Chereads / The Tiger Within / Chapter 180 - The Howl

Chapter 180 - The Howl

Roars of the tigress died down to a stop as she paced back and forth on the steps. Kyera turned human as she paced feeling deep inside she knew what she heard. Or had she? No it couldn't be…

"Have I been here too long? Am I going insane?" her words were directed by no one as she stalked back and forth quickly. Uncertainty flooded through her. If he had died, she would know. Then again would she be in denial? Well then again if he was dead she Shadows certainly would have told her. Or had they? The voice of Falda couldn't travel that far on its own… she growled again.

"KYERA!" Lazren shouted at her after several quieter attempts failed. She turned, lashing out at his chest. He barely dodged the strike, grabbing her wrist. "Whoa there tiger…tigress. My bad but still no hitting the bodyguard. I am required to take hits for you not from you." he reminded. The wolf didn't release her hand. It wasn't till he saw Kyera's eyes refocus on the present that he let go.

"I am sorry, Lazren. I shouldn't have raised a hand like that." her apology was soft and her eyes were vacant but he could hear her sincerity. He offered her a soft smile and nodded at her.

"No harm no foul deed." He replied letting a playful grin play across his lips before becoming serious once more. "Why are you pacing, and do you realize you are almost nude out here?" He asked and Kyera's cheeks flushed with horror. The shadows had not dressed her because she had not called on them. All she wore now was the black band of fabric over her breasts and small tied on skirt. After less than a minute the shadows swirled around her and formed her customary dress in deep greens this time. "I didn't think so." He replied with a chuckle stepping back and leaning against the tree. "Still want a answer to the first part."

"Well, First off sorry. No… Just no." Kyera spoke with her tones a bit tense from her realization. "So as far as your original question, I am restless. I thought I heard something… and it worked me up." Kyera replied trying to explain without sounding crazy. Saying she heard her future mother in law crying on the wind would sound completely insane...Especially since they were so far away right now.

"Alright… Do you want me to run the Garden for a bit? See if the pack and I notice anything weird?" He offered trying to be helpful. It didn't do to have their commander this tense and freaked out mere days after a major battle. She had to go back to the Prince's side come morning and if she had no sleep ahead of time… that could be dangerous. The palace was a hard place to survive even with a decent night's sleep and all your wits about you.

"It wasn't in the Gardens…" Kyera replied almost dismissively as she turned and walked toward Mally, kneeling to check her friend's wounds. Mally had the decency to pretend she was just waking up, as if she hadn't seen her friend in such a state. Kyera offered her a gentle smile as she ensured the wounds were all still closed.

"Alright… that might be trickier but you said you heard it. Maybe others did too. I can send up a howl and see if I get any information back?" He offred and Kyera looked back at him a bit surprised. Mally chuckled, and then winced in reaction to the pain that shot through her frame. 'Wow that lion tore me up' she thought.

"You can do that? Communicate with wolves from the forest from this far away?" Kyera asked tilting her head to the side. Lazren laughed at her, and then bit his lips to try and hide his amusement at the silly question. She indeed felt childish for asking such a question. There were reasons the Wolves could never be ambushed.