Chereads / Bending Fate / Chapter 9 - 08

Chapter 9 - 08

Ares caught her before she could hit the forest floor, slightly confused by her behavior. She'd spent a night in no man's land and had come out mostly unscathed, seemingly more confused and wary than anything. That was until she fainted.

His gaze fell on the dead rogues as he contemplated the possibility that she hadn't killed them, and whatever or whoever did was still lurking around. As eager as his wolf was, he wasn't in the mood to waste more time fighting insignificant enemies in the barren lands. This is going to be a quick mission.

"Is she okay?" Kyle asked, walking up to them. "Do you think she's sick?"

"I don't know," he admitted with a slight frown. "Viola didn't mention anything about an ailment. Not that it matters, though. She won't be alive for much longer."

Kyle peered down at her face from where he stood. Strands of dark red hair partially obscured it, but he couldn't help but notice her ethereal beauty, even as Ares carried her limp form in his arms. The face, perfectly symmetrical, had a delicate grace that seemed almost otherworldly. High cheekbones framed her gentle features, and even now, with her eyes closed, there was a serene quality to her expression. She looked so peaceful and unconscious.

"Too bad," Kyle replied.

Ares' frown deepened, but he didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on her hands, which appeared to be calloused like she'd been working so hard with them. The thought churned him, as he'd always assumed she lived a good life far away from the wreckage their parents left behind. She, after all, was the daughter of an Alpha King. Indeed, Androvo must've made some plans for her before his demise. But if that weren't the case, then he'd ensure her death would be a merciful one.

"Let's head back," he commanded, lifting her higher into his arms and leading his men back where they'd come from. By the time they arrived home, it was mid-morning, and the sun was at its peak. As he and Kyle entered his pack house, the rest of his men dispersed.

"You're back! Oh, my moon goddess, is she the one?" Ingrid was hot on his tail with wet towels the minute he walked through the doors. She shouldn't have been privy to any details of the mission, but it was easier keeping an ant from sugar than withholding information from her.

She followed him into the room as he set Jodie on his bed. Something about the action got his wolf excited and left him even more confused. What the hell was happening? Turning to Ingrid, he shooed her out of the room and closed the door behind them.

"Well, what's she like?" Ingrid whined. "She looks deathly pale; is she okay?"

"Nothing you should concern yourself with," Kyle replied, and she frowned.

Ares removed his gear, accepted the towel, and wiped off his face paint. "Where's Viola?"

"Burning Sage, or whatever she does in her little shack." Ingrid rolled her eyes and went to pick up a snack. Werewolves didn't fare well with magic, and for good reason, too. But Viola was a pack seer who manipulated the magics to her use. And anyone who had the control of magic was not to be trusted.

"Don't go in there until I'm back," Ares warned. She rolled her eyes but moved back to the kitchen. He left Kyle in her company and went outback in search of Viola.

He found her in her little shack, burning sage, as Ingrid had guessed. The smell of wolfsbane and plumeria assailed his senses. Another reason he hated the magic was They concocted potions that dampened his wolf senses and vexed him greatly. Viola was undoubtedly useful, but he didn't trust her much. She was an excellent seer, but the magic she kept using would gain hold of her one day. He was sure of it. There was something about her that he couldn't quite place his finger on that made him slightly wary of her. Albeit, most of her visions had come true. Ares knew she would never double-cross him. No one would want to tempt his wrath. Not when he was a man on a mission.

"The key has arrived!" Viola gave an excited clap as he entered.

"I'm sure you've been watching," he said, pointing an accusing finger at her. "So you'll tell me what the hell happened out there. Why was she in the forest, and why did she pass out again? She has been unconscious for hours. Will she ever wake up? And I thought an alpha family raised her, but she looked like she'd been overworked by one!"

"I know you have many questions, but they shouldn't be your concern, Alpha. Her presence gets you closer to the throne. The current Alpha King is a fraud, and your step-uncle rules over the armies of your biological father." Viola emphasized. "That should be your only concern. Getting them out."

She was right. He had many pressing issues to settle worry about, but the urge to squeeze out answers about the strange girl gnawed at him. Her presence confused him and his wolf; he needed explanations. His displeased gaze glanced over at Viola's aging face, knowing fully well that she was withholding a lot of information from him. So long as it wasn't valuable information, he let it go. "Have you been to those locations?"

"No, it could take about four full moons, but I know we'll find it soon."

"So I have to keep her alive for four months?" Ares didn't like that idea one bit.

"Yes, Alpha." Viola swallowed, watching his temper rising. "And no harm must come her way."

"If it takes longer than two full moons," he said, stepping closer to Viola and grabbing her by the neck. "I will slit your throat and kill her with my bare hands." She nodded frantically.

"Y-yes, Alpha."

He released her and stepped back. As he turned to leave the humid shack, she called out, "Do you believe in second chances, Alpha?"

"When I get back my thrones, I will."

And he was out. He marched back to his house, stewing. The witch hadn't said anything about playing babysitter for the next two months, making him wonder what else she was keeping to herself. He headed first to the kitchen to check on Ingrid and inform her of their new house guest. Kyle told her something as he entered while she prepared a plate of croissants and tea.

"Who is that for?" he asked. Ingrid hated croissants, and Kyle hated anything sweet.

"Well, we're not going to starve her, are we?" she made a face at him. "Allow me to feed her, please."

"She's not a pet." Ares deadpanned.

"Judging by how she killed three rogues and stomped on your foot, clearly not." Ingrid nodded in agreement.

Ares glared at his beta. The idiot doted on her and indulged in all her whims. But that was the reason Ares knew she was safe with Kyle. He would never harm her. "Fine, do what you want; give her food. She's going to be here for a while. Just remember not to overshare." he said pointedly.

Ingrid drew an imaginary zip-over lip, threw the key away, and went into the room with the food tray.