We walked out of the omega den, Hunter, Cierce, and I. Tension hung in the air as we approached the entrance, and our eyes met Garm, injured and visibly shaken. Cierce's stern expression revealed the urgency of the situation.
“What happened, Garm?” Cierce inquired, examining the wolf's wounds.
Garm cast a weary glance at Cierce. “It all happened too fast. The wolves started getting attacked, and I tried to get closer to grab some fruits, but I was stopped.”
I looked at Garm with concern. “Stopped by whom?”
Garm took a deep breath before responding. “Ignis.”
My heart raced upon hearing that name. Ignis was still alive, complicating the situation even further.
“Ignis... is she alive? Or, rather, still alive?” I asked, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Garm nodded, indicating that Ignis was alive and present. His own survival was attributed to luck.
Cierce, observing Garm's wounds, suggested taking him inside the den. “We need to tend to these wounds immediately. I'll make poultices to aid in healing.”
Hunter agreed immediately. “Do that, Cierce. We need to ensure Garm is okay.”
The den entrance approached, and Garm walked with difficulty. Cierce guided him inside, while Hunter and I exchanged looks loaded with worry. The unexpected attack left us vulnerable, and Ignis was more active than we thought.
“We need to find a solution, Fierce. Ignis won't stop until she gets what she wants, I don't exactly understand what she wants yet,” Hunter said seriously.
I looked at Hunter, pondering on what Zora had shared with me. “It seems Ignis wants to maintain the natural order.” Hunter frowned, confused. “What does that mean?”
I explained what Zora had said, how Ignis claimed she wanted to restore the natural order, which meant killing the triplets so that Zora could have children with Hunter. Hunter immediately rejected the idea. “That's absurd,” he exclaimed.
I agreed. “Nonsensical. If Ignis really wanted to kill the triplets, why didn't she do it when she found them? And why choose the pack to carry out such an act?”
Hunter sighed, unable to explain. “I can't understand.”
I stared at Hunter. “Maybe Zora knows.”
Hunter hesitated, recalling Zora's weakened state. “She's too weak to be interrogated right now.”
Irritated, I responded, “I questioned Zora about the attack.”
Hunter brought his hand to his forehead, expressing frustration. “Fierce, you shouldn't have interrogated her. She's hurt and recovering.”
My frustration grew. “I asked Zora to understand how to deal with Ignis. We can't be blind, Hunter. We need information to protect our children and the pack. Ignis is a threat, and we have to act as soon as possible.”
Hunter sighed again, irritated. “Still, Zora is fragile, and we can't force her.”
The frustration bubbled within me, and I didn't hesitate to respond. “My children too, Hunter. They're poisoned, and I won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to protect them, even if it means extracting answers from Zora.”
Hunter kept his gaze on me. “Fierce, they're our children. Not just yours. I care about them too.”
I stared intensely at Hunter. “Don't reprimand me for doing what I can for them.”
Hunter sighed, calmly requesting, “I'm just asking you not to force Zora on the matter. Let her recover.”
Frustration still boiled within me. I looked at Hunter and spoke. “Can I ask you a question?”
Hunter agreed, allowing me to proceed.
“Be honest with me, Hunter. Do you love Zora?”
A surprised look crossed Hunter's face, almost perplexed by the question. He asked back, as if needing to confirm what he had heard. “What?”
I insisted on the question, wanting a direct answer. “I want to know if you love Zora.”
Hunter furrowed his brow, clearly surprised, but then sighed and answered honestly. “Of course not. I love you, Fierce. Only you.”
My expression remained serious as I spoke the truth weighing on my mind. “It doesn't seem like it, Hunter. Sometimes, it feels like you defend Zora more than our own children.”
Hunter frowned, evidently surprised by the accusation. “What do you mean by that?”
I explained my point of view. “You scold me for questioning her about what happened to our children. It seems like you're more concerned with protecting her than finding out what she knows about Ignis.”
Hunter looked perplexed. “That's not true. I just want her to recover before questioning her.”
I shook my head, dissatisfied. “You're always on her side, Hunter. I don't know if it's out of gratitude or something more, but it's hard for me to accept.”
