Chapter Twelve--Give Me a Sign
1244 Words
- - - Kira - - -
I needed my time alone. So many thoughts and emotions were spinning around inside of me and ricocheting off of one another. I'd never been so confused. The worst part was that I didn't have anyone to share it with. None of my friend, not my father, not even Alazar was available to me. I had been forced to endure this alone.
You have me. Never think you're alone, Osseya said to me.
I know. I'm sorry, I replied.
When I got to my room, I was surprised to find that a simple cami nightgown had been laid out for me on the bed with a plush bathrobe in rich purple. A bath actually sounded heavenly at the moment. I could take some time to say a few words to the Moon Goddess, as well. I had always enjoyed my time in peace taking my problems to her--my own personal prayers. Even if she didn't respond, it made me feel less alone.
I drew the bath in the gleaming white tile bathroom and dimmed the lights. I wished I had some candles, but the dim lights would have to do. The water was searing hot--just the way I liked it. I dropped the wrap dress to the floor and shivered as the cool air met my exposed flesh. The water felt amazing as I stepped into it. I could leave my problems right there on the floor with the dress; I just needed to take this peace for a moment.
I settled myself in and closed my eyes with a deep breath.
Moon Goddess, Hear me. I have never felt so lost. I have never felt so trapped. Give me some kind of sign, please! Is this truly my fate? Would being with me be the choice I am intended to make? What of my pack? What of my family? Has my father truly abandoned me??
One other voice was there, but it was not the Moon Goddess.
I know something, Kira.
Osseya.
What is it?
Silence at first, but finally, I have spoken with Rhyel, Arex, and Soma. They are the wolves of Maximus, Daxiel, and Jaxon. They did not tell me, exactly, what it was that was hidden, but you have not been told everything. Something is...wrong.
I sat up in the tub with a start. I knew it. I knew that I wasn't crazy for thinking the entire thing smelled of treachery.
All I know for sure is that Alpha Xavier is behind this. They cannot tell me anything else without the triplets discovering it. I do not know how they would react if they were to know they gave me this information.
What was the next move, then?
Proceed with caution. Know this, the feelings our mates have expressed to us are genuine. They do want what is best for us, and they do care. I do not think they are at fault.
I settled against the back of the tub and chewed on my lower lip.
Next thing I knew, the door burst open. I scrambled to throw the shower curtain across the length of the tub in order to cover myself. Bex's voice was hard and pressing.
"Dress. Quickly. We must go," She ordered.
The door slammed and I was left in the tub wondering what this could mean.
- - - Third Person - - -
Alpha Xavier emerged from his quarters in a fresh suit. He had to admit: he enjoyed the "fight" with his sons, but was disappointed. He had expected more from their past performances on the battlefield.
They weren't trying to kill you. That makes a difference, Castor said.
Xavier smirked to himself. May that be a lesson to them, then.
Invigorated by the exercise, he descended to the kitchens prepared to have the cook whip up a late snack for him. That was, until Kai came through mind-link.
Reports confirm that Kross has arrived.
Arrived??
What the hell do you mean? Arrived on the pack lands? Arrived at the gate? He snarled to Kai.
The gate, Alpha. He went undetected across the border and through the packlands.
How the f**k did he do that?
A quick mind-link to Bex before any of this could be dealt with: Move Kira. Now. Kross has arrived. We can't risk a mind-link connection.
- - - Kira - - -
The night gown had been replaced with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
"You won't be wearing them long. We'll shift and cross the pack lands to a safe house we have about twenty miles from here."
"Why, what's happening?" I asked as I pulled the clothes onto my still damp body.
"Just dress and let's go," She snapped.
I did as she said. When she opened the door, I was alarmed to see here peek her head and look both directions. The door across the hall opened and Maximus appeared, concerned.
"What are you doing with Kira?" He demanded.
Bex scowled.
"We're moving to the safe house," She said in a low tone. Maximus raised an eyebrow. I was once again taken aback at his form. He was shirtless, and his skin was bare where his brothers had tattoos. A large hook shaped scar ran the length of his torso, and I found myself wanting to reach out and touch it--ask what had caused it.
"We can take her," He growled. Jaxon and Daxiel appeared behind him, just as huge and imposing as their brother. Their eyes had changed from the otherwise beguiling green to pitch black. Bex took an uncertain step back.
"Your father specifically asked me to do it," She countered, but her voice betrayed her confidence.
"If it is so important and time sensitive, I doubt Father has the time to see to it that you follow through," Jaxon challenged. Bex glanced from face to face before looking at me.
"Go with them, then. I don't have time for this. We may be under attack," She said as she turned on her heel to exit and rushed down the corridor.
"Dax, get Kira." Max commanded. Before I knew what was happening, Daxiel had already scooped me up and we were racing in the opposite direction from the stairs we usually took.
"There's a hidden stairwell that leads to an underground tunnel. We'll take that and escape into the woods. The safe house is only twenty miles. We'll make it in no time once we shift," Dax explained in my ear.
"What's happening?" I demanded. "Who is attacking us?"
None of them answered.
We stopped at a seemingly innocuous looking wall at the end of the otherwise dead end of a hall. Max pushed the wall which gave way without much resistance and slid to the right revealing a stairwell of questionable structural sound. I could have escaped this entire time, I said to Osseya.
Doubtful, Osseya whined.
The stairs went further than we had gone for even the kitchens on what, I thought, was the lowest level. Instead, it took us to the front of a large steel door with a metal bar for a handle. Max twisted the bar and, with a considerable amount of strength, opened the door into a damp, pitch black tunnel.
"Let's do it," He said.
But just before we stepped inside, I felt the tug inside my mind--familiar, comforting.
Kira? Kira, are you here??
It was my father.
- Writer
