The Spellbound Heart

Chapter 21

 "The demon king...I felt his presence" Harlou's voice and the look in his eyes kept replaying in my head. His presence? What could that mean that he was somehow here? Did I bring him back by breaking the seal? Whatever the case I was feeling uneasy. It was the day of the party, and I couldn't concentrate anymore, every small noise and every voice had me on edge. I was trying to keep on a smiling face as everyone greeted me and thanked me for being so kind, but I was feeling like a fraud. They feel as though we're keeping them safe but that couldn't be further from the truth. I could've very well put everyone here in terrible danger. None of this would've happened if I'd just stayed gone, stayed lost to the world. "You can't feel that way," Alex said to me feeling my worry and regret. "This is my fault, if I would've never called him that day if I would've came back, they would all be safe. Pa, Kayan, Grandma, Shalom even you. "This isn't your fault, and you can't carry that weight on your shoulders. All kinds of dangers exist in this world and because of who we are we're never really safe." She said trying to calm my nerves. I know she was right, but I couldn't help the guilt that washed over me. "Hey, you look tired are you ok?" Ciara asked breaking me out of my thoughts. "Yea... yea I'm fine just tired is all." I said smiling at her as she leaned in for a hug. "Well say no more, anything else you need help with?" She asked happily. "Yea we have a few trays of meat we need to bring out so Pa can grill them before everyone can eat. A friend of ours Oliver is in the kitchen helping them prep" I motioned towards the kitchen. "On it" She squealed excitedly. Running my hands through my hair I tried to get my mind together. I put this day together for the pack so they can enjoy themselves among the millions of tasks they have to do each day. Just as I was about to finish helping decorate, I heard shouting coming from inside the house, without a second thought I ran inside. "Get away from you freaking weirdo!" Ciara shouted as I came into the kitchen. "What is going on in here?" I asked confused. "Your friend here grabbed me and kissed me when I came in here to help!" She shouted. "Oliver, what the hell?" I asked completely mortified by his behavior. "It's her lily!" He shouted tears brimming in his eyes. "It's Aziyah!" He said without looking away from her. "How the hell do you know my wolf's name?" She said her eyes shimmering to black as her wolf came forward. "Let's just wait a second, ok?" I said trying to step between them when Oliver growled at me. "You better watch yourself or this will be the last time she sees you alive. Shalom and Harlou's voices came in from behind me. Releasing his alpha Aura over Oliver to make him submit. He whimpered trying to fight the command but eventually bared his neck to his alpha. Shalom held it for a few seconds being sure to assert his dominance before letting up. "He's fine Shalom, my love." I said placing a hand on his chest. Turning to Ciara I stepped completely between them so she wouldn't focus on him. "I know we haven't known each other that long and, on his behalf, I'm sorry for his sudden show of...Affection. But if you hear him out just for five minutes, I think you'll understand why he did it." I said trying to reassure her. "Explain what exactly she snapped" Before Shalom went on another power trip, I put my hand up to him. I think it'll be better if he explained it... just please give him a chance." I said removing myself so they could see each other again. She squinted her eyes at him not trusting the situation. "I promise I will be in earshot so if at any point you feel uncomfortable, we will hear you, I promise." I said laying a hand on her shoulder. She took a breath and nodded her head. Oliver sighed with relief, and I took Shalom's hand leading him out of the kitchen with the tray of meat that was forgotten amongst the chaos. "Well, that was unexpected." Shalom said taking a breath. "How could she have your sister's wolf?" He asked just as confused as me. "I'm not sure but I'll try and find out later. If it is her, I think they need a moment. The moon goddess did say she wouldn't have any memories of us or their relationship. So, I think they just need some time." I said bringing the meat over to Pa. "About time, I was starting to think you planned on starving everyone" Pa chuckled. "I'll give you a hand with those" Shalom said taking the meat and seasoning it. I smiled at them, looking at this family that I've gained has made me more appreciative of this life. "Hey, kiddo how's it going?" My father said coming around the house. "Interesting. Have you met Ciara?" I asked him unsure how he'd react to the news. "In passing... she's one of the children that was born to this pack from before, right?" He recalled. "Yes, well she has Aziyah," I said trying to gauge his reaction. He rubbed a hand over his mouth and took a step back. "Huh...How is that possible though she's about twenty years old, isn't she? We're born with our wolves how could she just now get hers?" Im not sure Dad but Oliver was sure. "Speaking of," My dad said nodding in the direction of the back doors. "Hey, are you alright?" I asked walking over to Oliver. Before he could answer Ciara came out back. "Is that why you were so friendly to me?" She asked looking at me. "What? How would I even know?" I asked taken aback that she would assume so little of me. "Hey! She didn't know it's not her fault" Oliver cut in. She cut an eye at him still wary. I eyed Oliver nodding toward Shalom so he could give us a moment. My dad followed close behind taking the hint. "Take a walk with me?" I said turning in the direction away from the party. After I was sure we were out of earshot I stopped turning to face Ciara. "Listen, I want you to know truthfully had I known... I would've told you myself and I wouldn't have sent you in there blindly, I'm not that kind of person." I said. "I'm sorry it's just a lot..." She started. "I wasn't born with my wolf-like most of you...My mother thought I was cursed. It was something I came to terms with. And since I didn't have a wolf, I was the laughing stock of our classes growing up. 