Chapter 205

Almara’s Pov

My house is in sight. I see it off in the distance. So close, yet so far. My heart feels like it’s going to burst, and my lungs are on fire. I don’t remember the last time, if ever, that I ran this far and at this speed.

Nearing the goalpost, post weariness becomes all too prominent. It’s like seeing my house, my body knows that our long endurance workout is coming to an end and it just wants to collapse, but I can’t.

The crowd behind me has grown from just the two initial groups back on the highway. Others saw us running and decided to join in, knowing I must be heading towards my daughter and right now every wolf in the nation wants her. Though, I’m convinced no one wants her as badly as I do.

In fact, this desire has prevented me from formulating any kind of plan once I do get her. All I know is she’s safer in my arms than not. I figure that once I scoop her into my arms, I’ll have to run again- but where do we go?

Maybe I barricade us in the house, but that won’t hold up for long. There’s no way out of this. There’s no one I can call to protect my daughter, even the authorities want her and above that I am the authority. I am these wolves Luna and they won’t listen to me.

Maybe I should listen to them. The thought comes and goes and sends a chill of fear down my spine. There’s no way I just considered giving up my daughter. I approach my house, but my lack of plan and shame of what I wish I could just cough up as an intrusive thought causes me to slow.

No one seems to be around my house, as far as I can tell there’s no one hiding in the bushes and why would there be? If someone got here before I did ,wouldn’t they have broken a window and let themselves in? However, there appears to be no signs of forced entry either.

I put my hand on the doorknob and twist, but the door is locked. I look over my shoulder and see the mob isn’t too far off.

I hardly have time to consider my thought of giving Grace up. Maybe if I give her to the vampires, that’ll stop the war and stop wolves from hunting us down, and I can then retaliate and steal her back.

It’s a bad plan. It’s far too risky with no guarantee of her safety. Besides, what emotional damage would that scare Grace with for the rest of her life? Her own mother willingly gave her to these monsters.

I think of what Arthur would do and the thought of him alone is enough to bring tears to my eyes, but to think if he ever heard me consider this- I can’t.

The mob catches up, and I’m forced to end my self-pity party. I half expect them to tackle me and rip my limbs off right here on the front lawn of my dream house, but for whatever reason only known to the moon goddess they don’t.

Those on the front line look just as tired as I do, though I don’t think they’re the ones from the highway who followed me from all that distance.

For a moment, no one says anything. It’s like the build-up to finally be caught or finally catch the prey is at its moment though neither one of us really expected to get to this point.

For a moment, it’s like we’re all on the same side, wolves against the vampires. The only reason we’re in this stand-off is because we all want the same thing: the war to be over.

I don’t know what the crowd is seeing when they look at me, I can only hope they have a shred of empathy. Perhaps for a beat too long the silence endures and someone from the middle of the crowd shouts, “Where is she?”

It’s a question that brings us all back behind our veils. Whatever moment I just shared with my fellow wolves has now passed.

I fix my posture, as though assuming the character of the Luna. “I don’t know,” I say and realize it’s the truth. All eyes shift towards my house and I know what they’re thinking.

“I’m going to give her to the vampires,” I say though I haven’t committed to that. I only say it as a last resort to save any drop of time I can and delay, if even for a fraction of a second, a brick getting thrown into my window and all hell breaking loose.

There must be something in my tone, or maybe it’s the shiftiness of my eyes but shouts of disbelief are thrown back in my face.

Without thinking, I lift my hand to signal for silence. For some reason, despite the situation we’re in the wolves listen. I step more fully into my role as Luna, but more truly I take my place as a protective mother.

“As your Luna, I need to consider what’s best for my people. Maybe you know, or maybe you don’t, but Arthur your Alpha is in critical condition, which means the decision of this matter rests solely with me.” I pause and make eye contact with those that I can, ensuring I still have their attention and no rash movements come about.

I cannot blame or condemn you for wanting to hand my daughter off. We all have been greatly affected by this war,” my voice cracks and I pause in my speech. Either my use of the word ‘we’ or my emotion pacifies the anger of the crowd.

“I can’t blame you,” I start again, “but I do ask that you let me handle this and I will do what’s right by all of you, by Arthur, and my daughter.” Unfortunately, I don’t know what that choice is yet. It seems as though what’s right by the crowd is not what’s right by Arthur.

“You just said you don’t know where she is. Are you lying?” Someone else asks and the energy of the mob begins to heighten. I shake my head, not sure what lie they’re trying to catch me in.

“No!” I urge the crowd. “I think she’s here- but”

“We’ll escort you and her to the council!” Someone offers and murmurs of agreement come in reply, though all I can do is stand back in dumbstruck silence.

“I have to do this on my own!” I realize I now sound like I’m begging which is a bad mistake because the power dynamic has shifted. The mob begins to feel in control of the situation. It’s as though they’re closing in on me.

I feel the door press against my back and that’s when I realize, they are closing in on me. I panic. I spin around and begin pounding on the door.

“Grace! Dad! Open up, it’s me!” I shout though I have no idea what I’m asking. If they open the door, the mob will just run them down. I keep knocking, but it’s useless. I hear the shatter of a window and know there’s no redeeming this situation.

A big paw lands squarely on my shoulder and I’m thrusted aside. I land with a thud and very quickly my door is out of view as bodies circulate around me.