Stepping between the red female Lycan, Fenris protectively placed his arm before me to separate us.

"Mia... What are you doing here?" He questioned.

The fact that he knew her left me puzzled. Then again, unlike me, he had a life outside of Cerberus. I pulled away slightly from him to look better at who was before me. She had tanned skin and vibrant red hair. I didn't know her or have ever seen her near Fenris.

She was a beautiful wolf who appeared pregnant because of the prevalent bump on her belly.

"I'm tired of hearing the idiots speak." She glared at the mob, who still couldn't decide what to think for themselves.

"You all should be ashamed of yourself! She was just a small gal then... Not much younger than my little brother, who was almost killed by whoever attacked us yesterday! Did we all forget who the real enemy is here?!" Mia scoffed, crossing her arms.

It left me utterly mystified by her.

Wait, was one of the kids with Kira, your brother?

"I wasn't allowed here because of my condition. So, I didn't witness it personally, but anyone who was here can goddamn say why most of them are still alive to complain today!" she scolded them like they were children throwing a tantrum.

Undoubtedly, she would be a wonderful mother to her children—at least an exemplary role model and part of one of the alpha lines. From how she walked and presented herself, she was much like Layla.

"I..." I fumbled with my words, unable to find one say.

Unlike Fenris, who was fully biased towards me, she was an utter stranger—one who swayed the crowd with little effort.

"You... as well..." Mia shifted her gaze towards before breaking down where she stood.

Tears swelled in her eyes before falling onto her knees and bowed to me. It stunned me right where I was.

"Thank you for peacefully sending Owen off into the afterlife! I... I can't thank you enough!" she profusely expressed, leaving my eyes gaping open and my jaw dropped.

I couldn't move from where I was.

Wait... You can't possibly be Owen's... No, the last time I heard, he was dumped by his girl. Were you the one he was with?

"I..." I choked on myself again, not being able to answer her.

Another male Lycan from the front did the same as Mia.

"Yes... I was here! If what the medic said is true, then you saved my wife from a horrible fate, and for that, I'm grateful! Thank you!" the male declared.

Huh?

I was left unable to comprehend what was happening. Ezra, who had been behind us the entire time, stepped forward towards Mia, who was still in the same position.

Someone has to get her up. I...

"Lilith, I didn't understand why you did that at first, but then I heard from Amara what fate would have waited for Owen if you hadn't. I can't help but be grateful as well. Thank you for peacefully sending someone I thought of as a brother off!" Ezra began, gripping his shirt as tears were visible in the corner of his eyes.

I shook my head.

This isn't what I wanted to happen. There was nothing to thank me for! I killed so many people... that I...

"No... I..." I trailed off, unable to express the storm that was building within me.

I took Owen's life without knowing! I had no way of knowing if he couldn't be saved, yet I...

Yet the words wouldn't arise from me.

"I... can't seem to blame a child for what happened back then, either, especially when I was so close to you in the last few days and didn't notice anything. I'm sorry for not noticing and for failing you, too." Ezra voiced as his amber eyes glossed over before joining Mia in her stance.

"No... Please, don't..." I reached for them.

"Thank you for allowing him to say goodbye to me!" Mia cried while Ezra placed his hand on her back.

I didn't...

When the butterflies scattered around, I didn't know where they went in their final moments.

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I had nothing to do with that!

Another one, this time a human that was present through the chaos, stood forward from the Lycans.

"It's... true... back in the battle. I could swear I saw wings coming from her back. She was an angel of mercy that came to us in our hour of need! Not one of those dreaded witches that sent those corpses!" the man announced.

What?! I'm not...

It was like a chain reaction as many more Lycans followed in Mia's footsteps. They all said similar things before kneeling to me.

"No, I'm not... a savior," I mumbled, unable to accept what was happening.

Fenris smiled, pushing me towards Shade, following the same steps as all the others.

"I think I'm the biggest offender here. Even though I knew you were in pain, I was powerless to stop it. I'm sorry for failing you all those years ago. I should've done more. No, I should've taken you with me." Fenris apologized, tracing his fingers on my cheeks and falling onto his knees.

My heart broke when I shook my head, not wanting him to go down.

"Thank you for saving my friend from a fate worse than death." He finished, taking the same position as all the other Lycans.

"No... No... You..." I couldn't find the words to speak to Fenris.

Ben took the stage after his younger brother. Grabbing my hand in his, he smiled before kneeling in front of me. I shook my head while my eyes stung.

Please, Stop!

"I failed you, too. That day, I should've ignored my father and searched that building. The stench of fresh blood was in the air, and I knew something was off. Yet he assured me it was nothing. Calling it some bird the Moira sacrificed for a stupid spell." Ben began wiping one of my rogue tears away.

