ZORA'S POV
The conversation flowed between trivial subjects. Gwenyth, in sharing her expectations for the future, allowed a bridge of understanding to extend between us. Ignis, attentive as always, mediated the dialogues, providing a delicate harmony in that encounter. Gwenyth's den emitted an atmosphere different from what I knew. A mixture of nostalgia and unfamiliarity, for it had once been my sanctuary, but now harbored a different story. With Ignis by my side, I faced Gwenyth and expressed my thirst, simultaneously seeking an excuse to explore the surroundings.
“Where can I find water? I'm thirsty,” I inquired, locking eyes with the Luna.
She stared at me for a moment, assessing whether to provide me with the information. After a brief pause, Gwenyth pointed to a jug in the corner of the room. “There's a jug over there.”
I thanked her with a nod and rose to fetch the water. Ignis, vigilant of every move, observed the scene with penetrating eyes. Before leaving the premises, I turned to Gwenyth and Ignis with a restrained smile.
“Do you want water too?” I offered, trying to ease any lingering distrust between us.
Gwenyth, receptive, smiled warmly and accepted the invitation. “I would love some, thank you.”
Ignis, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes, revealing her inherently suspicious nature. Her response, short and direct, left no room for ambiguity. “No, thank you.”
With a brief nod, I headed to the room where the jug was positioned. While serving myself water, I took the opportunity to observe the changes in my former space. The crib now occupied a significant portion of the room, an unequivocal symbol of the new responsibilities Gwenyth carried in her belly.
Approaching the crib, a wave of ambiguous feelings coursed through me. I touched it gently, perhaps seeking a connection that transcended the differences between us. However, the coldness of the metal and the absence of any emotional vibrations reinforced the distance that separated our destinies.
Returning to the room with the jug and a glass of water in hand, I reflected on the urgency of changing the course of my destiny. The future outlined for me was a threat, and the momentary comfort of water could not dispel the restlessness that inhabited my being.
I decided then to offer water to Gwenyth, a courteous gesture to break the silence that had settled. Extending the glass, she thanked me with a warm smile. “Thank you,” she expressed, accepting the glass with gratitude.
I smiled in response and commented, “The pleasure is all mine. If you need more, just let me know.”
Ignis, meanwhile, remained vigilant, watching the events unfold with the perspicacity that was peculiar to her. It was evident that she distrusted every gesture, every word exchanged. The simple act of serving water, however, carried with it a purpose.
We were there, in the same space, two she-wolves with destinies intertwined in ways we did not yet fully understand. As I watched Gwenyth enjoy the water and Ignis remain in her vigilant posture, I contemplated the choices that lay ahead of me.
***
Ignis's den was a sanctuary of tranquility, a refuge where shadows danced on the walls and stories were told in soft sighs. Lying in the dimness, ready to embrace the embrace of sleep, Ignis and I shared the serene silence that enveloped the den.
However, our peace was abruptly interrupted by the hurried entry of Garm, the pack's beta. Ignis immediately rose, a dark premonition lingering in the air. I followed suit, anticipating the news that was evident in Garm's eyes.
Ignis, with a hardened expression, inquired, “What happened?”
The beta seemed remorseful as he spoke the words that would change the course of the night. “A tragedy occurred,” announced Garm, his voice laden with sorrow.
Ignis, in an instant reflex, held onto the den's wall. Her immediate reaction indicated that she already suspected the nature of the announcement. I approached Ignis, my heart quickening with anxiety for what would come next.
“You can speak,” insisted Ignis, her voice firm, but her eyes betrayed a deep anguish.
Garm then revealed the devastating news. “Gwenyth has died, and the baby she carried did not survive.” The words echoed in the den like a somber lament, filling the space with a dense silence.
Ignis, shaken, clung to the den's wall, her face contorted in pain. “We need to go to Garnet, Ignis,” suggested Garm, but Zora intervened.
“Thank you for the news, Garm, but now you must leave the den. Ignis needs a moment,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
Garm exited the den, leaving Ignis and me facing the cruel reality unfolding. Ignis, visibly shaken, continued to hold onto the den's wall as if she needed physical support to absorb the impact of the loss.
Once Garm was gone, I approached Ignis, whose body seemed on the verge of collapse. “Are you okay?” I asked, concerned.
Ignis, with eyes heavy with sadness, looked at me and posed an accusing question: “What did you do?”
Pretending surprise, I questioned her about what she meant. I faced Ignis, maintaining my unwavering expression. “What are you talking about?” Ignis didn't hesitate in her quest for the truth. “I know you did something to Gwenyth. What herb did you use?”
