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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Bab terkait
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
MAXI'm awoken at 6am by a pounding on the front door. I get up, careful not to wake Victoria, and go out to see what's happening.James, our beta, is standing on the doorstep."You have to come quick," he says. "There's a fire."I look out into the woods and see a faint orange glow in the distance. The fire is miles away, but it's still terrifying to see. Something must have happened. I can't imagine what it is. This fire is serious. If it's not under control, it could spread all over the camp. It's going to tear through the forest fast, and if it reaches us, the pack could be in serious danger. Lives could be lost.I can't let that happen.James and I run over to the camp office. I yell at the team of firefighters who are there to help. "We need to get water into the forest as soon as possible. Make sure the nearby streams are clear of debris and that the water levels are high. We're going to need the water to douse the fire. This is no time to be messing around. We need to
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER NINETEEN
It's been hours, but Max still hasn't come back. I can only assume he's fighting the fire, but I wish I knew for sure. I wish he'd left me some sort of note.I wish I knew he was safe. There's still no sign of him, and I'm starting to get worried.This is a big fire, and it's spreading fast. I can tell just by looking at it that it's a serious fire. The trees, the soil, the plants-- all of it is burning. It's turning the whole area into a disaster area.I don't have a lot of experience with forest fires, but I'm realizing just how dangerous they can be. This fire is moving faster than I would have thought possible. It's only a matter of time before it reaches the camp and destroys everything.I'm not sure what I'm going to do if I have to leave the camp. It's not like I can just walk out of the woods. I don't know what would happen to me if I did. The woods aren't safe, and even if I did manage to get out, I'd have no idea where I would go.Plus, there's no way I would ever leav
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY
MAXAs I shut the cabin door, my heart breaks. The proof Jacklyn showed me was compelling, but still, it's hard for me to believe Victoria would really do this.I was so sure she loved me. I was so sure she was my true mate. It's hard for me to imagine I could have been this wrong.But I was. I must have been. She's set a fire that's put my whole pack in danger. And that's where I need to focus my energies now.Victoria doesn't matter now. Only the pack matters.I go to tell my guys to triple check the evacuation of the camp. Then, I return to the front line to see if there's anything else I can do to help stop the fire.Every time I look at the fire, it's like it's getting bigger. It's like it wants to swallow us up.It's hard to put out a fire like this, but I can't walk away from it, either. We're all doing the best we can, but despite our best efforts, it seems like the fire is winning.It's not long before the fire is burning dangerously close to the camp. I can see the
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
I still can't believe he banished me. After everything that's happened, everything I've been through, I thought I had finally found my true mate. My one chance of happiness. And now he's gone too.I don't know what to do or where to go. I have no pack. No home. No mate. Nothing.I'm not even sure I have a reason to live. But I do know I don't want to die in this fire. So I run.I run for miles and miles, moving in a straight line. I'm not sure where I'm going, I just know that I need to go as far away from here as possible.The tears are welling up in my eyes. I know I need to be strong, but I can't help myself. I fall down to my knees and sob. I think about everything I've lost. My pack. My sense of safety and security. My chance to fit in with a new pack. And now, I've lost my true mate-- been banished by him all because of the lies of a jealous rival. It's like I'm stuck in a never-ending nightmare.I sit there and cry for a long time. I don't know what to do next. I don't kn
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
I can't stop coughing. The water that was filling my lungs comes out in spurts as Max cradles my head. He looks terrified, and I feel terrible for scaring him this way.I cough more, and then I breathe in deeply. My chest feels tight, and I can't catch my breath."Victoria," Max whispers. "Are you okay?"I nod and take another breath. I'm still coughing but I'm breathing. It hurts, but it's so good to be breathing again."Yeah," I whisper back. "I'm okay. I'm okay."Max stares at me and smiles. He looks like a little kid on Christmas morning, and he leans forward and kisses me. I feel the pressure of his lips against mine, and I return his kiss.He's here. He's really here. I don't know how he found me, but I'm so glad he did. I don't know what I would've done if he hadn't come back for me.I pull away and start coughing again. I sit up and Max puts his arm around me. He leans over to kiss me again, but I cough again. I cough so hard I start to throw up."Easy," Max says. "Do
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
JACKLYNI was so close to having it all.The fire was a good plan. Brilliant, even. And it worked, too. At least, initially.But then that jerk James had to go and launch an investigation. And those busybodies had to tell him they saw me, and now everything is ruined.The camp is falling apart. They're saying that I set the fire, and that I was going to kill everyone. Nobody will believe me. Nobody ever does.I'm the villain now, and Victoria is the hero. She's had her punishment and now everybody loves her. I'll never get the chance to be the good guy again.But maybe that's not such a bad thing. Maybe I should just embrace it. I don't need to be the good guy here. I just need Max.I need to find a way to get him back. I know he thinks he loves Victoria, but he doesn't. Not really. He can't. Because he's my true mate. Mine.And I'll do whatever it takes to get him back. I could kill her. That's one option. It would be easy, too. She's so weak from everything she's been t