"I'm sorry for leaving you in that basement to face the horrors by yourself. I should've done more." He pressed my hand on his forehead before bowing on the floor.

Before I knew it, Lycans surrounded me on the ground. They thanked me for what I did all those years ago and for taking their families' suffering away. When I told my story, I never thought it would reach them like this. I never thought they would see me as something other than the witch who destroyed Silverant.

It was all

It was almost as if my pain resonated with their grief. Some still didn't follow the majority's sentiment, but instead of causing any more ruckus, they left. Everyone I knew was thanking me for something I did with a second thought.

I only wanted to save Fenris when I came onto the battlefield, but I protected many Lycans. Tears fell on my cheeks, pleading with them to stop.

Liam... Melody... Even Layla... This doesn't feel right!

However, what surprised me the most was that Amelia, who hated me with a glorified passion, kneeled to thank me for saving her brethren.

"Please stop... I don't deserve this!" I cried, falling onto my knees before weeping like a child.

Fenris came over to me, pressing his forehead against mine. "Everything is okay," he breathed.

Ben hugged me to comfort me, too. "Yes, everything is okay. I'm so proud of you, Lilith. You've grown so much; allow us to carry your burdens, too."

These brothers were melting me until I didn't know what to do with myself. Somehow, my words, my tale, hit the pack's hearts, allowing them to sympathize with me. Melody and Liam joined me while all the other Lycans thanked me for everything.

It has to be a dream.

A joy that I thought I would wake up from, but that time never came. Fenris left me in Ben's arms to address the wolves, who seemed to have come to their senses.

"We can see how easy it is to blame others without knowing the full truth behind the story. We were all part of what led to the disaster of Silverant all those years ago. How many of you saw the young witch run by when she was doing her errands raw after lashings?" he paused, allowing the gravity of the question to sink in.

"And how many decided not to ask her if she was okay? Even when she reeked of blood and alcohol." He continued.

The crowd remained silent, listening.

"I know I was one. I should've not let her go back to that abuse. No, I should've taken her back to Cerberus, but I was just a child like her. Back then, I didn't understand what I know now." Fenris confessed, releasing a sigh from his lips.

The Lycans slowly rose from their stances to face their future leader—one that would be appointed in a matter of days.

"We hid who Lilith was because the council thought you wouldn't understand, but now I see how wrong they were to deny you that knowledge. Now... that you lot... know the truth. I hope you'll help me protect her like she's done to us." My wolf addressed them.

I cried in Ben's arms, surrounded by multiple lights that were shining my world of darkness into one of purity, and I didn't know what else to do but weep.

"As you can see, she isn't like the witches you are used to. She's sweet and caring. Something lost within the cult of Moira and those who attacked us today." Fenris declared, turning the masses toward the real enemy.

The Lycans focused on their alpha as the surrounding air around him differed from before.

Can I ever walk beside you? It's like you're miles away already. You're the brightest light in my world, while I...

Before I could continue to doubt myself, my wolf walked over to me, drawing me towards him, allowing me to hold myself up by the wooden fence of the cabin's patio.

Ben joined us, as did Liam, while we faced the rest of the wolves. Fenris smiled at me before wiping away my tears and glancing towards the crowd. Following his gaze, I could see the Lycans were paying close attention to us.

They all had determined expressions on their faces.

"Lilith's a powerful ally by our side. With her help, we will get justice, but not at the cost of innocence. We'll be better than those who attacked us here today! We must be if this peace between the races will last for years." Fenris declared.

His words were strong and powerful, and there was no doubt behind them. He glanced at me to make sure I was okay. I could no longer feel my heart, though. Shade was by my shoulder, pleased by what she was witnessing.

"To accomplish this, we must work with everyone! We have to become better than what we were before the fall. I promise to lead you to that future where you don't have to be ashamed of who or how you are born." He continued, standing behind me.

It triggered the wolves to roar cheers to their future alpha, who had them right where he wanted them. Liam glanced at the silver wolf with a smirk planted on his face. This was a dream they had been aiming for.

Fenris released a low chuckle, pleased with how his clan perceived him.

"So, swear your loyalty to me, and I won't lead you astray!" He announced, wrapping one of his arms around my waist.

His action caused me to find my heart again. Somehow, it was beating faster than it was before.

"We swear loyalty to the blood moon wolf, Fenris! Lead us to our victory!" the mob chanted.

My wolf grinned, satisfied with how everything had ended. His first victory was on his road to becoming a leader like no other. All to change the world for the girl he adored. I never knew I could sway people's hearts but with Fenris.

Together, we would sway the world.