Oreus

First Blood Spilled - Chapter 4

Translations at the end of the chapter

"I don't want to lie to you. I'm sorry, Eden, I don't hear anything. But I do believe you."

Eden nodded, her face void of emotion.

She moved to get in Olivia's car, quietly opening the door and seating herself inside. For a moment they paused to look at each other, then silently followed her lead. Samuel watched as they all got in Olivia's car, before getting into his own and driving ahead.

It was completely silent for the first part if the ride before they relaxed a little.

Eden stayed quiet and nervously chewed on her lip. She didn't think she was crazy, but that's how all crazy people felt. Comprehending what was happening was impossible... unless she asked the one causing the trouble. She glanced at the others, making sure they weren't paying attention before letting out a cautious whisper to the air.

"Who are you?"

It was silent for a moment, leaving her anxiously waiting.

"I am here to help you."

Her eyes widened, she didn't actually expect the woman to answer. She looked at the others again then put her head down to speak into her lap, "What would I need help with, and where did you come from?"

"Something powerful and dangerous is here, Eden, that is all I can say. Do not worry. He will come, and you will be safe. Be careful until then."

"Wait! Please, don't leave! That can't be all!" she cried, hoping for an explanation. The woman didn't reply and she was left with silence.

Olivia glanced up from her driving, "What's wrong, Eden? Did something happen?"

"I..." She hesitated, but told her anyway. Olivia was the only person other than her mama and papa that she trusted, she had to.

She shook her head as if she found the whole thing ridiculous, but the nervousness in her eyes seeped through.

"I know it sounds like I'm making it up but I'm not, please believe me!" Eden pleaded.

"I do believe you, and that's what the problem is," she said. She kept her eye on the road, a furrow in her brow. "I just don't understand. As long as I've known you, you haven't done anything to get into this kind of trouble," she paused and took a brief look at her. "Unless you've done something that you haven't told me about."

"Oh I'm sure she's done plenty of bad things if you know what I mean," Dallas piped up from the back.

Olivia grabbed her water bottle and threw it back to hit him in the head, glaring forward."What the hell? Why'd you do that?" he cursed.

"Maybe next time don't listen to other people's conversation," she told him in a sweet tone, looking at him through the rear view mirror.

Dallas began to retaliate, not wanting her to get the last say. "Yeah, well, it's not my fault I have e-"

He was cut off by the large shape running from the forest and throwing itself into Samuel's car. Shrieks came from all of them as it was thrown into the trees to the side. Olivia swerved, jerking them around before slamming on the brakes to stop them from crashing.

Eden hit her head on the dash, her elbow knocking into the button for the windows. The window came down as she groaned in pain, her ears filling with the sound of Samuel's voice. She groggily opened her eyes, her side of the car right in front of the scene.

The thing tore the hood off his car and snatched Samuel out. He thrashed and fought, trying to get out of the monster's clutches. "I tried I swear!" he begged. "I didn't mean to interfere! You never said where you would do it! I didn't know! Spare me! Please!"

It stopped, the action making Samuel sigh in relief.

"Thank yo-"

The sight of what happened next triggered her gag reflex, but she couldn't look away.

Its mouth opened wide and clamped around his throat, tearing his head off with its teeth in a single bite. Blood spurted from his headless neck, his body twitching. The monster moved its jaw, loud crunching and disgusting squishing noises filling Eden's ears.

She hiccuped, regurgitating hard. She realized her mistake when its glowing red eyes latched onto her, still holding Samuel's body. It picked up its large clawed feet, thumping them on the ground as it moved in her direction with slow and menacing thuds.

She whimpered, too terrorized to turn away from the sight. Her hand clumsily reached over to Olivia, passed out on the wheel.

"Olivia..."

It came closer.

"Olivia," she said more urgently, shaking her.

Blood dripped from its mouth, staining its teeth. It looked straight into her eyes, a ferocious grin on its gnarly muzzle.

She screamed, "Olivia!"

