Jaxon’s POV

'I smiled in victory. This was playing out easier than I had planned. I never expected him to give in. But he still kept quiet." Morgath boasted. I left Morgath's words hanging in the air unattended to. I had paid no attention to what they were saying because it made no sense to me. What amused me the most was how Seraphina stood head and shoulders high, with a composure that speaks much of her owning both me and the pack already. She regarded me from head to toe, checking me out. I couldn't stand their sight. It drove me more furious. 'Forget about everything that has to do with Liora," Morgath's insensitive voice interrupted my thoughts. 'She is no more useful than she used to be. She can't do anything to help to heal your pack, and hoping for her in the near future is useless." I was already boiling inside of me. I had to hold myself from being the first to attack him. At least not yet, my warriors are not still fit to fight. They can make a mockery of my inability to save my pack from the disaster that has fallen into it, but not to the point of mocking Liora, that's the height of it all. I betrayed Liora once and the love and bond we share, but not anymore. She needs me now, and I will be there for her until everything is settled. Morgath offered me a solution, an impossible solution, something that would haunt me all my life. I am no kid to accept such an offer. 'Take Seraphina back, make her the Luna of this pack and your Luna. And I will waste no time in restoring this pack to its lost glory." Seraphina with her sweet coated words, made to move closer to me, but I stopped her. It's best I stay a few inches away from the devil incarnate herself. I observed as her eyes landed on my lips, and I knew that she would make a funny movement if care wasn't taken. 'I assure you, it's the best decision you would ever make, Jaxon. Liora doesn't have that power anymore. She can't save you. But I am here. I am your solution." I didn't move an inch or respond to her. I was allowed to talk, and take their leave later. I know by now, words would have gotten to Liora that Morgath and Seraphina are in the pack and negotiating for a solution. I was no longer comfortable with their presence, it was suffocating me. Without having been told, I recognized this was my last chance at proving my affection for Liora, my undivided loyalty to him. She has been faithful and dedicated in the affairs of the pack, and I knew I can't afford to mess it up by falling into Morgath's trap. Morgath thought everything was about power, forgetting the place of devotion in leadership. I cherish Liora, and there's nothing that can make me alter my mind, not even my responsibility to the pack. It is time I choose myself first for once. If I ever turn my back on Liora at such a time as this, that would be my last moment of seeing her, or having access to her. Likewise, it would be proven beyond any reasonable doubt that I can't adjust to my indecisiveness. I would lose Liora, but this time, forever. 'Never! Leaving Liora is never an option." That wasn't even what they predicted for me to say. The shock on their faces was priceless. They had expected what would favor them, but I surprised them instead. It's time I learn to stick to my words. Morgath stood like a statue, unable to make meaning out of what I spoke. 'Could you please, repeat yourself?" I maintained demurely, my eyes still fixed on him. 'I said no to your offer. I'm never getting married to Seraphina. Liora has been chosen to be my mate, and she will forever remain that. That she can't do anything to heal the pack now is temporary. She has always helped the pack. I am certain that she would do the same in no distant time. I believe in her abilities. She's the future Luna of this pack." I moved with a strange aura, standing just an inch away from him. At this point, my breath could suffocate him. 'Your offer means nothing to me. You can give it to other packs that need it, and for your perils, they're empty and cannot hold water. Breaking me isn't as easy as you thought. I am committed to my pack, yes, and I will do anything for my pack, yes, but not to the point of taking Seraphina back. We're not that vulnerable to bend to every of your threats." Seraphina's facial expression dropped, her grin faded away. She opened her mouth to talk, but nothing came out. I guess it shocked her, I can now stand in my words and not be pushed around again. This wasn't the time I abandoned Liora for political responsibility but ended up gaining nothing. Morgath's face turned into a wicked smile. 