Chapter 9: Memory Of That Night
1194 Words
“The Brown Fur Pack?” They echoed, and Alpha Elton nodded.
“Why are they suddenly asking for a formal duel?” Collon asked in surprise. “Don't they just sneak attack our people on normal occasions?”
“We still haven't taken revenge for their actions, and now they are bold enough to ask us for a duel?”
“Yes, I believe their sneak attack isn't working for them anymore, and since it appears we haven't been paying attention to them, they decided to take the open route,” Alpha Elton explained.
“What do they want?” Kendrick asked.
“Pack lands,” Alpha Elton provided. “Whoever loses the duel will give the other a portion of their Pack land.”
Kendrick's jaw tightened as he stared at the envelope on the table. “They want our land? After ambushing and killing our scouts, now they want to challenge us like it's some game?”
“They’re testing our strength,” Collon scoffed. “They think we’ve grown weak. I'm sure the news about our people dying has reached their ears.”
Kendrick looked between his father and brother. “And they wouldn’t be wrong, would they? We’ve been sitting on our asses doing nothing while they grow bolder by the day.”
Alpha Elton’s expression didn’t change, but the slight twitch of his eye betrayed his annoyance. “I have not been idle. I've been seeking answers and solutions…”
“Answers and solutions?” Kendrick scoffed, his voice rising. “Of course, but do you think it looks that way to outsiders?”
“Not only have we allowed our people to die on our land without any solutions. We've watched their Pack taunt us for months. Why won't they think we have grown weak?”
“You've done nothing but watch them grow bolder by day…”
Collon slammed his palm against the table. "And what would you know about his efforts when all you do is live in your head while parading the Pack like a saint!"
“It’s better than doing nothing!” Kendrick shot back. "People are losing faith in us!"
“Enough!” Alpha Elton’s voice thundered through the room, making both of them freeze. “We’re accepting the duel.”
Kendrick blinked. “Wait… we are?”
“We have no choice,” Alpha Elton said firmly. “Like you said, people are losing faith in us. We can't have that.”
“Refusing the duel will be seen as a weakness. Word will spread, and other Packs will begin circling like vultures.”
“So who's fighting for us?” Collon asked, more cautiously this time.
“According to the letter, the duel is between the Alpha of both Packs,” Alpha Elton sighed. “There won't be a reason to Choose anyone, as I will be representing the Pack,” he announced.
“Oh goddess no,” Kendrick snapped. “That won't be accepted. We all know duels between Alphas are not possible. It's always until only one of them is left standing. Why would you agree to something like that?”
“Do you think I am weak?” Alpha Elton asked as he gave Kendrick a pointed look.
“No, of course not.” Kendrick immediately replied. “But it's not safe. They proposed the plan for a duel; I'm sure they have made enough preparation to make sure they will win.”
“I was also worried about that, but it's not an issue. We get to pick the location and the time of the duel,” the Alpha explained, and only then did Kendrick ease up a little.
“So what are we asking for when we win the duel?” Collon asked, his eyes filled with interest and greed as he looked from his father to Kendrick.
Kendrick, seeing Collon's reaction, swallowed the urge to show disgust at his brother's greed.
“I haven't thought about it yet. I'll have a discussion with the elders, and then we will know. We don't lack lands here, and taking theirs won't benefit us in any way, so it's important we take something that will be of benefit,” Alpha Elton explained as he got up to leave.
“We will meet tomorrow morning; you two should retire for the night,” he ordered and left.
Seeing their father leave, Kendrick also got up to leave. As he walked out of the Pack house, he took a deep breath and decided to walk around the Pack to clear his mind.
As he walked, several people greeted him along the way. Smiling and showing their goodwill.
Some even invited him to join their gathering, while others offered him a bit of food and snacks.
It was obvious that the Pack members liked him, and he liked them too. However, thinking about all the things happening around them lately, he couldn't help but think how much longer before they all started to lose hope in him too.
As he walked, he remembered that tonight was supposed to be the burial of the people who had died and decided to join the ceremony. As he got closer, his eyes wandered around the crowd, looking for the familiar face.
He relaxed as he noticed Helen standing in front of the crowd, close to her mother while holding a wooden touch in hand. Like the last time he had seen her, she looked lifeless.
It was like the appearance of someone whose soul had been taken away.
However, in this case, it was her mother who had been taken away.
Feeling the urge to comfort her, Kendrick walked through the crowd until he was standing behind her. He gave her a gentle squeeze when he realised she was deep in thought and didn't hear when the official asked her to drop the touch on her mother's corpse.
“Thank you,” Helen muttered while squatting close to her mother's burning corpse.
The rest of the burial attendants had returned to their home, leaving her alone with Kendrick.
“Thank you for staying with me.”
“You don't have to thank me,” he replied. “It's the least I could do.”
“Nancy told me you tried reading her memories,” she continued, and he froze, thinking his actions had offended her.
“I know what you are thinking, and no, I'm not offended... To be honest, I wanted to ask you to do that…” she paused and sniffed. “I've been trying to remember what the killer looked like, but it feels like every passing hour, my memory of that night has been erased.”
“And soon I might completely forget... Not that I remember anything helpful.”
“But do you think the person is in this Pack?” Kendrick asked after hesitating.
Several minutes went by as they continued to watch the corpses burn while Helen remained quiet. As Kendrick turned to leave, trying to give her the last moment with her mother, he heard her quiet voice.
“Yes, I think they are.”
- Writer
