Noelle woke up to someone calling out her name. “Noelle? Noelle, are you okay?”

It was Edmund, and he was sitting on the ground with Noelle’s head in his lap. He looked down at her and Noelle remembered the first time they had met in the hospital, and how he had looked at her with a similar expression.

“What happened?” she asked, although she was already beginning to remember.

She recalled the young girl lying in the grass, and tears welled up in her eyes. Edmund stroked her hair tenderly and she was too tired to try and stop him. She felt overwhelmed —why did it seem like every time she made a choice, someone or something stepped in to change it?

Edmund slid out from beneath her and stood up. He offered her his hand and Noelle used it to bring herself to a sitting position. She realized that they were no longer in the meeting room, but a small bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of the bed with her feet dangling off, and she pushed her hands through her hair in frustration.

“Edmund, do you ever get tired of it all?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean all of this —the werewolves, the hunters, the cure. It’s just so overwhelming, and sometimes, I just wish I could escape it all. But of course, I can’t.” Edmund nodded as though he understood exactly what Noelle was talking about. He sat down next to her and patted her knee.

“I know that you haven’t forgiven me yet, Noelle. And I want you to know that’s okay. I understand. But I also want you to know that I truly do care about you —you and your family. I am doing my best to protect all of you.”

Noelle remembered what her mother had told her about Edmund standing up for them. And about demanding that after they were turned back into humans, they would be able to cut ties with the hunter life forever.

“Thank you,” Noelle said. And she truly meant it. She was glad that, at the very least, her family would be able to escape the torments of this life.

Edmund nodded once and got up from the bed and headed toward the door. He was being both responsible and understanding.

“Hey, Edmund,” Noelle said before he left. He turned and looked at her expectantly. “Do you remember when you told me that you really did have a cure for silver?”

Edmund blinked a few times and then nodded, saying, “Yes, I remember.”

“Was that a lie?”

“No, it wasn’t. Why do you ask?”

Noelle smiled to herself. She had no idea how she felt about the council, or the council rebels… or Mr. Sanders, but she did know that she liked and respected Maria. At this point, all she could rely on for certain, was her personal connections to people themselves, instead of the ideals they stood for.

“No reason.” Noelle shrugged and stood up from the bed. They walked together down a short hallway which led straight into the room where Noelle had fainted a few hours before.

“She’s returned!” Mr. Sanders exclaimed. He clapped his hands together theatrically and walked briskly up to Noelle, wrapping her into a brief embrace. “We were all so worried.”

Noelle looked around the room and noticed that her parents and Megan were no longer there and she started to panic.

“Don’t worry, child,” Mr. Sanders spoke lightly. “They are in the other room sitting down for dinner. Are you hungry?” Noelle nodded and followed him into the other room. She looked to the side and noticed Edmund walking closely beside her.

As they entered the dining room, Noelle’s stomach instantly started grumbling as she breathed in the powerful aromas of the food. In the center of the room, there was a large dining room table which stretched at least ten feet in length. There were two elaborately embellished chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, which cast a soft glow on the room, creating an almost romantic atmosphere. Noelle nearly forgot that they were in the same old warehouse that she entered earlier in the day.

“Sit, sit.” Mr. Sanders smiled at her and Noelle took her place across from her parents and Edmund sat next to her.

People appeared from behind them, and placed down plates filled with fresh salad. Noelle picked up her fork and slowly started eating in the midst of the silence. She looked over at Mr. Sanders and found that he had not touched his food —his hands were folded underneath his chin and he watched Noelle carefully.

“So, Noelle.” Mr. Sanders began with a clap of his hands, “I hear you need a cure for silver, is that correct?”

Noelle shot a harsh glance at Edmund, but she could tell that he was just as surprised by his knowledge of their conversation.

He laughed quietly and said, “Don’t be upset with Edmund, dear. These walls are old and they have ears!”

Noelle wasn’t sure where this conversation would lead, so she remained silent, forgetting about her delicious salad.

