Chapter: 59
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The grounds were cold, and her skin was damp with condensation. The night air felt sharp against her face, and it didn't help that she was pressed face down into the wicked cold floor. Her breath made small clouds of mist that floated in the cool air before dissipating into nothingness. Her hair clung to her cheek, damp and clinging to her tears. The only light around her came from a single candle burning from where it was placed on a broken piece of wood. She felt trapped, but more than anything she felt useless. All her life she's had to run from one obstacle or another, and now she was left without an exit route. She was trapped in this room alone, even her son had abandoned her. She was neither allowed outside nor permitted to go in search of him.

She wished to apologize for how she had spoken to him the last time. He was all she had left. And if she needed to escape this Hell, then she would need his help. Her wounds grew deeper, and they smell like rot and decay. It stung her lungs and made breathing difficult. Every inhale was accompanied by a shuddering exhale, which seemed to echo through the space, causing more shivers. There was no way out. No hope. It would seem like a cruel joke to make her wait longer to die. Her eyes remained closed and her head leaned back onto the cold hardwood floor. Her hair hung limply around her face, dripping with sweat. She didn't want to move. If she did she might see the faces of those she had killed again.

She wouldn't have the strength or the will to face them. She couldn't bear to look at their lifeless bodies or hear their screams as they died. She could never forget the sound of their bones breaking under her spells. She could never forget the sight of their blood pooling around her feet. Nor could she ever forget the feeling of their warm blood seeping through her fingers. They haunt her sanity. Being locked up for this long had made her delirious with hallucinations. Her mind and body were deteriorating faster than they should be able to do. Her mind has always been too addled to handle reality, and so she'd become something akin to a madwoman. She was nothing more than a victim of the spells that had been cast upon her onto others, unable to do anything about the situation.

The curse has begun to eat away at her body, poisoning her system until it eventually destroys her soul. The pain was worse than any mortal. In fact, she'd forgotten how much pain was in her heart. How much agony was in her mind? How many lives were lost because of her, and how many others suffered because of her still? Was this a change of heart? She could feel herself fading away, slowly dying from dehydration. The only cure would be death. Death was the only way out for her, and yet the thought of it frightened her more than anything else. She wasn't ready for death. She was scared to let go. Not like this. Not after everything they have done to her. She has to take her revenge, even if just a little bit. Even if just enough to give them what they deserved. She cannot allow herself to die. Not like this. Not when there is still so much to do.

The door suddenly slammed open, the sound echoed in her ears and shook her frail body. The man who came barged into the room in large strides, his face was red with anger as he stood over her. He didn't say anything at first, just stood there glaring. Then he looked down at her, a deep scowl etched across his features. "Get up!" His voice was low but harsh, "Someone's here to see you," he spat in her direction. Her eyes flicked up, trying to see past his bulk but he blocked her view completely. His expression was grim as he stared down at her, and she could not discern whether or not it was meant to convey sympathy or hatred. She simply could not tell. All she saw was his angry face. Slowly, painfully, she rolled over onto her back, but she could not do more than that with how weak she was.

The figure of a young man stepped around the corner and stopped dead in his tracks as he saw her laying on the ground, pale and weak. He dropped to his knees and took her wrist in his hand. He pulled gently, urging her up to lean on him. She tried her hardest, she really did, but every muscle protested and begged to lie back down on the freezing ground. The second she put her weight on the leg that wasn't injured, her leg began to crumple underneath her. She fell forward, crashing onto the ground in front of him. She tried to get up again but he pushed her flat back down. "I don't think you should be walking right now," he said gruffly, concern filling his tone. He turned to face the older man standing behind him. His gaze flickered up to meet him briefly before falling back down to her. "Is it alright if I take care of her?" He asked quietly. "Alone?" He added.

"I'm sorry, Luna, but we are not allowed to leave your sight for any reason," Mano said apologetically.

Caleb scoffed, looking down at his mother once again, "Then make yourself useful," He commanded with a heavy frown. "Reece, get food, water, and medical supplies," He continued. "Mano, start cleaning up this room, it reeks of death," he ordered, pointing at the room. "And Dom-"

"Not me, please, I'm not doing anything for her, even if you say so, Luna..." Dom objected even before Caleb had finished giving his orders. "Punish me later. but please, do not force me to do anything for the witch," He insisted.

Caleb glared up at Dom with a questioning brow. "She's my mother," He seethed with gritted teeth.

"And why the Alpha permitted you to visit her... if it were not so, then he would never have allowed you to come here," Dom pointed out softly, and Caleb's jaw clenched with annoyance. "Look, I know the bond between a mother and child, and a Birth Omega and child is strong, there is no arguing that, but you know what pain and suffering she has brought to the land, how many people had died by her hands, and what she did to our Alpha is unforgivable, and punishable by death!"

"No one deserves to suffer," Caleb growled.

"She deserved it!" Dom argued, folding his arms firmly across his chest.

"And you can not speak for my Alpha, he is forgiving, and kind, and does not think nor act like everyone else!" Caleb snapped.

