Chapter 96: An Obligation Rather than a Choice

HELENA The silence was ear splitting. What did she mean by...'Anyways, it's good to see you feel better. Like Aaron said, werewolf food isn't for humans. But you're gonna have to get used to it." Her tone got serious. The switch in the conversation caught me off guard. Aaron tightened his grip on my waist. 'Because I'm coming with you guys?" I said softly. The room suddenly felt colder than usual. 'Precisely." She took out my dad's map, (seemingly out of thin air) and displayed it on the coffee table. She pointed to a particular point. 'I can't remember how this route is, but it's usually the deadliest. They're not gonna let her pass." She said, glancing at Aaron with the most serious expression I'd ever seen. Why did I feel cold all of a sudden? 'Not gonna let me pass how?" My voice was slightly above a whisper. I couldn't even hear the TV anymore. 'As in werewolves are picky and territorial. You're human, also known as food. Fuck…" Aaron said, sighing. 'I should have thought about that." 'We could also follow this other route, but it'll take days. Then again, I don't know how the route is as of now." Luna added thoughtfully. I was stuck in the middle. 'Isn't there a way to keep her with us and hide her?" Aaron asked, shifting on the sofa. I wanted to get off his lap, but he pulled me back tighter. I swallowed. 'Probably. But I'd have to do some research on it. She'd need an invisibility spell, and I haven't done any of those in a while." 'Will they work on her?" Aaron asked. I suddenly felt self-conscious. 'They will. It's not as complicated as it sounds." 'Can we talk about this?" I interrupted them both. Luna glanced up at me. 'Why don't I just pretend to be a werewolf?" I would admit, I probably had the wildest imagination ever. I was one to always say my intrusive thoughts out loud, so I got used to the weird stares all the time. But getting them from two werewolves? Top of the hat to me. I had to be realistic though, pretending to be a werewolf was in no way as easy as it sounded. And I was right. Luna almost went berserk. 'Helena. Do you realize how dangerous that is? If you're caught there's not an option for pardon. You'd be killed immediately. Like an international spy found in Russia." She grabbed a packet of chips, tearing it with one claw. Well, that was anticlimactic. 'Not if she's hidden enough. Can't you make some sort of spell to make it more believable?" Aaron asked, drawing circles on my skin. This was outrageous already as it was. 'Or you can just turn me…" I muttered. They both glanced at me and shook their heads. 'Being a werewolf is a lot harder than it looks like Helena. Especially when you were once human. I mean look at Aaron." Luna said, a mischievous glint in her voice. Aaron sighed, shaking his head. 'I was already born a werewolf Luna. My powers came in late." He growled. I stood up and faced both of them. 'So we need a plan. A plan that requires me being able to pass all the defenses Lunaville has on the way, and still maintain the facade." Honestly, the only thing in my mind was for them to turn me into one. It was way easier. 'No one is turning you into a werewolf Helena." Luna warned. 'I know and I've accepted that. But we gotta come up with something." I said, feeling dejected. 'We'll figure it out." Aaron said, patting my shoulder. I just hope we do. ********** 'Veronica…" I said as soon as she picked up on the other end. It was late at night, and everywhere was quiet. I had just remembered that I was meant to call her yesterday, and I forgot. 'Lenny… How are you? Omg it's been weeks." Her voice sounded croaked, strained and….tired. My stomach lurched. 'I know right? I got your messages. Is everything okay?" I asked, sitting on my bed. Of course not. But I wanted to hear it from her mouth. She sighed. 'I could say that, but you know me. I can't really hide the truth from you. I want to come to Henley tomorrow. Like I said in my texts, Luna needs to see this." Her tone sounded a bit lighter, but serious all at the same time. 'You're sure it's not something you can show her from over there?" I didn't like the idea of her traveling alone. Henley had dangerous streets. Then again, I missed her and I wanted to see her so badly. 'No, Helena. I'm coming. Besides, I want to see if little Mr. has grown up and become a man." She said in her usual bossy voice. I giggled. 'Okay then. I can't wait to see you. But be safe okay?" 'Of course." She hung up. 'Well that was nice." Aaron's voice split through the second of silence, startling me. I snapped my head at him, glaring. 'Relax." He chuckled. He had on a gray tank top and red pajamas. 'Don't sneak up on people." I mocked him, laying flat on the bed. He smirked and pulled me off the bed. 'I don't sneak up on people. I was merely admiring." He said, his smirk growing even wider. This wolf. 'Why aren't you asleep?" I muttered as he pulled me into a hug. He buried his face in my neck, his warm breath taking off the chill I felt earlier. 'I was overthinking a little." He whispered. His voice tickled me. 'Aww, about what?" I asked, making him look at me. 'About us Helena. I just thought of my mom, dad, my pack members, and even some of my friends. It's been so long…I don't know anymore." My heart sank. 'But you have to return. Think of it as a homecoming." I tried to reassure him. 'But it's not a homecoming. It's more like an obligation rather than a choice." He sighed, pulling me tighter. 'You'll be fine Aaron. We can figure this out. It's me, you, and Luna."