I stood in the doorway watching Gabriel as he looked out over the snow covered courtyard. With his back to me, I could see the large expanse of muscles tense and strain with every ragged breath he drew in. As his broad shoulders slumped forward, it became evident that it was a struggle for him just to stand. Willie's potion was starting to wear off.

"I'm all packed," I called out to him quietly.

Without even a hint of recognition, the King continued to stare out the window. No doubt he was watching them load my luggage into Jack's rental.

"Aren't you going to try and stop me?"

A tear slid down my cheek at his silence.

"Or at least tell me good-bye?"

I hadn't expected him to understand-- understand that this was something I needed to do. But ignoring me just seemed childish. With a heavy sigh, I turned to go.

"I told you on New Year's I was done chasing you." I paused as the deep timbre of his voice echoed about the vaulted room. As he turned to look at me, for a second I swore I saw that familiar sapphire glow. "If you think you can live with out me, or you think that he'll treat you better--"

There was an awkward cough as Fergus entered the room followed by Wilhelmina. I was relieved at the sight of my friend, but my emotional state felt like it was on one hell of a roller coaster ride. Thankfully, Willie seemed to be taking the news of my traveling halfway across the world much better than anyone else standing in this room.

"Turns out, the mangy-mutt is actually good for something after all." Willie flashed Fergus a wicked smile before turning to me. "Your potion is ready, and I hear it's just in time."

I gasped as Willie's fingers curled around my forearm.

"I remember you," I uttered as visions of a younger Wilhelmina suddenly flashed into my head. "You tried to warn Jackson's father that a war was coming."

Willie pulled back with a solemn nod, the braid on the side of her head swinging wildly with each bounce. "He wouldn't listen to me though." The sadness was evident in her voice as she spoke. "He dismissed my visions since I couldn't provide an ounce of evidence. 'No one would dare to attack a King', he said. But if I had just insisted--" her voice trailed off as she looked away in disappointment. 

I watched as Willie quickly brushed away a lone tear before turning my palm upward towards her. An iridescent liquid sloshed inside of the vial she placed in my hand.

"This will do exactly what we discussed," she informed me. "But you should know-- both of you--" Willie looked back and forth between Gabriel and myself as she spoke. "--I can sense a great disturbance amongst the balance of nature," she said. "One I haven't felt since the night your parent's died."

My eyes widened as my gaze snapped over to where Gabriel stood, but the Alpha King wouldn't even look at me.

"I'm not saying a war is coming," Willie continued. "But given the circumstances-- what with Gabriel's hex and your returning to the Southern Hemisphere-- we need to consider it as a possibility. I know this is something you've got to do," Willie shook her head before going on. "But be careful Lexi. Pay attention to your surroundings."

"I think ye shuid stay 'ere," Fergus frowned.

"I can't," I replied, my eyes silently begging him to understand. "I have to do this. I have to go back."

"Then at least, Yer Highness, please! Permit me tae gang wit her."

As I watched Gabriel remain motionless, I couldn't help but feel like a knife had been thrust into my heart. While he appeared seemingly indifferent to my departure, the Scotsman, on the other hand was on the verge of losing his shit.

"It's all right," I told Fergus. "I've taken care of myself this long. But if it'll make you feel any better, I promise I won't take the cure just yet--"

"Cure?"

I jumped slightly as the snarl fell from his lips. When Gabriel looked at me again, there was nothing but hatred and hostility in his gaze.

"Being a werewolf isn't a disease, Alexis. It's a gift!"

"Oh really?" I snapped. "Because I'm pretty sure if I were human, my parents would still be here today."

"Maybe. Maybe not," Gabriel shot back. "Doesn't matter if your human or wolf. Fate is fate, and no matter how hard you try, you can't escape it."

"That's what you feel about us too, isn't it?" The tension between us was thick enough to cut with a knife.

With a growl, Gabriel nodded. "You are my mate, and we're fated to be together," he shrugged. "But if you think Jack is better then go."

"I am!"

"Good!" He yelled back. "You think it's so horrible being mated to me, but let me tell ya! It hasn't exactly been all that great being mated to you either!"