Dom sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Forgive me, Luna," He apologized as he bowed toward him, his eyes softening slightly. "It was wrong of me to speak to you in that manner," When he straightened back up he looked down at him again. "I understand your pain, Luna... But she has to pay for what she's done." Dom explained.

Caleb nodded silently and was going to speak when his mother grabbed him by the wrist so tightly he winced in pain. He shot her a glare, and she muttered for him to send them away. "Mano, Dom?" He called, and they turned toward him.

"Yes, Luna!" They replied almost simultaneously, their heads bowed.

He turned back towards his mother. "Could you both, please, wait by the door," He pleaded, and after a brief hesitation, they nodded and walked out the door, shutting it behind them. "So-" He started and gasped when his mother threw herself into his arms. She may have appeared weak, but she still held a tight grip. Caleb smiled warmly and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Hey," he said comfortingly, "You'll be okay," he murmured soothingly. She didn't reply, but buried her face in his shoulder and clutched him even closer to her.

He ran his hand through her hair. "I've missed you," He admitted, and he felt her nod against his chest. She sniffled and whispered a quiet "Me too," He pulled her closer, resting his forehead against hers. For several moments neither of them spoke. Both were overcome with emotion. Caleb kissed her forehead and held her close. Neither one of them wanted to break apart from the embrace. Eventually, they did.

"You did it," Mariana muttered, looking gleefully into his eyes. "You found your way back into the Manor, and into the Lycan's heart..." She whispered, tracing her index finger along his cheek. "I knew you could do it, I never doubted your abilities to woo him back into your bosoms. And I always believed, with all my heart, that you would succeed." She cupped his cheek tenderly, "You will have your vengeance. And we shall both laugh about his failure together, hmm?" She whispered, leaning forward to kiss him, but her lips never met his skin. She froze, as she looked at him wide-eyed, staring at the space where his mouth had been seconds ago. He had pulled away from their closeness so suddenly it took her unawares. She blinked rapidly, looking up to find him standing a few feet away from her.

His gaze seemed distant as if he were thinking hard about something. He appeared hesitant. Unsure. Uncertain of how to proceed. "Vengeance?" He questioned quietly, and her brow creased in confusion. "What are you talking about?" She heard him ask, and she could sense the uncertainty in his voice.

There was a moment of silence, then finally, she said, "Why do you sound as if you didn't get back into his life to fulfill our plans?" She frowned at him.

"What plans?" Caleb cried, meeting her gaze.

Mariana's cheeks puffed up as her brows drew together, "The plans to get him back, so you would kill him... Why don't you do it already?" She sneered impatiently. "It would appear he had taken a great liking to you."

"No!" Caleb exclaimed with wide eyes. A shocked gasp escaped her throat, and she backed away from him in shock. "No, that isn't what I was expecting you to say," He muttered quietly. There were traces of sadness laced within his voice, though whether it was because she thought those were his intentions or because she believed that those were his plans, to work with her in betraying his Mate a second time even unto death by his hands. It was hard to tell.

"What do you mean, huh?" She sneered, "What is this then? Why did you get back into his life? Is it not so you could restore that which was stolen from us, our powers!" She demanded, growing more agitated. She couldn't help but feel anger coursing through her body; she wanted answers. She wanted to know exactly why he had returned to the Alpha's side, and what his intentions were.

He let out a long sigh. "No, it isn't." He replied quietly.

"It isn't?" She asked, getting on her feet, all on her own. "It isn't?!" She yelled, taking a step toward him and jabbing a finger accusingly into his chest. "We were made for greatness! We were made to rule, and yet here you sit," she accused, raising an eyebrow at him. He swallowed audibly, "Doing nothing!" She shouted, stepping close to him until her face was inches from his. She looked down at him with rage and frustration in her eyes.

"You're just sitting there, wasting time, playing the good Omega, and great Luna," Her voice rising in volume with each word. "What else, huh? You want to have his pups next, and live happily ever after with him?!" She hissed, her face twisted up with hate. He stood there, unmoving, his eyes fixed on her. She stepped back, shaking her head, and turning away from him. "I knew you were just like your father... This whole Fated Pair nonsense has you all twisted and messed up!" She snapped back toward him, and he flinched at the fiery hate in her eyes. "To think you have found our salvation, only to have you spit the hopes back into my face, you ungrateful little bastard. I should have strangled you the day I had you!" She spat angrily, her words cutting deeply.

Caleb opened his mouth to answer her but she interrupted him with a bitter chuckle, "Don't bother trying," She told him. "I don't need your pity, I don't need your care... You have failed me, and I hate you for it!" She snarled, grabbing his arm and yanking on it, pulling him roughly toward the door where she had him pressed against it, her hands wrapped around his neck now, her nails digging painfully into his skin.

