Chapter 20

My hands trembled as I climbed out of my Land Rover. I’m sure the news had reached my mom, Darren, and Kelly, but I knew I still had to explain it to them myself. I also knew how they would react.

They weren’t going to like the news very much.

Weston noticed me stall. “Ells,” he said, grabbing my trembling hands. He kissed my palms. “You’ll do fine. Your family has always been understanding. Do you want me to come in with you?”

I shook my head. “I think I should do this on my own,” I said. “It’s a family issue.”

“Okay, if you need me, I’ll be in the car.”

I nodded, pecking his lips. Walking towards the double doors, I started spacing out. I was forgetting what exactly I was going to tell them.

We all knew how it felt to tell our families harsh news. Either it be a failing grade, a boy friend or girl friend you weren’t allowed to date, cracking your mother’s favorite glass bowl. In this case, I was practically telling them I might die and I wanted to see them before that happened.

I didn’t want Weston to come with me inside. Many things could go wrong. Darren would probably rip his head off for letting me fight in this fight. My mother would probably do the same. Weston would cause a riot in my house and that was something I shouldn’t have to worry about at a time like this.

“Hey guys, I’m here,” I yelled out when I finally opened the doors.

I heard footsteps running down the stairs hurriedly. I looked up and saw Kelly, her blonde hair bouncing as she ran down the stairs. She looked at me and pointed a finger.

“You are in trouble, missy,” She scolded, folding her arms across her chest. “Your brother is so not happy with you. Please tell me you refused to join this fight.”

I looked down at my feet, shaking my head slowly. “Oh dear lord,” Kelly gasped. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“I’m – “ I began, but an intimidating male voice interrupted me.

“Daniella Jean,” My older brother called out. I flinched at his unhappy tone. He stomped down the stairs and stood next to Kelly. He folded his arms across his chest. “Explain now.”

That’s what I liked about Darren. He always made me explain before he scolded me right away. He heard me out before deciding whether he should scold me, wave it off, or reassure me he wouldn’t tell our parents.

“There’s not much to say. I’m sure you heard about what is going to happen tomorrow,” I shrugged. “I’m going to stand with the packs.”

“No,” Darren finally said, making it seem like there was no room for discussion.

“Darren,” I sighed. “I have to do this. I’m doing this for you guys.”

“Danny, mom is injured badly because of me. If I allowed you to walk into danger, I will not forgive myself if you were harmed. I cannot afford to watch you suffer.”

“And I will not forgive myself if I didn’t try,” I snapped back. “Darren, whether you allow me to or not, I will stand there and I will do this for our family. There is no way you could change my mind.”

His shoulders slumped tiredly, before he sighed heavily. “You’re not going to,” He said through clenched teeth. His hands balled up into fists. “I’ll take your place, Danny! I don’t want you risking life. You’re so young.”

“You’re two years older than me!” I screamed at him, trying to reason with him. “Darren, you’ve fought for our family so many times. It’s my turn. You stay here and take care of mom.” I walked up to him and threw my arms around my brother’s shoulders. “I’ll be fine,” I whispered. “I promise. You guys are my motivation.”

As I hugged him, he was stiff. I could tell he was caught in an internal battle. After a few more reassuring words, Darren’s shoulders slumped and he wrapped his arms around me. “I trust you, Danny,” Darren said. “But I’m sorry. I can’t approve of this.”

“I know,” I smiled, pulling back. “I knew you wouldn’t approve and I know you will never approve.”

“If you don’t come out of there alive,” His voice trembled. “I don’t know what I will do.”

“I will come out of there alive,” I whispered. “If I don’t, just know you are the reason I’m this tough today. I cannot express my gratitude. I’m so blessed that I have you in my life. You taught me so much. I love you, big brother.”

“I love you too, little sister,” he replied solemnly.

“Hold your head up high and smile,” I recited the speech that Darren always told me when I was younger. “Stand up tall and remain strong. You are strong.”

Although it wasn’t funny, Darren chuckled and ruffled my hair. “You too, Danny.”

