CHAPTER 11 - ARMY - ZAIDENS POV
1413 Words
I detested leaving Zan alone with a looming threat over the pack; it felt wrong for one of us not to be by her side.
"She probably prefers Emmet staying with her anyway," Cooper replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"We'll win her over," I reassured him. "We lost Azana, but we won’t lose another woman we care about."
As we sprinted forward, thoughts of Azana invaded my mind, she had been so vibrant and playful, always ready with a joke, and her mischievous spirit had captivated me. I had always felt a bond with her that was far deeper than mere friendship. Back then, I had believed she was my mate. But now, I had Zan in my life, which meant it was time to let go of my feelings for Azana.
I couldn't shake the feeling that the Goddess was punishing me for not protecting Azana. Was that why my mate’s name was so familiar to Azana's?
Once we reached the halfway point to the border, my urge to check in on Zan became overwhelming.
"Daisey, how is she?" I linked her, eager to know if Zan was safe.
"The Luna is perfectly safe, Alpha. We're in the bunker now," She replied without delay, though I could sense a hint of concern in her tone.
''What's wrong?''
"Nothing, she just... She seems a bit distressed to be in here, though."
"She was confined for a long time, being locked away again must be tough for her. Please keep a close eye on her and ensure she stays calm."
"Yes, sir," Was Daisey's prompt response.
"Thank you," I replied, severing the link before informing my brothers that Zan was indeed safe.
After an hour, we finally reached our army, and when we climbed over the wall, I found myself in the midst of half our forces. We quickly changed into the pants we had carried while running, and my mother took charge of organizing the troops, while my brothers, father, and Harrison advanced to the front line.
Emory’s army was smaller than ours, but if he indeed had fighters with special abilities, we could expect a tough confrontation. I watched as a man raised a weapon and fired a shot into the sky, releasing a plume of blue smoke, signaling his intent for peace talks.
When I noticed Emory approaching, flanked by two men, my father exchanged a quick kiss with my mother and instructed us to follow him for the negotiations, including Harrison.
I hadn't seen Emory since I was a child, but he looked about the same, just a little older. Subjectivaly he was an attractive man. Dark blue eyes, thick short black hair, muscular like most Alphas and Beta's, and tall.
He wore a tattered denim jacket, over a black tank top, and black slacks, most likely wearing old clothing in case he was going to shift.
We all walked over to the men standing in between our wall and his army, and stopped a few feet from each other.
''Emory.'' My father greeted him as if he was an old friend.
Cooper began to growl furiously inside me. This was the bastard that abducted Zan and kept her locked away, he hurt her! I wanted blood. I wanted to rip him apart.
''Hello again Braden. You got old didn't you.'' Emory said back with a smile, showing off a golden fang.
''Time comes for us all, doesn't it.'' My father said, sounding unfazed, but he had the same stern look on his face that he'd have as I grew up and got into a mess, he was anything but calm. ''Why are you approaching my city with an army?''
''Army?'' Emory said, sounding shocked and a little afronted ''My, no. You misunderstand me, this is merely my caravan, we're traveling.''
''Cut the crap Emory. What do you want?''
Emory smiled again, this time his eyes darkening, and the atmosphere seemed to shift.
''You took something from me, Braden.'' He said, his voice laced with venom now. ''You broke into my compound and took my children.''
''They aren't your children.'' Kit growled angrily.
''Shut up boy, the adults are speaking!'' Emory snarled, before looking at my father again ''So you do have them. I thought so. I want them back.''
''We don't have any children.'' My father lied ''If we rescued two poor souls from your hell, then they've gone now. They wanted to leave so I allowed it.''
''Liar.'' Emory snarled, his hands clenched into fists. ''You really should give them to me. The girl especially, you have no idea what you're protecting. She's dangerous, especially when she's upset.''
''Is that why you had a collar on her?'' Harrison asked angrily ''For everyone else's protection, and not because you're a sick monster.''
Emory's head snapped at him ''I am offended. I was thinking only of the safetly of the Kingdom.''
''Right,'' My father said angrily, glaring at him ''Is that why you're rounding up powerful children? To keep my Kingdom safe?''
''Those children are a threat.'' He told us, his eyes a little crazed now ''And I happen to have a few of them with me today, so I suggest you send off one of these boys of yours to fetch my girl.''
''He already told you, she isn't here.'' Toby said, his voice sharper and firm. ''Nor is she yours!''
Emory looked at him, pausing before clearing his throat.
''Oh how cute. Your boy has a little crush on the girl.'' He laughed ''She is a beauty, isn't she, but she'll rip your heart out boy, don't get attached, especially as she's mine.''
''She isn't yours.'' I told him, keeping my temper locked up, and trying to sound calm. ''You tortured her, brutalized her and the others you abducted. If we knew where she was, we'd still never tell you.''
''Don't tell me you believe what ever sob story she gave you.'' He asked, amused a little ''Did she tell you I was holding her against her will? Did she tell you I hurt her? Lies, all lies. She followed me willingly. She killed for me, willing. Slept in my bed willingly.''
''We don't believe your sh*t.'' I snapped, my frustration boiling over ''So why don't you and your army leave before we kill you all.''
''My, your boys really did grow up to such rude men.'' Emory looked back at my father. ''Perhaps I should take over their disipline and teach them how to speak to a King.''
''You're not a King.'' My father told him. ''Your brother was.''
''Oh, but I will be King, once Azana turned 21. I will marry her and we will take her Kingdom back.''
''You're sick.'' My father snapped ''She's your neice.''
''Perhaps.'' He waved his hand ''But she's mine.''
''Azana isn't yours?'' Kit shouted angrily and stepped forward. ''Where is she? What have you done with her?!''
Emory frowned as he looked at Kit ''You don't know?'' He asked, confusing me.
''Of course we don't know.'' I told him angrily ''If we did, we'd take her back from you.''
Emory frowned again and looked towards the city. What was he looking for.
''She isn't in your city?'' He questioned.
''If I had Azana, her uncle would have been informed.'' My father told him ''And he'd be here to help me kill you.''
Emory turned to a tall man with long black hair, pulled up into a pigtail. He stared at him, as if they were linking, and the man bowed before running back to the army.
''It would seem you don't have my children after all.'' Emory shocked us, by stating. What made him believe us? ''I guess there's no reason to spare you now.''
''You can certainly try.'' My father said angrily.
''Peace talks are concluded.'' Emory turned and started walking back to his side.
''WAIT!'' Kit shouted and stepped forward but I grabbed his arm to stop him ''WHERE IS AZANA!''
Emory laughed but didn't answer.
''Get back to our line.'' Our father ordered, and I pulled Kit along with me.
''No, we should just attack him now!'' Kit argued as he struggled against me, so Toby grabbed his other arm.
''Don't be stupid.!'' I snapped at him ''You can't kill or attack someone during peace talks.''
''You heard him. Peace talks over.'' Kit agrued. ''We need to get to him. He has Azana somewhere.''
''We'll find her.'' Toby told him ''Just stop fighting us!''
- Writer
