Not Your Mate Anymore

Chapter 36 Healing

Ethia's POV

I've put in so much work to be the moon goddess, I'm not going to let some teenager come in and take that away from me.

How could I not see it? I tested her and let every horrible thing happen to her but her power wouldn't let up. I was so convinced she wasn't the one.

Why is it up to the first family who becomes the god of wolves? I deserve it, I worked hard for it.

Thomas barges in to the cabin, startling me.

"She's still alive." Thomas, my last living warrior says.

I turned to face him, eyes bulged out.

"What do you mean she is still alive? I used the first sword to kill her. She is not immortal to that!" I say.

"Well, it seems she is immortal to that sword, I swear to you, she is in fact alive. Wounded but alive." He says to me.

"Then I have to finish her off!" I say and Thomas slowly approaches me.

"How do you plan on doing that? If the first sword couldn't kill her, what will?" Thomas asked and I turned around, giving him my back so I can think.

I had foolishly left the sword on the ground when I fled so I had no weapon that could finish her off.

I had to see for myself if she was really alive but if she has come in to her powers then she can read my mind and see me coming a mile away.

Although, I morphed in to Estelle before the fight and had Estelle morph in to me. Obviously Sabrina would never kill her nana, that's family. One doesn't simply just kill family. That was probably the smartest thing I couldve ever thought of.

She has no idea that she killed her own grandmother and that I was still alive. I'm not easily killed, everyone should know that by now. I plan my moves and escapes. I'm sure right now they are searching for Estelle and not me but her scent is long gone by now. Her essence has left this life.

I have to act fast before they realize that Estelle died, Hunter is a smart man and he will definitely put two and two together very soon.

I turn around to face Thomas.

"I need to see for myself if she is still alive." I say.

"Well, they are back at Red Creek pack. Sabrina has her guard wolves watching over her as she heals so it is a little impossible to go through them as they can detect you, even if you hide your scent." Thomas says to me.

I didn't get those wolves when I ascended the throne! Where were they? Just because I don't have the first family blood running in my veins doesn't mean I'm not worthy of being the wolf god. I worked hard and people died so I could rule!

"Then there's only one thing left to do." I say as a smile grows on my face.

"And that is?" Thomas asks with his eyebrow raised.

"We go to Red Creek and blend in. I'll become an omega, nobody pays attention to omegas and you will be the beta." I say and Thomas scoffs, shaking his head no.

"I can't be the beta. Working closely with Xander will expose me. The beta is best friends with the alpha, there's no way he won't see that I'm an imposter!" Thomas says.

What a baby.

"I only need you for the day. Knock the beta out, morph in to him and find out how Sabrina survived. She should be dead, this goes against all the laws of life and death. How she survived is important so I make sure she doesn't survive my next attack." I say.

Thomas nods his head, agreeing to my plan. It was just Thomas and I now, we were all we had as Sabrina killed everyone else.

"If we leave now, it will be evening down there and everyone will be getting ready for bed while the omegas clean up after pack dinner. I'll start there, you go wait for the beta in his room and make sure you restrain him after you knock him out. You don't want him to raise alarm to the alpha." I say before disappearing off to Red Creek Pack.

I arrive in the pack kitchens, there was only one omega in here. She was playing music while mopping the floor. I was behind her so she had not noticed me yet. A kettle whistled on my left, signaling that the water has boiled. The omega poured the hot water in to a teapot, which was on a golden tray. Next to the teapot was a teacup and saucer with a chamomile teabag inside the cup.

I walk up to her, she quickly turns to face me, the kettle still in her hand.

"Who is that for little one?" I ask.

"I I I it's for... Uhm..." She stutters and I roll my eyes.

"Speak!" I say growing impatient.

"The tea is for the luna." She says before she throws the kettle filled with insanely hot water. The kettle hits me, the hot water spilling on me, causing me to hiss in pain. I maintain a straight posture, not flinching at all. The omega's eyes bulge out as I grab her by the neck.

"You've got balls kid, but because you did that, I'm going to end you." I say and she starts kicking at me and I chuckle at her trying to free herself.

"What is your name little one?" I ask as she's scratching at my hand that's wrapped around her neck.

I let her go, tilting my head as she coughs, trying to get her breathing steady.

