For the first time in months, Avril was the first to wake up before Dakar. She prepared breakfast and waited for him in the living room. When he got out with a wrapped fabric hung around his chest, Avril palmed her face and choked on her sobs.    “I thought you were going to act strong”, Dakar said with a grin.   “Does it matter?”, she asked and he chuckled.   “Good morning”.   “Morning! Come and eat. It's the leftover fish and bread”.         They ate in silence until it was time for him to go.    “You're sure you will be fine?”, Dakar asked for the upteenth time since breakfast was over. Avril rolled her eyes and groaned.   “I have it all figured out. I know what to do, all right?”.   “All right. This is where you'll stop. I'll run from here”.   T

Avril already lost all connection with oxygen and her strength began to fail. But then she saw that she wasn't the only one struggling for life. Dakar was too. She saw the red eyes flash to green and the grip on her throat loosen but less than a second later, it was back to red and the grip tightened. “Dakar! I know... I know”, she coughed as he raised her higher.“I know you're...in...there... please h-help. Please”, she pleaded as her eyes began to close. Dakar grunted and tightened the grip again. But his eyes turned green and back to red, then back to green and flashed to red again. He was battling inwardly for control of his own body. He had to take control or else he would lose her forever. And he would not be able to live with that guilt. So with a loud yell, he ripped his soul back in and let go of her immediately. She fell with a thud and lay down there, unconscious. He was panting heavily as he held his hand, as if it will loose

Dakar got on his feet and took the jar. He walked into the mountain-house and scented Avril. She had gone to stay in the kitchen. “Eating up all my food”, he muttered and he turned towards that side. He entered the kitchen but was surprised she wasn't eating. She was sitting in a corner, looking into a mirror. “Avril Henderson”, he called. She didn't look up at him but instead tucked her hair behind her ear. “It's your first time calling me by my full name”, she mumbled.   “Should I call it often?”, he asked as he walked closer to her. “I don't know. It's up to you”. Dakar squatted by her and looked at her face. She was checking herself out in the mirror. “Mind telling me why you're angry?” “No” “Why?” “Because I am not angry”. “Then why did you walk out on me?” She didn't answer. Dakar held the mirror and pulled it but she pulled it back. He pulled again and she did same. He

“Mother, I asked what prophecy you were speaking about?” Dakar inquired again and walked into the room.“Nothing, my son. It's not something serious. It's about a mateless wolf that will turn rogue”, she stated. “Is that not a popular prophecy? Everyone knows that. Which is why we're permitted to get alternative mates. But I am sure that is not what you were referring to. It seems you didn't want me to hear you. Which is why the colour has drained from your face when I heard”. The Luna sighed and palmed her face. Dakar gazed at her and felt her worry and fear. He drew closer to her and knelt down, holding her legs. He placed his head on her thighs and she started to cry.“Don't make me tell you, please” she cried.“Mother, tell me”, she insisted without raising his head. In their tradition, when a child does that to his mother, she has to fulfil that which he is asking

Dakar was a strong man and knew how to put his emotions in check, if Dojo did not take over. And to break down in front of a young girl, and cry like a vulnerable child, then the pain was indescribable. He struggled for years to remember his parents faces, or even their names. But he couldn't. When he finally remembered, he knew how much his mother sacrificed for him and he couldn't wait to go back home to her. After Avril asked him if he succeeded, that ugly memory flooded him. How she was holding the bowl with the complete crystal ball, and his father standing beside him. His mother dropped the bowl and ordered him to strike immediately. But he hesitated and showed stupidity. Dojo possessed him and he fell with a scream, his insides burned and he got a rage that wasn't his. And with one ugly glance at a shocked woman, he pulled out his claws and stabbed her in the chest. The look she gave him was still in his mind. She looked terribly hurt. “This is not