Awakening (2 book series)
Awakening – Following Fate Chapter 79

"Give it up, Luna.... listen to the people. I doubt you can stop them being ready to battle at dawn. Wolves are known to be headstrong when riled. You of all people should know that." Carmen this time, echoes out from the back in that snooty and superior tone which rings true, and I stare at her through watery vision while I shake my head. She knows this isn't what I want, but it seems she too thinks I'm wrong. Ever bold in saying what she thinks, never beats around the bush.

Meadow is silent, Sierra too, and the will of the people are deafening me even in their sudden silence. I'm defeated. I can feel the rebellion around me, that despite seeing me rightfully as their Luna, they are refusing to follow this one command. I know I won't stand a chance ion changing minds, all I can do is make a request. Hope, they listen.

"I won't lead you to death.... but I can't stop you coming. All I can ask is that you be smart. That you think about your skill set and the ones who need you here. Femmes, children, mates... that if you show up to come with me, you know you might not return. Don't come if you know you won't survive it. Don't be a martyr and give your life in vain. Future is as important as the fights we endure today." I have no other way to try and persuade them and I'm grasping at straws, wishing to god Colton was here. He would know what to do, what to say, and god, he would alpha tone them if they continued insisting on this stupid plan. He would never let the word of the pack out rule his decision this way. He would literally make them tremble if they dared question something he ordered. But then, Luna is not Alpha, and her will is soft and gentle, not borne from being a seasoned warrior. Isn't that why they rule as one.

"I know it wasn't the plan, Chica, but with the numbers....... you can't deny it swings things in our favor." Meadow's caving too, seeing the way the packs swaying to protect me, and she can't argue with it because she never agreed to me going in the first place. Tears rolling down my face as I scan all the lowered heads and try to blot out the sea of emotions invading me from all sides. I can no longer tell what's me and what's them but it's draining and I'm suddenly too tired to keep fighting. I want an end to all of this. "I'll be by your side. I'm not staying here.... if you die, I'm dead anyway." Sierra shocks me from behind, her voice stable and strong and a hint of fierce I haven't heard from her before. I spin on her, instantly aggressive in my refusal, forgetting everything else when my world comes crumbling down..

"No.. No!!.... Colton would never forgive me, I will never forgive me, for putting you in danger..... You stay here. You belong HERE! No way, Sierra, you don't get to disobey me too. Not on this. Never!" From low and wounded to sudden harsh and commanding, my tears increase tenfold in sheer pleading and I gawp at her in terror.

Sierra catches my hands and pulls me to her, hushing me as subtle hysteria begins to take over. My lungs constrict in panic at the thought of my adopted mom being out there, among that, fighting her own, getting hurt. Even a scratch, a tiny knock, and it would slice me to a million pieces. I know our lives are bonded but it's not computing in that way in my brain right now.

"Alora listen to me, you can't turn.... Your gifts are weaker... I can feel it. I know each day they dwindle more, you can't hide it from me. I can heal you if anything happens, I can be your safety net..... let me be that while my son can't."

"No." the floodgates open and the emotions spew out, borne of anxiety, the panic immersing me painfully as Sierra tries and hushes my obvious distress. Pulling me to her warm embrace in a hug, her fingers to my face to softly push my hair back, but I fight to stay locked on her eyes and not back down.

"We have babies to protect and a son to bring home..... We're not ready to die and I am NOT leaving my baby out there any longer in the cold dark world without me. I did that for too long, its time I was his mother and brought him home like I should have done ten years ago." Her voice stern, her manner strong. Sierra is different from how she's been these months and has seemed to have found an inner fire. I don't care though; she won't be coming with me.

"Your pack is with you, you have no choice, Luna." Tom invades the podium and rests a hand on my shoulder, bringing my attention back to the front and the sight almost ends me. Wolves crowding closer, tears in their eyes as they huddle together, holding their loved ones and nodding in agreement. The room crowding as those who have been linked of the news push in to show they too offer their support. Space filling until not a tiny inch remains, and bodies are crammed out and spilling into the village around the doors. A hum vibrating through the room and a feeling of unity and acceptance. They're willing to sacrifice all for the good of the pack and tomorrow we won't be two dozen running into the forest, we will be hundreds, whether I want it or not. This is no longer something I can control, and the fates are telling me to let it go. This fight isn't mine alone, and I'm not alone. I haven't been since the day I bonded to Colton and these people became my blood.

"Rest, go home, prepare, decide. Only show up if you won't hinder and only if your loved ones agree. First sun, be at the tree border behind the west rune line." Meadow calls out, dismissing the crowds knowing I will only continue to fight it, and the silence falls heavily as the realization hits everyone that this is really happening. Tomorrow we do something I never thought I would ask of them. We leave the safety of the border; we face off our own, and we mount an offensive on the vampires who have overshadowed us and caused fear to live in our souls for the past six months.

God help us, I hope the fates are paying attention because I could sure use a little help.

They start to shuffle out slowly while I stand like a broken child in Sierra's arms. Overwhelmed and frazzled as my mind finally stops trying to take everything in and I just watch. I have no words left, nothing I can say to sway them. My heart heavier than it's been in a long time, as they go, one by one. Every wolf at the door turns, looks towards me and with a low bow, utters one word.

'Luna'

They then lower eyes to their feet, before turning and leaving. I'm so touched and beyond comprehension at this sign of respect that I don't know how to react except to stand and stare at every face that honors me and leaves. I want to memorize every single one, just in case. While every bowed head and uttered word tears and claws at my insides so that I cover my stomach instinctively and cradle it protectively. Sniffing, gulping in ragged breaths because I'm too consumed with too many emotions to be able to separate them out.

"And here you thought you would never be part of a real pack or a family.... yet here we are." Meadow glides up beside me and slides an arm around my waist to help hold me up as I breath out the painful truth. Taking me from Sierra gently.

"Most of them will die.... We'll lose them." The breathy words stick in my mouth like peanut butter, sliding out in woe, and I have to struggle past the agony to get them out at all. Knowing I shouldn't think it, but it's the truth and I have to be a realist.