The Gate of Shadows

After the flares died, everyone took a deep breath and stepped forward to discuss everything known. Even though everything sounded like a fantasy, Melody could back up what I said, as most of it was undeniable.

The boys had no choice but to take everything at face value, no matter how ridiculous it appeared, especially with all the events. Undoubtedly, the rogue witches got a new type of indisputable wolfsbane.

Throughout the entire conversation, I couldn’t take my hands off Fenris. He also held me back, never wanting to be separated from me again. I would find my way to him if I weren't with him.

An hour went by when Amara came into the room again. This time, she was jumpier than the last time, and it wasn’t because of how she had found us previously. When Fenris asked her what was wrong, she pointed towards the outside of the cabin.

"There are a lot of angry Lycans outside. Most of them won’t listen to reason, and they’re demanding Lilith's head." Amara announced.

“What?” Liam rushed outside.

Melody stayed in the room with us, shifting her eyes towards me.

"For what reason do they want her?" Fenris questioned, holding me tighter to his body.

His grip on me was almost smothering, yet I didn’t mind it.

"From what I heard. They believe we could’ve saved all the Lycans she released. They don’t listen to me when I tell them it was the same as the night of the explosions. My squad keeps them outside, but their numbers are growing." Amara informed, warily glancing back outside.

Shade climbed onto Fenris's shoulder, huffing, “I’d eat anyone who ever tries to harm, my Lily!”

"I’ll speak with them." My wolf sighed while I clung to him dearly, never wanting him to leave me behind again.

"No... I don’t want to be away from you!" I protested, shaking my head.

"No, Lily, stay here. We can be pretty dense, but don’t worry, I’ll make them listen." He reassured me, yet I kept my hold on him.

You’re never leaving me behind again!

"No! Maybe I can say something, too. After all, I euthanized their family members; I know why they’re angry at me." I tried to sway Fenris.

Before he could say anything to protest, Amara stepped forward.

"Lilith... all you did was make a choice that had to be made, and it was a hard one that few could do. Lycan sedatives didn’t affect them either. There was no other way but to end them violently. You found a way to make their deaths peaceful." Amara began catching everyone's eyes.

Even though she was trained to save lives, she knew when there was no hope. In her eyes, she viewed what I did not as a crime but as a kindness.

"I wasn’t here when you did it, but some humans witnessed what you did. They are calling you an angel of mercy. This is exactly how I see what happened, too. The ones who weren’t around to be affected by your spell. They ran close to town.” She began clasping her hands into her arms.

“Sadly, most of them ended up tearing into the townspeople and themselves by the end of their mania. The ones we couldn’t hunt down gouged out their eyes and tried to rip out their necks before they expired.” She sighed, biting her lip.

“I doubt the stupid hot-headed Lycans outside would enjoy placing their family to rest with disfigurements or watch them become part of the dead army for that necromancer," Amara stated without veering for a second away from my gaze.

It was almost as if she were thanking me for preventing the pain and suffering of the ones I sent into their eternal slumber.

"Angel of mercy... yes, that’s a very fitting title for you, Lily." Melody smiled, feeling the same way.

Fenris chuckled, "Hm, I’d call her a fairy more than an angel. All those butterflies flying around was a beautiful sight, even bittersweet." He simpered, caressing my cheek ever so tenderly.

I couldn’t believe the words that had escaped their mouths. After all, angels were the messengers of the gods and were portrayed as beautiful, while fairies were gentle beings that rarely interacted with any other living thing.

I can never be anything like that, but... I know I have to face the people who are angry about what I did.

Even though I had stopped their family members from suffering a worse death, I still robbed them of time.

"You... Ah, I think you’re crazier than I am." I mumbled, feeling my chest tighten because of their words.

They were delusional, but I wouldn’t change them for the world.

"Well, I’m not hearing voices in my head like you, but I know what you did for Owen was the mercy he asked for. So... thank you, Lily, for helping our friend find peace." Fenris declared, leaving me open.

Though what I did was close to necromancy, there was no doubt everyone would try to throw the book at me. It surely wasn’t anything to be grateful about.

Ah… You… Why are you always… I didn’t do it for… No, I won’t let you deviate from this!

"Well... if we talk about the voices in my head. They demand that you be mine forever and that I stand by your side no matter what. That includes the angry pack of wolves." I pouted.

"Lily, I don’t know." Fenris sighed.

A foolish thought.

There was no holding back what and who I was anymore. Everyone was going to find out. I would become a target no matter what I did, but perhaps if they heard my side, it would be different.

Not everyone will accept me, but if there are more Melody’s out there… Maybe…

"I’ve lived in a world of hate all my life, Fenris. A couple of angry wolves won’t be much different." I assured him.

His conflicted expression let me know he wouldn’t give in that easily, but if he didn’t take me, I would follow even if I had to crawl there. Grabbing his left hand with my right, I connected the two halves of the moon, smiling at him.

If what you said was true—that I’m your world—then… I won’t allow you to leave me behind.

"I want to live with you. Next to you... not behind you." I added.

My words triggered Fenris to pull me into a light kiss before tugging away from me and smiling.

"So, demanding. Hah, keep showing me these new sides of you. I love them." He teased, licking my hand.

In response to his playful gesture, I tugged on his ear when he leaned in to lick my lip, too. Shade jumped onto his head.

“Dumbass wolf, you aren’t alone here.” She huffed.

Melody skittishly glanced away. Amara appeared to study us instead of being flustered by our show of affection.

“Yeah, yeah. I just…” Fenris rolled his eyes at Shade.

"Don’t worry, little wolf, she has me too," she announced, pawing his hair.

A small chuckle left his lips when he grabbed her, placing her between us.

"You seem just to cause more mayhem than help Shade. Maybe a little less bloodthirsty this time around?" He sighed, eyes narrowed with a slight frown on his lips.

"If a mortal wants to die by my hands, why should I deny him or her? I won’t discriminate!" The little cat declared.

I pressed my hand on her head, slightly squishing her onto the bed. She huffed up again, puffing up her hair. I shook my head, scuffing up her head.

"Shade..." I trailed off.

My tone caused her to freeze, slowly glancing at me. I returned her gaze with another scruff.

"Sorry! I’ll be a good girl!" Shade complained, slightly purring.

I giggled, picking her up into my arms before noticing her collar wasn’t around her neck anymore. She had always worn the one that Fenris picked for her all those years ago, but with all the fighting, it had been torn off at one point.

"Ah... you’re missing your collar," I mumbled.

Fenris stood up from the bed, reaching to help me. "Don’t worry, we can choose one for Shade after we leave here." He simpered.

I grabbed onto his hand, only to be tugged up by him. Shade jumped onto my shoulder.

"You mean to go into town?" I asked, clinging to him.

My legs were shaky, and what we had done before didn’t help my cause, either. Ever watchful, Fenris noticed the weakness of my legs. Clearing his throat, he tried one last time to sway me.

"Yeah... But focus on what’s on hand unless you don’t want to go into the wolf's den." He tried to convince me otherwise one last time.

I huffed, just like Shade had done before.

"No, take me with you!" I pouted, clasping him.

Never again apart.

He sighed again, failing to take me away from my current course. He turned around, getting on his knees, gesturing for me to mount him for a piggyback ride. I couldn’t protest since going outside in my current condition would have been impossible.

Yes… together… towards our future.