Those In The Forest

Part 76: Ivy

It was late in the night, and Reagan was still asleep. The good news was that Bryce finally fell asleep. We were all getting a little worried when she continued to stay up. Now, she was lying with Reagan, sleeping peacefully.

          We all stayed downstairs despite being permitted to sleep outside the door. We thought it was only fair to Bryce to have that time with Reagan, and it would look a little strange to her if she saw us bunched up on the floor.

          The TV was playing The Walking Dead. It was mainly on so that we could remember the times Reagan had to intervene in our fights about how we would survive an apocalypse.

          The sound was barely even on.

          I sat on the floor in front of the coffee table while Hazel sat in Ivy's lap on the couch, and Iris was cradled on the floor with me, her head in my lap.

          Our ears perked up when he heard panting coming from outside. A quick sniff let us know it was just our Elders. A few seconds later, they came in wrapped up in sheets.

          We all turned our attention toward them. "Any luck?" Hazel asked quietly.

          Celia's jaw clenched. "We found the cabin..."

          We all sat up a bit straighter. "And?" I bit the inside of my cheek in anticipation.

          Celia and Karina looked at each other before Karina answered, "There was a hand in what seemed like a cell. The dark complexion of it and the fact that I recognized the smell let me know it was Alans." Karina walked over to the couch and sat down, pulling Celia with her.

          I felt uneasy with that information, but I was also proud. Reagan mutilated him. Good for her.

          "There's more you aren't telling us." Iris pointed out.

          Celia sighed. "We tracked the blood. We still couldn't find him. Gya, on the other hand... her body was torn to shreds on the porch of the cabin."

           I don't think I've ever shivered at the thought of death before. "Reagan's doing?" Rose asked breathlessly.

          Karina nodded her head. "From the smell of it, yes."

          "She won't know how to handle killing someone. Mutilating someone is one thing, but killing..." Celia ran her hand over her face. "She will think she's a monster... this may even drive her to want to kill herself."

          Immediately, we were on our feet. "Then we have to prevent that from happening. Continue to tell her it was self-defense!" I argued.

          Karina shook her head. "She won't see it that way. Part of her is still... human. She has human morals. The transition from human to werewolf is hard, and it will take her a while to fully accept that about herself."

          Celia and Karina know this from experience, I'm assuming. Turning my attention to Celia, I spoke. "You talk to her then. Show her how she can still live a happy life. That she is more than just a killer."

          "I can and I will, but you have to understand, I can say whatever I want. She will still believe whatever she is telling herself. You don't understand because you have seen murder as the only option since birth. For those of us like her and I, it's inhumane."

          "She isn't human anymore, though," Hazel argued.

          "Yes, but she doesn't fully recognize that, though. We have too many things we need to watch out for with her. The healing process for this... for her... it will take a lot. As her mates, I expect understanding and patience. Am I clear?" Celia snarled.