Chapter 95
“How the hell did they go missing? And why are you reporting this, where is the fool I placed in charge?” He searched around for Gideon. “Where is he?” Malachi shouted.
“H-he is dead.”
“What do you mean he’s dead?”
“We found him by the gates of the cell, with his heart ripped out. I guess he…he tried to stop them, but they were stronger.”
“How the hell did three old men defeat a warrior, one of them can barely even walk properly and they killed Gideon.”
“It must have been the priest, My Lord…his bones are still strong and he does have powers. Do you want us to go after them?”
“After them? There’s no need for that. You rats can barely do anything. Go gather the warriors, we set for the Blood Moon pack, tomorrow.” But the men didn’t move after Malachi orders, they were far too scared and nervous seeing how angry he was, they were afraid that if they moved, he would strike them dead. “What are you waiting for? I said go prepare the warriors.” He palmed his head, watching them as they scattered around.
“How did they escape?” The priestess who was sitting on a small stool beside Malachi’s throne asked, once they were alone. “Aren’t you curious?”
“I don’t know, but I think it has something to do with the elder I saw the other day. He has also gone missing, along with the other one and his entire family. I should have sensed they were up to something, I can’t believe I was so easily fooled. I swear the moment I see them… I’ll kill them all.”
“Calm down, Malachi,” The priestess said when the gem on his chest started dancing like crazy. “It doesn’t matter if they escaped, you’re in control. Just relax. You should look forward to your wedding,” she tried to change the subject.
“Oh, fuck the wedding, that can wait till I return. In fact, when the elders show up here again, tell them it’s been put on hold. They should return to their house and stay there, no one is allowed to step out.”
“Ok,” she said quietly, watching him walk away.
~~~
The people of Romulus had started being suspicious, especially when the news of Paluma and Elvis’ escape went round the land. Questions rose on how they escaped, because they wouldn’t be the first one who had tried. Many had tried to escape and all had been unsuccessful, and some even unlucky to be caught by Malachi’s men, and being thrown in prison.
The elders had gathered in a member’s house to discuss that night. They couldn’t speak peacefully in public anymore, because Malachi’s men had spread the news that no one was allowed to step out onto the street. They all sat in a dark room, they had the light off so they wouldn’t get caught. They only saw with the aid of their werewolf sight.
“You said you wanted to tell us something?” One asked another. “Do that fast before Malachi’s men storm in here and we’re all thrown into the dungeon.”
“Calm down, they won’t find us. I was going to say that I know where Elvis went, he left a message with me before he left that night. It’s the young Alpha, he stole the keys from Gideon…also killed him, freed Paluma and they ran away together.”
“Where did they go?”
“Back to the Alpha’s pack.”
“But how did they get past the dome? Or are Malachi’s powers getting weak?”
“No, the Alpha brought magic here, that’s what they used to escape. Listen, we all have to be strong now. I was at the palace today and Malachi was very angry, the way he spoke, I believe he’s ready to kill anyone who crosses his path. Let everyone retire home, I believe…I believe we wouldn’t be in captivity for so long anymore.”
“You really think they’re going to defeat Malachi?”
“I can’t say, I hope so.”
~~~
“Father!” Ruby ran, throwing away the ball, it rolled away to a small bush, while little Alex who had been patiently waiting for her to throw the ball back to him followed. She threw her arms around him. “I can’t believe this, is this real? I thought you were dead, I’m so sorry I let you go alone, I’m so so sorry.”
“Hey, don’t cry, you didn’t do anything.” He pulled her closer. “I’m fine now. Ok? Wipe your tears. Now isn’t the time to cry. Malachi will be coming for us, we have to prepare.”
Ruby pulled back when she heard that. “W-what do you mean by that?”
Damien stepped forward, Ruby gave a small bow at the Alpha’s presence. “Malachi wants to end Delphine. He’s going to be coming here really soon. There’s no time to waste anymore.” He turned to Elvis, who was waiting behind with his family huddled close to him. “Come with me, I’ll get you somewhere to settle down, you must be tired.”
“Very,” he agreed, and leading his family, they followed Damien. Paluma and Ruby also followed with little Alex before them, his ball forgotten.
“Hey,” Damien ignored everyone else in the room and rushed to Delphine, before she could say a word, he pushed them back with his lips. She smiled into the kiss, pulling him closer, everything she had planned to say to him, all lost in that kiss. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said between heavy breaths, his head still resting against hers.
“Same here. How have you been?” she asked, stepping back to take a good look at him, that’s when the white beard caught her attention. “What’s with the…since when?”
“It’s a long story, which I will gladly tell you another day, but now? We need to prepare.”
There was something in the way Damien said the word that made the hairs on Delphine’s neck stand, the worried look in his eyes confirmed her fears. “Tell me what’s happening?” She braced herself, not to freak out and try her best to be strong.
“Malachi is coming here,” he announced.
“What?” Both Luca and Daciana, who was also present, exclaimed when they heard that.
“I wish I was joking,” he said, this time to everyone present in the room and not just Delphine. “But Malachi will be in Bloodmoon in a few days. He’s not coming here to play. There will be no rest till he’s defeated, but now, we have to get the women, and children out of here, along with the elders, and the sick, leave behind just anyone who’s strong enough to fight. We need to gather as much weapons as we can and prepare.” Everyone was silent after Damien finished speaking and they didn’t even notice Paluma’s presence.
“This is crazy,” Daciana muttered. “Well, I guess we should start sharpening the swords, knives, everything?” She raised her hands up with a sigh, rushing out of the room taking two of the guards available with her.