Centauri felt a familiar sensation when someone gripped his shoulder. It was the first time in their thirty years of marriage
that he failed to sense her presence. He knew, that starting from today things would never be the same between them.
"Centauri! Is everything alright? you have been blocking his way. Why are you looking at his shirt?" Sylvia said in her sweet melodious voice. She gently tapped his shoulder and he lowered his arm and turned his face towards the ocean. Aster immediately intervened and accompanied Sam and Rigel toward the jeep.
"Nothing, I felt a faint aroma of vampires so I was wondering if something is not right." Centauri was still lost in thoughts. It was the first time Sylvia saw him so confused and agitated. It took him several pauses to complete one sentence.
"What's going on in your mind, Centauri?" She grabbed his jaw with her hands and lifted his face, he avoided eye contact and wanted to turn away but Sylvia held it firmly and lifted it forcefully. Their eyes meet and the ocean blue eyes for the first time seem unfamiliar. They were cold and distant as if she was a stranger standing in front of him. He was lost, completely lost in thoughts. Sylvia's breath was haggard. She let go of his face. She opened and closed her mouth several times but couldn't say anything.
"We are going back to look for the girl. All of you board the ships." He announced avoiding eye contact with Sylvia, he knew she was shocked. He knew he hurt her but all he needed was time, time to figure out what was going on, time to prepare for what he cherished the most and lost before he could see it. He ignored her for the first time. Without wasting any time He turned towards Aster who looked shocked and didn't even hide the fact that was shocked, his mouth was wide open and his jaw dropped to the ground. His eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets. Centauri Leonis clenched his jaw and Aster immediately composed himself,
"Take care of the pack and make do not create any trouble until my return." with these words Centauri jumped on the ship. Ethan and twelve warriors were on the first ship, however, the remaining eighteen warriors were on the other.
"Alpha Centauri Leonis, You are breaking the Pack's rule. You won't be able to return till night and you will have to spend the entire winter..'' She was interrupted by his fire beast who was already at an edge after knowing about their mate's death. He was no longer able to hold his anger and irritability. His irises turned purely red this time. His beast completely took over Centauri's human form. Centauri felt trapped in a corner of his brain. He was no longer in control. His wolf said in a terrifying roar,
"I am the maker of these rules and I am fully aware of my responsibilities. You have no right to object to my decision." He saw the color of Sylvia's face draining, He felt her sadness but couldn't do anything. His wolf was always dominant in his human form. The ships started sailing away from the shore. Sylvia stood there and continued looking at Centauri who was standing on the deck. His brown hair fluttered in the air, his tall figure moving farther and farther away from her and finally disappearing in the fog. Sylvia stood there like a stone unable to move, unable to comprehend the things that happened.
Sylvia was in a trance because of the behavior of his wolf. She was aware of the fact that his beast was fierce and dominant but he never belittled her in front of the entire pack. She looked around and everyone was trembling in fear. She tried hard to keep her tears at bay but they still fell from her eye as she watched Leonis leave without bidding her farewell.
"Luna, don't be upset. Alpha was agitated by the mysterious presence of humans on our land." Aster tried cheering her up, he offered her a handkerchief which Sylvia refused.
"I know Aster, but I don't understand why he was so desperate to leave for the western land without chalking out a proper plan. It is so unlikely him"
"You know it's a sensitive matter. He worked so hard to uplift this pack. He must have his reasons to leave like this. We have fought so many battles in the past, we cannot afford another." Aster said sighing. Sylvia nodded in response but she knew something was wrong. Leonis would never make such a rash move until and unless it was a really serious matter but what could it be?
"Aster! Where are the humans?" Sylvia asked in a defeated tone
"I've sent them to the pack hospital for a check-up. They will be sent to the black peak residence after that," he responded.
"Are you leaving for the hospital?" Sylvia noticed his jeep, "I want to visit them too." Considering her state Aster couldn't refuse her and opened the passenger's door for her to hop in. Their journey toward the hospital was silent. Aster spared Sylvia glances after every few minutes to ensure she was okay and Sylvia was completely lost in her thoughts.
The moment they reached the hospital, Sylvia deliberately delayed entering the hospital. Aster on the other hand failed to notice it and immediately entered the hospital.
