“Come on.”
We run back to camp. People stare at us, the people who have stayed. I feel like they are waiting for something. The tension mounts. Legion jumps at Bear, tackling him hard to the ground.
Bear fights, rearing up, lifting the omega, but Mordecai, Cadel, and Jarek join the fray, holding him pinned. He fights, straining against them, but he can’t break free.
“What are you doing?” Bear hisses.
“He will be killed on sight,” Legion murmurs. “The world needs him. So says the silver-haired woman from my dreams. She told us exactly what would happen if Bear wasn't there.” Legion leans down, staring at him intently. “What is a pack if you’re the only one left?” he murmurs to Bear.
The alpha’s eyes widen.
“Listen to the dreams, Bear. You need to do exactly what she tells you. For once in your life, have faith in something you can’t see.”
I jolt, staring at him hard. “You dream as well?”
He nods and strokes Bear’s face. “My brother, it was an honour to fight beside you. Live long and make this world a good one.”
Why does that sound so much like goodbye?
Bear’s eyes widen, stricken.
“Thank you, Brother,” Mordecai whispers. “It was unforgettable. No matter what happens, remember we chose you. We believe in you to make this world great again.”
Bear fights in silence, his eyes furious, but they force his mouth open and pour a liquid from a vial into it, forcing his jaw closed and holding his nose until he swallows.
It takes effect in minutes. He goes sleepy and limp, and then he’s out completely. He looks dead.
“He will live,” Legion reassures us. “Just a drug; it will keep him out long enough to save him.”
They drag him to a place in the camp that I haven’t seen before. It’s got a grass-woven screen, and behind it are a couple of bodies. I choke, holding my nose at the smell. They lay Bear down and pull the bodies on top of him. Carefully making sure he can still breathe but hiding his face.
I take one look at the Resistance leader, wondering what good he’s going to do for the world, but I’m almost relieved my involvement ends here. Now all that’s left to do is wait for the Beta’s Path to come and kill us.
I hear a sob and turn to find Cadel leading a shaking and white Mia towards us.
“Mia!” Legion says in anguish. “No! What are you doing? We can still get her in the—”
“It’s too late; they are here,” the old alpha says. “Listen to the way the valley echoes. We live or die by the choices of our enemies now. It has been an honour to live and die beside you.”
I turn and take his hand. “Elder,” I say respectfully.
He turns to me and smiles, and, to me, it seems like he’s both old and young. “Trust your instincts, young moon. We remember the old ways. We remember who you are.”
Memories surface, rising like an incoming tide but vanish just as quickly.
I gasp, but it’s swallowed by the sound of the Path rushing in. Black material, black masks, angry shouts.
The Resistance cries out, screaming, recoiling in fear.
The old man is snatched away, our fingers breaking apart. As I watch on, pulling against Cadel, five swords plunge into his chest. His mate rushes them and is struck down with a blow that opens up his thigh to the bone. He falls and lies there, staring at his lover.
They are merciless.
I draw a sword but stop when I see the Warden with an arrow aimed right at my chest. I’m tempted to just swing it anyway and to hell with his threats, but he slowly moves the arrow to Mordecai.
I glare at him and slowly hold out my arm and drop the sword. Mordecai whips around, and because he’s watching, Jarek and Cadel are, too. One by one, they lay their weapons down and stand beside me.
Legion is shoved into me. I catch him and hold him to me, preventing him from darting out again.
