Garth did not waste any time. He unbuckled his seatbelt and quickly got out of the car. He approached the man wearing a hooded jacket and mask.
“You.”
The man stared at Garth, and it was then that Garth remembered Storm’s words. All of Storm’s words seemed to echo in his mind. “He looked at me, and I swear, only Alpha could make me powerless without saying a word.”
Garth dared to swear. He experienced it exactly. His body seemed to freeze when those sharp eyes looked at him without blinking. Alpha. Was it you?
“Who are you?” Garth braced himself. If it was indeed Usher, then he was sure there must be a good reason why Usher was doing all this. “What are you doing?”
The man approached and Garth’s heart seemed to beat faster. His body reacted very naturally, especially with his wolf spirit.
“Go to Ayla right now,” the man said.
Garth blinked. That was his intention now, but he was curious. “What do you mean? Why do I have to meet Ayla?”
“Usher, he needs Ayla’s help.”
“What do you mean?” Garth asked, trying to buy some time. He looked at the man while observing his surroundings. He also tried to analyze the man’s voice because he believed the man was speaking with a disguised voice. “Why does Alpha need Ayla’s help?”
“Ayla has a friend, her name is Rowena.”
Garth instantly froze. “What did you say?”
“My words may sound crazy, but you have to believe me, Garth,” the man said, taking a deep breath. There seemed to be emotional turmoil in his eyes. “Usher is not sick. He’s healthy and fine. The only thing that has happened to him is that he has been enchanted.”
That had been Garth and Scott’s suspicion earlier, but it felt strange to realize that someone else thought the same way. He was slightly shocked, especially since the man said it with full confidence. Suddenly, all the chaos came back to disturb him from within.
“What did you say?”
The man repeated his words. “Usher is not sick, just the opposite. He’s under the influence of Mireya’s magic.”
Once again Garth was astonished. How could they have the same thought? And once again, the man said it without any doubt, as if he really knew.
“Mireya has been slowly enchanting Usher the whole time. The tea she always gives is spelled, and the only one who can break the spell is Rowena, Ayla’s close friend.”
Garth was now completely speechless. Every word the man said made his head spin. He lifted his hand and held his head.
The man’s eyes widened. “Don’t you believe me? Everything I say is true. I’m not lying, and it’s for Usher’s good. Usher’s life is in danger. You must act now, Garth, or it will be too late.
Garth tried to stay calm. He put aside the matter of Rowena and all suspicions that pointed to Mireya for the time being. He would indeed meet Ayla to ask for Rowena’s help and he would investigate Mireya. But now there was something more important.
Garth’s eyes met the man’s. His body trembled; he felt intimidated just by looking at the man.
“I can’t just trust you like that. I don’t know you. Is there any guarantee that what you say is true?”
The man fell silent. “I’m not lying. I’m doing this for Usher’s safety.”
“I don’t believe you. Have you seen reality? Alpha is in bed now and no one knows when he will wake up. It’s all because someone wants to harm him,” Garth said, his voice shaking. Despite his plan to trap the man, the words made his blood boil. “It’s enough to open my eyes that not everyone wants the Alpha’s safety.”
“You’re right. I understand your concerns, but I’m sure you trust Ayla. So, all you have to do is meet Ayla and tell her about this possibility. She will know what to do next.”
Garth continued. “Why are you so sure?”
“I-”
“Actually, who are you? What are you doing? Why do you keep showing up?” Garth asked, forcing his feet forward. He confronted the man even more. “And where are you hiding Vione?”
“Calm down, Garth. I’m not hiding Vione, but I’ve secured her somewhere. Mireya must not find Vione, otherwise her life is also in danger.”
Garth narrowed his eyes. “Why do you care so much about Alpha and Vione? You know, I can’t trust anyone right now. I don’t want to take any risks. Besides, I don’t know who you are.”
“I can’t tell you my identity.” The man shook his head and stepped back. When Garth approached him, he immediately created a safe distance. “Still, you can trust my words.”
“I don’t believe you, and now that I think about it, you’re the cause of all this tragedy.”
The man’s hands went up. “Garth, please calm down.”
“You are the reason Vione was overthrown. Do you see the consequences of your actions? Vione was humiliated by all. Alpha expelled her, and it’s all because of you!”
Garth finished his words with a well-aimed lunge. The man ducked, but Garth continued to attack. The man could no longer avoid him and was forced to face Garth.
A fight was inevitable, and that was Garth’s intention all along. He wanted to catch the man. He wanted to remove the hood and the mask. He wanted to see the man’s face that had been hidden all along.
However, the man seemed to realize Garth’s intentions. He moved more agilely and managed to pinned both of Garth’s hands behind his back.
Garth tried to break free, but the man quickly pinned him against the hood of the car. There, the man held Garth down, preventing him from moving at all.
“Let me go!”
The man held firm. “I will definitely let you go, Garth, but you have to promise me. You have to meet Ayla, tell her everything I’ve told you and ask her to contact Rowena.”
“I won’t do that,” Garth growled as he continued to try to free himself. “There’s no guarantee that what you say is true. There’s no guarantee that your intentions are truly for Alpha’s safety.”
The grip on Garth’s hands tightened. The force made him grimace. But there was something else that made him freeze.
“Won’t you always be Usher’s fifth claw? So, prove it, Garth.”
Garth stopped struggling. He was no longer trying to break free, and in fact the man had let go of his hands.
Garth’s body collapsed and he sat on the street. The man was gone, leaving him alone with a turbulent feeling. Alpha.
*