(Leo's perspective) I woke up to discover my sister palely lying on the ground next to me, her red blood covering the white snow. I quickly rushed over to her and dragged her lifeless body onto my lap. As tears streamed over my face, her head dipped back.
Holding Sarah in my arms, I cried, "Sarah, wake up!" When I stood up, I took her in my arms and carried her over to where Ethan was. Her head bobbed with every stride I made, her golden hair whipping my calf. She sacrificed her life; I was aware of that. My body erupted in guilt and rage, which rendered me numb to the loss.
(Sarah's perspective) I suddenly found myself alone, drifting in a pitch-black void. I then realized that I had been killed by my own sister.
I called out, "Sarah," and turned to see my mother standing next to me.
I exclaimed, "Mom," tears gathering in my dark eyes.
She took my hand in hers and said, "Baby." As I was thinking of Ethan, she slipped my golden hair behind my ear.
"I failed him. I groaned in agony as grief rocked my chest. " I let my mate down, and I let Leo down.
Leo is still alive, honey," my mother whispered. He's taking you back to Ethan while holding you in his arms.
I said, "I saved him," and she nodded.
My mom replied, "Issabelle thought he was dead, so she left," as I felt the connection to my brother break. "You died rescuing the boy I couldn't."
"I sense him. He is suffering—not physically, but emotionally, I softly muttered, moving away from my mother. The question, "Will I ever be able to see him again?"
"I'm sorry, but once death strikes, it's over. As I felt my necklace and considered my pack, she added, "Death doesn't deal with anyone. With Isabelle and Benard's power unfettered, it was about to devolve into chaos.
I said, "It hurts to be without Ethan," as she groaned.
"Your partner is suffering more than this. I heard my mother say, "He's a witch who shouldn't be carrying the responsibility of this. Ethan's arms were practically touching me. Through all three dimensions, his touch felt indifferent. Mom's eyes showed her amazement as I gasped as I was being thrown backward.
Ethan drew me close as I sat up and coughed.
"Thank God!" he exclaimed, hugging me.
The question, "What did you do?" I inquired bafflingly how I was still alive.
"I cast the spell I used to create the knife backwards. As I turned to face my brother, he added, "I wasn't sure it would work, but it was the only thing that could kill you.
I told him, "Leo, I saw her," as he lifted me.
"What did she say?" you ask. My heart was thumping in my ears when he questioned me.
I said, "I'll tell you later, but for now we need to get to the council," and we sped through the snow. We found Isabelle acting dejected and babbling about someone attacking us when we arrived. I gasped, my strands thick with wrath. I crossed with my fangs exposed. "Hey!" Isabelle jumped in fear and turned to face me.
"You assaulted us." As she turned to run away, Leo spat. I instantly changed gears as I ran after her. I threw her to the ground and pinned her to the crisp snow. A couple members of the high council came over, and I changed into my human form.
"Get it off of me!" Isabelle screamed as I stood up, proving to her that I'm not a monster. If I were a monster, I would have murdered her regardless of whether anyone else was around.
"Sister, I'm not a monster. I gasped, tears streaming down my face. "I would never betray you the way you did us in the woods.
"You saved him, so you did!" Leo rushed over to Isabelle as she spat. I whirled, preventing him from murdering her. He had not yet grown accustomed to Lycan anger.
"You attempted to kill our brother, and he is our brother. We only want to live regular lives, yet out of fear, you send hundreds of fighters after us, I remarked angrily as the council members looked on in silence. "Perhaps you ought to have some proof before trying to murder us."
You're just going to let her murder me? Isabelle glared at the council and demanded
Isabelle, if it were up to me, I wouldn't kill you; I'd take away your beta status. No matter what you've done, you're still my family. I sighed, knowing she wouldn't recognize that we weren't a threat.
The woman continued, "The council concurs with your statement, Sarah," as Isabelle erupted into a frenzy with the magical knife in her hand. She threw it into my stomach with a lunge. I observed as the knife broke, leaving no trace.
"To protect me, Ethan smashed the knife. The fact that he created it gave him the authority to destroy it, I added, as two council guards seized her and dragged her away. As I fell into Ethan's arms, I gasped.
It was asked, "You brought a witch here?" I questioned myself as I turned to face the woman.
I answered, "Yes, he's my mate," which made her gasp. It was uncommon to have a human mate, much less a witch.
"I am shocked but pleased for you. She added, smiling, "I'm also declaring you the pack's Alpha and your brother its Beta. We'll drive you home.
"Ethan, we're getting to go home!" I pressed my lips forcefully against his while beaming. Since there are plenty more individuals out there that want us dead, I knew this was just the beginning. We can protect the clan till our very last breath if my brother is by my side.