She lets go of Emma and stands with her head held high, but Elena can still see that not only is there something oddly troubling her mother, but she is suddenly nervous in Elena’s presence.
The power of the ritual now taking effect, though none of them are aware of it. But they soon, they will all find out.
Elena nears her, and speaks calmly in Carrie’s ear.
“What is the matter with you? Are you aware how territorial these men are with us? Do not provoke Keiran. Or you will be the cause of this treaty and new bond to break, before this ceremony even comes to an end.” She speaks softly in her ear. Looking at Keiran and smiling.
Carrie looks between the men and realizes she has placed herself in an awkward and most embarrassing situation. She gasps and turns towards Elena.
“If I were you, I’d offer Emma an apology, before Keiran looses his temper and demands your head.”
Carrie widens her eyes and shakes nervously, yet Elena can tell she is being provoked towards rage.
She gulps once again, narrowing her eyebrows and sighs deeply to control her anger and ego.
“Very well. But only, because you have asked me so nicely my dear child.” She smiles at her and turns towards Emma.
Carrie stands once again in front of Emma, Emma’s eyes still filled with worry and melancholic.
“Carrie I didn’t mean to. I-” Emma shakes her head and cleans her tears away with her hand.
Carrie lifts her hand forward, closes her eyes and shifts her head to the side.
“No, Emma! It is me who owes you an apology. I lost my temper. It was an accident after all right? I’m sorry I yelled at you. My apologies to you and Keiran, I can assure you it will not happen again.” She gives her a slight smile and sighs deeply bringing her chest forward and holding her head high.
“Now, if you will all excuse me. And, if there is nothing else I can do for you, I must go back to my study. Again, I apologize for my abrupt behavior.”
She turns on her heel and exits the hall.
Elena and Alarick steal a glance towards each other. But their bodies are already going under the effect, faster than they anticipated.
Time has gone by faster than what they thought and gives them no time to prepare for what transition their bodies are now going under. The full moon is in full view, making the end of their ritual present itself before they could make their way out the room.
Each one, starting with Alarick begins their new transformation of power. His veins engorge and his eyes darkened. Followed by Keiran, Harou, and the girls.
It’s an excruciating pain as the blood of three creatures take over their bodies; creating a much greater force, much more powerful than what they thought would be. Twisting and turning. They hold for dear life as the pain is almost unbearable for them.
As the minutes pass, each one embrace their new being as the pain subcomes to a less and eventually vanish. Leaving each one feeling more powerful than any creature that has ever existed. But it’s too much for Candace and her little one. The power of the bond is too much for her unborn child.
She yells, holding her stomach and crouching down in pain again. Elena and Harou run to aid her. But there is nothing they can really do.
Time and time again, she feels the sharp pains in her womb. She knows it’s far too early for the pup to be born, and she begins to worry. Quickly, Harou lifts her and runs behind Alarick who leads the way to take her to the infirmary.
The elder ladies try and sooth her as she is placed in the bed. Harou is ordered to wait outdoors and paces to and fro in the massive hall of Alarick’s home. But her cries make him tense and each second that goes by makes him doubt he’ll be able to contain himself from barging in that room.
“Why is this happening? Why did I allow her to partake from this? If I’d known, I-” He narrows his eyebrows. He runs his fingers through his hair and tears run freely down his cheeks.
Emma holds Keiran tight. She is worried and scared to what may happen to Candace, the three womenhave becomebest of friends and always look out for each other. Only Elena was allowed to enter with her to assist them, and she though she knows Elena will try her best to save their friend, she wishes she couldhave gone in there as well.
Alarick and Keiran try their best to comfort their friend.
“Harou, everything will be alright. Just be patient and do not lose hope brother. We are here for you old chap.” Alarick places his hand on Harou, squeezing his shoulder and giving him a concerned look. The word spreads through their land and everyone begins to mourn and worry for their Lycan luna and her unborn baby.
“Is it bad for me to hope that if given the chance, I’d want my wife to be the one to survive this? Is it too cruel for me as a father to be,. to wish for my wife to live, over my unborn child?” He narrows his
eyebrows and sighs through tethers and tears. Members begin to mind link him and the other two to stay strong.
“No Harou. It’s not bad for you to have such a wish. I know how much she means to you. And if given the opportunity that she makes it out ok, which she will! You can try for another pup later on in the near future. What is important now, is that you stay calm. She will need to see you at your strongest point.
Your pack needs you to stay strong. We are all here for you brother! ”
*******
5 excruciating hours later, Elena exits the infirmary. Her once beautiful gown though it’s covered with an apron around her waist, still managed to get covered in blood.
She looks at Harou and Alarick. Slowly she makes her way and lowers her head.