Tension hung in the air as we walked back to the Omega Den. The news of Garm's injuries and the possibility of an unknown threat to our pack created an atmosphere of apprehension. Hunter, Garm, Zora, Cierce, and I were gathered, discussing our next steps.
Upon reaching the den entrance, Hunter approached Garm and Zora with a serious look.
“I've made a decision,” he began. “I've decided to head to the mountain range to find Belladonna. If the boys have any chance of survival, I need to act quickly.”
“How many will go with you?” Garm, asked, staring at Hunter with determined eyes.
Hunter shook his head. “I don't want to put anyone else in danger, especially if Ignis is there. I intend to go alone.”
Zora held Hunter's hand, concerned. “I don't want you to go, Hunter. It's too dangerous. If something happens to you...”
Hunter gently interrupted, touching her face. “If I don't go, Ignis will come here. And we can't allow that. My kids need Belladonna, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure they're safe.”
Zora squeezed Hunter's hand, arguing. “If you go alone, you won't survive. Ignis is too powerful.”
Hunter touched Zora's chin softly. “You and Garm survived. I have a chance.”
Garm stood up, determined. “I'm going with you, Hunter.”
Hunter hesitated, concerned about Garm's injuries. “You need to recover, Garm. I don't want to risk your life.”
Garm smiled, downplaying his injuries. “Just scratches. Besides, I already know where to find Belladonna.”
Hunter hesitated, looking at Garm, but Zora supported him. “I'll only accept you going if Garm comes along. He knows the territory and can be a valuable ally.”
Hunter looked from Zora to Garm and agreed. “Alright, Garm, you're coming with me. But we need to hurry. We don't know what awaits us.”
Cierce approached, worried, with a mixture of rue and cayenne pepper. “This will serve as an initial protection against Ignis. Take it, Hunter.”
Hunter nodded, thanking Cierce for her concern. “Thank you, Cierce.”
I stood by Hunter, feeling the gravity of the situation. “Be careful,” I said, looking into his eyes.
Hunter smiled, touching my face. “I'll be back as soon as possible.”
Our eyes met for a moment, exchanging unspoken words. A quick kiss on my forehead sealed the farewell before Hunter set off, accompanied by Garm toward the mountain range, ready to face Ignis and bring a cure for our children.
Cierce and I exchanged worried looks, knowing that the fate of Cassian, Dorian, and Kane depended on the success of Hunter's mission.
***
I sat in the chair between the triplets' beds, surrounded by a quiet broken only by the gentle breathing of my sleeping children. Fatigue weighed on my eyes, but worry prevented my body from fully resting. It didn't take long for sleep to envelop me, leading me to a place that was a disturbing mix of reality and fantasy.
In my dream, I returned to the dark road where the moon cast unsettling shadows on the asphalt. Hunter and Caleb were by my side, but the atmosphere was tense. The two wolves argued heatedly on the roadside, each pointing fingers at the other, accusing each other of kidnapping the triplets. I tried to intervene, but my words got lost in the turmoil of voices.
Caleb, with serious eyes, turned to me and uttered words that echoed like thunder. “Fierce, you need to understand. Jeff was right about one thing. This is Hunter's game. He would do anything to have the triplets in his pack, even kidnap them.”
Incredulity and anger mixed within me. “That's absurd!” I retorted, my voice resonating in the silent road.
Caleb stared at me intensely, as if trying to open my eyes to an uncomfortable truth. Before I could protest again, Hunter's gray wolf lunged fiercely toward me.
His eyes, usually so familiar, sparkled with a dark determination. Fear overwhelmed me, and I woke abruptly, my heart pounding in my chest. My breathing was fast, and echoes of the confrontation in the dream still reverberated in my mind.
Watching the triplets sleeping peacefully, a shiver ran down my spine. The dream had touched a sensitive wound, unearthing questions about the truth behind the kidnapping of the boys.
I decided to get up from the chair and walk to the den entrance. The night air was fresh, and the moon illuminated the surroundings. There, I found Cierce, who was on guard. She noticed my presence and approached.
“Did you have a nightmare?” Cierce asked, concerned.
I nodded slowly. “It's not exactly a nightmare, more like a memory.” Cierce's expression turned serious. “What memory?” I took a deep breath before sharing. “Before we reached the pack, we were with Caleb. We found out that he was one of those responsible for the boys' kidnapping.”
