THIRD POV
After her little laughing fit, Alaia turned her attention back to Mirja, who was trying to claw her way out of Alaia’s grip. Alaia could see her brother stalking back and forth beyond her little shield, looking just as helpless as his little mate.
“You know, when I found out you were my brother’s mate, it tickled me. All this time, I couldn’t figure out why you always dismissed my plans of wanting to kill him. Subconsciously, you were always on his side, you just didn’t know why. Now I’m going to enjoy killing you while he watches.”
She tightened the hold around Mirja’s neck as Mirja gasped for air. Alaia was so wrapped up in her fury to kill she didn’t notice someone entering her space. She whipped around and came face to face with James.
“Alaia, let her go,” James said with a soft smile on his face. “You wanted me and I’m right here.”
Alaia hesitated for a moment before discarding Mirja like trash. She watched him carefully thinking he was going to attack her like his wolf did, but he didn’t. He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it before placing it on the side of his face. Deep down she could feel a small spark, making her close her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
James pulled her into a hug and suddenly she felt as if all her doubts would melt away, but in the back of her mind the voices were yelling ‘Trap!’. Alaia wanted to believe them but, honestly, she was tired and this moment was what she had wanted all along.
James held her as if she was the only thing he ever wanted. She could feel him tracing the side of her face with his fingers, tucking them under to lift her chin. The heat of his lips hovered over hers for what felt like eternity to her, before they crashed into hers.
Alaia melted into his kiss, even her wolf embellished the kiss in the back of her mind. The black mist surrounding them immediately disappeared. While keeping her distracted, James held up the dagger, giving it to the person behind Alaia. James pulled back while holding Alaia tighter against his body. Alaia didn’t mind it. She could feel Elena stirring in her mind, trying to get out. Maybe she was finally coming around, she thought.
James cupped her cheek with his hand and stared into her eyes. He remembered once her icy blue gaze would make him weak in the knees, but now…now they made him feel guilt and pity. The moment her eyes flashed brown he knew it was the signal.
“I’m sorry Elena,” he whispered as Alaia stared at him with confusion. “I, Alpha Isaiah Throne of the Black Moon Pack, accept your rejection.”
Alaia pushed away from him as he snatched a necklace off his neck to reveal himself. She felt a terrible pain in her chest, confusing her. She had already rejected him. She shouldn’t be affected like this unless-Elena. She didn’t have much time to think about it as she felt a sharp pain in her back.
“This is for Maria,” James whispered in her ear.
Alaia screamed while pushing James a few feet away from her. The voices were on a rampage inside of her mind as she reached for the dagger in her back.
“Don’t let her take it out until the last bit comes out of her,” yelled Mirja.
Isaiah was the first to jump on the dagger to keep it in, but the force of the darkness was making it difficult to hold on to. Zira saw Isaiah struggling but she didn’t want to leave James alone. His breathing was coming in ragged. James touched her hand.
“We have to end this, Zira. She has to go down no matter what,” James said.
Zira hesitated for a moment but soon agreed. Isaiah was about to lose his grip until another hand covered his. He looked over and saw Zira pushing down with him and, soon after, James’ hand covered hers. All three drove the dagger deeper in place until a flash of light pushed them away.
When the light vanished, Alaia slumped to the ground and darkness loomed over them. It tried to go back to Alaia but the dagger was still in her body. It slithered across the ceiling as if looking for something or somewhere to go, and Mirja knew exactly what it was.
“Georgie, try to contain it,” Mirja yelled at him as she walked over to Alaia and pulled out the dagger.
George created a force field to try to contain the darkness but it was proving to be difficult. “It’s not going to hold long,” he yelled back.
Mirja made an incision in both of her hands with the dagger. “Reditus,” she whispered while holding them out. “Geor-”
“What are you doing,” Zack screamed at her. He didn’t know much about magic, but by her stance, he could tell he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“The grimoire is gone. I have nothing to contain them. So either they go back inside her or I take them.”
Zack grabbed her. “Yeah, and what happened to you?” Mirja was taken aback that she didn’t think about what this could mean for him. They were bonded, so her decisions didn’t just include her anymore.
“Zack-”
“I don’t want to lose you, Mirja,” Zack said with as much emotion as he could. “I can’t.” He could tell it was getting to her as she couldn’t meet his eyes. “Can’t we just lock her up if it goes back to her?”
Mirja laughed at his idea harshly. “You think she’s going to give us that chance, Zack? She nearly killed me just now.”
Mirja didn’t mean to scream at him, but she was just as frustrated. This situation wasn’t ideal for anyone. “Look, I wouldn’t do this if there was another option, but right now this is the only option.”
Mirja caressed the side of his face before kissing him. Zack wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to claim as much of her as he possibly could.
“Guys, I know you’re trying to have a moment but I'm losing it here,” George reminded them.
“You won’t lose me,” Mirja said as she nuzzled her face in the side of his neck. “I can control it. Trust me.”
Zack nodded and reluctantly let her go. Mirja held out both of her hands. “Reditus,” she whispered. “Now, Georgie!”
The moment George let go, the darkness immediately covered Mirja. Her body was lifted into the air as bit by bit the darkness dissipated. Her body floated down until her feet touched the floor. Her eyes were closed and her body moved as she took in deep breaths. Zack was joined by George, waiting for any signs that Mirja was still with them. He could still feel her through their bond but…
“Mirja…” Zack stepped closer to her until his hand touched her arm.
She snapped her black eyes at him and wrapped her hands around his throat. His eyes went wide as he stared at her before a smile spread across her face.
“Gotcha,” she laughed as her eyes turned back to the deep ocean blue he remembered. She pulled him into a hug. “I told you I got this.” Mirja said more to herself than Zack. She could hear the voices laughing inside her head as if they knew a secret. As if they somehow won the jackpot.
Zira recovered from the blast and noticed James a few feet away. She could feel his pain and hurriedly to him as Isaiah got up from the floor. He was about to go after her until he heard Alaia speak. How is she still alive?
“It wasn’t supposed to end this way,” Alaia said to herself as she looked at Mirja with her power. She wanted it back. Without it she felt empty. With much effort she got to her feet, holding her hands towards Mirja. She could feel she had some residual power left. She materialized a knife in her hand. “That power is mine,” she yelled, running towards Mirja.
Mirja stood in front of Zack, ready to use the power she had just acquired when Isaiah blocked Alaia’s path.
“No more,” he said while plunging a clawed hand into Alaia’s chest. He pulled back, bringing out her heart. “That’s for our daughter.”
Alaia’s body fell to the floor for the last time. Isaiah dropped her heart near her body, still a bit in shock at what he had just done. Devon was still in pain from the loss of his mate, but there was a sense of pride he held for Isaiah. Everyone looked around, realizing this was over, until they heard Zira’s crying. Isaiah ran to her side.
“James, we won,” Zira spoke softly, caressing the side of his face. He was still breathing, so she had hope. “She’s gone. Do you hear me? She’s really gone.” Tears flowed down her face as she looked at James’ closed eyes. “James, open your eyes. Please? Please James.” She pulled him into an embrace. “Wake up,” she whispered.