My response was direct, pronouncing the forbidden word: “Wolfbane.”
The ensuing silence was as heavy as the confession. Ignis paled, understanding the extent of the betrayal.
Ignis, realizing the gravity of what I had done, narrowed her eyes. “Why, Zora? Why use Wolfbane on Gwenyth?”
I took a deep breath before answering, aware of the implications. “She was a threat. The child she carried would be the next Alfa King. I couldn't allow Garnet to have another heir, especially one that would jeopardize my position.”
Ignis, blending incredulity and anger, questioned me. “You sacrificed a life, an innocent child, out of fear of losing your position?”
My words came heavy from my mouth, carrying the weight of a choice I knew could not be undone. “It wasn't just for my position, Ignis. It was for the fate the Goddess imposed on us. I couldn't allow the pack to fall into the hands of an heir who could change everything.”
Ignis, however, did not yield to the justification. Instead, her expression hardened, a mix of sadness and disapproval. “You shouldn't have done that, Zora.”
I met her gaze, defiant, convinced that I had shaped my destiny with my own hands.
“I can't allow this, Zora. I can't let what you did go unnoticed,” said Ignis, her voice laden with a mix of emotions, from sadness to indignation.
I faced her, aware that the words she planned to speak could change everything. “What are you going to do, Ignis?” I asked, my serene expression hiding the unease that bubbled within me.
Ignis, however, didn't back down. She removed my hands from her arms, retreating towards the center of the den. “I'm going to tell Garnet what you did. I'm sorry, Zora, but I can't overlook this.”
I felt the urgency in her words, an attempt to bring justice in the face of the tragedy that engulfed the pack.
“You won't tell anything,” I said, firm, locking eyes with Ignis.
Ignis looked at me with a mixture of bewilderment and determination. “Why not, Zora? This needs to be revealed. Gwenyth and her child deserve justice.”
I approached Ignis, our faces now very close. “If you reveal, Ignis, I will expose to Garnet everything about the manipulations you do with Rue. How you control his thoughts, and influence his decisions. The whole truth, Ignis.”
Ignis widened her eyes, surprised, but soon her expression turned to suspicion. “You wouldn't.”
A sly smile curved my lips as I asserted, “I am capable of anything, Ignis. And you know that. If you reveal my secret, I expose yours. Garnet will find out that he is not free in his choices, that his mind is guided by you.”
Ignis hesitated for a moment, assessing the gravity of what I proposed. “You wouldn't do that.”
I remained unshaken. “I would if necessary. But we can avoid all of this. If we join forces, we can rule the pack together. You use rue to influence Garnet while I lead in his name, bringing prosperity to the pack.”
Ignis stared at me, incredulous. “This is insane, Zora.”
I positioned myself in front of her, blocking her path. “You want Garnet just for yourself, Ignis. I know that. Despite everything, you still love him. Together, we can have Garnet, lead the pack, and ensure that the Goddess supports our efforts. It's time for us to unite, Ignis, and do what's best for all of us.”
Ignis remained silent for a moment, her emotions oscillating in her gaze. “This goes against everything the Goddess wants for us.”
“The Goddess did not interfere, Ignis. If she were against it, she would have stopped us. On the contrary, she allows us to follow this path,” I said persuasively. “It's time for us to take control of our destiny, Ignis. Together, we are stronger.”
Ignis remained silent, internally grappling with the choices before her. I knew I was offering a radical solution, but I also understood that it was the only way to protect what we had built so far, even if rooted in dark choices.
However, she soon regained her composure, challenging me. “You wouldn't have the courage.”
A sly smile curved my lips. “I have the courage, Ignis. Enough courage to do whatever it takes to keep the pack under our control.”
Ignis, still suspicious, questioned my proposal. “Are you suggesting that we join forces? That we lead the pack together?”
I nodded, emphasizing each word. “Yes, Ignis. If we unite, we can guide the pack in the direction we want. You keep using Rue to influence Garnet, and I will take over the leadership in his name. It will be a perfect partnership.”
Ignis remained silent for a moment, evaluating the options before her. Finally, she shook her head, rejecting the proposal. “No, Zora. I cannot be complicit in this. The Goddess gave us the freedom to choose, not a justification for unrestrained ambition...”
I cut off her words with a sinister smile. “Ignis, that's fine, I just ask you not to stand in my way, as I am capable of anything to protect what is mine, to secure my place as the heir.”
Ignis stared at me with surprise and disbelief. “What do you intend...”
I approached Ignis again, smiling seductively. “Ignis, wait and see with your own eyes what I will do.”
The game was open, with stakes higher than ever.
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