Noah woke up in a clearing surrounded by trees. His head ached as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
He tried to gauge his surroundings but he could hardly see through all the thick fog.
Fog?! That must mean...
How? What?
How'd he get to the Forbidden Mountains from the Valoria kingdom? That was nearly a few weeks travel by horse or carriage - a month by foot.
Noah heard a branch snap off to his left and he quickly reached for his sword but it was gone - as was the sheath. Another two branches snapped off to his right and another in front of him.
Oh no.
His heart pounded as his mind raced for a way out of this. He had no idea who - or what- was behind these trees. There was no way for him to fight without a weapon - it wouldn't be best for him to use his bare hands unless he wanted to lose them.
The animals in this forest were vicious.
The four creatures lept from the wood at the same time. When they stepped into what meager light there was, Noah cursed.
Wolves.
The other three circled him while the fourth sat before him - teeth bared. With a low growl, the other three wolves stopped circling to sit. A moment later there was a blinding light - so bright Noah had to cover his eyes.
When the light vanished, Noah peeked through his fingers to see that four people had taken the place of the wolves.
"Can we kill him?" someone on his right asked, "Please!"
Noah looked to see a guy with bright green hair wearing loose clothes and a fur-lined cloak. The guy bared his teeth when he saw Noah looking.
The girl in front of him stood folding her arms. She shot a glare at the green-haired man.
"No, Coop. We're using him to send a message - that's all."
Coop started. "But-"
The girl's violet eyes began to glow and Coop shut up. The person to his left sighs. "Can you explain this to us again, Jen?"
Jen's eyes dimmed and she huffed annoyed. "How many times must I repeat myself, Brynn?"
"It's just not making any sense," Brynn complains. "I don't know why we can't just cause the mayhem ourselves. You know patience is not my thing."
Noah's eyes bounced between them, utterly confused. No matter how hard he tried to pay attention he always ended back in square one.
The fourth person spoke up. "I have beds to warm tonight - can we get this torture session over with?"
That was the coldest comment Noah had heard and his blood boiled, before his brain could process the words he hissed, "With a heart as cold as yours I'm surprised the beds haven't warmed you."
Out of all the things this man could be concerned about, that was the first thing that came to mind. Seriously?!
Noah was so livid he forgot to be afraid - under normal circumstances he'd be terrified of the man's broad shoulders, muscled arms, and wicked-looking daggers sheathed to his sides - each the length of his forearm.
Cooper burst into a fit of laughter, Jen coughed to cover a snicker, and Brynn whistled.
"Oof," Brynn whispered. "Good burn. No comeback, Your Highness?"
Cooper wiped at his eyes, finally having pulled himself together. "Aw, man! Are you sure we have to give him back, Jen? Can we keep him - he's hilarious! Myron!"
Your highness?! Noah thought, narrowing his eyes. Nothing the man wore gave away the title of a royal. If they were in the Forbidden Mountains that means....
Noah's heart pounded. This is the border between Valoria and Lunaris. He observed his surroundings again, but couldn't tell if he was in Wolverine territory. - not that he'd be crazy enough to travel out here alone.
Yet here he was.
Where was Shay?!
Does he know I'm missing?
Is he hurt?
Noah flicked his gaze toward Myron who had his teeth bared. He noticed shadowy tendrils haloing his entire outline - they swirl as though alive, caressing his skin, before dissolving into nothing before appearing again.
"No, Coop," Myron growls, fingering the hilt of his weapon. "We aren't doing anything. The three of you head back."
Brynn looked ready to argue but Jen gave a jerk of her head.
"You just want all the fun!" Coop whines. "Rude!"
Then the trio changed back into their wolf form before turning to bound through the woods.
Noah moved into a crouch, ready to dodge Myron should he pounce but he wasn't ready. Myron moved fast - faster than humanly possible - but then again he wasn't really human.
He tackled Noah to the ground knocking him onto his back.
Wheezing, Noah struggled to keep Myron's blade from piercing his throat. The shadows continued to move around Myron's frame.
With one hand, Noah felt around for a weapon, he wrapped his hands around a stick. He picked it up whacking Myron across the head - hard.
Hissing, Myron pulled back and Noah shimmied from beneath him taking the opportunity to kick one of his blades out of reach. Noah turned to Myron bracing himself but a wisp of shadow shot toward him, hitting his chest.
Noah cried out as he went flying backward into the base of a tree. Myron was now on his feet - a hand extended toward him commanding more shadows.
He hardly had time to move before shadows had wrapped around his wrists and ankles pinning him in place. He hovered a few inches off the ground.
Noah was breathing hard, something warm and sticky ran down his face.
Myron chuckled. "I doubt this is going to plan."
Even after the tussle, Myron didn't appear to be in any pain - his clothes had no smudge of dirt. Every strand of his black hair was in its neat bun, Noah wanted so desperately to chop off.
"I haven't the faintest clue what you're talking about." Noah snarled, not even trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "This is exactly the evening I had planned - to be kidnapped by wolves and then attacked by one claiming to be a royal."
Myron punched him in the stomach and with no way for Noah to defend himself he had to take this hit.
And another.
And another.
And another.
At this point, Noah was hacking up blood that drenched his clothes and dribbled down to the ground. Noah hung his head gritting his teeth against the tsunami of pain that overwhelmed him
"What..do...you want?" Noah managed, glaring at the boy. "What are you?"
"To send a message. I thought you would've pieced it together by now." Myron groaned.
"Clearly, I haven't. Too busy trying to find a way away from here to think too much about your origin story." Noah snarled, through bloodied teeth. "What-?"
Myron punched him again sending Noah into a coughing frenzied.
"I'm not a fan of your sarcasm." Myron hissed, his breath raising the hairs on Myron's neck. "You're aware this forest is the border between our lands."
"Mhm."
"We are in my territory. Lunaris." Myron gestured around them. "Are you familiar with the Lunas royal family?"
Noah frowned slightly trying to think. He knew the shadow king or as they knew him the Alpha was the leader - other than that - nothing.
They hardly talked about their neighbors to the east of them - not even when Noah had attended school. All he's known about their kind is that they're heartless and cruel, so far Myron has lived up to the hype.
"No."
"My father, Abe - also known as the Shadow King. I am his heir." Myron cocked his head. "I'm sure you've heard how our rule and influence has spread."
Noah scowled biting his tongue. "Hardly."
"Long story short, my father is after your king's kingdom and will stop at nothing to get it." Myron twirled his remaining blade between his fingertips.
"How do I play into this?" Noah mutters.
"You're the messenger. Not the best job, but hey, it'll be worth it."
Noah couldn't help himself. "For you or me?"
Myron raised his blade slashing down across Noah's face and leg. Noah threw his head back holding back a scream between gritting teeth.
"Me."