'The wolf-less girl' Everyone used to say my mom cheated or something and that's why I was cursed with no wolf. Honestly... I didn't know what to believe." She recalled a tear welling up in her eye. "What all did Oliver tell you?" I asked wondering if he told her the whole story. "Just that his mate died, and the moon goddess promised to bless her with a new life. It didn't make sense, but he told me to talk to you because it was your business to tell, and he didn't know how you'd feel." I smiled grateful for his consideration. "I was a twin... but she died when we were born. and instead of her wolf dying with her she was born with me. We lived that way for a few years until I was cursed..." Her eyes went wide with shock as I recalled the events of my life leading up to this moment. But she didn't interrupt, she only nodded now and again to assure me she was listening. "Jees...and here I am blubbering on about being bullied." She chuckled wiping the tears that fell as I told her my life. "No, you had your hardships in your life my own doesn't make yours any less important" I smiled. "You're so sweet, and here I was being a bitch about it I'm so sorry... wait does that mean we're sisters?" She asked cocking a brow. I paused not thinking of it that way but there was a certain aura about her that made me feel calm and telling her my story sort of made me feel a weight lift off my shoulders. "Absolutely," I said bouncing up and down. "So how does Alex feel?" She said looking concerned. "I'm Thrilled to have my sister back," Alex said aloud. We squealed like school girls at the thought and I hugged her tight. "Since we're sisters and everything. You ought to know you'll be an aunt soon..." I said stopping her in her tracks. "Oh my gosh!!" I've always wanted a niece or nephew I am going to spoil this little pup to death" she said laughing. Talking with her my heart felt full it felt so natural. Not only did Oliver get a second chance I felt like I got one too. We returned to the party and the night felt serene everyone talked and enjoyed themselves and got better acquainted with one another even shalom. I got to meet a lot of the new pack members a lot of them were nice, but a few were a bit cautious of me. And I couldn't blame them given how this pack fell apart I was an unknown Luna to them, a lot of them joined out of a need for security and safety unlike some who came back because this was their home once before. I'd have to make an effort to earn their trust along the way. The rest of the night went smoothly, and some people stayed back at the end to help clean up and see some people home.  Since a few of them got intoxicated at some point during our little gathering but it felt right. Seeing them able to laugh and have fun, with no worry or fear. "How are you feeling butterfly?" Shalom said coming up behind me and embracing me. "I'm feeling good... complete id even say." The night was growing quiet and i could stand here all night with him. "Rogues west side of the forest" One of the warrior's voices broke through our minds. "Go inside!" Shalom yelled stripping off his clothes. "Wait!" I yelled feeling stunned that everything was happening so fast. "Inside now!" He shouted forcing his Alpha Aura over me making me take a few steps towards the house. I turned around heading for the door and as I looked back, I saw Harlou's wolf darting into the trees. "Dad" i tried calling to him through our pack link. "Can't talk now kiddo-...Shit!" He cursed before blocking me out. What the hell was happening. we were having a wonderful time everyone was happy how could this be happening now. "Grandma called to me through our pack link to lock down the house as everyone else was doing. Shalom had shutters and automatic locking systems installed when more people came in, I'm guessing for situations such as these. I found the small remote that lay on the mantle in the living room and locked down the house. one by one the shutters started closing. As they did, I heard a window upstairs shatter and then silence. I froze in silence thinking maybe I was just hearing things when I started hearing the floorboards creek upstairs. "Shalom there's someone in the house!" I shouted through our link. "Get to the basement and lock the door don't come out till I come get you-...the last one went that way!" He said cutting out. without hesitation I made my way to the basement quickly locking the door behind me. I stood on the steps for a few minutes unsure of what to do now but wait as I did, I hear someone creeping down the stairs into the living room. I stayed quiet I didn't want to be discovered before Shalom came back. Every piece of me wanted to fight, even Alex wanted out to rip the intruder to shreds for invading our home, but I couldn't risk getting hurt and something happening to our pup, so I remained in place waiting to hear Shalom's voice. As i sat there I could hear whoever it was roaming around the house seemingly checking to see if anyone was inside. I tried keeping my heartbeat steady and my nerves, but Alex was on edge which wasn't helping me all that much. "I want to rip them open they're in our home disrupting our safety. She said pacing back and forth in my head. "Almost there, can you still hear them" Shalom asked through our link. "Yea, their roaming around the house I can hear them getting closer." As I was about to ask him where he was, I heard the footsteps get closer to the basement door. I took a few more steps down the stairs trying to