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Six.
"Emma... That's amazing!"
She knew. She'd done it without even thinking. Though she didn't know if she'd be able to do it again, now that her anger had vanished. Emma massaged her throat, still surprised by herself. Was she really getting closer to shape shifting? Could she finally let her wolf out some day? She knew she had to try.
"You didn't really kill Jekyll, did you?" Asked Ariel, returning back to her seat opposites her. She was probably asking due to her slight demonstration, but they both knew that was nothing compared to filling transforming into her wolf form. Emma shuck her head.
"No. Well... I'm pretty sure I didn't. I'm not sure what happened back there, Ariel. Everything is so confusing. When I try to remember all I get are random and blurry flashbacks." She stared at Emma for a while, and finally stopped gossiping. She could tell Ariel was being serious now, though she was playing with her bracelet seeming hesitant on what she wanted to say next.
"Emma, you can tell me... Jekyll assaulted you, didn't he?" She whispered. Emma avoided her eyes, she really didn't want to talk about it.
"That filthy dog did what?!" She'd forgot about Peter standing just outside. He'd clearly heard Ariel, and was in the doorway staring straight at them. This isn't going to go well, she thought. He ran up to them, and looked at her with a furious gaze.
"Emma, what the hell is this girl talking about? Who did what to you?"
He may not be Killian, but she could definitely see the resemblance between the two, especially when he was angry like that. Peter had the same ice cold stare and furious look as his older brother. Why was he so angry? She thought he didn't really like her. Was it because she was his brothers fated mate? He was menacing, but she wasn't scared of him like she was yesterday with Killian; maybe because his anger isn't directed at her? How was she suppose to handle this? Ariel hadn't said a word since Peter returned back into the building, and Emma really didn't want to talk about the topic, especially not to her mates brother. She shuck her head at him.
"It's nothing, Peter."
"What? Nothing?! Emma, if my brother knows-"
"Don't, Peter! Lets not talk about it now, okay? I really don't want to, not now." She tried to be as convincing as she could, but she could see him hesitating. She could almost hear his debate in his head. He turned to Ariel, and let out an annoyed growl.
"Okay, but only for now. Later, you tell me what this is about!"
"Okay, I promise. But you aren't to tell him a thing! Agreed?" He looked at Emma with a sullen look for a while, before finally letting out a low growl of agreement. She really needed to stop bargaining with the teenager today. At least she'd managed to make him drop the annoying subject for now, though she wasn't sure if he'd keep his promise of not telling Killian, but that was the best she could do.
"Emma, come with me. We have to tell Victor you're alright!" But Emma took her hand out of Ariels, filled with worry. Ariel seemed so confident, but she wasn't sure everyone in the pack would be happy to see her back, alive and well. Had Ariel forgotten how they'd treated her? She was no better than a slave there, and she didn't want to go back to that old meaningless life she use to live. She glanced at Peter, but he was waiting for her decision. Wasn't she the one who wanted to come back, after all? Yes, she wanted to see what had happened since her disappearance, but with Neal banished it changed a lot of things. And may she still be a part of the Red Moon clan, she refused to be insulted or beat again. She pondered for a while, but no matter what, she knew she had to go. One day or another she was going to have to face her alpha about what had happened, and decide what to do.
"Could you accompany me?" She turned to Peter.
"Sure! But I warn you, if any of those guys try to do anything to you, I won't let it slide. I was at the hospital when they examined you, I'm not dumb. And believe me, it's better that it's me than one of my brothers."
"I know. I just need to settle some things"
"Okay then. Don't be a weakling." Instead of heading to the door, he walked behind the bar, and started undressing. Once fully unclothed, he shoved everything into his school bag, and quickly transformed into his wolf self. He shifted so elegantly, he must've done it a thousand times before. The youngest Black brother was surprisingly an average sized wolf, though his giant paws indicated he was more than likely yet to reach his final size yet. He was fur dark, like his human hair, but also had extra hints of red running through it, mostly around his collar and below his ears. He came up to Emma carrying his bag in his mouth and handed it to her.
