Hybrid

Versailles

"You would risk the lives of your men when it isn't necessary?" I ground my teeth.

"Wolves can't be trusted. Every single one of you is a liar," Henry responded with the same force.

"Would you like to hear the truth?" I asked.

"Enlighten me Dylan." Henry gave me the green light.

"I was not born a murderer. I am not the kind of person to take a life, and I don't believe any of these wolves are born that way either. We are simply reacting to what's happening right before our eyes," I said.

"Have those wolves killed people?" Henry asked.

"They haven't gone out of their way to kill humans, only to defend themselves," I argued.

"That's still murder," Henry said.

"You were in the war. You killed humans in the name of defense, so stop being such a fucking hypocrite," I snapped.

The room went silent. I could recognize the trigger finger vibe in the room, and I was sure I pushed the wrong button. I didn't even breathe as I wait for a response, not sure if I would get one.

"I think we're done here," Henry said, giving me the angriest look I've ever seen before.

"I came here with an open mind, but you never gave me a chance." I looked around the room, "I have no intention of killing any of you, but I can already see the day that each of you are dead and buried."

"Get out of my house," Henry snapped.

"I hope you enjoy attending hunters funerals," I snarled.

I left the building, all the hunters glad to get rid of me. Before I had entered Maria's house, I called a meeting of wolves. They were expecting any news, and I hated to give them news of the gigantic failure I had just experienced.

I hung my head low as I entered the meeting. The wolves could all sense that I had bad news, and the room became somber like a wave swept over them.

"I knew it was a long shot, but the hunters have no interest in peace," I said.

"So, we have no choice, it's fight or die?" A wolf asked.

"I really tried, and Maria tried, but her father is a sick man that dreams about the extinction of our kind." I felt my stomach turn and I ran my fingers through my hair.

"You asked Maria for help?" A wolf said, the rage clearly motivating them.

"I know you're all mad, but she was able to protect you for the years she was an alpha, and she was our best shot."

"She had no issue leaving when things got rough."

"You were all so quick to turn on her when you made up your minds, so what did it matter what she did?" I retorted.

"Why are you protecting her?" Luke asked, presenting himself as genuinely curious rather than as one of the malicious crowd.

"The cure didn't work and I think she can come back," I revealed, "She can be a wolf again."

"So?" Luke asked.

"She wants to be a wolf. She regrets leaving more than anything, and if she could turn back time, I think she would. This is killing her," I said, all the frustration leaving my body.

"We don't want her back," A wolf spat.

"Fine. That's your choice," I said, "But she is trying her best to make this right. Give her some credit."

"It's too late to fix her mistake. She should just give up."

"Did you ever know Maria to give up?" I asked.