70. A Warning
ZAIA. “Sebastian!” I scream as I pull away and rush to his side the moment he falls to his knees. He’s bent over, a hand on his chest and from the groan that leaves his lips, I know he’s in a lot of pain.
I drop to my knees in front of him, my own heart thumping violently as I push him gently back and cup his face.” Bastien? Sebastian? Talk to me!” I whisper with urgency. The wind around us is whipping faster and I brush his hair back. He’s feeling so hot…
Has he over-exerted himself? He opens his eyes which are blazing the colour of his wolf’s and for a moment it’s like he’s unseeing, as he stares vacantly ahead.
“Bastian?” I whisper. He slowly frowns and looks at me for a second, before he topples forward, his head hitting my shoulder.
“Fuck.” He groans. I wrap my arms around him looking around the gathering. Jai rushes over.
“Seb?” He mumbles something incoherent before his body gives way completely, making me land on my behind with a thump.
A blush coats my cheeks when his face buries itself between my breasts, but before I can even move him, Jai pulls him back.
“I got him, Luna.” He murmurs as he hoists Sebastian’s arm over his shoulder. “Thank you, Jai, take them home.” “I will go too.” Mom states.
“Fine…” I say. I’m not sure why she’s offering. She never really cared for him. She looks at Sebastian before her eyes meet mine, and she turns away.
“Take him to the house,” Dad says the kids were safe with security and the housekeeper, but I think I’ll be happier when Jai will be there too.
I look back at Atticus and Valerie. Valerie looks confused as she keeps looking at the sky where the symbol had appeared. What was that?
I feel strange too… almost as if I’ve been jump-started or something. There’s more energy rippling through me. The crowd is still staring in shock at the three of us, some in awe and others now look a little suspicious.
“What was that, Alpha Hugh?” someone asks, making the others fall silent. “That was a miracle,” Dad replies as he observes the three of us.
Of course, he always entertained me, but to actually believe in such things is not his cup of tea… but we had all seen it. We saw how it had appeared. It was beautiful… magical and mind-blowing.
We all saw the Triquetra symbol appear out of nowhere, no one can deny that. There is no way someone could deny what is right before their eyes. “It’s a trick! That’s just not possible. Are we being played?” someone says.
I frown slightly, looking over at the person who has spoken. “This is not a play, but the truth,” I say. “And what was that voice that said the something was completed? The tri…. something,” another asks.
“The Sublime Triquetra.” Gaspard says quietly. There goes my plan to weed out those who were leaning more to the Sable… my eyes meet Gaspard’s and there’s something within him that has changed.
“Yes… it seems I am part of the Sublime Triquetra…” I say hesitantly. “I mean, how did that happen? I had a choice, correct?”
He smiles slightly and lowers his head. “Your heart chose,” he replies before he glances into the trees. There’s something off about him….
“What exactly do you mean, chose?” Valerie asked. “There are two Triquetras, each one chosen to handle the wrongs of our people in different ways,” I explain.
“Meaning, the Sublime, – us, will teach people of our goddess, our roots and aim to reconnect with our wolf spirits. And then, there’s the Sable Triquetra? They will destroy us all and leave only a handful of devout believers to rekindle our race. Alpha Zaia could have chosen either of the two paths and she has chosen the path of kindness and love.” Atticus says, his voice ringing in the air.
Everyone seems to let the words sink in and everyone seems to be listening. “But there is a problem,” Atticus says, now looking at me before he steps forward so everyone can see him properly.
A problem?
“What is it?” I ask. “Although it is our duty to protect, help and show people the correct path, there are those who will want to destroy us and the chance we are offering. Therefore, we need everyone to stay united, and it would be better if everyone tries to connect with their wolves.”
I frown at Atticus’s words, my heart thundering. “What do you mean?” I ask, how did he miss mentioning this part when he told me?
Sure, I know they are dangerous and want me gone, but now that the Triquetra is complete….
“I’m afraid, now that you have chosen your side, they will try to eliminate us all. They would have seen the symbol… or the news would have gotten back to them.”
