Chapter 17: A Difficult Choice
1033 Words
"How much longer till the blue mountain?"
"A day, if we keep this pace," Kendrick replied and paused as he turned back towards the group following behind him. Noticing their sweat-soaked clothes and tired-looking faces, he sighed and stopped walking. "Let's look for a place to catch our breaths for a while."
"We can still keep going, Beta."
"No, we can use the opportunity to wait for the others, and hopefully the car is fixed. If we keep walking without rest, we might not get there in a day's time," he explained, and he led the group out of the dusty pathway into the bushes around to find a place to rest after leaving a sigh behind for those coming with the car.
"You should eat and sleep; we might have to walk all night," he added and placed his bags under a tall oak tree. Making sure the environment was safe, he sat down and rested his back on the tree and closed his eyes to rest while the rest of the group shared the lunch they had.
Minutes passed as the group gathered around, relaxing. Since none of them were feeling sleepy, they decided to sit around talking and monitoring their environment.
"I'm surprised Beta Kendrick is this concerned about his father," one of the men whispered.
"Right? I was so surprised he volunteered to travel to meet the witches despite both of them always being at each other's throats," another replied, equally whispering while sneaking a glance at Kendrick, who still had his eyes closed with his hands folded on his chest and his bangs covering a part of his face.
"I was expecting all this stress to fall on Collon; after all, he worships the Alpha."
"It's probably because Beta Kendrick is trying to shake off the suspicion about him being the one who had been poisoning the Alpha. Either way, he looks more tired than usual."
"Say, if the Alpha dies, who will it affect the most?"
Before they could reply, the group tensed as they saw Kendrick suddenly jump off, his eyes full of alertness while his hand moved towards the dagger on his waist.
"What..."
"Shhh," Kendrick gestured as he laced his hands on his lips while his eyes darted around. He heard several footsteps coming towards them from different directions, and somehow, the footsteps feel closer than they sound.
As if to confirm his suspicions, Kenderick felt a tap on his shoulder, and he immediately jumped back while swinging his dagger towards the direction only to see the place empty, followed by a small chuckle.
"What was that?" One of them asked as they turned their back towards each other while getting ready to shift and fight at the sight of the enemy.
"Witches are tricksters. They've probably noticed us enter their territory," Kendrick replied.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" A female voice replied. The voice sounding close and at the same time distant. "I'm curious what brings you here?"
"Who are you?" Kendrick asked, his hands gripping the dagger tighter.
"Me?" The voice replied. "Is it important to ask for my identity when I didn't ask for yours?"
"I'm Kendrick Ragnar, Beta of the Silverlining Pack."
"That's not safe... Not safe... Not safe!" The voice replied as the wind around the group picked up, pushing up dried leaves all over the place. "Does no one ever tell you not to give a witch your name?"
"The name and the eyes are the entrance to the soul... And might I say, you have such a beautiful eye... Son of the blood."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Kendrick replied, and the woman sighed.
"I'm Skylar, the guardian of the blue mountain."
Hearing her words, Kenderick paused, his eyes narrowing as he returned the dagger back to its place on his waist, and he stood straight with his hands raised.
"Lady Skylar, we came here to ask for the help of the witches on the blue mountain," Kendrick announced. "We mean no harm."
"Is returning the dagger to its sheath supposed to mean you are defenceless?" Skylar asked with a laugh, making Kendrick frown. "But I do understand what you are trying to imply."
"However, you can't be allowed to the blue mountain," she added, her voice turning serious and cold, sending shivers down the group's back.
"We really need your help. I understand that considering the history between the witches and our Pack, it's unreasonable of me to come here to ask for help. But I am in a tight space, and I will do anything you want in exchange for your help," he explained.
The whole place went silent as she waited for her reply; however, instead of Skylar's voice, a new voice sounded around them, this one older and more indifferent.
"Anything you say?" She asked, making Kendrick hesitate before clenching his fist.
"Yes,"
"Good. Why are you here?"
"The Alpha of the Silverlining Pack has been poisoned with wolf's bane and an unknown poison, and I've been told only witches could help cure him," he explained.
"Why are you so concerned about the death of an incompetent Alpha?"
"He's my father."
"Well, he is also an irresponsible father," the voice replied seriously with a hint of amusement in her tone.
"Even though he is irresponsible and incompetent... He is still my father," Kenderick replied, his nails digging deeper into his palm.
"... Is that the only reason you tidied your life to come to the witches for a cure?" She asked after a pause. "I see you.... Not the you standing there... The you no one else can see... I know you, and I can tell you care less about the life or death of that man... So tell me what made you come here?"
"Did you really come to ask for the cure? Or you came for power?" She asked. "Worry not; we can give you both."
"But you can only take one of the two. After all, you can't have everything. You lose some to gain some."
"The cure to save the father who has continuously disappointed you or the power to make your long-lost dream come true?"
"Which is it?”
- Writer
