Chapter 18

Iliana grabbed hold of the small bottle in Rajesh’s hand. Iliana trembled greatly, Rajesh felt it, Alexander also felt it.

“Don’t be nervous.” Rajesh said.

“What should I do now?” Iliana’s mind was ablaze “I’ll be a murder. A traitor to my own kind.

“I think it’s best we do this tomorrow…in public eye.” Alexander intervened.

“Nonsense.” Rajesh opposed. “Rachel, please carry on.”

“Rajesh.” Alexander called his name with an intensity. It felt like a thunderclap. The atmosphere changed–chilly, tensed, dark. “Rajesh.” Alexander mentioned his name again. “We will do it as I have said.”

Catherine, Jacqueline, David, and Erik all knew Alexander had internal hatred for Rajesh. The reason was uncertain but the room felt tense.

“Come, Rachel.” Alexander did not wait for a response from Rajesh. He was leaving, and Iliana followed.

The reached outside and Iliana disconnected from Alexander and took in deep breaths.

“Are you okay?” Alexander worriedly asked.

“I’m fine.” Iliana answered.

“I’m sorry you had to see all of that.”

“You don’t have to be. I’ll face the same thing tomorrow.”

“Walk with me to the forest.” Alexander stretched out his had to Iliana. Iliana stared at it for a moment before fixing her hand into his. Hard and calloused compared to her frail and soft, she enjoyed the moment. “Let walk hand in hand. The public needs more convincing.”

Iliana let out a tiny smile before walking with Alexander; side by side; hand in hand.

“The moon, it’s always beautiful; be it a crescent or nothing at all. Don’t you think?”

“Alexander…”

“Hmm?”

“Why…” She hesitated

“Go on.” Alexander noticed her hesitation.

“Why do they have to be executed? Isn’t there a better punishment that does not involve taking a life?”

“Mmm. There isn’t . Even if there is, they will still lose their lives in the end.”

“I see.”

After that they were both quiet. As they walked through town at night, all eyes, as usual, were in them. It was satisfying yet uncomfortable. Iliana felt the same malicious eye that watched her earlier looking at her but she couldn’t help but feel safe with Alexander walking beside her. He was like her tower of security and hope. For reasons unknown to her, she couldn’t stop looking at him.

“What?” Alexander caught her eyes. Iliana quickly took her sight off him.

“It’s nothing.” She said making him let out a smile. “Tell me a little more about you.”

“What do you want to know?”

Iliana never thought of questions. “Forget it.”

“As a child,” Alexander started. “I used to be pushed aside. Thrown into the mud by David and Erik. I was their punching bag until now. After my fate was decided, everybody gave me respect as they should. There’s only one thing I lack–Freedom.”

Iliana felt something crack inside of her hearing Alexander talk about his childhood to her. She never thought he would do it. It felt…warming.

They arrived at the forest and stood at the entrance. They never intended on going to the forest.

“Alexander, there’s something I have to tell you” Iliana stated

“What is it?”

“There’s something strange that happens in here. Ever since I arrived, it has happened to me countlessly.”

Alexander clenched his brows “What are you talking about?”

“It’s unpredictable. I don’t know what it is but…how long have I been in here? In Silver Creek?”

“About two months?”

“I’ve been here for over a week for all I know. Time isn’t going the way it should go.” Iliana stated. “I can’t give you a clear explanation.”

“You’re alright. If it happens to you again, don’t waste time to tell me.”

“I will…if you are around.” Iliana said leaving Alexander to chuckle at his own fault.

“I should head back to my room. It’s getting late.” Iliana was ready to withdraw for the night.

“Good night, Rachel.”

“Good night, Alexander.”

Alexander headed for the forest and Iliana to her room to get some rest.

3:21am.

Iliana awoken from her sleep. She was ready to go.

Slowly, she twisted the knob of her door. There was no creak. She slipped out of her room. She transformed into her werewolf form and stealthily moved into town. She could smell, see nor hear anybody. The town was empty. Her guard was up, senses were at a high, her footsteps were at a low. She moved quickly.

She arrived at the old building that had Samuel and Stuart. She was thankful it had no door. She entered the building and made her way to the upper room. She transformed back to her human form to open the door. As he entered she was met with Samuel’s stern stare.

“why are you here?” Samuel whispered.

“I’m here to get you two out of here?”

“Have you lost your mind?!” Samuel whispered a scold

“What am I supposed to do? You will meet your deaths today, I can’t just sit still and do nothing.”

“Iliana…” Samuel was weak.

“I just have to find a way to set you free from this chain.” Iliana whispered as she investigated the chains that held Samuel and Stuart.

“Iliana”

“Yes?”

Samuel shook his head. “Nothing can be done.” In Samuel’s eyes, Iliana found no hope.

“There has to be a way.” Iliana tried as she looked further at the chains.

“Iliana.” Samuel called grabbing her hand from the chains. The looked each other in the eye “You are the shadow pack’s hope. The Silver Creek is one-hundred times stronger now. Nothing can be done.”

“No, Samuel, no.” Her voice wavered.

“This is my fate now. I want to go home, but I can’t; this is my fate.”

“Samuel…”

“Don’t be afraid to give us the blood, this is your mission now. The Shadow pack will be proud of you for how far you have come.”

“I…li…a…na.” Stuart was awake. Iliana could also tell that Stuart had lost all his hope.

“Stuart.”

“If you manage to escape, warn them back home. Tell them everything and never return to this place. Now, go.”

“Samuel, I—”

“Iliana, go away.”

Iliana had many words but she was afraid of saying them. Her emotions became uncontrollable for her. She obeyed Samuel. Quietly she left the room. She did not bother transforming on her way back to her room. She did not even think of anything. She walked slowly through the quiet town. “I want to go home.” Iliana never thought would say those words, but she did. Her biggest regret at the moment, was being helpless. Jack was killed in front of her. She knew Jack to have a little child back in the pack, now he has gone and left his child alone. What a life.

Iliana arrived at the motel but halted at the sight of the masked man. She couldn’t react or look him in the eye. The man walked closer to her.

“Why are you—” The man’s words were cut by a tight hug from Iliana. A sobbing Iliana.