CHAPTER 3 : HOW ENEMIES ARE MADE.
1277 Words
There was a knock on the door.
Leaving Ralf's statement suspended between them. Ralf welcomed the interruption more than he cared to admit.
"Enter," he commanded, his voice edged with authority.
The doctor stepped inside, medicine bag in hand.
"Good morning, young master. And to you as well," he said, inclining his head towards them.
"Morning," Caison replied quietly.
"I see you've regained some color," the doctor noted, already approaching the bed. "That's encouraging. How are you feeling?"
"Better," Caison said. "I just want to go home."
"That decision isn't mine to make." The doctor glanced at Ralf. "May I examine your guest?"
"Simon." Ralf warned slowly.
The doctor halted and turned back, "is something wrong?"
Can I trust him? Ralf wondered. He already know what Caison is.
"Last night," Simon said calmly, "the moment you brought him in, I recognized the signs. Early transition." His gaze flicked briefly to Ralf's wrist. "And that cut tells me you fed him your blood."
He removed a blood pouch from his bag and placed it beside Caison.
Caison starred at it confused.
"Animal blood," Simon explained. "It won't give you the same satisfaction as human blood, but you can't continue feeding him, Alpha. It will bind him too tightly."
Ralf's jaw clenched. "Will you tell my father?"
"Your father is observant." Simon replied evenly. "If he hadn't already deduced the truth, he will soon." He moved toward the door. "He's called an emergency council. All high-ranking wolves will attend. The matter at hand is your chosen mate."
He paused at the threshold.
"If I may advise you," Simon said quietly, "remove the fledgling from this place immediately."
Then he was gone.
"I should leave," Caison whispered.
He slid of the bed, searching for his shoes.
"You're not going anywhere."
Ralf's growl vibrated through the room.
Caison froze, eyes wide.
The expression on his face twisted something sharp in Ralf's chest.
"I'm sorry," Ralf said, restraining his tone.
Caison stilled.
Ralf closed the distant and placed a firm hand at the back of his neck, drawing him close. Caison tensed then slowly leaned into him.
Holding him felt inevitable.
"I won't let anyone touch you." Ralf murmured.
"I'll deal with my father."
"I have a family," Caison said softly. "They must be looking for me."
A family.
The word struck harder than expected.
"I'll take you to them," Ralf said after a pause. "After I speak to him." He pulled back slightly, fighting instinct. "Shower. Rest. Stay here."
His thumb brused Caison's jaw.
"Don't leave." He said quietly.
Caison nodded, eyes glassy, and returned to the bed.
Ralf watched him longer than necessary before forcing himself away.
Caison starred at the blood pouch and shoved it aside.
The smell alone turned his stomach.
I need to get out of here.
He approached the window, stopping where sunlight spilled across the floor.
Vampires burn in the sun... Don't they?"
Heart hammering, he extended his hand into the light.
Pain flared instantly - sharp, biting, alive.
He gasped and yanked his hand back, staring in horror as angry welts bloomed along his skin, a faint hiss rising from his flesh.
"So it's true."
The pain faded slowly, leaving raw heat behind.
Because I'm not fully turned, he realized. Not yet.
He peered outside.
Beyond towering stone halls - nothing but endless forest.
No path.
No escape.
Defeated, he returned to the bed and curled inward.
I'll wait.
The council chamber fell silent when Ralf entered. Wolves rose instantly.
All except his father.
Ralf took his place at the head of the table. "Say what needs to be said." He demanded.
His father slammed his fist down.
"That human does not belong here."
"Then neither do I," Ralf replied coldly.
"If I'd known you'd bring disgrace to this pack, I'd never would have made you Alpha. Who will carry the Demoski line? Your sister? Married to a low ranking werewolf?"
Ralf dismissed the council with a glare. The doors shut.
"How was I supposed to know I'd imprint?" Ralf demanded. "Could I have stopped it?"
"Imprinting doesn't make him your future."
"I can't breath without him," Ralf said quietly. "He is my anchor." He stepped closer. "Like mother was to you."
The slap came hard.
"Do not compare your mother to that human!"
"His name is Caison!" Ralf roared.
"I've already arranged your engagement to the Silverback Luna," his father said sharply. "War is coming. We need alliance's."
"Then why hold the mating ceremony" Ralf shot back. "Why humiliate our own?"
"Tradition and necessity."
Ralf leaned forward. "If I bring you victory - would you allow it?"
Silence filled the room.
"Win the war and we'll discuss this."
Ralf left with fire in his veins.
Scarlett intercepted him in the hall.
"Men are heading for you quarters." She said quietly.
"Run."
He didn't hesitate.
Blood.
Bodies
Silence.
"Caison?"
Then he saw the arm.
Rage exploded.
He tore one guard apart, lifted another by the throat.
"Who ordered this?"
Silence was answer enough.
Ralf gathered Caison into his arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I failed you."
Scarlett entered the council chambers without invitation.
The slow, deliberate clap of hands echoed against the stone walls, each sound a mockery of the silence that followed. Her father lifted his gaze to her, expression tightening.
"Scarlett," he said coolly. "What brings you here daughter?"
"Someone has to keep the peace in this decaying place," she replied lightly, taking a seat at the table as though she belonged there. Her eyes flicked toward him, sharp and unreadable. "Though I suppose that became difficult the moment you decided to harm my brother's... Interest."
"Your brother should know better than to keep a human close." Her father snapped.
Scarlett tilted her head, lips curling. "Human? That's strange." Her gaze sharpened. "I was under the impression he was a vampire."
Her father stiffened. "What?" His voice rose.
"You're telling me he brought a blood - sucking killer into my home? Why wasn't I informed?'
Scarlett leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "Because you're no longer the Alpha of this palace."
The words landed like a blade.
Her father's jaw clenched, but his eyes gleamed with something far more dangerous than anger.
Slowly, deliberately, he reached for his phone.
"Send Simon in," he barked.
Minutes later, Simon entered, posture rigid.
"Yes, old master?"
Her father rose from his chair. "Why didn't you tell me that fledgling wasn't human when you treated him? I could've ended it right there."
"When he arrived," Simon said evenly, " he was still transitioning. And I was following the direct orders of the Alpha to save his life."
Scarlett watched closely. Simon wasn't just defending himself - he was drawing a line.
"How dare you show loyalty to someone who stripped me from my title?" Her father roared.
Simon tilted his head slighyly. "My loyalty follows the Alpha. That has not changed."
A slow smile crept across the former Alpha's face.
"Guards," he said calmly. "Take Simon to the dungeon. Sixty days without food. Break his hands." His eyes glittered. "A doctor who can't heal is useless."
Scarlett's fingers curled against the table.
The guards dragged Simon away as his father laughed - low, satisfied, deliberate.
"Let this be known," he declared. "Titles can be taken. Power cannot."
Scarlett rose to her feet, her voice cold now.
"Careful, father. You're pulling strings that are already fraying."
He turned to her, smile widening. "And your brother," he said softly, "will learn that love is the easiest leash to tighten.
Scarlett's expression darkened.
You're playing a dangerous game, she thought. And you're using Ralf as the board.
- Writer
