Radley’s cries of anguish could be heard from miles away, tearing through the air. Callan could feel his own breath come out unsteadily at seeing Radley like this.
His clothes were tattered, evidence of the fact that he’d unsuccessfully tried to shift. His back held vicious scratch marks that bled, and one of his legs had a wide, ugly gash that revolted Callan’s stomach.
“Hold him down!” Mathias bellowed orders amidst Radley’s yells. Swiftly, four warriors moved in place, holding Radley down as Mathias continued his treatment on him.
Callan stepped outside and came across Luther, an indecipherable expression on the large man’s face.
“I apologize, Alpha, for what has happened to Radley.”
Callan said nothing and simply stared off into the distance, his eyes on the cacophony of trees and mountains that surrounded them. Further into the forest was the body of water he and Radley used to sneak off to when they were boys, long before duty took over both their lives and every act of decision both men made.
Now no matter how he tried to drown it, he could still hear the painful screams of his best friend, the same person who has now become the object of his suspicions.
“How did this happen?” he asked Luther, his gaze still maintained on the view splayed across them.
“I received information that he was doing a patrol check and ventured outside the pack’s border…”
Callan cut him off. “Outside?”
Following the incessant attack on the pack the past weeks from invaders trying to breach their border, stepping outside the pack was the most foolish thing any of them could do. Rogues and invaders hovered around waiting for their opportunity to descend upon their members.
This wasn't a new problem but these days, it seemed they had only begun to increase in number, crawling outside and waiting for the slightest opportunity. Theirs was a problem Callan had been in discussion with Luther on how to solve and for now, he’d ordered everyone to remain in the safety of the pack… Radley was no fool.
“Yea, Alpha,” Luther was saying. “He got attacked outside and it took a while for the border stationed warriors to realize this and as soon as they did, I was alerted and we sent more men outside to get him.”
“Was there any further altercation?”
“No, but the warriors were aware of the rogues' presence hanging just outside.”
He nodded. “How much further did he travel?”
From the corner of his eyes, Callan saw something flash in Luther’s otherwise emotionless eyes but it was gone just as quickly. “He was headed North.”
Called folded his hands across his chest and dragged his eyes off the view they'd been captured in, letting them travel slowly through Luther’s form, settling on his face. “What do you deduce from that?”
Luther paused his lips, clenching and unclenching his fist. “It would be treasonous to say what I am really thinking, Alpha.”
One of Callan’s brows lifted in subtle taunt. “Is that so?”
“If I were to speak plainly,” Luther continued after a few seconds of prevailing silence. “I would say the Beta had been headed towards the Night Blood Pack.”
The corners of Callan’s lips lifted in a wry smile. “Quite treasonous, Commander. Are you accusing your Beta of visiting the enemy’s pack?”
The Night Blood Pack, a neighboring pack, was the second largest pack and they had maintained hostility with the Black Tide’s. News had reached Callan recently of their aged Alpha’s passing and his oldest son had ascended to the position despite disagreement from the pack members.
If Radley had truly risked his life and was headed North toward it, Callan was certain it had a lot to do with the recent power switch which brought him to the unavoidable question: what was Radley planning?
“I am very well saying there is a possibility that was where he was headed or that he had been meeting someone from the pack.”
“Send word for your spies at the Night Blood Pack. I want everything they know about the new Alpha.”
Luther bowed. “As you wish.” He made to retreat.
“Luther?” Callan called.
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Put your best spies on Silviu Alden. I want a daily report on every one of his movements.”
For the first time, Callan noticed something akin to an attempt at a smile on Luther’s face. It was awkward.
“Of course, Alpha,” he said before leaving.
Callan was still standing outside, staring far ahead when Mathias stepped out. Radley’s cries had long died down and Callan missed the comfort they had brought.
“I’ve drugged the man enough to fall an elephant, it will take some time but he’ll be fine.”
“Confine him to this room, Mathias. I want him watched at all times, he is to be questioned when he wakes.”
Mathias’s jaw dropped and immediately, he reclaimed his emotions and nodded. “As you wish.”
With that, Callan strolled off into the forest. He needed a run.
Mid-air with the trees rushing past his peripheral vision in a blur, he shifted into his wolf form. His bones elicit cracking sounds as they switch to accommodate his new form.
The sheer size of his wolf was enough to distraught his enemies. He could feel his wolf’s excitement at being let free, he was completely charged with adrenaline, charging through the air, his pads hardly touching the bare soil underneath him as he made his way through the abyss of greenery that engulfed him.
Rage and a mix of betrayal swelled through his bones.
He should call for his head, Callan knew that well enough. He had given him enough time to be a different person and yet, Radley had held on with the sneaking around.
It had always been Callan’s wish to carry on a leadership different from his father’s. His father was a tyrant who carried on affairs with several of his paramours even with his mother on her sick bed.
He had been ruthless too to both the innocent and guilty and Callan had loathed him for that but perhaps in his effort to not be his father, he had become his opposite - extremely lenient and now was perceived as being weak.
He drove down the mountains, exiting the forest and plummeting through the steep slopes of the hills. His paws slapped hard on the rough surface, he was brimming with rage. His insides tingled with the emotions that overwhelmed him and even as he soared through the air with the sun cascading on his furs, making their orange gleam, he didn't feel any better, not even in the slightest.
He stopped, his paws causing a loud grazing noise as he came to a sudden halt. He stared down at the water from the edge of the cliff where he stood. Its clear blue glimmered beautifully, it cascaded from the steep ledge at the opposite side from where he stood, flowing seamlessly to the body it created beneath it.
If he tried hard enough, he could see himself urging young Radley to jump into the water and a small part of him stung but no more.
Callan turned his back to the water and continued on his way, this time moving leisurely as he made his way back.
His best friend was now a traitor and Callan was going to make sure with his position as Alpha that Radley received nothing short of an end befitting a traitor.