Chapter 25: Chapter 25

They wander through the deep,

Dark and scary forest

Unsure of where exactly they should go

They must keep going

‘Cos danger is lurking

And slowing down can be fatal

Even at the sight of solace

Tragedy strikes again

We watch our heroine cry

As she loses one more treasure

- PenaciousShewa

“Let’s keep going, Mum,” Kayola urges her mother as the three of them race through the dark forest. Wanda is beginning to slow down, and who would blame her? She is only human. Coming out of the tunnel was not very easy, but they succeeded. However, now that they are in the vast forest, the only lead they have to follow is Petra’s. She is taking them to a safe place; a place where they will find respite.

Petra transforms into her wolf and promptly carries Wanda on her back. Wanda is her best friend, and she will do anything to protect her. Kayola takes a cue from Petra and also transforms into her wolf, and they keep running as fast as their toes can carry them.

“We are almost there,” Petra announces after thirty-five minutes. Kayola, breathing heavily, slows down and sees a little gate, guarding what looks like a small town. This is definitely not the Rogue Territory. Papa had taken her on a spy mission to the territory of the Rogues, and this is nothing like what she saw on that mission.

She smiles and turns to look at her mother, who is slumped against Petra’s strong back, clearly exhausted from the journey. Kayola catches the scent of blood and starts to sniff the air, trying to decipher where the smell is coming from. It is definitely not a wolf’s, neither does it smell like that of any other animal. At the same time, this whiff is strangely familiar, it smells like…………

Her mother.

Still in her wolf form, she moves closer to Petra and examines her mother, who is still on poor Petra’s back. She howls deeply when she sees the large droplets of blood oozing from Wanda’s back. The poor woman has been shot by an archer, and the arrow must have fallen out of her skin due to the insane speed at which Petra has been running. Wanda is not just exhausted; she has lost consciousness and also, a lot of blood.

“Aunty Petra, Mum has been shot!” Kayola announces to Petra, and the latter replies, “I knew all along, but I did not want to tell you, I knew you would lose it. Quickly, let us go into that city, we will find help there”

They dash into the tiny village and knock on the gate. The guards, on sighting them, immediately usher them in. They carry a half-dead Wanda into the clinic, and the healers attend to her. They battle with her life for hours, while Petra and Kayola wait outside the small clinic, fearing the worst. They hold hands and ask the moon goddess to please mercifully preserve Wanda’s life.

Hours later, at about 3 am, the Chief Healer comes out of the room where Wanda is being attended to. She beckons to the duo and tells them that Wanda is stable, but will most likely expire soon due to the fact that she had been shot with a poisoned arrow, and the poison has eaten most of her cells. On hearing this, Kayola breaks down in tears, and Petra does little to comfort her godchild. Petra herself is devastated by the news of her best friend’s imminent death.

How did life get this cruel? Just a few hours ago, they were having champagne at the ballroom in the Territory, discussing how they would watch Kayola reign as the next Alpha after Milos, and how they would carry her babies, and how they would remain friends. They had talked about their individual struggles, and how they had both lived rough lives, and how being affiliated with the Conscientious Pack had changed their lives for the better.

As she consoles a heartbroken Kayola, the events of the last night flash through her.

Everything was going well until Eutychus had alerted Milos that the Territory gate had caught fire. Everything went downhill from there. There was pandemonium, and she had hidden with Kayola and Wanda under Milos’ large throne. They were under the throne for over forty minutes, or was it just ten? She would never know. They heard the screams of the people as they feared for their lives. They prayed earnestly that Milos and his competent soldiers would be able to fend off the enemies’ attack. Right there, Petra assured Wanda and Kayola that their husband and father would be safe.

Only the heavens know exactly how Adonis was able to find them. He promptly guided them to the tunnel and helped them get into it. He passed Milos’ message to them, and in return, they all told him to tell the Alpha that they loved him. Petra felt so sorry for her friend and godchild, but they had to go, so she immediately told them that she knew a place where they would all be safe.

Where? I guess we will have to find out later.

Not long after they had started running, Wanda whispered to Petra that she had been shot, but that they should keep going. Thus, they both decided to keep it from Kayola; and now, here she is, not anywhere near being comforted at the news that her mother will soon die.

Wanda is such a sweet soul, she always laughs, hardly gets mad, and she has been nothing but a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. She is very free-spirited and a fighter. Although human, she was able to live with werewolves for over twenty-one years. She has loved and treated everyone with respect and kindness and this is what she gets? She is taken down by the cursed arrow of a cursed Rogue archer?

“We have to be strong, baby,” Petra whispers in Kayola’s ears. “It will break your mother’s already weak heart to see you cry like this. We have to stay positive, for her,” Petra continues, tears welling up in her eyes and cascading down her cheeks.

“Aunt Petra, this cannot be happening to us,” Kayola screams softly, her voice cracked from tears and exhaustion. I cannot endure this. First, my grandfather even before I got a chance to meet him, next, my father, and now my mother? What exactly did I do to deserve this?”

Petra, speechless, tries to say something positive, “Your father could still be alive, don’t just conclude that he is dead”

“He is dead! Dead!” Kayola screams again. “I can feel it. I just know it!”

Petra cannot say anything. She looks away from Kayola and sees the Chief Healer as she walks up to them. Something in the healer’s stance tells her that Wanda has gotten worse.

“The patient has asked to see you both,” She says, “I am so sorry, but it could be any time now,”

Slowly and groggily, the dejected duo walks towards the room in which Wanda is, and they enter. They both gasp at the sight of Wanda. She has lost so much weight within a few hours, and her breathing is labored. Her once supple skin has changed to a lighter shade of brown. Wanda weakly beckons to them and they immediately move towards her, one person on each side of the bed.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Wanda says, “I am not dying okay?” She tries to smile but fails miserably.

“Mum………….” This is all Kayola can say before bursting into uncontrollable tears.

“Awwww…my sweetheart, don’t cry. I know I do not have much time left, and that is why I sent for you both. Give me your hands.” She places Kayola’s hand in Petra’s and says, “Petra, remember when I made you promise me that you would take care of my baby and protect her with your life?”

“Yes,” Petra croaks.

“Well, this is the time to fulfill that promise. I am going to rest in peace knowing that my daughter is in your capable hands. You have been a wonderful friend to me, and I am glad I met you.” She turns to look at Kayola.

“My darling, I am going to miss you. I am so sorry it has to be like this. I want you to know that I love you, and I will never forget you, even in death. Never forget my teachings and my words. Take care, sweetheart”

With this, Wanda closes her eyes and her hold on Kayola and Petra’s hands loosens. Kayola screams in agony and Petra once again holds her down. The healers come in and solemnly cover Wanda’s body with a cloth, and they prepare her for burial.

Awwwwww…..this is so sad. I’m crying right now.