She carefully entered the hospital and was greeted by all the staff members working there. " Where are the guests?" she asked one of the nurses. "Luna!" the nurse slightly lowered her head in respect and replied, "They are in the waiting room right next to Dr. Park's office."
"Have you seen Aster?" Sylvia asked
"Yes, he went straight to the waiting room." The nurse left after responding.
Sylvia moved to the last corridor and turned left. She saw the waiting room at the end of the hall. Aster was standing near the door and was busy talking to them. He seemed to have noticed Sylvia's aura as he turned around and gave her an acknowledging smile.
"I've been waiting for you. Still mad at alpha....." he asked
"No, actually I instructed the staff to prepare a few sets of clothes for them. Can you please carry them inside?" Sylvia said apologetically.
"Sure," he said and immediately left
Sylvia peeked inside Dr Louis' office through the semi-open door and noticed Sam, undergoing examination. She went inside the adjacent room where they were instructed to put on the patient's gown. Sylvia raked through the pile of clothes lying inside dozens of buckets. She tossed a few buckets on the ground and finally found Sam's clothes. She searched his jean, they were empty. She then carefully examined his shirt but couldn't pick any scent. After being mixed with the rest of the clothes it was giving several aromas. She saw a very small blood spot that had now dried on his shirt. She carefully examined his shirt and noticed that mud covered almost all the blood on his shirt. It seems as if someone was severely wounded and faced great blood loss. She had a bad feeling about it. His irritability was linked to it. She sensed footsteps approaching so she instantly cast a magic spell. The room returned to its original shape. All the clothes landed in their respective buckets. She immediately left the room.
"Sylvia, what were you doing here?" Dr Louis asked lifting his eyebrows while Sam made his way toward others.
"I came to meet you but since you were examining him so I decided to wait. I guess it was a bad idea because this room is quite messy I was just about to leave." She said pinching her nose in an attempt to cover her nervousness, before Dr Park could respond she headed towards the waiting room.
The humans had already undergone examination and were now sitting in neat clothes. They all were busy stuffing food in their mouths when she entered the room.
"Aster, Make sure they are properly attended. Let them rest for now." She was passing orders when Sam cleared his
throat,
"Mrs. Centauri Leonis, how long are we supposed to stay here?" Sylvia took a deep breath and projected her anger on him "Well I am not sure. You should have taken care of yourselves. Just because of your silly friend I was embarrassed in front of the people I am respected." her speech was interrupted by Aster
"Sylvia you should be careful with your words, they are our guests and must be honored as Alpha has ordered" Aster commented and She rolled her eyes in response. Just because of Leonis even the Gamma dares to lecture her now.
"We are sorry Sylvia, we meant no trouble. Will you please allow us to contact our families just to let them know we are safe?" Rigel asked. Sylvia was already pissed. Her sadness now converted into anger, she was so done with their little questioning session, Aster sensed her irritability and responded "You'll have to wait till Centauri's return. We cannot make any decision on his behalf." He gave them a sympathetic smile.
"Luna Sylvia, I've thoroughly examined them and they all seem perfectly fine. I have taken care of their wounds. They are allowed to leave." Dr. Park announced the reports he was holding. She gave him an acknowledging nod and told the rest, "Follow me, let's get you all settled then."
After half an hour they reached the Black Peak residence. It was an isolated residence, away from the central city. At the back of this residence was an enormous mountain. The surrounding of the residence was covered with black trees. The lush green grass covered with dew and black autumn trees provided a magnificent view of the residence. The entrance of the residence was guarded by ten guards. The humans were entrusted to two housekeepers. After dropping them at the residence entrance Sylvia left for the Palace. She didn't feel like accompanying them inside.
The clock struck eight pm. It had been hours since she came back home. Sylvia was worried and now anxiety took over her. If Leonis failed to return within four hours he would never be able to cross the fog. She had been constantly trying to mind-link him but the link was blocked. She was upset. She hadn't slept since last night so now she was reaching her limit. Her mind was drifting into the world of unconsciousness. She finally fell asleep while waiting for his return.
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Mini Theatre
Sylvia rolling her eyes at Aster
Aster: Keep rolling your eyes maybe one day you'll find a brain back there.