Life With No Heirs
1285 Words
“Sage…”
“I am not like you, Ivy. You should know that by now.” I pushed past her, voice harsher than I intended.
Her footsteps followed immediately. “Oh, come on. Don’t start brooding already.”
“You just came back after months away, and the first thing out of your mouth is marriage?” I shot her a look over my shoulder. “Knowing how much I detest it?”
She lifted both hands, mock surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll drop it. But you have to admit, me lecturing you about settling down is kind of funny.”
I shook my head and kept walking. “Not funny.”
“Well, maybe a little but I'm sorry. I know…that's your soft spot. I am sorry I poked it.” Her grin widened to make me smile but I didn't feel like smiling right now. The images that played in my head... “Anyway,” Her voice interrupted my thoughts. “Before you become a sour puss, let’s go raid the kitchen. Juice and bread?”
I stopped, giving her a glare cold enough to freeze fire.
She only laughed harder. “There’s the Sage I remember. Always scowling when I’m trying to lighten the mood.”
Before I could reply, a familiar voice cut across the corridor. “Ahh. You girls have seen each other at last.”
We both turned. Grandfather stood near the grand staircase, silver hair catching the chandelier light. His presence filled the hall without effort.
Ivy skipped forward, slipping her arm through his like she’d never been gone. “Twins always find their way back to each other, Grandpa.” She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.
I stayed a few steps behind, lowering my head in a respectful bow.
Grandfather’s gaze settled on me. “Sage. I see you are doing very well for the Whitmore family.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said quietly.
He patted Ivy’s hand before glancing back at me. “And you as well, Ivy. The number of werewolves you girls have brought in together is already higher than mine at your age.” His mouth curved into the faintest smile. “Soon enough, the award for Greatest Hunter will be awarded once you pass the Council’s Final Proving Stage.”
Ivy squeezed his arm, glowing with pride. She had always been the favorite—soft where I was cold, charming where I was blunt.
And I… well, I was the one with scars, a terrible past and too much pride to pretend otherwise.
Grandfather’s eyes lingered on me. “Both of you are grown women now. Hunters of renown. The family could not be prouder.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” Ivy said sweetly. “We only do our duty.”
He chuckled, patting her hand. “Duty, yes. But legacy is more than slaying beasts, girls. It is also about alliances. About family. Tell me—why do I still not hear wedding bells from either of you?”
Ivy flushed, half embarrassed, half delighted. “I… well, Mother has been dropping hints.”
“Hints?” His brows rose. “Your mother practically sends me lists of suitors for you every week.”
Ivy laughed softly. “She does that.”
He turned to me. “And you, Sage? Have you given any thought to marriage?”
My lips tightened. “Grandfather, with respect, I have no patience for men. Never have, never will.”
He gave me a long look, as though he’d heard that exact answer a hundred times before. “You think you can carry the Whitmore name forever on blades and points? There will come a day when strength alone will not be enough.”
“With respect, sir, strength is what keeps Silverpeak alive.”
“That is only part of it.” His tone was gentle, but it cut like the edge of a knife. “You can be the greatest hunter in history and still leave nothing behind if you have no heirs. Dead and forgotten.”
Ivy squeezed his arm again, trying to smooth the tension. “Grandpa, don’t be too hard on her. Sage has been working harder than anyone.”
“She works herself into the grave,” he muttered, eyes narrowing on me.
You made me like this, I wanted to say out loud.
But didn't.
Luckily, a sharp vibration buzzed against my wrist. The WatchRing glowed faintly, pulsing red.
I pressed a hand over it, annoyed.
Grandfather’s gaze snapped to the device. “What is this interruption?”
“A call,” I said evenly.
“And you were going to ignore it?” His voice sharpened. “Sage, you stand before your family preaching that hunters protect humanity, that you carry the burden better than anyone. Yet when duty calls, you hesitate?”
“It’s just—”
He stepped closer, cutting me off. “No excuses. You cannot speak of sacrifice if you are unwilling to live it. I know you are overworked, Sage, but it is the price you must pay. Hunters do not rest. Hunters do not falter. That is what makes us
His penetrating gaze pressed on me until my chest ached with pain.
My body was weak, my muscles trembling with exhaustion. Fever burned low in my veins. Yet I forced a smile.
“Yes, Grandfather. I understand.”
Ivy frowned at me, sensing the truth I wouldn’t admit. “Sage—”
I straightened, silencing her with a look. “Excuse me.”
She reached for my arm. “Sage, wait—”
But I had already turned, tapping the WatchRing to accept.
“What is it?” My voice was clipped, professional, as the call connected.
Static crackled for a moment before a man’s voice came through. “Ms. Whitmore—sorry. I know you’re… busy. But this is important.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Then speak.”
“Yes, right. There’s been… an incident.”
My frown deepened. “What kind of incident?”
Behind me, I could feel Ivy’s gaze drilling into my back, and Grandfather’s silent disapproval hanging like a shadow.
“An attack,” the voice said finally. “North sector, just outside the Silverpeak barrier. A patrol was ambushed.”
“Ambushed how?”
There was hesitation. Too much hesitation.
“Casualties?” I pressed, voice sharper.
“…Seventeen.”
My stomach sank. “Seventeen dead?”
“Thirteen dead. Four injured. One critical.”
I exhaled slowly, keeping my tone flat even as my pulse raced. “Hunters don’t lose thirteen in a single night. Not unless—” I stopped myself. “What are you not telling me?”
He coughed nervously on the other end. “We’ve… checked the wounds. This wasn’t a rogue pack.”
I froze. “Not rogues? Then what was it?”
Grandfather stepped closer, his voice low but carrying. “Answer her.”
The man on the line stammered. “It’s… unusual. The bodies… they were torn apart. Their body parts removed, some eaten. Claws, but… stronger. It left no scratch marks.”
My fingers tightened around the WatchRing. “Continue…”
“There were tracks. Larger than standard and deeper. They left… marks in the earth.”
Ivy came up beside me, whispering, “Sage, what does that mean?”
I ignored her. “Tell me exactly what you suspect.”
The silence stretched long enough that I thought the connection had dropped. Then the man’s voice came back, low and shaken.
“We believe…” He swallowed audibly. “We believe it’s a lycan.”
- Writer
