Eric's POV
We brought two vehicles to the airport to pick up Alpha Elias. Henrik is driving Elias's bodyguards while I'm driving Elias and the seer.
Inside the car, Elias and I are discussing everything that has happened since we arrived at Silver Moon's pack and Thor's swearing-in ceremony when the seer who has been silent ever since we left the airport suddenly speaks in command.
"Stop the car, Eric! Stop the car now!"
"What? Why?" I ask with surprise as I slow the car to a stop. Experience has taught me to always obey the seer's words and ask questions later because he has never been wrong. That is why Elias will not go anywhere without him.
He gets out of the car as soon as it stops and starts to pace. A few seconds later, Henrik sees us by the road and also parks. They get out of the car and walk to where Elias and I are waiting for the seer to tell us about the vision he's having this time.
"What's up?" Henrik walks up to me to ask. Before I can reply to him, the seer suddenly stops pacing and turns to me with a somber expression.
"I told you two weeks ago that the worst is yet to come and there's absolutely nothing any of us can do about it..."
My body automatically tense as I listen to him speak. The worst again? But haven't we passed and gone over that stage? I wonder to myself before I angrily ask
"Yes, you said that but I thought the worst had come and gone. They've both been through a lot. His mate especially. Right now, she's pregnant and..."
"Thor's mate is pregnant?" Elias interrupts me. He looks surprised with a hint of a smile on his face.
"Yes, she is and Thor has no idea. He has no idea about her pregnancy. He also has no idea that he sent her to prison himself!..."
Elias's eyes widen.
"Wait, what!? But why would Thor do that? What happened?"
"It wasn't deliberate. His will was manipulated with sorcery. This usurper bitch made him put his Alpha seal on a warrant that was used to arrest her!..." I explain to Elias before turning my gaze back to the seer
"I could have gotten her out of course even with his seal on the warrant but you warned that I cannot interrupt! You told me the situation has to run its course for both of them to live a longer life!
So tell me, seer, what could be worse than unknowingly sending your mate and unborn child to prison because of another woman? What could be worse than knowing your mate, the father of your unborn child, sent you to prison because of another woman!?"
I can barely control my anger as I talk to him but he's very calm when he replies,
"Death!... Death is far worse, Eric! By now we all know Thor and his Luna are no ordinary werewolves. A Luna, who is in prison will be released one day to fully fulfill her life's mission. Protect her people and lift the glory of her House.
A dead Luna is nothing. If Ash eventually dies because we refuse to heed to warnings, she will be cursed by generations to come for her selfishness, especially when I know there will never be another one like her in another century.
I know you love Thor and you want him and his mate to live a happy life but I don't understand your anger with me! I told you what to expect before and perhaps I should remind you again that I - do - not - make - the - rules!" He stresses. "I am not the Moon goddess that sees all and knows the plot of our enemies.
The gift given to me is to see both the smooth and the rough paths that lead to our futures. You don't see what I see, Eric but you will when the right time comes. You see that path that you think is smooth and easy might be short with death lurking at the end of it while the one you think is too rough for you to thread might lead to peace, happiness, and most importantly, victory.
My duty is to help you a ll make the right choice. The right choice might seem too tough right now but in the end of it is Victory. Victory, not just for our House War-Cloud but also House Howell."
"What did you know about House Howell?" Elias asks. His narrowed eyes concentrate on the seer
I'm not surprised that the Seer already knows about Ash and her family, I'm just surprised he didn't inform Elias beforehand.
"Thor's mate is also original. She's from House Howell." The Seer replies.
"And you're just telling me now?" Elias asks in disbelief.
"Well, I didn't tell you because it doesn't affect your future in any way." The Seer shrugs. "Eric already knew about it and it's important I bring him up to date because his and his mate's future are connected with Thor's and his mate.
All of these men standing here are the future. They're all going to fight alongside the chosen ones in the great war but I don't know about you and me yet. I don't know if we'll still be alive and privileged to fight alongside them.
Elias clears his throat loudly
"Well, that's comforting." He says. "Being told you might not live to see tomorrow is exhilarating don't you think?" He sarcastically tells the Seer who just rolls his eyes at him before turning to me.
The worst that I spoke about is here. We need to get back to the pack and wait..."
"No!" I snap, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"Tell me what's happening this time! You can't just expect me to sit and fold my hands." I demand. I know he's helping but being the bearer of bad news, I just can't help directing my anger at him
He sighs dejectedly
"He will meet his mate any moment from now and we have to..."
"What we have to do is go to Council Yard right away!" I interrupt as I reach to open the car door.
"He doesn't know she's in prison. He doesn't know she's pregnant. I can't just let him find out like this. I have to inform him. He has to be emotionally ready to meet her!"
God! What's with this Moon goddess and her wrong timing!?
"Haven't you been listening to all I've been saying!?" He shouts back at me in frustration this time.
"You can't go there. I would have seen this vision earlier if your presence would help but it wouldn't. Being with them right now would only alter the course of things and divert them from the right path, don't you understand!?
It has to happen this way! Enemies had mapped out their plans and put their traps in place way before you all were born! This is the only way to victory and I won't have you altering it, Eric! I won't!"
We glare at each other for a while before his eyes soften and he exhales. He no longer looks angry and his voice is gentle when he speaks,
"The worst is here but just like the others, it will pass. Believe me, it will. We should get back to the pack and wait for them."
~**~
Thor's POV
I freeze when I hear what Victoria says. For a moment everywhere becomes still. My heartbeat slows down almost to the point it feels as if my heart is about to stop entirely. Except for Victoria's words that keep playing on repeat inside my head, I can't feel, see or hear anyone around me.
'She's not getting her period, she's pregnant!
She's pregnant!
She's pregnant!'
She's carrying my child! My mate is carrying my child and has been in prison all this while!? Eric, Ella, and I'm sure the other team members all knew about this and yet they didn't do anything to get her out! Does my dad also know about this!?...
Suddenly, I feel a sharp sting on my cheek. My senses cleared a bit to see Victoria's anxious face.
"Did you just slap me!?" I ask in disbelief
"Yes, I did! You can kill me later but right now you need to stop staring into space and pull yourself together. We need to get your mate to the hospital! She's really bleeding!" She shouts, holding up her hand for me to see the blood stain for myself.
My heartbeat which had slowed down suddenly sped up. I look down at my mate who is now holding my shirt tightly and see her face is twisted with pain. Blood runs down her leg, already staining her white dress bright red
Immediately, my hands begin to shake. I have never been so scared of seeing blood in my life until now.
"Oh my god! Oh, moon goddess! Ash, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry baby..." I continually say incoherently as I spring to action.
I try to breathe normally as I gently lift and cradle her in my arms before running for the door. Thank God my car is parked inside the Yard and speed is one of my gifts. I'm already driving out of the gate before Bear and Victoria can make it out of the building.