Escape to Midnight

Episode 17

Charis Point Of View

We walked outside and I started to remove my clothes to shift. “Wait, what are you doing? You can’t shift while you are pregnant. It puts to big a strain on the pup.” I sighed. There was so much I did not know. Robert had a car brought over to drive us to the border. 

As we pulled up I could see Bennie. He was cradling a body in his arms. He had a group of five rogues with him. They were all lined up with him, except one. One was standing far back, almost hidden.

We got out of the car and walked towards them. Something about the body seemed very familiar. He spoke first. “We found her at our border this morning. She was already dead when we found her. She had a letter stabbed through her heart with the name Charis Blair written on it” Bennie walked over to Logan and handed him the body. As he did, I could see the face. Despite the swelling and bruises I could see it was my Mother. 

I screamed and rushed to her. I tried to take her body from Logan, but he held onto her. “she is to heavy Charis, Let me hold her. Its okay baby, I have her.” his voice was soft, he was trying to remain calm..

I could not look away from my Mother, her eyes were vacant. she had stabbing wounds and slashing cuts all over her body. It looked like he had taken his time killing her. There was a hole in chest, he had removed her heart. Her body was cold and stiff. I  fell to my knees, holding on to my Mother’s skirt. Why didn't she stay with me? She could have stayed. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I hated him so much. I hated Warren with everything in me. Logan laid her down beside me. I hugged her and sobbed. Had I done the wrong thing, sending her away. What would it have hurt to let her watch the ceremony. Was I as selfish as Warren, making her choose? I wanted to lay down and die. There was nothing left of my old life now. Warren had taken everything. 

I was painfully aware of all they eyes on me. I needed to calm down, but my chest was tight making me struggle to breathe. I was in shock, it was surreal.  She was really gone forever.

Bennie spoke, “Charis, I have the letter that was pinned to her. We did not read it, but we would like to know if this letter is something we need to worry about.”

I looked at him confused. Why would the letter Warren sent mean anything to them. He started to walk towards me, to hand me the letter. Logan jumped in front of him, Seth and Robert both moved closer to me. Bennie put his hands in the air and took a step back. He handed the letter to Logan. The entire letter was covered in Blood, I was not even sure I would be able to read it. 

Logan handed it to me I realized it was several pieces of paper folded together. The innermost piece was the one written on. 

“The traitor has decided to stay with you forever. I will make sure the two of you are together again soon.”

I read the words and the sadness filled my soul. Did he know I told her she had to choose one of us forever? Did she try to leave him and come stay with me? Did I cause her death? My sobbing was uncontrollable again. I mind link Logan, “ Can you take us home? I want to take my mother home.” I felt his hand on my shoulder. He did not answer me. 

Sterling Spoke. “You have given us the body. What else do you want?”

“I am here to negotiate an alliance between the Midnight Moon Pack and the Rogues of Rogue Valley. “ Bennie stated.

“Who the Hell are you to negotiate anything. Why would I negotiate an alliance You have no power to enforce?” Sterling asked with a little bit of condescension in his voice.

“I am the Rogue King, I rule the Valley alliance of Rogues.  I am here with all the power I need to enforce our end of an alliance.” Bennie responded.

I was surprised, I had heard stories of Rogue royalty, but I thought that was a myth or fairy tale. 

“A Rouge King? We have never had any kind of rogue royalty in our lands. Why would I believe you are a rogue king.” Sterling did not seem convinced as he turned to Seth. “Have you ever seen a rogue King in this area?” He asked.

“ I did not believe such a thing existed,” Seth replied. 

Bennie, The Rogue King began to laugh. as he did, hundreds of rogues appeared they were all in the forest, in the distance, but we could see there were hundreds of them. Our group closed in together for protection. Logan helped me up and was pushing me towards the vehicle we came in. I felt panicked, some of it was my panic, but most of it was Logan. I could feel his panic through the bond.

Bennie yelled out in what I can only describe as the rogue version of the Alpha command. “Wait! We need to discuss an alliance before Warren Blair kills us all.”