Hunter tried to explain. “Fierce, Zora is an important part of the pack; she's been my Luna for these six years. She helped me with the pack while I was away searching for our children. Besides, don't forget she protected our children from Ignis.”
I sighed, frustrated. “I know that, Hunter, but now we're dealing with something that directly threatens our children. They come first, always.”
Hunter tried to calm me. “They are our priority, Fierce. Let's find a solution together.”
I crossed my arms, frustrated. “I'm not convinced, Hunter. We need to deal with Ignis and figure out her plans. And Zora knows more than she's saying.”
Hunter was momentarily silent, absorbing my words. “Fierce, I'm just trying to be compassionate. Zora is also suffering.”
Hunter seemed undecided, as if torn between concern for Zora and the need to protect our children.
My next words were laden with frustration. “Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I pressured you. After all, out of nowhere, you went from an Alpha King with a Luna to having three children with me.”
Hunter sighed, his expression revealing an internal conflict. “Fierce, I don't feel pressured. But it's indeed hard for me to process everything. And besides, I'm worried about how Zora will handle all of this. We've lived six years together; she was a good Luna to me and even more to the pack.”
I kept my gaze firm, seeking a solution to simplify things for Hunter. “So, I'll make it easier for you, Hunter. Once our children recover, I'll go back to Seattle with them.”
Hunter frowned, surprised. “Fierce, you don't have to do that. The triplets need a father, and I... I need you.”
I sighed, trying to explain my decision. “Hunter, I don't want to be a burden to you. If Zora's presence is essential for the pack's harmony, I don't want to disrupt that. And our children will have the support of both of us, don't worry, I'll bring them to the pack during vacations.”
Hunter seemed torn, trying to assimilate my decision. “Fierce, I don't want you to leave...”
I looked at him with compassion. “Hunter, we need to resolve this in the best way for everyone. If I stay, it might end up being more complicated.”
Hunter gently held my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. “Fierce, I want the complicated, the difficult, and the impossible, as long as it's with you. I love you; I would do anything for you and the boys.”
His touch was comforting, and his sincere words touched my heart. The ensuing kiss was filled with passion, an expression of the love he felt for me.
“I can't lose you, Fierce,” Hunter whispered between kisses, his arms enveloping me tightly. “We can face this together.”
I pulled away, looking into Hunter's intense eyes. “I want to believe we can, Hunter, but things are too complicated. Zora, Ignis, pack laws... I don't want you caught in the middle of all this because of me.”
Hunter caressed my face gently with his hand. “Fierce, you're not alone in this. I chose to be with you, and I'll face any challenge with you.”
I felt a mix of emotions as Hunter continued to kiss every part of my face, as if wanting to seal his words with gestures of affection. The love we felt for each other was undeniable, but the complicated circumstances threatened the future we dreamed of.
“Stay in the pack, Fierce. Let's live together here,” Hunter affirmed, his determination evident. “We'll face whatever comes.”
I got lost in his eyes, seeing the firmness and sincerity in his expression. Perhaps, with love and unity, we could overcome the obstacles ahead. However, our moment was interrupted by Cierce's gentle voice approaching.
“Am I interrupting you?” she asked, watching us with a kind smile.
Hunter stepped away from me but kept his hand firmly holding mine. “No, Cierce. Speak.”
Cierce nodded and approached, her eyes analyzing the situation. “Garm's injuries don't seem to be the result of a fight with Ignis. It looks more like a battle against other werewolves.”
This revelation hit us as a surprise. We exchanged worried glances before Hunter turned to Cierce. “Other werewolves? What do you mean?”
Cierce took a deep breath before continuing. “From the injuries, it seems Ignis is not alone in this. There are other werewolves involved, and they're not from our pack.”
The gravity of the situation began to weigh on us. Other werewolves interfering in internal pack matters posed a serious threat. Hunter squeezed my hand, conveying a sense of determination. “We need to find out who they are and what they want. We can't allow them to compromise the safety of our pack.”
Cierce agreed. “I'm on board. We should keep the triplets and Zora safe while dealing with this threat.”
Hunter nodded, his gaze firm. “Let's handle this together. Fierce, I'll make sure you and the triplets are safe. I'll go to the Mountain Range to get the Belladonna seeds for our children and confront Ignis if necessary.”