CHAPTER 22
After a long day of being together, Alexander and Iliana retreated. Alexander into the forest and Iliana to her room. Iliana seemed to be elevated and somewhat, fine. She recalled everything they spent together doing all day. It wasn’t much as one may view it, but to Iliana, it was a big deal. Her soul was supposed to be at a state of calmness even after she had parted ways with Alexander, but her soul still remained in its discord. Now that Stuart and Samuel is gone, Iliana must find a way to escape. Her mission was escaping the Silver Creek. She felt it may be too late to run away, because of the binds she may have unknowingly created with two people in Silver Creek. It would be an act of betrayal on one side but a true act of service on the other.
Iliana took her time to rethink all that has happened ever since her arrival to Silver Creek–ignoring the deaths of her comrades. She tried to think and perhaps, gather any vital information she may have missed. She rethought every detail and every speech uttered by every tongue she had spoken to.
First, was the masked man—his early warnings of caution and his advices. She did not find any vital information from the memories.
After, was Catherine—there was nothing there.
Following, was Alexander—she, Iliana, dwelt on this memory for a while before coming back to her senses and realizing that there have been no information from Alexander either.
Then, was Sophia—nothing. However, Iliana made Sophia her new person of interest.
Lastly, was Rajesh—his outburst of cockiness and his hatred towards the Shadow pack irked Iliana. She tried recalling everything he may have said. Iliana took a second to think of why Rajesh had much enmity against Jonah. Then she remembered his excitement when he heard the news of Jonah’s death. Iliana briefly wondered how Catherine and the rest heard the news. She connected the dots and remembered Rajesh mentioning something about a spy of Silver Creek residing in the Shadow pack. She hurriedly turned on her phone to reach Damian but seized. If she was going to tell Damian anything, she has to lie about the deaths of Stuart, Samuel and Jack. Was she ready to lie?
Iliana questioned herself thoroughly. She threw her phone to her bed. “Damian can wait.”
There was a knock. A knock she was excited to hear.
“Rachel.” The masked man expressed a feeling too f surprise. “You’re awake.”
“Hey.”
“It seems Alexander’s care has paid off.”
Iliana chuckled “Seems so.”
“It’s good you’re awake. Let’s talk.” The masked man said as he made his way into the room. Iliana closed the door.
“Talk about what?”
“Two weeks ago on the day of the execution, you and I witnessed time move forward. It felt too real but it happened.” The man stated.
“Yes. I did not see it at first, but after you held my hand, I saw it all. Was that that power?”
“Unfortunately. You should be present I’m the meeting today; Rajesh may talk about it.”
“Speaking of Rajesh, why does he hate the Shadow pack so much? And why does Alexander despise him?”
“Well…” The man thought about it “Rajesh hatred toward the Shadow pack has to do with things from the past. He doesn’t let go so easily. With the eldest member of the Shadow pack gone, he is more confident in his…battle tactics.”
“I see.”
“As for Alexander despising Rajesh; you have to ask him yourself.”
There was a silence.
“Rachel…” The man hesitated. “When are you going to become a full member of the pack? This can’t hold up for long. They will find out and force you to be a member or worse, feed you the blood for lying. You have to decide before anyone finds out–before Rajesh finds out or David or Erik.”
“I just need more time.”
“You have been a member of the pack long enough, how much time do you need? There isn’t any.”
Iliana saw truth in what the masked man said. However, with her comrades gone she isn’t sure she’s ready to leave her pack for another. Ultimately, becoming a full member of the Silver Creek pack was her only chance of surviving the mess that befalls her.
23:32pm.
“Rachel, I’m glad you are awake. I was getting too worried about you.” Catherine excitedly said holding Iliana’s hands.
“Thank you.”
“With everyone here, let’s begin.” Rajesh opened the small meeting held in the cabin. “Find somewhere to sit.”
Alexander, Erik, David, Iliana, Sophia, Catherine, Jacqueline and Rajesh all in the cabin as they had their meeting.
“I am sure you’re all aware of a strange power that operates in this town—the power of time. Has anyone here fallen victim to that power?” Rajesh waited for a response.
Iliana refused to respond because she thought Alexander wouldn’t want her to.
“Most recently,” Catherine started “my friend at the salon said there was a time she thought it was still day but to her surprise it was night. She also said she saw her watch moving really fast. She is not a werewolf.
“That’s a problem.” Rajesh mentioned. “Alexander.”
“Yes?”
“How has your...mission to control this power been going?”
“Give me more time.”
“There is no time. We need to carry out our plan immediately.”
“Rajesh.” Alexander stood from where he sat. “This is your plan.”
“It is my plan with your approval; with all your approvals. It makes it our plan.”
Iliana was curious to know what this plan was.
“The power, according to my observation has a core and that core has a crack, so everything that is happening is a product of leaked essence. I’ll have to find the core.” Alexander said as he returned to his seat with Iliana.
“Good. Find the core and a way to contain it. Every pack will kneel before us. There can only be one pack alone and that is the Silver Creek. Erik…”
“Rajesh?”
“From tomorrow, I want this last spy caught and make them talk. I can’t proceed to my next step knowing that I have eyes on me.” Rajesh appointed. “Sophia, send word to each of our spies in the different packs, tell them to return.”
“Yes, sir.”
Iliana kept seeing reasons to inform the Shadow pack of what’s going on but something held her back. She couldn’t point it out but it was a bad feeling.