I was sitting near my children's beds—Cassian, Dorian, and Kane—embracing them while my gaze couldn't detach from Cierce's movements. She walked around the den, seemingly oblivious to the whirlwind of thoughts and revelations boiling within me.
Cierce, my friend, a constant presence in my life, felt so distant at that moment. Uncertainty settled in as I stroked Kane's sleepy head, questioning whether Cierce was truly capable of betrayal or if, like all of us, she was a victim of Jeff's elaborate plan.
Unresolved events piled up in my mind like missing pieces of a complex puzzle. Why did Caleb, Jeff, and the other banished ones kidnap my children? What did they hope to gain from it? And Ignis, what role did she play in this sinister plot?
Cassian broke the silence, staring at me, inquiring about my thoughts. “What are you thinking, Mom?” he asked, concerned.
A sigh escaped my lips as I pondered how to explain the complexity of the situation to a young mind.
“It's adult stuff, my love,” I replied, caressing his face. “And I wanted to ask you a favor.”
Kane raised his head, his interest piqued. “What is it, Mom?” he asked, curious.
I looked into the inquisitive eyes of Dorian and Cassian, deciding to share a part of the truth.
“I need to handle something,” I explained, “and I want you all to take care of each other while I'm away.”
Kane furrowed his brow. “Why do you need to leave, Mom?” he asked, worried.
Dorian joined the inquiry. “What's this matter that can't wait?”
I knew I couldn't provide full answers at that moment.
“Cassian, I trust you to take care of your siblings,” I said, choosing my words carefully.
He nodded solemnly. “You can count on me, Mom. I'll handle everything here.”
I kissed each of them on the forehead, absorbing the warm connection before getting up and heading toward Cierce. She looked at me, sensing the seriousness in my eyes, and asked, “Has something happened?”
“Cierce,” I said, my voice serious. “We need to talk in private.”
Cierce nodded, seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation. I accompanied her outside the den, where the night air seemed heavy with secrets and expectations. We moved far enough for privacy but still remained within the pack's boundaries.
“Fierce, what's going on?” Cierce asked, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and apprehension.
I took a deep breath before starting. “Cierce, I know Jeff is your destined werewolf mate.”
She widened her eyes, surprised and concerned. “How? Who told you?”
“I also know about Jeff, Caleb, and others banished by Alastair,” I explained briefly, observing her reactions.
Cierce shook her head, perplexed. “I don't understand. How did you find out?”
My gaze met hers, serious. “Cassian told me about the dinner and how you were connected to Jeff. Tell me the truth, Cierce.”
She held my gaze, her eyes revealing a mix of guilt and reluctance. “Fierce, I...” she began but hesitated.
“You better tell me the truth, or I'll make sure to tell Hunter and the pack what you've done,” I asserted, forcing her to speak.
Cierce sighed deeply. “Fierce, you need to understand I didn't want to hurt anyone, but...”
“But what, Cierce?” I insisted, needing the truths she hadn't dared to tell me.
“I love Jeff, and he is my destined werewolf mate. And some time ago, he told me there was a way for him to come back to the pack, and we could be together.” Cierce explained, her eyes filled with anguish.
I stared at Cierce, perplexed. “Are you talking about the kidnapping of my children?” My voice expressed incredulity at the revelation.
Cierce nodded again, her eyes reflecting the anguish she carried. “Yes, Fierce. We believed that if we brought the boys to Hunter, his gratitude would make him reconsider, allowing Jeff and the others back into the pack.”
My expression became serious, my gaze cutting. “Are you saying that this entire scheme, this nightmare, was aimed at gaining Hunter's favor for Jeff and the others?”
Cierce nodded, her eyes momentarily shifting away, as if the weight of the truth was too much to bear. “Yes, it was the only chance we had to turn the situation around.”
A wave of anger and incredulity mixed within me. “But at what cost?” I questioned, my voice gaining a sharp tone. “The price of this plan was my life. If they hadn't mistaken the children's babysitter for me, I would be dead now.”
Cierce looked up, surprised. “I... I never thought things could have escalated to this point.”
My gaze deepened, blending incredulity and anger. “Cierce, you were willing to sacrifice lives, including mine, for a plan that involved kidnapping my children? And all to be with Jeff?”
She lowered her eyes, looking ashamed. “Fierce, you need to understand. Jeff said it was the only way for him and the others to return to the pack, to be accepted again. I... I was desperate.”
Frustration grew within me, but I needed to understand more about the situation. “Desperate enough to betray the pack, me, and put my children at risk? Cierce, I considered you a friend.”
She raised her gaze, her eyes reflecting remorse. “Fierce, I didn't want anything bad to happen. I thought if we handed the boys to Hunter, he would be grateful and accept Jeff and the others back.”
I took a deep breath, trying to contain the storm of emotions raging within me. “I don't believe you.”
Cierce's usually confident look met mine, but something about it seemed different, an unease that I couldn't ignore.
“I can't believe you didn't think about the consequences of all this, Cierce,” I declared my voice firm, breaking the night's silence. “I didn't know the idea was to kill me, to put the boys' lives at risk.”
Cierce's eyes stared at me, a mix of surprise and something I couldn't decipher.
“And why not?” she challenged.
I faced Cierce, my friend, and felt the weight of disappointment and betrayal. “There were so many situations, Cierce. Your knowledge of herbs, the coincidence of using Mandrake only when I was close to figuring out what happened at the dinner. The Wolfbane used to poison Hunter and me. And Hunter's test.”
Cierce raised an eyebrow, indicating curiosity. “Hunter's test?”
I approached her, closing the distance between us. “You told Alastair about the night of Hunter's test, didn't you? The only person who knew about my involvement in that situation was you.”
Cierce, surprisingly, smiled maliciously. “You figured it out, Fierce.”
I stared at her intensely. “Yes, I figured. Was it you who planned every step? From the kidnapping to my death, everything was meticulously orchestrated by you? Tell me, Cierce.”
Cierce's smile widened maliciously, and her words were like sharp daggers. “Yes, it was me. And it's a pity you won't be alive to tell the truth.”