A/N - Well my friends…this chapter has epic Maddian. Maddian like I haven't ever done it before. So I hope you like it :) Please comment, I'd like to know what you think :) Maddy and Rhydian are about to reach a very important milestone in their relationship.

Chapter 21 - Ultimate Maddian

They prepared to say goodbye to Jeffries after the road petered out. He admonished them to behave themselves in his best head teacher's voice, and they pretended to listen. At the last second Jeffries beckoned Maddy to come back. He pressed an envelope into her hand.

"What's this?"

"Don't open it until you're settled in. It's your belated birthday present. With everything that's been happening…I know we didn't celebrate properly. Everyone in your, uh, 'pack' chipped in. I think you'll like it." Jeffries winked in that way he did when he thought he was being especially clever. Maddy tried not to roll her eyes as she turned back and noticed Rhydian and Jana looking at her intently.

After a hike which would have been strenuous for most humans—though just a pleasant warm-up exercise to any wolfblood—Maddy, Jana, and Rhydian were soon nearing the territory of the wild pack. When it came, it came suddenly—the baying of wolves. Howls of welcome. And then they were bursting through the trees, wolfbloods bounding down the slope to greet them all along the clearing.

Maddy tensed as the alpha of the wild pack came forward. He was a sturdily-built wolfblood who carried the mantle of authority like any true alpha. His bearded face and piercing eyes made him look forbidding. Formidable.

"Father!" Jana cried. He walked towards the three wolfbloods. Jana rushed up and catapulted into his arms. For a moment, the reuniting of father and daughter softened the scene. When Jana drew back and stepped away, a hush descended. You could have cut the tension in the air with a knife—even a butter knife. Maddy and Alric eyed each other. Maddy eyed him with complete suspicion, her wolf threatened, nervous, screaming at her to do one of two things—run or fight.

Alric walked closer. Slow, careful steps. He saw how rigidly Maddy stood. He saw how anxious she looked. His hard, grizzled face softened as he knelt before her, his head bowed low…all the way to the earth.

"Dduw bendithia chi," he murmured. His head tipped upward. Unshed tears swam in his eyes as he finally looked at her. "Brave she-wolf. Brave Maddy Smith. I ask for your forgiveness, for the things I've done. I offer my pack, I offer my territory, to you. If you would have it, they are yours in recompense for what I tried to take from you. For the crime I committed in invading your territory, nearly exposing myself to humans. For the wrong I inflicted, deceiving your pack and attacking your mate." He nodded at Rhydian. "For all these things, I can only ask your forgiveness, show you my regrets, and offer a way to make amends." He bowed his head low. His head grazed the dirt. His entire pack gaped at the scene, absolutely stunned.

For one alpha to bend knee to another like this—in his own territory. It was unheard of!

The formal apology wasn't a literal offer for Maddy to take Alric's pack and territory, yet the symbolism of the words weren't lost on anyone. Alric was humbling himself before her as thoroughly as any wolfblood could. It would have devastating consequences for the old alpha if he wasn't careful…or depending on how Maddy reacted. Alric risked losing the respect of his own pack right now. Only a very self-assured alpha could afford to do what he'd just done.

Maddy reeled at the grand gesture. She didn't want to forgive him. She almost wanted to hate him for what he had tried to do to Rhydian. What would Mum and Dad do? She knew the answer the moment she asked it. They would want me to forgive him, if he really has changed. Regardless of what her parents would have done though, Maddy knew her own heart. Hatred was an emotion that just hadn't been hardwired into her brain. It wasn't that she was innocent or naïve or too trusting—none of those things. It wasn't about idealism either. It was that Maddy saw the potential in people, even when it hid behind so many imperfections. This was why Maddy always gravitated to the role of alpha, whether she liked it or not. She loved bringing out the best in others…easing other people's suffering. And she couldn't be that alpha, she couldn't be who she was, and still understand the attraction of hatred.

Yes, she might always feel bitter towards Damian's siblings for the role they played in her parents' death…but hatred? It was like a disease she couldn't understand—and never wanted to.

Had Alric changed? With this breath-taking display of humility, she knew it in her heart. He truly had. She sniffed and blinked back tears. She reached her hand out, gently resting her fingers on Alric's head.

She let her voice sail strongly into the primeval woods around them, echoing through trees that had seen a half millennia of time pass by like a fading sunset. She didn't know what she was supposed to say, so she did the next best thing; she chose her words carefully. She matched the formal cadence of Alric's apology.

