FATED BOUND HEARTS

Three

Chapter Three

The first light of dawn was just breaking over the forest by the time Aiden and Lily began to break their camp. The air was crisp and the stillness of morning a nice respite from the tensions of last night. As they packed, a variety of feelings washed over Lily.

"Let's see want else we can learn about the outlaws," Aiden replied. Its like we need to find out how many of them there are and what they're up to.

Lily nodded. “How do we do that?”

Aiden cut her short with a fierce look. “We’ll head to a nearby town. It is a middle ground where we can hear what everyone has to say without raising too many eyebrows.

All packed up, they left to tramp through the woods towards this mysterious town Aiden had spoken of. Aiden set a rapid pace, his walk abrupt and determined. Lily kept near, eyes darting to any sort of threat.

A few hours later and they approached the outskirts of town. It was a small village, with maybe 50 people living there or so. There were only half a dozen stores throughout the area spread out on one concrete road across from about ten houses intermingling with each other. The contrast to the danger they had fled from was stark; it felt almost peaceful.

Aiden and Lily entered a small café to keep away from wandering eyes as they tried to come by useless information. The café was small and warm lit, with the smell of freshly grounded coffee filling the air. They sat at a table near the window and they could see some of the street just beyond it.

Aiden looked around as they sat down to join them. I'm going to see if I can get it from the locals. All of you stay here and watch.

Lily nodded and stayed behind watching Aiden make his way over to the counter. He talked to the very familiar barista there. Aiden specifically enquired about recent events and any suspicious things happening in the neighbourhood.

Aiden had been gone a few minutes, and Lily was thinking frantic thoughts. All of it was still sinking in. Aiden, the attack victim, and now these rogue wolves—it was becoming too much to take. But just being in town for a minute felt so normal, something she had t experienced in ages.

Aiden came back with a pensive expression on his face shortly after. I found out this strange movement in the forest (Recently) People have been reporting rogue wolf packs seen moving through the valley."

Lily’s heart skipped a beat. You think the rogues can do this?

Aiden nodded. “It’s possible. Nearby villagers spoke of wolves that were not part of any established pack. That works for what we saw [Thursday] evening.

Lily took a deep breath. “What do we do now?”

We have to go back in the forest and see where they went," Aiden stated. We can stay one step ahead of them and see what they will do next.

After they had drunk their coffee, they left the café and walked up to the forest. It was a sunny day and the warmth of the sun kissed their skin. Danger be damned, Lily felt that small comfort of having a normal route around town where she had some sort of plan.

With Aiden taking the lead again on their return to the forest, it was somewhat of a relief. They traveled fast, with all the leads in leather and prints they could follow of where that bandit wolves were. Now the forest felt different, each sound and shadow a little more menacing.

Aiden took some time to track them and finally told Lily, “Stop! He'd gestured to new marks on the soil. Those are from the renegade wolves. We’re getting closer.”

Lily looked at the prints, excitement and dread swelling in her chest. What do we do when those people are found?

She deadpanned at him. “tell me more,” Aiden stated seriously We need to assay all the information that can be gleaned. If we can figure out where it is they are hiding, and what do you want to accomplish then well be better prepared when we finally do encounter them.

They kept going, following the tracks with a natural cadence. That was when the sun dipped below horizon and they entered a clearing, which had just so happened to be filled with all of the rogue wolves. Aiden and Lily crouched behind some bushes, safely watching.

The camp was sparse -- a few tents around a central fire. The rogue wolves had collected by the fire, murmuring a conversation to one another in lowered voices. Lily froze as she listened to their muted conversation.

Aiden leaned in and whispered to Lily. We need to be closer but more concealed. We need to find out what they are planning.

They snuck up closer, low and silent. Their voices became more distinct as the approached. Jett was plannig most of the wolf attacks Lily just caught bits and pieces, they were howling at themselves about ways to slow down Aiden from combining the packs.

Aiden looked genuinely grim, listening attentively. They have plans to hit a number of packs and cause some havoc. We must alert the packs and prepare for a battle.

New possibilities of the danger continued to race through Lily head and her heart raced. “How do we warn them?”

Aiden gazed at her determinedly. “We’ll split up. I need to go wake the pack nearest them and warn them. Just you hang here and watch the rogues Get in touch when and if anything comes up.

I could see Lily was shitting bricks over the responsibility. “Be careful.”

Aiden cast her a strained smile and went to join the closest pack. She watched him walk away, terrified and hopeful. She was alone now, but she recognised that it was time to keep her wits and stay on guard.

Lily watched the rogue wolves into the night from behind her boulder. The camp was getting quieter, but she wasn't taking her guard down — Aiden would be banking on the fact that she'd continue watching.

It was a slow morning, and Lily could feel the weight of her responsibilities on her shoulders. She hoped Aiden successfully got through to the pack and warn them in time. The fate of the packs lay in their hands, and she would be damned if it was gonna go down on her watch.

Near dawn the next day, Lily saw Aiden coming back. His face was somber, but resolute in the eyes. By the time he got to her, they were ready to backpedal toward their camp and take on whatever obstacles came.