The Heiress Of The Mystics

Chapter 5

“Gather all the women and children. Now,” Ambrose barked, his voice tight with urgency. The cold, echoey tunnel amplified the fear that clung to the air. Some women wept silently over their fallen husbands, while others clutched their meager belongings, their faces etched with grim determination. They were all waiting, huddled together in the flickering torchlight, for the signal to flee.

“How’s the baby?” Brenda asked, her voice hushed as she reached out to touch Romilda’s forehead.

Catherine’s face was pale with exhaustion and guilt. “She finally drifted off. I feel terrible for hurting her.”

Brenda squeezed her shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. “You did what you had to do. You did it for her.”

Liam, ever curious, tugged at his mother’s sleeve. “Where are we going, Mother?”

Rebecca, her eyes wide with apprehension, chimed in, “Are we going to live like rogues?”

Brenda’s heart clenched. “Our pack is more than just a place, Rebecca. It’s who we are.” She dreaded the questions that were sure to follow.

Liam’s brow furrowed. “But Alpha Gaius isn’t here. And Dad won’t be there either. That means… we won’t have an Alpha to lead us.” Tears welled in his eyes, reflecting the fear that gnawed at them all. He’d heard the stories of rogue life – the constant fighting, the endless struggle for survival.

Catherine knelt, her voice gentle but firm. “You’ll have me, Liam. I’ll lead you. And your mom will be there, and Rebecca, and the whole pack. We’ll face this together.” She smiled, hoping to reassure him. “And you’ll grow up to be a strong, brave Beta, just like your dad.”

Liam’s face brightened, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. “I’ll remember to be like my father.” He wiped away his tears, his small shoulders squaring with newfound resolve.

Catherine cupped his face in her hands wiping his tears. “Always remember to be yourself first, Liam. Your father would want that.” Her words made him smile again and he left to join his sister to play with the other pack kids.

Brenda watched them, her heart aching. “He didn’t even get to say goodbye,” she whispered to Catherine, her voice thick with grief. Catherine squeezed her shoulder in silent sympathy.

Ambrose’s voice cut through causing a quiet despair. “We’re moving out. Now. The scavengers could be here any minute. Make sure you have everything. Once we leave, there’s no turning back, the pack home we once knew will no longer be ours.” he said the last part in an anguish tone.

Catherine’s eyes widened, a sudden realization dawning on her face. She frantically checked her bag, her hands trembling.

“What’s wrong?” Brenda asked, her voice laced with concern. “I packed everything, even most of your husband’s things.”

Catherine’s voice was tight with panic. “It’s the necklace. The one my husband gave Romilda. I have to get it. It’s the only thing she’ll have to remember him by.”

“Are you sure I didn’t pack it?” Brenda wracked her brain, trying to recall every item she’d placed in the bag.

Catherine shook her head. “It’s in the hidden compartment in our bedstand. I’ll be right back.” Before Brenda could protest, she turned and sprinted back toward the palace.

The pack members shifted uneasily, their fear growing with each passing moment. Brenda bit her lip, her gaze fixed on the tunnel entrance.

After what felt like an eternity, she stepped forward, her voice trembling. “We can’t leave yet.”

Ambrose turned, his expression hardening. “What is it, Brenda? We don’t have time for this.”

“It’s… Luna Catherine. She’s not back yet.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. “She was here just a moment ago.”

“She went back… to get something. She said she’d be right back, but…” Brenda trailed off, her voice choked with worry.

Ambrose hesitated, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. Finally, he pointed to Adam, a young, strong warrior. “Go find her. Escort her back. Quickly.”

“Yes, sir,” Adam replied, and disappeared into the darkness.

___

Catherine cursed her own carelessness as she raced through the deserted palace corridors. She clutched Romilda tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. The air was thick with the stench of blood and death, a grim reminder of the battle that had raged here just hours before.

Finally, she reached her chambers. She shoved the door open and hurried to the bedstand, her fingers fumbling with the hidden latch. She pulled out the small velvet box and opened it, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the delicate golden necklace, a tiny crescent moon pendant glinting in the dim light. She wrapped it and Romilda securely in the blankets.

As she turned to leave, the door crashed inward, splintering into pieces. A group of vampires surged into the room, their eyes burning with predatory hunger.

“Well, well, well,” one of them drawled, his voice dripping with malice. “Look what we have here.” They advanced on her, their fangs bared.

Years of training under her father who was a legendary warrior, kicked in. Catherine shifted, her bones cracking and reforming as she transformed into a massive golden brown wolf. She snarled, her teeth bared, her eyes blazing with fury. She would protect her daughter, no matter the cost.

She lunged, tearing into the vampires with savage ferocity. Blood splattered the walls as she ripped and tore, her instincts taking over. She was a whirlwind of fur and fury.

Finally, the last vampire fell, his body a mangled mess. Catherine shifted back, her body trembling with exhaustion. She grabbed Romilda and fled, desperate to escape before more vampires arrived.

“Luna!” Adam’s voice echoed through the corridor.

“We were waiting for you,” he said, relief flooding his face. “We need to get back to the others.” He reached out to support her.

Suddenly, a group of vampires materialized in front of them, blocking their path. Another group appeared behind them, cutting off their escape. They were trapped.

“Hand over the baby,” a voice sneered. A young vampire with brown caramel hair stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Romilda.

“No, I will take the baby,” another vampire countered, emerging from the opposite side.

“Sage, what are you doing?” the first vampire demanded, his voice laced with anger.

“Only I am worthy to destroy the baby, Stefan,” Sage replied, his eyes burning with fanatical zeal. He took another step closer, his fangs bared.

Back in the tunnel, Brenda paced restlessly, her anxiety growing with each passing minute. “It’s been too long,” she muttered, her voice barely audible. “What if they’ve been attacked?”

The other pack members shared her fear, their faces etched with worry. Ambrose watched them, his expression grim. Luna Catherine and her child were more than just pack members; they were Alpha Gaius’s only family.

“I can’t stay here,” Ambrose said, his voice resonating with determination. “I have to go find them.”

Brenda’s eyes widened. “Ambrose, no! It’s too dangerous.”

Ambrose took a deep breath, his decision made. “If we don’t arrive on time… make sure to lead the pack across the border. Get them to safety.” He met Brenda’s gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of resolve and regret. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.