As if to answer their question, suddenly, they heard a call from the front lines. They’re being called. From that position, those reserved at the back to fight when everyone else has been exhausted stood up.“They’re being called.” – Brayden whispered to Harper“I guess this can be our ticket to pass.” – Harper replied, hopefulBrayden shushed her. The warriors have too sensitive ears, especially the one that has noticed them earlier. If that’s howsensitive they are, any slight movement from them would alarm the warriors… and it’s too early to be caught. The two of them stayed in their position and didn’t move. The warriors moved, as if a force caused them too. And then they heard commands from the front lines. It was Alpha Draco, finally making use of everyone in his army.“They’re moving… we can move any minute now…” – Brayden said and held her forearm.Harper stared at Brayden’s hand clutched on her arm. He’s not that touchy with her or anyone before. Brayden noticed and removed h
The place Brayden has in his mind was far but indeed, as quiet as possible. Finally, they cannot hear the sounds from the ongoing war from there. They cannot be anxious of the possible death counts that keep going up and up in number. They cannot be found by the enemy and most of all, they cannot be captured by Alpha Draco.Both are sure that no one knows this place. And that tonight, there’s only two wolves present in this place. “How did you find this place anyway?” – Harper asked as they sat inside the small cavern. They have retransformed into their human selves. They’re both naked, but the cavern has some blankets inside. “Since I got in the Virgo. This became my secret place. That’s why I have blankets here because sometimes, I sneak in the middle of the night and come here. As what you can see, the Virgo is not fond of hunting, I am. So there are really times that I sneak out and hunt, then I sleep here. I only come back to the roundhouse at the break of dawn.”Harper could o
Alora’s heartbeat got off the charts when he turned and saw Alpha Draco, just a few steps away. She thought of running, but that seemed like a useless option now. She’s already too close to him. The proximity between them has decreased and kept on decreasing every minute that passes.“Alpha… Al… Alpha Draco.” – she was stammering. Of all the wolves, she’s the one he’s ran into. Or maybe, she’s the one he felt to haunt. Because of what she did back at the Red Blood camp. “You’re a very sneaky wolf, you know that?”Alora gulped and looked around. Someone… she searched for someone who could jump at her rescue if ever Alpha Draco attacks her. which is kind of a certain thing, given on how he looks at her right now. There’s no one in sight. Not Harper, not Asher, Eva, Norton, Anthony, Damon, and especially Brayden who has been missing for almost an hour now.“What do you want from me?” – Alora managed to say, backing a stepAlpha Draco noticed the back step and smirked. He knows Alora’
“Harper?”Brayden poked her by the shoulder. Harper slowly opened her eyes, rubbed them with her knuckles and looked around, lost in thought. She must have forgotten why they’re here.“Brayden? Where’s Damon?”That’s the first thing she thought after waking up? Brayden thought. Only that he cannot ask her that. It simply sounded wrong to do so.“He’s in the roundhouse, I guess.” – Brayden said and cleared his throat.Harper finally sat up, making the blanket fall off her shoulders. It’s already morning outside and her mind’s stuck on the last memory of her entering the cavern with Brayden. She remembered the doubt in her mind and the refusal she should have said. But what would she do with regrets now that it’s already morning and the Great Beta’s only inches away from her?“Hector!” – Harper suddenly remembered that she’s left her own son to a nursemaid back at the pack. She has left him to the mercy and care of s stranger. The guilt suddenly ate at her system but there’s nothing s
Harper and Brayden paused by the door of the conjoined rooms. Harper’s on the edge of crying again, knowing that it is up to her and Brayden to break the news to Asher. They have no update on the outcome of the first leg of the war yet, but be it good or bad, it’s still hard to tell someone their sister’s no longer with the rest of them. “Ready in three.” – said Brayden and sighed. That gave Harper a little console that she’s not the only one finding this hard to do and at least, she’s not doing this on her own. “One…”“Two…”Harper closed her eyes before the counting reached three and when it did, she immediately snapped them open. The door opened slowly and everyone inside was resting on their individual rooms. The only persons they saw were Damon helping Hector fall asleep.“Hector!” – Harper rushed inside to get hold of her son. Finally, her worries about his safety comes to an end. He’s here, alive and well.“Finally, you’re here, the two of you.” – Damon said and tapped Brayde
The rest who are inside the rooms were all shocked about the news, however, it was Asher who got it bad.“Aren’t we supposed to chase him? Just check on him or something?” – Harper saidDamon nodded and let go of his tug on Harper’s arm. She’s not crying anymore, perhaps the truth of the grief has already settled in her system. Or maybe, after all, the thought of losing Alora has finally sounded bearable. Can someone really bear with the loss?“I should go after him.” – Norton said and got out of the room too.Brayden sighed and leaned in on the back of the door. He has said it. The dreadful news. He has let it out of his system. But it didn’t feel good. That’s the double-edged effect of delivering bad news: the relief that comes after and the guilt for being the one responsible for bringing such bad news to others. It didn’t feel right at all.“Harper, you should rest.” – Brayden said to her, just loud enough for only the two of them to hearAnthony got out of the room and said he’
“I DON’T CARE! THEN GET ME MORE SOLDIERS!”The whole camp was shaken when Alpha Draco lost his cool at his adviser, Elias. It has only been one night of war and yet, he felt like he has lost half of his men already. He has lost the wolves, and half of his special ones. “Most of our men are still wounded, Great Alpha. I don’t think attacking again tonight would be a great idea.” – said Elias, trying his best not to stutter.Elias knew he’s only speaking the truth. The men are indeed still hurt. As he and the Great Alpha talk in the common room, the witches are busy treating the men in the infirmary. In his head, he’s trying to be rational on where can he get more wolves for their side. He has no idea. Basically, there’s no one else he can tap in the camp.“THEN FIND ME MORE!”Elias tried to understand his alpha. Surely, his reaction’s only a product of the lost lives they had. There’s no reason to take it personally.“I’ll try, Great Alpha. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”The Great Al
At 5:36 in the evening, just when the sun bids its goodbye to its last rays of sunshine, Marion’s team stood outside the roundhouse with their weapons either on hand or just near their grasp.Harper left Hector to the nursemaid again, and this time, she left her there with more trust than the night before. Damon and Brayden stood right next to each other. Asher’s right beside Damon and Anthony was not with them. He has checked on Marion’s kids at the back. Norton was beside Asher, asking him about the difference between a lance and a spear. Then, the rays of the sun turned darker over time. By quarter to 6 pm, the sky already had the hint of gray and black shades. “Do you think the moon would shine tonight as last night’s?” – Brayden asked his older brother.Damon shrugged. Last night’s assistance of the moon goddess was indeed useful and hopefully it would be the same this time. If it’s not, then they have no choice but to fight with the help of torches and faint moonlight for illu