The sickening sound and sight made some throw up on the spot. Kaelen held the boy’s lifeless body in the air until he allowed it to fall to the ground in a sickening thud. Luckily, I acted quickly and managed to shield Lily from the gruesome sight.

Kaelen’s red glowing eyes scanned the crowd wildly, and in that moment, no one dared make a sound.

"If we are to survive against the Nyx pack, then we must fight. I’m leaving tomorrow at dawn. Any man who wishes to fight to protect his family rather than wait around for death, join me!"

With that bold declaration, he marched off. Immediately as he left, the crowd dispersed, with some people going to check on the boy he killed and others rushing home.

I decided to leave. As we left, I noticed Selthia smiling happily beside me.

"Why are you in such a chipper mood?" I asked.

"That’s because I figured it out," she grinned happily. "You planned all of this, and I know why."

"Hmm, why?" I asked, curious to see what answer she came up with.

"You want Danzo to kill Kaelen. That’s why you planned everything that happened a while ago."

"Wait, that doesn’t make any sense," Isabella quickly refuted. "Kaelen was already planning to attack the Nyx pack when we arrived home the other night. If he wanted Kaelen to be killed by Danzo, then he wouldn’t have needed to intervene. So what was the point of all of this?"

Indeed, Isabella was correct. If Kaelen was going to attack Danzo anyway, then I didn’t need to intervene. But as it stands, things were much, much more complicated than that. Everything that happened here was absolutely necessary for what was going to take place in the future.

Of course, this is only if things happen the way I predicted them to.

"I’m still working on it," I answered. "If it works out, then you’ll get your answers."

On our way back home, I lifted Lily from around my neck and handed her to Isabella.

"The two of you take Lily back home for me. I still have something I need to take care of."

The two of them looked at me curiously wondering what I was up to. I guess it was quite obvious that I was trying to get rid of them. Still, they didn’t make a fuss and took Lily from my arms and left.

I waited until they were far enough away before I turned to where I wanted to go.

...

Just a few short minutes later, I arrived at my destination: the hunting lodge. I hadn’t seen Nyra since I had been back. I thought it was about time I spoke with her, especially since I heard her condition has been getting better.

Immediately as I arrived, I spotted the other boys outside the lodge fishing.

"Liam, you’re here," Garrick said. "I was actually planning to send for you. The truth is that we need the extra help around here."

"I came to see Nyra. Where is she?" I asked.

"Um, she’s inside, but I don’t think she is strong enough to accept visitors. Besides, as I was saying..."

Since I got my answer, I walked off without bothering to listen to what Garrick was trying to say.

I went into the lodge and found Nyra sleeping in her room. She was thin and frail from the poison. Her heartbeat was low, as if she could die at any moment.

I took a chair and sat beside her, watching her chest slowly rise and fall. Her lips were dried and cracked.

I swept away her hair, which was partially covering her face, and that’s when she opened her eyes.

"Liam," she said my name weakly. "I thought something must’ve happened to you."

"I’m fine. But your condition seems to be getting worse."

"Um, do you remember the promise you made?"

"Hmm, you mean the one about not letting the moon princess harm anyone else?" I answered.

She weakly nodded her head.

"I don’t want anyone else to die from this conflict. I want it to end."

I nodded along, understanding her point.

"But what if the only way for it to end is for more people to die?"

"More people to die?" She asked, looking confused. She then stretched out her slender hand and grabbed mine. "Then make sure their deaths mean something. I am trusting you with this pack. The world has changed; neither Danzo, Roran, nor Kaelen is fit to lead."

"And you think I am?"

She smiled and traced her trembling hand across my face.

"I do think that there is no one better. Something about you makes me believe that. I don’t know what exactly."

I then took a hold of her hand, which was resting on my cheek. I held it firmly as I spoke.

"Just hold on a little longer, Nyra. I believe I can cure you."

She smiled.

"I don’t know how long I can. I’ve pushed my healing trait to its limit. My body is on the verge of giving out any day now. It’s a miracle I’ve managed to hold on for so long."

I took a look at her life-force with my ethereal sight, and she was right. She was dangerously close to death. Her body just couldn’t fight against Sylvie’s poison, but if I could save Sylvie in time, then I could save Nyra too.

"Um..." Just then, her once lifeless face gained a little color. "Could you come closer?"

I looked at the awkward expression on her face, and I couldn’t help smiling. Even while dying, she was a proud woman. She still wouldn’t ask for what she really wanted.

Just then, I got up from the chair and climbed into bed beside Nyra. I hugged her tightly and allowed her to lean against my chest as I gently stroke her hair.

"Thank you," she whispered softly as she began to close her eyes. "You feel so warm. It’s nice."

My body temperature has been running high lately ever since my evolution started.

I spent the rest of the day lying in bed with Nyra until night, then I finally went home.

...

The next day, Kaelen did as he said and gathered men who were willing to follow him. And together, they headed out to war.