Page 67 of Red's Beast

I guess she is partially right because Emily is the great-great Grandmother of Lily and, well, Lily is mine.

As for Natalia, she camouflaged herself, and I lost track of her at some point. I’m fairly certain Corbin is a descendant of hers, since he is resistant to silver, but that is the only proof I have, but I don’t know when she would have infiltrated his family.

Poor Lily is stuck in the middle of a family feud she never asked for. Their family lines along with mine are all tied up because of the spell she cast, and now there is only one way to undo it all.

Sighing, I try to fall back asleep, but I'm just as restless as she is. I can feel her tossing and turning, even through the closed bond.

If only she'd let me in.

Eventually, I drift off and wake when it's day. Lily is already awake and listening to the boot steps headed for her. She's been crying again as she thinks about what to do and say.

It's so simple. I wish she could see the answer that's right in front of her. She and her white wolf are the key to everything. I know she has thought about it, but it’s like she’s fearful to make that leap.

All because of her grandfather being the alpha of this pack long ago.

I stand and make my way toward the edge of the woods.

Passing by Grandmother's house makes me sad because it's so quiet there and I miss Lily running up the path to see her. Once I'm at the edge of the tree line, thoroughly hidden behind the thick brush, I peer out to see what's going on.

People are moving about like normal. Alana, Corbin's mother, is on the porch with a cup of coffee. The fragrance hits me even from this distance.

I'm not sure how she can be okay with what he's doing to Lily, considering she saved her life. If it wasn't for her, she'd been dead. Nigel's alpha abilities were weak, and that was putting it lightly.

I jump as the bond opens with Lily and I hear all that is going on.

“Have you changed your mind?” Corbin's voice taunts her.

I can see through her eyes as she looks at her Grandmother. “Yes.”

Trying to not scream through the bond, I wait to see what else happens. She can't be giving up. I look down at my paws, realizing if she does, then I’m forever doomed to these woods, never to be set free.

“That makes me so happy, kitten. How about we get you both out of here and get you cleaned up? I'm sure you would love a hot bath and I have some salve for those burn wounds.”

The way his voice goes sweet makes me sick, and what's up with him calling her kitten? I don't feel any emotion from her other than disgust, so that makes me feel a little better.

“A bath sounds nice.”

I growl with rage, but try to keep it on my side of things. Disbelief rushes through me, as I can't believe she agreed to this.

I hear her sigh on the other side of the bond as the cuffs fall off. Her vision becomes clear on my end and I can see her grandmother looking at her. Corbin has moved over there and is undoing her cuffs as well.

Her displeasure courses through her as thoughts of having to mate with him comes to mind again.

My rage keeps growing and I can't take it anymore.Lily, what do you think you're doing?

She jumps as my voice booms in her head, but she tries to play it off that she was cold and had a chill.What are you doing? Trying to get me killed or for Corbin to realize we are connected like this?

Why are you considering mating with him? What good will come from this?

She sighs as she stands, and they start up the stairs.I can at least save my pack. There is no escaping this. I have to regain my grandfather’s pack.

No escaping? Of course, there is always a way to escape. You just have to hold on a few more nights.

She grows angry with me with each step she takes.What would you know? Where were you all these years and helping me then?

My jaw falls open as I stand to my feet.Where was I? Do you really need to ask? I've been in these woods all this time, watching you from a distance.

I can feel what she really wants to say as she shakes from holding it in.You murdered my parents! You're nothing but a monster.

---