“This is goodbye, Rita.” Roxanne said sadly.
She was being selfish, yes. She knew how much she was hurting her dear friend. Yet, Roxanne had to make up her mind eventually. In face of a bright career, compared to a hazardous life of complications, Roxanne had to choose the better option.
“I-I see…” Rita muttered.
Roxanne felt horrible for doing this, but she needed to be firm.
“What will you tell your folks? Do you even plan on telling them?” Rita asked, quickly calming herself.
Roxanne’s face fell as more guilt encroached upon her heart.
“No. I don’t think I will… at least not right now…” Roxanne muttered.
“I figured-”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, okay? It’s just that they would just try to dissuade me, just like you! I don’t think I would be able to handle so many objections. So, before I waver in my decision, I want to take a step forward” Roxanne quickly added.
Rita’s expression clearly told Roxanne of her disapproval, but she refused to say anything.
“After this attack, it’s clear that the this place is no longer safe for my family. I’m also not sure if the city is too. We can’t be too sure of how many Hunters are left who know our identities.”
Roxanne gave a sigh. She was about to make another selfish request from Rita.
“Is it alright if my family stay with the Pack, for now? At least until this whole thing blows over?” Roxanne asked.
Rita stared blankly at Roxanne, so she was unable to tell what was going on within her head.
Roxanne knew how strict the rules of the Pack was, and that non Pack members were not usually allowed to stay for very long in their community, especially if there was no treaty between the two packs in question. She also knew of her role in the current instability of the Pack, and the level of insecurity they were experiencing.
But, she didn’t have any other option.
“Please, Rita… I don’t know who else to count on” She added.
After some moments of consideration, Rita gave a slight nod as she gazed at Roxanne, maintaining eye contact.
“Fine. While I may not speak for the whole Pack, but I certainly make this decision in my personal capacity. I will grant them sanctuary.” Rita spoke.
A relieved look appeared on Roxanne’s face as she beamed at her friend.
“Oh, thank you so much Rita. I-”
“Don’t get me wrong, Roxanne… I’m not doing this for you.” Rita cut Roxanne’s words of gratitude short.
“Miss Linda and Miss Melissa are both acquaintance, and fellow kinsmen. Even if we do not belong to the same pack, we are all equally werewolves. As one who believes so strongly in the ties that bind our kind together, and the loyalty within our race… I will do the best in my capacity to protect my fellow wolfkin.”
Roxanne’s heart ached when she heard this. She felt that some of Rita’s words were intentionally directed toward her. However, she had come too far to go back now.
“Still, they are both family to me. For protecting them, thank you Rita.” Roxanne smiled sadly.
Rita nodded slightly, sending the room into another state of awkward silence.
Roxanne didn’t know what to say or do. Her body wasn’t entirely ready to leave. Perhaps in a few hours, she would fully recuperate. Until then, she had to rest herself well. The problem was that Rita refused to leave the room, and kept up her her blank stare, making Roxanne grow very uncomfortable.
“Roxanne… back then, what happened?” Rita suddenly asked.
Her abrupt question startles Roxanne, but she wasn’t too surprised. She had expected this sooner or later.
“I can’t get it out of my mind… how you were able to easily kill of those remaining Hunters and remove the Wolfsbane from my body and yours. You also rushed here and I couldn’t even keep up with you. That power, Roxanne… what happened to you?” Rita asked.
It was time to finally reveal the truth to Rita. Roxanne had also thought about it and reached the same conclusion.
“I-I don’t know… to be entirely honest with you.”
Rita’s face displayed slight surprise, but she quickly calmed herself.
“It was a strange sensation. It felt like I was myself, yet another person. I was cut off from everything else and a new sense of clarity came over me… In that moment, I just felt like I knew exactly what to do” Roxanne mumbled.
Rita patiently listened to Roxanne, trying to derive sense from her words.
“I was able to even resurrect Linda, and I’m not sure how, but back then… I was just so confident that I could do it. I wanted it so badly that it became a reality. It’s certainly a Wereolf Art, but the only thing I truly know about it is the name. Even how I came about it, I have no idea.” She added.
“[Luna’s Wish]”
Rita’s eyes widened as she heard this, and a new sad expression washed over her. Her face darkened as she stood from where she had sat at Roxanne’s bedside.
“Rita, what’s wrong? Do you know anything about it?” Roxanne asked, surprised by Rita’s strange reaction.
Rita moved away, nearing the door of the room.
“Rita!” Roxanne raised her voice, causing her friend to halt.
“You’re a fool, Roxanne.” Rita mumbled.
Those words stung Roxanne, but also made her all the more confused. Why did Rita say that all of a sudden?
“I don’t know this new Art that has surfaced, and I’m just as in the dark as you are. But… for centuries now, no new Art has been discovered by our kin. You’re the first to have awakened one outside the set six in nearly a millennia. Do you know what that means, Roxanne…?” Rita asked.
Roxanne didn’t know what to say. She could only stare confusedly at Rita, whose back faced her.
“Despite the name, do you still not get it? You have been chosen, not just as Asher’s mate… but as a true Luna! That means you are destined to lead our pack, no… our tribe.” Rita revealed, facing Roxanne with her tear-filled face.
Her sharp eyes shot Roxanne a deep glare, and this look could only be translated to sadness, coupled with disappointment.
“Rita… I…” Roxanne mumbled, looking down.
She couldn’t give her a straight answer, neither could she look her friend in the eye.
“You’re so hell bent on forging a oath for yourself which you know isn’t right for you yet. Asher is in love with you, and you love him too. You’re our destined leader, you have the Art to prove it. You know all this, Roxanne. Yet, you stubbornly cling to something else! What’s wrong with you? What are you so afraid of?” Rita raised her voice in anger.
“Nothing! Rita, there is nothing wrong with me! This is just what I want!” Roxanne barked back in her defense.
Both girls stared hard at each other, huffing as an air of unease rested in the room. Having enough of the tense atmosphere, Rita decided to finally leave. Opening the handle of the door, she spoke her final words to Roxanne.
“Do what you want then…”
She stepped out of the room that instant, not waiting for Roxanne to respond.
“Foolish… simply foolish” Rita mumbled, shutting the door as she shook her head.