48. Raine

I heard voices around me. Voices I knew, one in particular penetrated the darkness more then the others. Gentle hands were grabbing at me dressing me in loose clothes. I tried to move but my body wouldn't allow me. Then there was yelling Which halted my efforts.

"Call her a monster again and I don't care who's brother you are I'll kill you."

Who was he talking to? Another voice, I gentle voice like a father. I didn't understand. What was happening? Why did everyone sound so worried? So scared?

"If Ver dies I'll kill her."

If Vericus dies? What.....suddenly it all came back to me. Vericus inside my mind, his eyes shattering the barrier surrounding the forgotten memory. The madness from that day seeping into the present. The madness, the pain, the swirling hell making me attack Vericus, Attack Malix! I attacked Malix!

My eyes snapped open my head pounding as I sprang off the bed. My whole body hurt making me unsteady on my feet. Rough partially shifted hands grabbed me from behind.

"LET ME GO!"

I struggled against Roakes arms until Malix appeared before me. His hands cupping my face. The instant his skin touched mine I froze as tears came to my eyes.

"Malix.. I'm..-"

"I know Raine. I know you didn't mean to."

My eyes went to his bare chest and the bandages stained with blood. He nodded to Raoke who reluctantly let me go. Malix wrapping his arms around me.

I took in the rest of the room Owen stood behind Malix eyeing me with concern. My gaze landed on Ver on the bed opposite mine. He was unconscious from my bite. The poison slowly killing him. I had to save him. Had to keep him alive for her.

I gently pulled away from Malix, he nodded needing no words. My eyes met Owens.

"I can save him but you won't like how."

"If it saves his life we have no choice."

Owens answer was said without hesitation but I wondered if he would still think that when he realised what I would have to do.

A growled came from Roake as I approached the bed. I ignored it as I stood at Vers side. Glancing at Owen I forced my fangs out. His eyes widened as realisation hit him.

"Is there no other way?"

Malixs words but spoken for Owen.

"No this is the only way to free him of the poison. I give you my word I will try return his power once he is free of the poison, however I don't know what will happen when his power joins with mine and Rixs."

Roake grabbed at my shoulder spinning me around roughly.

"What do you mean by that? What power do you possess that would react to his?"

I didn't know much about my power but I knew enough to know that there was a chance the power given to him by the moon goddess, my mother would reawaken my silver eyes and I may not be able to return what I had taken.

"I will explain everything once I've saved him."

I turned my gaze back to Owen.

"I can tell you this there a strong chance I may not be able to return the power."

Owen stared at me his blue eyes conflicted. It was a hard pill to swallow. As a silver moon wolf he had dedicated his life to serving the red eyed king.

"Vericus is king even without his power as long as he lives he will always be my king."

I inclined my head.

"Very well."

Roake growled his disapproval but didn't move to stop me when I leant down my fangs bared. The second I pierced his skin I felt the power of my mother pure into me. It was as I suspected his power was creating a bridge between my power and Driaks barrier inside my mind. The barrier where Rix was trapped with her soul still clinging to her will the key that would awaken my god given blood.

My eyes glowed with power as they began to change from blue to silver. Eyes that held the power to kill an immortal, the power to kill a god.

Halfway through the process the door burst open Slo taking in the scene before him. Enraged he rush towards me, it was Owen who stopped him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Slo calm down she's saving his life."

He continued to struggle yelling at all of them for doing nothing to stop me. I blocked all of them from distracting me. I needed to concentrate or I could kill him if I drained too much. Finally after two agonising minutes I reached the end of the tainted power from the poison. Quickly I pulled away, i had managed to leave him with his wolf form and a portion of his power as a king. His only saving grace was that the power that the moon goddess had gifted him was so strong that the poison hadn't managed to taint it completely. He would be significantly weaker but even a small portion of his power was enough for him to remain the red eyed king.

All in the room stood in shocked silence as the glow in my eyes died down revealing the silver beneath.

Owen rushed to Vericus's side checking him over. He sighed in relief turning to Slo.

"He's alive the fevers gone he's going to be ok."

Slo clenched his fists his eyes downcast. Without warning he rush towards me punching me in the jaw. I could have stopped his punch but I knew it was something he needed to do. Malix moved to stop him.

"Malix don't."

