Abandoned by Fate

Chapter8

I packed up quickly, trying to meet up with Corman, who just suddenly stood up and was off.

Who would be so stupid to intrude into this den and how?

The castle was behind the pack house and pack space, the last building on this property.

I ran to the pack house, passing enforcers who were moving in a hurry and with a sense of purpose.

I couldn't find Corman anywhere and neither Loren.

Everywhere seemed crowded, and I realized everyone was assembled here, from the little ones to the elderly amongst us.

I asked around and nobody had a full idea of what was happening, apart from the news of invaders in the pack space.

I found the head enforcer, Kylan, and grabbed him by his arm as he hurried by.

He turned and snarled before recognizing my face. Every wolf's senses has been heightened and our furry half close to the surface, the survival instinct kicking in.

"Have they been found?" I asked, trying to tone down my agitation.

"No."

He replied and took off.

He stopped at a distance not quite far from where I was and yelled.

"No matter what happens, don't leave here."

I nodded in response, for lack of a better response to give.

I didn't like this feeling of dread creeping up my spine.

Why do I feel like I brought trouble to these wolves?

I looked around at the faces around, some filled with fear and worry, and I felt guilty.

*********

We were all couped up together for quite a long time, then one of the enforcers entered and said the coast was clear, we could go home.

Though I waited for a while for either Loren or Corman to contact me but nothing.

After waiting till nightfall and I still didn't get any messages, I decided to go back home.

‘Home’, that sounded strange and familiar at the same time. I didn't know when that dark castle started feeling like home to me.

Most of the wolves had already dispersed from the pack house to their various abodes, after the report the enforcer gave out that everything had been settled.

And about the issue of whether the trespassers had been caught, that he didn't discuss with us.

Though I heard a strange discussion between Kylan and one of the enforcers. What got me more confused was the fact that he mentioned that the instructions were from Corman.

I remember what his exact words were.

"The Beta instructed us to get them at any cost before Loren did."

Sounded to me like they were more scared of the trespassers being caught by Loren than the individuals themselves.

But why?

Was there a traitor in the pack, and they were operating behind Loren and Corman's backs?

Is Kylan a traitor or was it Corman?

And who should I inform about this?

Corman or Loren?

Many questions swam through my head, of which I had no sure answer for any.

Not to talk of the fact that I had no access to either of them, seeing I was blocked, and they only opened the link when they had vital information to pass.

Where the hell was my so-called instructor when I needed his direction?

I'm used to Loren going AWOL and only making appearances when it pleased him, but not Corman.

He is more responsible. Different thoughts flew through my mind as I walked home alone.

I entered the house, which was dark, and lighted it up to feel a sense of security.

To think wolves were creatures of the dark, I scoffed internally. Guess I was different after all.

The castle sounded empty, no sound of breathing, no voices, all seemed so silent. I went to the kitchen to get something to eat. All that worrying dug a hole in my stomach and now I feel ravenous.

One of the perks of living with Lord Loren was the fact that there was always fresh food in the kitchen. I didn't have to cook nor clean, just sleep and live the baby girl lifestyle.

I giggled quietly to myself at this, momentarily forgetting all my troubles.

My eyes roamed from one delicacy to the other which was spread out on the dining.

"Eat and be merry, o my soul." I chuckled and picked up a plate.

Stacking it up before carrying it to my room.

A powerful cold breeze blew in through the window with the howling sound of a strong wind, making the grey curtains billow.

I looked out of the window at the sky, which was beginning to light up with flashes of lightning.

I quickly closed the window and walked upstairs, as the howling of the wind increased, introducing a loud rumbling of thunder.

I always loved rainy nights, and the sounds of the howling wind has always been a balm to my soul.

I was busy munching away on a burger when Corman's voice thundered in my head.

“Where are you?” The burger dropped from my arms and I grasped my head in pain.

“What the hell?” I replied in anger.

“Tell me where you are, Trishal, now!”

“I'm home.” I replied in worry. Was that fear I sensed now in his voice?

“Get out of there now!”

“What?” I asked in disbelief, not understanding what he was saying. Though my legs were already moving to the landing, and down the stairs.

“Out now!” My wolf came awake fully. 'Not safe.'

She said anxiously 'Not safe.' she repeated pacing about in unrest. I got to the entrance door, and it suddenly burst open from outside.

“Who's that?” Corman whispered and yelled through the link. Loren suddenly appeared at the entrance, his coat and his hair flying in the wind.

He sort of seemed off. Thunderstruck and lightning flashed at that moment, making me see him clearly; his shirt was wet with a red substance which smelt metallic from where I stood, and his hands were painted red.

It took me sometime before my brain could register that it was blood.

This Loren I didn't recognize at all. This was the dark lord who was feared in the whole of the Blackthorn valley, and for a good reason.

I took an involuntary step back.

“Loren.” I gasped out, aloud and in my head.

“Run Trish, run!!” Corman shouted as I felt the whole blood in my body rush towards my head in terror.