Bora's Diary - The beauty and the beast

MARGA

I stormed into the Brightstone when several guards surrounded me and I transformed again. They must have thought I was the enemy attacking them, so I had to reveal myself immediately.

"I'm a friend of B-Bora's... She's in danger," I speak out just as her father storms through the door and growls at me as he seems to realise my words and suddenly stops.

"What's happened? Did he hurt her?" he asks me directly, coming towards me as I shake my head and swallow hard "G-Gabriel... He's here, he's not dead and he captured them all and now he's getting revenge on all of them...", I croak as he frowns and takes note of my words.

"Where are Lorys and Leonardo?" he asks me with a look that wants to destroy something.

"They're in the dungeons of Lorys' castle... They were captured when Gabriel threatened to kill Bora... We have to stop him... I don't think she's okay," I whisper the last part quietly and look to the ground. I feel guilty for not helping Bora sooner.

"I need a silver dagger," I address him directly as his eyes widen and he shakes his head.

"Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous a dagger like that can be in the wrong hands?"

"I swear, it would be in the best hands with me ... I'll plan an ambush to free them, they wouldn't even realise it because I'm from the Blue Moon," I try to convince him.

"I think he forced them against their will..." I whisper quietly, not managing to finish the sentence because it breaks my heart.

His eyes widen at my words and I see how he has to swallow to process my words. It must be terrible to hear that something so awful has happened to his daughter. His pupils change colour and black eyes suddenly stare at me.

"How do I know you're not lying?" he suddenly growls at me and comes towards me.

"Y-you're holding my mate captive too, Leonardo, if you remember," his captivity felt just as bad inside me as I felt all the emotions he was having right now through the mate bond. He was in a very bad way and there was always a constant anger. I could only hope that Bora's father would now recognise my intentions and agree to everything, because time was practically running out.

He seemed to be thinking about this when he suddenly nodded to one of his men "Bring me the dagger," he said, looking at me again.

"If that dagger falls into his hands, we've lost... I hope you realise that," he says to me. I nod, not wanting to imagine what Gabriel would do with a dagger like that, because he was the epitome of evil and would most likely wipe out half the Circle pack.

"I am aware of my responsibility and swear to serve you faithfully and save Bora...", I whisper softly as he nods.

"I will also mobilise my men and storm the castle once you have done your part," he takes another knife, cuts his palm and hands it to me so I can also make a cut to connect our minds, across packs.

I make a fine cut in my palm as the blood flows and he presses his hand into mine.

"Before chaos breaks out, you let me know. We'll hide in the forest, Gabriel won't notice because Lorys is still the Alpha.... Is he still blind?" he asks me suddenly, I nod and sigh softly "Unfortunately yes, that's also the reason why Gabriel took Bora that night", just thinking about what might have happened to her all this time sends shivers down my spine and gives me goosebumps.

"Come on, there's no time to lose," he says as I turn again and the man with the dagger in his pocket runs towards me and puts it round my neck. I had to be very careful, because letting it out of my hand would mean that David would kill me.

David passed the order on to his men, who also armed themselves, while I was already running to put an end to the evil.

"Take care of yourself," David said to me as I gulped. This was going to be anything but easy and I had to find a way to free Lorys and Leonardo from their guarded cells at the same time.

An idea popped into my head, but for that I would need the right keys to their cells... All this proved impossible.

I was running for my life again, because there wasn't much time left before the next bad thing would happen, and I had to see Linda again to discuss our next steps. I definitely needed support and couldn't rely on my pack. My pack members were again grateful that they didn't have to do any cleaning, that was now done for them by the Circle pack under the rule of Gabriel.

None of this was right.

After another hour of running, I reach the spot where I transformed and put my dress back on while tucking the knife into my skirt and tying the strap of the bag to the skirt. It's the only clever idea I can think of to smuggle the knife into the castle unnoticed. I was lucky that David had such a knife, because many packs did not. Silver was practically forbidden and was only used on the rarest of occasions.

I could only hope that the pouch on my tied petticoat would hold.... Damn.

I walk unobtrusively to the back entrance, check that the coast is clear and sneak in. Funnily enough, no one is looking for me as I'm officially on leave and have no important duties other than still helping Linda.

I walk back into the kitchen and see Linda peeling potatoes, grab a knife and sit down next to her to help her when she looks up and looks at me hopefully.

I nod inconspicuously to signal that I have the knife as we continue peeling potatoes and watch most of the kitchen staff head out the door to prepare dinner.

"I brewed a little potion for the cell guards," she whispers softly as I frown, wondering what the potion contains.

"It puts them to sleep for a few hours... I thought we could pour it into their food," she whispers even more quietly, so that I can barely hear her.

Linda must have been thinking about what would happen if I came with the knife. That was great, because then we'd have a plan to snatch the keys out of their hands and open our men's cells without them noticing.

