42. Home

Aleida’s POV

We run for hours, and now, we’re almost there. There’s only one distinct in the way; uncharted land. That’s where most wild supernatural creatures, mainly rogues, live. It’s a significant risk for us to try to get through. The problem is that we have no other choice. The only route that can take us to our destination is either through a pack we’re not allied with or swim through the rapids to the other side. Both options are perilous, more dangerous than getting us through the wilderness. If we try to get through the pack, they’ll immediately feel that we’re there and kill us. Werewolves are muscular, but even we don’t stand a chance against the river’s strong currents. I and a few others can undoubtedly survive, but not the weaker ones such as Clare, and I don’t plan to leave anyone behind. That’s why I sit with Luis, Michael, and the trio of boys. The boys are smart that they’ve proven that when they made their way to the city unnoticed. That’s why we think that they should be involved in planning our trip, which can be our last in the worst-case scenario. We’ve gone through all sorts of conceived outcomes and ideas on how we can get through as quickly as possible. So far, we haven’t come up with a workable plan. It’s either too risky or demands too much of the members. We swore to protect them; we fail to do so if we force them into a situation they can’t handle. The discussion begins to become more and more frustrated between them. It’s time to finish for the day now. I know it’s just going to be fuss and disagreement between them; it isn’t something we have time for right now.

“Okay, everyone, take a few hours of sleep before we continue this. None of us can reason when we’re tired. Our brains need rest if we’re going to solve this. Go to bed,” I say firmly.

“Yes, alpha,” they answer in unison.

They leave me at the big tree, and I let out a loud sigh. How the hell am I supposed to be able to assure their safety?

The same way you always do, think logically.

It’s Lisa. We talk on a regular basis now, almost every day.

How am I supposed to get them to let us through unharmed?

I know that she means well, but it’s not easy to think right now.

Try to talk with them, maybe they even want to join, and if they don’t, you can command them to leave you alone.

She closes the link after that. It isn’t a stupid idea at all. What’s ridiculous is that I didn’t think about it myself! I need to talk to Michael and Luis about this. Of course, I’ll be the one who goes in first. I’ll be able to order the rogues because they’re werewolves, but not any other creatures that live there. Even if I’m the werewolf queen and alpha of every other werewolf, I can’t order a vampire, for example, to follow my wishes. Besides, both witches and vampires are vicious creatures who live on destroying other people. They are not a safe bet.

It’s sunrise when I wake up from my dreamless sleep. I must have fallen asleep before I could go back to the others. My shoulders and neck don’t like where I slept; it’s evident given how stiff I feel. The grass holds tiny drops of water from the damp night that just passes. Apart from a few snorings farther away, it’s all quiet and serene. Even the birds aren’t awake yet. The sky shifts in a pinkish-orange color; it’s undoubtedly a gorgeous morning. It’s just sad that we’re going to have to spend this glorious day fleeing for our lives through the wilderness. I get up off the ground and tiptoe towards my closest men. It’s a shame that I have to wake them up now when they look like they’re sleeping deeply, but I’m afraid I don’t have a choice. We’re working against the clock here. I gently push them, and they react instantly; I hold my index finger to my mouth, indicating that they should be silent. Without protesting, they get up and follow me away to the tree.

“Good morning, gentlemen. We have a long day ahead of us and must start planning immediately,” I say quietly so as not to wake the others. “I have an idea of how we can get through the land peacefully.”

Strategically, I argue for my plan and the different possibilities we have. I weigh advantages against disadvantages and give instructions on who’s responsible for what. They agree with me all the way that my plan is going to work... Until I mentioned that I’m going in first, alone.

“What!? Are you crazy? That’s suicide!” Michael exclaims, and he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind completely.

“First of all, think about the volume! The others deserve to sleep a little after everything we force them to endure to get here. Secondly, you know that no one else can take on this mission because there’s no one else who can command them. Lastly, you pledged your loyalty and respect to me. Have you suddenly changed your views on that decision?” I ask in a calm tone.

