CHAPTER 16

Mara and Peter found Cora where they expected. They walked down from the top of the elevator looking down onto her. She jumped when she heard the approaching footsteps. Her eyes shot up to them, watching her.

"It's just me, your Uncle Peter, and Mara." He stated, drifting off at the end as he examined the blood along the side of the escalator.

"Uncle Peter who killed sister Laura."

That made Mara noticeably cringe. Peter took it in stride, throwing it back to her.

"Mm, not my finest hour, no. But I'm hardly the only dysfunctional family member. Did Derek mention that he killed me too? Slashed my throat, ear to ear."

"So that means I should trust you?"

Mara and Peter looked at each other before turning back to the teen who now stared at them with crossed arms.

"Actually, I'm wondering if we can trust you." Mara cut in, returning the gesture. Cora looked a bit affronted for a moment, before she relaxed her stance.

"You've known me for 17 years."

"We knew you for 11, leaving the last 6 unaccounted for. And I'm not particularly fond of things unaccounted for." Peter replied with narrowed eyes.

"What are you doing here anyways?" She shot, her tone growing more annoyed.

"Same as you... wondering where the bodies went. Wondering if they were carried out, or maybe if one of them managed to find enough strength to push himself up off the floor and walk out, leaving the two of us standing here to answer the all-important question." Peter replied slowly.

"Which one?"

They followed the strongest trail they could pick up, but both men clearly had each other's scent all over them. Eventually though they managed to follow it through town.

"An animal clinic?" Cora bit, looking unimpressed. Mara smiled knowingly at her.

"It's much more than that."

"Yes, I'm not even sure how to get in. Half the building is made of mountain ash." Peter added, his eyes trailing all over the white bricks.

"How about we use the front door, like normal people?" Cora snidely remarked, before moving towards the entrance.

Mara's hand followed by Peter's both grabbed her immediately, stopping her in her tracks.

"What"

She looked back at them, their faces now gone serious. Mara had her head tilted up.

"They're here. All of them."

Peter pulled her back more.

"Stay in the car."

"But how do we know it's not both of them in there."

"We don't" Mara cut in. "But I can't find out if I'm worrying about you."

She gestured to the car, telling her once more. Cora surrendered, turning back.

Peter followed her around the building, to a staff or emergency exit. He watched her carefully as they made their way. They quietly pulled the door open and snuck inside. They proceeded from the back room with all the animals, into the open examination room, where the patient lay.

"Mara." Deucalion greeted, with clear surprise in his tone. "You'll have to excuse us, we're quite busy as you can see."

She held his gaze as he spoke, watching him carefully. She could feel Peter tense behind her.

She looked down at Ennis again, his face badly beaten. She hadn't been this near to him in a long time.

**Flashback**

Mara smiled as a cool breeze washed over her. She gave Cole's hand a small squeeze, as they both gazed on at the sky. The supermoon had begun to show, just. They still had hours until nightfall, but she always thought it was most beautiful at its mid point, fighting for the sky with the sun.

She looked down finally, to the widespread of wolves around her. The packs had all gathered for a celebration. The children ran wildly through the clearing behind the mansion. The adults were scattered about, talking amongst themselves. She spotted Talia idle chatting with the other alphas, looking out on everyone. Mara felt a tugging on her blouse sleeve. She turned to look down at the 7 year old, eyes full of excitement.

"I'm going to make Derek play with me."

Mara laughed, as her sister took off without a response towards the forest's edge. She watched the girl run towards Derek and some of the other young teens, who looked on with wary eyes. Derek however seemed unphased as he excitedly called out to her.

Mara turned her attention elsewhere. Closer to her, the younger children were playing with Laura to watch over them. She was teaching them to weave the tall grass into small baskets. Her and Cora worked to help each of the kids learn.

She watched as one of the older children crowned themselves smiling. She looked throughout all the kids and their work, her eyes settling on Leila.

She was easily one of the youngest, yet she proceeded to help the other kids once she had finished without help. She seemed determined to match her brothers and sisters prowess, regardless of age. She did as they did. It was remarkable sometimes when she'd match them regardless of barley being 5.

"You look stunning."

Mara jumped, whipping around to see who had approached.

It was just Ennis

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He added a bit shocked, putting his hands up. Mara looked him up and down for a moment, before shrugging and turning back towards the children.

"It doesn't take much anymore." She muttered more to herself than anything. She watched Ennis look around them before stepping closer to her.

She turned to look at him once more, eyeing him with suspicion. He looked down at her with an unreadable expression.

"You wouldn't have to be afraid all the time if you came with us."

Mara looked at the man with furrowed brows, thinking she had misheard him, but she didn't know what else he could have said.

"What?"

He seemed to stand taller, looking at her with great confidence as he straightened himself.

"My pack is strong. We could protect you. Your sister too. You wouldn't have to be scared anymore."

Mara's eyes were wide, as she watched him carefully, waiting for an indication he was joking. It ever came. She was sort of stunned, finding herself unable to say anything for a few moments.

