"Enough!" I grab a fistful of my hair out of frustration. "She's not coming back from that, Nadine! She's dead. Don't you understand that?"

Endless tears fall from her eyes as she stares at me, speechless. She takes a few steps back from Samantha's body.

"No, she can't be Jacob. I refuse to give up on her. There's got to be a way. Let me keep trying, please." She gazes up at me with pleading eyes. I nod my head in agreement while stepping out of her way.

"Just a little bit longer. Do you understand.." I bite out. I need some fresh air as I turn to leave, I hear the sweetest sound. "Did you miss me, wolf man?" Samantha whispers out and smiles up at me and Nadine.

"Meu Amor. You're alive. How can this be? I'm so happy your alive. You've come back to me." I cry but they are tears of joy. I pick her up and hold her against my chest. Slightly pulling back, I kiss you her so hard that I think it literally takes me breath away. Words can not explain the joy that my wolf and I are feeling right now. To see our mate alive again and in our arms.

She softly giggles and begins to recount all that happened after she was stabbed. "Wow...." I'm left speechless and unsure of what to say next. I close my eyelids and lift my head up in a silent thank you to a particular celestial being that helped my love to return to me.

Then I explain all that happened here while Samantha was gone. Tears roll down her cheeks as she takes I'm eveything I've just said.

"So, it was all for nothing." She sadly replies. "She didn't even care about me. She just wanted her daughter back."

"No one knew about it, Sam. If she would told us, we would of helped her. She didn't have to try kill you. We could never beat the vampires in the past but with you having a werewolf mate it's obvious that we can unite and fight." Nadine spoke up. "I have no clue what she's thinking. Turning on her own blood."

"She wasn't thinking at all." I snap.
"So what do we do now?" Samantha exhales and looks up at me with unshed tears.

"Our best bet is to go before the council and see what they think is the right course of action." I suggest.

"If you agree Samantha. Then we must go now. By this time they must of heard about your death are probably meeting about what is to be done next. And what is to be about Lyla." Nadine glances at Samantha as she nods her head in agreement.

"Yes. Let's go." She says.

I silently agree and then mind link with Derrick and Eric. I feel a bit apprehensive going into this meeting that's why I'd like to have them present. I'm not sure how things are going to play out but I choose to believe that we will make it. We will come out on top.

Just like Nadine said, as we arrive, we see all the council members have already gathered and are currently arguing about what must be done to protect the fae people.

When the finally notice that we are in the room as well, they start to speak all at once, apologizing for the death of my mate. And that they had no part or knowledge of what Lyla had planned. They continue on until my mate enters the room with Nadine and Ella along with her.

"But HOW?" Shouts one of the council members.

"Were we given false news?" Another one replies.

They all look baffled and start to shout over each other to be heard but are quickly shut down when Samantha speaks up. She raised her palms in the air to silence everyone.

"Before I start, I would like you all to know that what is spoken here in this moment is to be kept with the people in this room. If it leaks out somehow then we know we have another traitor in our midst. And that traitor will be dealt with accordingly. You are here because I trust you and your opinions. You may have a seat."

Everyone takes quietly takes a seat and wait for Samantha to speak again. I feel so much pride at this moment that I am able to see her blossom into the queen and luna, she was meant to be.

"To start off, I will explain all that happened between me and Lyla." We all listened intently as she started from the beginning. Everyone respected her and stayed silent as she continued on. "So, now with all that in mind we must decide what is to be done with her."

Eric stands up and waits for Sam to give him permission to speak. "Yes, Eric? What do you suggest?"

"Well, I believe we should gather up a team and find her. No one knows where she is. She needs to be found and thrown into prison or killed, so that she is no longer a threat." He finishes and takes a seat once more.

Derrick is next to stand. "I'm not sure that is such a great idea. She is most likely already with the vampires- she did leave with two of them. They think she" he points towards sam. "is dead so they are most likely strategizing on what they believe is to be done next. With that said, If we go after her, then we must be prepared to fight as well."

Everyone seems to be in agreement. Samantha looks for all our reactions.
When her eyes land on mine she can see the uncertainty behind them. "Jacob, what do you think?"

"I believe a fight is inevitable. It's obvious the lust and hunger for fae blood is clouding the minds of these vampires. I don't think walking into their territory is such a great idea. I have a hunch that they are expecting us to fight. They are counting on our pain and sorrow to cloud our good judgment and reasoning.
This is what I suggest. Let us stay here. They think Samantha is dead so let us hide her." Samantha is already shaking head in disagreement. "My love, please here me out, before you start to disagree with me."

Her eyebrows scrunch together as she stares back at me but I can see the love and trust behind her eyes. "Continue."

"As I was saying, we hide Samantha along with Nadine, Ella, and one of my men. We carry on as if she is dead and we are in mourning. Our advantage is staying here and when they arrive for them to believe that we have already been defeated. Our strength will be catching them by surprise and ultimately bringing us a victory."

"I believe Jacob is right. The element of surprise will be the driving force to victory. What say you? Aye or nay?"

A resounding aye booms throughout the room. Everyone stands to their feet waiting for further instructions.

"Now let us gather up our fighters. The werewolf fighters will be joining us as well. We are one people. Fighting for the same cause. For love. For our future. For our children. I know that I have not been crowned queen yet but I want what's best for my people. Fae and werewolf. This our time. We will overcome. Now, let's get everyone ready."

Everyone begins to leave. One by one the councilmen thank Samantha as they leave to prepare for war. Eric makes his way over to me with a serious look over his face.

"Alpha." He stands at attention until I acknowledge him.

"Yes, Eric."

"I'd like to request to be on guard for our future Luna."

Derrick walks up at that moment and look between the both of them. "I agree. I trust you with my life Eric and I expect you to do the same for my mate."

"Yes of course. You can trust that I would gladly lay my life down for her." He replies. I reach out and pull him into a hug. This man is also like a brother to me. I know he will protect her.

About an hour later, Samantha and I are saying our goodbyes. "My love, should anything happen to me. I want you to know that I am happy to have lived and died for you. But I will fight as hard as I can to come back to you. I will not lose you a second time. You are mine. My heart beats every second for you. When I come back, we will be married and then I'm taking you away to have you all to myself."

She blushes at my last sentence. I can see the unshed tears in her eyes. She is refusing to cry because she wants me to see that she is strong. That she is strong for me.

"My love." She sweetly whispers out. "I know that you will return to me and when you do. You can take me away for as long as you want because I am yours. Always and forever. My heart, body and soul. I need you. I love you with all that I am. I love you Jacob."

As we said our goodbyes, I held her in my arms. I run my hand up her back, over her shoulder and I stop by placing my palm on her cheek. She leans in and closes her eyes as if trying to soak in my love for her. I place my other hand on her other cheek and tilt her face upwards so that I can look into her eyes. This may be the last time I can look into them.

I slowly lean down and kiss her gently. Even with the others in the room, it still doesn't stop us from kissing each other with intense passion. I pour every ounce of love I have for this woman into this kiss as if to last for a lifetime. We pull away but not before holding each other for a moment longer.

"Now, I've got a funeral to plan. I will return, my love."

"And I will be waiting for you, baby."

And with that, I turn and walk away from the light of my life. Possibly forever.