"Okay then, let's go." She turned back to Ariel. She gave her a happy smile and closed the bar, leaving it for Robert, the owner to take care of. Emma was in a terrible state of nervousness, and if Peter wasn't beside her, she would have turned and left already. They walked up the streets until they finally reached the main house. She could tell the clan could already smell them, many of them already in their wolf forms guarding the surrounding area. As expected, as soon as they arrived several wolfs began following them, growling with a menacing tone. Most of the wolfs recognised Emma and Ariel, so they did not approach them as they walked. They were probably more threatened by Peter, the stranger who was trespassing onto their turf, but he kept walking beside her, ignoring their growls.
"Alpha is coming." Ariel muttered next to her. She was probably talking to some of them telepathically. Emma wished she could do that, then she'd be able to know what everyone was thinking about her reappearance. They were a few meters from the house when she stopped. She didn't want to go inside, and she knew Victor was coming to them anyway. He looked stunned when he saw her, his eyes flickering back and forth from her to the black wolf who was sat at her feet. Peter didn't seem to care, patiently waiting, but she could tell he was keeping watch of everything that was going on around them. Will came out just after the alpha, and Peter started a low growl as they approached them. He let out a menacing bark when they were just a few steps from them, stopping both men in their tracks. Victor looked at her dumbfounded.
"Emma... I nearly didn't recognise you from afar. What happened? We looked for you!" Did they really, she thought. She'd heard parts of Killian and Blues conversation and she knew only one man came looking for her, which she was convinced was Neal. She hadn't heard anything from the Red Moon clan at all. And considering Graham and Killian had been checking each clan, trying to work out which she'd came from, she doubted they'd have missed people search the streets asking around for her. It was more than likely that the clan had considered her dead, or hoped she'd gone rogue.
"Hello, alpha, beta." Emma saluted without averting her eyes. "Sorry I disappeared, lots of things happened."
"Lots of things? Emma, you best have a good explanation for why you were gone for-" Victor was cut off by a loud growl from Peter, clearly a warning to watch his words, which everyone else picked up on too. Victor looked at the wolf, annoyed, and turned to her.
"Who is this?"
"A friend."
"From which clan?" Emma hesitated. Was it okay to reveal her new connection to the Black Moon clan? After all she had no officially connection to them yet, and she wasn't even suppose to be there in the first place. Neither was Peter. Would Killian be mad when he found out? She didn't care about the Red Moon, but she'd rather not take her chances with him. She ignored Will's question and turned to Victor.
"You exiled Neal?"
"Yes, about a month ago. Your ex had become quite troublesome. He stole money from your beta and continued borrowing money from other pack members. Will confronted him, and then we decided to banish him."
"Do you know where he is now?"
"No, I don't, and I don't really care. But you are not in a position to be asking questions now, Emma. We need to discuss. Come in." They turned and began heading back towards the house, but Emma didn't move. She was not going back into that house. Should would be a prisoner once more if she took a single step closer. Peter stayed by her side, growling at the other wolves as they circled around them. She realised the situation was take a turn for the worst, though she had expecting such to happen. She may have decided to not give in anymore, but that didn't stop Victor from being mad at her. What if he decided to punish her and attack them? Peter was most probably very strong, but since she couldn't shift he was alone. She exchanged a look with him, maybe it was wolf form, but he didn't look worried one bit.
"What are you waiting for! I said come in." Victor growled.
"We can discuss things here."
"Excuse me? Who do you think you are now?" He growled again, but this time Emma growled back. He would not force her to submit again. For some reason, she felt more stronger and confident than ever. Her wolf agreed with her- she was done with the nonsense. She wouldn't let her down on this one. Her response to her alpha caused the pack to fall silent in surprise, but suddenly they all started threatening them back, loudly. She prayed that no one would actually attack. The odds were growing further away from their side, making Emma want to shudder in worry, but she stayed stood straight, she wouldn't show her worry. Even the sky was growing darker and menacing. She focused on Victor, perfectly aware that no wolf would dare do anything without his say. She could tell he was hesitating. His eyes went from shocked to angry, now considering the dark wolf and her.
"What is this, Emma? You disappear for weeks, now you come back and dare to disobey your alpha?" Said Will.
"Why is nobody asking about my disappearance then?"