Olivia grunted and sat up, "What?" She looked around confused and brought a hand to her head, "Why does my head hurt?"

"Olivia, drive! Drive now!"

"Huh?" Her eyes finally landed on the hulking beast stalking towards them and her foot automatically floored the gas.

The rest of the passengers were flung awake as she gained control of the steering wheel and sped off.

"What is wrong with you? You could have killed us!" Hayden yelled angrily.

Olivia stayed silent, too shocked to respond as she steadily kept her foot smashed on the pedal.Eden dared a glance behind them, finding its eyes staring directly into hers as it turned once more and ran back into the woods with a mangled Samuel in its claws.

She couldn't hold it back this time.

Her head launched out of the window as she heaved out her stomach, gasping and sobbing."Are you alright?" Addison asked, reaching up and patting her back.

She shook her head rapidly, the image replaying in her mind sending another surge of bile up her throat.

Dallas screwed his face up in repulse, scrunching his nose "That's disgusting"

Eden couldn't even hear him as her mind raced.

Calling it an it was only delaying the inevitable. She already knew what it was, but it seemed so impossible, so unreal that the thought of it becoming reality couldn't sink in fully.

It was like a more hideous and realer version of the portrait of Lycaon in the museum.

It was a lycan.

"Eden, I understand your panic. I get it and I want to scream too, but we need to focus on getting home where it's safe" Olivia reached over and took her hand as she took deep breaths of air, squeezing it to comfort her.

"Anyways I'd like to know why in the world you swerved the car so hard and almost killed us," Dallas interrupted again.

Olivia glared at him from the rear view mirror, "Dallas, I suggest you shut your mouth for the rest of this ride."

"And what happened to Samuel? Did he keep going? I would too if there was a crazy driver behind me."

"He's dead Dallas and unless you want to go out as he did you better shut it."

They were all silent until they were dropped off at their hotels.

"Samuel was right, that man should have taken Eden. f**k the both of you, don't expect me to come back," Dallas slammed the car door shut.

Dylan could only give an apologetic stare before turning away for his hotel.

"Look, I don't know what's happening, but I'm not blaming you, Eden. Addison and I are gonna catch the next flight out of here, nothing personal, but I'm sure you can understand why," Hayden said in embarrassment.

"We completely understand, I encourage you to actually," Olivia reassured, "Hopefully the next time I invite you it won't be as crazy as it is now."

From the looks on their faces, they both doubted they would ever come back, but agreed anyway. Once they were all dropped off safely, Olivia and Eden headed home.

"Eden, I don't know what's going on, but I want you to know I always have your back no matter what, ok? I know what that thing was, even as impossible as it sounds," she said getting out of the car.

She nodded silently, turning to walk away "I need to tell Alfa."

"No, no, I'll come with you. The only person waiting on me to get home is the maid, and she knows I can get back late sometimes."

"You don't have to."

"I'm not letting you go alone Eden, now let's hurry and get it over with."

They made their way to the small office building, the door opening as soon as they stepped in front of it. The Beta led them to Alfa's office, shutting the door behind them.

"Samuel didn't answer my last message, and he should have come here with you. Where is he?" he asked, standing in front of his desk.

Eden looked away, scared of what his reaction would be, "He's dead."

"What? This is no joking matter Eden, tell me the truth."

Olivia stepped in to help, "She's not lying to you sir, Samuel is dead."

There was silence for a moment before his expression turned grave. Eden couldn't help but shrink into herself, she knew that somehow she was the one to blame.

He went to his chair and put his head in his hands, growling as he did so, "How did this happen?"

She knew that saying the truth would only worsen the case, he wouldn't believe her. No one did when it came to these kinds of things, but she couldn't stop herself. It all seemed to be her fault. "It was a lycan. A lycan came out of the woods and killed him while we were coming home."

Alfa's lips pierced as he grew angry, "I will not tell you again, do not play games with me Eden, tell me what really happened."