Malix gritted his teeth but didn't move as Slo punched me again. Pain spread through my jaw. I did nothing to stop him. He deserved to be angry. I was the one that had attacked Ver. I was the one that had attacked his mate. I deserved every bit of pain he was inflicting as I was knocked to the ground turning my head I spat blood on the ground.

I deserved all of this. Rix was trapped because of me she had saved us both. If she hadn't done what she did that day neither of us would be here now.

Slo prepared himself for another blow when A strong tattooed arm grabbed his wrists. Vericus now awake stood behind Slo.

"Enough!"

Slo spun around meeting Vericus's gaze. Malix rushed to my side kneeling next to me he lifted my chin up his eyes concerned and full of worry.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded I could already feel my wounds healing at an alarming rate. Even Malix stared shocked as the cuts and bruises that were starting to form disappeared before his eyes.

"What the...?"

My eyes looked passed Malix to where Ver and Slo were staring at me. Their faces told me they had also seen the rapid healing of my wounds. I stood up helping Malix who was still injured get to his feet. Roake put a hand on Malixs shoulder stopping him from going near me.

"What are you?"

The question coming from Vericus his red eyes searching my silver ones as if he could find the answer in them.

I glanced at everyone, I saw the same look in all but Malix. They feared me, feared my silver eyes and what they could mean.

Malix ripped away from his fathers grasp coming to my side. His hand grasped mine giving me strength. I squeezed back in thanks.

My eyes went to Owen the only other silver moon wolf alive today. He was about to hear the secret every alpha of the silver moon pack vowed to protect.

"I am the moon goddesses daughter. Born from her blood for the soul purpose of killing my brother."

I proceeded to tell them everything that had happened on the day Rix died and the reason I had attack Vericus and Malix when Ver unlocked the memory within my mind.

"The person you all know as Driak is not the immortal brother from the past. He is a god and far more powerful then any of you could possibly imagine."

Shock was in all their faces. I saw questions in their eyes. The first to ask was Vericus.

"If Driak isn't the the immortal brother from the past then who is?"

I shrugged.

"I have no idea."

Vericus growled at me frustration and confusion distorting his features.

"What do you mean you don't know? How do you know Driak is a god then?"

I sighed. What could I tell him I only knew what little information I had been given when Rixs and my souls were jumbled together. Hell I didn't even know how my power worked let alone what it did. All I knew for sure was that the curse was broken five hundred years ago, Driak was a god and Rix was the key to unlock a power inside me that could kill a god. Beyond that I was clueless.

"Let's just say that I figured it out."

Every pair of eyes in the room were on me stunned expressions on them all. I don't know what they expected me to say. I was just as much in the dark as the rest of them. I did debate about telling Vericus about the curse but I didn't want to reveal it in front of the others. That was something I should tell him alone.

"Raine are you serious about being born from the moon goddess herself?"

My eyes met Malixs a dip of my head was all he needed as confirmation.

"If this is all true then what power do you possess that could kill a god?"

Owens voice soft.

"How the hell should I know it's not like the moon goddess left some Devine guidebook imprinted in my head. All I know is it has something to do with my silver eyes but beyond that I'm clueless. I was able to tell in the jumble of mess between Rixs soul and mine that she knew the answer but with her trapped by Driaks power I have no way of asking her. I get the feeling that it was a knowledge that was passed from one alpha to the next."

Owens eyes widened in surprise at this. He stepped closer to peer into my eyes. Ever the doctor he flashed his doctors light into them as if he could determine their purpose just from doing it. I allowed him to do what he thought he had to even though I knew it wouldn't help.

"I don't understand any of this I thought this whole thing started because of a curse now there's a god involved and you..."

Slo voice was strained mentally exhausted with everything that was happening. At the mention of the curse I tensed involuntarily. Ver didn't miss it as his eyes narrow at me.

"Everyone except Raine get out!"

Eyes that were trained on me turned to face Vericus confused.

"I'm not leaving you alone with her!"

Slo of course the first to object.

"I need to speak with Raine alone."

Owen grabbed Slos arm and gently forced him out the door. Roake doing the same to Malix who only moved after I nodded that I'd be fine. Once they were far enough away that we couldn't be overheard Vericus sat down on the bed taking a deep breath. He was preparing for the worse not knowing that what I had to say was in no way a bad thing.

"Tell me what your hiding."

I leaned against the wall crossing my arms.

"I don't know all the details but the curse was broken during your last life five hundred years ago."

