Chapter 6 The Cost Of Betrayal

For a moment, Allan felt bad. His conscience kept judging him. He knew he had screwed up. Therefore, he tries to go into more detail, as well as try to convince Olivia to believe he regrets everything that happened. "You and I have known each other ever since we were little kids. You know how much I care for you. You have always been my most trusted friend. Olivia, you mean the world to me. There is no doubt about that. Despite all that, a few days ago, I made a terrible mistake that may cost our friendship. I have never turned my back on you, not until I agreed with Catherina to plan evil. Believe me, when I said, I was compelled to indulge in that act."

Allan was still explaining when the angry Olivia cut in. "I must tell you, Allan, I'm running out of patience. Why could you do this? I thought you were the last person in the whole world to betray me. You are my only true family--you and Gary. Why did you do it? All for what, Allan?" Her voice was beginning to mellow as he spoke. She was struggling to control her tears. It was a matter of time before her visible tears started dripping. She was heartbroken to learn Allan and Gary could agree to betray her after all they had shared from their wonderful and memorable childhood.

"All for a life Olivia--a precious life I couldn't let go just like that," said Allen. Although he was facing downward and never made any attempt to look into Olivia's eyes again, he too was struggling to control his tears as well. When he couldn't contain them anymore, he simply let his tears spill onto the floor. He wiped his eyes continuously with the back of his palms, in a bid to hide them from Olivia. "My service to your wicked stepmother was in exchange for something I could not afford to lose. If I had another way, I wouldn't have thought twice about it. But now, I have realized I was wrong. I shouldn't have sacrificed my best friend in exchange for another important person to live with. Now I have realized, I should take my ground against her and whatever comes up, I will face it."

Anxious, she asked, "Who is this special one you are talking about?"

"My mother. You know for quite a long time now, my mother has been sick."

Olivia couldn't allow him to finish his sentence. "Wait a minute, I think I know what you are about to say. She threatened to have your sick mother killed if you didn't cooperate with her. Was that the threat, Allan?"

"Yes, that's true. Everyone knows Catherina is ruthless and may kill my mother if I decline to obey her. I admit I was wrong and that the life of the innocent is not worth the killing of another innocent. I have done the unthinkable and I hope you will learn to forgive me after this."

She couldn't believe it and then, she mustered her courage. "Where is Garry now? Why is he not here with you?" She tried to deviate from Allan's pleas.

"I don't know his whereabouts but, I'm sure he had his pressure attached," he stole a look from her and looked away quickly. He waited for her to reply. After waiting for a few seconds and Olivia was yet to say any words, he proceeded, "I'm here now to fix your problems, even at the cost of my own life. You don't deserve this, not even a bit. You need a better life just like everyone else. I can't let you die. It's my fault you are here. Let's escape from here Leah. Just hold my hand tight and I will help us leave this cursed land."

Olivia looked closely into his eyeballs. "There is nothing you can do now, Allan. It's too late. We are surrounded and I'm a precious prize to the Alpha and all the Werewolves. You can turn your back and walk away before it's too late. Save yourself, Allan. Forget about me, the deal has been done," she told him with a cracked voice, accompanied by tears. Her tears flowed as she tried to contain them. Allan watched helplessly. He hated himself for ever putting Olivia in the present predicament.

"Come with me," insisted Allan, but then, an unexpected guest arrived before Olivia could talk to him.

"You have to go, Allan. Listen, can you hear footsteps approaching?"

Allan reluctantly took a few steps backward from Olivia despite the imminent danger he was facing at the moment. Olivia had a similar feeling. She didn't want him to find out that, deep down in her heart, she had forgiven him.

"How can I ever leave you here, knowing this could be the last time I will set my eyes on you? Curse this day, for I have betrayed my friend," lamented Allan. The more they kept talking, the more the footsteps kept approaching.

"Come here!" Olivia told him. He drifted closer and threw his arms across her back. They hugged for a few seconds. "You have to leave now and be careful. Take care of your mother as well," her eyes flooded with tears again as she spoke. At the same time, Allan was going emotional too. Slowly, she let him go. None of them could control their tears anymore as they unwillingly moved away from each other. Olivia never stopped staring at his faint image until he faded away into the darkness.

A few seconds later, the alpha appeared. "What took you so long, Olivia?"

"My poor soul will be offered to the moon goddess in a matter of days. How does it make you feel? I wanted to connect with nature and find peace for my soul while I awaited execution," her tears were always dripping. Ramon saw them flowing, but there was nothing he could do. It was a matter of days before the day of appeasement to the moon goddess of the Werewolves.

Olivia was taken back to Wolf's prison where she will await her fate.