A New Start (original version)

Chapter 18

Rowena

I informed Aria of what Jesse told me, and we decided to wait outside for them. All of the women and children came out with us to wait for their men. The warriors that stayed behind surrounded the area we stayed in, in case of danger. We were all sitting outside, sipping hot chocolate in the October air, waiting for them.

I was staring blankly at my hands wrapped around my mug. "Look, within the tree line." I heard one of the mother's calls out. I looked up, and just within the tree line, I see something barreling through the trees. When it broke the front, a sandy red wolf was running at top speed and didn't stop. It just raced into the packhouse, and I heard it going up the stairs before I heard a door slam shut. What was wrong with her?

Ten minutes later, the men finally started appearing. First, we saw some of our wolves with Shaun and a badly beaten Zane. I stood up and heard cloth fall to the ground. I looked behind my feet and saw a green throw blanket that I hadn't notice was wrapped around my shoulders. I limply began running to the wolf that was carrying my brother. He lowered himself closer to the ground so that I could pull Zane off his back before going behind a tree and shifting. "Zane, you're safe now," I say to him softly as I swipe some hair off of his eyebrow.

As I was sitting on the ground, holding onto him as though my life depended on him, I heard a scream which turned into heavy sobs. I looked over and saw Aria hovering over something, crying her heart out. Shaun came to me. "I'll take him to the infirmary. Go see him." He said to me, and I nodded as I felt tears just streaming down my cheeks. After he and a couple of other wolves hauled Zane up, I stood up onto shaking legs and stumbled my way to Aria. Before I made it to her, I finally saw what she was hovering over, and my legs just collapsed from under me, causing me to fall slowly back to the ground. I started shaking my head, not wanting to believe it. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

At one point, my body propelled forward, my arms wrapped around my waist, and my forehead pressed into the grass as I let out a high scream. "DADDY!!" At the same time, my body started glowing as a bright light started shimmering around me. I felt my forehead heat up where my mark appeared, and I continued with my scream. The air around me lifted my hair, and all could see my tears. I could barely hear Aria still wailing, still mourning, still crying for the loss of her mate over my scream. When my voice ultimately died out, I fell unconscious.

Aria

Pain. Sorrow. Grief. Loss. those are just some of the things I am feeling at this point. After the Elders took Dante's body away to be cleaned and dressed, I holed up in our, my now empty bedroom. I was wearing a pair of loose pajamas and one of his shirts. I just lay in our now cold bed crying and sobbing. The pack has tried to get me to come out, to eat something, to sleep. But I can't. All I want to do is give up and go with Dante. I couldn't live without him. He was my strength, my only reason for living. I don't know what to do anymore. How do I go on?

It has been a week since the rescue mission. A week since I have left this bed. I stink, my stomach feels sick from no food, I know I have massive bags under my eyes from not sleeping. But, I couldn't bring myself to do anything but lay here and cry. A knock sounded at the door before Jesse stepped through my door. "Aria, you need to get up. It's been a week. The pack needs a leader. They're scared and heartbroken just as you are." He said. I didn't respond. "You need to eat something. And shower." He tried again. "No, I don't want to," I say in a hoarse whisper. I didn't even notice him come in all the way.

I was lifted into someone's arms and felt myself get carried somewhere. After a couple of minutes, I heard something turn on and water running. After a few minutes, my dear brother stripped me of my clothing and lay me in the bathtub. "Wash yourself. I'll come back in ten minutes to check on you." He said before making sure I had what I needed and walking out. I heard my bedroom door closed and he left. I laid my head back and closed my eyes. My head hurt. I might as well get it over. I thought to myself before grabbing my loofah and putting some body wash on it. Then I scrubbed down my body slowly.

After that, I wash my hair with my shampoo and conditioner, my hair feeling ten times lighter. After I rinsed my hair, I grabbed my razor and shaving cream and shaved. I unplugged the water and watch as now brownish colored soapy water went down the drain. I stood up and weak, shaky legs and re-scrubbed my entire body with my body wash as I refilled the tub. After letting the soap rinse off once reseated, I leaned my head again at the back of the bathtub and closed my eyes. I guess Jesse let me have more time to myself in here. Was my last thought before I finally allowed darkness to consume me, and I eventually fell asleep.