Chapter 96 Alexander's Anguish

(Arthur POV)

I open my eyes to the sound of screams. "She has come back! The daughter of Adella has come back to kill us all!" I look over to my side. Jacques was now fully awake, shaking his head from the pain I had conjured so he could commune with me.

"Are you alright?" I ask him. I regret causing the pain, however it was the only way I could think of to help him commune. Moon Goddess, take away his pain so he could be focused on his quest, I silently prayed. The light from the moon pulsates after I had prayed and  when I glanced at Jacques, he smiled and gave me a pat on the back. He stood up, concentration on his face. "I'm better now, Arthur." He assures me. " But I need to hide. Hope is back and she wants this spear. If she takes it and destroys it, we will never be able to stop her."

I nod and stand up. "I will lure her here. The light of the moon shines brightly here. Once she is inside the circle, freeze time. Use that moment to pierce her heart." If Hope can sacrifice herself so can I. I am already old and have lived my life. I want the others to continue with theirs.

"Jacques, remember Hope's words. If I am not able to tell them her message, I need you to tell them for me." He nods and hides behind a pillar closest to the circle.

I felt the fortress shake and rocks from the mountain started to fall, hitting some parts of the fortress. Dust fell onto the floor of the Great Hall, creating a haze on the once shiny floor.

"Where is the one with silver eyes? I can not sense him, but I know he is here. Give me the spear and I will let your friends live." I hear the dark voice of The Being. The fortress shakes once again as The Being looks for Jacques.

"Hope, my love, stop this. Let's go home." I hear Alexander try to reason with Hope. The Being laughs and again the fortress shakes even more and I could hear the rumble of rocks falling down and the cries of the wolves trying to flee for safety.

"There is no HOPE. Your mate is gone and will never return." I see Hope's feet from outside the open doors of the fortress. Suddenly, a ball of fire was thrown at the direction of Alexander's voice. I could not see if they were able to hide from it. I could only hear screams. I try to get a better view from inside the moonlit circle to see if anyone got hurt, but Hope suddenly soars in.

"Old man, where is the one with the silver eyes?" Hope asks me, her red eyes glaring and sinister. I stare at her with my mouth open, backing away from her. Every step I make backward, she moves forward. Please, just a little further more.

"Speak!" The Being's voice resonates across the Great Hall, the pillars shook while dust fell from the ceiling above. "I have little patience for games, old man. Where is the one I seek?!"

"I do not know where he is." I try to play dumb knowing I will be punished for it. Instead, Hope soared in the air like a maniac and started laughing.

"You wish to protect him?" Hope comes flying forward near the rim of the circle of moonlight. "It may cost you your life, old man. Now answer me, truthfully...where is the one with the silver eyes?"

"He has fled. If you do not believe me, you can see for yourself, Sire." I offer her my hand praying she'd enter the circle to touch it. I saw the hesitancy in her eye and urged her further." I have the gift of hindsight, Sire. I can show you. All you need is to touch my hand." I persuade her gently.

"So be it." Hope enters the circle and reaches for my hand.

Suddenly time slows. While Hope slowly reaches for my hand, her hair changes to black while her eyes change back to the golden eyes everyone has come to love.

"Nnnnnoooowwww, Ffffaaaannnngggg." Hope screams, her voice back. Out from the shadow comes Fang, jumping in the air, the yellow-tip spear in his hand.

"Hope, love! Are you back?" Alexander hears the familiar sound of Hope's voice and comes rushing into the Great Hall. He sees Fang rushing forward, the spear aimed for Hope. He starts to run towards Fang so he could block him. "Nooooooo!" But Mark, Lucas, and Derrick hold him back. "What are you doing? Let me go! I need to help Hope!" He struggles to get free from the grasp of the three holding him.

"Goodbye, Alexander! Live your life for me. I will always be with you! I love you." Hope tells Alexander, her golden eyes all aglow. Fang pounces on her and she faces him, letting him pierce her heart with the yellow-tip spear. Fang lands on the floor and catches Hope as she falls from the air.

The Being exits Hope's body, the yellow-tip spear in its heart, its black horned head and red eyes shaking terribly. "Nooooooo!" It screams. Then, it explodes into dust making the pillars shake from the force. The yellow tip spear falls onto the black floor, twinkling underneath the moonlight.

The three wolves let go of Alexander who runs to Fang. Fang, whose head hung low, gives her body to Alexander. Alexander lays her gently on the black floor, her head on his lap. He gently brushes the errant strands of black hair away from her face. Her golden eyes were staring up at him, a tear falling on her cheek.