distance myself from the door when someone rattled the handle. Noticing that it was locked, and I'd hoped they took the hint and kept moving. After a moment of silence, I heard running and something heavy hit the door, putting a dent into the metal and cracking the frame. "Someone's trying to break down the door!" I shouted to shalom. "I'm coming I'm almost there baby hang on please I'm com-..." He was cut off as I heard scuffling and Harlou snarling and growling before the link cut out. "I don't know what's going on out there but if there's rouges attacking, we don't know how many are out there or if he's fighting alone, we can't sit and wait and hope he comes. You need to go down the steps and let me shift. I don't want to put us at risk either, but you'll be an easier target in this form, and something tells me whoever is trying to break down that door will take full advantage of that." She said and as much as i hated the idea she made a lot of sense. "Ok..." I went further into the basement and took off my shirt and leggings as fast as possible the second I was only iny underwear she shifted this time it was a lot more painful than before. "It's because of our pup our body is trying to shift safely around our womb We'll be fine I promise" I trusted her word. No sooner did the pain start it subsided and the intruder on the other side of the door hit it again the door frame flew off and I knew the next hit would send the door flying. I felt Alex's hair stand on end and she braced herself the door came flying down the stairs and she dodged it as it flew past us clattering to the floor. "Well, well, I was hoping we weren't sent here for nothing." A rugged voice came from the door entrance. There was a dirty brown wolf standing at the entrance and a woman standing next to it. "I'd better get paid for this" Alex growled taking a defensive stance. "Oh, don't worry. We wouldn't hurt the one who's carrying our lord now would we Salem?" The brown wolf tilted its head to the side. "Get her" she said. and in a flash the wolf was down the steps pouncing on Alex. she bit into its flank and shook her head violently it let out a small whimper, but it didn't seem to bother the wolf much as it rolled sending Alex flying into the wall. "Careful you idiot!" If you hurt her, I'm going to cut out your fucking tongue" The woman shouted from the top of the stairs. "Lily!" My dad called through the link. "Dad I'm here" I can't get in, the house is locked down I'm here!" He shouted sounding terrified. "One of the windows upstairs is broken they got in through there." I said frantically as Alex tried dodging the wolf who was clearly trying to subdue us. The woman remained on the stairs at the top refusing to come down. Alex noticed this too deciding to make a break for upstairs, dodging the wolf again she ran towards the stairs when it bit into her back leg pulling her back down the stairs. kicking at its snout she got loose running towards the woman. She put her hand up in front of her and Alex's body fell limp. She fought off the drowsiness continuing up the steps. "Hell no, not like this Alex move!" I shouted. As if my words gave her, her energy back she lunged at the woman with a shocked expression on her face like she didn't expect that. She jumped back as Alex snapped at her head and made a run toward the upstairs; I'm assuming she was going to head back out the way she came when my father came running down the stairs. His wolf larger and much more muscular than mine pinned the woman to the ground. Forgetting my other attacker, I turned my attention to the basement and saw the dirty brown wolf trying to sneak away. Alex growled catching it's attention. "You worthless mutt, help me" The woman yelled at the wolf. Looking between my father and me the dirty wolf lowered its body to the ground barring its neck and whimpering. I wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but the wolf seemed to have no interest in following through with fighting off two wolves alone. "Se Atmis Vertid Uhn" The woman said calmly. The moment those words left her lips she slowly turned into black smoke sliding across the floor, black tendrils crawled away from us into cracks of doors and down vents and in an instance, she was gone. "What the fuck?" My dad said through our link. Alex shrugged her shoulders and nodded towards the wolf. "What do we do with this" I asked realizing It was still laying belly to the floor. Before he had a chance to answer the shutters began to open loudly grounding and clanging, the loud noise sounding through the whole house. The front door swung open and an angry bloody shalom walked through the door. Seeing me his face softened a bit as he came over to Alex's wolf grabbing a handful of her fur and kissing the top of her head. My father shifted back into his human form. I was hesitant being naked in front of others was normal them, but the idea made me cringe. Realizing we weren't alone shalom focused on the dirty wolf laying on the floor. "She's one of the intruders that broke in here trying to attack lily, The other I think was a witch... she vanished." My dad said filling shalom in. I don't think that was the entire truth but at the moment it wasn't the time to correct him. "Who are you" Shalom and Harlou's voice intertwined and echoed through the house. His Alpha aura seeping out of him and onto the wolf It whimpered and writhed under his command trying to get away, but it was futile. "Shift now!" He demanded. The dirty wolfs body twisted and turned being forced to shift back, it yelped and kicked trying to resist the command but to no use, fully shifted a small body lay on the floor naked, filthy and shaking bones sticking out as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. Me, shalom and my father all looked at each other and my dad said what we were all thinking. "She's just a kid."