'You're nothing but a fool, Jaxon. I gave you a chance to save yourself, your loved ones and your pack, but you threw it away. I am now left with no option than to destroy you and everyone you ever cherished." I smirked as I watched him, frustrated in his attempt to deceive me into betraying Liora the second time. "Stared You have always lost to me, Morgath, and this time is no exception. I won't be betraying Liora, not now, never. She has won my heart, and it will remain so, whether you like it." He got more furious with my statement. The sound of swirling dark magic became heavy as he released them into the air to frighten us. Much with all his efforts to scare me, I still didn't flinch. I made my mind up. I would fight Morgath and overcome. Liora might find it difficult to use her powers to heal the pack, but with the right support and love, she would do that soon. I believe in her and what she can do, even if no one seems to see it now. I wouldn't give up until we encountered a solution. Liora's POV I stood by the window, staring out to watch the pack in commotion. This was not the Silver Moon Pack that I grew up in. This was not the pack that I had my childhood memories in. The pack members were moving sluggishly, no strength was left in most of them. The magic had penetrated so hard that I doubt we would survive it. I would have loved to help, but the restriction was still there. No one seemed to understand me, or what I was passing through. The pack members were looking up to me to stand for them the way I did during the battle between our pack and the Night Howlers, but I disappointed them. I tried my luck again. From within, I summoned the healing energy, focusing on my strengths than my weaknesses, but as has become a regular occurrence, a wall came bridging me from connecting to the spring of ancient power, the great prophecy. At first, it overjoyed me when I saw a glow on my hands, but they quickly disappeared before it even reached my fingertips. The radiance was a sign that the power was still there, but I can't access or reach it. I felt useless, I wasn't happy that I was of no help to my people. As I stood there that moment, I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I was helpless, I was frustrated, but I can't lose hope. There must be a way out. Mira was sitting across from me all this while, silently observing my mood, worries evidently drawn on her face. She was tired of comforting me with words. She needed action, she needed to offer me a solution. She understood me better than anyone else, the expectations, the responsibilities. They were too much for someone to handle. 'We need to at least try one more time. Sitting down and folding our hands will only worsen the situation. I suggest we seek another path, figure something out, Mira. We might be lucky, you know." I murmured even without the conviction that something positive would come out of it. 'There's always an alternative for everything. Someone, somewhere, might be the solution we have been searching for. We need to dig to find out the source of this blockage." Mira nodded, but still quiet. Thoughtfully, she offered her suggestions. 'I could have suggested we consult an oracle or visit the old sorcerers again, but who knows what they might request for this time around? It would be appropriate we call in the elder that gave you the prophecy. He might have something, probably a solution to this." That was the beginning of our dilemma. Nothing comes free these days. Even when you're willing to pay, it would be good if you leave the issue unsolved. Every sorcerer demanded for a considerable sacrifice, mostly loyalty of selling the pack to them. It was like solving an issue to get a bigger one. The worst of all was that the solution was not guaranteed much after paying the sacrifices. I leaned on the window, feeling more helpless than ever before. 'This is the height of it, Mira. How do I survive knowing that I can't help my pack? Am I really useless to this pack?" Mira walked up to stand by my side at the window. 'Never say such, Liora. You are the best this pack ever produced, you're not worthless. I know you to be smart, intelligent, and strong. I am sure we will figure out something with time. It would be bad to rush into the hands of sorcerers because we need a solution desperately." I remained calm as she advised me. I will remain steadfast, at least for her, for myself and for the pack. My spirit was crushed, but I have learned to draw strength and motivation from Mira. Things may not be moving the way I visionaries, but it would all turn into history in no time. I will save my pack once more. Even while all this was going on, I noticed something. Something very unusual. It was Jaxon's unweaving support. Jaxon had betrayed me, which drove me reluctant in accepting him back. But this time, he prided himself as a changed man. Morgath had given him a mouth-watering offer which the normal Jaxon wouldn't have wasted time in jumping into, but he rejected everything. When I got to know of it, I was overjoyed. It gave me hope I wasn't alone in the journey. He made an exception for me. I didn't realize when a soft smile escaped my lips, tugging cutely at one corner, as I imagined him defending me. Now I perceive his affection was genuine as he claimed, it wasn't love of convenience. He proved he could stick with me in both the good and ugly times. Mira, continually seeking an opportunity to tease me, noticed me grinning to myself and raised an eyebrow. 'What got my girl beaming so cutely, hmm?"