Vione stood frozen. Her intuition grew uneasy as more signs of the werewolf’s presence registered in her senses. She scanned the area, her eyes piercing the darkness. Damn, I am surrounded.
The rustling of leaves and bushes disturbed the previously quiet forest. Slowly but surely, one by one, they began to reveal themselves.
Vione’s guess was correct. She was surrounded by an uncountable number of werewolves, and among them was the one she least wanted to meet.
“Mireya.”
Mireya stepped out of the darkness of the night, smiling. “Vione, we finally meet again.”
It was the meeting Vione feared. She knew that Mireya was trouble, and meeting her meant trouble ahead. Especially since Mireya had brought a considerable number of warriors with her.
Vione’s expression changed. The uneasy feeling intensified. No doubt, Mireya had come to capture her.
“It’s been a while since we last met. Um. Maybe fifteen months ago?” Mireya asked, furrowing her brow in thought. “Seems like it. Um. It has indeed been a long time.”
“Not too long to forget all your actions against me and my family, Mireya.”
Mireya’s smile still held its charm. “Well. I understand your feelings, Vione, but as you know, I’m only doing what I have to do for the peace of the Frostholm Pack.”
“You’re cunning, Mireya. Not only did you drive me from The Palace, but you also instigated Usher to punish my parents,” Vione said, clenching her fists tightly at her sides. Every word she uttered brought back the painful memories swirling in her head. It triggered the returning pain and sorrow that squeezed her heart. “You really have no heart, Mireya.”
Mireya laughed. “Say what you will, Vione. Like I said, I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do. You know that, right? I just want to help Usher.”
Vione’s face hardened. Her jaw tensed. All the emotions began to fill her chest, creating a rumble.
“Besides, Usher doesn’t deserve to be with you.”
Vione tried to control her emotions, though it was incredibly difficult. “Yes, I think you’re right. Usher does deserve to be with you.”
“I’m glad you see it, Vione,” Mireya said with a triumphant grin. Then she paused for a moment. “So, can you tell me what you were doing outside the prison, Vione?”
“Not your concern, Mireya.”
Mireya shook her head. “Everything is my business, Vione. Oh! Maybe you don’t know because you lived in the underground prison. Well, I’ll be happy to tell you some good news for all of us.”
Vione prepared herself. She waited, and Mireya’s next words shocked her.
“Usher has transferred all responsibilities of the pack and the company to me.”
Vione was shaken. “That can’t be.”
“Oh, it very well could be,” Mireya replied, raising her chin proudly. “So, everything that happens in the pack and the company is now under my supervision.”
Vione found herself caught in a web of emotions, each of which defied description. However, one disturbing thought lingered in her mind-was Usher really beyond help, causing him to delegate all responsibilities? And if the answer was yes, why entrust everything to Mireya? What about Garth, the loyal Beta who had pledged his life and death to Usher?
A plethora of questions flooded Vione’s mind, turning her uneasy premonitions into accusatory suspicions. She stared at Mireya; her voice full of assertiveness. “What have you really done to Usher?”
Mireya feigned shock and clutched her chest. “What, Vione? What have I done to Usher? Don’t tell me you’re accusing me of harming him?” She grinned mischievously. “On the contrary, Vione. I’ve helped him in many ways, especially in getting you out of the palace.”
Mireya’s words reinforced Vione’s suspicions, turning her premonitions into real fears. What if Usher’s illness was a result of Mireya’s actions? The fear sent a chill through Vione’s entire body, but it also fueled her determination. She had to see Usher, no matter what.
“They must have done something to Usher. It’s impossible for him to give you all the responsibility. You’re not even a Luna, Mireya, and Usher always had Garth by his side.”
Mireya scoffed repeatedly. “Garth? Ah! The Beta who couldn’t care less about his ailing Alpha?”
Vione was confused by Mireya’s words. What did she mean? A Beta who didn’t care about his sick Alpha?
“Do you know? Garth and you are no different. Both of you are only a burden to Usher.”
“What do you mean, Mireya?” Vione asked, unable to contain her curiosity. Her mind wondered if something had happened to Garth.
Mireya refrained from answering, opting for a subtle smile. “I don’t think I’m obliged to answer your questions. On the contrary, I am obliged to recapture you, Vione.”
Vione’s concern for Garth turned to concern for herself. She surveyed her surroundings and noticed the warriors taking up their positions.
“From the beginning you were never aware of your rightful place, Vione. You’ve been punished, and all this time you’ve been quiet in the underground prison. But why am I trying to escape now?”
Vione gritted her teeth. Her eyes remained fixed on the warriors. She was trying to buy time to think of an escape plan. “I never wanted to escape, Mireya.”
“Then? What are you doing here?” Mireya’s eyes widened suddenly. “Don’t tell me you want to see the sick Usher.”
Vione didn’t answer Mireya for a moment. Her peripheral vision continued to assess the situation. She tried to find an opening, but the encirclement of the warriors was too tight. An easy escape seemed impossible.
“This is none of your concern, Mireya.”
“Of course, it’s my business. I don’t want anyone disturbing Usher’s rest, especially if that person is you.” Then Mireya looked at the leader of the warriors and gave an order. “Capture her.”
Vione had no retreat, let alone escape. The only remaining option was to see if luck favored her. Logically, the most likely outcome was their recapture.
Still, Vione refused to surrender. At the very least, she would resist. If the warriors interpreted it as an act of defiance, so be it. She would not mind being labeled a rebel.
*