chapter 7
1298 Words
“Why are you still alive?” The rogue threatened me, kicking me with a curiously burning fury.
I stood mute.
My wolf bounced from the right to the left in my mind, casting me into a dazed state, my body growing numb.
“Won't you speak up?” The other rogue charged, his voice louder than the first, commanding too. “I give you two minutes to pour out what is in your mind. What's your plan against that… pack?”
Two minutes.
The rogues could do anything. I already learnt about them. Not only power provoked their hunting battle.
Now, they were seeking after my life—to take it—and to turn Alpha Alpha Kelvin into a poor, lone wolf.
“I do not know what you are talking about yet.” I spoke up, breathing with cold tiredness and fright. “What are you asking me?”
“You're a fool!” The first one blurted, gripping my arms tightly with his hands as he stood there, beside me.
They must indeed be real enemies.
None of them looked like a disguised wolf from my pack.
“Why exactly are you after the Vandenburg’s? Were there any issues you had with their clan?” The other questioned me, the tone of his voice challenging. “Do you even know the consequences…?”
My lips shook.
“Leave her alone!” Another, but contrary voice beckoned, overwhelming and commanding. “Down or to your heels, you stupid rogues!”
I raised my head to see the huge wolf rushing towards the rogues before me, and before he could reach me, the rogues fled, having swiftly worn a mask on my face.
Silence engaged the air afterwards, casting me into a deep aura of reflection.
I flinched.
“Are you doing well?” Elara asked, her voice low as she took the mask off my face. “I'm sorry… I was trapped down, so I had to free myself first to come for your safety, my dear…”
“What about Alpha Alpha Kelvin?” I questioned, slurring and calmly ignoring her words for now. “Was he… Was he the one they came for?”
Silence, again.
…
Elara had a strong way of reaching me. I appreciated that. But, I still needed to be conversant with her Elara’s plans.
Amelia's connection with what was in my heavy heart, which longed for knowledge, was a hunger in me too, troubling my wolf.
And the way out.
More things than secrets loomed in the pack and the entire world I was engulfed in. Not a new thing. But, I realized there were much more things to discover than I had known.
Soon, I embraced Elara as if I just saw her again, her motherly voice always soft and soothing that I couldn't easily shun her words. “Aria, do you know there is a lot we have to say…” She handed over another piece of sandwich to me and continued talking.
“About the Moon Goddess?” I returned, so curiously since all I thought about for a moment was the Moon Goddess. “I need to know—I am all ears.”
“But, I think you need patience.” She added, smiling as if the troubles that lay ahead weren't her concern. Elara was always helpful, but her own way was different—clearly unique because she solved matters easily. “There are some matters we need to attend to urgently. The rogues are waging war against Alpha Alpha Kelvin's pack again…”
“Any problem?” Elara whispered, as she stood to her feet, preparing to leave with me. “Aria, what happened? You should have gone with me…”
“No.” I replied shyly. “I was only uttering some words to myself.”
“Oh.” Elara returned, spreading out her arms, tiredly.
“Hope you're not hungry?” I asked her, trying to clear the air.
“Amelia would bake both of us brown bread when we leave…” Elara returned, her voice lowered for comfort. “Alpha Alpha Kelvin said he wants you to meet him in person.
“Oh, where is he?”
After our discussion, thick darkness covered the entire space of the kingdom and the air was filled with frosty particles. Elara stood up, held my hands and whispered some words into my ears, “I want patience from you. Alpha Ryder must be up to something…”
Eagerly, I needed to clarify everything, but it only grew more complex. “I have heard you, Mother.”
Amelia was the next to see. Maybe she wasn't around yet. I realized the darkness was fading away, giving way to light again. Elara signalled to me, her eyes bulging with confidence. “The Moon Goddess must be taking action right away.”
“I think I feel the same…” I related, chuckling for a short while to keep Elara's face in my mind. “I'll see you later, Mother. I want to see Amelia…”
“Will this darkness permit you?”
“It's already fading away.”
Suddenly, there was a growl, thick and deeper than normal, dashing both of us to the stem of a nearby tree. “Ah…! Attention, everyone!”
Elara was bold. “I just had to hold your hands and stick together with you with it—for defence. The rogues speak in different ways, so if they were the one I heard about, they would be raising such a growl as this.”
“Mother Elara.” I said, crushing a particle that sneaked into my mouth. “Why did the shout begin with such an exclamation! It was sudden and I was frightened.”
“Be patient and calm.” Elara advised, suddenly pointing a finger to another side of the path which led to our destination. “Did you notice any strange movement up there?”
“Oh…” I returned, my shoulders raised for a raw fear. “I can't see anyone, but I can overhear whispers.”
“Hmm….” Elara said, her voice lowered to a mutter. “Just stay beside me. Hold onto me… let me reach the Alpha…”
“Will it be safe to tread here, Mother?” I asked, yielding to her instructions instantly. My brows furrowed, and frowns were appearing on the same spot, unseen by Elara. “And, are you talking about Alpha Ryder?”
“Ryder?” Elara echoed, letting out a bubble of breath as she adjusted, her hands bearing me behind. “I have no agreement with an enemy. My duty is to support Alpha Kelvin and also, serve as a mother to you… I don't stand a foot close to enemies.”
“Mother, watch!” I cautioned, my mind heaving with rustling thoughts.
My wolf was disturbed but there were no words coming at all. I just had to hear Elara out.
And if I could quickly reach Amelia, I would hear from her too.
The ritual night.
I found out that it was closer than I thought, but whoever had an idea when it would happen, except the Moon Goddess, was unknown or maybe unborn yet.
“Ryder is up to something!” Elara reiterated her words concerning Ryder's plans. “I must know what to do.”
“We need to consult her.” I said, refraining to utter whatever thing else I wanted to say.
What I knew was nothing compared to what Mother Elara had been telling me.
And soon, her voice came again.
“Oh…” Elara returned, ticking her lips with her hands so thoughtfully. “The Moon Goddess! We need to…”
Alas!
- Writer
