Millicent's POV

I did not wait to hear or see more. I had heard enough, and I was not shocked nor shaken that I had a taken a life. It was my first and I knew it should have a significant impact on me but I just felt numb. It was another life that set my heart thumping and I knew I had to get to him, to my love - Christopher. So I ran like I had never done before. I needed to be with Christopher. Oh Christopher my love! I felt fear clutch my heart like a merciless hand, squeezing and nearly choking me.

Now that I had killed Blake, the snake who caused all this misunderstandings in the first place and who had used me to injure Christopher by reason of my involvement in this senseless battle, the fight went out of me and I felt drained, but the thought of Christopher's condition, and the terrible fear in my heart for his life, gave me the needed strength as I ran.

I started praying as I ran, 'Oh, Moon Goddess, do not allow Christopher to die'. Then unbidden the words the elders said came to me, ringing in my mind.

'One will have to die for the other!' they had predicted, as how such situations always ends.

'No!' I screamed in my mind. 'None shall die! Christopher shall not die, did you hear me, Moon Goddess? He must not die or I shall lose my faith in you!' My wolf was agitated, wriggling in pain and I suddenly felt very anxious, wondering why the distance back to the mansion was being too long.

I got there and ran into the room where Christopher was. The doctor was already attending to him.

'He is going to be all right, right doctor?' I asked as I rushed to his side, kneeling beside his bed.

'He lost a lot of blood and the spear punctured a vital organ. I do not want to raise any hopes but his survival is next to nill!'

'We are fated mates, so, maybe, I can heal him. I shall nurse him back to health'. I said, hopefully.

'If you can, please do. I shall welcome all the help that I can get', Dr. James said. 'The situation doesn't look good at all!'

'My Luna!' Christopher called.

'Yes, my love?' I answered, sniffing and wiping the tears from my eyes, drawing even closer to him. 'For you to make me your Luna, you will have to recover and stay strong as my Alpha!' I said tremulously.

'You came back. Missed you so much!' he said, haltingly, heaving painfully.

'You will have to allow him rest for now!' the doctor said.

'No!' Christopher said, his voice, very strong,surprising everyone.'My Luna stays and I could have wept for pain. This was the result of vengeance. I regretted taking this route. Maybe if I had been a little bit more patient, I would have realised the pain that drove Sylvester to killing my parents since all the evidence pointed his way. 'Oh Goddess!' I said torturously.

'I want to be alone with my Luna, everybody else, exit the room! Alpha Christopher ordered and was obeyed.

'I am not going to make it', Christopher began as soon as they were alone.

'No! I screamed in denial. 'You will make it - we will make it through this together!' The tears was pouring down uncontrollably now.

'Sh, sh,sh', Christopher hushed her. 'Don't cry. I am very lucky to have met you. Probably, the Moon Goddess kept me alive just so I could meet you and experience true love and now that I have fulfilled that fate, it's time to go'. I sobbed harder, understanding what he meant about true love. I'd had love and happiness in my grasp but I had chosen vengeance and now, I was about to lose the most precious person in my entire life!

'I understand how you felt you had to avenge your parents but I had thought that what we had would have caused you to forget about vengeance for it never does anyone any good', he said, squeezing my hand and I could not stop sobbing. 'I am not blaming you for the course you took but to point out that sometimes, it's better to let go certain things. You made the same mistake Sylvester made when he killed your parents to avenge ours', he paused, his breathing laboured but I knew it was no use trying to stop him from talking. 'I don't want you to blame yourself for what happened here today because, even if you hadn't joined forces with Blake, he would still have attacked the Pack sooner or later. And now, having said that, I'll like you to become Sylvester's Luna when I am gone!'

I jerked my head up and stared at him with my tear - stained face.'I chose you Christopher. You're my chosen - fated mate. We are meant to be together and I will keep choosing you in all our lifetime! How can you ask this of me?'

'Promise me, Millicent that you will become Sylvester's Luna after my death!' he said as though I had not spoken.

'Christopher, you will live, we shall have many more years to live together. Stop talking of death, you scare me!' I said, heart pounding.

'Sylvester is also your mate and now that all the differences and misunderstandings have been resolved, I believe you will feel the mate bond with him. Treat him like you would have treated me', he continued.

I wanted to say something but he raised his hand, forestalling any speak I might have made.

