ROME
“Slavers?” Teriel asked. It was no news to that some Alphas were slavers but he didn’t expect to see victims. “From Alkarod, you say?”
The king stood steady watching the older female shield the others behind her in fear or caution. Her hair was shiny and long and the cool night breeze blew the silky strands over her face. She seemed almost mystic, like one of the goddesses painted on the castle. Rome couldn’t help but feel drawn to her at that moment. Her eyes were amber and they stood out even in the night as the lamps cast a glow on them.
“Yes, Sir. From Alkarod,” she replied.
Her eyes seemed to glow and the king blinked.
Had he imagined it?
From behind her, the younger female spoke up.
“There were some Lyca…”
And the older one hushed her by turning back and glaring at her. He could see them breathing raggedly and they had some leaves from the bushes sticking out of their hair.
Rome walked towards her with his arms outstretched, hoping that would prove that I had no ill intent. He couldn’t help but keep his eyes on her face as he walked towards them slowly. They stepped back and the king stopped in his tracks.
“What is your name?” He asked her instead. He tried to focus on her face but he was distracted by her dark auburn hair being blown by the wind. He almost reached out to tame the wild hair.
She hesitated then she answered, “Elora.”
She took a calculated step backward as she spoke, as if she didn’t trust him. She seemed ready to run if they made a wrong move.
“Bow before the King, Elora!” Teriel yelled from behind. He approached Elora but the king held out a hand indicating they be left alone. There was no point working them up anymore.
“The King!” One of the boys said from behind Elora. His eyes were wide open in shock or awe as the realization hit him.
“You are the King?” The other boy said. His eyes darted from the carriage to the footmen, to the king himself.
“The carriage, Ellie,” the other female said. “Look at the carriage.” She had been pointing to the insignia – the symbol of the house of Maynard that was crested unto the side of the carriage – the head of Fenrir.
The two boys bore an almost identical resemblance, save a few distinct features that the Lycan eyes could pick in the night. In fact, they all looked alike. The older one, Elora, bowed to her knees. And the others instinctively joined her. It seemed they followed her lead well, trusting her to protect them.
Just in that moment, a werewolf in his full wolf form, leapt out of the bushes. He snarled, his jaws spread widely apart, his claws stretched out to snatch. His intent must have been to grab one of the siblings, as he launched for them.
Rome leapt towards them to shield them. Lashing out at the wolf and hitting him back. Before even Teriel and the guards could react, he had already rushed to shield Elora and her siblings.
He grabbed the werewolf and held him by the neck, letting his feet, hang above the ground as he choked the air out of him. Then he threw him to the ground, knocking him out in one throw. He landed just before Teriel’s feet and shifted back to his normal form. His naked body lay there in a heap, his butt exposed.
As the king turned around, he saw Elora on her feet, seemingly battle ready. She had impressive form but he doubted she could fight because of her scrawny frame. At the sight of the naked male body, Elora and her sister averted their eyes. Rome shifted to block them from the view.
Then she broke down in tears and fell to her knees again.
“Help us, Your Majesty,” she sobbed. “Help us. Help my siblings at least. I can work. I can do anything.”
“Elora…”
She cried some more. “Please, Your Majesty. I can read. I can cook. I can clean. I can fight. I can do anything, Your Majesty. Please help my siblings.”
She sprawled face down on the ground in the dirt.
“Get up, Elora,” he commanded. “You and your siblings are welcome to join us. Did you say you can read?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said, still sobbing. “I can read, and write, and care for the sick. My father was a salutary wolf.”
A salutary wolf.
“And you’re from Alkarod?” He asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she said, bowing.
Then he turned to Teriel. “Put them in one of the carriages. We’ll go with them, I’m sure we’ll find something for her to do.”
The werewolf that tried to attack them had been put in chains now. He was still knocked out. As they passed him, Rome kicked his seemingly lifeless body.
“We’ll take him back and find out who he works for.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” He bowed.
**********************
ELORA
My arms were shaky and my legs hurt and bleeding. I turned to Olivia and checked her. She’d only been hurt on her legs too. Thankfully, Bennett and Brian had done a better work of not getting injured.
“Are we safe with them?” Olivia asked as we were being led unto the carriage. The guards standing by the woods end were peering into the bushes, making sure there wasn’t another attack.
Brian scoffed, “He is the King.” And then he attempted to smile. I knew why the smile had failed. We were hungry, afraid and tired. My heart felt pain and rage for what we had been put through.
“What are you saying?” Olivia asked.
“That being with the King is the safest anyone can be,” Bennett said, explaining Brian’s words to Olivia who just rolled her eyes in response.
“That’s enough, everyone,” I whispered. “Conserve your energy. We don’t know what we’ll meet. Stay alert.”
The other Lycan with the dark hair approached us, the one the king called Teriel.
“Join this carriage. We assure you, you’re safe with us.” He smiled.
I nodded and half smiled as he opened the door to one of the smaller carriages and let us climb in.
As we sat in the carriage, I noticed that some of the soldiers walked on foot. They had made a wall around the entourage.
As the carriages drove into the night and I watched the borders of Alkarod disappear into the night, I felt a mix of emotions. I was torn between pain, relief, anger, peace and a troubled mind.
Mother was behind those borders, all alone in Alkarod. I feared for her knowing she struggled to befriend anyone because of her peculiarities. It was hard to find anyone who’d be as patient as anyone outside our family to try to understand her.
She had been born with a very rare condition that made communication difficult especially around strangers. I hoped Alma would look after her all the while hoping the kind woman was okay too.
She had taken quite a beating from Ethan and Noah. And as I thought about Ethan and Noah while watching the borders disappear, I swore in my heart to come home one day and make them pay. And on that day, I’d come back for Mother, and Alma, and those in slavery.
All of Alkarod would feel this retribution.