Forbidden Mate: Awakening

“Tyler,” I raised a hand to his face, “I’ve forgiven you but I’ll never forget. Trust is something that takes time to rebuild. I do hope we can work towards rebuilding that trust, not just for the sake of our relationship, but for the pack as well.”

He sighed and nodded. “You’re right. Trust isn’t something that can be easily repaired, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to regain yours.”

I didn’t reply to that so he spoke again.

“We need unity now more than ever, especially with Audrey still out there causing chaos with our enemies.”

His mention of Audrey brought a reminder of the danger that still loomed over us. I knew it was crucial to inform the elders and my father about Audrey’s betrayal and her involvement in the recent events. We needed their guidance and collective wisdom to plan for what we’re to do next.

“Have you informed the elders and my father about her?”

“That’s what I was going to do now but I wanted to check on your aunt first.”

This showing of affection by Tyler was really putting me off.

“Aunt is fine. We should not waste time.” Tyler nodded and I followed him to the meeting room.

°°°°°°°°°°

It was a solemn gathering. Tyler stood before the elders whilst I sat beside my father. He looked nervous to start but when he glanced at me and I nodded at him, he smiled briefly then cleared his throat.

His words were heavy with disappointment and a sense of betrayal as he recounted the events that had unfolded while we were trying to rescue Aunt Belinda, exposing Audrey’s treachery and her attempt to undermine our pack by her alliance with the enemy’s leader.

I could hear when Tyler said, “Henry, your suspicions were right all along.”

Finally, Audrey’s true intentions and the extent of her betrayal was being exposed though I wish she was there to see that. The room fell into a heavy silence and it brimmed with shock and anger. The elders exchanged worried glances, realizing the magnitude of the situation.

Henry’s expression hardened as he listened, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “Audrey’s actions have shown a complete disregard for our pack and its values. She will face the consequences of her betrayal, and we will not rest until she is held accountable.”

The elders all nodded in agreement. Audrey’s betrayal had shattered our trust in her, and the pack couldn’t stand for such disloyalty.

Finally, they were all seeing what I was seeing, well maybe cus it was blatantly obvious now. Regardless, this was good news, or was it?

Tyler hadn’t even mentioned the powers Audrey had displayed which none of us could ascertain it’s origins. Where did Audrey get those powers from? A witch she killed? It couldn’t possibly be from the vampires. Or did she have them all along?

Her betrayal dug deeper than I anticipated, really.

“…. and she will be brought to justice along with her co-conspirators.” I looked up and saw Tyler’s stern look.

All I needed to know, I could see it in his eyes.

He wasn’t ready to kill Audrey.

•••••••

~NARRATOR’S POV~

Jaxon couldn’t believe what his father just told him to do. It was only a few weeks remaining till the war would happen and Pablo had gathered himself more allies thanks to Jaxon and Ethan. But Pablo knew they’d stand no chance against the two parties if they didn’t cut off the head of one.

“Without their leader, they would fumble before they get to the battle ground.” Pablo illustrated, “This why we need to eliminate the head of the pack.”

Jaxon was obviously disturbed by this. He did know he would do questionable things but why only to his people? “I understand you, father, but why not Ethan kill his vampire lead? Why should I kill mine?”

Pablo’s expression hardened, “We need the vampire leader alive while we need your pack’s leader dead. Understand me, son.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Jaxon was speechless.

Pablo then dropped the bomb, “You have to poison the dead Alpha’s son.” The way he sharply turned to look at his father gave away his disapproval of what he just heard. Did he just hear right?

Jaxon confronted Pablo. The air crackled with intensity as they locked eyes.

“You expect me to poison Tyler? To betray my own pack to that extent?” Jaxon’s voice trembled with desperation. “I won’t do it, Father. I cannot do that.”

Pablo’s face twisted with anger, his eyes narrowing into slits. “You dare defy me, boy? After all I’ve done for you? You have no idea the power that awaits us once we take control of the pack.”

Jaxon stood his ground, his eyes burning with determination. “I won’t sacrifice my principles for power. I have sacrificed enough for god sake! There has to be another way, a path that doesn’t involve tearing the pack apart.”

Enraged by his son’s refusal, Pablo’s rage consumed him. Without warning, he lunged at Jaxon, his movements swift and deadly. The clash of their bodies echoed through the silent forest as they engaged in a fierce struggle.

Each blow was fueled by anger and desperation. The sound of their fists connecting reverberated through the cave walls. Jaxon fought with skill and desperation and his movements were telling of his conflicted emotions. He knew he had to defend himself, to protect his own beliefs.

But despite his best efforts, Jaxon was no match for his father’s ruthlessness. Pablo’s strength and experience gave him the upper hand, and with a swift strike, he delivered a hard blow and claw to Jaxon’s chest. The pain was excruciating, searing through his body like wildfire.

Collapsing to the ground, Jaxon struggled to catch his breath. Blood stained the hard floor beneath him, a stark reminder of the cost of his defiance. As his vision blurred and darkness threatened to consume him, he knew he had reached his limit. He was able to crawl far away from the cave while his father watched him in disgust.

Left wounded and abandoned in the woods, Jaxon’s fate hung in the balance. His body trembled with pain and exhaustion. His thoughts swirled in a haze of regret. He couldn’t allow his father’s dark plans to unfold, but now, he was left with the consequences of his choices.

Hours turned into an agonizing blur as Jaxon lay on the forest floor, his strength ebbing away. The forest seemed to close in around him. He thought of redeeming himself and making amends with his father, but they were overshadowed by the physical agony that enveloped him. His father didn’t even think twice to mortally injure him…if it was Henry, would he have done that?

His thoughts were too intrusive and painful now, but the physical pains were more painful.

He could never see himself hurting Tyler… he was his close friend. Even though they hardly talked nowadays, he knew if he obeyed his father, he would never forgive himself for it.

He coughed out blood and slowly, everywhere went black.

Would he regret defying his father or would he die there and be rid of all that had troubled him in that realm?

He silently hoped for the latter.