The Journey

Kalaril flanked Keegan as they approached the assembled horses and Warrior Hounds. There were fifty Warrior Hounds and each had a horse and weapon to themselves. 

Of course, they could run faster than the horses if they were in their wolf form. But the journey ahead of them was a long one. Eventually, they'll need to shift and rest at nights. Their clothes would be torn by the time they've shifted back to human form, leaving them to roam naked - which wasn't a thing a lot of them appreciated. Unless there was an emergency. 

That was the reason horses were their trip partners. 

Kalaril had a little discussion going on with the Alpha even as they reached the horses and warriors. The Warrior Hounds - like their name - were highly trained and skilled fighters of the pack, meant and always ready to go to war. They always received special treatment in the pack while spending most of their time training. And they were never bothered for any reason until it was war time. 

Keegan had hundreds of Warrior Hounds. But for the mission he was to embark on, he only took fifty, as well as Eamon and Wulfric.

They dipped their heads when Keegan arrived, but he paid no attention to them and focused on his little talk with Kalaril. 

In mere moments, Odessa was right beside him, a maid behind her, holding a platter of sweetmeats.

"My Alpha," she cooed, reaching out to touch his cheek. 

Keegan took her palm, giving it a light squeeze. "Odessa. Come to bid me farewell, have you?" 

"I suppose. As always, I am certain you shall go and return." Her eyes lacked warmth as she spoke, which was very unlikely.

Keegan noticed. "Are you alright?"

I'm not - she was tempted to say. 

She had gone to his chambers the previous night, hoping he was calm enough so she could spend the night with him. Even before the Keepers at the door could tell her he was 'busy', she'd already overheard the wetch's moans. 

She'd tried to calm herself, saying it was necessary since she'd been brought there for a purpose. But hours later, well pass midnight, she returned, only to hear her sick moans. 

Odessa couldn't fall asleep that night and lingered around to see when Sheera would leave. It came as a total shock when she found her leaving in the middle of the night. So so late!

It tormented her to know the filth had spent almost the entire night with Keegan. It bothered her so much, she couldn't get a wink of sleep. 

She's been with Keegan for so long, but there's never a time he'd touched her for 'that long'. For hours. Not even Thessaly or any other girl had come close. 

So, yes - Odessa was extremely worried and didn't know how to fake it. 

However, she forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. 

"I simply hate that you shall be gone for a while," she replied, turning briefly to the maid behind her to pick up one of the sugared treats.

Keegan parted his mouth, letting her feed it to him. 

"I wish you all the best. I shall be here as always, awaiting your return." She tried to sound as sweet as she could. 

Keegan leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead. 

Turning away, he mounted his horse with the rest of the men, as well as Kalaril. 

He felt alive. Stronger. Ready. And he knew it had nothing to do with his mental preparation for the little war ahead. Neither did it have anything to do with the sweetmeat Odessa had given to him. 

He's never felt that way before. Like a new energy source had been activated inside of him. 

Yanking on the reins, he charged towards the gates, the rest of the warriors after him.

****†****†

Three days. That was what it took for Sheera to finally get the strength and courage to step out of her room. 

Tho, the soreness in her legs had began to ease after the first day, she still felt a little discomfort as well as shame going out of her room.

She knew she was stupid feeling shame. It wasn't like the entire Fortress had gathered to watch her get brutally and repeatedly used by the Alpha for extremely long hours. Still, she felt shame. 

Her relationship with Tabitha had gotten better over the days. She made sure she ate whatever she asked for - besides, they always had varieties in the kitchen. Then, whenever she was less busy, she'd come over to the room to spend time with her. 

Sheera got to learn a few things about Tabitha - like the fact that she didn't originally belong to Howling Ridge but came with her family from a far away Pack from the South years ago. 

Keegan's father was in charge at that time and Tabitha explained how difficult it had been convincing the rigid Alpha to accept and initiate them into their Pack. 

Tabitha was a lovely soul - beautiful at heart as she was with her looks. Sheera could tell from the little times they'd spent together. 

...

Walking down the Fortress alone, Sheera smiled at how beautiful and peaceful it looked. Perhaps, it was that peaceful because the Alpha had been gone for days. 

Three days - to be precise. 

It was obvious they were going for a fight. But even Tabitha didn't know what the fight was all about. According to her, personal matters concerning the Pack stayed private. Every Keeper and Warrior Hound took an oath of secrecy. So, it didn't matter what they heard or saw. Only the ears of the Alpha could hear them. And anything that was discussed or planned among them stayed that way. 

A very little part of Sheera had imagined the Alpha not making it out alive. If that were to happen, she'd be free to return to her family, wouldn't she? She could go back to hunting with her mother. Making dinner. Fighting and making up with Naya. Things would be just like it had been, right before she was snatched away and offered to the cruel Alpha on a platter. 

However, Sheera knew it was highly impossible. Alpha Keegan didn't become the feared and reverenced Alpha that he was by losing a few battles. He was who he was because he'd never lost a battle. Which was why the other Alphas avoided going to war with him. 

So, there was a high tendency that he was going to return unscathed and go back to hurting her. 

Sheera's steps faltered as she spotted Thessaly approaching, a lady trailing behind her with a woven basket overflowing with plump fruits. 

She remembered how the Mistress had stood up for her against Odessa on the day of the hunt. It was nice of her. And perhaps, it wouldn't be a bad idea getting to thank her for it.

She quickened her steps to meet her.