***Raelle's Point Of View***
Mom was strangely quiet. But she seemed to be handling it better than I thought that she would. She hadn't shifted in the house. But I had let her bandage my arms because she was muttering that they needed bandaged. The scratches didn't bother me much but there was soreness from them. It was easy to ignore.
When Mom had said that Dad wanted me to confront Alpha Daniels I hadn't thought that they meant today...Sighing loudly I look myself over in the full-length mirror. I had decided that a white long sleeve V-neck tee shirt dress was the best option. It covered a lot of skin..But it still clung to my hourglass figure.
I had paired the dress with a pair of comfort friendly black leggings and my white converses. The impulse to wear running shoes was overbearing. I wrap my black scarf around my neck. The urge to cover as much skin as I could was overwhelming. I frown at my almost waist length Firey red and white curls. I shake my head and quickly braid it down the right side of my head.
That should be good enough. Dad was lucky that I had even gotten dressed at all. I didn't want to this anyway! I glance at my flawless pale skin and shiver as I remember the bruises that were there not too long ago.
My metallic silver eyes showed my fear. Worst part was I couldn't even recognize myself anymore. The person that stared back at me..I didn't know how I was supposed to feel. I felt completely numb. I turn away from the mirror unable to look at myself any longer. I grab my black beanie and put it on as well.
The door open to my room opens and Josh peeks his head in almost looking scared of what he might find. I couldn't help but crack a smile as his eyes land on me and he lets out a relieved sigh.
He thought that I hadn't noticed that he was trying to give me space. AND be there for me at the same time. He was going to wear himself out if he wasn't careful. Josh steps inside the room and glances around cautiously. He offers me a bright smile and seems to relax a little.
"Ready to go?" I bite down on the inside of my cheek until I could taste blood.
My stomach twists into knots and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Josh's eyebrows draw together in concern.
"Ell what's wrong?" I let out a rigid breath.
"They could still call me liar..Then facing them...Him is pointless." Josh let's out an angry growl.
"Then. We kill him anyway. He will be at Our Pack House." I scoff and roll my eyes. I had realized at a young age that; wolves were very short tempered and killed first and dealt with the consequences later. That was one of the things that I saw as a downside to being a shifter.
"You and Dad can't just kill whoever or whatever when you feel like it!" I was getting frustrated, but Josh just chuckles and shakes his head.
"I wasn't talking about The Pack." I raise a curious eyebrow at him as he clicks the portal pearl on his portal ring. What did he mean by that? I flinch slightly as he takes my elbow leading me toward the portal.
"Everyone is waiting." I roll my eyes as we step through the portal and through the other side.
Both my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. We were in The Council Room, instead of Dad's office. Why would he want to do this here? The Council Room was where Dad held meeting with The Elders. The room was huge. The middle of the room held the large circle table with the matching chairs and then toward the back of the room there was a whole desk set up and the corner was lined with bookshelves and a reading nook.
I jump as the door opens. But I relax as Dad steps inside. Followed by Mom and Jacob. My heart skips a beat as Rayden steps inside behind Jacob. A fluttering sensation fills my stomach. What was he doing here? Before I could process what, I was doing, My body moved on its own and I ran at Rayden jumping as I made it to him.
I wrap my arms around his neck causing him to grunt and chuckle a little as he wraps his arms around my back to keep me pressed against him. I bury my face in the bend of his neck inhaling his scent. I breath deep and I could feel my anxiety melt away. My mind felt clearer.
Rayden had always had this effect on me. He made me feel better. I may still be mad at him. But I knew that I needed him right now. In this moment I was relieved that he was here. I let out a small sob as Rayden gently sets me to my feet, but he didn't let go of me. I could feel his warm breath against my ear.
"I'm right here Ellie. I'm not going anywhere." I nod and slowly release my hold on him. I take a small step back I was fully aware that my whole family was staring at me. My face flushed at the realization that they all looked a little less worried now.
Rayden takes me by the elbow and leads me over to the reading nook. I arch an eyebrow at him. It was the furthest from the table.
"Raelle you will sit there. Rayden is to stay next to you. The rest of us will be here at the table. I want you as far away from that MUTT as possible." So that's why we were in The Council Room.
I nod my head and sit down trying to get comfortable. I wrap my arms tightly around myself. Rayden surprises me when he kneels down placing a gentle hand on my thigh. My heart stops for a fraction of a second. My cheeks instantly felt like they were on fire and the only thing that I could focus on was how warm his hand was...Had he always been this warm? I bite down on my lower lip, I couldn't bring myself to look at him.
I could hear Dad speaking softly to the others, but my mind was completely glitching right now from the contact with Rayden.
