Emily’s POV
I bit my jaw hard, trying not to hiss in pain as Angelica’s fingernails began to dig into my flesh.
“All of Alpha Alex’s interactions with you have been erased from his memory,” she scoffed, letting go of me. “I ensured that all he would remember was me. I was going to be the hero of his story by safely returning the future Alpha to his pack, where the rest of the surviving Lycan royals were hiding.”
“What were you planning to do?” I asked, startled to know she knew about the royals hiding there. It indicates that she is aware of both my and Lex’s status.
“The plan was simple,” Angelica said. “Alex was the easiest one to eliminate. In an attempt to get rid of him, Axel proposed going on a field trip to finish a homework assignment.”
Angelica went to sit at the little table in the corner of the room and turned to face me. Almost instantly, her face flushed red, as though she were angry about something.
“A storm brewed on the horizon,” she started. “It was the perfect opportunity to get rid of Alex. Nobody would ever suspect Axel’s intentions.”
Angelica’s smile widened as she recalled the memory.
“Axel lured Alex down to a secluded area down by the river. He wanted to show Alex his precious new find.”
I squinted at her, amazed that they would do such horrible things at such a young age.
“Alex eagerly followed Axel,” Angelica said. “He blindly trusted him and followed Axel upstream to a massive waterfall. They raced one another to the top.”
An evil smile appeared on Angelica’s lips as excitement shot through her eyes.
Was she present to see it happen?
“Once on top, Axel waited for the perfect opportunity. He shoved Alex off the edge of the waterfall when the lightning struck, and he watched as the water swallowed him.”
“Except Alex did not die,” I interrupted her.
“No, he didn’t,” she bitterly remarked. “Alex managed to grab hold of an old tree stump and called for help.”
I nearly laughed aloud.
Angelica’s expression was fixed in frustration.
“Axel was pissed that Alex did not fall into the roaring, cold, dangerous water,” Angelica said. “And he needed a new plan to get rid of Alex.”
“What did he do?” I asked, my heart racing in my chest.
“Axel climbed down to the old tree stump where Alex was hanging from and successfully pushed the stump into the roaring waters. He watched him disappear into the waters, hoping he would drown.”
“Once more,” I uttered, a grin emerging on my face. “Alex survived!”
“Yes, to Axel and my annoyance,” she replied.
“What role do you play in this?” I asked, curious.
“I saw Alex get out of the water while I was heading to meet Axel,” Angelica said. “At first, I thought it was Axel, but he did not respond when I called after him. He was heading in the wrong direction, and I knew right away that something was off.”
“Did you go looking for Axel?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “I found him at our meeting place, very content with himself.”
The same anger flared in Angelica’s eyes as she bit her lip.
“I went and told him what I saw,” she said, sounding frustrated. “He didn’t believe a word I told him. He kept on arguing with me that Alex was dead.”
“You needed to show him that Alex was still alive?” I asked.
With a sigh, Angelica nodded.
“Axel and I went back to where I saw Alex emerge from the river. We were able to pick up his scent from there. The weather had turned for the worse, and the downpour became unbearable. Following his scent became difficult. I wanted to go back home, but Axel spotted Alex in the distance. He charged forward, but I was able to catch Axel by the arm and point out the dangerous waters that were coming down from the mountain into the river. We sought higher ground, waiting for the water to wash him away.”
My memory of that night’s blocked scenes suddenly came flooding back, as if Angelica had unlocked them.
I watched the heavy rains from the safety of the temple, listening to thunder roar over the treetops while the lightning danced in the sky.
“I love this kind of weather,” Willow said, pressing her massive head against my hand.
“I love the safety of the temple more,” I said. “I hate being drenched and cold to the bone.”
“Typical fire wolf,” she chuckled, averting her eyes to the river. “But I would agree with that.”
Willow suddenly whimpered, as if she had become afraid of something. I turned my attention in the direction she was looking.
“Oh my!” I let out a gasp. “Do you see that? Do you see the boy in the rain? He looks-”
“Mate!” Willow called out, but not in excitement but in fear.
That was when I saw it, and a wave of dread came over me.
I shot out of the temple into the pouring rain, running as quickly as my short legs would allow me toward the boy who was walking along the riverbank.
“Get out of the way!” I yelled, but it seemed like he was completely out of it and did not hear me at all.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the angry masses of water speeding toward him.
“Willow, you will have to help me,” I said, panicking. I wasn’t sure if I would reach the other side of the river on time.
“Tell me what to do!” She said, running beside me.
“Help me cross the river,” I said.
Willow whimpered but immediately agreed.
As I got closer to the river’s edge, I accelerated my pace and leaped forward, hoping to cross the river safely.
Willow provided me with a sudden and powerful shove, pushing me over the edge and forcing the boy aside.
I turned around instantly, looking for Willow, but the massive amounts of water had swept her away.
“Remain by his side.” I heard her voice echoing in my mind. “Keep him safe. Don’t worry about me. I will find my way back to you!”
Trembling, I got up and approached the boy. His clothes were torn and in rags, and he had a large bump on the right side of his head, suggesting that he must have been in some kind of accident earlier.
I quickly checked his vitals and breathing. For now, he seemed fine.
I began looking for a crossing point so I could bring him back to the temple and give him some medical help before he got hyperthermia.
However, I quickly found out that there was no way to cross. All the bridges and safe crossings were destroyed by the flood.
“Think, Emily, think!” I cried out in agony to myself. “It is not going to help you save him from the river, and then he dies of a cold.”
My gaze scanned my surroundings, searching. I have been here before to explore and play. I was not too far from home.
I snapped my fingers.
“I got it!” I muttered to myself, remembering that there was a cave close by that would give us enough cover until tomorrow morning.
I jerked my eyes back at the boy, hearing him groan.
“Hi there!” I let out a cry of relief when his eyes opened.
I couldn’t help but get lost in his gray eyes; they reminded me of the dangerous waters that had just passed us moments ago.
“Hey!” he exclaimed, putting his hand to his head. “What happened?”
“Long story,” I said. “Are you able to stand up? We need to get out of the rain.”
The boy gave a nod, and I assisted him in standing up.
“Why do I feel so dizzy?” He inquired. He appeared unsteady on his feet and spoke a little slackly.
I snaked my arm around his waist and encircled the boy’s arm around my shoulders. We started walking in the direction of the cave, with me bearing most of his weight.
“It appears that you experienced a minor accident,” I said. “There is a big bump on your head.”
“It hurts,” he complained. “I am grateful for you helping me.”
After assisting the boy with sitting down inside the cave’s safety, I swiftly collected some stray sticks and twigs that were lying around and piled them.
I snapped my thumb and index finger together, and a tiny flame formed on my fingertip.
“Wow!” The boy’s eyes widened and he gasped. “Where did you learn that?”
“My father,” I uttered with pride as I stepped up to start a tiny fire. “He is the King of the East.”
“You are a Lycan?” He questioned in shock.
“So are you,” I said, sitting down near the fire. “I can smell it on you.”
I smelled something else in addition to that.
The boy’s scent reminded me of apple crumble, and my mouth watered to have a taste of it.
“I smell nothing different about you,” he remarked. “Except for a lovely warm rose scent, which is making me feel calm and fuzzy inside.”
“I am Emily, just so you know,” I said as I introduced myself. “Could you tell me your name?”
Before I could hear his response, I experienced a sharp pain in the back of my neck, leaving me with a never-ending burning feeling.
****