Her confusion seemed to have no effect on his confidence.

"That's sweet of you…. I think…. But I couldn't be anywhere safer. The Hale's are my family. My fears won't go away, it's how we survive. Why would you even want us?"

He looked at her, surprised again. Now the confidence had started to fade.

"I thought it was obvious. I want you to be my mate."

They both stared at each other blankly. Mara couldn't imagine what was going through his head, but all she could think of were all the signs she had missed, off in her own head.

Suddenly his more frequent presence made sense. Why he had been so eager to meet Cole and introduce her to all his pack children. Why Deucalion had spoken with her about him. He wanted to be as open and obvious as he could without being offensive. She was just stupid.

Mara knew she could be air headed but this was another level. She felt bad she hadn't put a stop to it earlier. She supposed being raised mostly human left her with some gaps in knowledge, but she did know Alpha's selecting their mates was an important choice. Her strength and power, alongside Talia's training, had made her the perfect choice. Ennis was just the first one brave enough to try.

"I really thought I had been clear."

His voice broke through her thoughts making her jump again. She looked up at him once more. The confidence had been replaced with confusion. Mara took a deep breath, pulling her hand away from where it toyed with the ripped fabric of her jeans.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize. In retrospect it seems obvious."

Her words seemed to give him hope, but she continued.

"This is my home. These are our brothers and sisters. I appreciate the offer, but I stand by them. I also don't believe in mating for anything other than love."

Mara turned away from him once more, catching Derek's ear tilted just as he turned from her, still entertaining Cole.

"Perhaps I'll have to change my approach then."

Mara looked after him curiously as he strode away from her, back towards the group of alphas. She didn't know what he really thought he could do. His pack was a bit too far to conveniently visit with her family. She didn't really know anyone in his pack very well. His efforts were sweet, but love couldn't be forced either. She was happy where she was.

When she turned back towards the kids, suddenly she could see Peter leaned up against a tree. Him and Derek carefully eyed Ennis from their corner, watching as he rejoined the conversation with Talia. His eyes shot to hers almost as fast as she looked at him.

Peter usually kept a neutral expression. He would occasionally show amusement or joy, mostly towards the kids, but now his face was befallen with an expression she didn't recognise.

Mara couldn't tell if he was just pissed. There was an overwhelming feeling of what she could only describe as darkness. The low tilt of his head and the challenging look in his eyes almost looked feral.

Her excitement for the night had waned quickly.

Mara looked up at Deaton, who stood uncomfortably at the foot of the examination table.

"What's the prognosis?"

Deucalion eyed her carefully, as did Deaton as she approached the head of the table.

"Surprisingly optimistic." Deaton replied simply. Mara looked back at Peter briefly.

His eyes were drawn back to the man laying unconscious on the table. The now familiar dark look that crossed his face left her sure of her decision. They would bring strength to their pack, and hopefully peace of mind.

"Why are you here, Mara?"

The polite tone had dropped. Deucalion eyed her with deep suspicion. Sh looked between him and his packmate.

"I know whoever came in here wasn't coming out, no matter what."

He faced her, unflinching, hands clasped around the top of his cane.

"This little power boost isn't going to save you from the witch."

His expression grew tighter. He tilted his head, one hand dropping from his cane, and coming up to his face. He removed his dark aviators.

Mara would never get used to looking at the raw red rings around the aimless glazed pupils that remained where his eyes once were. She watched in awe and horror as they lit up their supernatural red. When his eyes connected with hers for the first time, she shivered.

"What do you want?"

She looked down at Ennis once more. Then back to the older man. He followed her gaze, head tilting further with curiosity. He almost looked, amused? He searched her eyes for a moment before responding.

"That means you fight with us, when the time comes."

Mara looked back at Peter. His eyes met hers, conveying his clear frustration with her on top of the stress of the situation. She met his eyes with a sure look, leaving the decision up to him.

Peter looked between her, and Deucalion, before his eyes settled on Ennis. She watched as his choice locked in behind his eyes.

Everyone watched as he moved towards the table. The tension was near unbearable as Mara braced herself against the table. Though she hadn't known at the time where it came from, Peter's first transition to alpha had flooded her with extra power. She imagined with the amount of Ennis' own beta's he had drained, the power was going to be much more substantial.

She watched as Peter raised his hand over Ennis, claws emerging. Without hesitation, his hand came down, claws shredding through the temples like tissue.

His arm tensed, followed by the rest of his body. His eyes lit up, as he threw back his head. The bright piercing red lit him up, along with the power. His hand clenched, flesh squishing out between his fingers, bone slicing into his hand.

Mara felt the power rush through her simultaneously . Her eyes flashed involuntarily, as she was forced to clench down. The sheet metal formed easily to her hands. She dared a glance at Deaton. He looked thoroughly annoyed.

"Ill pay for it." She griped through gritted teeth.

Thanks for reading. I'm a little late but this week totally shot by me, sorry. Hope your well 3