Born To Rule
Chapter 24:

Later that same night

Rose: “Where are you all?”

Amara: “Luna Rose?”

Rose: “Oh thank goodness. Please tell me you've found them.”

Kai: “I'm afraid not. There's no sign of Malik, Accalia, or Lakota. It's like they've just vanished.”

Amara: “And none of them are answering our mindlinks.”

Rose: “I see. I had a feeling it would come down to this.”

Amara: “Come down to what?”

Rose: “I sat back and watched as that pack took away one person I loved. And now, my pups are in danger. If it's a fight that they want, then a fight they will get. (in the woods - flashback)”

Malik: “Mind if I join you?”

Accalia: “Sure.”

Malik: “I'm sorry about earlier.”

Accalia: “Goodbye, Malik. (present time)”

In Malik’s head: Why? (Sawtooth pack hallway)

Gunner: “Ah, feels good to be home. Don't you agree, Accalia?”

Gunner’s Wolf: “Give her time to adjust. She's been through a lot.”

In Gunner’s head: You're probably right, Torak.

Gunner: “Well, we better get moving. The others are waiting for us. (Gunner’s office)”

In Axel’s head: That scent…it can’t be. ACCALIA?!

Gunner: “Look who's home.”

Nikita: “I'm so glad you're back.”

Accalia: “You are?”

Nikita: “Of course, sweetheart. We have so many regrets about that night but I want us to feel like a proper family again.”

Accalia: “Where’s Milena?”

Gunner: “Milena and Cole are busy visiting a nearby pack to take care of some business for me. They won't be back for a few days.”

In Accalia’s head: Great.

Nikita: “Accalia, there's someone I would really love you to meet. This is Hope, Axel’s new mate and future Luna of the Sawtooth Pack.”

In Accalia’s head: A human? I wonder what happened to Elya?

Hope: “It's really lovely to meet you.”

Axel: “Accalia…”

In Accalia’s head: The nerve of that asshole. Talking to me like everything is okay. I haven't seen his face since I was banished and all he could say is ‘Accalia’. Surely this night couldn't get any more worse than it is. I stand corrected.

Elya: “Wow, I must have really be depressed. I'm starting to be haunted by visions of that loser.”

Accalia: “What happened to you? You look like shit.”

Elya: “For your information, I feel amazing. Axel can't keep his hands off of me.”

Accalia: “Is that why Nikita just introduce me to his new mate? She seems nice.”

Elya: “I’M ABOUT TO REKICK YOUR ASS.”

Axel: “Accalia?! It's good to see you again. You look different.”

Accalia: “I wish I could reciprocate your feelings.”

Axel: “I can't express how truly sorry I am about my actions.”

Elya: “Save your pathetic apology. Do you wanna know what really happened that night?”

Laneya: “Is everything okay? We heard shouting!! Accalia?! Why are you here?!”

Elya: “Ah, Hunter and Laneya. Now that everyone is here, I can finally reveal the real reason why Accalia was banished.”

Axel: “SHUT UP ELYA!!”

Accalia: “Save your breath, I already know the real reason.”

Elya: “You do?”

Accalia: “Tell me if any of this sounds familiar. You've always hated me, you wanted me gone. And why? Because you knew Axel liked me and that made me a threat. So you came up with a clever plan to get rid of me once and for all. You somehow managed to convince Axel that the best way to mark me was with the use of drugs. You slipped wolfsbane into my drink and Hunter knew about it. However, you underestimated me. I luckily managed to break free from your hold and get away from you but before I could get help, my mind started to go foggy and my vision became blurred. That's when I noticed Elya and Laneya standing there watching me before I passed out. Then that's when you took the opportunity to stage the whole thing. You harmed yourself and got Laneya to cover the clothes I was wearing and your blood framing me in the fucking process. The worst part is that you all knew and still not one of you said anything. Especially you, Axel. All because I rejected you. We weren't mates and you know it.”

Axel: “I know. I should've said something but it wasn't all me, it was…”

Accalia: “Save it. The truth is, I'm glad this all happened.”

Elya: “You are?”

Accalia: “It turns out that I don't care because I have something much more now. I had someone much more. And it got taken away from me.”

In Accalia’s head: I can't believe I'm back here. Back in the same place that my journey began. Everything feels so unfamiliar to me now. Like I was never truly a part of this pack to begin with. That's because my home was with him. I wish you were here, Milena. I could really use your advice right about now. (in the basement lock up)

Milena: “HELLO?! MOM?! CHEYENNE?! ANYONE?!”

In Milena’s head: Why hasn't his wounds healed?

Milena’s Wolf: “We need to get mate out of here.”

Milena: “SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP US!! (in the woods)”

Malik’s Wolf: “Where are we going?”

In Malik’s head: We're gonna replace out where the Sawtooth Pack lives.

Malik’s Wolf: “What are you gonna do once you replace them?”

In Malik’s head: Gunner has taken everything from me. I'm gonna repay the favor and slaughter his whole pack and watch as everything he loves burn to the ground.