"How do you want to go about it?" she asked me, while I stared at the potato in my hand and thought about how I could trick Gabriel into sticking a knife in his flesh - no matter where, the silver would do its job... I couldn't cause too much of a stir, because then the other wolves would raise the alarm and a fight would break out... Especially since Magnus was still with Gabriel and his beta was still there too.

Damn...

"I don't know... I..."

"Find him when he's with Bora. Hide in her closet, kind of like this... You can do it," Linda whispers to me, giving me some crazy ideas.

My pulse races just thinking about it, but the point is clear. Oh God...

"Let's go, I have to take the guards their food," she finally says, winking at me. The guards usually got their food downstairs, they weren't allowed to leave the prison and were actually just as imprisoned as Lorys and Leonardo. That was Linda's cue that we would start this action now, because like that night, Gabriel would surely go to Bora again and what I couldn't forget about was the Brightstone pack providing cover and if worst came to worst, storming in. It would be a surprise attack and no one would have time to think about what would happen.

Actually, our plan was brilliant.

I swallowed hard as I picked up a tray of food and took it to Bora. She hadn't come out of her room for days and I'd only seen her briefly when I'd helped her get dressed or when she needed something from me. Gabriel didn't tolerate my presence for much longer.

I could only pray that everything would go well. My hands trembled as I clutched the tray tighter, trying not to let on as I walked up the stairs to her room and stopped in front of the guards.

One of them eyed me conspicuously and raised his eyebrows.

"The Alpha ordered me to bring her food," I say as a grin flits across his lips, "I've never seen you in the Blue Moon before, who are you?" he asks me suddenly as the other watches us quietly.

I show him the crescent moon on my wrist, which stands for the Blue Moon, and shrug my shoulders: "I was always a simple maid.... I hardly think a man in your position would pay attention to a simple woman like me," I force a smile on my lips and wink at him. I turn on the charm and hope he doesn't ask any stupid questions. Every time I had something to hide, I had the feeling that people would approach me just to find out my secret. But no! Not this time.

The tall bloke stepped aside as I walked to the door.

"I have to help her with the washing too, so it'll probably take longer..." I replied as they both nodded hesitantly.

"You're one of us anyway, so we can let you in without feeling guilty," I realise that the guy is just chatting endlessly and probably has his eyes on me. All I can think about is freeing Leonardo so that I can kiss him wildly and passionately again and throw myself into his arms forever.

I miss him, even though it's only been three days. Knowing he's trapped is killing me inside.

"Thank you," I say and enter the room. I see Bora curled up in her bed, still crying. I put the tray down, go to her quietly and sit down next to her. Her eyes fill with tears when she sees me and she starts sobbing loudly. I silently take her in my arms and try to comfort her, but I can't find the words... I can't find the words to express my regret and sympathy.

"I'm so sorry Bora..." I whisper quietly as tears well up in my eyes and I cry too.

She hugs me too as she lets her tears run free and my dress gets wet.

I have to swallow and stroke her tousled hair.

"We'll put an end to this..." I whisper quietly, trying to see her face.

"We're doomed," she sobs quietly as I continue to stroke her hair.

It would be wise not to tell her about the plan, it would make it seem more real.

"Let's wash you," I whisper softly and gently pull her up as she stands up in a daze and follows me. I have the tub filled with water and help her sit down in it.

"Bora... I have to hide as soon as Gabriel comes. He mustn't know I'm in your room," I whisper quietly so that the wolves can only hear our conversation in mumbles.

She stares at the water, frowning, and I shake my head. I can see her question clearly on her face, but no. I won't tell her about my plan. Not while she was still in danger.

"I put her in the bath, grab the soap and start to wash the "dirt" off her. It had been hours since I heard her screams and crying and that alone felt cruel.

I strained my ears to maybe hear Gabriel coming, but there was nothing. I just heard the wolves taking turns on duty outside the door, trying to eavesdrop on them.

"Good that you're finally here, my feet hurt from standing," one said to the other and laughed.

"Go eat, otherwise there'll be nothing left for you," said the other and I heard their footsteps move away.

I didn't hear them say that I was in this room. They really seem to trust me... or they've forgotten.

"Bora, we have to hurry," I whisper, washing her hair and after helping her wash, I help her dry and dress as I sit her on the bed.

"No matter what happens... we'll do everything we can to help you," I whisper barely audibly as she looks at me with big googly eyes.

"We?" she asks, confused, as I nod.

"Linda..."

I can already hear more footsteps as I hurry to the wardrobe and squeeze between her hanging clothes, hinting with my index finger not to say anything and closing the doors.

I pull the dagger out of my pocket and close it tightly around my fingers.

I quietly whisper a prayer for myself and squeeze my eyes tightly shut, hoping that everything will go well.

The door opens and I hear Gabriel's voice.

"My beauty! You look beautiful! Come to me, i have something to tell you..." he calls out to her, while Bora punishes him with silence.

"Sweet Bora... You smell wonderful..."