Chapter Two

LUCY

My heart is pounding so hard that I'm starting to worry that it's going to break out of my chest. "I know you're scared, Lucy, but I also know that there is nothing that you can't do. You are so incredibly strong and brave, and I know that you are going to make this, make it to the Hallow Moon pack and live a happy, long life."

He really wants me to go alone... he wants me to leave him behind, to leave all of my family behind, but how can I? How can I walk away from them all knowing that I am leaving them to their fate, their deaths? I can't just run away and hide from it all. I can't live without them.

"Joe, I can't. I can't leave here. I need to stay and fight with you all. I need to help my family," He gives me the saddest smile that I have ever seen on anyone's face as he leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"You may be young, but you're not dull, Lucy girl, far from it. You know the truth here. You know we're not going to survive this. Hell, Uncle Roger was one of the strongest fighters in our pack; if he can get taken down, then all of us can. You know it's true. You also know that very few knew that there was a chance of this attack happening, but what you don't know is that when we knew there was a chance, Dad and I put a plan in place. Dad had an Alpha who owed him a favor, and he cashed in on it."

"He asked him to take me in, didn't he?" He nods while I swear he fights to hold back tears, something I've not seen my brother do in a long time, not since... "And he made me promise to get you away from here and to the Hallow Moon pack. I called Alpha Leo when the attack started, and he's waiting for you."

"I can't leave, Joe, how can I leave knowing that I'm leaving you all to your death?" He steps closer to me until our faces are almost touching. "Please, Lucy, I'm begging you, please go, please run. Anyone who stays here dies, and it's our wish to save you. You're young and still have your whole life ahead of you."

"I'm only 5 years younger than you, Joe. You still have your whole life ahead of you, as does Micky." Another sad smile covers his face as he places another kiss on my forehead. "While that may be true, we both know that I'm a mess. My life was already over before this fight even began, and Micky... well, he's not going to leave without Jean and Jean won't leave her family, so you know he's going to stay, he's not going to leave his mate."

"I know he won't, but you can come with me. You can have a fresh start," he shakes his head, and that's when the gut-renching reality hits me square in the chest. "You don't want that, do you? You don't want a fresh start. You want this to end for you with this war."

"I do, and I know that's hard for you to hear, but it's the truth. I've spent the last eight months trying to live without them, but I can't, Lucy. I can't do it anymore, I don't want to. But at least this way I can get you to safety, to a new life, and I can get to be with them, with my girls."

Joseph's mate was killed eight months ago by a Rogue wolf while she was out for a walk. They had been mated for two years, and she was four months pregnant with their daughter when she died. And I know that despite the mask that my brother has always tried to put on, he hasn't been coping with their deaths.

When a wolf loses their mate, sometimes the grief can drive them mad and, unfortunately, for our family, it seems that is the reality for Joe, and it's been heart-breaking to witness and, as much as I want him with me to live his life, the truth is I know that he will be happier with them even if that means his life is over, even if that means none of us get to see him again.

"Lucy girl, please do this for me, for dad and for your family. I can't get you all to safety. If I could, believe me when I say that I would, but if I can get you away from here, then it will be worth it all. Please do this for us!" He's begging me to do one of the hardest things of my whole goddam life, and yet how can I say no? How can I refuse him his last wish after all he's been through?

I nod, agreeing to his plan even as I feel like I'm about to throw up from the idea. "That's my girl," he goes to say more, but a loud howl breaks us both from the moment. It sounds close, too close for comfort, and this seems to give Joe the kick he needs as he grabs my wrist and drags me in front of him before pushing me forward while he constantly checks behind us.

It takes us just seconds to make it to the border, and my heart hurts as I know it's time to say goodbye, but I don't want to, I don't want to do it, but I'm going to, for my brother and my family, I'm going to do it even if I'm not sure how I'm going to live without them.

"I know this is going to be hard for you, baby sis, but you're so much stronger than you think. I promise you can do this. Don't spend too much time grieving for us, just know that we are ok and you will be ok too. Make a life for yourself, find your mate, have pups and don't forget to tell them tales of the crazy people that were your family."

By the time he's finished talking, tears are streaming down my face. This is, without a doubt, the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my entire life. "I will, I promise." Sobs wreck my body as I take a moment to take in my brother's face to mesmerize this moment. "I love you, Lucy girl," He steps forward and pulls me into a tight hug, then places a kiss on my forehead as he has always done. "I love you, Joseph, so much!"

I feel him tense up just before his wolf steps forward and lets out a growl. He's clearly sensed another wolf close by and is ready to attack. My mind is in such a mess right now that I can't sense anything which is bad, really, really bad.

"Run, Lucy, run!" He suddenly screams, and that's when I see several wolves that don't belong in our pack stepping out from behind trees and heading our way. "Now, Lucy, go!" I give him one last look before going against every fiber of my being and leaving him there alone to fight the wolves and running... running with all I have while my heart feels like it's shattering into a thousand pieces.