I needed to take a quick shower before I missed the ceremony. I washed every inch of my body, shaved, shampoo'd and conditioned my hair.

The whole time I was taking a shower my thoughts were else where. I can't just take someone's life.

Or Can I? ......

I weighed out the pros and cons. Take ONE life to save a couple hundred.

But what will my family think? They wouldn't understand. But I know they wouldn't just assume I did it for the sake of just doing.. They would know I did it to help and save everyone.

But will they think I'm a monster? Who am I kidding, of course I am. I killed those children all because I didn't listen.

But now is the time I learn from my mistake. I can't do what I did last time so now, I'll listen to him.

But if they ever find out I was helping a rogue would they disown me?

I mean they can, but they wouldn't. They would know I was saving lives because I'm a good person. Right. Right?

I laid my back and head against the cold shower wall and procrastinated. What am I doing? I can't possibly think that I have enough guts to actually go through with this.

I would have to be heartless, but I need to be reasonable... I have to do it. But who?

Nate? He's alpha... I wouldn't make it out of that pack alive even if I tried. Ariana? She's with child so that's a no.

Danny? Beta. Destiny is pregnant too. But Alex is just third. He's a high rank member but he's also the lowest of the highest. I can kill Athena but Alex would never forgive me...

I can't do this. I won't kill my brothers.. Or my father. He may be a hard ass but Nate's still new at being Alpha. And I love my dad no matter what he put me through.

And I won't kill their mates. So the only person left...

Braxton.

This is my battle. My war. My mistakes. And he will be my solution. But I don't want him to be....

Braxton may be a jerk but he was always there to protect me, save me, and at one point comfort me.

A tear slipped and I realized I don't have time to cry. I don't have time to wallow in self pity. I need to get this over with.

I turned off the shower and grabbed my towel. I wrapped myself, got a Q-tip and cleaned out my ears. I grabbed another towel and wrapped my hair in that one.

I walked into my room and heard someone knocking. I go to open it only to find Mickey. He was wearing a suit and he had a mask in his hand.

I looked towards his face and he had a smile on but dropped it when he saw me.

"Woah who died?" He walked in and turned around.

"No one yet." Was all I whispered and went to my underwear and bra drawer. Then I went into the closet and threw on some shorts and a tank top for right now.

"Wait what? I didn't hear you." He sat on the bed and I looked at him through the mirror.

"Nothing it wasn't important, what's up?" I said as I was finding my nude lace bra to match my underwear.

"Here. Nate told me to bring this to you. It's a masquerade ball and he saw the dress and picked out a mask for you." He set down the mask next to my dress.

"Thanks Mickey. You're a really good friend."

I could feel my eyes sting and I blinked them away.

"Woah hey, are you crying?" He walked over to me and embraced me in a hug.

I had to laugh to ease the tension I knew if I told he wouldn't be safe.

"Hahaha no of course not! I'm just so happy that I have such an amazing family and friends who care for me. And just so you know, I'll die for each and every one of you guys if it's the last thing I do."

He hugged me tighter and laughed with me.

"Haha awww are you getting all sentimental right now!? And why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?" He pulled back from the hug and looked into my eyes.

"I have to leave later on tonight. And I'll be gone for a very long time. I probably won't come back. It's safer and better if I do."

I let go of Mickey and walked towards my closet.

"You're.... You're leaving me? Why!?" He sounded mad and sad at the same time and I had to pretend this was all ok.

"Because it's better if I do. No one will get hurt again." I walked back out with the dress in my hands and laid it on the bed.

"Again? Who got hurt?" My heart rate picked up and went to turn away from him but he grabbed my arm.

"Eva what aren't you telling me!? Did.. Did you hurt someone Eva?"

He let go of my arm and I put my head down and nodded my head. Mickey picked up my chin and looked me in the eyes.

"What's going on Eva you can tell me."

And then I did what I never thought I would do again.

"They're dead because of me. Mickey they're dead because of me!! I tried.. I tried to get help by telling rider but he knew Mickey! He knew and he killed them.. Because of me! I killed them!"

I threw myself in Mickeys arms and he caught me while I cried but before he could ask me another question a voice spoke.

"And here I thought I could trust you Evangeline." I jumped back from mickeys arms and turned towards the window.

Mickey put his arm in front of me and pushed me behind him.

"And who the fuck are you?!" Mickey asked.

"I am the he your friend is referring to."

Two other men jumped through the window, ran, and grabbed Mickey before he could shift. Before I knew what was happening Mickey was pinned to the floor and all I could do was watch.

"We had a deal Evangeline. No one was suppose to know. And do you know what happens when you tell a secret you're suppose to keep? People get hurt."

