The fire

Chapter 76:

Kaya's pov.

As soon as the large door was bolted from the outside, we all assumed that the war must have started outside. Fear and a sense of danger lingered in the air, heavy breaths could clearly be heard and most of the women started to pray that the moon goddess grants us victory.

I expected another uproar, but there was nothing but silence. Everyone's eyes remained glued to the door, I don't know what they are expecting though.

“Oh moon goddess, please protect us.” Tessa whispered beside me. I was busy feeding Elior after taking a little food and he was sleeping already.

“You don't seem scared.” She raised her eyes to meet mine.

I may have developed a tough skin, but on the inside, I'm shattered. This war could go both ways, there's no means of assuring that Alpha Silas and his soldiers will win. If they don't, my child and I may end up becoming strays and live in slavery for the rest of our lives.

Elior might grow up to despise me, blaming me for all the misfortunes that has happened to him. Even if he ends up blaming me, he wouldn't be far from the truth. I was the one who chose to bring him into this wicked world. But what choice did I have?

“Believe me Tessa, I am.” I finally responded and she sighed. I could see the bands of sweat forming on her face. Not just her, everyone was tensed. Even the crying children went silent, as if they sensed the danger in the air.

“Is this place really safe?” I mumbled to myself.

“It is, only the pack members know where it is, rogues and other packs would never find it.” Tessa replied and I nodded with a sigh.

“Do you hear that?” Someone from the crowd questioned and the place became even quieter than it was before.

“Oh yes, I can hear it. It sounds like galloping horses.” Another one confirmed. They all seemed happy, but I was clueless as to why they were so excited.

“We're saved! The war must have been waged.” The women started to jubiliate, but I felt strange, I felt like danger was approaching.

“I don't feel good about this Tessa. I don't think we should celebrate yet.”

“Come on Kaya, I told you, only the soldiers know this place. They must be coming to tell us the good news of our victory.” She beamed but I sighed, clutching Elior even tighter.

My heart was almost beating out of my chest. None of this was making any sense, how could they have won the war which started barely thirty minutes ago? Did they reach a compromise? Did the opposition retreat?

“Oh goddess, I don't feel good at all.” I muttered to myself and continued to listen to the happy chants of the women around me. They were filled with joy as they sang songs of their Alpha's victory.

The sound of galloping horses got closer and closer, until the ground eventually started to shake under our feet. I gulped down hard, taking a few steps back.

All of a sudden, the noise stopped, as if someone had paused time. Even the women stopped singing as they stared at each other in confusion.

“Why aren't they coming in?”

“Why did they stop?” They asked one another.

I fixed my gaze at the door, having a deep gut feeling that something was going to go wrong. I held my baby in fear and nudged at Tessa with my elbow.

“Something feels wrong.” I whispered to her, feeling my own heartbeat against my chest. Her eyes widened, holding fear in them.

A loud thump landed on the door, followed by another, and then another. My breath clenched, the tension in the air at that moment could be cut by a knife.

“What's happening?” Tessa whispered.

The loud banging became more violent, and suddenly, an axe came through the door, and again and again and then again. Everyone started to retreat, running back until we were all stuffed at the back.

Loud shouts came from outside, followed by smoke. It slowly filled the room until we realized what had happened.

“The safe house has been set ablaze!” A voice shouted and screams of terror filled the air as everyone began to run Helter skelter, seeking for a way out. The fire had been set around the entire safe house, there was no way out.

Some of the women tried to run through the door but when they came face to face with the huge, mean faced soldiers who looked like they were ready to slaughter, they retreated.

“We're going to die!!” Loud cries filled the air as the fire started to spread. The wooden structure of the house caught fire easily, the smoke getting more intense.

“Elior, Elior.. I can't let anything happen to you.” I sniffed, my voice shaking from fear. I desperately searched for a way out, but there was no way. We were trapped, and the soldiers outside were already to slaughter anyone that dared to escape.

“Kaya!” Tessa coughed, shielding her nose from the smoke that had already filled the place. The fire had risen high, already up to the roof and the structure was beginning to wear down.

“You.. you have to…” she coughed, “You.. have to leave!”

A loud shriek from the other end of the room distracted me. I turned with a gasp, sweat from the heat trickling down my face.

Someone had been set ablaze from the fire, she was rolling on the floor but no one was looking at her, they were busy trying to save their own lives as the fire continued to close in on us.

“Kaya!” Tessa called my attention again.

“You have to find a way to save Elior!!” She yelled out and started to wheeze uncontrollably.

“What's happening to you!?” I held her

“Asthma..” she answered weakly and my eyes widened. Who would help me amongst the chaos?

“Don't worry, I'll get us out of here!” I screamed but she shook her head, trying to force me away but I refused to leave her.

“Just stand up, please.” I struggled to support her weight. I had already covered Elior's face, shielding him from the smoke before strapping him to my back.

“Let's go!” I encouraged her and we started to walk towards the huge hole that the fire had left in the wall.

“Look! A way out!” Someone called the attention of others and they rushed towards us, pushing Tessa and I out of the way.

“Oh.. no!” Tessa groaned, her eyes slammed shut.