Chapter 12: FEAST

“I want to thank you, it is by your help I stand here today. This feast is to welcome my brother home after years of his disappearance, to Edgar” Skylar said to everyone in the room.

“To Edgar” they all replied and the clanging of glasses filled the room.

Edgar looked around and saw how everyone was happy he was back, though they weren’t able to voice it out it was evident on their faces. He thought of what would happen to the people’s hope if he decided not to take back his rightful position as Alpha, because he is already on the road to that decision.

“Eddy, what are you thinking about in a big party like this? Let’s go mingle and find ourselves some women that’ll warm our bed tonight” Brandon said already looking around for Hayley or any other beautiful woman he could find.

“That’s your life Brandon, not mine. I don’t partake in unnecessary erotic adventures” Edgar said taking a sip of his drink.

“Yes they are erotic adventures but not unnecessary. Who are you staring at?” Brandon said and followed Edgar’s line of sight, and he could see where Elaine stood with a blue dress that matches her eye color and her hair arranged in a beautiful bun. She stood alone at a corner observing everyone and also scanning the whole place like she was looking for someone.

“Why don’t you just go to her? She’s also looking for you” Brandon said looking confused.

“No, she’s not. Whatever you think we have Brandon erase it, it’s wrong” Edgar said as he stared into his cup then Brandon.

“She is one of the most beautiful women in all the four lands. If you do not capture her heart, Randall will” Brandon said pointing to Randall who was looking at Elaine lustfully.

“Let me be Brandon” Eddy said turning to face the wall as he did not want his eyes to meet with Elaine’s.

“Where is she” Brandon said looking around as he tried to look for Hayley with his eyes.

“Who?” Edgar said hastily.

“Don't worry lover boy, your princess is safe. I’m looking for Hayley” Brandon said and walked away.

Edgar maintained his position and continued drinking, he had a lot to think about. Even if he won’t get drunk, it was an amazing way to forget about some things for a while.

“Are you planning to stay here all night drinking?” Elaine said standing behind him.

“Probably” Edgar said turning to face her and became lost in her eyes.

“Then I might as well join you” she said but he stopped her.

“No, don’t drink in front of this many people it’ll make them try to disrespect you” Edgar said holding her wrist and taking it down.

“Alright good sir, I’ll listen” she said and they both chuckled.

“Are you enjoying the party?” He said and before she replied he noticed the discontent on her face.

“No I’m not. I’ve never liked such big occasions” she replied.

“Me too” he said combing his fingers through his hair.

“Can we go somewhere quiet? I want to talk to you about something” she said and he followed behind her, he wondered what she wanted tell him that made her pull him out if the party.

“You did not bring me out here to talk right?” Edgar said when they sat down in the garden quietly for a while.

“No, I didn’t. I brought you out here because you are the only one I trust out of the hundreds of people in that hall” Elaine said and all he did was stare at her waiting for her to continue talking as he knew she had more to say.

“I don’t like being here Eddy, I want to go home. I can’t do that, not with Skylar still the Alpha of this pack. As long as Skylar lives, my existence and that of my stone is threatened” Elaine said looking into Edgar’s eyes and he could see sadness in them.

“I cannot promise you that I will vanquish your fears and I cannot assure you that I will take back my birthright but I can tell you that I will keep you safe from harm’s way and no matter what happens I will be there for you” Edgar said trying to reassure her.

“If you want to protect me Alex, you need to make up your mind and start planning to take your place on the throne because that’s the only way my safety and the safety of everyone in these four lands can be assured” Elaine said and she saw confusion in his eyes.

He was quiet for a while and they both looked up staring at the stars.

“Ascending the throne has been something I have always looked forward to and now I am very close to getting it I am beginning to wonder if it really worth it” he said staring into blank space.

“It is worth it. The people inside that hall all depend on you to save them, I depend on you” she said and he stared deeply into her eyes piercing her very soul.

She could feel her heart beating wildly, and she saw him getting closer to her. She closed her eyes waiting patiently for his lips to collide with hers but it never came instead she felt a soft lips on her forehead placing a delicate kiss. This worth more to her more than a thousand kisses, this was the first time since her parents died that she felt loved and respected.

“There’s no need to worry Elaine, I’ll be here for you for as long as you need me” Edgar said and she smiled making herself even more beautiful to him.

“Eddy!!!” Brandon said shouting from a distance.

“Here he is again” Edgar said sounding annoyed.

“What is it this time Bran?” He said when he got closer, he was panting heavily like he was being chased by someone.

“There’s trouble brother, you need to come with me” Brandon said and Edgar was alerted immediately.

“What’s the problem?” Edgar said standing up from where he sat.

“I’m dead, I’m so dead” Brandon said pacing about breathing wildly like he’s been running about.

“Talk to me Bran, what happened?” Edgar said stopping him from pacing around.

“Skylar knows, he knows” Brandon said running his hand through his hair. Edgar knew the kind of person Brandon was, when he was tensed he always had a habit of having a complete breakdown making it difficult for another person to help him.

“What does Skylar know?” Edgar said using a calm tone.

“About me and Hayley, i don’t know how he knows but he do” Brandon said looking scared.

“He killed her, he made his human hounds rape her and they fed her to the dogs” Brandon said with fear in his eyes.

“How sure are you of this? What if he was planning this with her and they are both trying to make you like this?” Edgar said and Brandon began to think about it.

“Then how do we make sure its the truth?” Brandon asked now calming down as he realized that the situation wasn’t as bad as he thought..

“We pay a visit to the human hounds and see if we can pick up her scent there. If we can’t, she probably is not dead yet or she is in fact dead by another means” Elaine said and they both looked at her.

“That’s a brilliant idea” Edgar said turning to Brandon.

“You must get yourself together and act like you do not know what Skylar is talking about. You must pretend to be your normal self until we get to the bottom of this. Do you understand me Bran?” Edgar said holding his shoulder in a firm grip.

“What if I am not able to do it?” Brandon said.

“You do not have a choice, its an order from your Alpha” Edgar said and let go of his shirt.

“Aye, Sire” Brandon said as he took deep breaths in trying to go back to his normal self, even though he had done that to look like himself, there was still fear in his eyes.

“Are you sure you want to come along, you should go get some rest” Edgar said to Elaine.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Elaine said and Edgar nodded in agreement.

***

They got to the house of the human hounds in matter of seconds as they used their werewolf abilities. Standing in front of the house, they could here the loud voices of those vicious human beasts laughing and shouting.

“I wonder where Skylar got these people from” Brandon said.

“How do we get in there?” Edgar said.

“Let’s go in through the roof” Brandon said.

“Or we can as well just walk in through the front door and politely ask them if Hayley visited here” Edgar said and Elaine chuckled.

“Take this serious Eddy” Brandon said.

“I am taking it serious” Edgar said still chuckling.

They looked through the window and they saw Hayley naked and tied with a rope to the bed stand. She was covered in blood and obviously in so much pain.

“Who is going in to bring her?” Edgar said.

“I am” Brandon said and was about to move when they heard a familiar voice.

“Take them into the house, they are my prisoners now” Skylar said and one of the human hounds moved towards them.