"Hope, no. You can't be dead." Alexander starts weeping. "You can't be. You can't be." He sobbed through the words not wanting to believe she was gone. I wanted to sat something, but there was a lump stuck in my throat. I just stood there and watched as Alexander wept. One of our most ruthless Alphas, was weeping. It was the most heartwrenching thing to watch.

He kisses her cheek and closes her eyes. He then hugs her, clenching her body to his. He rocks her like a baby, kissing her forehead, like the many times I have seen him do while Hope was by his side.

He lifts his head while he clutched Hope to his chest and howls. It was the most sorrowful howl I have ever heard. I lowered my head and wept silently.

______

(Hope POV)

I stood in front of the red farmhouse with white shutters...my safe place, my childhood home. This is where it all began for me. I smile. I had so many wonderful memories here. One of them was meeting Alexander Ulrich, my husband and my mate.

"Go on, Hope. Go inside." Opal was beside me nudging me to enter the red farmhouse with white shutters.

"What's inside?" I ask Opal. I was wondering why I was here. Do I get to say goodbye to my parents one last time? Or is this the doorway to heaven? So many questions. Well, now that I'm dead, I have all the time in the world.

"You have to go see for yourself, Hope. Go on." Opal nudges my hand with her nose. I scratch her head behind her ear. "Stop hesitating. Listen to me. Go inside."

"Okay." I stand upright, chest out, and breathe trying to summon enough courage. I was actually scared. What if it's the doorway to hell?

"It's not the doorway to hell, Hope. I would never put you at harm's way. You and I are one. Remember?"

"Fine. I'm going inside. Will you come with me or will you stay here?" I ask her.

"I'll be with you every step of the way. You'll see. Now go." The last few words from Opal was said forcefully. No use postponing the inevitable. I walk towards the door and open it.

A blinding light emerges from the doorway. I shielded my eyes for a second until the light died down. When I look inside, I see the Moon Goddess standing in front of the living room.

"The Godess Iris and I have watched over you all through the years. Yes, there were some wolves who casted charms and enchantments to protect you, but you would still have been found if it weren't us."

"We watched you live a human life. Special that you are, you never looked down at anyone or anything. Ultimately, you gave up your life to save everyone, not wanting anything in return except for everyone to treasure their lives."

"You have made miracles for others thus, the Goddess Iris and I would like to bestow a miracle for you."

"This is where it started for you, in this red farmhouse with white shutters. Once again, this is where it will begin for you. When you open the door of this house, we will breathe in life."

"Thank you, Hope, for your sacrifice. The Being is now gone and will never hurt anyone again. Go now, child. Open the door. Be blessed." The Moon Goddesses radiates a bluish light and she disappears leaving me standing in the living room of my home. I take one last look at our family photo. I touch it, thanking the Goddesses of the life full of happiness and love.

I walk towards the door and reach for the doorknob. I stare at the door wondering what was on the other side. The Moon Goddess said my new life begins here. I was curious. I open the door and walk into the light.

_______

(Jacques POV)

I shifted back to my human form and I look down at my clothes. I will never have to shift back naked ever again. Hope did that. And even if she's dead, her spells and enchantments seem to still work. She's that powerful.

I couldn't stay inside with them so, I moved to stand right outside the doorway. The Great Hall amplified the sound of Alexander's sobs and each sob was like a dagger stabbing me in the chest.

Yuri came to stand beside me, putting a hand on my shoulder. He didn't say anything, he just stood there, quietly, hoping I would find comfort with his silence. I wanted to thank him for giving me some support, but the lump in my throat made it difficult for me to speak so, I just nodded my thanks.

Then, Alexander howled. It was the most sorrowful howl I have ever heard. Wolves in the vicinity who heard the howl, howled back their sorrow. The message crystal clear... Hope is dead.

This was one of those instances I wished I had the gift of healing. I rub my hands through my hair in frustration. Well, I may not be able to heal, but I could pray. "Moon Goddess, I pray for a miracle. Heal Hope. Please. I beg you. I have rarely asked for anything. Give me this one request."

I heard a gasp echo through the Great Hall. Yuri, hearing it as well, peered inside the Great Hall to see what the commotion was all about. The moonlight that shone through the hole in the roof started to pulsate a blue light over Alexander and Hope. Alexander was completely oblivious of what was happening around him, his face buried in Hope's neck as he clutched her body to his, as if holding on to dear life.

The blue light was so mesmerizing to watch, I didn't notice I had walked towards Alexander and Hope.