CHAPTER THREE

Everyone became focused on whose face was going to show up. The guards, dozens of them, stood on a stance, their backs turned at Eirlys and their eyes darting around, scouting the trees.

Eirlys spinned right in their middle, also curious as to what was happening. She had already been captured but then who could dare to intervene. Would it turn out to favor her or would it be her doom? She pondered 

“Who are you? Show yourself..” The guard who the tyrant had ordered to bring back Eirlys howled.

The air itself grew with tension as the silence was heavy, so heavy that it pressed against their chests. Just then, the leaves wavered and the branches of trees shook like something had disturbed their sleep. 

The guards fidgeted, including Eirlys, unaware of who, or maybe— what would come out of the shadows.

“You're on my territory… you've passed the line… don't you see.” A voice came out of the shadows… it was deep, very deep and cranking. More like a wolf.

The leader of the guards stepped forward, his eyes, carefully scouting the ground like he was looking for something he had lost. He gulped and stepped back after a moment and whispered to his guards.

The guards demeanor changed, their bold expression fading away as they heard what their leader had told them.

“We might have crossed the line but we're still close to our territory.” The guard replied and howled out loud. “You just show yourself and let us settle this like men.”

In no time, across a clearing, though it was dark, a werewolf stood there, a hulking shadow against the pale light of the moon. His breath misted in the cold night air, each of his exhales was no different from a growl that seemed to reverberate through the ground.

His posture commanded attention, his shoulders hunched slightly forward and his claws flexing. He tapped the ground with his feet as if he was testing it for the perfect moment to strike.

His eyes glowed, piercing through the darkness. Red was the color and it was the first thing the guards noticed. 

“He's an Alpha…” a guard said in a low tone. “His eyes speak of it.”

A low growl rumbled. It rose and fell in a rhythm that felt primal. It wasn't just a sound; it was a warning. The guards watched him as he took a step forward and immediately, they staggered backward. 

“Why are you here? We’re still close to our territory… you can't just be here because of this.” The guard signalled with his eyes to two others so they surrounded the intruder. They nodded, fear gripping their chest as they were reluctant to even take a step but they had no choice. 

Eirlys watched, her eyes fixed on the figure. The figure also watched her and cared less about the guards that surrounded her. He didn't even hear the question he was being asked.

Who are you? Why are you here? Why does it feel like I know you? Eirlys thought, her lips slightly opened. She tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows, trying to catch a glimpse of the wolf that stood a few distance away from her. 

She hadn't seen the wolf before, yet the scent of it smelled familiar. “Could it be the tyrant?” She whispered, her breath whoosed. “Why would he fight his guards to save me?” She bit the nail of her thumb. 

Eirlys looked up, caught by the sounds of scream she heard. She was already lost and didn't notice the guards already formed a circle around the wolf. By the time she became aware of her surroundings, a guard was at the mercy of the wolf. 

His legs dangling above the ground. His neck stuck as the wolf wrapped his hands around his neck. His grip tightened against his neck and soon, there was a crack, everyone could hear it. He released his grip, only for the guard to fall, never to rise again. 

He spinned, and with his claws pierced through another guard, pulling him toward himself and hitting again so that he fell. 

“Run… all of you.” He growled, his head facing upward and his hands widely apart on either side. The sound vibrated, shooting the trees, their leaves wavering and falling.

The remaining guards took off without hesitation, their movements swift and their boots pounding against the ground, creating a sound like crunches. They faded away in no time like shadows fleeing the light.

Eirlys froze on the spot. She could not move, she could speak. Her entire body felt heavy. It all seemed her eyes were the only part that functioned at the moment. She swallowed hard, hoping it wasn't who she thought the wolf was— The Tyrant.

The wolf stepped in, coming out into the lights where his entire figure would be more visible. He raised his hands and glanced at his claws. Blood dripped from it but he clashed it, gently against the tree beside him. 

“Eirlys.” He extended his hand to touch her but the distance won't let that happen. 

Eirlys gasped, repeatedly at the mention of her name. It was like she was asleep for a moment and then awoke just by hearing her name. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding, her legs, pulling her away from the figure standing right in front of her.

“Who are you? Why have you saved me?” 

The wolf, without responding, edged forward—an attempt to close the distance between him and Eirlys.

“No,... No, stay back… stay back.” She screamed, sounding more like a plea.

He halted and nodded his head. “You've always known me, Eirlys.” 

“Then show me who you are… Tell me,” she snapped at him. 

There was a moment of silence. Eirlys shook her head forward, anticipating whoever it was going to be. But nothing happened. The figure just stood there, like he was cautiously thinking about his decisions. 

“The Tyrant?” She suggested an answer when the silence felt like an eternity.

“The Tyrant indeed. Is he the one now?”

“How am I supposed to know when you're not telling me anything?” She yelled, jerking her hands at him. “Let me guess, you're scared to even reveal yourself.” Her voice came with a gentle tone.

She soon bursted into laughter. “The guards who were after me were scared of you. And now, you're scared of me.” She chuckled but it was for a second. 

The growl of the wolf instilled a slight fear in her as he advanced forward. 

“Please, just stay where you are… I'm sorry if I offended you… I just want to know my savior and thank him.”

“You want to know, right?” He discontinued.

All she could do was to nod. She was tired of running, tired of talking. Maybe tired of everything and all she needed was a safe hand to crash on.

The wolf slowly turned his back at her. Then came the sound. She knew what was happening— he was shifting. Shifting back to his human form. 

She hesitated before moving forward, her eyes widened, striving to see through the darkness. She pressed closer, her back slightly bent and her head further than her whole body. Now she could notice the fair color of his bare skin. 

She ceased to take any further steps, noticing he was about to face her. She blinked repeatedly, her fist gripping the hem of her gown on either side. She doesn't know what to expect.

Who could he be? Could he be someone she knew? Could it be the tyrant? No, it couldn't have been the one, his guards would probably recognize him. And what if he's the one, would he take her back to that place? Those words pressed against her chest that she could not get them off.

Soon, he was facing her. Her breath caught in her throat, frozen by the sight before her. A cold chill raced down her spine, her body stiffening in disbelief. Her lips partly opened, like they wanted to speak but they couldn't. The words seemed heavy.

All she could do was stare. Her mind raced, struggling to make sense of what was happening. Her heart pounding wildly, the sound deafening in her ears.

I must be hallucinating. There's no way this is real. She thought.

“Eirlys.”

“No… no, this can't be real.” She murmured.

“It is, Eirlys… This is real.” 

She grunted, wagging her head. Her hands flew to her mouth, holding back her scream. “Ryker.”

“Yes, it's me… Ryker.”