Cierce's eyes widened in surprise. “How do you mean, one of those responsible? Were there others?”
I nodded, reliving those dark memories. “Jeff was involved too. I found him on the roadside, but unfortunately, he was killed.”
Cierce sighed, murmuring, “For the Goddess's sake.”
I continued explaining. “It was a well-thought-out plan by a very brilliant mind. Caleb mentioned something on the road, something about Hunter being responsible for the boys' kidnapping. That's what I dreamed.”
Cierce was silent for a moment, processing the information. Finally, she asked cautiously, “Do you believe that?”
I looked at the stars above, seeking answers that seemed to elude me. “I'm not sure. What Caleb said could be just manipulation to sow discord in the pack. However, this whole situation is too complex. Hunter is..., and I know him, but there's always a shadow of doubt, especially when it comes to the past.”
Cierce placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Fierce, we all have our pasts. The important thing is to face the present together and build the future. Trust Hunter, as I trust you.”
I nodded, but the seed of doubt was already planted in my mind. The dream left a shadow of suspicion, and I knew I couldn't completely ignore what I had seen.
However, I knew that only one thing could clear my doubts.
“There's only one way to resolve this,” I murmured, pondering the only solution that came to mind.
Cierce looked at me, waiting for an explanation. “I need to go back to the Cabin. There, all the answers are, and I need you to take care of the triplets while I go there alone,” I declared, making a decision that could change everything.
“You're going back there alone?” Cierce asked, concerned for my safety.
I nodded with determination. “Yes, I need to find out the truth. And in the meantime, I trust you to take care of the triplets. They are my priority.”
Cierce agreed, embracing the responsibility. “I'll take care of them as if they were my own children. But, Fierce, be careful. The truth may be harsher than you imagine.”
With a last look at the den, I began to walk the path back to the Cabin, determined to unravel what had actually happened in that place.
***
The moon cast its silvery light over the pack territory as I walked towards the Cabin. Each step felt laden with the weight of Caleb's words, echoing in my mind like a dark mantra. Hunter, the wolf I had known my entire life, the father of my children, was accused of involvement in the kidnapping of our little ones. At the same time, Ignis, the unknown Peeira, was pointed out as the main culprit of the attack.
Amidst this emotional crossroads and doubts, I sought to understand what really happened. The scent of moonlight surrounded me, but the dilemma clouded my thoughts. Why did I feel so torn between loyalty to Hunter and the doubt that hung over his innocence?
Upon reaching the Cabin, I was met with the desolate scene of wolf bodies scattered on the ground. Among them, I noticed something peculiar: the wolves banished by Alastair six years ago during that night in Denver. Where had they been all this time? Why were they here now?
A chill ran down my spine. Ignis was directly linked to the attack, and the presence of the Wolf bane indicated a possible alliance with renegade werewolves.
I examined the injuries, searching for clues. The banished wolves showed burns, characteristic of a Peeira attack, while others had werewolf claw wounds. Confusion swirled within me, questioning the logic of what had happened.
My attention was drawn to a hole in the Cabin wall. Upon entering, I realized the attack had originated from within. I took a deep breath, detecting the distinct scent of Wolfbane. Following the olfactory trail, I reached the dining room.
My eyes fixed on the dining table. The table was messy, but something caught my attention: the food, despite being spoiled, remained arranged on the table. My senses sharpened as I noticed the peculiar aroma. Wolf bane. I followed the scent to the pasta, and as I approached, the confirmation came: Wolf bane was present, mixed with the meal.
Perplexity took hold of me. Ignis, the banished wolves, Wolf bane in the food... nothing made sense.
The puzzle pieces seemed displaced, forming a chaotic picture that defied logic. I was facing an enigma, and the search for truth became more complex with each passing moment.
The need for clarification pushed me towards the kitchen. I rummaged through every corner, finding the herb present everywhere that could be fatal to werewolves. Restlessness grew within me as the doubt about how this was possibly intensified. How did Hunter and Zora not notice this distinctive smell? And why had I not sensed it the first time I was here?
As I rummaged through the other kitchen cabinets, a female voice echoed, cutting through the tense silence. “You didn't smell it before because I masked it with cayenne pepper. It's a great trick to disguise Wolf Bane.”
I turned, alert, toward the source of the voice.