The tense atmosphere had nearly faded as all of them were now gathered in the living room. Felix was seated on the couch with Mercedes close to his side. He held her close to him as if she would just disappear at any moment. On the other side of the room, Crystal was seated on a single sofa, and Jacob was standing behind her lightly massaging her tense shoulders. Alexa was lying down on the other couch at Crystal's insistence.
She had mixed emotions. She barely made it out alive and so many of her friends died at the hands of a monster. For the first time in her life, she was afraid. She didn't know what to say to Felix because she knew that they barely had a fighting chance against Drakoen.
Mercedes was still in shock and struggling to wrap her head around everything. It's not a small matter at all. She had just learned that the fate of the realm was all on her delicate shoulders. She has barely embraced her true self yet, and now she has a big problem waiting to happen. It was like a child who was expected to just start running before crawling and staggering while trying to walk. It was just too much, but what choice did she have? This was a situation she could not run from or else the people she had come to care for would be in great danger.
Felix noticed she was lost in a daze and squeezed her. She looked at him, and he could see all her fear on her face. That was the last thing he wanted to see.
" Are you okay?" he asked her for the millionth time as he was hoping to get a different answer.
" Yes. I am okay. I'm really okay." She quickly turned away from him so he could see that she was not okay. It was futile because she might have said so, but she didn't look like it.
After a little while of silence, Jacob breaks it by asking the questions that have been on everyone's minds.
" So, what is to be done about Drakoen? We should be coming up with a plan, shouldn't we?" he asked, scanning everyone's worried faces.
" Jacob is right. Felix, we can't hold this off any longer. She needs to be ready or else it's over. We won't even have a fighting chance," Alexa added.
Felix sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. No matter how much he tried to strain his brain, he couldn't come up with a different solution other than the one on the table.
" I hear you, but I don't think she is ready for that, Alexa. I can't take that risk."
That only seemed to rile up Alexa. She couldn't believe that at this crucial moment Felix was choosing to become selfish.
" What are you saying, Felix? No one is ready for this. I wasn't ready, and I lost many of my people. He killed them all, and I could even put a scratch on him. Before us, it was other people who lost their lives and everything they cherished. His power increases every time he kills and after a long time, we have an opponent who has a chance to level up to him. I believe that the moon goddess's blessing is to put an end to bloodshed and endless suffering, but you don't want to?"
Everyone was stunned by Alexa's outburst, but she was right.
" I didn't mean it that way-" Felix tried to say, but Alexa sat up and cut him off.
" I understand your reluctance to put your mate in harm's way, but whether you like it or not, this is her destiny and one she cannot evade. Frankly speaking, the realm is in her hands. She can decide to do something about it or not, but Drakoen will be there, and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants and once he gets it, there will be nothing but ash left in the realm. Everything will be gone and that evil being will establish his wretched domain. Is that what you want?"
Felix was about to reply but this time he was cut off by Mercedes." Enough. That's enough," she paused and took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.
" Honestly, this is all too much. It's confusing and overwhelming and I am scared. All I want right now is to just run away," she pauses again and raises her head to look around. Seeing them all reminded her that she has a family now. One that cares and loves each other. Jacob and Crystal have become a brother and a sister to her, Alexa, even though she rarely comes had become someone important as well. Finally, her eyes landed on her mate.
They have come so far from the moment they met. He was cold and distant and looked like he didn't want anything with her, but now he has changed. He cares, and he loves her as well, even though he has not said it. His warmth and affection make her feel safe and welcomed into this new life of hers.
" Even though that may be, you all give me the strength that I need. This is all centered around me and even if I run, how long can I run? I don't feel like running away this time. I don't want to ever go through what I went through, and I don't want to be the reason the people I care about die. Not if I can do something about it. It's hard for me to even understand the depth of the situation, but I am willing to do my best if it means I might be able to save lives. I am not ready, but I will try my best to do what I can until the end."
" Are you sure?" Felix asked, with full concern shining in his eyes. She gave him a little and nodded her head.
" I am sure. I will do this no matter what!" she said with full determination. Her attitude changed, and she was filled with newfound confidence. She was still a little scared, but it was only natural. It was only a matter of time before it all went down, but she was sure she wasn't going down without a fight. Not if she could help it. The lives of her family and pack as well as the realm were on the line.
" I am glad to hear that Mercedes. I know this must be a hard decision to make, but I can assure you, this is not your only fight. We are in this together and if our maker is willing, we will make it through together. Don't worry," Alexa declared.
" Alexa is right. Even though I don't think I will be of much help, I will try to support you in this. We are a family and this is what families do. They support each other through tough times and celebrate joyous moments," Crystal added, and Jacob nodded in agreement.
" Thank you, everyone. I know with you by my side, I can do anything," Mercedes said with tears on the verge of falling.
" Alright then. Since we have all agreed, I will begin training Mercedes in a week. We don't have much time before D-day so we must utilize whatever time we have wisely. Mercedes get ready. You are about to discover how much power you possess and why you are special. Rest assured, no matter how powerful you are, I won't go easy on you," Alexa said with a smirk appearing on her lips. Mercedes took a deep breath before nodding her head.
" Sure. I never expected you to go easy on me, so bring it on!"