Mercy

It was a night to remember. Wolves standing next to each other and a few rubbing their fur against their loved ones as they anxiously wait for the run. Nikolai had already shifted and was waiting with everyone else at the head of the pack. When it was just a few minutes before the run, Roza appeared from behind the crowd and Nikolai turned his head to look at her.

This will be the first time their wolves have ever seen each other and for a moment they stood staring at each other, savoring the bond that their humans were ignoring. The longing they seem to not be able to speak. Many claimed that the human was a lot stronger than their wolves, but it was actually the opposite.

Their wolves were a lot stronger and a lot more emotional. They know how to work well with each without even speaking. It was the humans that resist the bond or the humans that have a mind of their own, but for their wolves — life was a lot simpler.

When a werewolf shifts into their wolf form, their humans are sitting in the back of their mind, seeing everything that is happening around them. However, they are unable to interrupt or control their wolves while they are in their wolf form. It is the same when their human form is in full control — no matter how much their wolf disapproves of their human’s actions they can’t control their human completely. They can manipulate, but only to a certain extent.

Nikolai’s wolf trotted forward and rubbed his snout against Roza’s wolf’s neck. Placing his head on his front paws, he whimpers and whines — almost as if he was asking for forgiveness from his human side. Roza’s wolf rubbed her snout on her mate’s face, urging him to stand up.

Roza’s heart was aching for their wolves. She could see how badly they wanted the bond to work. She could see how much they yearn for each other, but she couldn’t find it in herself to forgive Nikolai. She was staying here, not for him, but for her son and he needs to know that. He needs to know that although her wolf has forgiven them, she hasn’t.

Standing up, their wolves stood next to each other as they lifted their snouts into the air and howled, signaling the run. Nikolai’s wolf playfully nipped at Roza’s wolf before bursting into a run. They chased each other and everyone followed.

Jumping over fallen logs and rolling around in mud. Howls can be heard in the night. Nikolai’s wolf and Roza’s wolf played with each other late into the night. Content in just being able to be together and secretly, they knew their humans were also enjoying what was happening tonight.

It was a night to remember.

They stopped at the riverbank to drink. Nikolai’s wolf allowed her to drink her fill while he stood by and watched. When she was done she walked to him and nudged him in the side. He lapped up the water before moving to give her wolf kiss before Roza’s wolf dashed for the woods to play with him.

For those few hours that they were running and playing, their problems were pushed aside. When they returned back to the territory, many other wolves appeared. After shifting into their human form again, Roza and Nikolai met each other at the edge of the forest, fully clothed.

The moment was awkward. Their wolves loved each other dearly and although their hearts also felt the same, the unspoken words caused a slight tension in the air. Roza looked down at her hands that were folded in front of her before looking back up at Nikolai, who was staring at her intently.

He couldn’t be any more in love with her. Seeing her every day only proves how much she meant to him and seeing how beautiful her wolf was – was painful. He desired and yearned for her, but he knew he didn’t have the right to her after he hurt her. He doesn’t deserve her forgiveness and he doesn’t even know if he wanted it.

“This doesn’t change anything.” Roza spoke first. “I want to make something clear. I am not here because of you. I am here for our son. He deserves to know you as his father. You and I will form a mutual relationship for his benefit. Although our wolves will disapprove, I think it’s for the best.”

Nikolai’s heart was breaking every second she spoke, but he knew she had every right to do this to him. He watched her walk away from him and slowly followed her up the territory.

Everyone sat at the table and ate. Everyone was famished from all the running. Gobbling down the food didn’t take any effort. The chatters around the table were loud and flamboyant. Roza and Maksim sat to Nikolai’s right, as Anna and Dimitri sat to his left.

When Maksim couldn’t sit any longer and it was getting late, one of the nurses that watches over the children took them to bed. The rest of the adult members continued to stay outside and dance into the night, in honor of the Moon Goddess.

Roza sat across the floor with Anna, far from Dimitri and Nikolai. A somewhat line dancing song came on and everyone got dragged onto the floor.

“I’ll stay here.” Nikolai declined Dimitri who pushed him towards the floor.

“No, I’d rather not go.” Roza spoke to Anna who also was trying to drag her to the floor.

“Oh c’mon! Stop being such a party pooper!” Anna teased before grabbing both of Roza’s hands.

Somehow, someway, Dimitri and Anna were able to take the two unwilling mates onto the floor and just when the song was about to be started, they heard shouting coming from the pack house.

Immediately, everyone turned to see. One of the nurses came running out. Her face filled with fear. She stumbled on the way down the hill.

“Fire!” She screamed.

Nikolai looked behind her and indeed saw part of the house lighting up on fire. Roza moved closer to Nikolai and gripped his arm.

“Maksim... the babies, they are all in that wing!” Roza shouted the moment the realization dawned on her. Nikolai kicked into gear and ran towards the house. Everyone followed closely behind.

“Dimitri, find a hose, tell others to get as much water as you can to stop the fire from spreading!” Nikolai ordered.

Roza was running alongside Nikolai, intent on going in when he stopped her with his arm.

“You need to stay out here, Roza.” He ordered.

“No! Maksim is inside!” She begged. “Please let me go with you.”

“I will go and find our son, but you need to stay out here.” Nikolai reasoned. “I can’t have you in there. You have to be out here.”

“You are crazy, Nick. I can’t!” She shouted and tried to push past him. He looked behind her to Anna who moved to grab her Luna, to stop her from going after Nikolai.

“Don’t worry, Roza. He will be safe. I promise you.” He said and ran inside.

Roza stared after Nikolai, who disappeared into the home. Her heart was hammering against her chest so hard. She hoped that Nikolai found Maksim and all the other babies. She watched as a few men followed after Nikolai.

“He will find them. Don’t worry.” Anna tried to soothe Roza’s worries.

“I hope they are both okay.” Roza whispered, allowing herself for the first time, to feel something for Nikolai.