For one who could barely stand on her feet minutes ago, she showed such great strength it took Caleb off guard, and he stared wide-eyed as she tried to squeeze the air from his lungs. "You are disgusting, no good for nothing. Sick... you're as sick as your father! Do you think you have won? That you have found your happiness? Well, let me tell you something, I will find a way to break you, and I will take away all that you think you have gathered, and dash them to the pigs for you are no better than they are!" She ranted, and Caleb gasped for breath, struggling against her hold.

"Stop... Stop..." He managed to wheeze out as she tightened her grip. "Please... mother..." He begged desperately, looking into her lifeless eyes, "Let go of me!" He cried, struggling wildly to break free. His eyes widened in terror when he saw the look on her face change. No longer empty and cold, it was filled with an expression that chilled him to the bone. A cruel smile crept onto her lips as she began laughing maniacally. Tears sprung to his eyes when he realized that she wasn't laughing, but baring her teeth and growling viciously. She wanted him dead. That much was clear. He could push against her, maybe even hit her a few times, but he could not bring himself to lay hands on his mother.

He was powerless against her. He wouldn't be caught dead hitting the woman who birthed him. But, would it then be better if she killed him? He met her unwavering stare with tear-filled ones, and he saw in her eyes that nothing would change her mind. Nothing but a higher force, great enough to remove her from this word.

And just when he thought he was going to pass out, a whirlwind whizzed by him, knocking Mariana backward with enough force to throw her across the room, her back slammed into the walls with such great force, he heard her bones crack. She crumpled to the floor, groaning in agony. It was as if her whole body convulsed with agony. Caleb watched numbly as she writhed on the ground clutching her abdomen and moaning in pain, while tears spilled from her eyes. He went on his knees, clutching his neck, and coughing up blood. Her screams sounded like she was being tortured as if someone ripped a part from her. Caleb could barely make out her screams of pain, and desperation over the roar of the blood rushing through his ears and pounding in his head. His breathing is still regulating after enduring her strangulation.

After a moment, he noticed she wasn't moving anymore, and he stumbled forward and collapsed next to his mother's unconscious form. He stared blankly at her face. Her features were pale, bruised, and contorted in pain. He stared down at the broken woman in front of him and shook. The tears started flowing again. He buried his face in his palms as silent tears fell onto his mother's body. "Mother?" He choked out brokenly. No response. "Mom," he whispered, his voice trembling. Nothing.

"Don't leave me." His lower lip trembled as he clamped his fingers tightly into his hair, pulling it away from his face. "Please..," He sobbed brokenly, his voice cracking. She may have wanted him dead a second ago, but it did not change the fact that she was still his mother, who at some point in his life, paid great attention to his well-being more than his father or anyone else ever did. She once fought to give him the best. She was the only stability in his life for many years. He sobbed bitterly into her lifeless form and shook her a few times.

It was either him or her, and he knew she didn't stand a chance, which was why he tried to talk to her reasonably, to see that she gave up this pursuit for vengeance.

It has done her no good, and she stood no chance against the Lycan.

A soft rustle beside him caused him to lift his tear-stained face toward his surroundings, watching warily as shadows began to dance before him. They moved sluggishly, seemingly disoriented, yet Caleb knew they were anything but. "She's dead," he whispered shakily, wiping furiously at his cheeks. "Dead... It's all over...." He choked, lowering his head once again, "You killed her." He breathed, his words trailing into silence. A sharp intake of breath came from behind, and Caleb jerked his head upward. He stared in agony at the figure leaning on the doorway. He knew it was him, he saw him in the winds, but he thought he was hallucinating.

"She dared touch you, I would not allow that, not anymore!" Rafa spoke fiercely, pushing his way between Caleb and Mariana, glaring fiercely at the two of them. "You were going to let her kill you, instead of fighting back!" He screamed, and Caleb jumped back a bit when he slammed a hand into the wall beside him.

Caleb gaped up at him, tears rolling down his face. "She's my mother, you would not have done any different..." He whispered brokenly.

A deep growl erupted from Rafa as he stared down at Caleb with murderous eyes. He was angry. He could not believe Caleb was going to let her kill him rather than do something to stop her. He was restless when he heard his cry for help, and when his Betas Linked to inform him about the commotion going on inside the room, he told them to stand down, knowing Caleb would not forgive anyone else should they lay hand on his mother, and so he came himself to stop his madness before it got out of hands. "I will let them escort you to pay your final respect at her grave." He bent lower and picked Caleb up easily, he hugged him tightly to his chest and began to walk out of the room.

The silence in the room was deafening. His mother's lifeless form lay still behind them, her eyes closed as if sleeping peacefully. Tears continued to fall freely from Caleb's face.

"I'm sorry," Rafa spoke suddenly, his voice hoarse and scratchy. Caleb shook his head and shrugged. The tears continued to fall, and he didn't realize he was whimpering until Rafa pulled him closer to him, pressing kisses into his hair as he walked. They were silent for a moment, both lost in their thoughts.

After what felt like forever, Caleb broke the silence with a soft, "I love you." And it melted Rafa's heart, sending the Lycan back, shifting, Conri hugged him tighter, pressing a kiss into his lips.

"And I love you more."