Facing Fears

The task had been grueling, and tiresome. They had been able to do as they set out to, but each dig took more energy out of them then either of them wanted to admit. The moon had risen by the time they were done, and both Myranda and Metas made a very slow, very long walk back to the cave.

Her paws ached, his legs were sore, and they both just wanted to sleep as soon as they came to the entrance of the cave. However, before Myranda could jump through the water, Metas stopped her and nudged her towards the opposite direction.

He wanted to go to the lagoon, and the idea sounded tantalizing to her as well. Silently, they made their way back down the river together and transformed back into their mortal skin.

It was cathartic and soothing to be silent together as Metas paced around the lagoon with Myranda in his embrace. Both enjoyed that they didn't have to speak in order to share what they were feeling, and Myranda especially enjoyed resting her head on her alpha's shoulder as his arms held her lovingly.

Everything was fine for a moment - it was peaceful, and the storm inside of her chest seemed to settle...but then the dam broke. When everything finally hit her, she started to cry into the curve of Metas' neck and shoulder.

"Mandy..." he said softly and affectionately and started to comb her delicate hair with his fingers. They got caught in her strands here and there, but he was wise enough to not pull them all the way through.

"We will avenge all of them. Every wolf lost will be mourned for, remembered, and they will have justice. I promise, my Luna. I swear it."

"M-my my sister...she didn't deserve any of this..." the broken female warbled and tightened her grip on Metas.

"No one deserved any of this, my sweet - but especially not your sister. I'm so sorry," was all Metas could say. He knew there was nothing that could comfort her in this moment.

"I need to go see her, but I'm scared. I don't want my last memory of her face to be sickly or ill. I don't want to see her weak or unable to wake. I can't...I can't even bare to think about it. I feel so selfish, and like I'm a coward," Myranda lamented and cried harder than she had before. There was so much to soak in, and so much to process. It was all too much.

"You don't have to do anything, and I know your sister wouldn't blame you for not wanting to see her the way she looks. No one wants to be remembered at their worst. I'm here for you no matter what you choose, and I'll never hold your choice against you. You must do what is best for you," Metas said quietly and calmly.

"What will I do without her, Metas? She's basically been my mom. She did everything for me. When my parents were too busy with one another, it was like no one else was there...but Syrana always was. She didn't leave me behind. She didn't resent me. I can't bare it, the thought of her dying like this makes me angry, and so very, very sad."

"We will carry on together, that is what we will do. It will hurt, and it may never stop hurting - but I will be here to kiss away your tears, and squeeze you tight when your lungs shudder. You will never be alone, and I will never let her memory die along with you. The love you two have is everlasting, and Silas can never steal that away from you," Metas continued to try to keep an even, unwavering tone - but it was hard. To hear her so hurt, broke him inside. If he started crying, though - she'd probably only cry harder, too.

"I want my sister to get the ending she deserves. Did the humans make a crystal or something to travel back in time? I don't care how evil they were, I'd use it," she sobbed and started the steps of grief.

"Mandy - sweetheart," he wanted to say more, but nothing came to mind.

"I need to go see her....make me go see her, please" Myranda begged and unintentionally squeezed her nails into his flesh.

Metas didn't seem to react or mind the pain at all. Even when she scratched him by accident, he still did not make a noise or let her know in any way. It wasn't her fault, and it didn't hurt that badly.

"No, I can't do that. You have to make that choice yourself, and I will help you get there - but I can't choose anything for you, nor can I make you do something. All I can do is support you. Let me know when you are ready to go home, and we will walk back together," Metas said tenderly and followed his words up with a kiss to her temple.

As the moonlight shone down upon them, Myranda began to feel a certain sense of calm. It took her a good few minutes to slow her breathing, and stop her chest from shuddering - but it helped a lot that Metas' big, strong arms made her feel safe and steady.

"Okay. I think it's time to go home. I will regret it for the rest of my days if I don't at least let her know I was there next to her in support...and...to say goodbye..." Myranda swallowed the last of her lingering words and took one long, final breath to fuel her courage to walk back to where uncertainty awaited.