I stood up, book in hand. We had spent half the night reading John's journal. It was possible I that I have a sibling. A sibling! I have never heard of the Rangers before. At least only in old stories. But this confirmed they were real. Abril was half asleep, so I picked her up princess style and carried her to the tent and put her to bed. I decided to read more because I had a feeling that the next entries were very important.
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March 26,
The day went like everyday Novak made his tools as did I, and Lundella ran the booth. Novak checked on her repetitively. He was able to sense Lundella discomfort, which she claimed she had mild back pains. At lunch she ate a little less than usual. It was then that Novak told Lundella to take a rest. At first she refused, that was until she winced and she said in a shaky voice that it was time.
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I read the entry and read about the long labor that my mother endured and she gave birth to two baby boys. The first one had red hair and the other had brown hair. Then I read the process of my parents taking my brother and I out into the woods on a full moon and then naming us. And then I read to where my parents left for the Rangers for refuge and a change of scenery. Then a few months passed and the entries started again with John getting a desperate letter from my parents saying that they were being followed by a hunting party and the children were not safe.
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November 13,
I received a letter and it detailed the contingency plan that we had for when Novak and Lundella were to be in danger. They were going to the drop off and draw the hunting party away. I pack a few things and hurried out to the drop-off.
By nightfall I reached the drop-off and found the Young Karto who I would be looking after. I put him in a warm leather pack to keep him safe and I was about to turn away when I heard a shrill blood-curdling scream.
Chills crept up and down my spine and I crept slowly to the sound to find Lundella being held by the throat. Below her was Novak's lifeless corpse, in a bloody mess.
I then watched in horror as the group beat and had their way with her until her cries faded into silence.
After a few hours to make sure nobody was nearby went to check them. Novak was deceased and Lundella was barely alive. I made a makeshift sled out of leaves and branches and drug them to the drop-off point. I built a fire and started to tend to the Lundella who's labored breathing warned of death. I applied bandages, ailments, and washed her. Once I believedshe was somewhat stable I placed Karto in her arms.
I went out and buried Novak. I put him back into a more fitting state and places a wooden cross at his head. I plan to get stone ones the soon.
I went back to Lundella and sat next to her. She was pale and weak. The strong glowing woman was not before me anymore. I shed a few tears. It was heartbreaking to watch. By morning her eyes fluttered open. She spoke in a whisper, 'John.... it's you...'
'It's okay I'm here and so is Karto,' I spoke softly.
Her face scrunched and she whispered shakily, 'Did they kill him...?'
I looked at her and slowly nodded that they had. She began to cry sorrowful tears, and hugged Karto gently to her bosom. Karto now was all she had left.
After some time she fell asleep again. I knew what was coming. When a bonded mate dies, 90% of the time the other mate will die of sorrow shortly after. The pain of the significant other's death is very immense. Sometimes it can be prevented to an extent.
I was able to get Lundella to a state where she healed physically and would feed Karto.
March 27,
Lundella managed to recover and live long enough for her children to turn one. Our relationship had strengthened and somewhat physical. But no matter how much she tried she couldn't forget that her Alpha was killed by their Beta.
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After reading that I read an entry on her death. I was too little to remember. I stopped to realize I was in tears. My father died by the sword and my mother died of a broken heart. I closed the book and went to the tent and fell asleep. I was done reading and my emotions are running wild. I began to dream and I saw what John had seen down to the last detail.
It was all nightmare like. I woke up drenched in sweat the following morning.
I began to have a feeling that I hadn't felt in a long time like a foggy memory. And I felt a pull to a nearby place I grabbed a machete and slashed at the brush and I found a stone cross with the engraved name of my murdered parents. In that moment I felt their peace calming my nerves. A low voice sounded in my head.
"So this is where the rest."
"Who's there?" I said.
"Who? Karto you know I'm the only one here." Abril's voice sound.
I turned to here and pointed to the stone cross.
"I found my parents."