"What the hell?" Selena said with her eyes wild.
The scream was so loud, so painful, we all stood in shock, eyes wild, mouth open.
What kind of terror could cause such a scream? I'm not sure I want to find out.
"It came from outside," Joseph said, the first to break out of the trance, his voice low and tense. "We need to check it out."
We rushed toward the pack house, the weight of dread heavy in my chests.
As we stepped outside, the once lively atmosphere shifted to one of alarm and panic.
Pack members were gathering, their faces pale and anxious.
I heard a some people whisper, "He's coming." And I felt dread pool at my stomach.
Who was he?
The scream had echoed from the edge of the territory.
We pushed through the crowd, finally reaching the clearing, where a horrific sight awaited us.
A gruesome display hung from a nearby tree—severed wolf heads, their fur matted with blood, eyes wide in eternal terror.
Some wolves were skinned, some ears were cut off, some mouth were wild open with they teeth missing.
I bent over and vomited my guts, my stomach grumbling.
I heard some people do the same and I was relief I wasn't the only one.
When I was done, my mouth tastes like acid.
I looked at the wolves again, knowing this sight will forever hunt me.
A single piece of parchment flapped in the wind, pinned to the ground with a dagger.
That was when I saw Rowan as he stepped forward, his expression grim.
He crouched down to retrieve the parchment, reading aloud. "I'm coming."
The atmosphere shifted from bad to worse. Some people looked like they were going to faint, some did faint, while others stood with their faces grim.
The implications of the message sank in, and I felt a cold chill race down my spine.
Rowan clenched his fists, fury and anguish rolling off him in waves.
He didn't look like the man who stood under the moonlight last night, he looked like a big angry alpha.
"I want scouts patrolling every single edge of the territory," he said, his voice low. He didn't need to shout, his voice was already loud enough. "You see anybody that looks suspicious, kill on sight. And someone take care of that." He waves towards the wolves.
He turned and left and Joseph and Sofia followed him.
I couldn't bring myself to look away from the wolves even as people started cutting them down. Nobody deserves to die that way. It is so wrong.
"Come on." I heard Lilith's voice as she tugs my hand. That was when I could finally look away from the sight.
I faced her and she looked so pale I couldn't help but drew her into my arms.
She trembled some bad in my arms I fear her bones will break.
"It's Daruis, isn't it?" I whispered into her head and she nods.
"Nobody deserves to die like that," she said, her voice muffled by my clothes.
"Nobody does," I said.
I have never met this Daruis before but I hated him, hated him more than I've ever hated anybody before.
He deserves to die, a slow, long, and unending death.
"Come on," I pulled away from Lilith as I led her to the pack house, my hand in hers.
The house was so quiet and tense when we got there. Not like the lively and cheerful place that it was this morning.
It feels like everybody was scared that if they say a word, Darius would appear.
"Where's your room," I asked Lilith.
"Second floor."
I walked us to the elevator and up we went.
We were quite throughout the entire lift, none of us having the strength to say anything.
Today had been so fun to me, even though I got nearly killed in training. Today was still fun. Now that fun had turned sour.
The sight of the wolves flashed in my head again, and I wanted to throw up again but I held it in.
The elevator door opened and once again I led us out. Lilith seems far from her body right now.
"Lilith, I'll need you to led the way to your room," I said as softly as I can.
She nodded and walked ahead of me. We got to her room soon. Lilith opened the door and just walked straight to the bed, falling face flat into it.
I sat beside as I stroked her hair while we sat in silence.
"This is not the first time he's done something like this," Lilith whispered, breaking the silence.
"It's not?"
"No. The first time was three years ago," she answered. "My father was among those wolves three years ago."
My heart dropped. "Oh Lilith," I said as I drew her into my arms.
She cried until her body could not take it anymore and she fell asleep on my arms.
I lie her down, and soon fell asleep beside her.
***
I awoke with a start, my heart pounding from a nightmare that felt all too real.
Shadows danced in the corners of my mind, and the sound of distant howling echoed through my thoughts.
That sight had followed me to my dreams. I knew this wouldn't be the last of it. The sight will hunt me for a very long time.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
Lilith was still asleep beside me, so I slipped out of the bed and out the room.
I walked to the elevator and pressed my room's floor. I needed to be in my room's familiar walls and familiar scent.
I reached my room and headed to the showers. When I was done, I felt a whole lot better and calm.
I lie on my bed, facing the ceiling. I was scared to close my eyes, afraid of the sight that will greet me.
So I stared up the ceiling for what feels like the whole night until I heard footsteps.
I quickly sit up my bed. I had never heard any footsteps in this floor that wasn't Lilith's or Joseph's.
Even though Lilith told me there were people in this hall, I haven't come around anyone.
This footstep wasn't Lilith or Joseph. I already knew them from their steps. No, this footsteps were more slow and delicate.
Then it stopped. I had come breathing as I walked to the door.
I looked down and there were shadows there.
I had a visitor.