My eyes narrowed as Gabriel stalked forward, his eyes darkening with each step.

"Someone told me once, that if you love someone, let them go." Gabriel's glare softened as he lifted my chin.  "When you come back to me, then you'll know you were truly MINE."

The King quickly captured my lips with his own before pulling back.

"But until then-- I, Gabriel Aethelwulf, Alpha King of the North, hereby release you of your commitment to me and our bond."

I inhaled sharply before stumbling backwards, the sensitive flesh burned on the side of my neck. My hand flew up to his mark, but I immediately pulled my fingers back with a hiss. I hadn't expected this, nor had I anticipated it to be such physical pain. As the cords of our bond shredded apart I was suddenly feeling much more than a simple heartbreak.

My wolf howled mournfully from inside me, her song of betrayal bringing tears to my eyes. As I clenched my fist around Willie's potion, I spun on my heel before angrily spitting my vow.

"I swear, Your Worshipfulness, I will never come back."

*
**
***

"Lexi-darls. We're here, love."

Two car rides, a plane change, and thirty-seven hours later-- I had been sound asleep until his large, warm hand gently slid into mine. As my eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight streaming down through the windows, I couldn't help but smile as my gaze landed on the handsome blonde sitting next to me.  

"Welcome to the Silver Forest." He smiled broadly. "Or rather," he paused as he corrected himself. "I guess that is, welcome home."

My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach as we drove up the hill to where my childhood memories laid. For over twenty years I had wondered where home was, who I truly was. I still needed a lot of answers, but at least being here meant that reality would soon be fulfilled.

As the SUV pulled into the courtyard, memories of my parents played in my head like an old film. I had been happy here, truly loved. But it had been so long since I had last seen them, that their faces were nothing more than a blur. White space on a practically blank canvas.

It made me hate werewolves even more. Despise their very existence and their constant quest for more power. Even Gabriel wasn't exempt. Instead of understanding why I needed to do this-- why I needed to come back here-- back home, he had let his pride and jealousy get in the way.

Cupping my chin in his hand, Jack turned my face towards him. "Oh my sweet, little Lexi," he cooed as he brushed away my tears. "I am so sorry I didn't find you sooner."

"You couldn't have known," I smiled even as my eyes continued to stream with their sadness.

I leaned into Jackson's touch, but my wolf suddenly bristled. While I was content to finally be rid of the Northern King, she longed to be complete and wholly mated to the man. She blamed me for Gabriel releasing us and as she angrily slammed against the bars of her cage, I was reminded of the fact that I would need to find some more wolfsbane. If that didn't work, then perhaps I would have to break my promise to Fergus after all.

I looked out the window as the vehicle came to a stop, barely recognizing the home I had grown up in. It wasn't nearly as large as Castle Aethelwulf, but it was a modest size ranch, and much more practical for the mountains and forests of Australia. Jackson was the first one to exit the SUV, entusiastically turning to lend me a hand. 

As we took our first steps towards the front porch, Jackson smiled before lifting my hand high above my head.

"Our Queen has returned!" He shouted.

As I scanned the faces of the staff that lined the pathway to the stairs, everyone cheered and howled with excitement. I still had abslutely no desire to become their Luna or Queen, but as I was swept up into the moment, I couldn't help myself from joining in.

By the time Jackson had introduced me to almost every one in his pack, the sun was just beginning to set over the wooded horizon. There was a slight pause as we waited for his higher ranking pack members to step forward and greet us, and with deep hearty laugh, Jackson took that moment to bear hug me to his chest.

"You don't know how happy I am to have you home," he smiled.

The last of the sun's rays danced in the pink sky before glistening across Jackson's golden hair. As his long fingers raked through the disheveled locks, I smiled in return and looked up at him. Almost immediately I was lost in the twinkle of his eyes. I was so mesmerized by the sheer joy pouring out of the Southern Alpha, that I almost didn't catch my wolf's apprehension as the next group of his staff stepped forward.

"Alexis, I'd like for you to meet my Beta."