Nathan looked at the people in the living room with him, at the people who had decided to join them in this battle.
Alpha Lorenzo had opted to join them, pleaded actually, but Peter had refused, not wanting the same case to happen again. Nathan, however, knew that if the Faugers pack were attacked again, Peter would do all he could to save the lad and his pack. Nathan knew he would understood the reasons too. He only hoped that Legardo won’t attack the pack again or use them as collateral damage.
His eyes softened when he saw Lucille, face down. His daughter had never stopped blaming herself for what had happened with Derek, no matter how much he, his lifemate, and her sister, even friends, had tried to explain that it wasn’t her fault. Even the witch had tried too, but the girl was hell bent on punishing herself, for Derek’s situation.
Nathan sighed. He would allocate this attitude to the military training she had received from her foster fathers-the guilt that accompanied not being there for a comrade, or causing a comrade’s death or injury by a certain action. But he knew that she would pull through this. Lucille was strong. Her strength, though subtle at first glance, was enough strength. And he knew also that Derek will pull through.
The lad had shown remarkable courage and true strength by intercepting his daughter when she had lost control of her powers. What would have happen if he hadn’t come for her, in those few minutes before their arrival?
Nathan shook his head. He didn’t want to imagine what wouid have happened to the Faugers pack. The Alpha might have had the reason then to match with Legardo-never mind that the strange werewolf had been behind what had happened in the pack.
He relaxed into his sofa now, sighing softly when Sheila slipped her hand into his. He didn’t know how to begin the meeting, seeing as Alpha Peter seemed dazed by what had happened, what had happened to his son. Finally, after a few beats of silence, he decided to start with a hearty thanks delivered somberly.
“Thank you all for your efforts in weathering the first storm…”
Everyone snapped away from their thoughts then and looked up at Nathan, readjusting themselves on the sofa. Peter sighed gratefully, he wouldn’t have been able to preside or start the meeting, not with his heir in the clinic. Eva too hadn’t been able to stop crying since the news. Even now she was still sniffling, her head on Maya’s thigh who was barely containing her emotion.
“As much as I would love to say that it will get better, it will not. Considering the report I had received from Dobah, Legardo has added presiding over the ancients in his agenda. That’s impossible, yes, but I think the subject matter is knowing what he has and who he has. We should find out what had given him the courage to make that declaration. It means that he has something up to his sleeves, just like he had contained ancients in a magic trap. It’s been a while since I have seen something like that used, and that trick is peculiar to Dark mages. If Legardo has even one by his side, then we have reasons to be concerned…” Nathan paused, and surveyed the room.
“Dark mages are the definition of pure evil. They are mostly influenced by demons, triggered by evil situations, and so they can never be good. Not when anger, sadness, penury, famine and all those things make them happy, make them rejoice. They rejoice in the death of the people because it fosters their sacrifice to their demons which make them stronger. Most have drunk so much blood that they are now otherworldly. If we are then to put the facts together, we will see a pattern, Legardo joining hands with vampires, and then dark mages, I can’t…”
Another pause which hightened the dread that have descended in the room.
“I can’t imagine what they will unleash. Where there are these three, there is sheer darkness. Especially when they now conjoin with Leonarya, a black witch, and Arnold, a werewolf. I don’t know what experiment they will bring up next. But we should all be prepared for more deaths, and more darkness, unlike anything we have ever seen. If the gods had sent arsenals into human vessels…”
He looked at Freya and Lucille as he said this.
“Three as a matter of fact, with disturbing power, then we should know the level of problem we are in. A high level one. Incase you forget the thickness of this matter, remember that Ancients are almost immortal, and if a werewolf had mentioned to put them under subjection, then he would have to unlock a darkness to aid his cause…. If anyone wants to drop out of this, the person is free to leave…”
His gaze fell on Jan and Claire. Both squirmed underneath it. Maya sighed, seeing the terror on her mother’s face, but she also understood Nathan’s concern. Her mother cannot go reporting to their father their plans, not in this war. It was dangerous. Lives were at stake. The event today had claimed the lives of thirty werewolves, including women and children. There was mourning around the pack, and they couldn’t bare to make a slip in judgement.
She had already sent the statistics to Curtis, who had almost come here, but for the sudden arrival of their father. Maya had to convince her brother, remind him of the plan to stop him from throttling their father to death. If her mother couldn’t stay without talking, then it was better that the woman stayed with Curtis where she would be oblivious of what was happening, than suddenly waking up one day, and longing for her mate, than suddenly waking up one day and giving up their secret. And Claire…
Maya wasn’t sure what to think about the beta’s daughter that was her brother’s mate. Yes, she had gone with Lucille and the others to the Fauger’s pack, and yes she hasn’t been able to help Lucille like the ancients because they couldn’t get past the barrier that the latter had created, and yes she seems keen on helping them win the battle, but Maya couldn’t help but wonder what was her end goal. Was Claire really interested in saving lives, or was she just here to save her relationship with Curtis? What happens when Curtis agrees to mate with her? What becomes of her as the Luna? What policies would she make? Would she still be vested in this war?
Maya didn’t want to be selfish but she found herself wishing that her brother wouldn’t mate with Claire, until this war was over. But how long before the war was over? She wondered, remembering at that moment her own plight. If the war was over, and Leo was to reclaim the throne as Alpha of the White Sted pack, it meant that she would be a Luna. Does she even want that responsibility?
Maya almost laughed at herself. She had once longed for the Alpha position, but now she didn’t want anything. She wanted a simple life just like Emma had enthused. She was grabbed away from her deep thoughts when her mother began to speak.
“If I state clearly that I will never betray the pack, or maybe make amends with my mate despite his evilness, I might be lying. No one knows what would happen tomorrow. I might wake up wanting him one day. Those with mates knows how the bond works, and I don’t think I can bear breaking it…”
Sheila felt pity for Jan, for the woman whom the goddess had mated to a devil. But could there be a purpose to it? It is said that the gods never makes mistakes. Could there be a purpose to Jan in Arnold’s life?
“And so for that purpose, I would love to return to the pack. I would rather remain in oblivion to what is happening, than betraying the good that you are doing here. That’s my final decision.”
Maya watched Nathan’s eyes soften a fraction. The man wasn’t only emotional to his family then.
“Thank you Jan, for the consideration. Wouid you want any of us to accompany you back home?” Nathan asked gently, absolutely pleased with Jan’s answer.
Jan hesitated, then looked at Claire who shifted on her seat.
“If it’s not much hassle, I wouid want her to join me. I wouid send her back in a couple of days. I know she has to train too.”
Nathan nodded, and directing his gaze to Claire, asked her if it was okay. Claire nodded. It would be her utmost pleasure. It’s what she had hoped for.
“So, Claire, tell us then, would you betray us over family? Or would you choose oblivion too?”
Claire shook her head at Anthony’s question. “Duty over family.” She replied, clasping her hands tightly, praying mentally that the both should never clash at any point. Time will tell.