"We said we shall discuss it inside. And without strangers."
"No, I'm not going anywhere, and neither is he. I will talk here or I'll go."
"Don't dare bargain with your alpha!" Will growled, but he didn't scare her anymore. She was scared of the twenty or so wolves surrounding them, but the alpha or betas authority wouldn't work on her anymore. How was it possible? Had they banished her already? Or was the fact she was getting closer to her wolf allowing her to stand against them. Emma could really feel her wolf. She was with her, standing her ground and growling to show she was no pushover anymore. They'd always considered her a fake, weak, useless wolf, but she guessed things going to be different. Maybe she was more vulnerable and not able to shape shift, but she was definitely not going back to being a slave for them to use. That didn't mean she wasn't scared. She was trying her best to appear strong, but her hands were shaking slightly, and no amount of confidence could take away all that she'd endured in the past years. She may not have given in to the alphas authority, but she still very aware of how much a wolf attack could hurt. She wasn't going to provoke them and get herself killed. They looked at her, probably gauging her all over again.
"There is still the matter of your attack on Jekyll and Neal." Victor suddenly stated.
"I did not attack them!"
"Then why did you go that day? People saw you leave with Neal." Because he dragged me out, she though. But she couldn't say that with Peter right next to her.
"I did not attack Neal, he forced me to go with him."
"You liar!" Emma turned to see Regina looking furious, pointing a finger at her. What did she want? Regina always acted as if she were Neals girlfriend, and Neal probably thought so, but everyone in the pack knew she use to cheat on him as she wanted. She was a popular girl, with her long,curly, jet black hair and curves, and she loved the attention. Emma could name at least five members of their pack that Regina had already slept with. She joined Victor and Will, looking at Emma as if she was some pest.
"She made Neal follow her, pretending she could solve his money problems. And then she tried to kill Jekyll and take his money! Everyone knew how rich he was!" What was this crazy story? Had she just made it up on the spot? Emma was so shocked she couldn't even find words to respond. Peter looked at her with a frown.
"That may be Neals story, Regina, but you weren't there when it happened."
"No but he told me! Oh come on! Do you think Jekyll disappeared on his own? And that Neal hurt himself? This bitch did it! You all know how much she hated them!"
"I did nothing! Neal lied to you."
"Oh really. So why did you disappear for a month? And then come back here looking all good and dressed up in all those fancy brands? How dumb do you think we are, you murderer?!"
"Shut up!" Emma yell, infuriated. How could she say such things? She didn't have a clue of what really happened, Regina just hated her! Both the alpha and beta were looking at Emma, starting at her clothes suspiciously. Ariel sighed beside her.
"Oh please. Victor, this is Emma we're talking about! Nobody believed Neals story before and now we're going to listen to this whore?"
"Ariel! Shut up and get inside. Why are you getting yourself involved in this?" Roberts voice came out from behind them. He must've heard about the commotion from a member of the pack, leaving the bar to come see what was going on. He grabbed his daughters hand and dragged her into the house. Ariel tried to protest, but her father was much stranger. All Emma could do was stand and watch her be pulled away, still yelling at Regina. Victor seemed hesitant again, and Wills eyes were flickering between Regina and herself.
"Regina knows nothing alpha. I was hospitalised, and someone helped me out. But I didn't kill Jekyll, or take his money. And I didn't do anything to my ex, either." But she could tell they didn't believe her. The mysterious friend helping her out of no where was a big loophole, and she knew it. She glanced down at Peter, wondering what to do, but he was already fiercely growling at the other wolves. Nearly all of the Red Moon pack were ready and waiting to pounce on them. How did she get herself and Peter into this situation?
"Okay, that's enough. Emma you are coming with us. Tell your friend to go away or we will attack him-" Will reached out to grab Emma's wrist but before he could get ahold, a giant black form jumped over him, the sound of crunching bones filled her ears. She looked again to see Wills arm, hanging under Ruby's fangs. She heard screams before she could even realise what had just happened. She was in shock. The beta was bleeding in an endless flow where his arm was attached a few seconds ago. She could barely keep herself from throwing up. Others around her started screaming in fear, or shock, she couldn't tell. Ruby stood like a barrier between her and the trio. Will had lost consciousness but the other two had stepped back.