One of the guys kicked Mickey in the ribs and I heard something snap.

"No please! I'm sorry! It... It was an accident I swear! Don't hurt him!" Another guy kicked Mickey and all Mickey did was grunt.

"I'm fine Eva." Mickey said as we made eye contact,

"Please... Don't hurt him. I'm so sorry, I'll take what ever beating you plan on giving him. I exchange my life for his!"

I looked towards unknown and he just had a smirk on his face.

"If you must. You'll receive your punishment when we leave. Tie him up."

Unknown snapped his fingers and his goons picked up Mickey from the floor and tied his hands and they tried to tape his mouth. But Mickey wasn't going down without a fight.

"What are you doing? You said you wouldn't hurt him!" Unknown walked towards me and slapped me in the face.

"Don't fucking touch her!" They punched him in the stomach and finally taped his mouth shut.

I fell to the floor and cradled my cheek. He crouched down and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Do you see what you make me do? I didn't want to hit you but you made me.. I won't hurt him ok? I just can't have anyone messing up my plan. Take him with you. We'll let him go as soon as you do your part ok?"

He got back up and walked towards the window.

I made eye contact with Mickey and he looked pretty scared but more pissed.

"Mickey you'll be ok, I promise.." They grabbed him by the arm and jumped out the window with him.

"You better hurry. You have an hour left to get ready Tick tock."

He jumped from the window and when I ran to see where he went, I couldn't find him. It's like he vanished into thin air.

I looked at the clock, 7:15.

Dammit.

I went towards my makeup station and decided to just do the best I could with it. 30 minutes later my face was finally done and I was actually pleased with it.

I threw off my clothes and I put on my nude bra and underwear. I went towards my bed and threw on the dress.

It was beautiful with gold, silver and beige all over it, and the bottom was laced and it was sleeve less. But I still couldn't shake the feeling of him having Mickey.

I threw on the dress, and went towards my mirror. My hair was already dried when I took off the towel and it was in its natural curls. I decided to just leave it and just made sure my line in my hair was straight.

I sprayed some hair spray making sure to get those little hairs that stick up, to get them to stay down.

I grabbed my strawberry lotion and made sure I got every inch of my uncovered body. I sprayed some of my perfume and looked in the mirror.

I've never really been one to dress up but I can honestly say I look really nice.

I added my favorite necklace the one mom gave me and put it around my neck. It didn't match my outfit so I tucked the turquoise gem in my dress so only the necklace showed.

I added my favorite lipstick and then I was finally done.

Knock knock knock...

I went towards the door and opened it. There stood my father and he looked handsome in his all grey suit and tie.

He looked at me up and down and nodded his head.

"You look just like your mother in that dress. Where did you get it?" He asked as he came in and closed the door.

Quick lie. Was my first instinct.

"The girls and I got it when we went shopping."

I walked towards my bed and sat down. I looked towards the clock and it was 15 minutes before the ceremony started.

I grabbed my heels and started to put them on.

I felt the bed dip and knew it was my father who sat next to me. I felt his gaze piercing me and I swear it felt like he was going to burn a hole in me.

"When I first met your mother she was a fiery spitball. Hard to get, a sarcastic little thing. But I knew I would grow to love her. I have to be honest though, I didn't want a mate. It was the last thing I wanted. I had fun being the next alpha and getting all the women to obey my every need. But one day I just didn't feel anything anymore." He said it like he was reliving the past.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Those women always made me feel like I was so important because they paid attention to me. But I lost that feeling one day. And I knew why. I tried to hard to forget about your mother. I slept with a lot of she wolves from my pack and hers. But it still didn't help with forgetting her."

He looked at me and I saw a lot of regret and pain. I grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Dad, why are you telling me this?"

He grabbed my hand with both of his and looked me straight in the eye.

"Because I know now, I'll always regret not paying attention to her longer. Alpha Braxton reminds me a lot of myself at that age, so I need you to know that he does care about you. That he will come around. And if he doesn't, he's a fool. Rome... It's going to be hard you know? Your wolf won't be able to stand it but she'll learn to live with it. You will get your happy ending." He kissed my forehead and stood up and took my hand.

"We should get going. The ceremony will start very soon."

I nodded my head and swallowed the golf ball sized lump in my throat.

Here goes nothing.

___________________________

Ok 1st. The top picture is of her hair, makeup, and nails. So that there's no confusion.

2nd. Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! 💕

And 3rd.. I have people asking me already so I'll answer it all for everyone.

"Are you coming to an end"

"Is the book almost over?"

My answer: yes.

The book is almost over I've been thinking about something for the past couple of days and I think I finally made up my mind.

Stay tuned for more info! Love you guys! 👻