Shadows of Destiny

127 What to do

~Sylvester~

I held Tamia for a bit. I could feel the heaviness in her heart. She feared that if this lingered, we would

spend too much time away from Liam and Harper. As things were, we were already missing out on a

lot.

We had nine more days to go, and everything would end.

"I can't imagine my children not knowing me. You needed to see how indifferent Amelia was with her

mother," she said and sniffled. Then she broke away.

"It wasn't like she was being mean. She just couldn't connect with the woman. There was no bond

between them," Tamia said, and I wiped away her tears.

"Amelia grew up in an orphanage and has been through many things. I am sure she hasn't been vocal

about all her ordeals. The harsh reality of her life has made her numb to certain things. You cannot

expect her to show emotions like normal children. Her brothers did not grow up in an orphanage where

they were labelled freaks. They both have memories of their parents, however brief. Amelia has

nothing. She was kicked out at eighteen and lived on the streets for a while. Many things might have

happened to her on the streets before she met Leo. She did not have the protection and guidance most

people had growing up. Being distant, for Tamia, is normal. Do not worry about her; she will come

around. But, the woman should not expect a mother-daughter relationship because it would never be

like that. She has missed out on the bonding years," I said, and Tamia sighed and nodded. She

understood my point.

"She is an Alpha, you know," She said, and it was surprising that Amelia's mother was an Alpha. I

wonder if Luis mated with her for love or her breed.

"Soon, she won't have to go about disguised like a mad woman anymore," I said, and Tamia sighed.

"I hope Amelia allows her to build a relationship because the woman seems really happy to see

Amelia. The deep sorrow in her eyes says it all.’ She said and fell back into my arms so I could hold

her.

"We should end this bastard so he does not rob us of happiness. I doubt I can go any longer without

my children." She said, and I gently caressed her back.

She broke the hug eventually, and I decided to discuss Erik's help with Tamia.

"I need to ask for your advice," I confessed, and Tamia looked at me.

"Won't you shower first?’ She asked me, and I shook my head.

"I will do so when we have decided. It is urgent," I said, and she nodded.

"Erik wants to gather an army of Stepanovs to help us fight. Although that was part of the initial

agreement, I do not want to do anything that would jeopardise our mission. Yuri has been hard to track

down, and now that we have a time and location, I would not want to miss the opportunity to end the

bastard. A lot is at stake, so I cannot carelessly trust people I do not know.” I said, and she remained

silent. I guess she expected me to elaborate.

" Erik does not know who he can trust. He is not sure who is on his side and who isn't. It also seems

Yuri has gained more ground than him in the loyalty department. Take Ighor, for example. Erik did not

want to believe he was on Yuri's side because he believed he was neutral," I said and sighed.

"What I am trying to say is Erik does not know the true intentions of the people around him. What if we

let this person join us, and we end up teaming up with Yuri's spies? They might find a way to destroy us

or tip Yuri off on our finds," I said, and she sighed.

Tamia led me to the couch so we could sit. Then she placed her warm palm over my hand.

"I understand your reservations," She said, and I was glad she saw my point.

"The last thing we want is for Yuri to cancel that meeting. We have exhausted a lot, and we do not have

any more time to spare on this matter. Our eagerness to end the situation is the reason for your

concerns," she said.

"But I also know we can't take them, even with the AgK32. If we are fighting pure Stepanovs, we will

face people Like Alexei, Clay, Andrew and Amelia. You might not have paid attention during the fight in

Brentwood, but I did. We watched most of it before we joined, and they were like a blur.

I doubt the AgK32 can help us that well. It might increase our chances, but I doubt we will succeed

against pure Stepanovs,’ She said, and I waited for her to say what she wanted to say.

"What I am trying to tell you is whether we like it or not, we will need all the help we can get to win this,

and we need Stepanovs on our side.

They can't all be the same, and I am sure most do not agree with Yuri's methods. Take Inkabod, for

example. Most of them are serving him because they have no choice. You have given them a choice,

freedom and a home. You have restored their lineage and name. They now have a choice, and I am

sure they will willingly fight to keep what you have given them." She said.

I needed her to understand mine as much as I understood her point.

"So you mean we should allow them to join us in battle? What if they tell Yuri what we know?" I said,

and she shook her head.

"Yes, we should let them join us in battle, but they are not going to know where it will be fought. Erik

should tell them to move to Gad and start settling down. You have, after all, told the world that the West

would be Stepanov territory. The Lords of the West are Stepanov Heirs, and the head Leader is a

Stepanov. It is only expected that they move there.

We will call on them when we surround the building with Yuri in it. That way, we have Yuri's insight, and

he cannot escape.

There is a possibility that there will be traitors among Erik's people, but there will be loyal people too.

We would have eliminated the possibility of Yuri being tipped about our ambush, so they would have no

choice but to fight," She said, and I sighed.

It was a good idea, I must admit, but how many of Erik's Stepanovs will genuinely be on our side?

We already know there will be about three hundred true Stepanovs on sight. I did not know how many

of Erik's people would want to join him that day, and I could not tell how many would betray him. All I

could do now was hope they weren't much. I also knew I had to expect the defectors would be much;

that way, I could plan and be safe.

It would really be nice for Erik to create a serum that would not affect our Alpha genes much because

our command would come in handy.

I nodded and got up.

"I will convey this idea to the others, and we will decide," I told Tamia, and she smiled at me.

"The moon is on our side. Darling," she said, and I knew it was more of a prayer than words of

encouragement, but it was welcomed. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

I finished having my bath when my mother linked me. I honestly did not know she was around. I guess I

had been too occupied to notice.

"Sylvester," I heard her in my head when I turned off the water and stepped out. I gripped a towel to dry

off.

"Mother," I replied.

"Jake is injured badly. I just got a call on the attack in Brighton. Although they won, Kyle said Jake

might not make it," she said, and I knew she must be crying.

"I am coming," I said and hurried out of the bathroom.

Tamia was already on her way out, and she was in tears. My mother must have told her.

"Leo ordered Kyle to fly him to Lucland, but Brighton is underdeveloped, and they will have to drive to

Gad before they can fly down,’ she said, and I sprang into action immediately.

"I will send an Air-ambulance with a specialist to Brighton. Tell Leo to have specialists from Mountain

go to Brighton. I am sure Jake has a small medical facility in Brighton that can render first aid before

help arrives." I said, and she nodded quickly.

It was bittersweet news. Brighton had not fallen, but would Jake fall? Even though he wasn't the current

Alpha, it would be a huge loss, one we could not bear.

I picked up my phone immediately and called Lucland General Hospital to give them orders. Once I

was done, I headed out to speak to Leo and see my mother.

I was hopeful that Jake would make it.

They were getting married on Bluemoon night. I prayed it would happen.

Yuri had taken enough from everyone. His reign of terror must end.