Chapter 38 - Leader of the Pack

It had been late by the time they'd realized Nick and Miranda were really missing, had taken the truck. Once they did, they had some good guesses where the pair might have been heading

Beth caught their scent in Finchwick.

Following her brother's trail wasn't difficult for her...


Arrived at the farmhouse just the sun was rising, Beth howled with grief.

Miranda couldn't bear the thought of facing her friends, but she knew she owed them that much.

"He's gone, isn't he," Beth said.

"I'm so sorry, Beth," Miranda said. "He was so... brave."


"This is all my fault!" Miranda sobbed. "If I hadn't left, hadn't let him come with me... Oh God, I'm so sorry..."


Tears running down her face, Beth embraced her friend, "It's not your fault!"


"Jake, I..." Miranda began but he just pulled her into a crushing hug.

"Oh God," Miranda whispered. "Kristopher..."

"Beth, I'm so sorry. His loss diminishes us all," Kristopher said.


Turning to Miranda, his face was grim, "What were you thinking? You should have stayed in Moonwood! You were safe there!"


"I told you... I told you we would not fight a war for you," he growled. "Now look what's happened!"

"Don't talk to her like that!" Jake shouted. "You say you don't want to fight a war for her! Wake up, father! The war is happening, whether you want it or not...


"We can't be diplomatic with someone who doesn't even see us as people. We can't peacefully coexist with someone who wants to destroy us. People are dying. Nick died! No, he didn't just die... they killed him."


"You've always said you wanted me to lead," Jake sighed. "Nick wasn't part of your pack, father. He was part of mine... and my pack is going with Miranda. We're going to stand against the vampires because it's the right thing to do. Because it's not her war, father. It's everyone's."

"Take Nick home," Jake said. "We'll see you there... when this is over."