Saving Aeron

Grim and Grace

Aside from her usual predilection to wield power she didn’t possess, Neasa’s mental state had not weakened. Fergus’ had, however. Without his wolf, he lacked the confidence to lead Brigh’s defenses and had to bow out. Gwyn took up training and leading the soldiers.

Six months after their wedding, Fergus finally left the hospital. He slept on the couch in their bedroom and even if she begged, he couldn’t bring himself to consummate their marriage. He didn’t falter and, unlike their previous life, she knew where he was and with whom he spent his time. He curled himself up at her side like an abandoned puppy.

Brigh watched him train; his agility and muscles at peak performance, he bested every sparring partner to come his way. He even excelled at hand to hand combat with the strongest of wolves. But, in the thick of the fight, he had hesitated and caused a near fatal wound to Balor.

“What do you mean you’re going to take his leg?” Neasa’s voice bounced off the cement walls and ceramic tiles down the hospital’s hallways. “Fix it. My husband will be whole.” Brigh followed her outraged sister’s voice, the indignation drowning the machine’s beeps and widowed cries, birthing cacophony and relieved laughter. The sounds and smells of the hospital dropped, discarded by her sister’s demands. “There is no scenario where I will let you cut off his leg because you’re too scared or lazy to get in there, fix the problem, and get him on his feet again. I don’t care if it’s wolfsbane, remove that, not his leg.”

She couldn’t fathom something not going her way. It had been like all of her life, for as long as Brigh could remember. Neasa’s needs and wants came first with their parents. Brigh trained and went to school, learned how to lead from her mother, and how to fight with her father. Neasa shopped and had fun. If she wanted a day in the park, she got a day in the park. If she wanted ice cream for breakfast, she had ice cream.

By the time Brigh walked in, Balor, in obvious pain, was trying to calm his wife down.

“It can’t be fixed.” Balor grimaced, his injured leg a dead weight on his hips. “Everything from here down is dead. The wolfsbane is slowly climbing. If they don’t remove it, I’ll lose more than a limb.”

“Neasa, they’re doing all they can. Let them take the leg and he can begin physical therapy and training.” Brigh tried to comfort her sister. Neasa pushed Brigh’s hand away.

“If Fergus hadn’t hesitated, we wouldn’t be here in the first place. Alpha is no title for a stupid man like that.” Neasa glared at her Luna, her sister. “Take his leg. Let him learn from his mistakes.”

“You’re talking about my husband, your Alpha. You will be respectful.” Brigh straightened her shoulders. A small yelp escaped Neasa’s lips. Brigh rarely exercised her power but a little push back against her sister was needed. “Balor, if you’ve agreed to the surgery, I think it’s best if Neasa sat with me while they get you ready.”

He had agreed and he had requested Brigh be there to control his wife. He knew how to ask for help when he couldn’t reason with his wife. “Thank you, Luna.” The doctors made quick work transporting him from his room to the surgery prep center.

“Neasa, your actions are causing people to doubt your leadership.” Brigh sat down on the hard couch. “You’re not acting logically and making quick decisions on emotion.”

“It’s his leg, Bri. I want the best for him and he doesn’t need to lose his whole leg.”

“Not just that.”

“We’ve all been on edge since Fergus lost his wolf. Who’s next? What caused it? When will he be normal again?”

“Sending trainees to hunt and track rogues in packs of two.”

“We cover more ground that way and they are always in the back, behind the more experienced hunters. With Fergus out of the fight, we need to train everyone quickly and it’s just as good to learn in the middle of the fight.”

“Except when they aren’t trained and they trail a rogue over state lines and into a trap.”

“One time, and they disobeyed orders.”

“And they died.”

“Everyone gets hurt. Balor’s leg is going to be cut off. If Fergus could get himself together, we wouldn’t be having these problems.”

“But we do and you’re making them worse. Get yourself together or I will find a more permanent replacement for Fergus. I can’t name you general, if I can’t trust you.”

Neasa growled and slammed the door as she left the room. Brigh let out a sigh with all of the tension she was carrying. She hadn’t had these problems before. Balor hadn’t been hurt, Fergus had his wolf, and she hadn’t lost any trainees. Even watching for signs, remembering meetings, had been exhausting and fruitless. The whole world was changed with one little removal. Maybe she didn’t need to worry any longer.

Her sister was steadfast by Balor’s side. Fergus was a shell of the man he used to be. Neither had the ability to plot against her, nevermind frame her for murder. “Thank the Goddess.” She rubbed her neck and stretched her muscles.

As she reached for the door, Neasa slammed back in. “b***h!” She slapped Brigh hard across the face. “You put a detail on me?” Two large men finally caught up to Neasa and held her arms behind her back as Brigh touched her burning cheek. “I don’t need babysitters. Let me go.” She fought and craned her head to get a good look at her guards. “Oh, Bailey. You’re going to regret this. You’ll be out of this nice, cushy job and digging trenches for the next six months for trainees.”

“Neasa.” Brigh silenced her sister. “You will yield and you will listen to me. You may not return to this hospital. You may not fight against my guards.” Her Luna power dripped from her words as her sister went unwillingly with the guards.