Dear Enemy, You're My Mate

Chapter 86 **

Maya

As I take Carla's hand, the scenery around us changes drastically. The room we once stood in with its warm, inviting light disappears, along with the furniture. Soon, I see burning trees and a field with fallen soldiers on the ground. Blood colors the grass red, and there is a permanent stench in the air, making me hold my nose.

My lips form an unhappy frown. "What is that rotten smell?"

Carla is staring at the ground like a zombie, but eventually, she lifts her chin to watch me with glimmering eyes. Although she wears the face of a fairy, I'm having an easier time understanding she isn't a person. There isn't an ounce of emotion in her eyes, and when she steps over dead people's heads, she doesn't show remorse.

"We are standing right outside the city of fairies, and this is the future with the highest rate of becoming a reality. I can't tell what will happen for sure—no one knows what is written in the stars, but I fear my people are doomed. And I want to save them from destruction."

My gaze skitters around the scene, jumping from one fire to another before finding Arvin laughing at his achievements. Werewolves and vampires alike are dead by his feet, some good, others evil, and there is an orb in his hand, shimmering dangerously.

I stop breathing. "Is that-..." My palm travels to my mouth, and when Carla passes me a sad smile, I bend forward to puke all over the ground—this future is nauseating. My stomach churns. "Finn, did he become a slave once again? Is that orb truly my Finn? Oh-my-fucking-god, I think I will be sick! Please tell me it isn't him!"

"Unfortunately, it's him," Carla confirms. "And while Arvin won't know how to merge with Finn's soul, the humans won't ever stop tormenting my people—not when they know how to enslave the fairies and create orbs out of their poor souls."

My heart is aching. Finn is everything—my safety, my home, and I don't want this future for him or the other fairies. Not Blake, or her men, or the other happy fairies in the city.

I take a deep breath. "What about my sister and parents? Didn't they try to stop Arvin in this terrible future?"

Carla studies me briefly before lifting her hand to point at the horizon and a pile of bodies burning like the morning star. "Your sister and your beloved parents are turning to ashes as we speak—that's why the air smells so bad."

A scream gets stuck in my throat as I watch smoke take every inch of the orange, bleeding sky. Grief is overwhelming me, along with the fear of losing everyone I love, but I push away those emotions away and stand taller. There must be a way to prevent this from happening, or the tree of life wouldn't show me this scene.

I turn around, whipping my hair to one side of my shoulder. "What do I need to do? How can I save the ones I love and every other innocent soul that had to die by Arvin's mad hands?"

The tree of life suddenly becomes cold. The wind seems to blow up into their face and remove every trace of the sadness I saw, and the woman's lips part with resolution.

"Give up your wolf." I'm not sure if I heard them correctly, but the woman named Carla talks again in her authoritative tone. "You are powerful, Maya, but you have no clue how to use your abilities. Therefore, give up your powers to me, and let me lend them to Finn. You might stand a chance against Arvin and his Springclan pack then."

My gut is wrenching with anxiety. I've been separated from my inner wolf my entire freaking life, and now the tree of life wants me to break my soul into pieces for a slim to nothing chance of winning against Arvin?

Ugh, why would I agree to that?!

Is the tree of life mad?

I study Carla's features, convinced my inner wolf doesn't like the idea of leaving me either. And what difference does it make if Finn has my light capabilities? He wouldn't know how to use them either, which gives me the insight the tree of life only wants to steal my wolf.

I take a cautious step back. "How do I know I can trust you? In my ears, it sounds like you only want to consume my powers for your benefit. Why can't I keep my abilities and fight together with the fairies? Why do you want my inner wolf so badly?"

The tree of life is breathing hard and resembling Gollum from the Lord Of The Rings while eyeing me with the face of a woman. Her lips are parted, and her eyebrows furrowed in anger. I take another step back, creating distance.

"I'm not evil, Maya," Carla, or the tree of life, claims while licking their lips as if I'm this juicy apple they can't wait to eat. "But I don't want to lose either! My people are precious to me, and I don't want to bet on a human to save them all! Please, give me your powers!"

"Uh-uh!" I tuck tail and run for my life, making the tree of life scream in rage behind me.

"You can't get away from me while you're in here, Maya! And trust me, you don't want to make me angry! I will take your light by force—I'm not evil, but I'm desperate. And I've learned you won't die if I take your wolf. No, you've been separated before."

I dash past burning trees, grimacing when Carla appears out of nowhere. She blocks my road, and I turn the other way, only for her to pop up somewhere else, like an annoying advertisement.

I drag a hand over my face. "Why won't you let me try to fight Arvin? You said this future isn't written in stone—what if I can beat him?! All I need is for you to give me a chance! Stop chasing me!"

"No, I need your inner wolf! Give her to me, Maya! I need her—I want her—I demand her!"

I close my eyes so hard it hurts, fighting tears. "But my inner wolf is a part of me! You're asking for my goddamn soul for a chance of winning this war when there is still a possibility I could win without tearing myself apart!"

The tree of life hisses at me, showing me her sharp teeth. "I don't trust humans!"

"Well, you can trust me!" I exclaim. "I love Finn, and I would do anything for him, including engaging in this war to save his people, even if my kind isn't looking to help him!"

There is a loud sigh. "Fine, I'm tired, so I give up—keep your light abilities, Maya, but don't come to me if you lose everyone you love."

My eyelids are stinging. "Oh, I will come to you because you're supposed to be on our side in this war, and if I've lost everything and you're the only soul left to help me, then I will arrive on your doorstep! You have to accept that!"

Carla's eyes widen, and suddenly, a smile has taken her lips. "You've passed the test."

I stare at her. "Wait, what?"

"Your trust in me is uncanny." Carla takes a step forward, and the skies clear, revealing white clouds and the radiant sun. "Very well—I shall let the midnight wolf fight her war, and if she, against all odds, loses, I will be here to offer her my aid."

I dare to smile back at her. "Thank you."

Something resembling kindness flickers in Carla's eyes, and then she takes my hands, squeezing them. "You're welcome, werewolf. I don't trust the rest of your kind, but your heart seems pure—if you need me, I will be here waiting for you. But it must be your last resort, your triumph card in the battle to come because using my powers might change the world as you know it. And it might not give you the outcome you seek, your so-called happy ending."

I swallow thickly, wondering what her words mean. It almost sounds as if I need to offer my soul to ask the tree of life for help, which is rather alarming. Then again, if I must give my breath to save Finn, then I wouldn't even hesitate—I love that man more than I value my life. I would cut my throat if it meant saving him.

"Okay," I say, smiling despite the churning in my stomach. I'm anxious but manage to remain calm. "I will try to defeat Arvin without your help, to begin with, but if things look dark, I will return here and do whatever it takes to save both your kind and mine."

Carla nods. "Good girl."

After she has spoken, I open my eyes and lie on the ground underneath the tree of life. Finn is nowhere to be seen. Yet the colorful leaves belonging to the tree of life are dancing in the wind, seeming to encourage me.

Without hesitation, I smile and take a deep breath. "I won't make you regret not taking my powers by force. I will give this fight my best shot, and I will come out victorious. Arvin doesn't stand a chance since I won't let him win. I'm determined to crush him—you can trust me on this."

The tree branches move in the wind, and I deepen my smile, knowing the goddess is on my side. I can imagine her smiling, and I will make her proud—I'm ready for the fight.