"Let the feud between our packs be over. I forgive the past. I look towards the future." Maddy nodded and stepped back, bowing slightly to show that Alric should stand. The powerfully built wolfblood stood up. He bowed towards Maddy one more time before the howling of all the other wolfbloods filled the air. It was a sound of approval—loud and rich and pure, like a symphony rooted in Nature's essence. Suddenly Maddy didn't feel nervous at all. Her heart felt balanced with satisfaction.

Rhydian came up beside her, kissing her in front of the entire pack. His mouth dipped to her neck. He playfully nuzzled her as she groaned and pried herself free from his distracting heat.

"Rhydian!"

"Sorry," he grinned sheepishly. "I'm just so proud of you. You handled that way better than I expected."

"Hey!" Maddy cried. She shoved him onto his butt as he laughed. Alric was already coming up to her, his sober eyes brimming with preoccupations.

"May we talk for a few moments, Maddy? Will you walk with me?"

Maddy nodded. "Of course."

When Rhydian saw his mate walking away with the other alpha it took everything he had not to follow. He wanted to eavesdrop. No…I have to respect Maddy more than that. Whatever she finds out from Alric about the book and Denarus, she'll tell me what I need to know.

ONE HOUR LATER…

Maddy, Rhydian, Jana, Matei and Emilia had decided to go on a run of their own before the full moon came that night. They flew through the woods like wolves possessed. Their limbs sped over the leaf-covered forest floor. Maddy felt the blood pounding through her veins. With Rhydian right beside her, she felt strong in a way she hadn't felt since—since before she'd fled from Stoneybridge.

Rhydian's lupine grin was a match to her own as he bumped her with his shoulder.

Run with me. I bet you can't catch me. His wolfy expression could practically communicate with Maddy as good as any human words. Her wolfy grin answered his as she catapulted right behind him. Her playful growl rose in her throat as she leapt. Rhydian grunted as she landed on top of him, sending them both sliding down an embankment. At the last second Rhydian righted himself, just at the river's edge. Maddy nimbly sprang up beside him, nuzzling his face. Then he nuzzled hers. They licked each other, then nuzzled some more as their tails wagged.

I love you, Rhydian.

I love you too. Their wolves covered each other in their scents. They rubbed up against each other, nipping playfully. Finally satisfied, they found the rest of their friends and ran their hearts out. Ran ragged until they could hardly breathe. After what seemed like three hours, but was only one…they broke apart from Jana and the siblings.

They loped over to the tent Jana had shown them earlier and changed back into their human forms.

The tent stood apart, well on its own. It was customary for a wild pack to give their guests plenty of space and privacy. The gentle gurgle of a brook joined the rustle of leaves like Nature's way of whispering welcome. Trees screened the tent from the casual eye. Maddy and Rhydian stepped inside. The tent was fairly big, easily big enough for them both to stand. There were two sleeping bags on the ground, plenty of blankets. Meat strips tucked into plastic bags in the corner—in case they got hungry, of course.

Rhydian's carefree smile evaporated once the adrenaline from their run with Jana, Matei and Emilia wore off. "So Mads…what did Alric have to say?"

Maddy told him. She spared no details. Alric's voice seemed to haunt the tent as she recounted his words.

"Denarus' reputation as a healer is ruined. Even if another pack eventually takes him, he will no longer have any power. We shunned him, we marked him, a mark that not even the wolf's change can't heal. As to why he gave you the book—Denarus is one of a dying breed of healers called 'purists.' There are still a few healers who believe that not only is Menolith permissible for wolfbloods to use, but they believe that it must be used. The precious few who can resist falling into its temptations and losing themselves are the "pure" wolfbloods who deserve to live and procreate. The others…well, if they die…they die. And that, according to these healer 'purists,' is what's best for wolfblood-kind."

The heat of Rhydian's reaction surprised her. She wasn't ready for it.

"Shunned? Is that all?" Rhydian shouted. He clenched his fists, pacing. "They should have killed him! He doesn't deserve to live after what he nearly did to you. I'll tear him limb from limb. I'll—

Maddy tried to comfort him, but he shrugged her off, his anger raging. This wasn't the Rhydian she knew, but things between them had changed since she fled to Canada. With Maddy's parents gone, his urge to protect her had been growing. His face turned red. His wolf clearly was bursting to the fore. The blue of his eyes shattered, replaced by vivid yellow.

