"You're selfish. You only care about yourself!" Arkanta shouted in anger.
"You know that's not true. We've been going through all stages of life together. We even got our wolves on the same day remember. Did you forget all that?" He was hurt by his words. How could he forget all that they've been through just because of power. Tiran never wanted to be a leader in the first place. He had to be a leader because he was the only son of his father, the Alpha at that time. It was hereditary how could he change that?
"Stages? Getting our wolves on the same day? I had forgotten about all that. It had already sunk in until you, revived it. How could I remember when you were the centre of attention. We did everything together but not once was I acknowledged. Not once was I praised. You took everything from me so tell me how could I remember all that? I chose to forget because they hurt and when I tried not to think about it another blow comes right into my face." His claws had now come out and his rage stupefied his followers who were now trembling in fear. He had no time to chit chat. The more he delayed it, the farther the Luna and their daughter ran.
He signalled the other wolves to rush to him. They were a mixture of the Gratia and Haptic pack. They were too many each coming at Tiran. Tiran drove out his claws and sliced their throats one by one. Those he sliced fell down dead as they changed into heir wolf forms. They were too many. He was getting tired and his wolf was crying from hunger. They had been running since noon and they hadn't had a chance to take their lunch before everything happened.
"You can just surrender to me, Tiran. Why go through all this trouble. I promise I'll be the best master," Arkanta shouted sarcastically amidst all the chaos. He knew he couldn't defeat him alone so the more he fought with the rest of the wolves, the more he got tired. His cowardice didn't allow him to fight a fair battle
Tiran was barely breathing but his wolf had not given in. He had killed almost a hundred wolves. He fell down on his knees tired, her clothes barely torn from the fight. Not a single claw had landed on his body. He looked at the wolves that he had killed. Most of them were from their pack. He could not help but feel like a traitor to his own pack. He had killed his very own. He was given the crown and per the moon goddess, he was to rule the people with love and sincerity - to protect. But looking at what he had done, his heart sunk.
"Stop the madness Arkanta. Can't you see? We're fighting our very own pack. We've become our own enemies," he begged in despair.
"Enemies? You're the only enemy, can't you see that? They are all fighting you," he said boldly walking towards him. He signaled the other wolves to stay back.
"If you had a problem with me, you could've just let us sort it out between us. Did you have to involve our enemy pack? Did you have to pin the whole pack against me? It's not fair to them," his strength was fading but he had to talk. He had to survive for the sake of his family. He had to try to convince him. Maybe, just maybe he would give in.
"All is fair in love and war," he uttered as he opened his claws. He was about to slice Tiran when he woke up and missed it. They started fighting. It was intense. Tiran had now learnt better than to hold back. Whatever he did or said, Arkanta would not change his mind. Tiran threw his claws at him and sliced through her hand. Arkanta hissed in pain but he could not allow it to hold him back. He ran towards Tiran and as Tiran stretched to cut his neck, he bent over and sliced both his thighs. Tiran looked at his thighs as he fell down. He could not walk again. His vision became blur and all he could see was his daughter and mate waiting for him. Calling out for him as he quickly faded. Seeing their bright faces gave him the slightest hope, although glimmer, that he will see them soon enough.
Pain surged through him. Arkanta leaned before him laughing cynically. "We could've avoided this, brother. Now see what you've become. A pathetic loser." He laughed hysterically. Tiran stretched his claws to cut a part of his body but he couldn't. He was too weak. Arkanta held the arm and placed it down. "Wrong move!"
He lifted his head and sliced through it. He looked at his claws and laughed. It was the smell that enchanted him. The smell of the Alpha. The smell of his power.
"Look at this! I am the most powerful wolf now!" He had become hysterical. At least that's what the other wolves thought but none of them would dare to speak. He howled. A howl of victory. Every wolf could hear it and they knew it. They knew they were doomed. Sarya halted in her footsteps as she listened. She had to go back. She could feel the pain. She felt that a part of her had been plucked away and she needed it. Her wolf cried. But how could she go back? What will happen to their daughter.
She was getting tired. She was just feet's away from the border and she had to get there no matter what but she had to rest first. She has to gather her own energy to support her daughter too. She looked for a bush and laid down some leaves for Laura. She was fast asleep and that made her more heavier. She rested her back against a tree as she watched his daughter. She was just a 7 year old. How could she explain the death of her father to her? She decided not to think of it so much. She allowed herself to cry and drown in sorrow for a minute or two. Just for a while.
"Everyone, follow this path and look for the Luna and their child Laura. Sniff every path and make sure you find them. Am I clear?" Arkanta growled growing impatience. It was just a matter of time.
"Yes sir!" They all said in unison as they were set to leave.
"Come back here!" They all halted in their footsteps and walked back with fear. "What did you just say?" He sked his tone getting angry.
"Yes, Alpha!" They uttered this time making him smile.
"That's more like it. Now, go. Hurry up!" He said clapping his hands in continuous fast claps that signaled them to hurry.
Getting rid of the Luna and the child was an easy cake. Or so he thought "Maybe I should eat the cake first," he grumbled between gritted teeth as he followed behind the other wolves.
They went through every path in the thick bushes smelling every part of it. They would not dare to disappoint their supposed new Alpha. One of the wolves sniffed Sarya's presence. "She is this way," he called for the rest of the wolves together with Arkanta.
Sarya was leaning against a tree reminiscing about their happy past. Laura was now awake and they were busy laughing in low tones. She heard the shuffles of leaves. She could feel a presence near her. She could smell a lot of wolves coming towards them. She looked around as if in search of something and laid her eyes on some thick but thorny bush. He held Laura's hand as they walked towards it. She found a space between it, smiled and wrapped the sheet they had brought with them around Laura's body several times. It was big enough. She had to protect her from getting prickled by the thorns.
"Little Angel. Stay here. No matter what happens, don't get out. Okay," she wished she didn't have to explain any more to her.
"Okay mum. Mum where are you going?" She knew she'd ask this. It was the most difficult part and she didn't know how to explain it to her.
"I'm going to chase the bad guys. Okay. Be a good girl. mummy will be back soon," she said as she hugged her tight and caressed her. Tears waved at her eyes but she sniffed them off afraid to be seen. She had to look strong!
She disengaged from the hug and took off her pendant that had a half heart. She placed it around her neck. "Wherever you go, never take this off. It's a heart. My heart will always be with you. Never trust anyone! You only have yourself to depend on," she only hoped that she would not forget. She hugged her even more and for fear that Arkanta might have caught up with them, she disengaged and placed her in between the thorns. It was hard for somebody in the outside to see her there.
She went back to where she sat earlier and lay there in wait. A few minutes later Arkanta walked upto her. She did not flinch. Arkanta looked down at her and around but she could not see the child.
"Where's the child Sarya?" He asked more in desperation than in anger his claws coming out.