The air was thick with tension when I, alongside Cierce, was taken aback by Hunter's arrival. His piercing eyes observed every move we made, and his curious expression indicated that he wanted to know about our conversation.
“What were you two discussing?” Hunter inquired, directing his gaze alternately at me and Cierce.
I stared at Hunter with a momentary hesitation. I wasn't sure if it was the right time to reveal the truth about Zora's injuries. Meanwhile, Cierce took the opportunity to bid farewell.
“I'll check on how Zora and the boys are doing,” Cierce said, heading towards the den's entrance.
“Alright,” Hunter agreed, allowing Cierce to leave. I thanked Cierce for her presence, and she departed.
Hunter once again turned his gaze to me, awaiting an explanation.
“What were you talking about?” Hunter asked, his expression displaying a mix of curiosity and concern.
My mind raced, deciding whether it was prudent to share Cierce's discoveries at that moment. However, I opted for a lie that seemed more convenient.
“It was about the antidote,” I informed Hunter. “I hope they come back soon with the Belladonna.”
Hunter nodded understandingly. He believed my words, confident that the pack would do everything in their power to find the antidote and ensure the safety of the triplets.
“Don't worry, Fierce. Garm is an excellent werewolf and is with a great group. They will soon bring the antidote,” Hunter said, attempting to reassure me.
I thanked him, expressing hope that everything would go as planned. But I knew there was something more in his eyes, something he wasn't fully sharing.
“How was the conversation with Zora?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation in a less uncomfortable direction.
Hunter sighed, recalling the conversation with the woman he was married to. “I told her everything, Fierce. About the triplets, about Ignis, about our journey here.”
I stared at Hunter, searching for any signs of deeper revelations. “How did she react?”
“There were tears,” Hunter admitted, “but she seems to have understood. She's eager to get back to normal routine, especially now that the boys are safe.”
My mind, however, was stuck on details that Hunter seemed to be omitting. He didn't mention the part about rejecting Zora and choosing to be with me, a difficult conversation we still needed to have. I knew Hunter was postponing it, considering Zora's fragile state.
“I need to know, Hunter,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “Did you talk about what happened between us? About the possibility of... rejecting Zora?”
Hunter stared at me, his expression serious. “No, I haven't discussed that with her yet. She's too hurt, Fierce. It would be insensitive of me to bring up that topic now, especially after what Zora did for the boys during Ignis's attack.”
I accepted the answer, but my mind kept questioning what was to come. Zora didn't know about the possibility of rejection, and I wondered if Hunter would have the courage to discuss this delicate matter with her at the right time.
“Hunter, did Zora say anything about Ignis? Or about where she might be now?” I asked, trying to mask my interest.
He shook his head, apparently not understanding my curiosity. “No, she didn't say anything like that. Why?”
The answer was simple: Zora knew more than she was letting on. However, I wasn't ready to share my suspicions with Hunter.
“Just curiosity,” I casually replied. “Let's hope Garm brings the antidote soon.”
Hunter seemed to sense that there was more to my words, but he didn't press.
“Let's handle this,” he said, pulling me into a comforting hug.
I allowed myself to be enveloped by his arms, but my thoughts continued to focus on the secret weighing on my conscience.
Hunter, sensing my restlessness, gently held my face between his hands, his eyes seeking mine with intensity.
“Fierce, no matter how this ends, I want you to know that it's you I choose to be with,” Hunter said, his soft voice echoing in the forest's silence. “Regardless of what happens, you are my choice.”
I nodded, understanding his words but still worried about the repercussions of our choices. Zora, the current Luna, might not easily accept what was coming. Hunter seemed to sense my thoughts and continued.
“I'll talk to Zora when the right time comes. For now, I want to take care of you and our children.”
I smiled, grateful for Hunter's understanding and support. However, there was a lighter question occupying my mind in that tense moment. I asked Hunter about something trivial, a point of levity amidst the storm.
“What do you think of the boys?” I inquired, eager for his opinion on our children.
Hunter smiled warmly, his eyes shining with pride. “They are perfect, Fierce. I'm glad to have you as the mother of our children.”