They look to the ground in shame. Asking such a question is dangerous because it can perceive as challenging the authority of the other. Now Michael is my friend, and therefore I have no plans whatsoever to hurt him. But if it were someone else who wasn’t either my friend, ally or part of my pack, then I would have attacked without blinking.

“Sorry, alpha. I didn’t mean to underestimate you. If you think this plan will work, I’ll stand behind you all the way,” Michael says, and he really looks sorry.

I know that he only wants me to be safe and if I go in there alone, neither he nor Luis can protect me. They pledged to do just that, protect, now when they can’t; they go against an ancient bond. That isn’t easy, believe me, above all not, because I’m their queen.

“I understand your concerns, but I promise you that I’ll handle this in a good way so we all can be at our new home by tonight. Okay?” I ask with a smile on my lips.

Michael smiles back at me and sighs; he knows that I’m stubborn and won’t give up until we reach our destination. He hugs me close to his body and relaxes when I embrace him back.

“When will you be going?” Luis asks; we break apart from the hug, and I turn towards him.

“Everyone needs to be awake and rested. I can’t predict how much time we’re going to have; that’s why everyone needs to be ready to run for their lives. You, Michael, are responsible for keeping Clare alive and safe. She’s slowly healing, but not enough to be able to run. Luis, you’re responsible for getting everyone over the border safe, be prepared to fight. Sam and Thomas will help you if needed. If I’m not with you after an hour, you’ll continue without me. Don’t hesitate. I’m giving you both a big responsibility, and I hope that you’ll honor my orders.”

“Yes, alpha,” they answer in unison.

“Good, wake everyone up and make sure they get something to eat. I’m going to talk to everyone in 45 minutes.”

They nod their heads and walk back to our camp. Now when they’re gone, I can finally breathe. I don’t want them to worry about me, the others are more important, but I’m terrified about what’s going to happen; I walk for a couple of minutes and make sure that no one is nearby before my tears fall down my cheeks. This may be the last time I have the opportunity to talk to my mates, and I’m not going to throw it away. With shaking fingers, I dial Henry’s number. One tone... Two tones... I’m about to hang up when he suddenly answers.

“Hello, who’s this?” Henry’s voice says.

“Henry?” I ask; he’s silent for a whole minute before he starts talking again.

“Aleida?”

“Look, Henry, I don’t have much time. Can you gather the others real quick?”

“Yeah, of course!” he exclaims before going silent again for a couple of minutes while I hear a loud banging noise and voices that ask where I am.

“Henry, can you please put me on speaker?” I ask and hear him push the button; there’s dead silence. “I understand that you’re all outraged and disappointed in me; that’s okay.”

“No, we just want you to come back home. Where are you?” Miliano asks with a broken voice; oh, moon goddess, does this hurt or what?

“I can’t tell you.”

“What do you mean you can’t tell us? Just tell us where you are, and we’ll come to pick you up!” Kian says anxiously.

“Listen, I really don’t have much time. I’m about to do something very dangerous, and I just wanted to say that if anything happens to me, know in your hearts that I love you all. You’ve made my life worth living these last couple of months, and I’m really grateful.”

“Aleida, what the fuck are you doing!?” Nathan yells with sadness.

“JUST LISTEN! I don’t have much more time before I have to go. If I die, promise me that you’ll take care of each other. Kian and Miliano, please don’t fight; you’re going to need each other, no matter the outcome for me. Nathan, take care of Jason. Henry and Killian, you two were the best friends a girl could have. If I survive, we’ll one day meet again. I don’t know the how or the when, but one day I’ll be back with you. Even if I betrayed you when I had to reject you as my mates, just know that the love I feel for you, my mates, would have been there without the bond.”

“Aleida!” Luis yells for me.

“I’m really sorry; I have to go.”

“No, who was that? What’s happening!?” Kian exclaims.

“I’m going into uncharted lands, okay!?” I shout back.

“What!? That’s practically suicide; you can’t just-” Miliano begins, but I interrupt him.

