Chapter 14

4 days left.

8:24am.

“Where were you?” Iliana asked the masked man.

“I was at a meeting with the elders. I heard you went into the forest.”

“I did. I’m sorry I did not listen to your warning.”

“Did you get into any trouble?” He questioned.

“I was face to face with David and Erik.”

“What?!” The masked man expressed his shock. “Did they do anything to you?”

“They tried to. It was weird.” Iliana recalled.

“At least, you’re safe.”

“Thanks to Alexander.”

“Well, I should be going now.”

“Wait—” Iliana stopped the man. “…stay a little…longer…if you want.”

The masked man rose his brows and chuckled. “Do you want me to stay?”

Iliana was left to answer. “Not really. I only have you here to talk to and—”

“Hey.” The masked man called as Iliana rose her head to be lost in his gaze. “Maybe next time.” He stretched out his hand, gestured for a handshake. “I’ll see you later.”

Iliana hesitantly fixed her hand in his. His hand was calloused and big compared to hers but it was comfortable, it felt the same as when she holds Alexander’s hand.

“Thank you.” Iliana felt warmness growing from within. She felt an elevation. A turning. She let a smile take over her face. “Thank you so much.”

“My pleasure. I’ll see you later.” The masked my left the room, leaving Iliana in her brief moment of satisfaction and gratitude but everything faded away as she reminded herself of what is at hand. Iliana grabbed her phone; the thought of contacting the Shadow pack kept coming back. Should it be done? Should everything be kept hidden for a while? She cast the thought aside and turned off her phone. She had somewhere to be first; the Silver Creek forest.

10:20am.

Iliana, strolling around the forest tried her best to keep herself away from David or Erik…or Alexander. She wanted to be alone in there.

“Rachel?” Sophia called as she walked hastily to catch up to Iliana.

“Sophia. How are you?” Iliana had to indulge.

“I am all good. You’re not with your mate? Even in the forest?”

“Alexander’s busy. You should know him.” Iliana replied.

“True. He is always a busy man. Come, let’s walk together.” Sophia said as she continued her walk with Iliana.

Iliana wasn’t pleased, alas, she had to cooperate and put up a façade.

“Where are you heading to?” Sophia asked.

“Nowhere in particular. I was just…wandering.”

“Oh. Good. I have to see the elders and I may need company. I’m like their messenger. It is getting very tiring.”

“You…want us…to go see the elders?” Iliana’s heart raced on the thought.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to come.”

“No. Let’s go.”

Iliana internally bit her lip for the set back that is before her. Iliana agreed to come along with Sophia because she felt she might learn something. Something interesting.

“Here we are.” Sophia gestured to a cabin in front of them. It looked old and covered in moss. “Let’s go.”

“I really think Alexander should do it. It is only right that he does it.” Rajesh argued.

“Why not let his brothers do it? It will only be a sign of respect.” Jacqueline defended her suggestion

“If we keep on like this, we won’t get to a—”

“Pardon me,” Sophia entered with Iliana standing behind her.

“Sophia, you’ve come. Come in.” Rajesh acknowledged Sophia’s presence. “You brought someone with you?”

Iliana became visible to them.

“Rachel…” Catherine excitedly walked to Iliana. They shared a brief hug. Iliana did not know why. “How are you, my dear?”

“I am great. How are you?”

“I am fine.” Catherine’s bright smile was quite contagious, Iliana had to smile.

“Sophia, good job on bringing Rachel here, at least we can get some else’s opinion.” Rajesh said.

“Opinion on what?” Iliana asked.

“The execution.”

Iliana’s soul was shaken on the thought of making a decision regarding the execution. She will be a part of Stuart and Samuel’s decide the death. She wished to flee from it.

“What about it?” Iliana’s voice was lower

“We can’t decide on who would do it. I chose Alexander. Catherine and Jacqueline said his brothers. Who would you pick?”

Iliana was mute for a moment. “David and Erik.”

“Ah-ha!” Jacqueline exclaimed “I knew you would choose wisely.”

“Then it is settled. Sophia, summon David and Erik. If you happen to find Alexander, summon him as well. You can go without Rachel.” Rajesh ordered as Sophia nodded and went on her way.

Iliana stood quietly. Rajesh and the others observed as she did not flinch.

“Rachel, it’s alright to feel nervous around us. We understand.” Rajesh said. “Go have a sit.” Rajesh point at a couch. Iliana gently sat on the couch.

“So, Rachel, how are you and Alexander getting along?”

“We are well. He’s never around.”

“As usual.” Rajesh concurred. “Y’know, when I was younger, I was a wild one…”

Rajesh had a tale Iliana paid no attention to. She only had her objective in mind—going to the catacombs. It was a beneficial decision she made to follow Sophia; the cabin was very near to the underground passage. Her only thought was on how to get to it without being seen.

“Rachel…”

“Yes?” Iliana responded instantly. “You were talking about how the Green town pack were conquered but the Silver Creek.”

“Ah, yes. You were not born by then, I presume. We, the Silver Creek used to be so highly esteemed. We were the best of the best.”

“What happened?”

“The Shadow pack happened!”

Iliana paid attention.

“That Jonah—to be honest, he was a powerful alpha— he came and we fell. We had the power he didn’t, yet…” Rajesh nodded his head.

“We fell.”

“Yes, child, we fell. However, we have spies in there too. They thought they could outsmart by sending spies? Pathetic. This time, we have more power. Incredible power. We won’t fail to return what we lost.”

“What po—"

“Rajesh!” Jacqueline rushed out of a room pacing to Rajesh. “Good news!”

“What is it?”

“From one of our spies in the Shadow pack; Jonah is dead.”