Fear rushes through those gathered, and I raise my hand.
“We have not done anything intentionally, and we will work on becoming one with our wolves again. We will remember Selene, her blessing and her gift. Nothing will happen to anyone.” I promise.
A promise I’m not sure holds completely true, will I be able to protect them from everyone? I’m not so sure, but I will try my very best. “But even you yourself, Alpha Zaia have faced near death several times.”
“It’s complicated… but please, rest assured, we are going to figure this out.” I say loudly, “For now you may go home. I wanted everyone to know the truth and the rest… we will handle. I promise!”
There are murmurs flitting through the crowd, and I turn my attention to Atticus. I’m pissed off. He had apparently forgotten to share that little tidbit with me. The whispers of the people reach my ears.
“Even the woman in the wheelchair was attacked… who will be able to protect us?” “The Alpha is going to be leaving too.”
“Allow me to explain,” Atticus says to me. “Later.” I manage to reply. I don’t expand on my retort, absolutely seething as I stare back at him. Absolutely livid.
It’s an hour later, and we are back home as I glare at Atticus. “It was not necessary to tell them!” I growl. “You left that part out when you told me.”
Atticus sighs, massaging his temple. Dad and Valerie are also here, and I’m trying to keep my voice down so the children aren’t disturbed.
“Calm down, Zaia. I told you they would hurt you. I told you they were dangerous. It’s not like I lied to you.” “But you never said that once I pick a side that it will cause war.”
“War is inevitable. People who are believers will want those who have forgotten the goddess, dead.” I sigh heavily. “They aren’t complete, the Sable Triquetra is not complete…” It’s all that is currently giving me hope to continue.
“Not yet.”
“And they cannot be, because I chose my side,” I say. Atticus looks down, clearly conflicted. ” They say that when you pick your side, and the Triquetra is formed, then both Triquetras shall be completed. That part has always unnerved me. How can both be completed?”
“Great, now you say that!” I exclaim unhappily. “Maybe I’m just paranoid. Not everything we read or know might be correct.
My mind is thinking the same though. After all, wasn’t I the point needed to complete one or the other? Maybe it is nothing, but one thing I do know is we can’t risk it either.
“Look I’m sorry. Get some rest. We’ll talk properly tomorrow.” Atticus says, patting my arm when he stands up.
I frown, but he’s right. Now that we are part of the same Triquetra, it means I can trust him and we need to work together going forward.
After Atticus bids farewell and takes his leave, I re-enter the lounge where Dad looks lost – deep in thought. “Dad, are you alright?” I ask concerned, he looks so tired. He looks up at me before staring at the floor.
“There’s something Melanie said that comes back to me, remember that day in your room, the day she said the Triquetra is needed to purge the world of our kind who has forgotten our creator…” He’s frowning, deep in thought, as he combs his fingers through his short beard. “And that sounds like which triquetra?”
I frown, wondering what he’s pointing towards. Purge the land…
“The Sable Triquetra.” I reply, wondering where he’s going with this. Valerie is listening, even if she missed a lot, she’s sharp and I can tell she’s paying attention and that is something we can use. Her wit.
“Exactly, then she carried on to say, Repercussion, Retribution and Redemption, whereas the Sable Triquetra includes Rebirth and Revenge. I will not be speaking to her again as she can’t tolerate me… but I would advise you to keep an eye on her. You are going to the Dark Hollow Falls Pack. I can’t be there with you… so, please. Take care of yourself, for me and everyone else.”
My heart aches at those words. I will miss him, but I simply nod. Mom has been giving him and me a cold shoulder ever since earlier….
My face remains calm and emotionless; not wanting to worry Dad, but it’s the opposite of what I am feeling inside.
Unease is settling into my stomach and it’s growing. “So you think she knows more than she’s letting on?” I ask.
But even as I say the words, it’s obvious that the possibility of that being true is extremely high. After all, she has lied far too many times already… and although it is something I don’t even want to think is a possibility, I have to face the facts. But if mom does know about it all, her living amongst us could be….
Extremely dangerous.