"Looks like you guys are going to need a new beta." A voice came from behind them. She turned to see Graham standing there, smiling in a terrifying manner. She couldn't believe what was happening. Everyone fell completely silent, all eyes on Graham. He walked calmly towards them, and it took Emma a moment to notice the dozens menacing wolves following behind him. Among them, she spotted a large wolf, realising it was probably Blue. Her fur was a shade darker than her sisters, as she'd depicted.
Victor looked even more shocked than Emma. He stared blankly at Graham, mouth open, looking totally lost for words. She knew that this was exactly what he feared, provoking a stronger pack. She remembered how much he stressed over the dinner that night. He didn't dare look down at Will, laying in his own bloodbath on the ground next to him. He just stared at Graham, trying to understand what was going on. To Emma's delight though, Regina had gone white as sheet, and was shaking from head to toe. No one dared to say a word.
Graham slowly walked up to Emma, and she was completely lost on what to say. She felt so bad. About all of it. But he gave her his usual gentle smile.
"Emma, you should have just told us, you know? Now I've had to come all the way here and hear all this nonsense."
"I... I'm sorry, I just-" before she could figure out how to explain herself, Graham reaches out his hand to gently caress her hair, shaking his head with the same gentle smile.
"It's okay princess. You should save it for when you see my brother. He is... not very happy about you sneaking out." Oh my goddess, she thought. Killian knew. He was going to kill her. She guessed he's be furious by now. And right after she'd finally got him to come see her, too! Graham turned to Peter, crossing his arms and letting out a sigh. His little brother just avoided his eyes, like a kid who knew they were about to get scolded.
"And you. You just can't help yourself, can you, Peter? Not only skipping school, but helping Emma run into trouble, too?" He waited for a second, still looking at his younger sibling. Emma realised Peter must have been using his telepathy to talk back to Graham while still in his wolf form. Graham just shuck his head.
"Oh no, don't even start trying to use our princess as an excuse. We are going to have a serious discussion when we get back. And yes, little brother, you are grounded."
Peter let out an annoyed growl, but did not try to stand up to his older brother. Seemed like the hierarchy was very clear between the three of them. Graham turned, walking past them and stood next to Ruby, looking straight at Victor. He'd dropped his smile and looked the most serious she'd ever seen him. The Black Moon pack began growling and snarling around them, forcing the Red Moon wolves to back away. They started stepping back, but some keep growling, trying to hide their fear. Graham's wolves made it clear who had the upper hand. Blue walked up to her, standing on the opposite side to Peter. Emma tried to whisper a 'Sorry' to her but she ignored it. She guessed she'd have to deal with that too when she got back to the apartment.
"Prin-princess?" Victor mumbled. He'd seemed to have realised just who the black wolf was who'd accompanied Emma. He was looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time, trying to process everything.
"Well, now I would love to hear an explanation." Graham said.
"An ex-explanation? About what?" Stuttered Victor.
"Yes. An explanation, as to why you hid and mistreated our precious princess." Graham's words were a cold shower for every member of the pack. She saw some members glance at her with a terror in their eyes, probably reminiscing the last time they'd hit her or been rude to her in some manner. And it wasn't just two or three, more like all bar the few.
"What? We didn't hide her..." She suddenly remembered the night of the dinner. Graham's voice asking 'did we meet all the women in your clan' before he and Peter left. That intriguing question angered Regina, but Emma didn't think twice about it until now. But what did it have to do with her? Graham made it sound like the Black brothers were actually... looking for her. But how could that be?
"We asked you if we'd met every woman from your clan, and you said we did. You had no one that looked like Emma at your table that night. So now, let me ask you this, how could we possibly have missed her if she indeed was one of your pack members?"
Victor looked completely lost for words. He had her locked down in the basement that night. He didn't think she was worthy of meeting them, and honestly, how could he have imagined such a day would come? The weak, pathetic, hated and disfigured girl would turn out to be the most feared alphas mate. That was not something Victor would ever imagine, not even in his worst nightmares. He looked at her, trying to make the connection, unable to face the truth.
