Fenris pulled away from me, facing the two elders who had stayed behind.

"No way. Lilith isn't going anywhere near that mad wolf." He confronted the idea.

However, Ursula stood her ground to him, knowing all he wanted was to keep me safe. Sadly, our choices were limited. Alijah's time frame would be six months to a year, perhaps less. We had to devise a plan quickly or risk being surprised by the inevitable.

"Ah, I understand your concern; I'm not a fan of placing her babes in danger, but saving the world might be a good idea, too. It's their reality, too, after all." Ursula countered my wolf, who winced in return.

She was right. A world where babies could be born would need Alijah not to destroy it.

"I don't think he would hurt them either," I whispered, shifting my eyes away.

It didn't feel right to label the black wolf a heartless killer. There had to be a reason why he was like that, and with me, he was a bit touchy, but nothing else. Something about him resonated with me, but he had to be stopped even then.

Fenris went to deny it again, only for Ryker to step into the conversation.

"Even if that was true. Those artifacts aren't available anymore. The last one was used during the fall." Ryker informed.

Ursula laughed, "So, you said years ago when the Lycans pulled one out to stop the fall along with the last known phoenix crystal." She pointed out.

The elf shook his head. "That was the only one left."

This time, Ben burst out cackling as well. "Nice try. You're a terrible liar, Ryker. That would've worked on Evan but not on me. I've worked with you for too long."

The elf clicked his tongue, releasing a sigh. "You Silver Bloods will be my end one day."

With the direction of the banter, I could tell Fenris wasn't uneasy with how things were ending up either, but he could say nothing to argue. Compared to the young Lycan, Alijah was on another level.

My wolf had to think about the little ones coming into his life in less than a year. Even though he was reluctant, he joined in instead of resisting it any longer.

"We can go to the elven countries. To see if one subrace has one they've hidden," Melody noted, gazing at Liam while wagging her tail.

Ah, you probably want another small vacation with Liam.

Fenris shook his head, "Nah, why go there when their leaders are in this building?"

"And they already agreed to help, didn't they?" The brown wolf backed his friend's point.

Ursula shrugged, "Elves can be zealous of their precious items. To them, they have a different meaning than to us Lycans and vampires."

All eyes fell on Ryker, who sighed again. After everything was said, there was little to argue. This world was the same one his children were in, and that was worth more than trinkets to him.

"They're important to our culture. After all, it cost us our lives to make them. While pathetic brutes break them after using them." He commented, insinuating the destructive nature of the apex races.

"I thought most of the population forgot about them," I commented.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Ryker shrugged at my assessment.

"They did, but the leaders, on the other hand, still relish them in their museums. With that said, it's hard to know if they have one that could help us. Artifacts come in various ways and sizes." He paused, shifting his eyes to Amara, who was gazing toward Ursula.

There, a soft smile rose on his lips.

Perhaps this elf... had his reasons for being.

"The higher quality of the soul used to form it. The better the abilities it'll possess. Of course, the higher the cost of creating them is."

Higher-ranking souls would cost more elven lives to create artifacts from them. This was something I wanted to avoid. I didn't want innocent to lose their lives over this.

"Ah... decided to be helpful then, old friend." Ursula teased.

The elf clicked his tongue at her playfulness.

"If it's convincing them. I can show them everything that I saw in my dream." I volunteered again.

Fenris growled, "No! You won't do such a thing again!"

"But..." I trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

However, he wasn't alone this time, as the red wolf backed him up.

"No, Fenris's right. It'll put a strain on your body. If you do that again, you'll probably have a miscarriage." She warned.

Again, I grabbed onto my abdomen instinctively.

If I'm careless again, I'll lose them? I don't know...

My hands trembled, unable to understand the gravity of everything.

Fenris sighed, pulling my head to his abdomen. "If it's convincing them to hand over their artifacts, then I'll do that. You don't have to do anything else."

"You can also have Ryker convince Charles, leaving only three elves to go. I think the moon elf likes Lily. So, he might help on a whim." Ben pointed to the elf, who pretended to ignore him.

"That would be two seats out of eight, and if Ben's right about Jaxon, that makes three," Liam noted.

The council worked better when it was in unison. Depending on the topic discussed, it could be by majority, but we had to be united. The vampires were easy since it would mean adding more artifacts to their arsenal. The humans and elves would prove difficult.

But... what if we added one more? Maybe that can force humans to...

"What if... I represent the witchcraft branch of humanity?" I mumbled out loud, catching everyone off guard.

"They won't allow a thing like that," Ursula assured me.

I sluggishly stood up from my chair with Fenris's help.

"Think about it. Why do you think witches and warlocks feel so suppressed? If you had never stomped on us so hard because of the actions of one witch, this revolution would've never happened." I declared.

It's a long shot, but it might lower the coven's forces, though they were probably pawns in that woman's plans.

Fenris didn't stay far behind. "Lily's right. We've stomped on witches and warlocks for far too long. It would also bring the chairs to nine. If it did, the human faction would ally with their kind." Fenris noted, shifting his eyes onto me.

It was like he had read my mind, leaving me clinging to him.

"Vampires would likely vote with us because there are precious artifacts to be gained. We would win with a majority even if it isn't a united front. The other elves will be pressured to help." He added, holding on to me.

"If Ryker here plays his part, maybe we have six. It'll put pressure on the other three. It'll also prevent the decision from having a deadlock." Ben supported us.

Once again, eyes were on the sun elf, who smirked. "Well, Lilith here has shown her devotion for the peace. I don't see why they would be against her joining the ranks. Witchcraft users have also proven themselves useful in present times."

His words left me wide open. I never thought he'd agree to let someone like me join the council he worked for.

Shade huffed, flicking her tail against me. That elf is an odd one. I can't read him at all. Then again, I can tell why Fenris turned out the way he did if this man had guided him through the politics while Ben kept his heart alive.

"It might make some of them leave the rogues, too." Melody smiled.

"Making a dent in their forces seems ideal," Liam noted, following up his beloved.

"Making us get more intel." She giggled, tail wagging.

Ursula chuckled at the black wolf's energy. "Yes... that doesn't sound half bad."

Fenris grabbed my cheek in his hand, ensuring I was paying attention to him.

"If we do this... You won't leave my side ever." He proposed his compromise to me.

I hugged him like I would never leave his side willingly.

"I don't plan on ever leaving it!" I held him close to me, simpering.

My smile defeated him, triggering a soft sigh to leave him. Our lives were about to become complicated, but thankfully, we weren't alone. Melody, Liam, Ben, and even Amelia would be beside us to help.

They weren't the only ones, as new allies showed themselves slowly. It would be an uphill battle from this point on. However, my devotion was being refined. I wouldn't be fighting for myself or Fenris alone anymore.

No, I would battle for an unknown that was growing within me, and because of them, I would strive for their world to be better than the one I was born into. More secrets were unraveling, and the story of the mad lycan wasn't easy to swallow, but it wouldn't be one I shied away from.