As Ember stood at the train station, she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Maybe she shouldn't leave John and Rosa's care after all. They had taken her in, nursed her back to health, and shown her kindness when she needed it most.
Their home had become a refuge, a place where she felt safe and protected. The thought of staying with them, blending in with humans, and forgetting the burden of being a Lycan was tempting.
She could learn to love herself and to love life. Maybe she could even find love with a nice human boy, buy a lake house like Mr John and his wife. The idea of growing old without the weight of the full moon looming over her was a comforting thought.
But, deep down, Ember knew she couldn't run away from her life. She might be weak, but she was no coward. Pete had left her for dead without fighting for her, and she wouldn't let her fears define her. She would go back and find out what had happened on that night of the mating.
As she pondered her future, Ember's mind wandered back to her past. How had she ended up eight hours away from home? The bayou was just an hour away from her house, and yet she had found herself in another state.
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. "Ugh!!" she screamed inwardly, getting frustrated because she was asking herself all those questions and all she got was a blank space in her head.
John and Rosa exchanged worried glances, sensing her turmoil. They were thankful she was leaving, but they also knew she had been through a traumatic experience. She had been in those woods, cold and alone. No one could survive in those woods without being affected.
"Take care of yourself, Ember," John told her. She nodded at that, her heart heavy with all kinds of emotions. It was overwhelming to her that people she barely knew could show her love in such a manner.
As they waved goodbye, Ember felt tears welling up in her eyes. She fought them back, knowing she had grown fond of John and Rosa in such a short time.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for saving my life. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you."
Rosa nodded, her brown eyes were wistful and teary. "You've caused us no trouble, Ember. I wish you'd visit us whenever you can"
"Sure. I'll just hop on the next five hour train to Idaho anytime I feel like I'm going bat shit crazy", Ember said as an attempt to lighten the mood.
The husband and wife laughed soulfully. Ember's presence had been sudden and short but it had given them some kind of clarity that they both didn't even notice was missing in their small lives.
The train ride was a blur as Ember's mind wandered back to the life she had known. She thought about her family, her pack, and the life she left behind. When she arrived in Wyoming, she made her way home, her heart pounding with anticipation.
As she entered the compound, she saw her father, Mr. Doyle, honing his fighting skills. He was the Chief warrior of their pack, known for enforcing the laws and protecting the pack. When he saw her, his expression changed from focus to shock.
"Ember?" he whispered, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"Dad," she called out, her voice trembling.
Mr. Doyle's eyes locked onto hers, and he took a step forward. "Is it truly you?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.
Ember nodded frantically, running into her father's arms. This was home, familiar and safe. Her father's warmth enveloped her, and she felt a deep sense of relief wash over her.
Mrs. Doyle rushed out to meet them, her face filled with joy and tears. "Ember, my child," she whispered, cradling her daughter in her arms.
"Mom", she cried. Ember didn't believe that seeing the faces of the people who had birthed her would rouse this kind of sadness that she felt.
She did not believe that she would miss the green in her mother's eyes or that her father's bald head which she had always taunted him about would make her heavy-hearted.
As they hugged, Ember felt a mix of emotions- relief, love, and a hint of fear. "Where have you been? We all assumed you were dead", asked Mr Doyle. The last time he had seen his daughter, he had been leading the warriors of the pack to hunt her down.
Ember searched for the words to explain her predicament. "I… I don't know", she sputtered.
Both her parents shared a look with themselves and then turned to her skeptically.
"What do you mean you don't know, Ember?", questioned Mrs Doyle.
Ember recoiled from them. She sensed that they did not believe her. "I mean, I don't know. I woke up yesterday in the woods, scared and alone"
"That's impossible", Mrs Doyle said, shaking her head in disbelief.
Ember restrained herself from rolling her eyes. She didn't feel up to telling her story over and over again. It was crazy to her that Mrs John and Rosa believed her, but her own parents didn't.
"Can we at least go inside? I need to change these damp clothes. Plus, I'm parched and I'm hungry", she whined.
But, her parents remained rooted to the spot. "I can tell you the whole story over a plate of hot chocolate and some pizza", Ember tried to make a joke.
She began to head for the door, but her dad cornered her. "I can't let you go inside, Em". His eyes were sad and full of regret but they remained hard set.
"What?", Ember asked, shocked by her dad's statement.
"I can't let you go inside, Em. Not after what you did", he repeated. The surprise on Ember's face was visible. Had she done something that she couldn't remember? Had she… killed someone? Was that why she ran away and ended up in the woods eight hours away?
"Not after what I did?", she asked, echoing her dad. "What did I do?", she queried, her voice rising in panic.
Her father's expression changed, and he pulled back, his eyes serious."Acting clueless will not save you from this, Ember. I have to turn you into the pack," he said, his voice firm.
Ember chuckled in disbelief. There was no way this was happening. She turned to her mother, pleading to her with her eyes. "Mom?", she called to her but it sounded more like a question.
Tears were rolling freely down Mrs Doyle's eyes, but she shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, Em", she whispered. "There's nothing I can do for you"
Ember's heart sank to her stomach. This was the reason she had felt some hesitation about coming back home. She knew that her search for knowledge was valid, but without her memories to guide her, Ember was a sitting duck.
"Dad, please! Don't do this! I didn't do anything", she pleaded. Mr Doyle averted his eyes from her general direction.
Holding her right arm securely, he said. "Ember Doyle, you are under arrest for treason and for violating the Pack's mating code"