Law, Mila and I packed everything up and went back.
Both of them didn’t see the point in leaving the perfect harmony around us but I couldn’t run from my problems anymore. I had to face them.
I told them I had to go back home but that I’d meet them at the castle in an hour. Law said he’d pick me up.
When I got home, there were police cars in my driveway.
A surge of fear rushed through my bloodstream.
What the hell happened?
I walked up the porch steps, hoping no one was hurt. Why were the police here? Did something happen to my parents? To Aria? Her car wasn’t in the driveway.
Just as I was about to open the door, a police officer opened the door and stared me down.
“Are you Maddeline Brook?”
“Yes.” I was growing insanely anxious.
“She’s here.” The police officer called behind him into the hallway. My parents ran over to me and hugged the life out of me.
“Thank you very much, Officer Derek,” My dad addressed to the grumpy police officer.
“We appreciate your patience,” My mom added gratefully.
“You’re welcome, we’re just relieved your daughter is safe.” Officer Derek and two other police officers soon left and I realized they were here for me.
Before I could start explaining, my parents blew up.
“Where have you been for the past week?”
“I told you, at a friend’s house-”
“And which ‘friend’ is this?” Mom used air quotes around “friend”.
“Um-”
“We’ve been searching the whole damn town for you.” They were both fuming and I was like a deer in the headlights. I couldn’t tell them the truth but I was a terrible liar.
But they were far from done, “And we found a pillow and sheets in your closet. Was there a visitor staying in this house that we should know about?”
Oh no.
I was in deep trouble now.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” Dad asked and I didn’t know the right words.
I opened my mouth but no words came out. I didn’t have a good explanation as to why I went missing nor why there was a pillow and sheets in my closet.
“Well?” Mom asked after a moment of dead silence.
I looked both of them in the eye.
They deserved to know where their daughter has been sneaking off to. They deserved to know who the people who took their place were. They deserved to know.
“Look, there’s something I need to tell you.” My fingers fidgeted and I just hoped I was doing the right thing. Maybe I should just come out and say it.
I’m sorry, Aria, you’re going to hate me forever.
“I’m the Moon Goddess.” I blurted and they stared at me like I had two heads.
“The what?” Dad asked.
“I’m the Moon Goddess, I’m a reincarnation-” I wasn’t explaining this right. But there wasn’t really an endless supply of books that told you how to tell your parents you’re a supernatural being.
I took a deep breath and tried again, “There was a werewolf in my closet. He was injured and I helped him. I was gone because werewolves were trying to kill me. I wanted to tell you. . . but I knew you wouldn’t believe me.”
Even now, I could see I’d lost them.
“Are you high?” Mom grabbed my face and stared at my pupils.
“No!” I slapped her hands away.
“You’re not making any sense.” Mom’s lips quivered with worry.
Dad added, “We won’t be mad if you tell us the truth.” Both of them stared at me desperately, probably worried I’d gone crazy or something.
“I’m telling the truth, werewolves exist.” I said in frustration but I knew they’d never believe me. “I’ve been visiting their castle ever since Aria’s birthday party in January. Ask her, she knows everything, too.”
That’s when I remembered something Even had told me during training one day. He told me that the Moon Goddess could predict the future through her dreams. He said it was just a myth and that I wouldn’t necessarily gain that ability, but now that I think about it more, I think I can see the future.
I dreamt about meeting Harry before I even knew who he was and I dreamt that Even and I would kiss.
And if that were true. . . my dreams of Melanie dying would become real.
Law, I hoped I could get to him, Are you close by?
I wasn’t absolutely sure my dreams reflected the future but I couldn’t take that chance. I needed to leave before she could get hurt.
“You know the nightmares I’ve been having?” I asked, trying to reason with them again.
“The ones you’re taking pills for? Yes, what’s your point?” Mom demanded.
That’s when I realized they’d never understand. They’d never get it, they couldn’t, because they didn’t know me.
I’m a minute away, Law finally replied back and I knew what I had to do.
“I have to go back.” I announced quickly.
“Maddeline, what is going on with you? This isn’t like you-” I interrupted my dad, something I never did.
“I’m not the perfect, little girl you think I am. You think I’m some normal teenage girl who can’t wait to go to college but I was never that girl. . . and I’m tired of pretending to be.”
“All we want is for you to be happy. But you aren’t leaving this house.” Mom said with a hint of anger in her tone.
I heard Law’s voice in my head, I’m here.
I looked at them one last time, hoping they wouldn’t hate me forever.
“I’m going back. I’ve already made my decision and you can’t stop me.” I ran passed them, wondering if they’d take me back.
“Maddeline!” My dad’s booming voice was the last thing I heard before I closed the door.
*****
“How’d they take it?” Law asked as he drove to the pack castle. I told Law about how I’d told my parents everything.
“Uh, okay,” I shrugged.
“They didn’t look ‘okay’ from what I saw.”
“And how do you know? You were in your car the whole time.” I challenged suspiciously.
He pointed to his ear, “Werewolf hearing.”
“Oh.”
“Come on, it wasn’t that bad,” He was definitely lying, that was the worst thing I’d ever done to my parents.
“No, it was bad. I was the perfect daughter. They imagined a college life for me, not one with werewolves. I literally told them they didn’t know me anymore and I was done with them.” I winced at the memory.
“They’ll forgive you.”
“Highly unlikely.”
When we arrived at the castle, I got this gut feeling that something bad had happened. Something felt wrong about this whole situation.
Law and I unbuckled our seatbelts and walked to the entrance.
That was when I heard it. Howling.
A wave of werewolves ran into the woods, all coming from the castle.
“What the-?”
“It’s the prisoners, the rogues, they’re escaping.” Law ran ahead, probably to catch them and put them back in their cells, but I used the Alpha command to control him.
“No.” I commanded. “Let them go.” I thought of the rogues I spent time with and I thought of Mila. They didn’t deserve to be slaves, they deserved to be free.
I could tell Law disagreed but he couldn’t fight the command.
As we came closer, I could see the last few werewolves and I couldn’t believe who I saw.
It was Ever! She had come back and freed all of the rogues wasting away in the castle.
She spotted me at the same time I spotted her. Even though we were standing so far away, I could tell she was smiling.
I never thought I’d see you again, I said to her through the mind-link.
I thought I’d do everyone a favor and free all the rogues.
“Hazel, let’s go,” Law ran back to me and grabbed my arm, “It’s not safe with-” Then he saw Ever.
And both of their auras lit up, a blinding light that resembled white fireworks showering both of them.
Law stared at her in disbelief but she looked through him, trying hard not to see him.
In a flash, Ever tore away from his mesmerized gaze and swiftly phased into a wolf.
Law let go of my arm and quickly sprinted after her.
I was torn. I wanted to follow Law and Ever and make sure they were okay but I wanted to see Even and warn Melanie. I needed to see him.
I turned my back on Law and Ever and headed for the castle.