He prepared to bolt from the tent. "I'm going to talk to Alric about this. Denarus needs to pay."

In that moment Maddy loved Rhydian more than anything. That he would be so outraged for her, that he would care so deeply about her that he would do anything to avenge her. But of course that wasn't what she wanted. The girl just wanted him. And that's what Maddy realized, thinking back to why she'd been nervous and fearful during the trip out to Alric's pack. Ever since losing her parents, she'd subconsciously been worrying, If I lost them in the blink of an eye, won't I lose Rhydian the same way? What if what we have can be taken away just like that? In a heartbeat. Can I still risk loving him? Can I still open my heart to him? Can I be with him if I don't even trust what the next day will bring? Maddy knew she loved Rhydian, but she didn't know if her heart could handle another loss…and all that fear spiraled in the pit of her stomach like a poison, telling her it wasn't worth the risk. That she couldn't survive another devastation.

And yet… her fear swirled away now, like water down a drain. Seeing Rhydian's passion, seeing how much he cared for her—it made Maddy realize something. No matter what, we'll fight for each other. Even when something terrible happens, I can count on Rhydian and he can count on me. That we try to be there for each other, no matter what, that's the only peace of mind I really need. He loves you, Mads, and you love him…he loves you to the moon and back, and he'll fight for you. So you should at least have the strength to fight for him.

Seeing Rhydian's passion, even if it was boiling over in anger, Maddy did the completely unexpected. As he tried to stomp out of the tent, she caught his wrist and spun him around.

"Rhydian Morris, look at me."

Quietly and efficiently Maddy began shrugging out of her clothes.

"Mads, what are you doing?!"

Then she was just standing there, just her. No walls between them. She stared at him steadily.

"Rhydian, I don't want Denarus to pay." She watched his eyes widen, as he looked on her bare body, beautiful and perfect in his eyes.

"What do you want?" Rhydian murmured.

"I want you, Rhydian. All I care about is you." Her vision was awash in a blur of tears, and she didn't care. In fact, she welcomed them. She reached her hand out, trailing her fingers in a soft, smooth arc down his cheek. Rhydian closed his eyes, gasping at her touch, at the way it rocked him to the core. She watched as his entire body relaxed under her fingertips. The anger slid out of him like venom sucked from a wound.

"Rhydian," she said softly. He looked at her tenderly, his passion barely caged. She knew what he wanted to do to her, and she wanted him to do it.

"Are you sure, Mads? Are you ready?"

She blushed, finally feeling a trace of shyness at being completely bare in front of her boyfriend. Yet she smiled and lost herself in his blue eyes, incredibly blue—like sunlit water.

"I'm sure, Rhydian." She smirked at him. "And I'm getting cold. So come warm me."

Rhydian fumbled in his rucksack for something, pulling out the unopened wrapper like it was the best prize ever.

Maddy's cute face erupted in giggles as Rhydian pulled her to him.

"Ah, don't be like that now," he said, grinning. And then his hands were sliding down her back, exploring, tenderly leaving memories whenever his touch singed her skin like invisible fire to make her aware of his every movement, all of it seared into her mind. She felt their lips join as Rhydian gently lowered her onto the sleeping bags. Soon Rhydian's clothes were flying off too. Soon it was just the heat of their combined bodies keeping out the cold.

"Maddy Smith, you are amazing, and I will always love you."

"Promise?" she whispered, kissing him with sensuous care, his groan answered as a moan escaped her lips.

"Tell me one thing, Mads. Just one thing. Why now? Why are you ready…for this?"

The wolfblood girl cupped Rhydian's face as her eyes brimmed with the happiest tears. "Because, Rhydian…I'm done worrying about what I might lose. That's not a way to live life. It's not what my parents would want for me. It's not what I want." She nuzzled the side of his neck and then whispered in his ear.

"You told me that you weren't sure if I was ready to take this step…after everything that's happened. But it's because of everything that's happened that I know now. This feels right. This is what I want." She smiled up at him. "This is me moving forward. No longer being afraid."

Rhydian grinned back at her. "Don't you mean 'us' moving forward?" The wolfblood boy leaned down, capturing her lips. Moments later the two wolfbloods became mates in the truest sense. The rest of the world might as well have faded away. Lost in each other, a wolfblood boy and a wolfblood girl found the thing they needed most. The courage to love.