Chapter 66 Quiet
WESLEY
The pack was usually quiet at this time of the day. People were returning back to their homes at the end of the day’s work, and even the palace was starting to be rid of the strange faces that trooped in and out all day as the guards prepared to shut its gates.
I blew out a heavy breath, heading up to the roof to get some air after hours of being with Ryker and having to spend time with some of the overbearing elders of the pack.
But of course, It was still an honor to serve Ryker and the pack.
I settled on a spot where the diminishing, golden rays of the sun couldn't reach, and the entire landscape of the pack region came into view. A small smile tugged on the corner of my lips, causing my heart to feel much lighter.
“You're in my spot”
My gaze involuntarily turned towards the direction of the voice, almost annoyed to see the little boy. Somehow, he always found a way to be in my face even when I tried the best, I could to stay out of his way.
I was basically running away from a little child! I scoffed inwardly, fighting to urge to sigh.
“You shouldn't be up here”, I only warned, shifting a bit more comfortably with my arms folded across my chest.
“You shouldn't be apart from the king either, but I guess grownups are allowed to do whatever they want” he retorted, stubbornly taking the spot beside me and laying in the same position as I did.
What a brat! I turned my eyes away, deciding to indulge him as he obviously wanted. “Why do you come up here anyways?” I asked in the most casual voice I could muster.
“Same reason you do”
My head snapped towards him, unable to suppress the glare in my eyes while his smirk only grew wider. He hurriedly dusted himself up, running back inside and leaving me to my complicated emotions.
Realizing it was getting me nowhere, I laid my head back to rest my eyes a little, finding myself about to slip into the claws of the consuming darkness of sleep when my ears twitched subconsciously, causing my eyes to snap open in that instant.
My hands flew fast to my sword hanging tightly beside my pants as I rose to full height, examining the town with weary eyes.
The sight of a house crumbling set my heart racing yet I forced my gaze to keep scanning the area, more intently this time searching for the cause of the disaster.
“Never head into a battle without knowing what started it in the first place” Ryker's words rang in my head, forcing itchy feet to stay put until I finally caught a glimpse of its black, furry back.
What!? It had barely been up to five minutes the last time I'd seen Ryker, and he was headed into his chambers to get some sleep as well.
Refusing to let the wandering thoughts cloud my head, I hastened down the steps leading the roof, not surprised to see the once peaceful town in a state of disarray.
“What is happening? Have you seen Leah?”, Courtney appeared from a corridor, jogging to catch up with my pace, her eyes widened in horror and concern. “Not now please” I grunted in impatience, picking up my pace.
“The beast has struck again!”
“Is the palace going to be a safe place for us this time?”
The servants cried out, a mixture of fear and worry as they rushed past me while I focused on nothing else except the palace's gates which already vibrated with the fists of the pack, pleading to be let in.
“Open the gates!” I yelled at the fearful and confused looking guards, moving towards a corner where I was pressed into the wall as the people swarmed in, rolling on top of each other and causing a huge pile at the palace's entrance.
I ordered the guards to help them up, leaving space for others to come in while I raced outside, my eyes frantically searching for any sign of it.
Thick smoke and horrified screams came from every part of the town. Shit! What had Ryker done this time?
My stomach sank in guilt at the thought of him devouring his own people, all because I'd been stupid enough to leave him alone for even five minutes.
My knees buckled at the sight of people weeping loudly, being dragged to the direction of the palace by other people.
I tightly shut my eyes, opening them again as they blazed with focus this time while I traced the trails of blood on the ground.
My eyes narrowed in confusion seeing the disemboweled bodies of dead animals lying scattered across the town, releasing a bit of the tension in my heart.
This was good. I'd only seen six people laying dead so far, which was a great record considering the past few times.
Still, it didn't help that he shed blood. His own pack.
Finally, within a few metres of the beast, I ran into the houses ahead, dragging them away from harm's way.
“My Aaron! I can't leave him behind! Save him, please!”, a woman continued to beg in tears, unwilling to move an inch as her gaze was only fixed on her puppy in between the beast's ferocious teeth.
I stared helplessly, knowing there was no way to save the poor puppy.
“Would you rather those teeth sink into you than your dog?” Fear shone brighter in her eyes as she involuntarily took several steps backward.
“Then run to the palace for safety like your life depends on it, because it does” I ordered, watching how she scurried away, disappearing into the dust that filled the air.
Shaking my head somewhat sadly at how people would do anything to save their life, I turned around following the beast behind as usual until it reached the entrance to the woods.
I paused in my tracks, tracking its gaze only to be gripped by an overwhelming fear.
No. No. No. Not her. Zora would go completely mad if he killed her. She was the child of her best friend, for fuck's sake.
Blood seems to drain from my entire body looking at the frightened Leah whose face turned sheer white as she locked eyes with the beast.
With a loud growl from the beast and I, we both headed for the girl, only with different intentions.
I intended to save her, even if it cost me my life.
It intended to kill her, which would cost him his life eventually.
No one knew the extent of Zora's powers, and it was all the more reason to not underestimate her.
I lunged forward to grab her from the ground, but my fists only curled around a handful of grass. Leah's screams filled the air, causing my lips to set in a grim line as I mourned her.
How am I going to break the news to Zora and Courtney?
Just like the dog from earlier, there was no saving her anymore.
As if the universe agreed, the world instantly went still, and so did my heart.
Every second, she drew closer to his bloody teeth, desperately wrestling to free herself.
But she was only a child. Her strength could never compare to it.
However, its growls suddenly ceased, still holding her between its claws, causing a pensive silence.
Ryker, please come back.
I silently prayed, holding my breath in preparation for the worst.
With a deep grunt, sounding a bit unwilling, it safely lowered the girl to the ground before running off into the woods.
My eyes grew wider, refusing to believe what I'd just witnessed. It didn't kill her. I rushed towards her and picked her up in my arms to console her as she still trembled with fear.
I sighed in relief.
And rocked her to sleep, forcing her heartbeat to stead.
This child was definitely something. The beast spared no one, especially once you were already in its claws, yet it spared her.
Holding her securely on my arms, I followed the path where the beast ran off into knowing it wouldn't try to hurt her again.
Now I only prayed it hadn't gone too far off, invading the neighboring town.
“Wesley”
I turned sharply, surprised to see him back in human form, so soon
“R... Ryker," I stuttered, quickly hurrying to his side and handing him a coat to wear.
Ryker covered up properly, his fingers trembling, but I pretended not to notice.
“How long this time?” He asked in a low voice.
“Barely two hours. I doubt it was even up to an hour.” I replied as we walked back towards the palace in silence.
“Why's she here?”, he asked, staring at the sleeping Leah in my arms.
I drew in a long breath before replying,
"You..... almost killed her”
His face turned pale as he staggered backward, pain evident on his face. “I almost killed a child?”
He muttered, his voice laced with disbelief.
“It's not your fault”, I rushed to say, but he already turned in the opposite direction, disappearing out of view