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
JACKLYNFour hours later, I walk back to the witch's cottage. I can't believe this is happening. It feels like I've been waiting for this day for a lifetime, even though Victoria and I have just met. In just a few short days, she's ruined something I've spent my whole life working towards. And today, she's finally going to get what she deserves.I knock on the door again, and the witch opens it. She's holding a vial in her hand. "I have your potion," she says. "This is it. And it's very powerful. If you use it, you're going to make sure they are completely over each other. Forever.""What's in it?" I ask. I'm a little nervous. I know this sort of magic is dangerous, but this is the potion that I need. It's going to solve all my problems. It's worth it, no matter the risk."Dark magic," she says. "All you need to know is that it's going to work. I promise.""It won't hurt her, right? I don't want to do anything except break them up. If she dies, they'll blame me.""That's
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
MAXIt's amazing what a difference a few days can make. A week ago, I didn't even know Victoria. Two days ago, I thought we were going to lose everything and everyone we loved in a fire.But we didn't.And now, her I am, standing at a celebration with my true mate, getting ready to announce my engagement-- getting ready to share the news of my one true love with my pack. My family. And I have never been happier."Are you ready?" I ask Victoria."Yes," she says. I can't help but love the way she looks in her strapless pink dress. She's the most beautiful girl in the world, and she's going to be my wife. I can't believe this is really happening. But it is.I pull her in for a kiss, and her lips are soft and sweet. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close.I take her hand, and we walk over to a clearing where people are already gathering. Victoria and I are standing in front of everyone. We came here together, but now it's time for me to let her go."Fo
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The Luna's Choice CHAPTER FORTY
VICTORIAI stare at Ajax who is grinning, looking healthier than ever.“How are you alive?”I can barely speak but I manage to garble the words out.He rushes towards me, helping me up, “I never died. When you ran away, Brian’s people gave chase. You gave me those few precious moments to heal and I took over the pack.”I can barely see anymore.I can see him mouthing something.“…ust me?”I don’t know what it is but I nod.Then he’s forcing a bitter liquid into my mouth. I’m too weak to throw it out but as he feeds me the potion, he yanks out the broke piece of spear within me. I scream silently as the agony overtakes me but then I feel the wound healing almost instantly.I go limp in his arms, struggling to breathe as he pats my back, reassuringly, “Just breathe through it. It’ll be over in minutes.”I follow his instructions and sure enough my visions grows clearer.However, the first words out of my mouth are a cry for my mate, “Max!”I yank myself out of Ajax’s hold,
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
VICTORIA“Impala,” I breathe in horror. “What the hell are you doing here?”I stagger back in shock and fear and Jacklyn smiles, “I brought him here. I mean he was your mate first. So technically you can’t be mated to Max.”“Max is my true mate!” I shout at her. “Impala tried to force himself on me! My mating to Max is valid!”Jacklyn sneers, “Doesn’t matter now, does it? Impala has decided that he wants you back or kill you, depending on how much you resist.”Max is in front of me, his shoulder bleeding but his stance is protective, “She’s not going anywhere with you, you bastard! She’s my mate!”“She was never yours,” Impala spits out. “That bitch was mine and I don’t like mates who run away so she will have to be taught a lesson. You, however, you belong to this big mouthed woman.”“That’s the deal,” Jacklyn smiles. “You take her, I take him.”“Have you gone crazy, Jacklyn?” Max growls.“Crazy?” Jacklyn looks offended. “I love you! I’m doing this for us!”“Victoria is my
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
VICTORIAIt’s like I’m reliving my worst nightmare as I hear screams of terror, of the people I had grown to love.“What have you done?!” I scream at Jacklyn. She smiles, “I made a deal. A deal to get my mate back.”I try to run past her but she steps in my path, “And just where do you think you’re going?”“You’ve lost your mind!” I hiss at her, terror and adrenaline pumping through my blood. “That is your pack, people you grew up with! You know what happens when another pack invades! They will kill everyone, man, woman, child! They will torture the women, you friends, your family-”“Well they deserve it!” Jacklyn screams suddenly, getting in my face. “They were all complicit in keeping my mate from me!”My breathing is hard as I stare at her, “You’re crazy! You think they will let Max live? You think they’ll keep him alive for you?”“They will,” Jacklyn sneers. “They don’t Max. They want someone else. But don’t worry. They’ve promised to chain Max and bring him to me. Once
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
