Chapter 13: For The Right Price
1312 Words
"We met again." Kayla chuckled as she ran into the frantic Kendrick walking out of the hospital. "We always seem to meet in odd places."
"Are you okay?" She asked as she noticed Kendrick's dishevelled appearance. "You look... exhausted."
"I am," Kendrick breathed out. "Are you here for your sister? She hasn't healed?"
"Oh, she has healed... The doctor kind of picked up an interest in her. You know...her being unable to shift and all?" She chuckled. "He wanted to find the cause for it and why it was delayed... He said he's always been interested, and since we have nothing to lose, we agreed. I'm here for moral and emotional support," she explained with a smile, and Kendrick nodded.
She stepped closer to him and held his hand while maintaining her smile. "You should take a rest... There will always be problems as long as we're living, and even though we can live longer than humans... We can also die under stress."
Kendrick felt the tension in his shoulders ease as he looked into her eyes, and he let out a deep breath before combing his hands through his hair in frustration.
"Well. The Pack needs the help of the witches, but we have always been hostile towards them, and without them, we will be losing an important figure in the Pack. I'm in charge of employing their help, but I don't even know where to begin," he confessed.
"And we have a limited time."
"That sounds rough," Kayla sighed. "Well... I'm sure, if anything, you'll be able to do it. You've got a way with people."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed, you are loved by those around you... maybe except for a few people?" She added as she glanced at Collon, who had been staring at them from the window of the second floor. "People can't help but love you."
"You have this charm that draws people to you.... with that, I'm sure you'll be able to get the witches' help," Kayla explained.
"Uhm... witches don't hold grudges, as long as you pay the right price," a quiet voice joined in.
Kendrick and Kayla turned around and noticed the shy-looking Jasmine standing by the door while fidgeting with her fingers.
"Oh, Jasmine! You are done?" Kayla asked and rushed towards her sister. "How was it?"
"It was okay? He took my DNA sample and told me he'd get back to me when he finds anything," Jasmine explained and looked at Kendrick standing a distance away.
"Hello, Beta Kendrick, I'm Jasmine, Kayla's sister," she introduced herself with a bow.
"Hello, I haven't properly apologised for the incident during the training. I'm sorry," he said, and Jasmine blushed while shaking her head.
"It wasn't your fault, and she already apologised to me... Helen, I mean." Jasmine replied. "Uhm... I heard witches would help if you had the right price... They are mostly all for what they can get. Their profit."
"Well, I've heard the contrary. Witches are vindictive people," Kendrick replied.
"They can be... mostly when there is blood debt."
"How do you know this?" Kendrick asked with a raised brow, and Jasmine shrugged.
"I have heard stories, and I read books. There is a witch coven settled in the Blue Mountain... They are more friendly... And they are commercial... I mean, they can be bought," She explained. "They often get rented by travellers... I'm sure they can help you... for the right price." She added.
"Thank you," Kendrick smiled and began to walk off.
"Be careful; the blue mountain is said to be dangerous.... Witches are, after all, cunning tricksters. There may be traps!" Kayla called after him.
"I will!" He replied and waved them off.
"Why did you tell him about the witches?" Kayla asked as she turned to Jasmine with a frown.
"I don't know," Jasmine replied. "I just felt the urge to help him... Unlike his father and brother... He seemed genuine, but he has an aura of darkness and death all around him," she explained further.
"Death? Like he is going to die soon?" Kayla asked in surprise and Jasmine shook her head.
"No, it's an aura surrounding a warrior that has killed countless enemies. But his aura is more intense and sharp," Jasmine explained with a thoughtful expression. "And he is strong... Stronger than he knows."
"Well, if you want to continue living peacefully, you can't go around telling people such uncommon information. Those people chose the blue mountain for their safety," Kayla sighed while dragging Jasmine away from the clinic.
"The Blue Mountain Coven are the same witches that were sent out of this Pack, and their whereabouts remain a mystery since they still think Elton is after them, except only to the royal family, no one else is supposed to know about their location. How will you explain to people when they find out you told him about it?"
"They won't."
"You sound so sure, sister."
"Because he won't get to the blue mountain," Jasmine replied.
Kayla paused and turned to look at Jasmine with a furrowed brow. "You said he won't be dying soon... And now you said he won't get to the blue mountain. Why are you so confusing?"
"I'm not sure. It may be that he'll get what he wants before getting to the blue mountain.... Or that the witches won't allow him an entrance to the blue mountain... Either way, he won't climb the mountain."
As Collon watched the three separate, his eyes darkened and his fingers curled around the pot of flowers sitting on the windowsill. His eyes lingered on Kayla and then Jasmine before he turned around to see two of his men standing behind him.
"Investigate those ladies; I want to know where they came from and why they came to our Pack," he ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"And I need you to follow Kendrick. Don't engage him unless told otherwise."
On the other side, Kendrick picked some of his trusted men to discuss their journey.
"There have never been sightings of witches on the Blue Mountain," Lian, Kendrick's best friend, pointed out as they circled round the table with the map of the mountain spread out on it. "The mountain is dangerous on its own and it has been deem uninhabitable. How would anyone survive there?"
"It's not habitable for people like us, witches are considered the closest to the goddess because of their powers, I'm sure they can find a way around the dangers on the mountain," Kendrick replied.
"What credibility does the information hold? Where did you even get it?"
"I can't tell you where I got it, but I do have a feeling it's real; besides, if it's not real after we check, we can check other places," Kendrick replied.
"According to your words, we have less than ten days... You don't possibly think we have enough time to waste?" Caspian joined in.
"That's why I'm suggesting that Liam lead a group to the other towns while I check the blue mountain," Kendrick explained.
As they spoke, Elder Lydia walked into the room.
"I'll go with you. For such an important matter, you need an elder to travel with you," she suggested making the group of men frown.
"No offence, but you are too old to travel long distances on your wolf form... You'll only slow us down, Elder," Lian countered, and Elder Lydia chuckled.
"I was once a warrior for this Pack before I became its elder. I see things others can't see... And I have more experience dealing with other races than you all do... If I slow you down… you can leave me behind."
"Why do you want to go with us?" Kendrick asked, and Elder Lydia shrugged.
"If your father dies now... this Pack will be plunged into a more severe darkness. We honestly can afford that.”
- Writer