To my surprise, Bennie Command affected everyone in the group. Even Sterling stopped and looked at him. I could see Sterling thinking, trying to decide what to do. 

When he spoke his voice was calm. “ You come to my border with an army to speak of an alliance? So you are a king, That is not enough reason to trust you. You could have an alliance with Warren Blair already. Why should I risk the lives of my pack on an alliance with you?”

“I have someone here who might be able to convince you of our loyalty.” Bennie said. As he spoke, I noticed a rogue begin to walk forward.  I stood up so shocked I could hardly breathe, I could not speak. “Charis, What's wrong?” Logan asked. I felt myself move and then run. I was running toward the rogue. Suddenly I felt Samuel beside me. he jumped at the rogue I was running to. I screamed as the rogue shifted and they began to circle each other. Logan was mind linking me, "What the hell is this Charis! I thought you did not know any rogues. You are running to him, making me look like a fool. I will kill him. you are mine!” 

“No! I screamed he is Edward! He is my brother." I pushed past Samuel and fell to my knees hugging the giant black wolf, crying into his fur. My brother was alive. Samuel was still circling us, growling. Seth and Robert were close to us as well. 

Logan continued to link me. “Let him go Charis. I will kill him if you don’t walk away from him now. Your Brother is dead. Is this the Rogue you have been seeing?” I was appalled by his words. What does he mean the rogue I have been seeing. Samuel  growled so loud it felt more like a roar. He had foam and saliva coming from his mouth. he looked rabid.  I wanted to yell at him and tell him off, but I was so overwhelmed by everything happening. My Mother is dead, but Edward is alive. Samuel was coming closer to us, I could feel his anger and jealousy. He was so close I could feel his hot breath on my skin. Edward lay still behind me. Everyone was waiting and watching. If Samuel attacked my brother He would be just like Warren in my eyes. His anger and rage was causing him to act completely crazy. He was now pacing in front of Edward. I was covering him with my hands, trying to protect him. Edward did not need my help, he was a trained as an elite warrior, but I did not want this to happen. 

Robert’s big brown wolf walked in between Samuel and I. Robert seemed to understand Samuel was out of control. 

Sterling broke the silence, “ You can bring ten warriors onto our land. We can discuss the problems you think warrant an alliance, then I will decide what is best for my pack. Everyone needs to be in human form. We need to start out peaceful and not threatening.” 

“Only one wolf is a threat right now, and he is threatening my second in command.”  Bennie said. As he said the words, Edward shifted and turned to embrace me. I could not believe I was hugging my brother again, I thought I had lost him forever. As we embraced Samuel leapt forward to attack Edward. Robert met him in the air and with Seth’s help they put  Samuel on his back and held him down. Sterling commanded him to shift, and Logan was forced to comply. I thought Logan would be easier to deal with, but he was equally out of control. Robert grabbed him by the back of his neck and was clearly linking him. Whatever he was saying seemed to work, as Logan was clearly starting to calm down. 

Robert walked over to us. “Are you the one, the one watching her, helping her?” 

“I am Edward Blair.” I began to cry again as he spoke. Hearing his voice after so long. He turned to me and hugged me again.  “ I am so sorry I left you behind Charis, I could not save you too. I could barely save myself.” Edward had started to cry as he spoke, the guilt overwhelming him.

“How are you still alive? Everyone thinks you are dead.” I asked him, my voice shaking.

“Not everyone, Warren can’t prove it, but he knows I am still alive. He has been hunting me since he realized I escaped.” 

Sterling Spoke to Bennie, Choose the warriors you want to accompany you. We will meet in my office, I have vehicles on the way to transport you. Edward walked back over to Bennie and they began a hushed discussion. Bennie, Edward and nine other warriors walked over to join us as the SUV’s arrived. Edward bent down and Picked our Mother up. He carried her to an SUV and placed her in the back. I Felt so broken looking at her. Edward hugged me and led me to the passenger seats in the same vehicle Mother was in. We rode back to our pack house with her.