' Let me talk, there's little time', he said and I didn't want to believe what I felt he was implying.. 'I wish we had made a baby, a little male that looks like me or a female that is as beautiful as you. I have often fantasized about that since I met you', he continued and I felt a stab of pain and regret. 'It would have gladdened my heart but since we didn't and it's too late to start now, you can make pups with Sylvester and they shall be as good as mine!' he added and I whimpered louder.

'Kiss me now!' he requested as though hurried.

'Are you sure?' I asked, not wanting to make his injuries worse, but wanting to do anything that would make him happy.

'Kiss me!' he ordered.

I stood and bending over him, I gently touched my lips to his, fearing to exert pressure on his injury, but he caught my lips in his in a fierce kiss and in spite of myself, I felt a rush of desire.

Sylvester came in then but Christopher kept kissing me. 'You've made me the happiest man on earth!' He said and then pulled away and I felt bereft.

He beckoned on his brother to join us on the bed. Sylvester came hesitantly and Christopher stretched his right hand towards him, palms up. Sylvester placed his hand into Christopher's. Christopher then proceeded to place Sylvester's hand into mine, clasping both our hands together. 'Sylvester', he called, 'take care of Millicent for me!' Then smiling, his hand slipped from ours and his head rolled to the side.

At first, I thought he had tired himself out and had fallen asleep abruptly because of the weakness caused by his injuries and the effect of the drugs he had been given, but I felt something leave me and it was as though I had become empty. My wolf was jumping restlessly, then collapsed within me. I had a bad feeling, a nagging premonition of loss. I gently placed my ear to his chest, afraid that my suspicions would be confirmed. I heard no heartbeat.

'No!' I screamed again in denial. 'Christopher, you cannot leave me like this. Not now! What would I be without you? You are my chosen - fated mate!'

Sylvester rushed to his side and felt his pulse and when he found none, he shouted for the doctor who came and also checked his vitals before confirming him dead.

Sylvester slumped on the floor, staring into space. I could not take it any longer, I howled in anguish. I kept howling like never before. Alot of people came to find out the reason for such an anguished cry, only to join in when they heard of the death of one of their Alphas. And I was responsible!

Sylvester's POV

After listening to Blake as he confessed to his sins, I felt a heavy burden settle in my heart. I twisted the spear which Millicent had used to end his life and brought it down, cutting him sideways almost in two.

It did not relieve my pain but I felt a bit calmer. I looked around for Millicent but she had disappeared like the wind and I knew she was running to be with Christopher.

I came at a more leisurely pace, so I could give them time to be with each other. I wanted to know how he was faring. I hoped that the spear did not damage any internal organs.

Christopher's act of love had really done something to me. I didn't know if I would have done what he did but I sure as hell was not going to allow that sacrifice go to waste.

I got to where the battle took place and realised that our attackers had carried off their dead. And my warriors were carrying those still alive into a place where the doctor could attend to them, while covering with sacs, those who had died while fighting. I looked around at the waste and realised for the first time the futility of war. It was just a waste of time and resources.

As I looked round at the waste, I saw Cathania was still lying there - where she had fallen while trying to save me. No one had thought to take her to the doctor to be treated, or probably, they had not got to her yet and she was miraculously still alive, thank goodness. I swiftly went to her.

'You are still here?' I asked.

'Where else would I be but where my heart is - close to the live of my life?' she replied with what I felt was a smile that didn't come off very well. I felt a stab of pain and regret. This was not supposed to have happened.

'Stay put, let me get the doctor!' I said, now in a hurry to get her attended to. I had been in wars and I knew her case was hopeless but I was just hoping against hope.

'There's no need', she replied, smiling or trying to do that but it came off as a grimace of pain. 'It is too late. I have been waiting for you. I wanted to see and touch you one last time before I go'.

'Cathania, I cannot tell you, how sorry I am about this. But you are a foolish little girl did you know that?' I said, pained to see her in such a state. 'Why did you do that? You needn't have done it!'

'You mean bring a war to your doorstep?' she asked and I knew she was deliberately misunderstanding me. How could she even try to joke in this condition? She was in a pool of her own blood for goodness sake!

'You know what I mean, Cathania, as for the other, I understand and can relate with your grievance'. I said holding both her hands.

'How can you even ask why I did it? I did it because I love you. I never stopped loving you', she whispered. 'I am sorry, I brought Blake here. I couldn't bear to see you with any other female but it's okay now, if it will make you happy. I shan't be around for much longer in any case!' she said, her voice growing weaker. 'The fates have taken someone special from you and given you someone your heart desires', she said and I thought she was referring to herself.

'Christopher was killed due to our foolishness but at least that has made way for you... and.. y..you can be with... Mi- Millicent!'

