ONE HUNDRED AND NINE
-
With Henry's suggestion, we swiftly gathered around. He had already drawn out a quick plan on how we were going to face Derek and his goons, and he discussed it with Ace. Inputting Acantha's suggestion, we came to a conclusion on how to face our attackers.
Ace stepped out and dished the instructions and everyone immediately set to work. Leaving out the pups, younger and ailing wolves aside, the rest of us came together to be grouped in smaller forms.
There were many hidden parts of the Ocean Howls pack that the Crimson pack or any other pack was not aware of. Ace had reconstructed the country after his father's defeat in a way that we would mostly have the upper hand against the enemy.
That was a big advantage for us.
Ace regrouped the warriors into ten smaller groups and individually gave them a goal, coordinating each group separately.
Some groups were focused on studying maps of the Ocean Howls Pack territory and securing strategic locations for refuge in case our attackers started to gain the upper hand.
Ace's intention was to make sure everyone came out alive, and I wanted that too. After losing some of the warriors to Ryker, I had become shaken and feared that we might lose more.
Another group gathered the weapons, passing them around until everyone got ammunition.
Another group focused on utilizing our terrains, setting traps and ambushes to confront Derek's men, taking them unaware.
Some warriors were kept behind to look after the wolves that were left and could not fight.
Acantha was busy preparing herbs and chanting spells that would help enhance our strength and also aid in healing our injuries, should we sustain any. With my powers gone, she made the portions in a way that it would take half the usual time to have an effect. Georgia and I helped her with it, and in a few hours, we were almost ready to face our enemies.
I ran my gaze through the ammunition that we had left, checking them out to see the ones that would be more convenient for me to use.
"What are you doing?" Ace asked, walking up to me.
"Finding myself an arm. I'm in a group with Uriel," I told him.
"No, you're not," he disagreed, taking a sword from me. "You're not fighting."
"I am. I can't just sit back and do nothing. You said it yourself, we need all the help that we can get," I countered.
"Yes, but we have enough team already. This is too dangerous, Ellen."
"I know, and I am still willing to embark on it."
"But I am against that," Ace disagreed.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"Y-you.." he stuttered, thinking. "You can assist Acantha with the herbs and anything else that she's doing."
My gaze shifted to glance at Acantha and she looked pretty engrossed in the concoctions she was preparing.
"She seems just fine on her own; besides, she has Georgia to help her out. I don't think she will need any more help."
"Still, I cannot let you go out there. Derek is a sick bastard, Ellen, and I cannot let you face such danger again," he tried to coerce me.
"I can manage. I'm not sick, old, or a pup; I'm hale and hearty, and I can handle Derek. If anything, I'm the one who knows him better than any of you here, so I should fight."
"But-
"But what?" I cut him off, "You think I'm useless now because I lost my powers?"
"What, no! Of course not, babe. You are the bravest wolf I know," he quickly defended.
Of course, I knew he felt that way; I had uttered those words to prove a point to him.
"Then let me fight, Ace. You have to understand that this is part of what it takes to be a Luna. This is how I can prove to everyone that I do not need my powers to be befitting for that position, that I am more than just a healer."
I couldn't deny that losing my powers still affected me, but I didn't feel as sad anymore. The continuous feeling of emptiness within me was proof that truly that ability had been taken away from me but I took comfort in everything that I had gained in its place.
I had found Ace, broken the curse and now had a family that cared about me. It was all I could have asked for in that moment and it was worth it. Now, all that I craved was Derek's downfall and the success of the Ocean Howls Pack. All that I wanted was to be by Ace's side again and prove myself to his people.
"You know I don't care about what anyone thinks of you," Ace stubbornly and repeatedly tried to convince me.
"But I do," I touched his hand gently, "I know you're scared and I understand how you feel, Ace. I can also not imagine a life without you, but I must do this. Please allow me."
He was hesitant. "You will stay by my side. Promise me that no matter what, you will not leave my sight."
"Ace-
"This is not a debate. I will only let you out there if you promise to not step away from my sight," he looked more serious than ever as his eyes peered into mine.
"Fine, I promise," I smiled at him. "And I also promise to leave if Acantha seems to need any form of assistance."
That seemed to do it, as his lips soon curled into a smile. "I love you."
-
As night fell, we were already finalizing our preparation and soon we were fully ready to face our enemies. Our determination was unwavering as Ace ensured everyone had the same goal. In unison, we vowed to defend our territory and the dignity of the pack.
I noted the faces of everyone present, and there seemed to be no fear in their eyes; Ace had somehow managed to extract that out of them. We all were aware of what we were about to face; we knew the risks, and we knew, to an extent, the kind of psycho Derek was.
We were aware that the battle would be a grueling one but we were more than willing to face it together.
Seeing the fearlessness and cooperation gave me a sense of hope. As long as we were together, and bore the same goal, I didn't care about the outcome. I knew we would do our best, and if we failed, we would go down together as a pack.