"What is your name?" I ask again with my voice a little raised due to annoyance.

"I'm...I'm Jamie." She says, wiping the tears that were falling from her eyes. I grab her by the neck again and this time, I snap it. Ending the girl's life instantly.

I hide her in the pantry before morphing in to her. A piercing scream echoes throughout the entire pack house, waking everyone. People start walking out of their rooms to see what was happening.

A limping Sabrina rushes down the stairs and I immediately hide behind the other pack members as she rushes past me. She walks in to the kitchen and starts to sob. Xander, waiting at the entrance of the kitchen, worry etched on his face.

Sabrina walked to the pantry, opening the pantry door, revealing the dead Jamie.

Oh bullocks!

She really did come in to her powers if she felt the death of that omega and her being the luna of this pack, makes this worse for me.

Xander walked up to Sabrina, standing behind her to see what she was looking at. He quickly goes in the pantry and walks out carrying a dead Jamie in his arms as loud gasps and screams filled the house. He walks past some pack members, making his way out of the house.

People start following him out, I stay back. Hoping that Thomas at least succeeded in this plan as I just ruined mine.

The beta was nowhere to be seen as people follow Xander's lead. Sabrina rooted on the spot as she looks around the kitchen. Her head shot up as she looked around the people walking out until her eyes landed on me. A sinister smile formed on my lips before I disappeared off.

I had been made! I underestimated Sabrina. Even in her wounded state, she could still sniff me out.

Maybe she was the true moon goddess after all but I fought tooth and nail to just let a measly teenager take the throne from me.

I arrived back at the cabin, with Thomas nowhere to be found.

Sabrina didn't know this but her son is to be king of all werewolves. Why couldn't she just let me be the moon goddess? She had everything else. She loses one mate and gains another.

Men practically threw themselves at her and some of us have to work harder to get things in our lives.

This is why she has to die!

She doesn't deserve everything and she doesn't even appreciate the life she has.

I will fight for my place as the moon goddess, If I can't defeat Sabrina, I'll die trying.

_________________________________________

Sabrina's POV

"She's alive.." I whisper in Xander's ear after we all laid Jamie to rest.

Xander looks at me, eyebrow raised. We silently make our way to our room, Xander closing the door behind me.

"If I didn't kill Ethia, then who did I kill? Is she also immortal? I have to tell mother!" I say out loud to myself but Xander is listening.

"Is she the one that killed Jamie?" Xander asks me and I nod.

"It had to be her. Jamie did not have a sister or twin but there was Jamie, in the pack house, staring right at me. She can morph!" I say.

"Morph?" Xander asks.

"Like change in to someone else. She can come to you looking like me but obviously won't possess any of my powers." I say before sitting down on the bed.

"Xander?" I call for him.

"Yes love?" He answers..

"Every morning before we get out of bed and every night before bed, I want you to ask me personal questions to make sure you're getting in to bed with the right person." I say, worry taking over me at the thought of Ethia scheming and Xander being a victim.

"Don't you need to do the same?" He asks and I shake my head no.

"Athena could tell, when I'm in her presence, I'll know it." I say, getting in to bed as Xander does the same.

"I need to fucken heal! Being this helpless is not helping anyone." I say as Xander gently pulls me in to his arms. I place my head on his chest, taking in his scent.

"Evil moon goddess aside, I love that I get to take care of you." He says to me before kissing my forehead.

"You've been enjoying this time haven't you?" I say, raising my head to meet his eyes.

"I just think your body needs the break. Your heart needs all the love without having so much to worry about and that's why I think you need to let your brother and parents know that Ethia is still alive." He says.

"I can stop her. Put an end to all of this madness." I say but Xander shakes his head no.

"Your biological father and Anthony are more than capable at handling that evil witch. You let me help you get better. Rest my love, take this time to heal new and past wounds so that we can have a better tomorrow. Your heart needs the time and I believe that is why you are healing at a turtle's pace." Xander says and that alone, kills any idea I had at getting Ethia.

"I'm glad you're not fighting me on this." He says to me and I smile.

"You're making sense." I say and Xander chuckles.