His mouth dropped in shock. It was definitely not what he was expecting. When he finally recovered he shook his head confused.

"If the curse is broken then why were Rix and I given another life?"

I shrugged.

"I know why Rix is here as for you it's possible that your soul followed hers. The mate bond is obviously stronger then anyone realises."

"Alright then tell me why is Rix here?"

"From what I was able to gain when her power unlocked mine it was a promise she had made with the moon goddess. She believed she had to make up for her past so she agreed to hold the key that would unlock my power."

"Why would your power even need a key? Why wouldn't you just be born with it already awakened?"

I didn't answer because the truth was I had no idea why. Of course there had to be a reason but I was not privy to it. There was still so much I didn't know. So much that Rix might have the answers to yet with her soul trapped I was unable to ask.

"Ok even harder question what do we do now?"

"WE don't do anything MEon the other hand...."

I pushed off the wall til I stood right in front of him.

"I'm going after Driak but first...."

Before he could stop me I buried my fangs into his neck. I began the process of returning his power keeping just one small piece of it so that my eyes remained silver.

When it was over his eyes were glowing his power returned. I started to pull back but both his hands grabbed my shoulders. He was so close I felt my heart beating faster.

"I can sense her inside you."

"Vericus-"

"Rix.."

His voice was soft like he was in a trance, just like the night I was caged and he'd started to open the bars. The sirens power that amplified the mate bond was effecting him. His hands travelled down my arms. I shivered at the touch whatever was effecting him was affecting me as well. I couldn't pull away, couldn't resist his touch. A touch that didn't cause me pain. I tried to fight the bond, to fight the feelings that weren't mine. Suddenly he grabbed my wrists. Standing with one swift motion he spun me around pinning me onto the bed.

With the last of my will power I called out with my mind just as Vericus's lips were about to touch mine the door burst open. Malix in wolf form rushed at Vericus knocking him off me. He growled towards Vericus teeth bared and hackles up. Vers face was stunned as the trance he was under disappeared. His eyes met mine appalled at what he'd done.

"Malix, Raine I'm so sorry I don't know what came over me....I..."

I put a hand on Malixs furred back. He was trembling with anger. Behind us Owen ran into the room.

"Malix you idiot you shouldn't shift while your injured."

His eyes glanced between us. It was obvious what had happened even if no one said anything. Malix shifted back collapsing the second he did. Ver and Owen rushed to pick him up and place him on one of the beds.

"He's burst his stitches the moron. Quick Raine gather up what I'll need while I clean the wound."

I moved to do as I was told. Ver grabbed my arm leaning in to whisper.

"We'll finish this later don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

I growled at him.

"Let go Vericus."

"Not til you agree."

I groaned.

"Fine you have my word I didn't plan on leaving til Malix was better anyway."

Vericus held on a second longer then let me go stalking out of the room. I rushed to get what was needed setting up a tray for Owen. He worked silently while I stood back and watched. My muscles tensing worried about Malix.

Once Owen cut the last stitch he sighed looked up to meet my eyes.

"Don't worry Raine he'll be fine. He just needs a good nights rest."

His words did nothing to ease my anxiety as I stared down at the love of my life. He looked so peaceful in his sleep I wished he could look like that all the time. Being my mate wasn't easy on him I knew that. I often thought I didn't deserve him, he was too good for the likes of me.

"Raine if your up for it I'd like you to come for a walk with me."

I forced my eyes to look away from Malix to stare into Owens.

"Where?"

He pulled his gloves off smiling.

"Just to get some fresh air."

I shook my head.

"No I'm not leaving Malix."

"He's not going anywhere and you look like you could use a break from everything."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I got the sense that he was the fatherly type always needing to give his support, his guidance. I found myself wondering what it would have been like growing up with him. Then dismissed it as sounding ridiculous he didn't raise me and there was no point wondering.

"Please Raine I would like to spend some time getting to know my niece if that's alright with you?"

I scowled.

"It's not like there's much to know. I'm a murderer who's apparently born with the power to kill a god. As if I wasn't dangerous enough."

Owen didn't comment on my sarcastic remake merely waited silently for me to agree. Like he already knew I would.

"Fine but don't blame me when you realise I'm not worth getting to know. Just let me change out of these clothes first."

He nodded.

"Your bags are just over there. I'll meet you out back."

