Shatter

15. The Future Of Everything

   As our blades connect and it's live or die, it almost feels like we froze in time for that split second. Staring face to face and that look of the killer we are inside showing clear on our faces. Then everything happens in the blink of an eye. I'm not really sure what happened until I snapped out of it and looked around. The council is dead but my mom and sister are looking at me with a terrified look. We won, shouldn't they be happy? Then I looked down and saw what they were looking at. I had a big gash in my side and blood was running down my body. 

   "Luna!" That was the last thing I heard as my mother and sister ran towards me, then everything went dark....

   I'm guessing my mother stitched me up and healed the wound as much as she could. We must have been in the mansion still. I woke up two hours later and sat up in a panic, which was a big mistake.

   "Son of a!" I looked down at my side and remembered. Right, that happened.... wait, where are we? I looked around and everyone was staring at me.

   "Luna! I was worried you wouldn't wake up for a while. Are you ok? I heal it as much as I could." My mother comes up and hugs me. 

   "I'm okay. Is everyone else okay? How many people did we lose...?" I looked around the room quickly looking for missing faces. 

   "Honey we can talk about that later, I-."

   "No, now. How many?"

   She sighs and looks at me. "Four of Jake's pack, and five of our people. The others that were against us are in the dungeon until we figure out what to do with them."

   I sigh and stand up looking at all of them. "I'm sorry for the loss of those who died tonight. But they will be remembered and we all changed things tonight. I was honored to be the one you followed for something so important and I hope you future queen will continue what we started here." 

   Jake walks up to me, puts a hand on my shoulder and looks into my eyes. "Luna, look around you and look at what you did. To everyone here and seeing what you're doing, you're already a queen to us. I know it's a lot to take on and it will be hard, but you're a strong woman and a born leader. So just think about taking throne, if not for yourself then for everyone here." 

   He backs up and I look at everyone, it's strange how it feels now. Do they all see a queen standing here? I look back at Jake and as I do, he kneels bowing his head. All the others follow his lead and that's when it really hit. But could I be a good queen?  I sit down feeling lightheaded and overwhelmed. They all stand back up and look concerned. I look at Jake and he knows I need space.

   "Alright everyone, let's give Luna some space." They all leave except my mom and sister. 

   "I don't know what to do. I'm not a queen, I couldn't be... Right?" I look at them knowing they're who I need to talk to about this. 

   "Well, what Jake said was true. And we would always be here to help you. But in the end, only you know if you're ready. And it's perfectly fine if you're not. But you have so many people that believe in you. They showed you that tonight but just think things over and when you're ready, decide." My mom hugs me and gives me her smile that says everything will be okay. My sister does the same and they go join the others.

   A half hour later, Ash shows up with the boys. I talk to him alone about everything and what it would mean for him being a human in this world.

   "Ash, this would put you at risk of anyone who disagrees. You're not a vampire or a werewolf and if they attacked you, then what? I won't always be with you or be able to protect you."

   "What if I became one? Then I could protect myself. Luna, you're not alone in this and I'll do what it takes to be a part of your world. You would make an amazing queen."

   "I don't know, that's a lot to ask of you..." I sigh and he comes up to me pulling me into his arms.

   "I offered, you didn't ask and I'd be gaining so much more than I'd give up."

   "You're absolutely sure this is what you want? What would you choose, vampire or werewolf?"

  "Yes I am and werewolf because I could help you bring them together better that way."

I sigh and hug him knowing he's right and this would keep him safer than being human. "Alright, I'll ask Jake to do it as soon as you're ready."

   "I'm ready now, then you can take the throne with be beside you. I know for sure this is what I want and I know you're ready for this."

A half hour later me, Jake, Ash, my mom and siblings are in the throne room. Me getting ready to become queen and Ash about to become a werewolf. I kiss him and hug him tight before we part ways. Life really can change fast, I just never thought it would be this fast.