Their Silent Pleas

[Rosalie’s POV]

The ride to the borders of Diego’s pack lands is silent as the heaviness of the situation weighs on all of us. And when we grow closer, the damage from disease and famine due to the darkness becomes evident in the gazes that watch us as we pass. They scream a silent plea to be saved from that which is tormenting them, and it is so damn loud it makes my heart ache.

Beside me, I can feel Diego’s aura shift as he too takes in what I’m seeing, and despite his seeming indifferent earlier on, it becomes increasingly clear that he does truly care for these people, even if he doesn’t believe he can save them.

When we arrive at our destination, we are greeted by elder Marin and healer Murdoch. Both men look as exhausted as the villagers that stare at us from their homes—at least the ones whose homes weren’t destroyed by the giant snake. Those who were left with nothing huddled together inside tents that lined the streets, making it impossible to travel any further by car.

“Welc