398- Pregnant
POV Viktor Averwyn:
I picked up the phone and called Aldren.
The others stayed silent.
My heart pounded so hard it sounded like a drum while icy rage spread through my limbs.
He answered almost immediately, nervous:
“Viktor, I just heard… fuck…”
“This war ends today. But it didn’t begin almost two months ago. Or when I stopped blindly obeying the Elders’ rules.”
Aldren remained quiet, listening.
I looked toward the dense Tharnak forest, the leaves turning autumn red. Then I thought of another forest, taller, with snow-covered pines. Astraluna, the valley where we were born.
The enemies were still the same.
“It started with our births. You, Edric, and I are brothers, sons of Aslan and Lioara, the great white wolf and the great black she-wolf. Murdered through betrayal by the Cyndrael and Tharengard families, with the Elders’ support.”
“Listen, I don’t know if that’s true. But lately my dreams have been increasing. I saw another place covered in snow, other wolves. Edric has started having memories too. But they’re unclear and this…”
“They murdered our parents. Made us grow up as strangers without memories. And now they murdered my daughter. What more proof do you want? To wait until it gets worse? Until they take over everything and attack you and your children too? Until one day we’re killed while they erase your pups’ memories?”
“Fuck, Viktor! Everything’s confusing! We’re not sure! I’m sorry about your daughter, Lucian went too far. Edric and I don’t agree with this.”
I could hear the genuine grief and outrage in his voice.
And also the fact that he still didn’t believe me.
My rage grew hotter, beginning to boil. I no longer had time to convince anyone, nor could I wait for the attacks to continue.
I turned toward Emil, Cezar, Florian, and Lonut standing there watching me, ready to fight beside me. I didn’t know what my brothers would decide, but I wasn’t waiting for them anymore.
My voice came out cold, though the hatred inside me was ravenous, filling every empty space:
“I’m coming down with everything I have. Through the main road, through the forest between Cyndrael and Valmorin territory. Straight toward Tharengard Village. Nothing will stop me until I get Lucian.”
“Viktor…”
“It’s time to decide, Aldren. Are you with me, your older brother, or with a cold-blooded murderer?”
“But we don’t even know if we’re brothers! A few days ago my mate had a premonition that more deaths would happen among us and told me to trust you, but everything happened too fast, everything we believed is upside down! Give us time to investigate, talk to the Elders and—”
“You’re either with me or against me. Time’s up. I’ll see you soon.”
I hung up and hurled the phone across the room, shattering it against the wall.
My eyes burned, unshed tears scorching inside my chest.
The image of Adelina continued to pass through my mind, saying she loved me before being murdered. The pain was so vast that, to deal with it, I needed to feed on rage and focus on actions.
"Florian, you are in charge of the village from now on. Choose an assistant and never stop monitoring the cameras and sensors. Some of the guards will remain in the watchtower, armed and with explosives. Others near the cliff. Use them, as well as the traps, to attack anyone who approaches."
"Count on me." My former head of guard straightened up, solemn.
"Protect the children and the elderly, as well as the females. Do not let anything happen to Daciana and Seraphine. I am placing the protection of all of them in your hands."
"Yes."
"Even if we are destroyed down there, you can still hold out up here for a month or a little longer. Stop them. And take everyone to the secret passage that leads to the farthest point on the river. There is a boat in a water cave, waiting. Flee and take them far away."
"I know, we've already arranged everything." I nodded and turned to the others.
"This could be suicide. If Aldren and Edric do not believe me and continue to side with the Elders and Lucian, we will have three armies much larger than ours to fight against."
"We are going with you. We will finish off the enemies, even if it means dying alongside you," Cezar said, without hesitation.
"That's for sure!" Lonut confirmed, furious. "Victory is ours! We won't stop until you rip the head off that damned coward!"
"We are ready. This is the time," Emil added, showing no fear.
"Summon the majority, all those who won't need to stay on guard here with Florian. Those armed with silver bullets and explosives, the strongest wolves for hand-to-hand combat. We will gather here in the center of the village."
They ran out. Except for Florian, who took his post in front of the monitors, his eyes on me.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Viktor? Anything that will ease your pain?"
"No."
She would accompany me forever. A piece of me ripped out, which would throb until my last breath.
I left there, went down to wait for the army to arrive, to make an announcement to everyone in the village. When I stopped near the square, I didn't need to say anything.
The residents began to approach, sad and solemn, already knowing about the two deaths. Katarina and Adelina. Looking at me, still in tattered clothes, dried blood covering me everywhere.
I retracted my claws and fangs, although the rage burned in my chest and left my eyes in golden fire. My beast wanting to growl, rip off skins and organs, take revenge. Both of us ready for it.
I observed my people, my village. I feared for them, but I used the desire for protection to become even more determined and strong. No one would stop me.
The duchesses cried, embracing each other. Lana being consoled by her mother, for having lost her best friend. Children quiet, sad for the teacher who would never return. While the men gathered at the side, ready to fight, full of wrath as well. More arrived, coming from everywhere. Some heavily armed.
"Viktor!"
Her voice shouted, and I looked toward the castle.