Chapter 65 (THE END)

                                    

                                          
Waverly trudged behind Willa as they headed for the den. Somehow, the werewolf got them back home in less than seven minutes. 
Of course, Waverly didn't remember anything about the journey to the den because all she could think about was William. 
Something about his body just lying there in the dirt, alone and decomposing, made her sick. She wanted something better for him, at least a burial. 
"Waverly," Willa's voice echoed through her mind like a bullet. 
The shapeshifter looked up. 
Willa's eyes were pointed directly at her, narrowed and filled with concern. 
They were standing about thirty feet from the den, and Waverly could see the dented roof of the cavern from where they were. The air already felt off, it full of anger and pain. 
"I know the rest of us weren't as close with William, but I want to understand why you feel obligated to take care of him." She said, pulling a strand of curly black hair behind her ear. 
Waverly looked down at the alpha's boots and sighed. The toes of her shoes were stained with blood. 
"I feel responsible for him because we...knew each other in the past. He was a part of my pack...well, he was until they threw him out for being a shapeshifter. William was taken because of me, because I survived." Waverly explained. "Matthew used him as his own personal slave to track me down. William suffered his whole life because of me."
Willa stared at her, definitely listening, but Waverly wasn't sure she was hearing what she was saying. 
"Because of you?" The alpha repeated, her eyebrows knitting together. 
Waverly nodded. 
"Waverly, you can't seriously think that this is your fault..." 
The shapeshifter huffed out another sigh and wrapped her palms around the back of her neck. 
"I do." She stated, raising her head. "Tell me I'm wrong, the only reason Matthew took William was to find me because I was the only member of my pack to survive."
Willa straightened herself and swallowed dryly. "Matthew took William because he's insane. He has devoted his life to murder and torture. None of what has happened is your fault."
Waverly's throat began to burn. She made eye contact with the alpha. 
"Do you really believe that? After everything that has happened, to you, to the pack...you really think that I wasn't responsible?" 
The corner's of Willa's lips curved upward, almost like she was about to smile. 
"It's true, ever since you joined our pack things have gotten a little...crazy...but if Wyatt had never found you, then Matthew would've. The only reason Matthew didn't attack before, was because you had a new pack to back you up. He wasn't counting on that."
Waverly sighed. "I guess I should stop worrying about things from my past." 
Just as Willa was about to agree with her, a shrill scream erupted from inside of the den. The two werewolves locked eyes for a short moment before bolting towards the entrance. 
Waverly's gaze immediately landed on Wynter, who was on her hands and knees panicking. She was breathing erratically and there seemed to be dark red stains on every inch of her clothing. 
The shapeshifter looked past her eery figure and spotted what seemed to be a row of...
Bodies. At least a dozen of them. 
"Oh my god." Willa croaked beside her. 
A row of lifeless moonstone werewolves were lined up across the floor of the den. Their clothes were soaked with bright red blood, gashes covered their skin, their eyes were foggy and hollow, and none of them were wearing their necklaces anymore. 
A handful of wolves entered the room as a result of Wynters scream, not prepared for what they were about to see. 
"No, no, get out!" Willa roared, racing deeper inside of the den. "Don't look!"
Tears ran down her cheeks as she desperately tried to shield the rest of the pack from the view lying before them. 
The wolves looked down at the displayed frames of their fallen mates in horror. Waverly felt a million emotions hit her all at once. 
She prayed that Wyatt wasn't here...that he wasn't looking. 
"Who brought them here?" Willa shouted, demanding an answer. "Who did this!"
No one answered. An awful silence filled the air until Wynter let out a sob and raised her head slowly. She stared up at the alpha with mascara-filled tears stained on her cheeks. 
"I saw him." She wheezed. "He took their moonstones."
Waverly felt her breath get caught in her throat. It couldn't be who she thought it was...right? That wasn't a possibility...right? He was dead...right?
"Who?" Willa snapped at her, her eyes gleaming red with fury. 
Wynter spluttered, trying to come up with the words through her staggered sobs and heavy panting. 
The young werewolf paused, then glanced back at Waverly; and in that devastating moment, the shapeshifter wished her own heart had stopped like she thought it had. 
Wynter shoved one of her shaky hands into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a crumpled up paper. She nervously opened it up and swallowed. 
"What is that?" One of the wolves asked. 
The werewolf sucked in a breath then lifted it into the air, showing Waverly. 
"One last gift..." Waverly read the small red text across the top of the paper, then felt her heart plummet into her stomach as her eyes scanned the last seven letters at the bottom. 
Everyone's eyes shot up, noticing her hesitation. They knew what was coming. 
"Matthew."