Father Knows Best
1270 Words
LYALL’S POV:
I walked around the packhouse as if everything were normal and continued with my normal routine. As Emory finally came out of his office he pats my back in passing.
“I will be back, Lyall. I am going out for a few drinks. Don’t wait up.” He said as he grabbed his jacket and walked out the door quickly.
I watched him leave and waited until I heard his car drive away. Now was my time. Everyone was preoccupied and sitting down to dinner. I wouldn’t have long to make a clean getaway. I walked quickly to my room shutting the door, or so I thought. I grabbed a small duffle bag and began to shove my most valuable possessions in it. A few outfits, the money from my safe, and some pictures. I opened my window quickly, choosing not to risk running through the packhouse.
As I threw my duffle to the ground outside, I heard a voice from behind me. “Emory knows, you know.”
I spun around to lock eyes with the intruder. It was Byron, Emory’s best friend. “He knows what? Besides. You know you aren’t supposed to come to my bedroom unless it is important.”
He laughed as he stepped inside a smirk framing his face. “The last time I checked, catching a traitor was an important matter.”
I watched him. “Traitor? Who is betraying Emory?” I tried to play it off as I leaned against my wall.
“So, do you deny the fact that you just threw a duffle bag with money and clothing out your window,” He asked as he swept his sand blonde hair from his eyes. “I told Emory you didn’t deserve the rank he gave you.”
I laughed a little. “Have you been spying on me, Byron?”
He sighed and watched me as his eyes narrowed a bit. “Of course not, just walking by at the right time I suppose.”
“So, you caught me. Where does that leave us now?” I asked watching him curiously.
“I’m not going to make you stay. Because I never liked you. Besides. It would be a lot funnier to kill you if you aren’t a member of this pack anymore.” He sighed as he shrugged. “Like I said before. Emory does know. He will be waiting for you out there. The question is, will you be able to get away before he catches you?” He laughed as he walked out of my room. “If I were you, I would hurry.”
My heart sank as he shut my door. Surely Deryn had known this was a possibility. I wondered if he had a plan. He had to. It wasn’t like him to go anywhere unprepared. This was a moment where faith would go a long way. I had to trust in him. I hopped out the window quickly and grabbed my duffle as I ran through the woods. If I could get to our meeting point, Emory wouldn’t be able to touch me. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to start a war tonight by killing me on Deryn’s soil. Or would he?
As I ran, I heard footsteps coming from behind me. They were approaching quickly. Emory.
LEO’S POV:
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable with Adria going dad. Helping me patrol, and helping me protect someone are two different ball games. She could get hurt.” I said as we all began to talk about a plan to get Lyall to safety.
“Leo, I won’t have this conversation with you again. Let me help. I can be of some use. Especially during nightfall. My powers only increase by the moonlight.” Adria pleaded as she watched me.
I sighed, but before I could speak, Shilo chimed in. “I am siding with Leo on this one. You don’t know the area, and you don’t know the wolves we are up against. It’s a risk I don’t want to take.”
Dad stood up to speak. “Alright, boys. That’s enough. Give her a chance. Adria, honey. What could you bring to the table that could help us tonight?”
“Well, for starters, using shadows I can cloak him from Emory’s sight once he is close enough. I can cloak us all to make a getaway before Emory gets too close.” She sighed as she watched Dad.
“Cloaking us could be the easiest way out of this. However, we may not be able to cloak everything in time. Say it came down to a fight, what would you be able to contribute?” He asked her as he leaned on his desk.
She watched him cautiously. “Well, we are taught to use our abilities for both protection and defense from an early age. I can manipulate any shadow around me, and use it to my advantage. Even my enemy's very own shadow can be used at my disposal. I can harm, disarm, and even kill someone with their own shadow that lies on the ground.”
Dad nodded a little as he listened to her. “To me, that seems like a useful skill to have. As well as you seem like a valuable ally to have on our side.” He paused for a moment thinking of the best course of action to take. “Okay. I will allow it. She will go with us.”
“No, I won’t allow that.” I sighed as I tried to keep my voice even. How could he even suggest such a thing?
“Leo, you can’t keep her hidden away from the world. Besides, this would be the perfect opportunity for Emory to see that she is not that defenseless child he thinks she is.” Dad replied to my outburst watching me.
“Dad, she could be seriously hurt.” I pleaded with him.
“Act like a King, Leo. Have faith in her. As a Queen and your Luna, she will be put in harm’s way when it is necessary. There is nothing you can do to stop that. It is her duty to protect her pack and her kingdom.” He explained as he sat back down. “We leave here at dusk. It shouldn’t take long. Tell no one. A smaller force will be better. SO just the people in this room will go. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, of course,” I mumbled a little aggravated.
“Leo, do you think I like the thought of you in danger? The very thought of it makes me sick. I am supposed to protect you. But it seems like I am failing. I need to let you make your own decisions and figure out your problems as well. I need to be there to support you when difficult decisions are made. You need to give her that same freedom.” Dad explained as we all walked away to prepare ourselves.
He was right. But just the thought of her in danger made me anxious beyond comparison. I couldn’t let anything happen to her. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But how could I keep my eye on her in the heat of the battle if it came down to it? I sighed as I tried to think of a way to do everything at once. This was so risky. Dad has never lead me wrong before, but there is a first time for everything...right?
- Writer
