Part Twelve: Possessed. 

I awoke slowly, and my mind was muddled as I felt a terrible headache brewing. The first thing I registered was the sound of an echoing drip as if I were in a cave. The wet, musty smell and the feel of wet rock floor below me only seemed to strengthen that notion.

I slowly opened my eyes as I realized that I was against a small pillar, my arms were bound behind me around the pillar, and I was beside the opening of a torch-lit cave. It was raining heavily outside, and I could hear echoing footsteps of something or someone deeper into the cave.

I tried to loosen the binds on my hands, but they wouldn’t budge. I moved my foot a little, and looked down, realizing that I was barefoot. I knew that if I could change into my wolf form, I could break the binds and run, I searched for my inner wolf, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Shit.” I groaned under my breath.

No inner animal means no speaking to the pack through the bond. No contact with Damian.

I heard murmuring and multiple footsteps approaching from deep inside the cave, and felt fear envelope me. What did I remember before I blacked out? I thought quickly, my forehead breaking out into a sweat as the footsteps drew closer. I suddenly remembered the leader of the coven’s face, he was standing over me.

As the vampires approached, I realized just how weak I was. I had no strength, no speed, I felt…human.

“Hello, dear mother. I do apologize for taking your wolf away, I assure you, though, she is safe.” The leader of the coven said.

It was as if I was possessed. “My son, Paul, please, do not do this. I will be devastated if you destroy my pack. I live in this body; therefore I feel what it feels. My daughter feels pain, and sorrow. Please, I beg of you, do not hurt my family.” I spoke in a voice that wasn’t my own, and it shocked me.

Paul looked down at me and sadly shook his head, clicking his tongue softly. “I cannot stop, my dear, sweet mother. I have to avenge my poor daughter, and with you away from the pack, I can do it safely.” He told me.

I regained control of my body, and it seemed that The Wolven Goddess had given up trying to negotiate. “Please.” I felt a tear slip down my cheek. “Don’t hurt them.”

He leaned down and, with a long, sharp nail, ran his finger down my cheek. “Sometimes I wonder why she chose you. You are weak. You think you cannot live without your precious pack. But you are wrong.” He growled in my face, making me flinch.

“You don’t understand. He’s my mate, he dies…I’ll die.” I told him, my voice hoarse.

Paul shrugged at my words. “Then our mother will find another to take host of.” He said, and his tone was casual as if he were speaking of the weather.

The Wolven Goddess took hold of me again. “There will be no other chosen one for thousands of years!” she snarled from my lips.

He immediately took his hand away from my cheek. “Then I will spare the mate’s life. Could you please spare his name?”

“Damian.” I spat, gaining control once again.

Paul clenched his fists. “Fine…I will spare Damian.” He told me, almost having to force the words.

I didn’t feel assured. I felt hatred. Damian would not let his pack die. That wasn’t who he was. Damian was protective of his pack, and would do anything to keep them safe.

Even if that meant sacrificing himself.

I pulled at the ropes that bound me. “Please, think about what you are doing. You are killing off an entire pack, just for the sake of one female.” I pleaded.

He smiled and stood up. “Exactly.”