The crew fell silent upon my arrival and watched the Neos army with apprehension and awe before their eyes rested on me with respect. I looked at my army and decided to keep it short. We don’t have time and all they need right now are my orders, not a long motivational speech or an explanation. Not that they would ask for one.
“We are in the middle of a war. The crates are filled with stones that will protect you from black magic of zombie witches you will face later on. Everyone will start unloading them, keep one for themselves and hold on to the extra ones. Once we are on the land, our enemies, the wolves of Verdura await us. The people of Silverwitch Bay-our people are in the pack house. Protect them and slaughter the enemies. Disperse!” I commanded, my voice loud enough to reach both the ships.
The very next second, all of them got to work. The crates were being unloaded systematically and the stones were being passed among everyone. One by one, the boxes and crates were empties and the pockets of the army were getting full.
“King Nikolai.” Ratmir bowed before he stood upright.
I looked at him in question.
“It has been our greatest honour to be un-”
“I don’t know what you are used to but you don’t need to suck up to me.” I cut him off. “Speak freely and honestly.” I wasn’t some lowlife Master with poor self confidence who needed people to make him feel great about himself.
He lowered his head. “Thank you for letting me know, King Nikolai.”
I nodded. “Get your second in command and two best men and come to me.”
“Yes, King Nikolai.” He replied. In the next second, three men stood in front of me. One stood in front of the other two. He must be the second in command.
They bowed deeply and the second in command spoke, “Jan at your command, King Nikolai.”
“Rise.” I said and gave them a good, hard look. All of them looked like strong, hardened warriors. The energy flowing through them assured me of the same. I mind-linked Mikhail so that he was kept in the loop too. “After securing Silverwitch Bay, Ratmir, you will lead half of the army to Wintercrown Pack and Red Moon Pack. My brother Andrei-you’ll find him with rest of the pack members- will lead you there. The other half of the army will head directly to Alvar and Imporia. Mikhail will lead them. And Max will join you on the way.”
Ratmir bowed his head in reply.
“I will stay towards the back and will directly fly there. Avalyn- Queen Avalyn is resting. Her security is of utmost importance, along with the security of J-” my jaw clenched, “Javier.” He’s fucking dead now. Would’ve been better if I had taken care of his security earlier. But the circumstances didn’t allow that. Another death that rests heavily on my heart. I looked at Jan and his two men, “you three will be protecting us.”
All of them bowed.
‘We won’t fail you.’ Mikhail replied. ‘Take care of Avalyn and Javier.’
‘With my life,’ I replied.
“The goods are secured by the army, King Nikolai.” Ratmir said.
I gave him a meaningful look and gave him a nod. With a last bow, he left. They must be well connected through the mind link because the entire army arranged themselves in lines and began filling the boats and started lowering them in the water.
I went to the room where Avalyn was resting, with the three Neos following me. The two guarding the door bowed and then left. I opened the door and entered.
Avalyn was lying in the same position I left her in. And I instantly knew things were terribly wrong. Her lips were chapped and she looked extremely pale. Her heart wasn’t beating rhythmically either.
Worry gripped my heart as I rushed to her side. I placed my hand on her forehead and realised that her temperature had dropped as well. Goddess. I need to get her a healer.
No.
I need to get her to the bonsai tree.
That fruit had been the only thing that had been able to cure her the last time she wasn’t feeling well. And I know it deep within my bones that those white fruits are the only thing that will heal her right now.
I picked her up and strode out. Jan and his men flanked my sides immediately. We climbed into one of the lifeboats and the crew began lowering it in the water.
“Everyone’s first priority will be your Queen’s safety. We will not be taking part in the fight. There is a house at the end of the pack. Once we have Javier, we will head there and take the helicopter to the palace. The moment you spot an enemy, inform me.” I instructed as the men led the boat to the shore.
What I saw in front of me was organised chaos. The army was standing in attention, waiting for the rest as others ran around, getting in their correct position, according to their ranks. I spotted Mikhail heading towards us with Javier on his shoulder.
One of the men took Javier from him and put him over his own.
I gave Mikhail a look. “Nothing is going as we planned. This is the worst situation we could have faced.” I said bluntly. He nodded. This could be the end. This could be beginning of the end. This could be the last time we were seeing each other. But this can’t be. This isn’t a goodbye. “See you home.”
“See you home.” He nodded.
We went our separate ways. We maintained a steady pace as we walked silently through the forest. I know this land like the back of my hand. I know which rock is steady, which is the best land to walk on so the least noise will be made. I know which tree to walk around to stay hidden from the view. Because a couple of feet away was the training ground. And anyone could spot us if we get too close to the open land.
I maintained a steady heartbeat, knowing how imperative each passing second was. My bond with Ava was withering away and my wolf was in pain. I couldn’t feel her wolf but I knew she was in pain too.
The estate quickly came into view and I took a deep breath to check for scents. I found a few but they were faint. Like they had come here to check if anyone was here and then left when they didn’t find anyone.
I put the code in and we entered through the side door. I smelled human blood and knew that they had killed the two slaves we had staying here to take care of the house. We kept walking up the stairs to the terrace. I buckled up Ava in the seat besides mine and Jan buckled up Javier.
We paced around, waiting for Symon to arrive.
‘Where are you?’ I asked him through the mind-link.
‘Two wolves were following me. I killed them but I need to make sure no one else is here.’ He replied.
‘Doesn’t matter. We have a helicopter. Just get here quickly.’
‘Yes, Alpha.’
In the next ten minutes, I heard footsteps. Symon jogged to to us and we quickly took our seats. I quickly did all the checks before we were airborne.
Symon opened the door when we were few feet above the training ground and took two shots from his gun. “I knew there were more.” He hissed after he slid the door shut again.
“Javier is dead?” He whispered.
I gave him a single nod and let him process the news.
We flew in silence for the next three hours.
“There is a place to land on that mountain,” Symon directed and I changed direction accordingly. Just as he said, I found a flat land to lower the helicopter on.
I picked up Ava before I got off.