Chapter 84: At All Cost
Meredith returned to the cottage, cradling the fruits in her arms. As she stepped inside, the familiar sound of tiny voices reached her ears.
“Mama! Mama's home!” Daemond's voice rang out first, followed by the pattering of hurried footsteps.
“Mama!” Ksaver echoed, his tiny frame barreling toward her with Marcus close behind.
Meredith barely had time to set the basket down before the triplets swarmed her, wrapping their little arms around her legs and waist. She knelt to their level, scooping Marcus into one arm while ruffling Daemond's dark hair with her other hand.
Ksaver tugged on her sleeve, his wide eyes fixed on the basket she had brought. “Berries?” Ksaver asked softly.
“Yes, berries,” Meredith replied with a bright smile. “And mushrooms for stew. Did you boys behave for Edna?”
“We did!” Marcus interjected, puffing out his chest. “But Daemond didn't.”
“I did too!” Daemond shot back, crossing his arms with a huff. “Marcus is the one who spilled the milk. Twice!”
“Well, I'm sure you all did your best,” Meredith said, laughing softly. “Now, let's wash up—it's time for dinner...”
The small table in the cottage was soon set with bowls of stew that Edna and Meredith had prepared together. The triplets sat on their little stools, eagerly digging into the mushrooms.
“Careful, Daemond,” Meredith said, wiping a streak of broth off his cheek. “We don't want to waste a drop.”
“Okay, Mama,” Daemond answered obediently.
With a basket of leftover bread in her hands, Edna entered just as Meredith was settling into her seat.
“I brought this to go with the stew,” she said, setting it on the table. Her gaze softened as she looked at the boys. “Look at them—always so full of life.”
“Auntie Edna!” the triplets called, their faces lighting up at the sight of her. “Eat with us!”
“Hello, my little rascals,” Edna said with a wide smile.
She handed each boy a small piece of bread, chuckling as Marcus immediately tried to dunk his into the stew and nearly dropped it.
As the triplets focused on their meal, Meredith and Edna began speaking in hushed tones.
“I need to trade some of the herbs and berries,” Meredith said, glancing at the boys to ensure they were distracted. “But the market isn't... particularly kind to me.”
Edna nodded knowingly. “The market folk can be stubborn with strangers, especially those who keep to themselves.” She grinned. “But there's another way, Merry.”
“Who?” Meredith asked, leaning forward slightly.
“Old Samuel,” Edna whispered. “He's the woodcutter who lives near the forest's edge. His wife's been sick for years now, and he'd value those herbs more than anyone else.”
Meredith considered this, her fingers tracing the edge of her bowl. “Do you think he'd be willing to trade?”
“He's a kind soul,” Edna assured her. “He doesn't barter like the others. Just knock on his door and offer what you have. He'll listen.”
Meredith's gaze shifted to her boys, who were now whispering to one another and giggling over an inside joke. She smiled softly, the love she felt for them warming her from within.
“If it's for them, I'll do it.”
Edna reached over, patting her hand. “You're doing just fine, Merry. Better than fine. You've got the heart of a wolf, even if no one else sees it.”
Meredith blinked, meeting Edna's kind gaze, and nodded reluctantly. “Thank you, Edna.”
“Bah,” Edna scoffed. “Thank me by eating that stew before it gets cold.”
Meredith chuckled and picked up her spoon. The boys, hearing her laugh, glanced over with wide grins.
“Mama happy?” Ksaver asked, tilting his head.
“Yes, my loves,” she said softly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Mama's very happy...”
Meredith knocked twice. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a man with weary eyes and a rugged face. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing muscular arms streaked with sawdust. He narrowed his eyes as he studied Meredith cautiously.
“Good day,” Meredith began, clutching the small bundle of herbs she had prepared. “I've gathered some herbs that might help your wife." Her heart quickened as she added, "Would you be... willing to trade?”
Samuel's gaze flicked to the bundle in her hands before moving to her face. For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes studying hers. Then his face softened slightly.
“You're the mother with the triplets, aren't you?” he asked.
“Yes,” Meredith replied, bracing herself.
To her surprise, Samuel's lips twitched into a faint smile. “I've heard about you, Merry. I see you've got guts, doing what you're doing.”
Relief flooded her chest, her grip on the herbs loosening slightly. “Thank you, sir. I'd be grateful for anything you can spare.”
Samuel nodded and stepped back into his home. The sound of clinking jars and rustling bags drifted out as Meredith stood on the porch, glancing briefly at the dense forest beyond the clearing.
A moment later, he returned with a small sack of flour and a jar of honey.
“It's not much,” he said, handing them over, “but I think it's fair.”
“It's more than enough,” Meredith assured him, cradling the items carefully. “Thank you...”
As she turned to leave, Samuel cleared his throat, stopping her in her tracks.
“Wait a moment,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “I admire what you're doing for your kids. But you shouldn't wander out there too much, especially alone. Especially at night.”
Meredith paused, her brow furrowing. “Why not? I've been careful.”
Samuel's face darkened slightly. “The forest isn't just trees and shadows. There are things out there. Things you don't want to cross paths with...”
Meredith tilted her head. “What kind of things?”
Samuel hesitated, then sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. “Werewolves,” he said bluntly.
Meredith's heart skipped a beat, but she forced her face to remain neutral. “Werewolves?” she echoed, feigning disbelief.
“Yes.” Samuel's voice dropped to a near whisper. “I know what some folks think—just stupid stories to scare children. But I've seen enough in my years to know better. They're real. They're dangerous. And they're somewhere out there.”
Meredith's muscles tensed as she tightened her grip on the flour and honey. “Have you… seen them?”
“Not directly,” Samuel admitted, his eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the tree line. “But I've heard the howls, seen the tracks. And a few villagers over the years have vanished without a trace. It always happens near the woods.”
A chill crept over her. “What should I do?”
“Stay away from the deep forest,” Samuel advised. “And don't be out after dark. They're most active then, hunting in packs. If they ever catch wind of you or your boys…” He trailed off, shaking his head grimly.
“I…” Meredith nodded slowly. “Thank you for the warning, Samuel.”
Samuel leaned closer. “You're a great mother, raising three boys on your own. But strength won't mean much if you run afoul of those monsters. Be smart, Merry. And if you ever need someone, come find me.”
Meredith offered him a small smile. “I will. Thank you again, Samuel.”
As Meredith walked back toward her house, her mind churned with his words. The forest around her seemed denser, the shadows deeper, and every rustle of leaves amplified her heartbeat.
She tightened her grip on her bundle, silently vowing to protect her boys at all costs.
Even at the cost of her own life.