The path was getting thinner and with the thick bushes that grew even fatter and wider, darkness hailed in their presence. They held each other's arms not willing to let go. They didn't know if it was really for their love or for the innocent child whose hands were cleanest but they knew one thing for sure; they had to run.
Tiran tried to clear the way for his loved ones. The people who had been giving him strength as far as he could remember. He had a duty to protect his pack but how could he? How could he protect the very people that forgot about their loyalty the moment they were faced with such a calamity. He could remember their faces quite clearly and the eyes that looked at them with disgust. With betrayal. No one was willing to stand by him. Was he ever ruthless to them? They were family. At least that's what he thought.
He had tried to be the best Alpha to them and they praised him for it. Were they being hypocritical? How could he? How could he have been so blind to trust everyone around him? Thinking of it right now, pain surged through his heart yet he could do nothing. He had to save the only people that stood by him. His family.
They were getting tired but they could not afford to rest, not when their lives were in danger. Their feet were getting sore and Sarya, Tiran's Luna dared not complain not because she feared her husband's wrath but because she knew that he would allow them to rest even in the midst of all the chaos. His love for her surpassed everything and everyone and in that moment, she had to be his partner.
She covered their daughter, Laura, more from seeing the ordeal than from the cold that was waving towards them.
"Sarya, let's hurry. Just walk by me," Tiran uttered. He could hear their footsteps. They were catching up with them. He could not bare to fight. He preferred to walk out in peace. Why was he then chasing after them? Was he afraid he could gather allies and come back for him? Did he belittle him that much? For sure their years together must have taught him better.
He could not tell Sarya but she could feel it. His hearing might have been better considering he was the Alpha but she was his Luna, his mate and they were mind-linked so there was no way he could hide it from.
"Come on my love. I will not leave you behind," she was in despair and the thought of losing either one of her loved ones scared her. She was scared to be a mother. Scared that she will not be the best. She was scared that her pack would not be safe by their hands so she had done her best. She had tried but none of the fears surpassed those that surged into her right now.
The footseps were getting closer. Tiran nd Sarya were getting weaker. They were already miles away from the pack. They had estimated the path. They knew every corner of their pack anyways. They were not far from the border of the neighbouring pack. They could not stop. They dragged along each other Tiran gathering in the energy within him so he could protect Sarya and Laura.
They had no son so Laura was next in line as a Luna of the Haptic pack and her mate could be the Alpha. Her death would erase the ruling generation of the pack annointed by the moon goddess. Sarya thought they could surrender, but their child - They could not bear the thought of their child being mistreated by Arkanta. They were getting tired but still hoped their wolves would not. Their wolves had to help them incase they were caught up by their enemies.
"Sarya, why don't you go ahead. Run along with Laura. I'll take care of this." They had caught up with them. He could hear them though they were not in sight. He could not allow his family to be hurt. As much as it hurt him, it was no longer about just him.
"Tiran, No! If you're staying, I'll stay with you," she had always been this stubborn.
"Sarya please, for the sake of our Laura. Let's think about her for now. I'll be right behind you," he fought back his tears but when Sarya's tears came out, he could no longer fight. Their sobs could be heard from far. They embraced each other while Laura was held in their midst.
"Mum, Dad. Why are you two crying," Laura asked while rubbing her eyes.
"My angel, you're awake. Your dad has to do something important so am just bidding him goodbye," Sarya answered hiding away her head so to clean her tears yet in that moment they could not stop trickling down their paths.
"But why is it goodbye? Does it mean we won't see each other again?" She asked and even in that state she could not understand. They would not let her understand. At least not for the moment. She was a child who could only see not observe, hear not listen.
"You naughty kid," Tiran chuckled in a husky voice while pinching her nose. "Of course you'll see me again. I'll follow you and your mum later,"He felt a pang of pain after saying that out loud. He did not know the surety of his words but he had to tell her that. To prevent her from worrying.
"Tell daddy to give you your kiss," Sarya added as she passed Laura over to Tiran. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. The night maybe the last. A tear paced through her one eye. He rubbed it off with his palm and handed the child over to Sarya in fear. Fear that he would hold on until he can't let go.
He hugged the three of them reminiscing the happy moments they'd spent together. Maybe if he was just a common wolf, everything would have been much different, a lot easier. Life would have been fun. There was no time to think about the what ifs or would haves. He did not want to let go. He had to let go.
"You have to go now. Take Laura with you and go as far as your feet will let you. I will meet you there," he could know wherever she was anytime. They were mates after all. She was not convinced but she had to take the chance. It was all a gamble only this time, they had lost so much yet they were willing to place their last coin. It was their last - hope.
"Bye daddy," Laura said before Sarya covered her head and took off as fast as he could. Her eyes were moisty. She had the urge to sob but Laura was awake and she could not dare to show her tears or let her hear her cry so she only let the tears stream down their paths in silence. She had no one to lean on. "It won't be long Sarya, be patient," she muttered only to soothe herself from the pain.
Tiran stood in wait. He had to face Arkanta. He had to understand why. He had questions. Questions he had not dared ask before because he feared the answers would pierce him. They had been friends since childhood and he had treated him like a brother. Was he that good at plotting that he did not see it coming? Surely their must have been a misunderstanding. Maybe he was being forced. Was he threatened? He was trying to look for reasons but his quest for him and his family was saying the complete opposite. He had been betrayed!
Arkanta suddenly halted when he saw him standing before him. He was scared but not for long. His mouth twitched and his eyes shone grey not from anger but desire. Desire to kill Tiran and all his descendants. He looked around but he could only see Tiran and now he was angry.
"Well, well. Where did you take our Luna? We're here to take you to the palace. You know, where you belong except this time, it will be six feet under," he finally spoke cynically walking up to Tiran but not daring to go close enough yet making sure his other rebels are right beside him. He knew Tiran was the most powerful wolf that's why he was the Alpha. Yes, he was! That sounded good in his ears. He was but from today, he will be the best. He will be the Alpha. He will rule the Haptic pack and his family will be the ruling lineage.
"I just have one question Arkanta," Tiran finally spoke his voice husky from the sobs and lack of talking for a while.
"You can ask. I'm not as wicked as you think. Say your final wishes," she said chuckling in a low but audible voice. He had waited for this moment when he would beg. He had to make him beg in one way or the other.
"Why?" Tiran asked his voice full of disappointment.
"Why? How dare you? Oh right. You've been blind all along so let me tell you," his voice weighed more sarcasm than anger or sincerity. "I'll be polite enough. Let me enlighten you, our mighty Alpha."