What was she even saying. Christopher could not have died, if he had, I would have been hearing mourning cries and howls announcing the demise of a great Alpha.

'Hold me, Sylvester', she asked.

I obliged her, crying silently, remembering the times we had spent as mates, as lovers and then the times we had spent plotting against Millicent and I felt a stab of regret as grief washed over me in waves.

All of a sudden, Cathania felt heavier than earlier and I looked down to assure myself that she was still with me but I knew before I even saw her sightless eyes gazing unseeing at the clouds that she was dead. I lay her down on the ground and with my palm, I gently covered her eyes, telling her I was sorry for all the pain I had caused her.

There was a burden in my heart. I wish I had been a better male to her but Blake had probably been right when he said I was not male enough for my women. I felt a sense of urgency to see my dear brother. He must survive his injuries. I no longer minded if Millicent chooses him over me. He can have her, just let him live, oh Moon Goddess. He just must live. Cathania must have been rambling. Her words were just the ramblings of a dying female, I thought to console myself as I hurried into the mansion.

'Daniel, see to it that Cathania is well taken care of and send word to her father, so he can take her body back to their pack to be given a burial befitting a princess'.

'Yes, my Alpha', Daniel, my Beta said.

'Where's Christopher?' I asked.

'He's in the bay, receiving treatment', Samuel said, looking very sad. 'the doctor said his condition is critical and that he may not make it out alive!'

I did not wait to heart the rest but burst into the room and found him kissing Millicent.

I didn't think I could say this but I felt relieved that he was well enough to engage in such with our mate - his love. The fears of his Beta were unfounded and the doctor had not judged the case accurately, I thought as relief coaxed through me.

I was going to ask how he was when he stopped kissing Millicent, pulled away from her and beckoned on me.

I went and he stretched his hand forth towards me, palms up, indicating that he wanted my hands. I placed it in his and he placed my hand into Millicent's and looking me straight in the eye, said, 'Take care of Millicent for me!' Then with a smile on his lips, his hands fell from ours and his head rolled to the side.

Millicent placed her head on his chest, I realised she was trying to hear his heart beat but she raised her head screaming 'No! You cannot do this to me Christopher. You cannot leave me like this. Not now!' and some other things about him, being her chosen - fated mate but I was no longer paying attention.

I drew close and checked for a pulse but found none and then I knew, Christopher, my brother was gone. But I remained in self denial. It was not possible, was he not the one who was kissing his mate just now?

I called for the doctor to come quick and when he got here, he checked his pulse and pronounced him dead, confirming my suspicions and I felt overcame as I slumped, looking into space, wondering where I had gone wrong. I hadn't even thanked him for saving my life, though I knew what he would have said, 'What are brothers for, huh? You'll do the same for me if our positions were switched'. I smiled, tears flowing from my cheek. I felt so alone. I had never really valued him when he was alive. I had taken it for granted that he was going to be with me for a very long time to come but he left me just like our parents did and I am alive to bear the pain, the anguish.

I heard howling from left, right and centre but they sounded far away...

Millicent's POV

After Christopher's demise, I went into shock, I'll stare off into space, for hours and this went on for days.

Samantha tried to reach me, speaking and telling me lots of things but I was not interested. I was like a zombie, not really aware of my surroundings.

'Millicent', she would say, trying to penetrate my consciousness. 'Eat something, please, for your health. I prepared this myself, specially for you. It's your favourite'. She held my hand, squeezing, 'The medicine the doctor has been giving you requires that you eat!' she added. 'You still have those who need and love you around. You are the only family I have left. Did you ask me back here so I can grieve once more if I lose you?'

Suddenly, she let go off my hands. And I heard a deeper voice. 'You should know Samantha, that Millicent thinks that if she punished herself long enough, Christopher will be brought back to life', it was Sylvester. 'She knows she is to blame for all this. And no starving nor pretending to escape from reality will change that!' he screamed. 'Christopher asked me to take care of you but he must have been mistaken. He told me you are a very strong female but you are not, are you? You are as fickle as a human, like I have always thought. It is better that he died than make a weakling like you his Luna!' he pause, then continued, 'And now, preparations are being made for his burial and the one he loves most in the world will not be there to pay him her last respects and bid him farewell. Such love! And you claimed you had an incredible bond with him? Rubbish! Coward! That's what you are! Escape all you want, who cares anyway!'

They were planning on burying Christopher? I have to see him one last time! But Sylvester's careless words about my mate bond with Christopher got me so pained that I recovered from my shock and I stood.

