Chapter 37 Ready to Storm a castle
River
The thrum of energy courses through me as I lead the pack through the forest, our paws pounding against the earth in a synchronized rhythm. The scent of pine and damp earth fills my lungs, blending with the adrenaline that surges through my veins. Each leap and bound sends a thrill through my wolf, a heady mix of urgency and determination. I can feel the bond with my pack tightening, a shared purpose binding us as we race toward the Lycan castle.
Time blurs as we weave through the trees, my senses heightened. I can hear the whispers of the forest, the rustling leaves, the distant calls of birds, all urging us onward. The air grows cooler as we pick up speed, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting shadows that stretch like fingers across the ground. The thrill of the chase fuels me, but the thought of Aloria… the danger she’s no doubt in… drives me harder.
After what feels like an eternity, with just about half a day’s travel left, we slow near a small clearing. The trees part, revealing a tranquil little village, and I shift back to my human form, the transformation seamless and empowering. My muscles are taut, my senses still alive with the echoes of the forest. I can hear the low murmurs of my pack as they follow suit, each member shifting to their human forms, breathless from our sprint.
“Let’s take a moment,” I say, my voice steady despite the urgency thrumming beneath my skin as I nod towards the Inn. “We need to eat and rest for a bit before we make our final push.”
Kellan nods, and soon we are all seated in the rather spacious dining room in front of a fire, sharing a hearthy meal. The warmth of the flames contrasts with the chill in the air outside, but it’s not enough to ease the tension coiling in my gut.
As I chew thoughtfully, I can’t help but listen to the low murmur of voices from a group of locals not far from our table. They’re oblivious to our presence, wrapped up in their own conversation. I lean closer, straining to catch the words.
“Did you hear?” one voice says, filled with excitement. “The lost princess has returned!”
A rush of adrenaline surges through me at the mention of Aloria. I lean forward, listening intently. She has made it to the castle, but I am not sure that is a good thing.
“They’re having the royal wedding already tonight,” another voice chimes in, brimming with anticipation. “Can you believe it? A foreign prince is coming to claim her… I wonder if the old King and Queen knows about this, or even that she has returned.”
My heart stops for a beat. “A wedding?” I murmur to Kellan, who looks up, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Sounds bad,” he replies, his eyes darting toward the source of the sound. “We need to find out more.”
I stand, a determined resolve settling over me, so does Kellan, who strides over to talk to the inn keeper. I can’t let this moment slip away. I stride toward the group of locals, my senses alert as I approach. “Excuse me,” I say, my voice firm yet calm. “What do you know about this wedding?”
The locals turn, surprise flickering in their eyes at the sight of me. One of them… a stout woman with weathered hands… gives me a nod. “It’s a grand affair,” she says, her voice tinged with awe. “The princess has been found, and they’re marrying her off tonight to a prince from the neighbouring territories. It’s a union meant to solidify alliances, but…” Her voice trails off, and I lean in closer.
“But what?” I press, the urgency in my tone unmistakable.
She hesitates, glancing at the others. “I feel sorry for the poor girl.”
“Why sorry?” I try to hold my own emotions back, I need to know as much as possible.
“Well first she was taken as a babe, and who knows what she has gone through in the years that has passed,” the woman says. “And they say it’s not just a wedding. It’s a forced bonding. There are… traditions that involve the bride being stripped and presented to the guests. It’s a celebration of power, not love.”
A chill runs down my spine, and fury ignites within me. I turn back to Kellan, as he approaches, a grim look on his face. “The Prince is going to rape her after the ceremony, in front of the guests to break her bond with you and force one with him.”
“We have to go now. We can’t let Aloria endure that.” I hear my voice tremble with fear and rage.
His expression hardening slightly. “You know we need to be strategic. Charging in blindly could cost us everything. But if this is true…” His voice trails off, the weight of the situation dawning on him.
“I don’t care!” I snap, the desperation in my voice reverberating through the clearing. “She needs me, Kellan. We can’t waste another moment.”
Without waiting for further discussion, I run outside and shift back into my wolf form, the power surging through me like an electric current. I can feel my pack instinctively aligning with me, their own transformations taking place as we prepare to charge toward the castle. The thought of Aloria guiding me through the encroaching darkness.
Soon I hear my pack mates fall in behind me and soon the forest blurs past us once more, the trees bending with our speed. My wolf howls with determination, and I can feel the strength of my pack at my back, the bond between us unbreakable. Tonight, we will storm the castle, and I will not rest until Aloria is safe in my arms again. We are on a mission, and nothing will stand in our way.