His expression, full of love, calmed my heart. Then, a slightly frivolous question came to my mind, and I decided to share it with Hunter.
“I have a question for you,” I began, seeing Hunter raise an eyebrow. “Is there any food that you hate?”
Hunter seemed surprised by the initial question but soon answered, revealing a peculiar aversion. “I hate garlic. Can't stand the taste.”
A smile grew on my face, and I explained the reason behind my question.
“The triplets got that from you. Cassian, Dorian, and Kane dislike anything with garlic.”
Hunter laughed, and the sound warmed my heart even more. “Then they're definitely my children.”
I returned the smile, but something peculiar came to mind. “You know, I found something strange. I talked to Zora inside, and she mentioned that Cassian asked her to put garlic in the pasta.”
Hunter furrowed his brow, intrigued. “What's strange about that?”
I explained my concern. “Just like you, our children can't stand garlic. They never ask for it at home, and he asked Zora to put it in the pasta. Don't you find that odd? Why would they ask for something they hate? It doesn't make sense.”
Hunter pondered for a moment. “Zora might have gotten confused. She's injured, and the memory may have gotten scrambled. Let's give her time to recover.”
I agreed with the possibility. Hunter pulled me closer, his gaze conveying confidence. “Don't worry about that now. It will be alright. Trust me.”
His lips met mine in a gentle kiss, a gesture that transcended words and conveyed trust and love between us.
Together, we stayed there, absorbing the calm of the forest and drawing strength from each other for what tomorrow held.
***
I was surrounded by silence, sitting between the beds where my children, Cassian, Dorian, and Kane, rested. Sleep enveloped me, but my dreams were
not a tranquil refuge. In my reverie, I saw the wolves of the pack led by Garm running towards the Mountain Range. In a moment of hope, one of the wolves found the Belladonna fruits, crucial for the antidote that would save my children.
However, joy quickly turned into despair. A dark turmoil began to unfold. The wolves were attacked, and the terrifying sounds of battle echoed in my ears. The ground turned red, blood spreading like a curse. Anguish enveloped me, and I woke abruptly, gasping, with my heart pounding in my chest.
Startled, I awoke in the dimness of the den. I glanced quickly at Zora's bed, where Hunter lay beside her. Despite the confidence I placed in Hunter's words about our bond, the sight of the two of them together still triggered a twinge of insecurity in my heart.
I trusted Hunter's words, insisting that I was his chosen one, but fear persisted. Would he be able to reject Zora for me?
I decided to push these thoughts aside and turned my attention to my children. They were my priority, my focus. I reached out to touch them, and as I felt their bodies, I realized that something was amiss. The fever consuming them was evident even in the warmth of contact.
My heart tightened at this new concern. The fear of losing them mingled with uncertainty about the antidote. Nevertheless, I refused to falter. Carefully rising to avoid waking them, I went to the den area where Cierce used to prepare potions and remedies.
Cierce was there, attentive to the movements, and looked up when she saw me. Without me needing to say a word, she understood the urgency in my expression.
“We need to expedite our efforts, Fierce. The Belladonna fruits can't take long to arrive.”
I nodded with determination, unwilling to leave my children at the mercy of fate. Together, Cierce and I began preparing a palliative treatment to alleviate the triplets' fever while awaiting news from the expedition led by the wolves in the Mountain Range.
Cierce rummaged through the plants arranged in a corner of the den. My children, Cassian, Dorian, and Kane, remained asleep, their small bodies wrapped in sheets as the fever consumed them. The hope for a quick and effective solution hung in the air as I observed every move of Cierce.
Suddenly, Cierce's eyes lit up as she found an orange-toned flower. She lifted the Calendula carefully, displaying it like a small medicinal treasure. With the seriousness of someone well-acquainted with nature's properties, Cierce explained that Calendula had anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
“Calendula can help reduce the boys' fever. I'll prepare a mixture that I hope will alleviate their symptoms,” Cierce explained, her firm voice conveying confidence.
My expression reflected a mix of hope and skepticism. “Does it really work?” I asked Cierce, wishing for a positive answer.
The omega nodded confidently. “It's the best option we have now, Fierce. Let's give it a try.”