"I hear that your wounds have healed." I look up at Rayden giving him a confused look. Who would have even told him that in the first place? I mentally roll my eyes. Of course, it was Jacob...He was a member of The Shadow Guard now.
"Why are you here Rayden?" My tone was harsher than I meant for it to be. But it was a lot to deal with already and now Rayden was here making my heart feel overwhelmed.
"Isn't it obvious?" I frown at him. What did that supposed to mean?
The door opens again causing me to stiffen and the blood to drain from my face. I shiver as a coldness settles over me. The sense of Dread consuming me. Rayden tenses and slowly stands to his feet facing the direction of the door. I didn't miss that his hand was now a fist at his side.
My skin felt like it was covered in spiders. I didn't have to look up to know that Paris was in the room. My mind screamed for me to RUN but my body couldn't move. I was rooted into place.
"Alpha Daniels, Luna Clarie. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please have a seat." I peek up and my eyes catch Paris's neatly done golden hair. My stomach lurched. Chills covered my body again as Paris turns his pale blue eyes toward me. I couldn't stop myself from flinching under his gaze.
Paris's perfectly tanned face had healing bruises on it. He was athletically built. I did notice now that he seemed to be the small height as Rayden. I could have sworn that Rayden was taller. Paris smiles at me. I cringe as flashes of the attack cross my mind. It was the same smile. It made me SICK! My eyes widen slightly as Rayden steps in front of me and on instinct I reach up and grab the hem of his shirt.
"I'd advise you to KEEP your eyes OFF of her MUTT!" My eyes widen at how deadly Rayden's tone was. I had never heard his voice sound so scary before. Alpha Daniels clears his throat. I peek around Rayden to look at him. He had the same golden hair as Paris. But he had soft features and was probably as big as my father. It was intimidating. He wore a white button down that clung to him and made me want to puke! He was a conceded Alpha.
His eyes caught my attention. They are a pastel green color. He cuts his eyes toward me and frowns in disapproval. I wanted to shrink down into my chair but the curiosity of what The Luna looked like was getting the better of me.
I was pleasantly surprised with how small she seemed to be. That was rare for wolves. Maybe she wasn't a wolf at all? She has chocolate brown curls that dance down around her shoulders and a beautiful beige skin tone. She turns her attention to Rayden.
Paris had gotten his eye color from his mother. She was so pretty. She gives me an apologetic look...Which meant that she had her doubts about her son being innocent.
"My apologizes This is General Rayden. Commander of The Shadow Guard. He is my daughter's best friend...As you know I asked you here because your son attacked MY daughter." I glance at Dad and to my surprise he was being really calm. Alpha Daniels scoffs and rolls his eyes, causing Jacob and Josh to let loose a snarl. But Dad holds his hand up to silence them.
"And I told YOU over the phone Alpha Isaac, MY son said that YOUR daughter consented to it. That it was something that she wanted as well." I gag and cover my mouth quickly. Alpha Daniels was brave I would give him that. Dad inhales a deep calming breath.
"You are here because Raelle has the ability to project her memories into someone else's mind. She can show you what really happened." Alpha Daniels lets out a frustrated sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. Clearly, he didn't believe any of this. I tighten my hold on Rayden's shirt. This whole thing was making me sick. I really wanted to get the hell out of here!
"What is this coming to? Paris agreed to make the girl his mate and reject his chosen mate. Is she pregnant? Is that what this is about? If she is-"
"HE DIDNT TOUCH ME LIKE THAT!" Acid dripped from every word as I openly glared at Alpha Daniels. My heart was in my throat! Rayden snarls and takes a step toward the table causing me to lose my grip on his shirt.
"That IS NOT Happening! IF Raelle had wanted your son, WHY would she risk BLEEDING TO DEATH to get rid of his mark?! WHY would she take POISON that would make her INFERTAL?! Because she was TERRIFIED that he would catch her again! Because YOUR SON IS A MONSTER!!"I sat there my mouth hanging open slightly in shock.
Rayden? His fists were clenched at his sides and his body shook as he tried to keep his anger in check. Luna Clarie clears her throat drawing my attention. She wore a blank expression.
"Would you show me?" Both my eyebrows shoot up. The deal was to show Alpha Daniels not her. Why would she want to see her son doing something like that to someone else?
"Clarie this could all be a lie. The girl probably wants attention or to just cause conflict." Anger swells up inside of me! Luna Clarie snarls and snaps her head around toward her husband.
"This isn't the first time YOUR son has been accused of something like this! If he did these things to her. Caused her THIS MUCH pain...GODDESS! I can SMELL her fear of him from here! If Paris is found guilty, then he is not fit to be The Alpha! He will lose that right!"
