Chapter 57: WHAT EXACTLY DOES HE WANT?
Alrond decided to share some crucial information with Sarah and Frank, revealing just enough to give them a sense of the situation without disclosing the most confidential details. He spoke of the rogue immortal, a dangerous entity with a penchant for using humans to gain strength. Sarah couldn’t help but think back to the day Amara had investigated the Westside Silverwood’s Farrow Street incident, the day she had met Ethan and seemingly captured the rogue immortal’s attention. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place.
“What exactly does he want from her?” Sarah asked, her curiosity burning. She needed to understand the extent of the danger her sister was facing.
“He wants to use her to regain his strength,” Alrond explained succinctly. “Like I mentioned before, we must find a way to stop him.”
Sarah frowned, her mind racing with newfound insights. She felt a mixture of gratitude toward the wolf brothers for protecting Amara and a deep concern for her sister’s well-being.
“What do you need help with?” Sarah asked, determination in her voice.
Alrond considered her offer before responding. “There’s a potion I need to obtain. It will break any charm that may have been placed on Amara. I trust you to deliver it to her and ensure she drinks every drop.”
Both Sarah and Frank immediately nodded in agreement.
Frank, eager to play a more active role, chimed in, “And what about me? What can I do to help?”
“Delete that voice recording,” Alrond said.
Alrond’s response caught Frank off guard as he mentioned the voice recording. Frank’s phone slipped from his hands, crashing onto the restaurant’s floor with an audible thud. Alrond had detected the recording, leaving Frank with nothing to share with his podcast subscribers.
Alrond’s sharp senses amazed Frank, but he couldn’t help but feel disappointed about losing his recording.
“Awesome, such sharp senses!” Frank exclaimed, “but why did this rogue immortal slip away like that?”
Alrond didn’t reply, he only bent down to take Frank’s fallen phone, deleted the voice recording before putting it back on the table.
“Fine, I’ll do as you say,” he mumbled as he watched Alrond delete the evidence.
“Good,” Alrond said and then stood up to leave.
Sarah stood up too and rushed to him. “Did you bring a car?” she asked.
Alrond found that question absurd. Why would he come straight to this local restaurant without a car?
Seeing that her question was too stupid, Sarah laughed playfully.
“Such a silly thing to ask, but can you perhaps give us a ride?”
Alrond hesitated for a while before finally nodding. As they walked towards his sleek black car parked in front of the restaurant, Sarah marveled at the sight. It was evident that the wolf brothers were exceptionally wealthy.
A playful argument ensued between Frank and Sarah over who would sit in the front seat, with Sarah emerging as the victor. They settled into the car, and Alrond started the engine.
The car’s interior was filled with a contemplative silence until Frank broke it. “Mr. Blackwood?”
Alrond acknowledged his question with a subtle nod.
“Since you plan to erase our memories after we assist in rescuing Amara, why not give us a glimpse of the wolf world? Let us experience what you’re capable of under the influence of the moon,” Frank suggested.
Alrond’s response was firm and unwavering. “No.”
Another stretch of silence enveloped the car, broken only by Sarah’s next question. “Does Amara know about all of this? I mean, she’s been through so much, even having had an intimate relationship with a wolf.”
Alrond chuckled softly. “She doesn’t, and it’s best that she doesn’t.”
“Why?” Sarah pressed, her voice tinged with concern for her sister. “She’s in love with a shape-shifting creature. Why shouldn’t she know?”
“It’s for the best,” Alrond replied cryptically.
Sarah didn’t just let it slide. The thought of Amara marrying a wolf or even giving birth to a shape-shifting creature was strange. Why shouldn’t Amara know about this.
“Why did Ethan leave?” she asked.
“Another important matter to defeat the rogue immortal,” Alrond replied and Sarah nodded.
The rest of the journey continued in silence, with Sarah stealing occasional glances at Alrond as he drove. Alrond, aware of her curiosity, chose to remain focused on the road, leaving Sarah with a lingering sense of intrigue and a growing fascination with the enigmatic Blackwood brothers.
As Alrond continued to navigate the winding roads, the atmosphere inside the car grew more contemplative. Sarah couldn’t help but ponder the complexity of the situation they had found themselves in. Her sister, Amara, was entangled in a world she couldn’t have imagined, and the enigmatic wolf brothers held the key to unraveling the mysteries that surrounded her.
Frank, still nursing his disappointment over the deleted voice recording, decided to break the silence once more. “Mr. Blackwood, I can’t help but wonder about your world. It’s so different from anything we’ve known. What’s it like being a wolf?”
Alrond’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead as he considered Frank’s question. “Being a wolf is both a blessing and a burden,” he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and reverence. “Under the moon’s influence, we experience a sense of freedom and connection that’s indescribable. It’s a part of who we are, an ancient bond that ties us to nature itself.”
Sarah listened intently, captivated by Alrond’s words. It was clear that the world of the wolf held a deep significance for him.
“But with that freedom comes responsibility,” Alrond continued. “We must protect our pack, our territory, and maintain the delicate balance between our human and wolf natures. It’s a constant struggle, and sometimes, the two worlds collide in unexpected ways.”
The word ‘delicate balance’ piqued Sarah’s interests. It was no wonder why they hardly got themselves involved in mortal affairs.
Frank’s curiosity was piqued. “Can you share some stories? Something to help us understand?”
Alrond chuckled softly, as if reminiscing about past adventures. “Well, there was a time when we faced a powerful adversary—a rogue alpha who threatened not only our pack but the entire Silverwood region. It was a battle of wills and strength, and it tested our bonds as a pack.”
Sarah leaned in, eager to hear more. “What happened?”
“We confronted the rogue alpha under the light of the full moon,” Alrond recounted. “It was a fierce battle, and we fought with everything we had. The woods echoed with the sounds of snarls and growls as our instincts took over. In the end, we emerged victorious, but not without scars and losses.”
Frank was entranced by the story. “And what did you learn from that experience?”
“We learned that unity and loyalty are our greatest strengths,” Alrond answered. “As wolves, we rely on each other, and our pack is our family. It’s a lesson that extends beyond our world and into our interactions with humans. Protecting those we care about is our priority.”
The car fell into a thoughtful silence once more. Sarah couldn’t help but reflect on the complexities of the supernatural world that had become intertwined with their lives. She was beginning to understand why Amara had been drawn to Ethan and Alrond, two individuals who embodied the values of unity and protection.
As they approached their destination, Alrond finally spoke up, she saw that they were going the wrong direction. “We are we going?” she asked.
“Well, I wondered, why don’t we get the potion together since we are now temporary a team,” Alrond said.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of a small, unassuming shop nestled in the heart of Silverwood.
Sarah and Frank exchanged glances, apprehension evident in their eyes. The gravity of their mission weighed heavily on them as they stepped out of the car and followed Alrond into the shop.
Inside, the shop was filled with an eclectic mix of mystical artifacts, herbs, and potions. The air was thick with the scent of ancient knowledge, and the walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of magic and transformation.
Alrond led them to a small, dimly lit corner where a wise-looking woman sat, her eyes filled with a knowing twinkle. She appeared to be the shop’s proprietor, and her aura exuded an air of ancient wisdom. She was one of the Immortals who swore alliance with the Zathkanan Palace.
“Lord Alrond,” she greeted with a nod, acknowledging his presence.
“Elara,” Alrond responded respectfully. “These are Sarah and Frank. They’ve come to seek your expertise.”