Chapter 49

Ilaius was gone far quicker than Jole, and Ariel was glad for that. No screaming, no prolong suffering. He bled out before the poison set into his body. This did little to help with the sadness that now filled the group. There was so much death, all because the hunters felt they had the right to choose what happened to beings they knew very little about.

Ariel walked a bit away from the group, taking some time to collect her thoughts. Off in the distance, there was still sporadic gunshots. Fights were still breaking out in the forest and town, meaning some of the hunters were still alive somewhere. They had no idea how many where in the town and the surrounding forest, or if they were able to call for more. This did little to deter most of the wolves. They were going to get the hunters out, or die trying.

"How are you holding up?" Ariel knew he was approaching before he even spoke, but she simply shook her head.

"All of this fighting seems pointless. The hunters are trying to kill off the wolves, most likely because of rogues and not pack wolves. They don't really care though. Any wolf is a bad wolf." She said to him, feeling him draw closer. He held something out to her and as she looked over she could see some fabric.

"To clean the blood off." He told her, but she turned her head away, looking off into the forest again.

"Before the night is out there will be more blood. No point in cleaning it off now." She stated flatly. He didn't reply, but he did move a bit closer.

"You know you don't have to do all of this. You can just leave." He told her and she looked over at him again.

"I know the hunters better than you all do. I'm a useful source of information." She replied, and the trouble look on his face was strange.

"You are more than just a tool, Ariel." He sighed and she had to fight the sigh at hearing him say her name. It was like honey on his lips.

"I'm just a rogue. I attacked you. This is the least I can do to repay-"

"You saved my life." he cut her off, stepping right up to her and she turned to face him fully. With him so close she could feel his heat again, his scent filled her head and she closed her eyes to keep from admiring him as he stood before her.

"A life for a life. You saved my life, I can let you leave. Right now." His voice was soft, tender, with a hint of pain. It was like he was making a promise he didn't want to, or giving his word when he didn't intend to keep it. Ariel opened her eyes again and looked up into his. She was ready to tell him off, tell him that she had to do this, if not for his pack than for herself when another voice cut through the air.

"Just tell her, Cole." Ariel's head snapped to the side and her eyes fell on Joshua. He had a bruise on his chest and there was a stern look on his face.

"You have to tell her." He pressed, a commanding edge to his tone. Cole tightened his jaw and turned to face Joshua now.

"It's not the time." He replied, Joshua giving a growl.

"This might be the only time. Any one of us could die next." He went on, Cole clenching his fists.

"What are you talking about?" Ariel snapped, surprised at her own voice. She had not meant to speak, she just wanted to know what was going on.

"He's your mate, Ariel." Joshua said, but Ariel was just more confused. She shook her head, not understanding what he meant.

"My what?" She asked, Joshua looking like someone had punched him, Cole turned to look at her, and Mark and Alexsnder turned from their task of burying Ilaius to watch what was happening.

"Your... Mate. Your one chosen mate. The one gifted to you by the moon goddess." Joshua attempted, but Ariel just shook her head again.

"I don't follow a religion." She explained and Joshua looked suddenly very troubled.

"I told you. She knows nothing about wolves." Cole tried, Joshua looking at him with a sharp expression.

"It's instinct. Every wolf knows about mates, and about their fated mate." Joshua's voice was louder, like he was trying to convince not only them, but himself.

"It must be a learned thing. I have no idea what you are talking about. I've never heard of this mate thing. It wasn't in any of the files the hunters had." She replied, looking around them. "Keep your voice down. There are still hunters out there." She tried, but as she turned back to look at him Joshua looked far more troubled. He was clearly thinking very hard. Cole stepped in front of Ariel protectively and Ariel narrowed her eyes at him. She didn't need anyone to protect her.

"It seems like this mate thing is a very big part of wolf culture. So it makes sense that all wolves would know of it from a young age. That doesn't really help those of us who were too young to remember when we were taken away." She tried explaining. Joshua was calming down, but Ariel could see that she broke some sort of world view that he had. It was not intentional.

Joshua sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before looking back at Ariel.

"It's hard to imagine a wolf that does not know." He pointed out, a slight grin finding it's way to his face. This was the first time she had seen ant of them smile. It was a small smile, but it was warm and welcoming. Ariel felt it bloom in her chest, and it made her want to smile. For the first time since she had lost the others, she felt like this could be a place she could belong. Cole already accepted her, but with the alpha was willing to try for her too, that meant she was all but in.

The sound of a gunshot went off, causing Ariel to start, her head snapping toward the sound. She could not see where the shot came from and as she turned to tell everyone to get down, her eyes landed on Joshua, and the red that was spilling down the left side of his chest.