'Slap!'

It was a resounding one on Sylvester's cheek, by me. 'How dare you speak of my mate bond with Christopher with such disdain and disrespect?' I asked, eyes flashing. 'There has never been any such bond recorded or experienced in history before ours, I must tell you!'

'Oh,thank goodness, you decided to wake!' Alpha Sylvester said, rubbing his cheek.

'Oh, Christopher, how could you leave me? Is this your punishment to me for being such an asshole?' I asked. 'I ran away from something so great - the bond we shared - because I feared for your life, only to bring that same fate to you!' and it felt like the word was wringed from me, my heart was bleeding.

Then straightening, I asked, 'Did you say, you were preparing for his burial?' I asked, my eyes not focused on either Sylvester nor Samantha. I was looking wildly about, disoriented.

Samantha must have felt terrified that I was looking for something to harm myself with because she rushed to my side and held me in her arms.

'You should be strong for Christopher. He would want that', she said. 'Do you think he would want you to harm yourself or come to pieces at his death?' she asked, her arms falling away from my shoulders and down to hold my hands, looking into my eyes. Then shaking her head, said, 'I believe he'd want you to be strong. Your strength was one of the qualities he admired most about you!' she concluded, looking at me imploringly while rubbing my hands consolingly with her thumbs.

'Oh, Samantha!' I wailed. 'What have I done? I will never get over him!'

The tears started pouring. 'How could I kill my own love? Christopher meant the whole world to me. How could I destroy what we both hold dear, how could I destroy our bond?'

'It is going to be okay!' Samantha consoled.

'But it is not!' I said emphatically, sniffing in the phlegm from my nostrils. 'How can it be okay when Christopher is not here to make it okay? Things cannot be the same, anymore!' I wailed in anguish looking at one and then the other. Samantha looked very sad and Sylvester averted his face.

'I know you blame me for your brother's death, Sylvester', I said, making an effort to get a hold on myself. 'And you are right but never belittle the bond I shared with him. Having said that, I have a feeling that his burial should be delayed. I might be able to bring him back to life. He is my fated mate afterall' I said, looking challengingly at each of them, daring them to oppose.

'If it were possible for you to heal him, you could have', Sylvester said, in a matter - of - fact manner. 'But now that he is dead, he has to be given the burial worthy of his status and not left perpetually in the Royal morgue!'

'All I am asking is a few days!' I insisted.

'How many days exactly?' Sylvester asked and I was surprised he was even considering it. I had expected him to insist on the burial right away. Was he also habouring the hope that Christopher would return back to us?

'Just a couple of days', I said.

'This is crazy!' he said, scratching his head, and grimacing as though he was not sure why he was doing this.' I do not believe you can raise him back to life and the only reason I am consenting to your request is because I promised Christopher to take care of you and if you need a couple of days to stay with him before he is properly buried, you have it but after that, he is going to be buried. The chief and elders are wondering why the burial is being delayed as it is'.

I nodded.

'Take me to where he is kept. I have a strong feeling about this!' I said ready to go to my love.

'Are you sure about this, Alpha Sylvester?' Samantha asked, anxiously and I could smell her fear.

'If you are worried that I might do myself in, rest assured I'll not. I shall be here to welcome my love back to life!' I said confidently.

Sylvester shook his head, and looked at me like he thought I had gone insane and maybe I have but I had to give this feeling, this intuition a chance. Because, there could never be another man for me!

'Before I take you to where my brother's corpse is', Sylvester said, 'you should come first to the throne room, the Chief and elders have summoned us for a brief meeting'.

'Could I not be excused?' I asked. 'I have to get started with bringing my love back to life!'

Samantha stared at me as though I have really lost it. 'Millicent, are you sure you are okay?' she asked and without waiting for an answer, she looked at Sylvester, 'Do you think we should send for the doctor?'

'I am okay, damn it!' I snapped. 'I have my head well screwed on. Christopher's supposed death has not caused me to come unhinged because I know I cannot lose him. He has to come back to me, else what is the purpose of my existence and all I have been through?' I asked, eyes blazing!

'Okay, okay', Sylvester said, raising both palms up to placate me. 'I believe you but you'll have to come see the elders with me first. They have been waiting since forever to see the both of. I have been putting them off but I can't any longer and they will not accept anymore excuses!'

'If the condition for me to accomplish my goal of bringing Christopher out of his coma is meeting with some elders', I said, looking at Sylvester, 'then so be it! Lead the way...'