Forty-one

It has been two days since the attack, one day since I returned to the village with a warning to not return until one of them came to me, one day since Graham removed his claim and the gift to communicate to them in their wolf form, one day since it felt like I lost another family. I haven't seen them. Loki didn't reassure me that he'd visit. I never did get the advice from Cinder about the baby. I never got to say goodbye to the pups. They left. Not one promised that we would meet again.

I waited. Thought that perhaps they would confront the black wolf and come back, but after another seven days, that was washed away with the rain.

Roan stayed close, assuring me that they'd be back, but something told me that I ruined that chance. While I wanted o hate the pack for leaving me behind so effortlessly, I understood that I really wasn't part of them, no matter how well we got along. If anything, I hated myself for putting them at risk.

Two moons later, I could barely move. The baby had grown large and I was ready for the pregnancy to be over, ready to get the thing out so I could run again. I had to have help with everything I did, and I hated it. I wished there was someone I could talk to who understood how I was feeling, but that person had left.

Every time I thought about the pack, tears came to my eyes, then I couldn't stop myself from crying.

They had been like my second family, Graham and Cinder like parents to me, Loki and his brothers like my own. They helped with much after my rescue from Lucas, and I wanted them back.

I now sit around a fire with Aspen, Roan, and June. They're talking about something, but I don't have the mind to listen, so I eat and stare, something that's become a habit.

A hand touches mine and I look to Aspen. "Want to go on a walk?"

I shrug.

"Do you want to go to the meadow?"

Again, I shrug.

He sighs and turns back to the conversation

While I stand and go to my shelter. However, I freeze at the male in front of my door. "Who are you?" I ask.

"The name is Marin, dear."

I shrug. "Please get out of my way. I don't want to talk or mess around."

I try to get passed without any trouble, but he holds his ground. I glare at him. He smiles. "Zahra, I need your help

"That's nice to hear," I say. "But I don't work for anyone so move!"

He grabs my arm and pulls me towards him. "You Will help me because we want the same thing. Meet me tomorrow in the stables at midday alone. If you do not, I will slit your brother's throat in front of you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Touch him, and you'll die slowly and painfully!" I jerk away from him and head out of the village, ready to go back to the den when I remember they won't let me near. I end up against a tree, crying.

Some time later, arms wrap around me. "Come on. Let's get you home," my brother says.

"I want them back!" I cry.

"I know." He carries me back to the village and lays me down. I look up at him, desperate to find the pack and beg them to let me back in the den. "Zahra, maybe they're fighting? Maybe they are trying to lure the enemy wolf away so you can go back and see them?"

"But they should have come!"

He shook his head. "Some wars take longer than a few moons. Some take years." This made me cry harder.

Roan doesn't say anymore, but holds me as I cry myself to sleep.

The next morning, I find myself wandering around, not seeing or hearing anything. My belly was huge. My head aches. I was done with caring. I knew people worried about me, but at least I wasn't holed up in my shelter.

From the corner of my eye, I see someone waving at me. When I look, it's Damon. I go to him, finding his face contorted in fear. "Damon?"

He hugs me fiercely. "Help him!"

I kneel so we're at eye level. "What's going on, Damon?"

"Roan! There's a man taking him away!"

I wipe his tears and make him look at me. "Are you listening?" He nods, straightening. "I will help Roan. I need you to go find June and Aspen. Tell them exactly what you told me. Tell them I have gone after my brother." He nods again. "And tell them that we'll be at Lucas's."

He gulped. "That's the bad man!"

"Yes it is. But don't worry, Damon. He doesn't want Roan. He wants me. I'll make sure Roan comes home, to you."

He nods. "Are going to kill him? The bad man?"

I smile. "I'm going to try."

With that confirmation, the boy runs to do as I ask. I carefully climb on a horse and guide it out of the village.