\[Serenity’s POV\]
Later, I sit in a meeting room with Uncle Jose, a few of his sergeants, and Maverick. The mood is grim, and even though I want to be outside fighting, I know that going forward we will have to be wary. For that reason alone, we decided on this retreat despite the danger that lurked just near the borders, unmoving.
As I let my gaze travel around those who are with me, Maverick’s hand touches mine, and that gentle touch alone makes me feel like I’m going to crumble at any minute.
I didn’t protect him. I didn’t protect my father. I didn’t protect the rest of the warriors who trusted in us. I failed. I was a failure, and now…
‘It’s alright.’
Maverick’s voice is soft and soothing, but it only causes my turmoil to grow greater.
‘How can you say that?’ I ask, wanting to look him in the eye. ‘Because I didn’t arrive on time, you…’
“Let’s begin this meeting.” Uncle Jose announces before I can go any further. “As it is clear that we were surprised with that boy's strange ability, I don’t think it is worth mentioning.”
“Then what is it that we should discuss?” One of the sergeants asks, eyeing Uncle Jose. “Did we come here to simply sit and talk idly?”
“Not at all,” Uncle Jose responds calmly. “There is a more pressing matter.”
More pressing. He had to be referring to the danger that was lurking and what that meant.
“Serenity,” he continues, snapping me out of my head. “Would you please brief everyone on your discovery?”
“Of course,” I respond. “As some of you know, we have lost some of our own, my father included. It’s because Ezekial had a traitor amongst us.”
As I speak, my anger flares, and the need to kill Forrest hits me so hard I want to get up and rush to him right then and there. That bastard would pay, and I would be the one to end him.
Are you strong enough? The small voice in the back of my head asks. You almost caved to the temptation of his blood too.
Tensing, I try not to remember that sickly sweet scent that tried to lure me in.
“The traitor is none other than Forrest, my fellow student at the academy. He was brought here under the pretense of being with us and wanting to help, but in the end he was simply here to lure Ezekial in.”
“Then you’re saying that your trust in that man is the reason we are dealing with this.” One of the sergeants announces. “Then how do you expect us to trust that you aren’t also working with him? Isn’t it bad enough that a portion of our packhouse was destroyed by the attacks and our numbers are lower because…”
“Hans,” Uncle Jose warns, his aura trickling from him. “Remember who you are talking to.”
At his words, Hans flinches and shoots me a look of rage, but he doesn’t say any more.
“Serenity, you may continue.” Uncle Jose smiles. “You’re doing good.”
Nodding, I give him a small smile before turning my attention back to the group around me, as I know that we can’t waste much time on this. Even if the enemy was remaining on the borders for now, biding their time until we made our next move, it didn’t mean they would stay there forever.
“That boy's blood is capable of turning a wolf feral.” I say now and peek at Maverick, who sits silently beside me. “We need a way to stop ourselves from being able to smell it when we make our next move.”
If we could eliminate that single sense, then there wouldn’t be a problem. It was certainly the most logical choice, but for some reason it doesn’t necessarily sit right with me. Would it really be enough, or would his very essence make us go mad? We needed a way to test it, but that would mean putting ourselves in danger.
“Then just stuff our noses.” One of the sergeants huffs. “Problem solved.”
As I open my mouth to respond, a laugh escapes Uncle Jose, who seems ill at ease despite what is happening, and when all eyes come to rest on him, he gives a slow smile.
“So, you think once we can’t smell the blood we can win?” He asks, fixing his gaze on the one who had spoken. “Are you saying that you will be able to handle the enemy easily?”
Frowning, I look from Uncle Jose to the sergeant, trying to determine what it is that they’re both thinking, and then I understand, and that understanding makes my heart hurt.
Sure, if we could avoid having our minds freed from the draw of Forrest’s blood, that still didn’t mean that we were looking at an easy win, not when…
“Dad,” I whisper, causing all eyes to come to rest on me, and when Uncle Jose gives a nod, I know he is telling me to tell them the fatal flaw in their thinking. “My dad,” I say slowly while my heart squeezes painfully. “He’s amongst the crazed.”
Of course, the others who were possessed by whatever it was Forrest was doing wouldn’t be the easiest to take down, but they were nothing against the alpha king who was loathed and feared not even twenty years ago.
“You’re saying that Rosco Torres was that easy to overpower?” One of the sergeants barks, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “Then he must not be as powerful as the rumors suggest.”
“But he is,” Uncle Jose chuckles. “And if you value your life, I would suggest that you never speak in such a way again. That could be considered insubordination on your part.”
“Apologies,” the sergeant grumbles. “Then if he is so powerful, what do you suggest that we do?”
“That,” Uncle Jose begins, but stops and turns his gaze to me, making my stomach churn with the hesitance I see there. “Just leave that to me. For the time being, work on prepping your warriors for a full-out attack. We can't take any chances. With that said, you are dismissed, and Serenity," he continues, eyeing me. "Will you please stay? There is something that I need to discuss with you."
"Of course," I respond as Maverick stays beside me. Together, we wait until the room has cleared out before I fix my gaze on Uncle Jose.
"I know that you'll probably be against what I'm about to say. Hell, I know your father would kill me for even suggesting it, but we are in desperate times." He says slowly, clearly weighing my reaction. "But we need your mother."
Eyes widening, I understand immediately what it is that he is suggesting, but didn't he know that if she got involved, she would die?
"There's no way," I begin but stop as he gives me a look filled with pain.
"I know the repercussions, but there is the slight chance she will survive. She has other times, and we have to use that possibility as hope for her being able to stop the enemy long enough for us to get your blood into their mouths. Otherwise, there is a good chance we won't survive this no matter how hard we fight."