The revelation about Ignis attacking my children left me in shock. My mind spun as I tried to assimilate what it meant. Ignis, who should have been an ally to Hunter and Zora, had revealed herself as a threat to the pack.
There was still the situation with Cierce and Jeff, who apparently was her destined wolf. Ignis, seeing Cierce as a threat and sensing wolfbane in the food prepared by Zora, acted violently. Did Cierce know that Jeff was involved in the kidnapping?
Holding Cassian's hand, I sought to understand better what happened during the dinner with Ignis.
“What else happened during dinner?” I asked, looking at Cassian, hoping he could provide more details.
Cassian, visibly disturbed, met my gaze and began recounting what he remembered. “The last thing I recall is Ignis throwing a ball of blue energy towards us. It was all very fast, and the next thing I knew, I was here in the pack.”
Restlessness grew within me. Ignis had attacked my children, unleashing a mysterious energy on them. However, Cassian's expression did not indicate that he felt it was a malicious attack.
“Did you feel it was an attack?” I inquired, knowing that the answer was crucial to understanding Ignis's intentions.
Cassian pondered for a moment before responding. “No, I didn't feel it was an attack. It was strange... I felt the same sensation I had when we turned into wolves in that place where we were kidnapped.”
The revelations only added complexity to the situation. Facing the triplets, I continued the search for answers.
“Do you remember what it was like when you turned into wolves?” I asked, hoping they could provide more details.
Kane shook his head negatively, indicating he had no clear memories.
Dorian smiled lightly before sharing his memories. “I just remember before we turned, a tail appeared on me.”
Cassian, adding more information, said, “Before we turned, I heard a female voice.”
A sigh escaped my lips. “It was the Moon Goddess. She guided you through the process, protected you.”
The triplets exchanged glances, processing the information. It was hard to believe they had faced so many challenges before even reaching the pack.
While they stared at me with curious eyes, ready to ask questions, I prepared to answer with all the honesty I could offer.
“You can ask anything you want,” I encouraged, smiling at the three.
Kane was the first to break the silence, expressing his childish curiosity. “Where have you been all this time, Mom? Why didn't you come looking for us? I was scared and missed you so much.”
I gently touched Kane's face, seeking to convey security through contact. “I was actually looking for you all the time. I did everything to find you and bring you back home.”
Dorian, with his inquisitive gaze, directed his question to a peculiar aspect of our existence. “Why didn't you tell us we werewolves? And about fairies throwing energy balls?”
My smile persisted despite the complexity of the answers that would unfold. “I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I had my reasons. First, because you were too young to understand the entire universe that surrounds our existence. And second, I wanted to protect you from the threat that eventually found us anyway.”
Kane, eager to share his newfound abilities, expressed his excitement. “I can't wait to show my superpowers to my school friends!”
My expression became apprehensive, and I quickly intervened. “Kane, you can't show your superpowers to anyone. We need to keep our truth hidden to protect all of us.”
Cassian, the most serious of the three, brought up a deeper question. “I have a question, Mom.”
I nodded, indicating that he could proceed. “Of course, Cassian. You can ask.”
Cassian fixed his gaze on me and asked what had echoed in his mind. “Why didn't you ever tell us we had a father?”
The seriousness in his eyes struck me deeply, and I took a deep breath before starting to unravel this dark part of the past.
“I never mentioned it because...” I began, pausing for a moment before continuing. “Because I thought it was the best thing to do at that time. Your father is an important figure for the pack, and there were reasons to keep it a secret. But now, maybe it's time to explain better. However, I would like to wait for your father.”
Dorian and Kane, eager for more answers, wasted no time. Dorian looked at me with curiosity. “Where is Dad? Mom, do you think he'll like us?”
I responded with a gentle smile. “Your father went to the highest point of the forest to find a seed just to save you. That shows how much he cares about you. So yes, he loves you deeply.”
Kane, with the typical innocence of a child, expressed his joy. “So, Dad really likes us?”
I nodded, sharing the excitement of the moment. “Yes, Kane, he likes you a lot.”
Kane's excitement was evident as he expressed his expectations. “That's great! I can't wait to play baseball with him.”
Dorian, eager for his own activities with his father, added, “And I want him to come back soon to play video games with me.”
I smiled gently, agreeing. “I can't wait for him to come back either.”
Now, we eagerly awaited the return of Hunter, the father they longed to meet.
***
HUNTER'S POV
The Mountain Range stretched before me, majestic and imposing. My gray wolf form ran swiftly alongside Garm, my loyal beta. Desperation and urgency fueled our paws in the desperate search for Belladonna who could save my children, poisoned by Ignis. As we reached the base of the mountain, I stopped abruptly, staring at Garm with determined eyes.
“Where is the Belladonna?” I asked, anxiety echoing in my voice.