“I’ve always admired your bravery,” Kelly sighed and hugged me tightly. “Please be careful. You’re like the younger sister I’ve never had. I can’t imagine life without you.”

“Kells, you’re like the older sister I’ve never had,” I smiled. “Take care of Darren. I’m glad he has you. He’s so busy worrying about everyone else and at the end of the day, you’re the one holding your arms wide open for him. Thank you for everything you have done for this family.”

After a few more words with my brother and his wife, I headed up to my mother’s room. Darren told me she had heard the news and she wasn’t happy about it. My hands were clammy as I turned the knob and entered her room.

She was doing so much better. Her skin had her natural glow back. Her eyes didn’t droop so much. She didn’t look as sick as the last time.

When she saw me, she dropped the remote of the television. She stared at me with broken eyes. Before she even said anything, her shoulders started shaking as she sobbed into her hands.

“Mom,” I whispered. I sat by her on the bed, hesitant.

We could all agree on one thing. It was hard to see your mother cry. It broke your heart. You didn’t know what to do and before you knew it, you were crying with them too.

My tears streamed down my face as I slung an arm across her shoulder. “Mom,” I said once again.

“Danny, you are not going out there,” She cried. “I will not let my baby get hurt!”

“Mom, plea –“

“You will listen to me, understand?” She scolded, gripping my arms in her hands. “Please don’t this to me.”

“I’m not doing this to intentionally hurt you, mom. I’m doing this for you guys. I’m fighting for my family, for my pack, for everything that is right.”

“This is not right! You could be dead in a second!”

“I know.”

“You know? So why are you going to do it?”

“I have to,” I whispered, feeling so small under my mom’s angered eyes.

“You don’t have to! We’ll all be fine if you just avoid the fight.”

“Mom, one thing you’ve taught me was to never run away from my problems. I refuse to do that now. I will not bail on my friends.”

“They’ll understand! They have to!” My mom’s sobs grew louder, causing a tight pain in my chest.

“You have to understand, mom,” I sighed. “Please. I have to do this.”

I sat there with my arms wrapped around my mother’s small frame. I cried as she sobbed into my shoulder, clutching me closer to her. Of course, nothing could convince her.

“I have to protect my baby,” She bawled.

“Mom, I’m at that age where it’s my responsibility to take care of you. It’s my turn.”

My mom kept demanding that I stay here with her. She kept scolding me. In the end, she was angry with me. However, she told me that she loved me and that I had better come home alive.

It was them who gave me the motivation to stay alive. They were the reasons – along with Weston and my friends – that I promised myself to walk out of there alive.

I just hope luck will be on my side tomorrow.

As I descended down the stairs, I saw Beau coming up. He gave me a small smile, ruffling my hair. “Hey, cous,” He said with an overly cheery tone.

Beau was always good at hiding his true emotions, but I was good at figuring him out. Dancing in his hazel eyes were fear. His fingers tapped against his leg rapidly.

“We’ll be fine,” I reassured, eyeing his fingers.

“Yeah, we will,” Beau chuckled nervously. “After all, we are Wrodes. The Wrodes always make it out alive.”

I knew he didn’t want to talk about it. Beau was more of a thinker than a talker. Therefore, I just smiled and pinched his cheek.

When I finally sat in the leather passenger seat of my Land Rover, I sighed heavily. Weston observed me with calculating eyes before he interlocked his fingers with my own.

“How was it?” he asked.

“Horrible,” I groaned. “I feel bad for doing this to them.”

“I’m sorry,” he said genuinely. “If you don’t want to do this, just tell me. I would understand.”

I stroked his face with his thumb. “I refuse to back down,” I whispered. “I’m doing this for all the right reasons.”

As  I stared at Weston, I couldn’t help but think of the worst case scenarios. What if I lost him? I heard mates go through depression when they lose their other half. I knew I wouldn’t be able to cope with it.

I chose to ignore it and focus of the present. We had to enjoy every precious minute in life while we had it. We all take advantage of time. We never do realize how short life is until it’s over.

I closed my eyes and pecked his lips.

“I love you, Weston.”

“I love you too, Danny.”