Aiden, on the other hand, felt like he would piss in his pant — if the already tattered pair of trousers he had been wearing for two days would pass for a proper pants. He looked from Calix to Jamal and then to Andrew who was already sinking to the ground and his eyes welled up. Had he lost his only chance to escape? Had he lost his only chance of survival? Above all, had he dragged his friends into his own mess? They had done nothing wrong to be dragged down with him. Aiden knew the alpha would not spare them and his heart constricted in pain at the mere thought of losing them to death. "Please," he let out, clasping his hands together in an earnest plea. "I'll go back inside and act like nothing happened. I'll gladly accept my death but please. . .let them go. They only wanted to help me. They shouldn't die." "What the fuck, Aiden!" Jamal growled, pushing him hard on the chest and Aiden almost fell to the ground. He looked up at Jamal, gasping at the pure fury on the man's face.
"I don't trust that old man one bit," Calix said immediately they took cover behind an old acacia tree which had existed before any of them was born. "Me neither." Jamal nodded in support and Calix patted him on the shoulder, happy to have someone else who thought the same way as he. He had now pulled his domino mask off and around his eyes were marks indicating where the masks had previously been."He's so creepy. I don't think we should trust him," he said again, his gaze now fixated on both Aiden and Andrew who had been quiet since."But I think we should," Andrew said at last and Calix frowned. "He has a better plan. I think we should go with him." He continued even when both Calix and Jamal had their eyes narrowed at him."How can you say that? What if he has only said all that he had said to keep us trapped? He might be heading for the Alpha's room to sell us off. We need to leave now. We have wasted enough time already." Jamal explained but Andrew shook his head still."He cou
"We can attack the gammas at the city gate," Jamal suggested but Andrew shook his head vehemently."That won't make any sense. There are about ten. . .or eleven. . .wait, aren't there twenty of them?" Andrew held his chin in thought and Jamal sighed, looking away whilst pulling his hair into a rough bun. Several strands fell across his forehead and he kept pushing them back, a hiss leaving his lips. He was tired."What did you do to the guards at the dungeon?" Aiden finally asked the question he had been desiring to ask ever since they got out. Due to the situation before, he had forgotten to ask. He knew he might not get the chance again if he didn't ask now."You never give up, do you?" Calix feigned annoyance."And do you? Just tell me already.""Wolfsbane." Jamal pipped in. "They had their drinks mixed with wolfsbane so they are simply reacting to it." Aiden's eyes narrowed in more confusion but before he could further ask more questions, Andrew was already filling him in."There
The trio exchanged a confused look and Calix raised a brow."Are you serious right now, Aiden?""I love her." He knew he was sounding so stupid but at that moment, his mind was jagged. It was like his brain had been disconnected from his head."So?" Calix snapped. "So what, Aiden? Her father wants you dead. She is mated to someone else now, regardless of your feelings. There is no future for you two." Calix laid emphasis on every word, hoping that they would sink into his brain. "Alright, son. We got to leave now." Elder Theodore finally said. "If we don't leave now, then you will surely die.""He'll leave now." Andrew pushed Aiden to the cart, gesturing to him to get in but Aiden remained rooted to his spot."What about you guys?" He could not help but ask."Seriously?" Calix had an incredulous look on his face but Aiden ignored him."I'll miss you all." He whispered and Jamal who had been trying to still himself from crying, took some steps backwards as he hid his face in his palms
Aiden's PovIt was so dark in there and I could hardly see. But that was barely the reason I was uncomfortable. My knees were aching from being bent for so long and my limbs felt so stiff. I wanted to stretch a bit, or even change my sitting position but I could not — not when I had no space. It was even more exhausting that my head kept hitting the side of the wooden cart as it moved above bumps. It seemed to me that Elder Theodore had forgotten that he was carrying not only his loads but a person. With the way he was pulling the cart, it felt like he had forgotten. That was the only explanation for the ferocious movement of the cart. I shut my eyes, hoping to still myself from the pain of being crunched in a tight space but that too was fruitless because I could still feel every ounce of pain that came with the contact of my bare skin on the wood. The night air was cold and I wrapped my arms around myself as quietly as I could, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. The ca
Aiden's Pov "Yes, but wouldn't that be at dawn?" It was the gamma who had asked the first question, one whose voice I could recognize as that of Cole. As far as I knew, he was the head of the gammas who served at the gate. I did not like him and I hoped he would not give Elder Theodore a hard time. I knew him to be a pompous fellow and this was why I avoided him. Nevertheless, I heard of his perceptiveness. It had always been said that Cole could tell if a person was telling a lie just by looking at such a one right in the eyes. I heard that he could discern the dubiousness of a situation and I hoped with everything in me that his perception would fail him this time. I could not afford to be caught. Greater would be my destruction if I got caught now than how it had been at the beginning. "Well, I changed my mind. I was mind linked by my daughter to come as soon as possible. I feel she needs my help. I can't wait anymore. I need to get to her. This is why I am embarking on this j
