Chapter 22:
Accalia: “MALIK?!”
In Accalia’s head: No, no, no, no. He's not breathing.
Accalia: “Come on, Malik. BREATHE!!”
In Accalia’s head: It's not working. Please…don’t leave me. (Malik’s chest glows). What the hell?! (Malik wakes up)
Accalia: “MALIK!! You're okay!!”
Malik: “What happened?!”
Accalia: “It was the venom. I came in here to see if you were okay…and that's when I found your lifeless body laying on the floor. You weren't breathing.”
Malik: “Go on.”
Accalia: “I performed chest compressions but it wasn't working. I felt desperate. Terrified so I kissed you. Thinking somehow the moon goddess would spare your life. But then the strangest thing happened.”
Malik: “What?!”
Accalia: “After I kissed you…a red light appeared out of nowhere and that's when you woke up.”
Malik: “Accalia, that kiss saved my life.”
Accalia: “But how?! Werewolves don't possess those kinds of powers.”
Malik: “I'm not sure but one thing's for certain…you have powers.”
Rose: “What the hell is going on here?! Where the hell have you two been?!”
Accalia: “Luna Rose, we can explain.”
In Rose’s head: Those markings…it can't be.
Amara: “Luna Rose, are you okay?!”
Malik: “Mom?!”
Rose: “How long have you been mated for?”
Malik: “Only a few days.”
Rose: “Malik, I really need to talk to you.”
Malik: “Now is not really the best time…”
Accalia: “Malik, it's okay. There's somebody I need to see.”
Malik: “And why is that?”
Accalia: “It's time I stopped running from the truth. (Gunner’s office)”
Gunner: “How has your mate settled in?”
Axel: “She's taken a living in the pack house well.”
Gunner: “She seems like a natural. Let's hope your mother doesn't overwhelm her too much.”
Nikita: “So once you and my son are officially mated. I expect grandpups soon after. Six or seven should be enough. What do you think, Hope?”
Hope: “Maybe, luna Nikita.”
Elya: “Axel, a word please?”
Nikita: “You have some nerve barging in here.”
Axel: “Mother, it's fine. I'll be out in a minute.””
Elya: “One minute.”
Hope: “But, Axel…”
Axel: “Don't worry angel, I'll be right back. (outside the office). How can I help you?”
Elya: “Cut the shit. What the hell do you think you're doing?!”
Axel: “I don't know why you're so angry. I'm spending time with my mate.”
Elya: “I’M YOUR MATE!! How could you bring another female here?!”
Axel: “You might be my mate selected by the moon goddess but I chose Hope. She's the one I want to be with.”
Elya: “BUT SHE’S HUMAN!! She could never be your rightful mate.”
Axel: “That's for me to decide, not you.”
Elya: “Please, Axel, don't do this.”
Axel: “It's already done. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my mate.”
In Elya’s head: Big mistake. (Malik’s room)
Malik: “Mom, what is this about?”
Rose: “Before I begin…I want you to know that I love you and I thought I was doing the right thing by hiding the truth from you.”
Malik: “What do you mean? Hiding the truth about what?”
Rose: “About the real reason your father never came home that night. (flashback)”
Vilkas: “I love you.”
Rose: “I love you more.”
Vilkas: “What's that look for?”
Rose: “Do you have to go?”
Vilkas: “I thought we talked about this? The alpha’s asked for me personally. I have to go.”
Rose: “I know. I just hate being away from you.”
Vilkas: “Don't worry my flower, it won't be forever. (in the kitchen)”
Young Malik: “Just give up, Lakota. You know I always win “
In Young Malik’s head: Almost got him. NOO!! Pure luck. How humiliating food
Vilkas: “Should I even ask what's going on here?”
Young Malik: “Nothing, sir. Except for me beating Lakota at arm wrestling. (Lakota snacks Malik). OUCH, LAKOTA!!”
