17 Friend or Foe

Thrashing through the relentless cold waves again was as torturous as the first few times but thanks to Diane's body temperature, I didn't freeze to death. And as soon as we set foot back onto our land, Bryant and a few wolves on duty greeted us both.

As they held out fresh dry clothes, they stood there and waited for me to exchange something in return. When I offered nothing, their faces turned sour.

Empty-handed!

Someone accused in wolf language. I could make out that much, but Diane was quick in defending me, bearing her large fangs while still in her majestic white wolf form. Our second in line commander threw his pack mate a scowl before apologizing on his underling's behalf.

"He hasn't awoken once and his heartbeat...is getting even fainter. It may be best if you just stay by his side for the remainder..." Bryant's words trailed with a solemn look that hinted he hadn't slept well in days. He must've been doubling the shifts to make sure there were no more intruders during these uncertain times.

My heart dropped, but I was in front of my family who needed their Luna to be strong in the absence of their beloved leader.

"No."

Everyone looked at me in disbelief and a younger wolf whimpered. My assertiveness may have reflected me as a heartless mate, but no one knew Ralphie better than I did. He's even stronger than he looks. And he wouldn't want the pack to worry about him and forget about the bigger problem.

"Your Alpha will hold on until I return by his side." I trust in him as much as he trust in me. Otherwise I wouldn't have had the guts to travel all the way across the river and back.

We pack mates feed off the energy of each other. Sensing the confidence I had, they lifted their heads with a little more energy. My first order was that Diane and Bryant get some rest. And already within a second of hearing their orders, they looked to protest but was dissuaded when I told them that they would be needed for something important in the near future which required them in their best condition.

It seemed like the other Alphas weren't too actionable the past couple of days considering how it was only people in our pack patrolling. At this rate, they'd eat up their energy.

"Summon the Alphas for a meeting tomorrow. We need to discuss our strategy to counter any other surprise attacks as well as evenly distribute and surveillance all corners of the Border," were the orders given to the few pack mates who had until sundown today to confirm each Alphas' attendance.

Under my instructions, the entire patrol group with Bryant retired home to their families, leaving behind only a few of the younger wolves, some of which I tasked with assisting to gather food and others who I recognized were lively during our campfires. There seemed to be a few new recruits too. They were none other than Linde, Ginger, and the little black wolf Aries.

The remaining six I had them stationed right at the river border, half a mile apart from each other. Their duty was to keep watch for anyone who may be passing the river today. But more importantly, a female vampire with ruby red eyes would be arriving anytime and they were to notify me immediately and greet her as a friend. Any other sighting—they were to retreat and alert the pack.

Asking the other wolves would've been a problem. In fact, they'd be outraged another vampire would dare cross the river and endanger them and further disregard the treaty. Fortunately, the younger ones here right now were more curious than afraid. Plus, they knew we were looking out for Evelyn, their Luna's savior and first friend. I guess those campfire sessions saved me some explaining. They seemed to have taken a liking to Evelyn already, despite never having met her.

Though I can't speak for the rest of the vampires, I'm pretty sure Evie would reciprocate their feelings. The thought brought a smile to my face my I felt my lips crack open. My face also felt quite stiff and dry, not unusual since I was swimming in below zero water a little earlier. I licked my lips and put a hand to my stomach which finally showed signs of hunger.

A small wolf trotted next to me and brushed his nose against my hand with the damp bandage. I recognized the jet black fur and gave Aries a pat. He dropped a satchel of food and water next to me before crossing his paws together and laying his head down next to me.

Aries glanced at me a few times as I ate with a hearty appetite. He didn't say anything, just offered his quiet solace

Although it may not be the most obvious, I can assure one missed or wanted to see Ralphie as much as I did.

But I had to wait for Evelyn who promised the cure by the end of tonight. I had hoped her blood would work, but she explained her blood may be tainted as it carried a gene for her only defect. It was too risky as it may possibly worsen the situation. Another thing that worried me even more was when she questioned how much blood we need. That I didn't know either. She was right to have her doubts about the "cure" being only a vial of high noble blood on par with the perpetrator who inflicted the venom.

Honestly, at this point, I'd be grateful for whatever she'd give me, even if it's her own if there's no other way. Anything to save Ralphie...

I didn't know I fell asleep on Aries until he nuzzled my shoulder to wake me as if I were a baby. It was cute how gentle he was.

