Noah's POV“What did she say to you?” I asked, with my eyes still locked on himI could see his face distort slightly, and his brows bop in controlled surprise.He didn't expect the question.“Well…” he coughed, clearing his throat. “She was crying for me to let her come see you…” he explained “That she was lonely and cold despite the fireplace.” his voice dragged heavy “But even colder in her heart…” and now with a tone of mockery. “She said she was desperate for your love and affection; and even more, for your presence…”His voice was theatrical. Almost like a stage play.“She says she hates the cabin and wonders if you don't love her anymore, or maybe you've abandoned her in the name of protecting her…” “She says she sees ghosts, hears strange sounds and sometimes the rustling of leaves even in the absence of wind...He smirked then sat back down on the log, with the stick still in hand. He really moved and operated like an Army general.“I tried to calm her down but she insisted
I had even forgotten to notice the one man in the group that sat injured, and as we talked; groaned in pain.“What happened to you?” I asked, craning my neck to him slowly.The question wasn't anywhere near from a place of empathy, but rather from trying to change the subject. And a hopefully not futile endeavor to regain authority.The man in question held his hands to his stomach and close to his ribs. He was shirtless and bandages had been wrapped around him like a fighter's knuckle guard.The space under his palm showed red and he looked from his wound then up to me, sharply.“It's nothing Alpha...I'll be fine…” he answered pert, with his face contact. I could sense he didn't want to be seen as weak. “Bunch of those wolves attacked this morning and I was part of the first watch…” he explained “We clashed and I got a little gash in the process.”The man's face was a reddish brown and his hair was matted. I could see scratches and bruises all over him and it was obvious he wasn't
Myra's PovI laid on the cold floor as my mind thought back to what mother used to tell me.Every night as I went to bed. And each time; hungry, sad and tearful."The road to hell was a long one"I never understood it back then, but now I realized it first hand.As I had been tied and bundled on the floor of this carriage for more than a good hour.My legs were hurting, and my vision was degrading to blurriness. I could feel the bones in my wrists creak from being tied together so viciously. And my feet felt like they were no longer a part of me, as I had lost all sensation in my toes.I could hear a ringing in my ears, and in a sharp long frequency, as my thoughts leapfrogged all over my sanity.The world was a haze, and I could only see as far as two things made from one; because all I saw was everything in doubles.From a distance I could hear only echoes of laughter from Francis and Elora. Both of them gained entertainment from seeing me suffer, and now I felt... maybe... hell was
Noah's PovI stayed squatting as Colin's eyes still remained motionless even though they stared at me. His voice was steady and calculated, his stance almost in asserting leadership; and he breathed in and out with a deep-seated sense of control. “The rogue wolves have attacked twice…” he chimed, finally breaking the odd silence. “That was last night, and this morning as well…” he added “I've made plans for defending the border... and it's going to be difficult...but I believe, still doable…” he specked He ran his hands through his hair as he now joined me to squat.“The entire border spans a hundred miles in both directions…” he explained as he drew two lines referencing the mentioned directions. “Trees line all through, leaving little space in between for our men to swing spears or swords...so our next best plan is to take advantage of the branches...” he pointed out.“Archers would be set up in each tree with full quilts and telescopes, to help them sight the enemy from afar a
Myra's Pov For some reason, my eyes had stayed glued to the sign, and Elora in her constant glances at me, had happened to notice.As she instantly yelled an order to the man who was carrying me, and he in obedience; viciously dropped me on the floor with a thud.My head hit the rocky ground, and a sharp pain immediately shot around inside my skull, almost in a dance.I sprawled on the floor with my hands still tied behind me and my ankles still locked together. As the driver now reached in his pocket and pulled out a blindfold.I became frantic, and didn't know when I started struggling and heaving to drag myself away. As Elora suddenly walked up briskly from behind him and towards me, gesturing for the man to wait, as she strutted past him.I paused as the man stepped back slowly, with his hands gripping the handkerchief tight. And Elora is now standing directly above my head."You came here to die, Cursed one..." she spat, holding a wicked gaze "Not sightsee..." she pressed, coldl
I shoved Colin's hands off my shoulders, with my face already halfway contorted in anger.My eyes were already filled with fiery indignation yet I could still see him smiling."What is the meaning of all this Colin?!" I yelled, not knowing when I did.Colin, in his poise, still stood bold with an eyebrow raised almost in insulting analysis of my reaction."Meaning of what Noah?..." he asked, feigning ignorance.I wanted to raise my voice again, but I glanced sideways and noticed the soldiers; all now fitted with bows and arrows, standing and facing us.I paused, and looked from Colin to them; then back again. I knew this was a trap.And I wasn't going to fall for it."Go get in position, man..." I said, slowly now, calming my nerves. "Arrange yourselves amongst the trees as you've been told..." I added, with a bitter taste in my mouth. "Keep close guard of your weapons lest they fall and leave you stranded, and let every man be on first watch!" I ordered, and now with a tone of final
"You run around playing lover boy, while I'm here struggling to explain to people around me that you're not CRAZY!" Colin's face was going blue, as he yelled and yelled, and his voice reached decibels that seemed to stretch his vocal chords dangerously."Everyday I wake up with a sigh, and my hands on my head, telling myself, 'Oh, here comes another day to go defend a lunatic that I call a FRIEND...' " he stressed "But surely you don't know how that feels Noah..." His hands went up now to both sides, like a waiter carrying two trays to a table; but the only thing he held out was his palms as he shrugged."Oh no, my friend..." he ticked. "You're too loved up to notice everything falling apart, too lost in romance to see how much you're sinking into insanity, too smitten to see beyond your own eyelids!" he jeered.I stood there motionless as Colin scrambled words out of his mouth. And each time they came flooding, they broke something inside me; cracking my conscience like eggs."Who
Myra's PovMy ears suddenly turned tone deaf as the sentence struck a chord. And a chord that snapped as it was struck.It felt like I was dead, but my body still pulled my soul back inside, struggling and promising that it wouldn't let go. Even though I wanted it so bad to do so.But yet, even more, I wanted so badly to see the face of who was talking. I strangely now wanted to see who this person was. As a rapidly growing desire pushed me to see their face; and count the contours, to see the color of their eyes, their hair, and trace their demeanor.And strangely...To find out what they would think of me.My thoughts ran wild and almost mad as I replayed the question in my brain:"Are you sure she's my daughter?"My heart thumped painfully as my consciousness began flowing back down roads of memories I had made a choice not to go back to.And I wandered off to all that mom had said about father dying. About how he had gone out to sea to travel, to work in a distant pack area. And