Chapter 31

Zaraphine's POV

'How are you doing?' I questioned my wolf. 'Not too good, but I can hold off a little longer.' She says sadly causing me to whimper. 'I'm gonna have to shift back. I can't let you die. I need you.' I told her. 'No it's okay. I can handle a few more days Zara. He will find us in time.' He tries reasoning. 'He's not coming. He thinks we don't want him!' Do I want him? Do I want to accept the bond? 'He will figure out what happened. He will come. He has to.' She whines.

"Ohh my little Zara. Why haven't you shifted back?" I hear her voice echo in the room causing me to shiver. "You need to shift Zaraphine! Otherwise I will have to make you!" She says as she walks out of the shadows, coming into view. I slowly stand up, ignoring the protests of my muscles and snarl at her. "Do not disrespect me! I raised you! You may not be my blood but you are still my child!" She growls. 'She's not my mother?' I ask my wolf. 'I don't know.' She hesitantly responds. "You still haven't figured it out? Hmm this is perfect. I'll explain. Your mother is Selene." She growls, "She gave you up when you were just two days old Zaraphine! She did not want you! So she handed you over to Jasper and I. I was longing for another child but for some reason I could not get pregnant again after Hazel. I took you in disregarding my mates protests." She hisses out. 'Selene wouldn't do that!' My wolf spits out. 'I don't think she's lying.' I say just above a whisper.

"You are meant to be by my side Zaraphine. Ruling beside me with Lakota as your mate. We will take good care of you." She says smiling at me. 'I'm gonna shift back.' 'No!! It could be a trick Zara.' She panicks. 'Well there is only one way to find out.' I say as I begin shifting back to my human form. "Ohh thank the goddess. Zaraphine let's get you some clothes and get you cleaned up. I do not want my daughter to show up to her own mating ceremony looking like..." she trails of as she looks me up and down with disgust, "This." "How do I know you're telling the truth mother?" I question. "Why would I lie? I have always loved you Zaraphine. You were the daughter I got to choose. I will always be with you to guide you." She tells me. 'She's lying!! She hates us!! She's always hated us!! She banished you from your home Zara! How can you not see that!!" My wolf growls at me.

Esther moved me out of the cell and into a room of my own to get cleaned up and even sent someone with food. After taking a warm shower and eating till it physically hurt to breath I laid down in the bed. Closing my eyes I think of what my life would've been if I never would've left Atticus' pack. Would he accept me as his mate? Would we start a family and grow old together? Would he have left me just like everyone else? I feel myself to slowly drift off to sleep.

I jolt awake with a snarl feeling someone in the room. "Easy there. It's just me." Says that husky voice I have learned to hate. "What are you doing here?!" I growl. "I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you were doing okay. I mean you have been through a lot these last few months." He explains. "And why is that Lakota!! You were a part of that!!!" I hiss.