The Human In The Wolf Pack
Chapter 34

Rider and I weren’t speaking. I don’t think either of us knew what to say. I knew he was hurt, that I had planned to leave him this entire time, and angry that I would take our child with us. He knew that I didn’t have a choice. The fate of all of us, the Humans and the Werewolves, and whatever else lived on this planet, was controlled by the Gods. There were many werewolf packs that worshipped the Moon Goddess, who is the mother of werewolf kind, and supposedly pairs mates, but I don’t think I could do that with the Goddess who did this to me.

I didn’t want this fate. I didn’t want to have the weight of the world on my shoulders at nineteen, and I certainly didn’t want to be jerked around by the Gods. To give me a mate, and then force me to leave him. I didn’t want to die, and I didn’t want to take the life growing inside me to my grave. But I was the only one whose powers allowed me to draw the sword from the Goddess’s world, and into mine, and no matter how much I searched, I couldn’t replace another answer.

I had sent out letters to all the Packs nearby, or those who had an alliance with Rider’s pack, hoping to receive help, but who knows if they will come. This all sounds crazy, afterall. Rider wants us to fight Reviera’s forces head on, to beat them with our own strength, but I know that that won’t work. Dax, who can hear everything that happens in this world, tells me she has at least five hundred hunters on her side, and three hundred summoned demons, given to her by Ragnarok. Our pack was a large one, with around three hundred wolves who were fit to fight, and we had gathered over three hundred gifted. We were outnumbered still, even if our strength did surpass our enemy’s, we would face casualties.

And the point of this war was not to defeat Reviera, but to save the world. Unless Ragnarok is killed, we will not be safe. We may win the battle, but we will have lost the war. The only solution is our original plan, even if it is a cruel fate.

“Vera?” My train of thought was interrupted, and I turned to see The First Five approaching me.

Dax ran over to me, his expression twisted as he hugged me. The boy was like my little brother, and was still just a kid. I patted his head, knowing he must have heard me yesterday.

“You’re going to die?” He whispered, distraught.

I looked over at the four who stood in front of me, waiting for my response. Tristan met my eyes, and gave me an apologetic look. He knew that I didn’t want them to know, but that plan was now out the window. I had been careful up to this point, but I guess this scenario was unavoidable in the end.

“Yes,” I answered softly.

Eliza flinched, her crossed arms following to her side, and Ariel looked down, the breeze picking up. Dax just clutched onto me tighter, while Adele, the youngest, let out a sob.

“There has to be another way,” Eliza spoke, her voice full of determination.

“There isn’t. The Goddess told me that this was the only way, that this has been my fate the moment I was born. To save all of you, I have to die,” I explained gently, as Dax’s shoulders began to shake slightly.

He pulled away, his eyes red with unshed tears, and Adele quickly ran over to take his place, clutching onto me desperately. The sight made me want to cry. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want a heartbreaking goodbye, it just made everything seem more real.

“What about the baby?” Dax asked, his fists clenched at his sides.

I averted my gaze, a painful throbbing in my chest. Apparently, my expression was answer enough.

“You can’t, Vera!” Ariel cried out, not willing to accept that ending.

“What can I do? How can I avoid my role in this war, without letting all of you die? I made a promise to myself, and to all of you. When this was over, Eliza would be able to set down roots, and live the rest of your life quietly. You said you wanted to take in Dax and Adele, so that they could finish school. Ariel, you wanted to replace true love, and start a family. And Tristan, you promised to complete my dream in my stead. How will any of this happen if I don’t do what I have to?”

My voice was unsteady, and broke as I explained to them what would be lost at the futile chance that I wouldn’t die. They were all quiet, before Tristan spoke up.

“You have sacrificed enough throughout your life. You sacrificed your dignity to the werewolves of the Lightened Horizon Pack, and your relationships with Humans to the Werewolves. You sacrificed yourself and your feelings to forgive Rider. You sacrificed your home to come to the Island to lead us. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice anymore. That dream, where The Gifted live alongside your Wolves, and you watch as they all grow older, happy and in peace, you have to be there to see it through. I will replace a way, don’t give up hope. You don’t need to give up your life, Vera,” He promised, stepping closer and putting his hand on my shoulder.

I couldn’t help it as a few tears fell, and I rested my head on his shoulder. Tristan was my best friend, my teacher, and the person I trusted most. When he promised me that, apart of me couldn’t help but believe him. He had never let me down before. He patted my back, comforting me quietly, as Eliza, Ariel, Dax and Adele huddled in, a small group hug as we all held out hope. Even if it was just a little, I wanted to see Eliza living in a cabin on pack grounds, greeting Dax and Adele as they came home from school. I wanted to see Ariel get married, and have a child with the person she loved. I wanted to see Tristan start dating. I wanted him to get embarrassed as we all teased him about how much he liked her. I wanted him to hold my baby when it was born, and to tell me what a good job I did.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to see it.