When The Pack Bleeds

“Do you understand what you’ve done?” Medusa’s voice cut the cave, sharp and cold. The orb lay shattered on the floor, smoke curling into the air. Axton’s hand, still bled from the cut, drops of blood fell against the stone, his eyes furrowed . “I understand,” he said, his voice steady though his eyes wavered. “The treaty is broken.” Medusa’s pale eyes narrowed. “Blood for blood, the curse will come for you.” Before Axton could answer, footsteps thundered at the cave’s entrance. A guard stumbled in, he panicked as sweat rolled down his cheeks. “My lord…your sister!" Lady Sarah collapsed! She will not wake!” Axton fell back, his pulse stopped, then hammered in his ears. He pushed past the guard and ran out of the cave. By the time he reached the courtyard, everyone was already there. People stood in a circle, at the center Sarah lay still, her face pale. Elder Lydia pressed her glowing hands over her, but the light flickered weak and useless. “Sarah!” Axton dropped beside her, lifting her into his arms. Her skin was cold, her lips trembling faintly. He shook her gently. “Stay with me, little wolf… please.” There was no response. A shadow loomed over him. “You fool.” Lucien’s voice crashed down like thunder. He strode forward, cloak snapping at his heels, his eyes blazing. “You broke it.” Axton looked up, his face pale. “Uncle…” “You broke the blood pact!” Lucien roared. He snatched Axton by the collar, yanking him to his feet. Sarah slipped from his grasp back into Lydia’s arms. “Our blood is tied to that treaty, the moment you shattered it the curse reached for us and now your sister suffers!” Axton’s chest tightened. “I… I wanted to save us. The kingdom is starving, my people are dying. I thought..” “You thought?” Lucien slammed him back against the wall. “You are king, Axton. A king cannot think like a child. You ignored the counsel, ignored my warnings, and now your pride damns us all!” “I didn’t know this would happen,” Axton whispered. Lucien’s lip curled. “No. You never know, until it’s too late.” His grip tightened, his voice low and bitter. “And it won’t stop with Sarah. The curse will bleed through your line, every last one of us will wither.” Everywhere went silent, only Sarah’s shallow breathing was heard. Lucien shoved him away. “From this night, you are no king in my eyes. You have brought death to your own house. Pray to the seer for mercy but I doubt she will give it.” “What have you done Axton?" Elder Lydia asked,tears rolling down her cheeks. " You do not have the right to speak,”he frowned,his gaze fell on his sick sister. " I…I told you loud and clear this will bring doom on the kingdom." Lydia's voice echoed. “You supported me,you told me Medusa would have a cure,you told me all this would stop." He stumbled back. “I didn't tell you to break the treaty,I only told you to do what was good for the pack," her eyes narrowed. “I'll find something to do about this,at least the kingdom is safe." Lucien let out a laugh.”The whole kingdom is in chaos. His eyes blazed as he shoved Axton back. “Our ancestors carved that treaty in blood, blood that bound this family for centuries. They paid with their lives to keep the curse away, and you shattered it in one foolish act. Do you think you’re wiser than those who built this pack? Their sacrifice kept us safe, and now their graves will bleed because of you.” Axton couldn't hold back his tears. “Your hatred for Daria will cost you your kingdom and your loved ones will leave you," the tone of his voice changed. Axton staggered back, his chest felt heavy. For the first time, he had no words. He turned and left, each step dragging him like chains. ***** The forest was darker than before, whispering with unseen voices. When he entered the cave again, Medusa was waiting, as if she had known he would return. Her eyes lingered on him, unreadable. “She suffers,” she murmured. “And so will you.” Axton fell to his knees. “Tell me how to save her, tell me how to stop this.” Medusa rose slowly, her long hair gleaming in the torchlight. She walked in a circle around him, her bare feet silent on the stone. “You told me this won't happen," he said softly. " I said there will be consequences but I didn't know what the moon goddess has in mind.” " I only tried to save my people,”his voice went low. “The pact is broken, it's roots were bound to your family’s blood. Now, one by one, the curse will drain your line. Your sister is only the first, your kin will follow until nothing of your house remains.” Axton’s breath caught. “No…” Medusa stopped before him, her eyes narrowed. “There is no undoing,only balance. To save them, you must give the curse something greater.” “Then take me,” he said, hid voice hoarse. “If it wants a life, take mine.” Medusa’s smile was thin and cruel. “It will not be so simple, the curse feeds on war. Blood must answer with blood to balance what you’ve broken, you must bind yourself to the one you hate most.” Axton’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?” Her eyes glowed faintly. “The curse can only be stopped if you join with the Ash. You will have to go on a quest with Daria of kingdom Ash. ” The name struck him like a blade,his fists clenched. Daria is the enemy who had taken his lands, who haunted his every thought. Medusa’s voice dropped to a whisper. “She is the one who will save your kingdom, without her your family dies. With her, the curse may be broken.” Axton’s heart pounded, rage warred with despair inside him. Join hands with Daria… or watch his bloodline burn. Axton gasped, his greatest enemy was now his salvation, but will he join hands with Daria.