~*~
"Don't go. Don't leave me." I hugged him.
"Aries-"
"You promised you would never leave my sight. You're breaking your promise." I reminded him. There was an ulterior motive behind it— my selfish motive behind those words. I couldn't help it, and I don't trust Simon.
Leo gently pulls away. He tucked his finger under my chin and lifted to make me see him; he wiped my tears and said, "I know. I also pledge to protect my pack and keep them safe, and that includes you too. But if you still want me to stay here with you, I'll." He cupped my face in his hands.
"But before you answer, tell me, do you want to be with the proud Alpha? Or do you want to be with a Mate? And I promise you. I'll pursue and fulfill my duty on whatever you decide."
He gave me a choice, and I'm just supposed to choose given the options between an Alpha or a Mate. It was our time of test, between our love and duty—a time of decisions.
But we choose what makes us feel good, right? And what we've got, then striving for what we want?
There were many doubts and consequences about this meeting, and as an Alpha, Leo must go.
I made a crucial moment of decision.
Leo cupped my face, kissed my forehead, and my moist lashes, he'd kept his gleaming eyes on mine, our lips at the mere act of kissing.
"I'm already proud of you. You're a great Alpha, and you're an incredible lover, my mate. Go get him." I smiled, feeling his lips grazing mine. "I love you. You are my everything, Leo. I'll live for you, and I'll die for you."
With one aspiration and longing kiss, Leo left.
~*~
Before leaving for the meeting, Leo had assigned Jedrek on guard duty. I've asked Leo to take Jedrek with him, he needs his beta to be with him more than I did, but Leo refused to listen to me. I understand that it gives him peace of mind, but he was going to meet with the devil.
Honestly, I wanted Leo here with me, and I still don't feel secure being away from him because I always had these feelings—we are stronger when we are together.
Leo seemed worried too, but we had no choice, given the difficult circumstances of the moment. He said he'll deal with it and come to me quickly. Leo also had my room shield with protective power to prevent unauthorized access.
~*~
Before I started learning witchcraft, a solemn pledge, an oath, swearing never to use the magic for personal gain, keeping that in mind, I still cast a spell on myself.
I did what was required to protect my dignity, to defend my grace.
Now it was a waiting game of patient to anticipation.
~*~
The sitting duck was not a fun game when it comes to a crisis. An anxious wait for several hours in a small room, it was driving me nuts. I was sitting by the window, expecting all to return home safely.
When.
Simon appeared in front of me.
"Hello, Aries."
"Simon!" I said. "Where is Leo?" I asked, holding a fireball ignited on my palm behind me.
"Let me share with you my little secret. I can be everywhere at the same time." He said, and laughed.
"Mmh..ah..ah." He said, gesturing 'no' by wagging his finger at me. "Don't disturb him, Aries, he's in the meeting." He'd somehow blocked my mind link, knowing I was trying to alert Leo and Jedrek.
"Why are you here?"
"You see, I have a proposition for you." He took a seat on the edge of the bed and made himself comfortable. "Either you come with me, or Leo dies." He shrugged his shoulders.
My heart raced, fear ran through my veins, but I reminded myself to stay strong, and not let him get through my head.
"I'm not coming with you, Simon." I declared.
"Just what I was expecting an answer from you, so..." He looked around the room and then walked up to the laundry basket that was sitting in the corner of the room. I eyed him with suspicion. Simon pulled out a piece of clothing. "Here, see it for yourself." He said and handed me Leo's sweater. Immediately I was bombarded with visions. My eyes closed, volunteering, and I had an instant premonition, the aftermath of the war.
Leo was in his Lycan avatar—fighting. The attack of severe attrition, which followed—cost thousands of lives on both sides.
The whole pack landed— blitzed, devastated.
But on other sides, houses were getting destroyed—engulfed in flames. Valuables were looted. Innocent children, women and young girls captured, taken away, tortured and assaulted.
Theo and Simon, their equally flaming temper—matched— red with red, attacking each other ferociously. My heart tightened at the sight of Leo getting hurt, seeing his blood, getting battered and bruised. Dead bodies piled high to the dust-heap, which included GG, Xander, Nora, Jedrek, Haley, Sara, Vivian, all of them dead. My spirit broke. I couldn't stomach it anymore; I opened my eyes in a flash. My whole body seemed to be frozen from the shock as fear got replaced with grief. I realized I was crying too.
"No, this can't happen, I need to do something about it. I need to stop this war." I covered my face with Leo's sweater, it still had his scent, and I inhaled deeply into my soul.
"You could, if you come with me," Simon said simply.
He'd scheme this whole event very cleverly, his every move was even more cunning and crafty. He'd gathered all the capable wolves, calling them for a meeting, while they were all extracted from the pack lands, a strategic aim so he can be here to pursue to get me.
"I'm not-"
"Well, then I'll come to take you away after killing Leo." He cut me short.
"NO!" My heart palpitated at the thought. Helpless, I went down on my knees.