Vilkas: “Listen boys. You know I have to leave today so come over here and give your old man a hug. Be good for your mother.”
Young Malik: “I thought you were going to take me hunting tonight?”
Vilkas: “Just give us a moment, flower?”
Rose: “Okay.”
Vilkas: “Give your ol’ man another hug.”
Young Malik: “I love you, dad.”
Vilkas: “I love you too, son. (Malik’s room)”
In Rose’s head: I'm glad he chose to sleep in our bed Athena. I could use the company.
Rose’s Wolf: “Me too, Rose.”
In Rose’s head: He really does look like his father.
Rose’s Wolf: “I think he looks more like us. (Rose laughs)”
Rose: “Good night, baby.”
In Rose’s head: What the hell?! What's happening?!
Rose’s Wolf: “It’s our mate!! He's in trouble. We must go to him!”
In Rose’s head: But what about the pups?!
Rose’s Wolf: “They'll be fine, you need to go now.”
In Rose’s head: I promise I'll come back to you. (in the woods). VILKAS!!
Gunner: “Any last words?!”
Vilkas: “YOU BETRAYED ME!!”
Gunner: “Oh please. You betrayed your own kind and now you'll pay the ultimate price.”
In Rose’s head: We have to help him!!
Vilkas’ Mindlink: “No. Don't you dare move.”
Rose’s Mindlink: “What are you saying?! He's about to kill you.”
Vilkas’ Mindlink: “You know who he is…he would come for you and the boys. Don't give him that chance to do so. Go home and stay hidden.”
Rose’s Mindlink: “Vilkas…please. I can't live without you.”
Vilkas’ Mindlink: “Then don't live for me, live for the boys. Don't let them lose two parents. Promise me, Rose.”
Rose’s Mindlink: “I promise.”
In Vilkas’ head: Goodbye, my son. If you turn out anything like me, then I pray to the moon goddess that they’ll never find you.
Gunner: “I won't ask you again. Any last words?!”
Vilkas: “Until we meet again, my flower. (Rose runs back home)”
Young Malik: “Mom?! Please don't cry, I'll look after you. (present time)”
Rose: “Please say something. Malik, where are you going?!”
Malik: “What pack was it, mother?”
Rose: “Does it really matter? Revenge won't bring your father back.”
Malik: “WHO ARE THEY?!”
Rose: “They are called the ‘Sawtooth Pack’.”
In Malik’s head: I should've known.
Rose: “Malik, please. You have no idea what they are capable of.”
Malik: “Neither do they. (Kirima’s home)”
Kirima: “Anaanatsiaq, you have a visitor.”
Accalia: “Yura.”
Yura: “Leave us, Kirirma. So, what made you change your mind?”
Accalia: “The truth is, I was scared of the truth. But the thing is, I'm not scared anymore. I'm done running.”
Yura: “You're doing the right thing.”
Accalia: “You knew I would come, didn't you?”
Yura: “I did. So you want answers to what you truly are?”
Accalia: “I do.”
Yura: “You see, Accalia. We might live in a world full of mythical creatures, but myths can still exist among us. Werewolves, vampires, demons…but you're something much, much more.”
Accalia: “I don't understand.”
Yura: “Do you believe in dark magic?”
Accalia: “I think so.”
Yura: “Long ago when I was a little girl, my people would constantly talk about a creature. A creature that appeared human but was something much more than that. A creature full of darkness and rage semicolon said to destroy anything in its path.”
Accalia: “You're starting to scare me.”
Yura: “Think about it. The mood swings, your appearance changing. The strange voice only you can hear. Even your own wolf has been cut off. It's all her.”
Accalia: “WHO?! What are you talking about?! (the books glows)”
Yura: “Born on the first night of Gemini during an eclipse, the holy goddess will bestow the power of twins to the soul daughter of Lilith and Logan.”
Accalia: “Yura…what am I?”
Yura: “You're a skinwalker.”