“Sorry, I love you. Bye.”

I hang up the phone, take out the sim card, and break it in half; I stare down at the broken parts in my hands, closing my eyes, feeling the pain, and throwing away the pieces without seeing where they end up. The tears threaten to come, but I push them back; this isn’t the time to grieve. We have business to settle. It doesn’t take long before I stand there in front of my members. They wait patiently for me, their alpha and queen, to start talking.

“Good morning, members,” I greet them.

“Good morning, alpha.”

“Today is an important day. We have figured out during the morning how to get through the wilderness in the best possible way. I’ll walk inside alone and try to locate the rogue alpha; I’ll try to resolve the situation peacefully, but if that isn’t possible, I’m going to order him not to do anything. As you all know, not only do werewolves live in these forests; if you know that, you should also know that even if I am your queen, my power isn’t infinite. I can’t order other creatures that don’t belong to our race to leave you alone; then, I want you to listen to Luis and Michael when I’m not there. They’ll do everything they can to bring you to safety.

“Run in a big group and don’t divide if it isn’t indispensable; if an emergency arises, don’t move away, remove yourself from the flock, and be at least a small group of five. You must help to keep an eye on each other. If you see that a person moves away from the pack, then at least a couple of you will have to accompany that person. We unite until death does us part. If I’m not back in one hour after you’ve taken yourself outside the uncharted land, then you’ll continue without me. Therefore, since this may be my last moment in life, I would also like to thank you for following me during this time, and in such cases, I can die knowing that at least I took you to safety. You’re what matters.

“If you have any questions, please turn to Michael, Luis, Sam, or Thomas. I’ll be going in ten minutes, prepare, and good luck,” I say and then turn around to go check out the border.

Not a sound comes from the forest, and not a single creature dares to show itself. I stomp as loud as I can just because someone, anyone, should hear me and get here. It doesn’t take long before three rogues stand before me and growl.

“I need to talk to your alpha,” I say confidently and use my alpha aura, making them whine loudly because of my atmosphere; they look terrified.

“Shift,” I say, and it only takes a moment before two young men and a little girl standing before me. “Can you please take me to your alpha?”

“We don’t have an alpha anymore,” one of the men says.

“Okay, can I speak to the one in charge then?”

“That would be me,” the same man answers.

“Can me and my pack please walk through this land in peace? We don’t want to fight; I just want these people to get the chance to start fresh,” I say truthfully, while all three of them look at each other before he once again turns towards me.

“You’re her, aren’t you?”

“Sorry, who?”

“Aleida. Our queen and alpha?”

“Yes, yes I am.”

I see his eyes fog for a second before the howls of at least twenty wolves echo through the forest; they’re here in moments.

“We all pledge our undying loyalty and respect towards you, my queen. Please let us follow you...” he says and looks really sad.

“How can I trust you?”

“Because we know your story. Everything from when your parents died until you killed alpha Jonathan’s mate and began your journey to create a pack for those without purpose.”

“Who told you?” I ask, and he laughs.

“The words between rogues spread fast. But I promise, on my honor, that no one will hurt anyone else from your pack,” he says and stretches out his hand.

“Okay, we have a deal,” I take his hand in mine and shake.

I howl loudly, making my new members and my old ones howl with me; I shift, and we run together back towards my pack. They all look calm; it’s evident that they understand that I’ve recruited them. We run for a couple of hours without interruption, and in no time, we’re home. The house from the old pack stands before us, half burned down. I walk towards the grass, and my members stand around me.

“I, Aleida Mendez, alpha of the Blood fangs pack, at this moment claim this territory and will protect it forever from outer threat.”

With those words, we all feel our territory move towards the borders. My members all smile at one another. We have a lot to do if we’re going to rebuild this house and make this a home. But hey, we have all our lives to build our pack up towards the skies. With that thought, I turn around towards my members.

“Blood fangs... It’s my biggest honor to welcome you all home!”

Everyone cheers and laughs with each other. Yes, welcome home indeed. No worries, though, because I will be back.