Chapter 9. Suspicion

Ryn looked nervous. She turned around and moved to Lance's side. She was afraid Walter would be angry that she had left without permission.

"Walter," she squeaked, unconsciously holding Lance's hand as if seeking protection.

Walter stopped near them and sighed.

"Didn't I tell you to stay home? Why didn't you listen to me, Ryn? It's too dangerous for you outside." Walter spoke with a worried expression.

"Sorry. I was just bored," Ryn replied.

"I know, but this is all for your own good. I don't want anything bad to happen to you," Walter said. The man then turned to Lance and said, "It was lucky you met her. How did it go? Did you get what we need?"

Lance pulled the bag forward. He pulled out a bag that smelled like herbs.

"It's all here," Lance said as he handed the bag to Walter.

"Great, I'll give it to Merry," Walter said. "I'm glad you're back. You can keep Ryn company so she doesn't get bored," he continued as he patted Lance's arm.

To Ryn's ears, Walter's last words sounded like an order to keep a close eye on her. Not knowing why, Ryn has always felt suspicious of what is around her.

"I'll leave you guys alone. But please, don't cross this line. Do you understand?" Walter said before he turned around and walked away.

After Walter had gone far enough, Lance turned his body towards Ryn. The man furrowed his brows, looking curiously at the girl.

"What's wrong with you? Why do you look like you're scared? Are you hiding something?" Lance asked.

Ryn turned her head and opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to speak but suddenly decided against it. The girl closed her mouth and folded her lips. Remembering what happened that night, she didn't know whether Lance could be trusted or not. Ryn was worried that if she told him what she had been through, he would tell Walter.

"It's nothing. I'm just bored," Ryn replied as she swung away from Lance.

Lance scrunched up his face as he pulled his neck back.

"What's wrong with her?" the man muttered, scratching his head.

Lance shook his head lightly, then caught up with Ryn, who had already taken a few steps away from him.

"Hey, hold on to me!" the man shouted.

Ryn turned her head and saw Lance running a little after her, but the girl didn't stop walking until their steps were at par.

"So... we made up?" Lance tilted his head as he bumped his shoulder against Ryn's.

"Not exactly," Ryn replied.

"What do you mean by 'not exactly'?" protested Lance.

Ryn stopped walking and exhaled harshly. Her eyeballs rotated lazily, then she turned to Lance and said, "I'm still disappointed in you."

Lance relaxed his shoulders while staring disappointedly at Ryn, who had already walked away.

"Oh, come on, I'm sorry," the man said as he took a quick step. "I can't stand this for long. Forgive me, okay?"

"Talk to my hand!" the girl retorted, offering her palm.

Ryn ran away from Lance. She returned home and went straight into her room. She couldn't stand being outside with all those eyes watching her. The girl sat at the window, looking at the two men splitting firewood.

"Are they hiding something from me?" the girl murmured.

Ryn leaned her head against the wooden frame behind her. Some questions were deeply troubling her mind. There were too many mysteries that made Ryn overthink. The soul exchange, the werewolves, and the people who worshipped the moon. It was still fresh in her memory of the first time Ryn saw them shift. The girl trembled terrifyingly as the people turned into ferocious wolves. Not to mention when the mating season arrived. All the wolves were in heat. Walter even had to lock her in the basement so the werewolves wouldn't touch her.

***

In a different place, Albert was sitting across from Malik, one of his Scouts. Albert had ordered Malik to find out about Wolfsbane Hill, and now the man had returned with some information.

"If you see any signs of life there, they're probably inlanders hiding from our kind. I haven't heard of any werewolves living on Wolfsbane Hill. Besides, that sounds highly implausible. Only a few Rouges have been seen passing through the area. Remember, they're just passing through, not entering," Malik said.

"Have you ever heard of people with special abilities?" asked Albert.

Malik frowned. "You mean some kind of seer or witch?" he asked.

"A few days ago, we met a girl near the river. She was human, but Albert sensed something odd about her," Jayden explained.

Malik turned to the Beta and raised an eyebrow. The man pulled one corner of his lips up and said, "Are you saying that Albert's mate was the girl with the special ability?"

"I'm not in the mood for jokes!" replied Albert with a serious face, which made Malik instantly shut up. "So, what do you know about such people?"

Malik was silent for a while as he dug into his memory. Outside of their kind, Malik had never heard of people with special abilities other than seers and witches, of which there were not many in Wolfspring.

However,

Malik turned quickly to Albert and said, "I once went to a bar and met a Scout from the Dante Hills Pack. He told me about a prophecy. About a werewolf who would make the entire Wolfspring kneel down."

"You mean the girl?" said Albert.

"I don't know for sure. But if there really is a werewolf who can do that kind of thing, I think he or she would be an Alpha," Malik said.

Albert and Jayden exchanged glances. This information reminded them of the prophecy about the Bloodwolf. Then Albert looked at Malik and said, "You may go."

Malik nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Albert and Jayden alone.

"What do you think?" Jayden turned his head toward the Alpha.

"We can't let the other packs find out about the prophecy. I don't want them to take advantage of it to bring me down," Albert said.

"So, should we pay a visit to the Dante Hills Pack?" asked Jayden.

Albert lifted his face, looked straight ahead, and replied in a deep voice, "We go tonight."