Alpha Daniels frowns but nods his head. Damn. He seemed to realize that it would be a bad idea to argue with his wife. Luna Clarie turns toward me again and her expression softens.
"May I approach you, Raelle?" She stands up slowly and puts her hands up like she is about to approach a wounded animal. I nod slowly and stand up from my seat. I slowly move around Rayden careful not to make eye contact with Paris again. My skin was already crawling. I could feel him watching me.
Luna Clarie smiles gently as she gets closer to me. I gasp as Rayden's strong-arm wraps around my torso, and he pulls me flush against his chest. What is he doing?!
"How does this work?" I tilt my head at her curiously. I could feel myself smile a little. I think she was the first person to actually ask me how my ability worked.
"I have to touch your temples. Direct contact to your mind makes it easier for the images to come in clear." She nods and takes a few extra steps toward me. I inhale a deep breath to steady my growing nerves. Slowly extending my hands out, I place my fingertips against her temples. Strange her temperature was slightly higher than a normal shifter. I could feel my fingertips start to tingle ad my power began to slither down my arms.
I press a little pressure against her temple. the images came flooding to the front of my mind. But instead of just showing her the attack. I showed her everything. How me met. How I told him no from the start. I watch half shocked as silent tears rolled down her cheeks as she witnessed the attack. Felt my pain. My fear. She shivers as I let my hands drop to my sides.
I wince as the dull pain returns from earlier..She lets out a sob and shakes her head violently. A determined look crosses her features as her eyes shift but instead of glowing brighter, they darkened. She turns around and faces her husband. I turn my attention toward them and stiffen. Alpha Daniels has Paris by the throat and pinned down in his seat. When had he moved?!
"You saw everything that I did! Do you think that she is lying now?!" I cover my mouth to hide my smile. Luna Clarie was a bit of a smartass. I liked that. Alpha Daniels cuts his eyes toward me. And a flash of remorse crosses his features.
"What Punishment are you asking for?" My eyes widen. Why was he asking me?! My father was the one who called them. I glance over at Dad. He stares at me for a long moment before nodding. My mouth went dry. He was okay with my choosing the punishment? I cut my eyes toward Paris, and he showed NO signs of remorse or guilt for what he had done to me. It made me SICK! I HATE HIM! The sudden urge to make him suffer consumes me.
"I want to take away his wolf." The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Alpha Daniels seems confused.
"That isn't something that is in my power to do." Jacob chuckles darkly and I shake my head.
"I have the power to do it." Paris begins to struggle in his father's grip. But Alpha Daniels seemed to be unphased by it. In one swift movement he has Paris on his on his feet, tightening his grip around his throat making Paris gasp for air.
"Our son deserves worse. We agree to your punishment." Mom gasps at Luna Clarie's sudden statement. Josh and Jacob were on their feet in the flash and rush Paris grabbing his arms and forcing him on his knees.
Alpha Daniels moves behind Paris and wraps his arm around his throat to keep him from trying to free himself. I bite down on the inside of my cheek as Paris's hatred filled eyes bore into me.
Inhaling a shaky breath, I could feel my magic sending static shock waves across my skin. To take away his wolf it would require me to get closer to him and I wasn't fond of that idea. I inhale two long deep breaths and free myself from Rayden's hold. I take a step forward and Paris smirks causing me to falter for a moment.
"Are you going to scream for me again Raelle?" The sound of his voice made me want to puke. My blood began to boil, and my magic went into a frenzy. I rush forward and grab Paris's face.
"No. But you will." My body tingled and a ringing vibrated my eardrums.
"Come Forth." Thankfully my voice didn't waver as I issued the command. My voice sounded slightly deeper and echoed through the room. Paris's eyes shifted brighter as his wolf is forced to the surface. Paris's features soften.
"Forgive me Ancient One." Paris's voice sounded different. So this was his wolf. He seemed to be gentle. He was nothing like his human counterpart. The wolf's voice held remorse and even disappointment.
"You are going to go to sleep for a long time. Paris will not be able to call for you. You will not be able to hear him. Until The Fates have decided he has been redeemed."
Paris bows his head respectfully and in a split second a tortured scream comes from him, causing me to jump back away from him. Luna Clarie grabs onto me to help me steady myself.
"It's done. Paris will be stripped of the right to be the next in next in line for Alpha. We will be leaving now." I nod toward Alpha Daniels. Suddenly I realize that Luna Clarie is still holding on to me. I turn my attention to her, and she sniffles softly. I arch a curious eyebrow at her. She was smiling and I couldn't figure out what in The Goddess name that she had to smile about.
"Luna?" She wraps me in a warm hug and then steps away. I blink rapidly in surprise. Well, this was weird.
"You are a wonder. You could have completely taken his wolf away, but you left him with a small hope of Redemption."