Chapter 53
Malia POV
To move or to stay put? Both were the options for survival. As I pondered the possibilities to get out alive if we tried to flee or what chance we had to come out alive if we decided to take them in a fight, I saw in the corner of my eyes Samael who was taking an offensive stance, as an Alpha warrior would do.
Thing was there were too many variables at play to simply jump into a brawl with these wolves. To gain some time, I clutched to his arm. Faded sparks ran over my hand up to my elbow. They were strong enough to ease his breathe, relax his muscles.
Slowly, I assessed our position, as we were surrounded. The bushes were vibrant, the low growls taking silence’s place.
‘Didn’t we learn that wolves were extinct since the War?’
‘Maybe they are Nomads werewolves? Like these tribes that went into hiding, because of their pack’ size, or pack’ functions?’
‘Please, don’t insult us.’
A voice rang in my head, that was not mine nor Shila’s. I could feel the latter perked up, searching for the source of the melodious and somewhat invasive tone. Our eyes locked with the glowy wolf that was standing tall and protective in front of her pack. Her proud and statuesque figure didn’t budge as we held stares, as if she was… waiting?
‘How can you mind-link us?’ I finally uttered through the unexpected link, almost stuttering.
‘It’s not a time for hollow questions right now.’ And she turned away, all of the other wolves stepping swiftly into her tracks.
We stayed behind for a few seconds before we got urged by a growl resounding in my mind that made Shila’s tail tuck under her belly.
“We better follow them. They are safe. I can… feel it.” I hesitated to mention we could mind-link with the haloed creature. “Come on or we will lose them.”
“I don’t think we can trust them. What if it is an ambush? Wolves went extinct a long time ago, this could be a trick from the Elders or any Nomad pack or something.” He whispered lowly, keeping a firm grip on my wrist.
“I hear you, but I really know we can trust them. Let’s go, they seemed to have sense something we di…”
Before I could finish my sentence, I was thrown and cornered against a tree by a huge and sudden blow.
Bears.
Their strength was a hard match against us wolves, even more when they were in their animal form. Usually, they didn’t start up unnecessary fights. Wolves and bears stood on neutral grounds. It was odd to have them strike first, unprovoked by us, unless we stooped to their territory, which we didn’t, considering we were heading to the Elders’ domain…
As oxygen was lacking, numbness taking over, I risked a quick glance at Samael, hoping he was in a better situation than me. As I was being crushed against the tree by a single bear, he was taking three at once. The last thing I heard before blacking out was a symphony of growls and a roar.
Then, it all went black.
**
Waking up from slumbers was as painful as descending into the depths of hell, being a prey to the burning waves washing all over my body. I opened my eyes to only a wide blue sky, dotted with some mushy clouds, but for far too long was it painted with vibrant dark holes. As I tried to rise up, fighting to stabilize my vision, I was pushed down against the oddly soft surface I was laid on.
‘Stay down. You were out for long hours after suffocating. Don’t try to talk either, it’s going to be painful still.’
From the corner of my half-closed eyes, I saw that peculiar halo circling me. Slowly, I lifted my hand and could feel the rough fur of a wolf almost completely on me, pressuring me down with its body. I patted what seemed to be a guardian wolf, who if it was stunned by the gesture at first, almost purred in my arms the moment later.
‘They’re not used to human’s affection, or kind demonstration. They are used to being chased down until they are an empty shell, without the breeze of a breath or the fire of a soul.’
Why would we fight and kill our own kind? We were a hybrid version of them, they were the source of our lineage, yet, we are the reason for their downfall? It made no sense.
‘I know what you think.’ The crease between my eyes must have dug so deep it was hard to misinterpret my worries and train of thoughts. ‘Ego is the fuel for the hatred against our kind. Past humiliation is the breaking point. And pretty speeches are the reasons for its maintenance. We had no chance.’
‘And how did you manage to stay alive?’ Even through the mind-link, my voice sounded hoarse, and it was almost physically painful to “speak”.
Behind my closed eyes, I could see the wolf grinning, but all I was hearing was the silence of a well kept secret. Too soon to ask.
‘How is Sama… the Alpha’s doing?’
‘He’s still in a critical state. He’s a reckless one, if not a fool to have decided to take on these bears. They are not your regulars, that you would encounter anywhere else. The pretty speeches reached and gathered them on wolves’ territory. They made alliances for most of them. They’ve been tracking us for a while, and you, for whatever heroic purpose you have, have awakened suspicions.’
‘How come?’
‘The tunnel.’ She sighed, but as I felt she was about to speak again, howls from a close spot teared up the silence.
The wolf that was pushing me down jumped off, and stood in front of me. It was a strange occurrence. I was able to “see” behind the veil of my eyelids. Auras were dancing, brighter when they seemed to be a living. I stood still, holding my breath, waiting.
‘They’ve taken him. We got other wolves to tend to. I’ll come back, but we need you to get better, and fast. They are taunting us. They know too much.’