Chapter Thirty nine
Chapter Thirty nine
AUTHOR'S POV
SHORTLY YVONNE'S EXILE FROM THE PACK
Thoran had banished Yvonne from the pack. She still couldn't believe it. That was all she could think about, the fact that her childhood friend had sent her away. It was all because of that woman, Kaida, she thought bitterly, she poisoned his mind against me.
Yvonne ran a hand through her unkempt hair. She had been walking for days, she was well out of Stormhowl's territory now. But, her wolf was beginning to get antsy, and the call of the wild was starting to get to her. The only meal she had was some rabbits, she was not built for a rogue life. Yvonne felt the need to find a pack to join as soon as possible, before she became feral.
Just then, her mind went to the woman whose name she had heard in relation to Kaida. She needed to find her quickly. The best way to do that would be to make herself vulnerable and detectable. As she moved through the woods, she made sure to make as much noise as possible, so that she could quickly get discovered.
Soon enough, Yvonne spotted a few wolves tracking and monitoring her movements, although they were yet to approach her, in a bid to determine if I was truly on her own. The wolves in question could smell that Yvonne was a rogue, they had her surrounded within seconds.
“Take me to your leader, the witch, Elara.” Yvonne said calmly. She was not intimidated by their numbers, not in the least.
Yvonne flinched as one of the wolves shifted back to his human form. That was the most painful shift she had ever seen. Finally, the man spoke and his words came off as broken, as though he was just learning to speak. “Strong woman. Rogue like us. Queen Elara will like.” Yvonne's jaw dropped. If all that she had just seen was what awaited her as a rogue, then Yvonne was not looking forward to it. “Come, we take you to her.” He said. He walked away without waiting for an answer.
Yvonne followed the rogues silently. She took note of everything around her as they led her further and further into the forest.
Finally, they stopped at a cave. Though it looked like a cave on the outside, the interior was a lot more furnished than she had expected. Yvonne was led to a dark room. The room was filled with so many dark magical items, at the centre of the room sat Elara the rogue witch. Her gaze poured through what could only be a grimoire. Two feral wolves sat at her feet, and they growled at Yvonne as she stepped into the room.
Elara began to pet the wolves quietly in a bid to calm them down. She turned to Yvonne with a blank expression. “Yvonne Greene, I thought you might show up.” She said coolly. “I have been expecting you.”
You know who I am?” Yvonne asked with narrowed eyes.
“Of course.” Elara responded, rising to her feet. “Yvonne Greene, former third-in-command of the Stormhowl pack. I've been keeping an eye on you. You seem to have the grit and zeal needed to get what you want. Something Kaida Nyx lacks.” The last sentence was said with a dark look on her face. In a flash, her countenance changed. She smiled. There was something sinister about that smile. “Well, I guess she's Kaida Noctis now.”
Yvonne cast a cursory glance around the room, before settling her eyes on Elara. Yvonne's expression was one of scrutiny. “So, you're truly a witch?” She enquired.
Elara's eyes flashed for a brief moment, before that fake smile was put back on place. “I prefer the term, magically adept. People tend to fear things that they do not understand.”
Yvonne cocked a brow, her expression was one of enquiry. “Don't you deal in black magic, though?”
Elara cast her a leveling look then she sighed deeply. “Magic is neither black nor white. I am simply one who does not abide by the restrictions placed on magic.”
Yvonne shot her a dubious look but said nothing. Whether she liked it or not, Elara was the only one that could help her. “I want to propose an alliance.” Elara regarded her with a curious look, her interest piqued, though the older woman had expected Yvonne to seek her out for that reason. “Since you've been expecting me, I suppose you already know why.”
“Hm,” came Elara's nonchalant response. “I would still like to hear it from the horse's mouth?” Yvonne gave an understanding nod. “So, what do you want?”
“Power, vengeance… I was used and tossed aside by someone I dedicated my whole life to. I want to bring Thoran and Kaida Noctis to their knees,” she said with disdain, “and I'll need your help to do that.”
“What's in it for me?” Elara asked bluntly.
Yvonne had expected the question. “In return, I'll provide you with all the information that you need, I still have a few contacts within the Stormhowl pack.”
Elara tilted her head to the side. “What makes you think I need your help? I have my own spies.”
Yvonne lips curved into a devious smile, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Because on my way over, I anonymously tipped Thoran off about your spies. They should have all been caught by now.”
Elara's eyes widened in disbelief. Abruptly, she burst out laughing. It was the first genuine emotion that Yvonne had seen from the woman's face. Without the usual wildness in her eyes, the older woman was beautiful. No wonder the Alphas were falling under her spell. She had the beauty and wiles to begin with.
Elara regarded Yvonne with a smile, they were viewing each other in a new light. “There's that grit I was referring to. It's been a really long time since someone impressed me this much.” Elara commented with an approving glance. She turned to one of the guards. “Prepare the luxurious room for her, and give her the best treatment.” She then shot Yvonne a lopsided smile. “Welcome to the Darkest Hour rogue pack, Yvonne Greene.”