Olivia took her hand and squeezed, "She is."

At Olivia's input he immediately changed his thought process, if another person- especially one that wasn't her- justified it then it must be true. He sighed, running his hands through his hair once more, "Start from the beginning."

Olivia helped her tell the story. From the museum, to the restaurant, all the way till where they stood. Eden gave Olivia a look when it came to when she heard the voices, he didn't need to know, she had a feeling it was supposed to be secret.

Halfway through he started writing things down and asking questions, "And you're sure you don't know this man?" he confirmed as he put his pen down.

"Yes, Alfa"

He frowned, then nodded, "I'm going to speak with Beta Marcus and discuss the situation. Go on, we'll speak in the morning."

They nodded and left, silently walking home.

They both knew better than to say anything at the moment. There were too many things to say, and just thinking about it might be too much for either of them to handle. So they left it blank, completely emptying their minds as they made their way through the houses.

As Eden was just beginning to calm her nerves, someone grabbed her by the shoulder. She turned around blankly, not really thinking anything of it at first. Once she realized who it was, her eyes widened in fear.

Vanessa, Samuel's wife.

"What happened to my husband? Why didn't he come back with you?" The crazed look in her eyes sent a chill down Eden's spine. She took her by both of the shoulders, shaking her and practically screaming "Where is he?"

She was speechless, frozen to her spot. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't tell her what happened, she wouldn't believe her. It was already bad enough that she had to confront the Alfa about it but to tell Samuel's own wife that he was dead was something else entirely.

She glanced at Olivia with a pleading look. No one ever got mad at Olivia, surely if she said it no one would blame her for it and she already felt guilty enough for everything.

"I don't think you want to hear it from me," I said, my voice trembling.

"What do you mean? Tell me what happened. Where is he? Tell me!" Her shaking became frantic as Eden kept her gaze glued to the ground nervously.

The people around them stopped what they were doing and watched the sudden spectacle. Olivia opened her mouth, but Vanessa interrupted, "He's not dead is he?"

They said nothing, letting her come to her own conclusion.

Her eyes went wide in disbelief, shaking her head. "He was supposed to come back! You were the one who was suppos- This is all your fault! If it hadn't been for you-" she cut off, tears starting to run down her face.

Eden's lower lip trembled as she thought of what Samuel had said before he was killed. Vanessa started sobbing hysterically, dropping to her knees and burying her head in her hands. Olivia dropped down to comfort her and nodded to Eden sympathetically to leave if she wanted."I'm so sorry," she whispered, backing away and running all the way home.

With stinging eyes she burst through her front door, not finding her mama in her usual spot in the living room. She sniffed quietly, listening for sounds around the house and calling out when she heard none. "Estoy de vuelta, mamá!"

Silence.

Worried, she rushed to the kitchen and found a note on the table.

Fui a la tienda, volveré pronto.

She sighed in relief, hoping she'd come home soon. She went to the hallway and walked back to the living room, hoping to blow off a little steam.

Her foot had barely hit the carpet when she heard a voice.

"This is the brutal reality, Eden."

It stopped.

She turned to see who spoke but saw nothing. Where had she heard the voice before?

"You might dislike it, but things will never change."

"Who said that?" she yelled looking around. Still, no one was there.

A loud scream echoed from down the street and she ran to look out of the window.

"People won't stop dying."

Her house was a distance away from the others, leaving it in an isolation type state. Even though it was meant to keep her alone, it was this same space that allowed her to see the lights of each house going off one by one, one following the other.

"And things will never stop seeking to claim..."

She realized in horror who's was next.

"...Or destroy you."

Everything went dark.

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El Alfa/ Alfa (stand-alone) - The alpha/ alpha

Estoy de vuelta mamá- I'm back mom

Fui a la tienda, volveré pronto - I went to the store, I'll be back soon

"Have you figured out who I am yet, Eden?" He clenched Hayden's head and squeezed, a shriek tearing from her throat. "If you can guess correctly, she lives."