“Well, I’ll just assume that I am right. So, let’s make a deal then. We will give you the cure, if you promise your loyalty to our cause and help us in any way you can.” Noelle looked across the table at her parents and they both stared at Mr. Sanders, but neither of them said anything. “Come now, Noelle. You saw the files yourself. You know the monstrosities that these creatures are capable of. You lived for years believing in the necessity of their deaths. Frankly, this is an honorable offer and you would be wise to accept it.”

“Noelle,” Edmund whispered, “you should take this deal. We can do remarkable things together.”

“Edmund.” Noelle sighed.

She didn’t know what to think or say at this point —Mr. Sanders was right. Werewolves were certainly capable of monstrous deeds, but she had seen with her own eyes, the hundreds of werewolves who chose a different path. Should they all be condemned for the fault of a few? Why was this a decision that she had become responsible for?

“Noelle?” her father spoke from across the table. “I don’t understand why you are hesitating on this. This is what you wanted for us, and now you are getting it. This isn’t death, it’s a chance at a new life.”

“I just —I need a moment,” Noelle said.

She stood from the table and excused herself, walking from the same door they had entered. She walked over to the large window and pushed aside the curtain. There, she could see the world as she knew it. In these rooms, it seemed too easy to be overcome by a reality painted by others. Noelle wanted to leave, but she needed to know where the cure was for Maria.

She heard the door open and as she looked to the side, she saw Megan walking toward her, wearing a small smile. Her cousin approached her at the window, and together they looked outside in silence.

“It’s Declan, isn’t it?” Megan asked quietly. Noelle looked over at her cousin and peered at her closely. There had been a dramatic shift in Megan, and Noelle needed to know what had happened to her.

“Meg, what did they do to you here?” Noelle asked, ignoring her cousin’s question.

Megan looked at Noelle and she smiled softly. “They found them, Noelle. They found my parents.”

“Oh my god,” Noelle said as she gasped. “How? Have you met them? Where are they?”

Megan’s smile twitched and her face grew grave. “Do you remember that little girl’s photo you looked at earlier?”

Noelle nodded wordlessly. Megan gazed out of the window again and closed her eyes.

“That was my sister.” Noelle stood frozen —she had no words that she could offer her cousin. “They told me that my parents had taken us out on a camping trip. We were attacked by werewolves at night, and they killed everyone except for me. Somehow, I managed to walk all the way to the hospital where Marjorie found me. But, that was why no one was ever looking for me —there was no one left to search.”

“My god, Megan. I am so sorry,” Noelle finally managed to whisper. She took her cousin into a tight hug and they stood there for some time, just holding each other.

Megan finally pulled back. “I understand your hesitation, Noelle. But the truth is right in front of us. And if you do really love him, then you should want to do this. If it were up to me, I would change Gabriel in a heartbeat. Then maybe, he would turn back into the man I fell in love with in the first place.”

Noelle’s heart felt pulled in so many directions. Her family was choosing humanity. Megan’s real family was torn apart by werewolves. Noelle knew that if Declan had a choice between being a human or a werewolf, he would choose being a werewolf. But would he choose it over her as well? Had she made her choice?

“I’m going to go back in,” Megan said softly. “Take your time.”

Noelle nodded and turned back to the window. The sky had grown darker and clouds had pulled together building their strength for the pending storm. She heard the door open again, but this time, she did not turn to see who had come into the room.

“Noelle?” Edmund said softly.

Without looking at him she said, “Edmund, what would you do if you were in my position?”

“Noelle, I am in your position. And you already know my choice.”

She nodded as she considered his words —he too, was forced to give up something in order to fight for this cause. He would never be able to rejoin his family. Just as, Noelle feared, she would never be able to rejoin Declan.

“I need that cure, Edmund. This could be the last good deed I do,” Noelle whispered, feeling the weight of her words as they fell from her mouth.

“Look at me, Noelle.” Edmund gently touched her shoulder and turned her so that she was now facing him, with her back to the window. “This will be the first step to a very long list of good deeds. I know that you may not see the big picture now, but we are saving thousands of lives. Not only human lives, but werewolves as well.”

