive. I didn’t understand what was happening.

This isn’t possible. Sebastian sounded stunned as another werewolf approached and did the same. They are giving you their loyalty.

It began to spread from one to another, only the wolves from my father’s pack. The rest stood and watched it with amazed confusion.

Sebastian. What’s happening? Maverick spoke across the field.

I can’t explain it Mav. They are bowing to her.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the werewolves that had all stopped attacking to stare across at me before lowering their head to me.

“Get her,” my father commanded even when he could see what we were. His nostrils flared. But none of his pack moved.

My eyes caught Maverick shift into his human form to stare at me across the space that separated us before his eyes scanned across the wolves silently bowed to me.

“What the fuck?” Kane exclaimed in awe standing near Maverick. He took in the scene. “It’s not possible.”

“I know,” Maverick murmured as his eyes locked with mine.

Across the space that separated us I could feel my love for him beat deep inside of me, in my veins. There was no part of me that doubted our connection. It was in every breath, in every look. I loved him so much, there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t sacrifice to keep him safe. I would do the worst of the worst if it meant I could keep him from harm.

“They are mine,” my father argued but no words he spoke changed the actions of his pack. He began to look frantically around trying to find one of his that hadn’t pledged their loyalty to me.

I didn’t know why but all I knew was that I was relieved the fighting had ended.

I shifted into my human form, feeling a little unsteady. The nearest werewolf moved closer to place its head beneath my hand. I touched its fur, not quite understanding the phenomenon.

“No.” My father yelled in the background, not wanting to accept he had lost power over his army.

Sebastian shifted beside me. I looked to him.

“This isn’t possible,” he stated in awe.

No one could explain why it was happening.

My father glared at me. I for the first time seemed to have the upper hand for the first time in my life. I wasn’t running anymore, this time I was facing the evil that had plagued me my whole life.

The wolf nuzzled my hand and I smiled. It felt unreal, like my mind was playing a trick on me.

“I won’t allow this to happen,” my father argued, glaring at me.

I bet things always went his way, no one stood up to him. He gave orders and everyone ran to do his bidding. He was about to find out that wasn’t going to happen any longer.

“I don’t think it’s up to you anymore,” I replied, standing more confident in myself than before as the wolf beside me stilled.

The balance of power had shifted. I could feel it in my bones, even if I couldn’t explain what had just transpired. Even injured, a little unsteady I wasn’t weak. There was no need for me to run again, or ever.

Careful Alexandria. Maverick warned me but I was too caught up in my emotions, allowing all the years of sadness to rise to the surface making it impossible to think logically. I wanted to tell him how much I hated him for what they had put me through.

But as I took another step closer my father grabbed me and spun me around, locking his arm up against my neck. My hands went to his arm, trying to break free from the pressure he was exerting, cutting off my air supply.

I struggled as he lifted me off my feet.

“You move, she dies.” My father threatened.

My toes were barely touching the ground as I fought for breath. The wolves growled, surrounding us.

Maverick reached out a hand. “Don’t.” I could tell he was alarmed but he surveyed the scene not making any sudden movements. Assessing.

My father shooks his head, pressing down on my throat. “One quick movement and you will lose you mate forever. Your choice.”

There was no choice. Maverick back down.

“She is mine and if I see you again I will end her life. Do you understand?” My father asked.

I was starting to see spots in my vision as my father dragged me away and all Maverick could do was watch with barely contained fury.