"Luna, someone's here," he whispered in wolf tongue. I scurried towards the river with him by my side and sped up when I could make out a lithe figure, but before I approached any closer, Aries pounced up in front of me and growled.

Is it not Evelyn?

"There's someone behind her..." he said, taking a step back and probably debating if he was going to contact backup first or throw me over his back and run.

I pat him by the side and walk in front of him.

"Stay here."

Aries wined a little bit, perhaps worried if he should let me go alone. Fortunately, Evelyn approached first and whoever she brought stayed standing in the background.

I threw my arms around Evelyn, still surprised that she actually made it over to this side exactly as I described to her. If she ran into any other part of the border, she might've bumped into the patrols who may not be as receptive of the idea of having a vampire roam into our lands.

"Did you bring Lord Perrot?" I peek towards what I could make out as a man in the distant. He fit the requirements and would definitely help if she asked. I couldn't possibly recall anyone else who Evelyn trust enough to bring here. She shook her head with a sad smile upon hearing Lucien's name and I wonder why that could be, but if it wasn't him...was it Nikolaj?

Evie motioned for her companion to step forward and I stood still, trying to keep composure, even if it was very likely who I hoped it wouldn't be. Strange enough, he didn't budge from his position. Perhaps he wasn't ready to see me yet? Or maybe he forced Evie to bring him here! Then we're all in danger!

Aries sensed that I tensed up and he pranced forward, standing beside me on guard. Evelyn's eyes flickered as she analyzed the creature only a few feet apart from her.

"I didn't imagine werewolves to look like this. They're rather small..."

Not sure if she was trying to lighten the mood, but she genuinely looked amused.

"Aries is only a child, but don't underestimate his bite."

"I wouldn't dare."

The baby black wolf turned his head to look at Evelyn and then shyly focused back on target. All jokes aside, Evie was on par with Diane appearance-wise. I was glad she helped break his prior notions of vampire being only violent ugly bloodsuckers. If he could get used to Evie, he may help others to too and possibly keep them quiet for the time being about us breaking the rules.

Our attention dropped back on the man waiting by the river.

"Alek?" I call out. My voice cracked a bit. That name isn't easy to have come off my tongue.

"He doesn't like to be called that name," Evie said with a straight face. She wasn't telling me to call out his personal name right? Was that part of the conditions of coming over? But the only one who didn't like that name was...

"Come closer." I motioned with my hand, stepped out from behind Evie and took a few steps forward.

A beautiful being crossed over with caution, as if not to scare me. I repeated myself, but my voice trembled. Hot tears streamed down my face, but I never once looked away.

He moved across the snow with much less difficulty than I did, but made sure to stop a good two meters away as not to frighten me or alert Aries. His eyes were on the floor the entire time so it was hard for me to get a good look at him.

I covered the remainder of the distance and stopped just a little bit in front of him. He was slightly taller than Evelyn now and instead of the pure blonde hair he inherited from his father, it was now a soft hazel brown color resembling a lion. His lashes were long and shared my pale complexion. I swallowed and licked my lips before finally believing who I was seeing.

"Nero?" At the sound of his name, he lifted his golden cat-like eyes and nodded. I couldn't express what I was feeling in that moment. It was a mixture of worry and joy and confusion and warmth. It was as if the big hole in my heart that I forced myself to ignore suddenly got filled with all the kinds of love I would never know again. The missing part of my identity wasn't scared to come out anymore. "Can I hold you?"

Nero dipped his head again and my hands cupped his face to examine if this was really my little boy. He was cool to the touch like the snow surrounding us. Two years ago, he was only up to my chest and now was already taller than Evelyn! Everyone used to compliment that he took after his father. It's even more obvious how much he resembled him with his handsome features. It was as if he was a copy of Nikolaj's younger self, or at least how I imagined him to be when he was Nero's age.

I looked up again at the boy who had already grown up to be a fine gentleman and could only stroke his hair and smile. All the time wondering how he was, if he was well, if they treated him well, if he was happy... I didn't expect that I'd get the chance to see him again. And especially not like this.

No one would dare interrupt this moment except for Evelyn who never cared for such if there was something more important at hand. She put a hand on my shoulder to get our attention and turned towards the child wolf.

"Time is of the essence. Where is your friend?"