Aiden's PovWe moved in silence, with me peering through the tiny opening of the cart to look at the pack's gate for the last time. I was truly leaving and I could not explain how I felt about it. All I knew was I wished I could stay but as everyone had said, this was the best.I leaned back into the cart and shut my eyes, adjusting a bit to a more comfortable position even when my legs were aching badly. I did not want to think about anything even when there were thousands of questions in my head. Instead, I listened to the sound the cart made as it wheeled away and the chirping of crickets. It sounded soothing to my ears and it sort of calmed me down.Suddenly the cart stopped moving and I opened my eyes, the pounding of my heart resuming. I hated being this anxious and scared but I could not stop my heart from racing each time things like this happened. I could hear footsteps around me and I wondered if it was Elder Theodore or someone else. I listened carefully, trying to stay as
"I know I am not to die now but I do not know about being strong," I mumbled but Elder Theodore shocked me by bursting into a laugh. Though it was only a low rumble, I found myself looking over my shoulders, wishing he would just keep calm. It was true we had left the pack but we were still in the middle of nowhere and I would hate to draw any attention. Who knew what was hiding behind these thick bushes and thickets?We were on a path which could be hardly seen due to the grasses that had begun to grow on it. Tall trees surrounded us and I could sight a hill a distance away. Just where were we?"You are strong, Aiden. Why do you think the alpha and his son want to get rid of you? You possess an ability, just like your father and it will surface one day. You just have to be patient.""Be patient?" I scoffed. Was this old man kidding me? Just because he saved me did not give him the right to say all these to me. How could he ask me to be patient when I had been nothing but patient for
They were lying on their backs in each other's arms gazing at the dark sky which was decorated with beautiful stars and a half-moon. They had spread a mat on the grass and were lying quietly with a plate of fruit beside them. It had been Aiden's idea to do this. He had told Velvet that he wanted a quiet moment with her without anyone interfering and Velvet had suggested this. The Riverside was quiet; not a single soul could be seen except them. Aiden wanted it this way so he was not bothered. The quietness brought a soothing calmness to the couple and as they gazed at the sky, a smile settled on Aiden's face. Though Velvet could not see his face for she was lying sideways with her head on his chest, she felt him smile. "Why are you smiling?" She asked, amused. "I don't know," Aiden answered, now giggling. "Maybe I'm happy?" That brought a smile to Velvet's face and she turned to the side so she could look at his face. He was still smiling, his dimples appearing on both cheeks
Aiden froze, shock rushing down his spine like gushing water. For a moment, he was still, feeling nothing but numbness. But the numb feeling soon dissipated and an avalanche of emotion flooded in: Anger, pain, grief, pity and many more emotions he could not explain. He was angry at Alpha Lundamous for doing that to his father. He was pained that his father had to die that way; grieved because he didn't have a chance to grow up with his father; pity because he felt sorry for himself, his father, and his mother who were prey to Lundamous and his son.But he didn't express these emotions, rather he sat rigidly on the chair, looking at the wall,"Why are you just telling me this now?""What would you have done if I told you earlier?"That lone question broke the barricade that had besieged his emotion. He sparked."What sort of stupid question is that? I would have killed that motherfucking idiotic piece of shit with my bare hands. I wouldn't have allowed him die that way. I would have
They were sitting opposite each other, staring into each other's eyes as one waited for the other to speak. They were seated in the throne room, Elder Theodore sitting on one of the seats for the elders at the right-hand side while Aiden sat on the left, abandoning the throne. With this old man, he was not an alpha but a servant. This old man was the reason he was alive and every achievement of his was because this old man had saved him. So Aiden didn't want to sit on the throne and act as an alpha before him.Elder Theodore had changed so much. His hair was grey, not even a black strand could be seen. His face was wrinkled with folds crumpling and sagging his cheeks. His once fearful eyes were dull but piercing still, and his skin was pale, so pale and weak. His beard was whiter, fuller, and longer as though he belonged to the tribe of ancient India. The once slight stoop of his back was now more pronounced, making him look so short when he had been a tall man of 6'4. He had aged
