Leila

There were new lines on her face. My stepmother's polished look seemed to have diminished, in it's place was tiredness and weariness.


Sonia actually cared about these people.

‘This one has an air of sorrow around her. She's good at masking it…she's strong.' Lea said. She sounded as shocked as I felt.

While our connection wasn't the best at the time, Lea was aware of the emotional and mental turmoil my family put me through.


‘Then it means she knows that her daughter is dead.'

‘Yes…it's quiet shocking to realize that she only treated us bad and isn't a bitch in general.'


‘Yeah…'

‘Well, she is the beta's mate…' Lea murmured.

There was a man behind her, he looked young to be a new flame but old enough to be in her circle. I didn't recognize him.

'What happened?" Penny's mom asked, distracting me from my thoughts and Sonia's gaze.

'Leila rescued us…" Penny turned to face our little group, '...they killed all the guards and she healed us."

'Thank you…I will forever remain in your debt. Thank you so much" Penny's mom said, her eyes were glazed with tears.

'It's okay. This is my pack, I'll do the best I can for it."

Sonia stepped forward, 'Thank you for removing the shackles from our feet. I'm grateful but, I fear you have invited Antonio's wrath."

I ignored the fact that this was the first time she had thanked me for anything. No matter what our past relationship was, this is the present and the only relationship we have was that of a saviour and a victim. Sonia was aware of that to.

The joyous atmosphere immediately vanished at the mention of Antonio's name.

'Don't worry about that for now, we ensured that no one left the pack. The border security also took care of that." I replied, bringing back the hope into the eyes of the gloomy people around me.

'Thank the goddess, that is good news." A small smile appeared on Sonia's face. It didn't last, I watched her finally notice Liam.

She frowned as her eyes moved between the both of us, observing the similarities. By the time Sonia focused on me, the frown had disappeared.

'I'm sorry about our lacking hospitality but, we are barely managing what we have."

'Don't bother yourself, there is no need for such things, this is my pack after all."

'I'll prepare some houses for you all, you are staying right?"

'For the night. Alpha Xander will be the one to say if we're staying longer."

'Alpha Xander…he's alive?" Penny's mom asked looking suprised but hopeful.

'He's here?" Penny asked.

'Yes…"

'Leila?..." I heard. It was Marenza, she stood in a corner like she came to see what was going on.

Tears filled my eyes, 'Marenza…"

'Thank the goddess…thank the goddess…" she murmured, running to me. I met her halfway and she pulled me into a fierce hug, her tears wetting my shoulders the same way mine were wetting hers.

****

'It must have been so hard for you" I said. My head rested on Marenza's lap and she was petting my hair.

'Yes…" she sighed.

We sat across the bed facing Regan. He was asleep, bandages covered his entire torso and arms. I wanted to heal him the moment I laid my eyes on him but I held back. I haven't told Marenza about my abilities and I wanted him to be awake when I heal him, it will reduce the shock.

I followed Marenza to her house after ensuring that Liam and the rest were properly situated in comfortable houses. They were almost done with disposing the bodies when I left.

'Before the news reached us, I could feel his panic and pain. Regan wasn't answering me when I asked what was going on…my wolf was panicking, claiming that her mate was fading…" I felt her shiver, I tightened my grip on her knee in a bid to comfort her.

'... When the news about the ambush came, I tried to go look for him…" a bitter chuckle left her lips, '...I wasn't expecting Sonia to save me from imprisonment but I guess she really cares for the pack. I started declaring my love for him through our link and begging him to wake up, to come back to me. The goddess smiled down at me and he returned."

'I was worried about you. I thought he was dead and you were alone."

'Oh sweetie, I was so scared. I thought you were dead…" she sniffed, '...did they hurt you?"

I nodded, 'It was bad…but they didn't…rape me…"

'Just because they didn't do that doesn't make the things they did hurt less" Marenza said, sounding so angry. 'I wish I could kill those bastards myself…"

The growing wet spot under my head made me realize I was crying. I sniffed, wiping of the tears from my face but they were quickly replaced.

'It's okay sweetie, you can let it out. It's alright" Marenza encourage, rubbing soothing circles in my back.

Ugly sobs left my lips like she opened a gate. I realized that I hadn't let myself grief over everything that I went through. Marenza made soothing sounds and let me cry it out.

I felt Xander comforting me through the link, he didn't say anything. Just letting me be aware of his presence and the fact that I wasn't alone.

'We killed Amelia…" I whispered when I calmed down, feeling tired but relieved.

'Good."

'I thought she would apologize…she didn't. I still don't get why she would go through all this for something she can't have."

'What did she want? I never figured that out."

'She wanted to be Luna of the pack. Xander's Luna to be precise…"

'Then why kidnap you? Doing so didn't make her look any good in Xander's eyes."

This was a good opportunity for me to tell her everything, so I sat up and faced her. I must be looking serious because Marenza leaned forward.

'What is it?"

'The connection between my wolf and I has been fixed. I can shift now."

Her lips spread into a joyful smile, 'sweetie, I'm so happy for you. I bet your wolf looks majestic."

‘Have I said how much I liked this woman?' Lea asked, preening from the compliment.

I laughed, 'yes…she's pleased with your compliment."

'I can't wait to see her."

'I have…" no, this wasn't the beginning. '... Amelia is Antonio's daughter."

'What?!..." Marenza's eyes were wide with shock, '...then, that means…"

'Leila?" Regan called.