Chapter 99
Gradel
We wandered into the forest, my body smeared with blood. Thankfully, I sustained no injuries from convincing Elda's men to defect to my camp.
Along the line, my eyes caught the sight of a figure walking toward us and I paused to make out who the person was. Though I had no direction, I wasn't expecting anyone else to be there.
As the person drew close, I realized that it was a man and he looked familiar.
"Hold your horses," I said to them and they halted behind me.
I squinted my eyes, waiting patiently for him to get closer and happiness coursed through me when I noticed that it was no one else but Hegar.
"Hegar?" I called out his name and he peered at me, his eyes widening in surprise.
He also froze on his steps and after a brief scrutiny, he broke into a run and bumped into me for a hug. We stayed glued to each other until I remembered that weren't alone.
"Gradel, is this really you? How were you able to leave that cell without risking your life?" He questioned with worry blaring in his voice.
I patted his back and sighed. "Relax, man. I have a lot of things to tell you but we can't talk here and the only reason I'm alive right now is because Elda thinks I'm dead,"
Hegar frowned, tilting his head backward in confusion. "I don't understand but let me take you to my little home. Silas is there too so you can brief the both of us about your ordeal at the same time." He paused and his eyes did a quick scan at the men behind me. "Who are they?"
"They are a part of the story,"
~~~~
An hour later, I was comfortably seated in an abandoned hut in the middle of the forest with Silas and Hegar in front of me. It felt so good to be free again even though I wanted to be with my mate.
"So tell us, how did it all happen?" Silas imploded and I nodded.
FLASHBACK TO FIVE HOURS AGO
Feeling satisfied with their response, I said. "Join me and together we'll end Elda's evil reign,"
Those were my words to them and I saw the struggle in their eyes, but I didn't get to where I was by giving up and persuasion was one thing I excelled at.
"Joining you isn't a problem but what about our families? What do you think Alpha Elda will do when he finds out we betrayed him? Our families will bear the brunt and I don't think I can risk that,"
I pinched my forehead, nearly pushed to frustration. Why couldn't these people believe that I could protect their families?
"Well, he's not going to find out if we launch an attack on him tonight. Aren't you scared of having to wake up one morning to hear that your daughter has been violated or your son has been used as a means to appease his anger? Don't you want to live in peace with the other members of the pack?"
They exchanged glances and nodded in unison.
"You're right, but we have to leave right now so that we can stage your death," The leader said, still holding onto his broken arm.
"What do you mean?"
"He expects that your body will be disposed in the forest once we kill you and he'll come over to confirm so if we really want to make this work, then we have to get out of here," He explained.
A chuckle left my lips as I imagined how Elda intended to kill me like a pauper. He wasn't even interested in giving me a proper burial.
"Alright, then. Let's get moving,"
One thing was sure; there'd be a battle and I would emerge as a winner.
~~~~
Silas and Hegar's jaws dropped open after my explanation. Even I couldn't understand how I was able to escape the clutches of death so easily but I was grateful to the moon goddess and Iris who risked her life to save me.
I only hoped that she wasn't in trouble right now.
"Did he confirm your death?" Hegar asked.
"Yes, he did, but if he was indeed wise, he'd have noticed that I wasn't really dead. A fool he is," I snickered. "But he said something that baffled me and that's why I want us to take action tonight,"
"What could that be?" Silas intoned.
I shifted to the side and ran my fingers through my matted hair, wincing at the discomfort. I couldn't wait to return to the pack house and have a proper bath.
"He mentioned something about going back to watch Iris mourn over me while enjoying her body tonight. Whatever it is, I have to save her from him."
My temper was beginning to rise and there was nothing more I wanted than to tear the cruel beast apart, but after everything he'd done, he deserved the slowest and most painful pain there was.
"That means Hazel is also in danger," Hegar rose to his feet abruptly and began to pace. I didn't bother to stop him because we were going through the same thing.
I didn't know what was going on at the pack, but I could sense that danger was lurking and I had to act swiftly.
"Yes, Hegar. Everyone that is against him is at risk of dying so we move tonight. If our sentinels are still for us they will join in the battle for liberation," Silas added and sincerely, I felt encouraged.
One of Elda's men barreled into the room with a piece of paper in his hand and quickly I got up to collect it.
"What's this?"
"A little birdie dropped it and flew away," He answered and left.
I opened the squeezed note and my heart skipped a beat. Great indignation overwhelmed me and I tore the paper into shreds, even stomping on it.
"Prince Gradel, what is the matter?"
I inhaled deeply and counted some numbers in my head to control my temper and when I was sure that I could articulate my speech, I turned to them.
"Elda will be having a feast tonight where he'll be officially coronated as the Alpha of Grey Rock pack and Iris will be his Luna,"