"Look Sabrina, you've been through so much. A heartless mate to another heartless mate. Watching some man, who happens to be your uncle, kill your mother or the lady you thought was your mother. You having to experience pregnancy on your own and have your mate disown his only son, taking away his right at the throne. People threatening your life or the lives of your loved ones. Baby, you're

constantly at war and your body is tired. Your heart is tired and as much as I love you, I need your heart at a hundred if we are going to be raising a family together." Xander says, his face holding so much emotion as he places his open palm on my cheek.

"I know there's so much more of you, heal the heart so that you can be your true happy self. You are not alone at this life thing. You have me, all of me but that's not it. You have Josey, Cj, all of your fathers and more. You have an entire pack that will listen and follow you. Let us save you this time, please baby." He says and my eyes get glassy and I think my heart just fluttered.

He was right...

I've been at war for so long. I've been saving people left, right and center! It feels so good for him to reassure me, reminding me that my family is more than capable at taking care of me too.

He was right...

I've been heartbroken so many times. I deserve the love he gives me and he deserves the same. I need to use the time for some self introspection, work on my insecurities and doubts.

I look at him again and I find him looking at me. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"I love you Alpha..." I say and he smiles, so genuinely.

"I love you Luna.." He says before Adrastos starts crying, interrupting our moment.

Xander gets up and takes our son in his arms. I stay in bed, watching him take a seat on the rocking chair, humming a familiar tune to a now calm baby.

Xander and Adrastos have an amazing connection and it blows my mind everytime. Sometimes, I feel like Adrastos prefers Xander's company more than mine.

I close my eyes, enjoying Xander's humming and Ethia's face pops up in my head.

Can't I just enjoy a damn moment!?

"Anthony, mother? Hunter?" I call out through mindlink.

"Are you hurt Sabrina?" Hunter responds.

"No but I have bad news." I say and mother gasps.

"Ethia is not dead. I believe, I believe she's the one that pierced that stainless steel in my body. She made an appearance at the pack house today, morphed as one of the omegas." I say.

"That makes sense because we can't find nana anywhere. Wait, if it was Ethia that tried to kill you then where is nana?" Anthony asks.

"I believe she died with the rest of the warriors." I say.

How could I have missed her? Was I so angry and determined to get to Ethia that I killed nana without noticing? She deserves death but how could I have missed it?

"Please promise me that when you find her, you won't kill her. I want to end her." I say. I am still healing but I'd very much like to use the same sword she used on me to kill her. If she survives that, she'll be as wounded as I am and I'll finish her off.

I just hope in the next few days I do heal completely. I love that Xander wants to take care of me but I can't help it. She entered my pack and killed one of my omega's. I felt it happen and it is painful.

Xander gets back in to bed, gently putting his arm around me as I lay my head on his chest.

"Sleep baby. You can overthink tomorrow." He tells me and I nod my head and listen to heartbeat as I try to sleep.

________________________________________

The Next Day

I woke up to find Anthony sitting on my side of the bed, his one hand on my chest and his other on my stomach as he uses his healing power on me.

"When did you get here?" I ask groggily as I rub my eyes to see him better.

"Good morning twin. It is 9am, I think I've been at it since 5am. Ethia is here, we tracked her here so your mate is having a pack meeting with mom and dad present so they can fish Ethia out." Anthony says to me.

"Why would she attend the meeting?" I say. She's too smart for that.

"If she doesn't attend then your two big wolves will sniff her out." He says to me. I look behind him to see Adrastos lying in his cot but wide awake, my wolves nowhere in the room.

"How long has he been awake?" I ask and Anthony smiles.

"He woke up a few minutes before you actually. Do you want me to bring him to you?" He asks and I nod my head yes.

Anthony stands up to get Adrastos when a middle aged woman ran in here. We all turn our faces to watch her. Anthony places Adrastos back in his cot.

My two wolves immediately jump on her, Adrastos hearing the noise, has the blue orb surround him.

Good son.

I get out of bed and stand up, wincing at how fast I got up, my whole entire being telling me that this woman was Ethia. Walking towards her, my wolves move back to give me space, still growling at her.

"Please help me! I'm just a helpless old woman." She says and I shake my head no.

"Oh you are definitely not old but you are helpless now." I say and Anthony quickly raises her up, standing behind her. My two wolves stand on each side of her and I look between them.

