Volume Two: Wind and Thunder
Chapter 86
Kane's POV
Blaze ran alone across the wasteland, his four limbs treading over cracked earth, kicking up clouds of dust.
This land was desolate enough to suffocate, with sparse shrubs swaying in the wind. In the distance, the silhouette of Thunder Canyon loomed faintly on the horizon—that was Blood River Pack territory.
Lightning Wolf Pack—once one of the small tribes around Silver Moon Pack. Before Blood River annexed this land, it had been a thriving settlement. Now, it was nothing more than an insignificant outpost on Blood River's map.
The distance was closing. I slowed my pace and shifted back to human form.
My bare feet pressed against the rough gravel as I squinted, seeing Blood River's patrol lingering lazily at the canyon entrance in the distance. Their formation was loose—a few guards leaned against rocks napping, while others kicked stones around aimlessly.
Clearly, Blood River paid little attention to this territory, and the overall guard force was very weak.
I crouched down and observed for another moment.
These guys were neglecting their duties to a laughable degree—perhaps because this place was too remote, or perhaps because they simply didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to infiltrate Blood River territory.
Either way, this was good news for me.
I circled around to the flank, using the canyon's shadows and rock cover to slip through the defense line silently. Those guards didn't even look up.
I held my breath, kept low, and glided past their line of sight like a ghost.
When I'd fully entered the canyon's depths, crude laughter echoed behind me—those idiots were still chatting, completely unaware that someone had already slipped in.
The scene inside the canyon made me frown involuntarily.
The ruins of Lightning Wolf Pack were scattered across the wasteland, utterly dilapidated. What had once been houses were now only broken walls, covered with claw marks and scorched traces—evidence of battle. Broken planks, rusted iron tools, and some long-weathered bones littered the ground.
The air carried a decayed smell, mixed with the rusty scent of dried blood.
I walked slowly through these ruins, my gaze sweeping every corner.
Few people lived here now, but you could still faintly make out what had once been a prosperous pack.
Those collapsed houses had once been warm homes, those broken fences had once enclosed children's laughter.
Now, everything had turned to nothing, leaving only silent ruins and howling wind.
Just then, I heard a commotion.
The sound came from a nearby dwelling, mixed with crude laughter and a girl's cries. I looked toward it and saw a barely intact wooden house with a burly Blood River warrior standing at the door. He wore worn leather armor, a lewd grin plastered on his face, roughly yanking a young girl's arm.
"Stop struggling, little beauty," the warrior spat out crude, filthy words. "Come with me, I'll make sure you're real comfortable. What's the point of staying in this shithole? Stick with me—good food, good drink!"
The girl struggled desperately, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She looked no more than sixteen or seventeen, so thin a gust of wind could knock her over. Her clothes had been torn at one corner, exposing her pale shoulder.
"Let go of me! Please, let go of me!" The girl's voice was filled with despair.
Protecting her from being taken was an old grandmother.
The elderly woman hunched over, using her bony hands to grip the girl's other arm tightly, screaming hoarsely: "You beast! She's just a child! Let her go!"
The warrior impatiently kicked the old woman away. She fell to the ground with a painful groan. The girl screamed, trying to rush over to help her, but the warrior dragged her toward the door with even more force.
"Old hag, stay out of this!" the warrior snarled viciously. "Say one more word and I'll deal with you too!"
I stood in the shadows, watching this scene.
Blaze growled deep in my mind, his voice carrying anger but also a hint of helplessness: "Don't get involved! Kane, this is Blood River Pack territory..."
I knew he was right.
This was Blood River's turf. Infiltrating here was already a huge risk. If my identity was exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable. Moreover, I came here with a purpose—to find clues about Lightning Wolf Pack, to find traces of my father. Any unnecessary trouble could destroy this mission.
But...
I watched the girl's desperate eyes, watched the old grandmother trembling as she tried to get up but fell back down powerlessly.
The warrior's laughter was as grating as a dull blade scraping bone, and every word from his mouth made my stomach churn.
I thought of Ella.
I thought of how she looked when those bastards bullied her at the hostage camp, thought of her frail figure trembling before me.
"Kane..." Blaze's voice was low, carrying a warning. "Don't be impulsive."
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.
Reason told me I should turn around and leave, pretend I saw nothing. But my feet seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move even half a step.
The warrior had already dragged the girl outside. Her cries grew weaker and weaker, as if she'd given up struggling. The old grandmother knelt on the ground, pleading in a hoarse voice, but no one paid attention.
I felt something burning in my chest.
"Fuck," I cursed under my breath.
Blaze sighed: "You've already decided, haven't you?"
I didn't answer, just took a step forward.