"How could this girl be of any... interest to you. She's just a... a stray!" Graham smiled, but she knew he wasn't happy in the slightest. She would say he'd only gotten angrier. His eyes looked like ice, she recognised that look from his other two brothers. Two dramatically blue eyes staring straight at Victor as if he were about to murder him on the spot. Emma didn't doubt that he could. Graham took a menacing step towards him, and for a second, Emma really thought he was about to kill him right there. Every drop of blood seemed to have left Victors face. When Graham spoke, his voice was just as threatening, as if he were holding a knife to the shaking alphas throat. His sharp, cold voice gave Emma chills.
"That 'stay' you are talking about is my older brothers fated mate." A chilling silence followed, all eyes landing on her. For a second, Victor looked as though he was about to collapse as he staggered, white as a sheet. He looked at Emma, so shocked he couldn't even utter a sound. Graham took a new step closer, causing Victor stagger back and fall to the floor in front of him.
"So now, would you like to tell me who is responsible for her scars? My brother and I are really, really eager to know."
Around them, several members of the pack gasped, or let out a whimper. Ruby let out a loud growl, one of which not even three wolves together could have made sound so frightening. She still had Wills arm, and the blood was still leaking out in a gruesome manner beneath her. Victor shuck his head, looking panicked.
"No, no, no... she was just a homeless kid... we... we really didn't know... we..." Emma looked at him, disgusted. Was that seriously the alpha she feared for so long? He was babbling nonsense, trying to come up with excuses. How could she ever be so scared of such a pathetic man? Graham stood there, emotionless, while Victor was struggling feebly.
"We took her in! We... we welcomed her... a few years ago... she had nothing! And... and we... we gave her food and shelter."
"Food and shelter?!" She couldn't help but repeat, shocked. Both Graham and Victor turned to her, surprised to hear her speak out. She shuck her head, glaring at her pathetic alpha.
"You put me in the basement. You made me work dawn til dusk, and never let me eat with you. You never even considered me as part of this pack!"
Peter started growling after hearing her, but she ignored him. Victor was apparently not as scared of her as he was Graham, trying to defend himself.
"Everyone has to work to earn their living! You, you would have died in the streets if it wasn't for me, Emma!" She looked at him, taken back by his nerve. How could he stand there and say such things to her face? Earn her living? She was barely 15 when the clan took her in. For five years they'd only let her live to work for them as their slave, feeding her scraps.
"Nobody else would have helped you, but we did! Doesn't that count?"
She knew he was trying to beg for his life, he knew Graham only cared about her and would not hesitate for a single second to kill him and all the others. He's beta was dying in his own blood pool not even two foot away from him at that very moment. Victor was basically begging her to spare his life, but she was done with his excuses.
"You never really meant to help me, did you? All you saw was a helpless child, a free slave you could make use of. I was young, and you knew no one would protect me! Nobody would care no matter what happened to me. You never did."
The painful words she could never share before were flowing out, with tears, and she couldn't stop it. All the suffering resurfaced. All those bitter memories that she couldn't stand anymore. She gave up all hope she had left in the clan. It was time for the truth, and it had long waited to come out.
"You are not my alpha. You never acted like one to me. You never protected me, or even considered me part of your family, not in the slightest. All you ever done was use me, like some sort of tool you could throw away at any time. I was broken, and all you done as broke me even more."
She'd given the last 5 years of her life to that man, to that pack, and now she'd realised what a mess they'd made of it. She was never meant to be so pitiful and weak, but they pushed her to the edge day after day. Whether they abused her or just stayed as bystanders, not one of them ever gave her a hand. None of them ever cared about her, and they were content with that. Living their everyday lives, closing their eyes, ignoring all she had endured as if it wasn't any of their problem.
"No Emma. I never lay a hand on you! Did I? I even tried keeping Neal off your back, sometimes-"
"You didn't do anything! You let others do it for you, and that was it! You saw what they done to me, and you closed your eyes a million times! A million times you could have put an end to it with a single word, but you never ever did. You are worse than any of them! You are not even worthy of being called an alpha." Emma yelled, bursting with anger.