I inclined my head watching him leave. Quickly I pulled off the oversized shirt and sweatpants someone had stuffed me in while I was out and put a clean pair of clothes on that were much the same as I always wore. Finishing it off with my signature jacket and throwing knives. The last thing I put on was my mask which I sat in its spot on my forehead. I felt more like myself already.

Owen waited by the door just like he said smiling at me when he saw me which only made me frown. I wasn't used to people smiling at me. Not many people did except Malix and maybe Vericus but that was only when he sensed Rix.

"You look more relaxed."

I tapped my mask.

"I'm not me without this."

Owen frowned eyeing the mask but didn't comment as he began to lead me away from the house. He waited til we were a fair distance away from the house before he spoke. I got the feeling that he wanted our conversation to be between us only.

"I'm sorry for not doing this earlier Raine with everything that's been happening I've been lacking as an uncle."

I scoffed at his words.

"No offence Owen but you maybe my uncle by blood but that's it. I never expected anything from you blood related or not."

"I figured you would feel that way but it doesn't change the fact that you and I are the last silver moon wolves. The fact that your also my last living relative only makes me care about you more."

I sighed I was not good with people especially ones that were so open with their feelings.

"You shouldn't."

His eyebrow raised in confusion at my words. I stopped walking to face him fully.

"Care for me I mean. I'm the reason the silver moon pack is gone. I'm the reason you have no family. I've taken everything from you, you shouldn't care about me. If anything you should want me dead."

He surprised me his hands resting on my shoulders. The sincere look in his eyes had me frozen unable to speak or move.

"Never say that Raine, you are my family. You fought to stay alive. You survived a life time of pain, I'm not alone because I have you. You are my niece, you tried to do the right thing in saving Rixs soul. You are not a bad person, just someone that has had too many bad things happen to her. You should never wish to be dead because it is a miracle you are alive."

I stared at him his words meaning nothing to me since I didn't agree with any of it. His hands returned to his side when I remained silent.

"Ver told me about your plan."

I growled swearing to kick his arse next time I saw him.

"Vericus should learn to keep his mouth shut."

Owen chuckled.

"If you knew him better you would know hes not usually the one to share information. He only told me because you are my family and Even if you don't think you deserve to be, your are my niece just as much as Rix is."

"What are you trying to say Owen? You wouldn't be bringing this up of you don't have a point."

He smiled sadly.

"You read people well, that you got from my brother."

He took a deep breath before going on.

"Raine I want you to let Rix go."

I backed up a step scowling at him.

"Wh..what do you mean?"

He grabbed both my hands holding tight like he knew I was ten seconds away from running.

"Raine please hear me out. What happened that day was never meant to happen. The madness that over took you is because two souls are never meant to inhabit one body. It's unnatural and should never be done. I know the guilt of what you've done weighs down on you. It drowns you making it seem like you'll never be able to come up for air but Everything happens for a reason. Rix was never meant to survive. Her soul should've passed on that day. I helped raise for from birth I know that she wouldn't have wanted this. She would want you to live. She would never be able to live with herself knowing you had sacrificed your soul for hers."

I tried to pull my hands from his my anger at his words rising. How could he ask me to let her die? She was his niece, his family. She was innocent, I was the furthest thing from it. She deserved to live if that meant me giving up my soul for her to do that then I would.

He could sense my anger such was his power. Backing off he sighed.

"Look I not trying to pressure you I'm just asking that before you give up if you can find I way to ask her how she feels about this please let her tell you herself what she wants. Don't make a decision like this without speaking to her first."

I stood there not sure what to say as he leaned in to kiss my forehead his hand touching my cheek.

"Just think about it ok?"

I didn't answer or give any indication that I would think about it. Owen sighed a small smile curving his lips.

"I love you Raine don't ever doubt that or think that you don't deserve to be loved."

I watched him head back to the house at a loss for what to do. I had never even thought of Owen as my uncle that was not until now. I could see it in his eyes that he meant every word of what he said. He wanted me to live. to keep living even if it meant loosing Rix forever.

I don't know what to do. Could I really let her go? I gave Vericus my word. Would he except it if I did decide to stay? Did Rix really feel the way Owen said? I remember her resisting when it happened but I thought that was just out of fear. Could she have been resisting because it wasn't what she wanted? Maybe Owen had a point. Maybe I should find a way to ask her what she wants before forcing her into this. The real question was how was I going to do that without going mad in the process?