VICTORIATears of horror fill my eyes, “Why would she do that?!”“Because she she knew the witch would help us track her down,” Max hisses. “What is this woman planning?”“Even so,” I cover my mouth. “Why do it so viciously?”Max doesn’t have an answer to that.My heart pounding with sick fear, I look at him, “She’s not going to leave us be. I don’t believe it.”However. Max looks unsure.“Let’s wait and see.”Two days later there is still no sign of Jacklyn.“She’s left the pack territory,” One of the group leaders of the search party reports. “We can’t catch her scent anywhere. Wherever she is, its not here. We’ve combed the woods.”Max looks relieved, “Maybe she’s truly left.”However, there is a niggling suspicion in the back of my head. I don’t think Jacklyn would leave. Her obsession with Max goes way beyond that. She tried to kill me twice. She has killed two people.“What about her godfather? Doesn't he know?” I look at Max.“He says he knows nothing,” Max takes
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
VICTORIA“How could you give me something that belonged to Jackyln?!” I ask Max, tearfully, “You knew what she tried to do to us!”“I thought she had a change of heart!” Max looks just as upset. “I would never have knowingly put you in danger!”“Grace!” I look at the red-eyed woman. “Go tell the Alpha everything.”Grace nods, eager to help and when she disappears, I turn to face Max, “Look.”He looks at my ring and I wince.It’s glowing red.“It is the cursed object.” I say, dread in my voice. “The more I try to pull it off, the tighter it gets.”I give him a frightened look, “Max.”His expression is tight, “Okay. We have two options.”“Waiting for me to take my last breath is too big of a risk. The other option is cutting off my finger.”I hold his gaze, “I prefer the latter option.”However, he shakes his head, “There’s something else we can try. Come on.”He wraps his hand around mine as he begins to drag me along with him.“There’s a jewellery maker in the pack. He
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
VICTORIA“Cursed?” I give the old witch a stunned look. “Cursed by what?”She looks unsure, “Whatever it is, I can’t sense it. But this is not a spell on you. You touched a cursed object some time ago.”I look at my mate who is frozen in place and then I glance at the witch, hope in my voice, “But you can fix it right?”She hesitates, “If it was another witch’s doing, then yes. But this is through some cursed object. There are two ways to undo it. Find the object and destroy it. Or, wait till you are on your last breath and your mate gives you the mating mark. I would suggest the first one. The second one can always go wrong.”My heart sinks and she reaches behind her and stuffs some of the herbs into my hand, “Keep these with you. Chew on a few leaves every twenty four hours and you will be able live. But this solution is temporary. You need to find that object and destroy it.”“Is there any way of tracing it?” Max asks, urgently. “We don’t even know what it is? Maybe if y
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
VICTORIA“You’re just upset,” The Alpha says after a few brief moments. “I won’t push you right now. But the Elders’ decisions are absolute. And you know that.”He takes a step back, “Jacklyn will come to you soon. Don’t lay a finger on her. Am I clear?”I just stare at him in stony silence, refusing to say anything.I won’t accept her. There is no way in hell!Fortunately, Jacklyn doesn’t seek me out till a few days later. I’m in the hospital at that point when she comes striding through the doors, smiling.“Max-““Get out,” I snarl at her.However, she is undeterred, “Look, I know you’re upset but this is for the best. I understand you better than anyone. And you’re not even mated to her yet. Look, once we mate, it will be-““My mate is there!” I point towards the unconscious Victoria on the bed. “That’s my mate! You’re not! So get out!”Her smile slips, “Don’t be delusional Max. Victoria is dying. In fact, the elders consider her dead at this point or they wouldn’t have
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
MAXA scream leaves my lips. I run towards her, my heart racing, fear a bitter taste in my mouth.Victoria is sprawled on the rock, unconscious, blood seeping from her mouth and ears, her body limp. She is dressed in the mating robes and she had been probably waiting for m.I start checking for injuries but I see none. It is almost as if she was suddenly seized by an illness.I put my ear to her chest and hear a death rattle.Panicking and terrified for my mate, I pick her up in my arms and run all the way back the pack. The celebrations are still going on and they come to a screeching halt when I barge in with my unconscious mate. Shocked faces greet me till the Alpha forces his way from between the crowed, his voice urgent, “What’s going on, Max? What happened to your mate?!”People have already summoned the pack healer as I begin to recount how I found her. The pack healer is by my side within seconds and the first thing he does, while I’m still holding Victoria in m
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
MAX“Jacklyn wants me to have this?” I ask in disbelief, looking at Grace.Grace nods and her voice is filled with sympathy, “She is trying her best to come to terms with it, Max. With all of it. I know she messed up and she knows it too. But you have to understand, she’s loved you since we were all children. You loved her too.”My heart tightens at the memories.Grace sounds sad, “You were the one who found your true mate, not her Max. You’re happy and in love. Her heart has been crushed. I’m not saying what she did was right but Victoria could have given you two some time to work things out. She immediately rushed you into a mating ceremony-““I was the one who rushed her,” I say, sharply, looking at Grace. “Victoria has suffered a lot. I want to give her some stability. And I did talk to Jacklyn. I explained everything to her and she told me she had no hard feelings. Grace, this happens. Sometimes true mates do appear and you can’t do anything. Jacklyn should understand that.
