95: For our son.
**Zion pov**
We ran. We ran like our lives depended on it and truth be told - they did.
Bane was my best friend, we used to be attached hip to hip since we were children, but with that thing inside him, I didn’t think it mattered anymore. No memories mattered for the monster, only what he wanted and craved.
Holding Kala’s hand as we navigated between the snowy trees, I couldn’t get rid of the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. I needed to get to Aife, but I also needed to ensure my mate was safe and I couldn’t do both.
How was I supposed to choose? How could anyone make me choose between the love of my life and my unborn child, and the Luna of my pack?
It was too much.
“Zion, we need to find shelter,” Kala called after me just as a loud, terrifying roar tore through the mountains.
“Fuck,” I hissed, “he’s here. God damn it, he’s too close.”
Thoughts of unpredictable scenarios scattered in my mind, my heart raced a million miles per hour and I couldn’t make the decision that was about to make or break everything we’ve been fighting for.
As another growl echoed in the mountains, a rush of panic surged through me. The louder the battle got, the bigger was the risk of an avalanche.
Kala tripped over something and I reacted instantly, grabbing her and lifting her in my arms. “I’ll carry you, my love,” I hissed, still panicked but trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and held on tightly without saying a word.
I believe both of us knew that there were no words we could use to describe what we felt right now and how fucked up the situation was.
In the distance, I could hear the sounds of the fight, but there weren’t many - as in, it didn’t sound like Killian’s men were attacking at all. By the sounds of it, it was safe to assume the battle happened between two beasts, not multiple.
A cold shiver ran down my spine as my mind started conjuring up scenarios about the possible battleground. I had seen massacres unimaginable for most, but in this case, it was my best friend and a man who had done everything in his power to protect my Luna.
Although I didn’t like Killian even one bit and I still didn’t trust the fucker - I didn’t want to see him dead.
“Zion,” Kala called out, but her voice sounded distant. I had lost myself in the thoughts, the fear had blinded me so I wasn’t paying attention until she dug her nails into my shoulder and spoke again. “I see what looks like a cave, let’s rest there. If he is looking for us, he will find us no matter how far we run anyway, there’s no escaping him.”
I stopped, looked around and tightened my hold on her as I shook my head. “No. We need to find Aife.”
Kala cupped my cheek and turned my head so I would look at her. “Listen to me, listen, my love,” she whispered. “Jonathan is out to find her, isn’t he?”
I gulped and nodded.
“In that case, everything is just as it should be. Moving around the mountains in groups is more dangerous than it is to go solo or with one person. You know that, right?” She asked, voice still calm and soft.
I nodded again, unsure if I could force even a single word past the lump in my throat.
“If we go after her now, we could find her. That’s dangerous. Do you understand that?” Kala’s eyes met mine, burning with intensity I hadn’t seen for far too long.
“What?” I choked out. “How is that dangerous? Love, how finding her and trying to protect her could be dangerous? I don’t get it.”
I truly didn’t understand what she meant by those words - at all. How could that be dangerous? If we went after Aife, she could have not only the support she needed, but someone who would look after her and protect her from any danger.
Kala sighed and flashed me a gentle smile. “If we go after her.. Listen, we don’t know for how long Alpha Killian and his men can hold back the monster. That monstrous thing will understand we’re with Aife the moment he catches our scent anywhere near. When he follows, if we find Aife, he will too. We don’t know if he will kill us if he does find us, but at least, he won’t find Aife with us.”
Now that she explained it like this, I finally understood. The only fucking problem was that I refused to live in reality in which Bane or his monster could ever harm the woman I loved.
Taking a deep breath, I glanced in the direction of the cave she pointed out and carried Kala towards it. I could still hear growls and everything in the distance, but I tried to ignore the sounds and focus on what was important instead.
Entering the rather small space, I first scanned the inside of the cave for anything that could feel off first. Once I made sure this place didn’t scream danger, I set Kala down and started checking out every corner for things that could be useful for us.
Unfortunately, there was nothing, not even a single patch of old moss that I could use to create a makeshift resting place for my mate.
I sat on the rock and leaned down, grabbing my head in my hands. What kind of mate was I if I couldn’t provide my mate with such a tiny thing as a comfortable resting place? I was failing the most important person in my life and I was failing her like a fucking rockstar.
Sensing my sour mood, Kala approached me and set her hand on my shoulder gently. “One day, when this is over, things will be better. Now, we do what we can to survive and stay safe, but in the future, we will build a better life. For you, for me, and,” she took my hand and brought it to her belly, “and for our son.”
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