Page 15

Bowen made few calls in preparation for their visit to the flower fields while in the car.

He wanted to make sure that the security is well in place.

He will not risk his mate's safety in that place.

Ambush and attacks sometimes occur there despite how the Stone pack warriors meticulously secured the premise.

But Bowen is not at ease. His gut tells him something is off but he already gave his word to Sara.

"Should you blind fold me or something? I thought you were just being cocky when you said not anyone can just visit the place. But from what I hear in you conversation with whoever that is, you mean shit." Sara acknowledged.

"No. No need to blind fold you. Although, let me warn you that if you have ill intent about the flowers you will answer to me." Bowen warned.

Sara looked away. She collected herself. She wanted to see the flowers with her very eyes for closure.

"I can do this." She whispered as Bowen curiously looked at her.

After parking the car, the group needed to hike through the mountain for twenty more minutes. Good thing she wore sneakers, Sara thought. The way to the precious flowers was like a labyrinth. Without a guide, one can easily loose his way.

"We are near. Are you ready?" Bowen pumped up Sara's excitement. "Close your eyes." He commanded.

Sara's heart is beating doubly fast. Contradicting emotions wash over her but she did go along with Bowen's instruction. She closed her eyes and felt Bowen's hand on hers. The sparks erupted on contact. Bowen led her further, forward always forward.

Bowen stilled. Sara could feel his breath on her temple. He is so close.

"Welcome, Sara, to Stone Pack's lenkacea fields." Bowen whispered in her ear and his voice felt like a caress.

Sara slowly opened her eyes. And there it is! She did not expect the area to be this big. She stepped forward. The flowers were grown on a valley. Mountains surround it as if a natural barrier, a protection. She saw clouds of white flowers. The lenkacea flowers.

Sara's first reaction was amazement and wonder. It is a sight to behold! "Wow." She exclaimed.

"Go ahead. Explore the place. I will wait for you here." Bowen urged. He is happy that Sara seems impressed with the place. So far so good, he thought.

Sara walked towards the center of the fields. Her palms gently touch the flowers as she goes along. The flowers smell good and there is a relaxing effect somehow.

Sara knelt. At that level she can see the flowers better. And then it hit her! A sudden depression attacked her heart and mind. Grief aggressed her as if it was just yesterday.

"Abby..." Sara convulsed into tears as she rack and hug herself. What started as soft cries turned into weeping.

When Bowen saw and heard Sara he felt alarmed. He swore he could also feel Sara's pain. What happened, he wondered. He dashed towards Sara.

Bowen lowered himself to check Sara. "What happened? What is it? Are you hurt? Sara?" He shot questions one after the other. But Sara kept weeping. Bowen respected her need to cry and so he did what he thought could console her. He embraced her.

Sara felt immediate comfort and peace when Bowen embraced her. But her conscience reprimanded her. How can you find comfort in his touch when he caused your sister's demise?

In that moment of guilt, Sara slapped away Bowen's arms and stood. Rage and accusing eyes met confused and worried eyes.

"Sara." Bowen called. She was like possessed and this troubled Bowen.

"Get away from me. You are a monster!" Sara pushed Bowen hard on the chest. It made Bowen step back.

Sara harshly grabbed a few of the flowers in her hand. Tears rolled again in their own accord. "One flower! One flower could have saved her life!" She was getting hysterical.

"What are you talking about?" Bowen wanted to understand her, her pain.

"Abby!" She shouted in pain. Sara wiped her tears with her other hand and composed herself.

"Nine years ago, my pack was attacked by hunters.

They brought with them strange and modern weapons.

Abby was just six then. She and my mother where at a birthday party that afternoon.

The hunters released bombs indiscriminately!

Two bombs landed on the lawn where the party was happening.

When they exploded, shrapnel laced with potent wolfsbane hit the guests.

The children!" Sara paused as narrating the past burns her heart.

"Twelve children and three adult wolves were severely injured.

Abby was one of them. The hunters underestimated my pack's defenses and it became their downfall.

They did not know that every pack member at the age of thirteen was already trained to fight.

Male or female. We defeated them but they wounded us deeply and forever.

The injured were brought to the pack hospital.

They were still alive and still have a fighting chance to live, if only. ..." Sara stopped.

Bowen could already infer where this is leading with just the mention of wolfsbane. Where Sara's hate is springing from. His heart is constricting.

Sara continued. "If only the lenkacea flowers were available! These damned flowers could have saved the children. Our Abby! But no!" Sara closed in on Bowen.

She hit Bowen's chest as she pressed on.

"You banned my pack from receiving allocation of the antidote just because your godfather, Marius's mate came from my pack!

You forbade and threatened nearby packs from ever giving us lenkacea flowers or you will stop selling it to them.

Your hate and vengeance caused us our loved ones!

We were innocent in Marius's crimes and yet it was us who paid the price of your bitterness, your blind need for justice! "

"My people went pack to pack to beg for some flowers.

All we got were apologies. I was just fourteen back then yet I took a plane from the south to Northern Lucille to go to Pappy or better to Stone Pack myself.

I wanted to tell you face-to-face what happened to my pack, to my sister, to the other children hoping and begging that your heart will be merciful and generous.

But it was too late. The moment the plane touched down, a message came through saying all the victims died.

That Abby was gone." Sara wiped the remaining tears in her eyes and face.

Unknowingly, Bowen's tear fell.

Sara stepped back. She threw the flowers in her hand and gently picked another, this time with care. She held the flower close to Bowen's ashen face.

Sara spoke somberly this time. "This very flower could have saved Abby.

I hope you found the justice you were seeking with the death of your parents, knowing now, that innocent lives were paid for that crime.

Yes, Bowen. You did not release the bombs.

You did not send those hunters to us. But, YOU, definitely hit the last nail on their coffins! " Sara indicted.

She turned away and spoke softly. "Now if you please. Can I have a moment alone? I want to pray for my sister. This is the only reason I wanted to be here, for closure." Sara pleaded.

Bowen let her. He retreated giving Sara the space she needed.