Noelle closed her eyes briefly. What role did time play anymore? She wondered how this man had gone from a lover, to a traitor, to a confidant, in so little time. Her own family had been so quick to forgive him once they recognized the goodness of the cause. Could she not do the same?

“Can I just ask one question, Noelle?”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Your hesitations on this —is this because you still care for Declan, or because you truly believe that werewolves should exist?”

This was it —the moment she would have to choose. If she admitted her feelings for Declan to Edmund, her ability to attain the cure would surely be compromised. Noelle knew that this question had multiple implications. Was she making the choice based on the right reasons? Was she making the choice based on a relationship, which never fully existed?

“I care for Declan only as a friend.” Noelle sighed. She hoped that Edmund would not catch the dishonesty in her voice. “But I cannot let that friendship interfere with my duties. I hesitate, and only because of the blood that courses through my veins —you forget that I am a werewolf, too. And this will essentially strip me of part of myself.”

Edmund nodded and Noelle could easily recognize the relief in his eyes. He had bought her lie —he truly believed that she and Declan had no other connection with one another, other than a volatile friendship.

“I understand,” Edmund said, but he was unable to keep the smile from his eyes. “So, have you made your decision yet?”

Noelle nodded and said, “I have.” The sky opened up behind her and the first crack of thunder rumbled loudly as the rain began to wash the earth below.

They made their way back into the dining room where it was clear that everyone had just finished their meals. Mr. Sanders thanked them for joining him and he dismissed everyone, except for Noelle. Edmund hesitated briefly at the door, but nodded in her direction as though reaffirming her decision.

“I take it you have come to a final conclusion,” Mr. Sanders said as he leaned back in his chair. “I must admit that I am surprised it took so long for you to decide.”

“There were many factors to take into consideration,” Noelle said sternly. He raised his eyebrows at her tone, but did not reply. Noelle continued, “I will help you with this cause, but I need one thing from you in addition to the cure for silver.”

Mr. Sanders narrowed his eyes at Noelle and then he leaned forward toward her as he spoke. “I am not in the business of negotiating, my dear.”

Noelle nodded as though she had expected him to say something like this. “I suppose that’s it, then. I will have to find another way to get the cure.”

“Noelle, you are growing tiresome.” Mr. Sanders sneered at her. “Speak now. What else do you require?”

Noelle narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re going to tell me who you really are.”

* * *

Declan sat in Noelle’s parents’ empty apartment, in silence. He had searched the entire place for any clue as to where she might have gone. It had been almost twenty-four hours since he’d heard from her, and he could only fear the worse.

He stood up from the couch and walked toward the door, glancing back, one more time. Declan noticed a small white envelope underneath the napkin holder on the dining room table. How had he missed this before?

He walked over to the table and removed a note from the envelope. It was addressed to Noelle and requested a meeting with her. It was signed by a Mr. Sanders, and beneath his name, Declan found an address.

He raced up the stairs and found Maria laying on the couch watching television. “I think I know where she is,” Declan said, panting from his sprint.

Maria quickly sat up and reached for the note that Declan had in his hands. She read it over and looked up at him with the same question that he had on his own mind.

“Who the hell is Mr. Sanders?” she asked.

“I’m not positive,” Declan said. “But I think that he may have something to do with this council that Noelle was telling me about before. They have this mission to turn all werewolves back into humans.”

Maria stared at Declan as he spoke, and a shiver went down her spine at the final word. “And what if we don’t want to be human?” she asked.

Declan shrugged his shoulders and said, “I’m not sure they are really giving us much of a choice.”

“Okay,” Maria said, standing up from her seat. She started pacing back and forth as she was processing all this additional information. “Okay, so let me get this straight, your girlfriend was a hunter. Turns out she is actually a hybrid —a hybrid whose blood this council needs, to help create these cures. She becomes the alpha of your pack and then shows up at our meeting. A few days later, my entire pack is eviscerated as we are trying to escape —an escape she knew about.”

“What are you suggesting, Maria?”

Maria looked up at Declan and a dark shadow passed over her features. “I think your girlfriend is the reason my pack is gone.”

“What?”

“You’re going to tell me who you really are.”