"I...I..." but he had nothing else to say. He knew Emma was right. Never saying anything didn't mean she wouldn't remember. Victor shuck his head, trying to find something else to defend himself with, but she was done with it. She turned to wipe her tears, exhausted after it all. Graham looked her, seeming impressed with her sudden outburst. All she could feel was angry and drained from all of the yelling, but as she turned around, another voice was suddenly raised.
"You wench! You should just shut up and be grateful the alpha accepted a cursed, damn freak like you! No one wanted-" Reginas words died in her throat as Peter dived at her with a load growl. She had the reflexes to change into her wolf form to try and protect herself, but the battle was cut short. Within seconds, Peters fangs lacerated her neck and face, killing the dark wolf before she even had a chance to fight back. Emma covered her mouth, speechless. She couldn't believe Regina had just died, as quickly as that. Peter left the corpse and went back to stand next to his brother, fresh blood covering him, growling low and angry. Graham looked straight to Victor, his smile gone from his face.
"This is the last time I hear any of you talk like that about Emma ever again. We will leave behind as many corpses as necessary for that." The alpha was stunned from what had just happened, he just nodded his head with a blank expression. Two of his wolves had just died right in front of him, and he couldn't do a thing to stop it. Now the lives of his whole pack were hanging. He opened his mouth about to say something, but didn't.
Suddenly, from the side of the woods, a Red Moon wolf who she'd recognised as Marc, one of Reginas many lovers, left his group and ran towards them. He was clearly going to attack them, but before he could even reach them, two Black Moon wolves jumped and killed him on the spot. Behind him, Emma could see his sister, whimpering at her now dead brothers body lying limp on the ground. With a howl, she began running, but no one stopped her. She was heading straight for them, visibly aiming directly at Emma. But the she-wolf was stopped in her tracks by Graham's hand. She hadn't even seen him move, but somehow he'd managed to grab the blonde wolf by the neck, at arms length holding her still, her paws not even reaching the ground. She whimpered as she tried to free herself, but then the deafening sound of neck-bones cracking filled the air around them. He'd just killed a wolf with a single move, still in his human form. Graham's eyes roamed the assembly, but no one dares to move even an inch. Opening his hand, the dead wolf fell to his feet.
"I warned you. Anyone else want to try?"
"Enough, enough, please!" Victor cried, shaking. Graham turned back to him.
"I am yet to hear any names."
"Graham, stop it." In surprise, both alphas turned back around to face her, but she was only looking at Graham. She couldn't really feel sorry for the Red Moon pack, she felt like it was wrong of her, but she just didn't. They were going to trust Reginas words over her own, and they probably didn't care to know if she was telling the truth anyway. If it wasn't for Graham, Emma would probably be back down in that basement, getting a beating by now. She couldn't feel sorry for them anymore.
However, just because she was no longer a part of the Red Moon clan, did not mean she was going to just let the Black Moon clan keep killing them. There were family's and innocent children among them. She didn't want to be the reason for bloodshed and tragedy.
She stepped up towards the man she once called her alpha, Ruby by her side in an instant, acting as her bodyguard once more. She was still holding the severed arm in her mouth, spitting it out in front of Victor. Ugh, that was gruesome, Emma thought. Graham's wolves all suddenly started growling loudly, pushing Victors warriors to retreat away from him. Emma faces Victor, clenching her fists.
"I am not stopping them because of you. I still hold you responsible for all of what's happened. But this clan needs its alpha, and I'm done seeing blood spilled today."
"From today on, the Black Moon and the Eclipse Moon clan are hostiles to the Red Moon Clan." Graham declared, "any of you take one step onto our turf, you will face the consequences."
He's basically just exiled the clan from the whole of Storybrooke city. Even if the Black brothers didn't own all of the town, the remaining clans wouldn't take risks by having contact with the Red Moon clan. Any other clans turf would now be a potential threat to them. Graham had just isolated the whole pack with two sentences. Victor looked as though he were going to cry, but unfortunately for him, it wasn't over.
"In ten days time at dusk, I want this whole pack to come to the East Ground Point. If a single person is missing, no matter the reason, we will hunt them down. This is to challenge for the alpha position."
Emma stared at Graham, dumbfounded.
A duel to take over the Red Moon clan?