Garm, assuming his human form, pointed to the tip of the Mountain Range, indicating the beginning of the gorge. “It's there, Alpha Hunter. At the top, at the beginning of the gorge. That's where Belladonna blooms.”
I nodded, determined to reach the plant as quickly as possible. “I'll get the fruit. You keep watch in case Ignis shows up.”
Garm nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. I transformed back into a wolf, ready to climb the rocks and reach the much-needed cure.
The hunger for urgency marked each step, but before I could continue, Garm blocked my path. “Alpha Hunter, before you go, why not have a drink? We ran so fast that you could get dehydrated.”
My golden eyes, always alert, regarded Garm with suspicion. Caution was the compass guiding my actions, especially in crucial moments. “Alright,” I said cautiously.
Garm took out a bottle from his bag, handing it to me. As I opened it, I held it in front of my nose, checking for the presence of Wolfbane.
Garm, observing my caution, questioned. “What are you doing? Do you distrust me, my lord?”
I looked him directly in the eyes. “Better safe than sorry.”
Garm laughed, understanding my caution. “Don't worry, Alpha Hunter. Nothing here will harm you.”
I smiled back, ready to drink, when I was interrupted by a pack wolf approaching hastily.
“Alpha Hunter, I need to speak with you,” the wolf announced, his serious tone revealing urgency.
I faced him, ready to hear any news about my children. “What is it?” I asked, holding the still untouched bottle.
The wolf's eyes met mine, and he said, “The boys have awakened.”
A wave of relief flooded my being. My children were awake. I handed the empty bottle to Garm, prepared to run back to the omega's den, where the reunion with Cassian, Dorian, and Kane awaited me.
Garm stared at the wolf, his eyes serious and focused. “Are you sure the boys have awakened?” Garm asked, the seriousness in his voice reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Noctis, the messenger wolf sent by Luna Zora, responded confidently, “Yes, they have awakened. Luna Zora sent me to inform you.”
A sigh of relief escaped me. Positive news amid the darkness of uncertainty. “Thank you, Noctis. Return to the pack. I don't want you to risk encountering Ignis. Protect yourself.”
With a nod, the wolf departed, disappearing into the density of the forest. I looked at Garm beside me and said, “Great news. It seems the boys are okay.”
However, Garm did not seem as optimistic. “Do you really believe that, Hunter? Ignis can be cunning, and manipulative... It could be a trap.”
I stared at Garm with heavy contemplation in my eyes. “We can't be sure until we return to the pack. Noctis's words are all we have for now.”
Garm nodded, accepting the reality. “I think it's best if we climb to the top and get the Belladonna, just as a precaution.”
I agreed with Garm. Caution was our ally in a game where the stakes were so high. I transformed into my wolf form, ready to climb the rocks and reach the miraculous plant. The Mountain Range, a silent witness to our hopes and fears, seemed once again to be the path to salvation. Together, Garm and I climbed the mountain in search of the cure that could ensure my children's lives and peace for our pack.
---
The air at the top of the Mountain Range was thin, laden with a tension that spread like a mist between Garm and me. Transformed again into my human form, I fixed my gaze on the Belladonna plant at the edge of the gorge. That small plant held the hope of a cure for my children, and its rescue was the only thought occupying my mind.
“We finally made it here,” I commented, shifting my gaze from Belladonna to Garm. “Now we just need to harvest the fruits and take them to Cierce. She'll be able to prepare the cure for the boys.”
Garm, however, did not share the same joy. His eyes reflected a regret that contrasted with the mission that had brought us there. “I'm sorry, Hunter, but I fear the ending won't be a happy one for all of us.”
I nodded, understanding the gravity of what was about to happen. “Yes, Garm. And more than that, only one of us will return as the hero of this story.”
Garm sighed, seeming resigned to the revelation he was about to make. “You've figured it out, haven't you? You've figured out that I'm involved.”
I nodded, my expression hardening. “Yes, Garm. My suspicions had already arisen when Cierce mentioned that her wounds were in the shape of claws, but here I had confirmation.”
Garm smiled, a joyless smile. “So it was Cierce who told you.”
I nodded again, curious about Garm's reaction. “Yes, why the surprise?”
Garm stared at the horizon, his eyes lost in the mountain distances. “I wished I could be surprised, Hunter, but what can you expect from a she-wolf who betrayed her own friend to get what she wanted?”
My mind rejected the information, a growing revolt within me. “Why would she do that? What would she gain by betraying her friend?”
He then revealed the bitter truth about the plan to kidnap the twins. “It was Cierce who planned the kidnapping along with Jeff, Caleb, and the others banished by Alastair. A betrayal you won't remember, Hunter.”
Perplexity turned into anger within me. “What? Why?”
Garm smiled maliciously. “In the water I offered you, there was rue. From this moment, Hunter, you will do everything I want.”