6. The Ultimatum
"Prove it. How could I ever prove it?" I just stare at him speechless. This hatred and distrust between humans and wolves runs so deep. Generations of bloody conflicts, betrayals, and what everyone only refers to in hushed tones as the "Total Chaos". I don't know how I could ever prove it.
He steps closer even though there's already no space between us, and I try to ignore my instincts that desperately want me to take a step back.
"Prove it, and I'll reconsider attacking today," he demands, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes analyzing my every move.
"And how could I prove it?" I ask still carefully.
"Well, for a start instead of taking one of the boys, we will take you instead."
"What?" I ask perplexed. This isn't an option I ever thought about. "What would that prove?"
"You come today, and you prove to us that you are willing to take the first step."
This is definitely a trap.
"Don't do it, it's a trap," John whispers behind me, although the wolves can definitely hear him anyway.
"We both know that when I come, you could kill me, and as a Communicator, it isn't considered a criminal act. There would be no consequences for you. I would be essentially at your mercy."
"You already are," he replies, and I draw in a deep breath.
He is right, the whole town is. Backup will take too much time, till they arrive everything will be over. But what I don't understand...
"Why not kill me now?" I ask, because I truly want to know.
"To be honest, I just want to know how far you will go. You're different than the others."
"You mean because I am a Communicator and a woman?"
"No, because I can tell you believe true peace is still possible," he laughs coldly.
Before I can stop myself I reply, "You think you can change that? Even if you kill me, that doesn't mean I will stop believing in it. I will never stop that."
His laugh stops abruptly. "You're either incredibly naive or utterly mad," he says, his voice lower now, almost private despite our audience. "Peace? After everything that's happened between our kinds?"
"Yes," I say simply, maintaining eye contact.
He shakes his head, recovering his composure. "Your choice is simple. Either you come with us now, or we take the boys. There is no third option."
"That's not a choice," I argue. "That's an ultimatum."
"Call it what you will," he says with a shrug. "The result is the same."
Behind me, I can hear John shifting nervously, the townspeople murmuring. The tension in the air is thick enough to choke on.
"Come with us," he says, his voice softer but no less commanding. "See for yourself what's happening. Make your own judgment. Isn't that what Communicators are supposed to do? Or is it all just talk and theory?"
I study his face, trying to read the intent behind those dark, guarded eyes. Is this a trap? Almost certainly. Yet something tells me there's more to this than simple revenge. He could have ordered an attack immediately. He didn't.
"If I go with you," I begin cautiously, "what guarantee do I have that the town will be safe in my absence?"
"My word," he replies. "Which means nothing to you, I'm sure."
"It means something," I say, surprising myself with how much I mean it. "If you give your word."
He looks taken aback for a moment, then nods once, sharply. "You have it."
John grabs my arm. "Alara, you can't seriously be considering this. They'll kill you the minute you're out of sight."
"If they wanted me dead," I reply quietly, "I'd be dead already." I turn back to the wolf leader. "I need time to prepare."
"Two hours," he says. "Meet us on the mountain."
"Where exactly?" I ask, but he's already turning away.
With that, he walks back toward the tree line, his companions following behind him. They disappear into the forest quickly.
The crowd behind me erupts into chaos, voices shouting over each other, some calling me insane, others demanding we evacuate. I stand motionless, staring at the spot where he vanished, when suddenly it hits me – the mountain where my car broke down. That's where they want me to meet them.
So I wasn't imagining it, they've been watching me since I arrived.
I feel like i am missing something important, but I don't know what.