And there he was, struggling to walk with the flowing white robe that seemed to drag as he walked. They finally arrived at the Great throne room and the guards that had escorted them began hitting the drum attached to the door to inform the council that the royalty was around.The council which consisted of the elder and the high-ranking deltas were already seated on their decorated stools made from silver with foams covered with silk. While the elders sat on the right side of the room, the deltas were seated on the left side.Following the beating of the drums, the council rose to their feet, their eyes on the door as they watched Aiden walk in with Alpha Velvet and the rest strolling behind.Despite his sour mood, Aiden could not help himself from marvelling at the beauty of the throne room as they walked slowly.The great throne room had been decorated with garlands of flowers and other decorations Aiden could not describe. He turned to Alpha Velvet and asked, "How did this all ha
Aiden didn't sleep well. He kept tossing about the bed, rolling from one side to the other and waking up Alpha Velvet in the process. He was restless and the dreams he was having were not helping issues too. They were all about Calix and all the dreams reminded him of all the happy times he enjoyed with this man while growing up. In one of the dreams, he had been sitting with Calix playing a board game while Jamal and Andrew argued about who would win. This had happened about ten years ago when they were only teenagers and Calix had ended up winning. Another dream was about them all sharing a plate of food prepared by his mother and they all talked happily, laughing and playing with one another.These dreams were torturous and they made Aiden very restless. Finally, he jumped out of the bed to stand by the window, and there he remained till daybreak, just staring into space from their big window which enabled them to see ongoing events around the pack house. It had been a day since
Alpha Velvet followed, her facial expression still stoic as she walked away without a glance back. Kunata followed finally, making sure to scoff aloud and jeer at them before leaving.Calix remained on the floor, watching them leave and walk away from his life forever. A lump had settled in his throat, such that it was difficult to swallow or even speak. All he could do was gape at them, his heart shattering with every step they took. Was this how it felt to be abandoned? Was this how it felt for people you loved to walk away from your life? So many questions were filling up his mind but before he could come up with answers, he felt himself being pulled to his feet and being dragged out, cold pair of hands holding onto him from both sides.Jared was being dragged too and his growls and threats resounded in the room. He was making empty threats, refusing to accept defeat when defeat was staring at him right in his face. Their downfall was so glaring.As they walked out of the dungeon
Kunata's frown deepened. It was clear he had been looking for an avenue to hit Calix and he took this as a cue."Are you calling me a liar, you piece of shit?" He advanced but Alpha Velvet held him back. She was looking at Aiden with a frown on her face. Andrew was watching Aiden too, but not with a frown but with an understanding. He understood why Aiden was being silent. He was speechless too.Never in his wildest thought did he think he would feel sorry for Calix but watching him cower in fear did something to his heart. As much as Andrew didn't want to admit this, he knew he couldn't deny it. He had been so sure he wanted Calix dead but now, he didn't know what he wanted anymore. He was suddenly in a dilemma. So yes, he understood Aiden's silence. He knew why Aiden was silent."Aiden! You're not talking to me!" Calix shouted, and then stood to his feet."I can't stay here anymore." Jamal dropped his hands in reckless abandon, as one would do when one was tired and frustrated. "
Jamal's heart was now slamming hard in his ribcage as they entered the dark dusty cell. The torch flames the deltas were holding lightened the room up a bit and Jamal watched as Calix shut his eyes tightly at the sudden light that was now shining in the room. Why he was looking at him, Jamal had no idea, but he could not stop looking at Calix who was still squeezing his eyes shut. Definitely, the light must have hurt his eyes. Jared, on other hand, was not that quiet. He left the bars he had been holding and lurched at Aiden immediately after Aiden entered the cell, grabbing a fistful of Aiden's overcoat and snarling into his face. "You!" He growled.Aiden shut his eyes for a moment before opening them."Get off me!" He pushed Jared violently. "You smell like shit."That comment didn't go down well with Jared and in a bid to retaliate, Jared tried to hit Aiden but the deltas interfered, holding Jared in place while Jared struggled to break free from their hold."Let me go. Have you
They were done with the interrogation and were heading to the prison where Jared and Calix had been locked in for days. Behind them were Cider and Calix's mate, Harper, being dragged along by some deltas and their cries echoed as they walked down the grassy path. Davina had gone back to her room, saying she could not bear to watch anyone die and Jamal wished he could do the same without being accused of being weak. It was not as if he was scared to watch them get killed — he had fought quite several wars so he knew what blood was and had seen the sporadic movement of a body before its death many times, so he was not scared.However, he felt sick. Calix was once his friend — that was a truth Aiden and Andrew were trying to deny. There was no way he was going to watch Calix's death without being haunted. They had grown up together, laughed and fought together. Those memories were forever stamped in his head and no matter how he tried to erase them, they would forever remain.And then