Why would they just stand there and not behind me?

Ethia changes back to herself before lunging for me. I step back, Anthony pulling her back and my wolves biting on each of her shoulders. She screamed in pain as she falls to the floor.

"You bitch! Why can't you just die?" Ethia screams at me.

Right then, Xander and Hunter walk in. Followed by my mother.

"Where is Estelle?" My mother asked and Ethia broke in to cackles.

"Your daughter killed her.." Ethia tells my mother. I roll my eyes.

I slowly go down on my knees, grabbing both of her ankles and twisting them. Ethia screams again in pain.

Xander helps me up.

"Estelle morphed in to me that day of the war. When Sabrina thought she had brutally killed me, she had in fact, killed her own grandmother." Ethia says looking at me.

I step away from her, to think back. Yes I thought I had killed her and now, it turns out I killed nana? That makes sense because Ethia couldn't have survived that.

"You think I feel guilty? I knew the minute she tried to kill my mate and son that I need to kill her. I knew the minute she drove that sword in to me, that I should've killed her sooner. She tried to kill my mate. She threatened my son's life." I say through gritted teeth.

"How do you think she feels? Her very own granddaughter sending her to her death?" Ethia asks me and I chuckle.

Xander hands me the sword that nearly ended my life. Ethia's eyes bulge out when she notices what I have in my hand.

"You'll be joining her very soon, how about you ask her?" I say slowly, limping towards her.

"Why are you limping?" Anthony says, completely destroying my mojo and breaking off that vengeance aura.

I turn to look at him, annoyance written all over my face. Xander chuckles and I turn to face him, he quickly forces a straight face.

"I can't explain it but if I walk without limping, somehow I push my abs to work and that hurts so I limp. Don't ask me again." I say, Anthony nodding his head.

I finally look back at Ethia, who's trying very hard to get out of the grip of my two wolves but failing. She was losing blood, badly staining my carpet.

"This is poetic justice don't you think?" I ask her and she shakes her head no frantically.

I rest the sword on her belly, making sure I am at the same exact spot where she stabbed me.

I slowly pierce through her skin and push the sword in, Ethia's mouth forming an O but no words or screams come out and I quickly pull the sword out.

"Please. My soul won't rest if you kill me with that thing." She says, her hands quickly trying to cover up her wound.

I look at her and then at the sword, then back at her with my eyebrows raised.

"Thay sword was created specifically....it is for the.. it is for the first family. I'm not as powerful, it will kill my soul. I will never be reincarnated." She says before coughing up a storm, blood oozing out of her mouth.

"That would actually be a good thing then. I mean, we don't want you being born again only to avenge yourself and try to be the moon goddess again." Xander chimes in.

Ethia shakes her head no as someone barges into the room. He looks at Ethia and he immediately pales.

"Thomas! You shouldn't be here.." Ethia whisper yells at the intruder.

I don't give her time to talk to her friend as I drive the sword in her, piercing her heart and sealing her fate. She would definitely die, ending her years of tyranny and evil.

"Your ambition brought you here, where a young woman takes your life. You've made some awful decisions and this is the end result, I hope you lived a happy life because that's the end of it." I say as she looks at me with tears falling out of her eyes.

I pull the sword out, Thomas trying to run to Ethia but Hunter holding him back. Hunter snaps his neck and throws him on the floor, next to a dead Ethia.

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders at the sight in front of me. Xander hugged me from behind.

It was over.

The fighting, the heartbreaks.

"I want to burn her, end this forever." I say and they all nod at me.

Anthony and Xander move to pick up the two dead bodies, as we all walk out the room, down the stairs and out the house. Mother staying behind to look after Adrastos.

People looking at us funny, wondering who the two dead people were.

When we got to a clearing, they placed them next to each other on the ground. I kneel on the ground next to Ethia, releasing the fire inside of me, on to her body. The fire spreads fast and quickly covers her friend, Thomas. Xander helps me up and we step back to see them burn.

I felt hot tears on my cheeks, the sight before me bringing back past traumas, all the pain I felt, I was leaving it behind with the burning corpses.

As the bodies burn, I feel my wounds heal completely. I turn to Xander and pull him in for a hug.

This was a new beginning.