68 Chapter 68: Grandfather is back

Zack's POV

The guilt has been eating him alive. When his wolf had thrust him back to his own mind, Zack was unguarded, completely mesmerized by his mate's beauty. Hence when the attack came, he was surprised. That small moment of weakness was enough for the lust driven wolf inside him. Somehow it seemed to have gotten stronger as it was crazed by its own instincts. Never had it ever acted out like this before. The only exception was the day that the wolf got angry at his actions and taken control only to go and mark his own mate. 

But this time was different. His wolf was possessive, he was eager to come out and meet its mate. But never had it shown any aggression towards Elize. This was a first. He could sense its crazed mind as he kept witnessing what his body was doing to his mate. This was a first as well. For him to see it like that and not be blacked out was not normal. This meant that his wolf was not aware of what it was doing. Like him, his wolf had also let his mind left unguarded. Hence he tried his very best, even when his heart hurt seeing what he was putting Elize through. He hated the moment Elize screamed in pain. He hated the moment that he saw fear in her eyes. He hated himself for being this powerless.

This was not the first time that he was so weak that he couldn't protect his own mate. After her entry into the Island, all he had ever brought her was trouble. And somehow she was the one who always ended up protecting him, while it should have been the other way around. If he knew that all this was going to happen, then he wouldn't have fought with his own best friend just to mark her. He would have stayed away from her, at whatever cost. Why did he have to grow so close to her? Why? His love brought nothing but pain to her. 

But when he saw her embracing the wolf, he was shocked yet jealous at the same time. He didn't want her to look at his wolf the same way that she looked at him. He hated it. He was the one who caused this. He was caught off guard when suddenly he was pushed back into his own body. For a moment, everything that happened was a blur. But as soon as he got out of the pool of life, the memories of what his wolf had done hit him hard again, bringing immense amount of pain and guilt with it. He couldn't even look her in the eye. How was he to feel fine when she touched him with compassion and looked at him with worried eyes? He couldn't help but lash out. 

He looked around at the mess of stone shard all around the room. He looked down at his own hands. A single tear escaped his eye. Zack swiftly wiped it away. He had to apologize. He should at least do that much for her. He thought, taking a long sigh. With a determined look, he walked towards the adjacent room. He could see that she was talking to someone. But oddly he wasn't able to hear the other end of the conversation. Was she talking to the stone again? He wondered. His question was answered as Elize bent towards a corner of the bed and reached out to something white. It seemed to be a dress of sorts. 

Did the stone give that to her? He wondered, looking around. He had always been pessimistic about the effects of magic or magical objects. Unlike his own grandfather who seemed to have an affinity towards destruction and possession of magical items, Zack made sure to stay away from them. Never in his dreams did he think that he'd be so closely associated with the world of magic. He wasn't ready to fully trust it. Things that cannot be seen or touched always had a catch, he thought as he kept walking towards his mate. 

He watched the dress slide down her lithe body. It stirred his emotions. But he held back. He had almost killed her. Hell he had even raped his own mate! He didn't deserve another glance of this beautiful girl. Sadness welled in his heart as he stopped in his tracks. Elize was just an arm's distance away from him. His hands were itching to touch her. He wanted to hug her tight and ask for her forgiveness. But he was scared to do so. No, he wasn't going to put her in danger anymore. Her scent was still the same alluring one. He knew that it was because of it that his entire pack had turned crazy. But for once, when they ended up in this strange place, he had hoped that he would be able to hold his own urge back. But no, he was too weak. 

He knew that it would break her heart to know the truth behind everything. He didn't have the heart to tell her that. She hd no reason to. He was going to make everything right. He'd send her away from the Island, back to her home. He'd send her some place safe, away from witches and wolves. Since she was now a human, she'd have no trouble blending in. He was going to protect her with everything he had, even if it meant that he'd be in pain because of it. 

Taking a long breath, he called out to her. "Elize? Who are you talking to?"

His voice was raspy. It even sounded dead. He couldn't help it. He felt dead inside.

Elize turned around. With a smirk, she replied, "The stone. But now apparently you too."

It hurt him to hear the coldness in her tone. But he probably deserved it, Zack thought sadly. He nervously ran his hands through his hair. He didn't know where to begin. 

"I'm sorry. I don't know how I lost control. I-"

"Are you here to apologize?" Elize asked, cutting him off. 

"I'm sorry." He said abruptly. 

"For what?" She asked, betting her eyelashes at him.

He knew that she was acting. He could see through her. She was angry at him. He wished that he could stand closer to her without feeling guilty. But it just wasn't happening. The distance was killing him, but he had decided on keeping her safe. He wasn't ready to falter now. 

Zack sighed. Looking at her with a sad expression, he began, "What I did-"

"What did you do?" She asked, once again cutting him off. 

He could see that she was about to cry. Tears were threatening to spill at any moment. Oh how much he hated himself right now!

"I-" 

"Forget it. It's fine." She said waving her hands at him.

With a smile, she got up from the bed and took a step towards him. Zack's heart started hammering in his chest. He was yearning to touch her. Images of what the crazed wolf had done to her flashed in his mind, making him take a step back by instinct. No, he couln't let things slide anymore. He had to keep her safe. He had to stay away from her. 

"Please, stay where you are." He pleaded, pain flashing in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Elize asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Please. Let's just maintain a safe distance." Zack said, looking away.

He watched as her face paled and her eyes welled. He could feel her hurt through the bond. He wished he could reach out and touch her. Maybe just once. Suddenly a voice pushed into his head.

'Zack?! Zack are you there?!' The familiar voice asked in an urgent tone.

'Alex?' Zack asked, shocked. 

It was the first time after getting trapped in the cave that he was able to hear any of his pack members' voice. The voices usually were always present in his head unless he consciously muted them. That was the first thing he had checked on waking up. He was unable to hear anyone even after trying so hard. But now, he was hearing Alex's voice calling out to him. How?!

'Thank heavens that it worked!' Alex exclaimed through the pack bond.

'Is it really you?' Zack asked, unable to believe it.

'Yes! Where are you guys?! Elize is with you right?!' Alex's voice sounded concerned.

The question only made him nervous. He had promised his friend that he'd take care of his sister. Now, he had done the worst thing imaginable to her.

'Yeah- she is..' Zack replied hesitantly.

'Phew! Okay wherever you guys are, you both need to come out right now. Me and Irina are in the clearing that you guys were last spotted. Please come soon before things get out of hand.'

What? Irina was back? He remembered Agatha saying something about Irina going back home because she had some urgent business to tend to. Also, what did he mean by things getting out of hand?

'What do you mean?' He asked nervously.

He could hear Alex sigh before he replied, 'Your grandfather has returned. He's calling for a war with the witches accusing them of killing you and the future Luna. You need to get here as soon as possible.'

Zack's heart started beating unsteadily. Grandfather was…back? He possibly couldn't take Elize out if the man was back. Given that her scent is still as strong, every wolf on the Island will be out to get her.

'But Elize's scent-'

'Irina has a solution. Now please, hurry!' Alex pressed. 

Suddenly he heard a click. As if something was forcefully shut down. Zack shook his head uncomfortably. 

'Alex?' He tried calling out, but there was no reply. 

"Are you zoning out on me now?!" Elize asked, her voice rising in anger.

Zack looked back at his mate. They had to get out. If what Alex said was true, it would lead to a full fledged war on the Island if they didn't return.

"We're in trouble." He said, looking at her straight in the eye.

"What do you mean?" She asked, crunching her brows. 

"Let's get out of here first. Do you know the way?"