Usher froze as he listened to every detail of the conversation between The Past Usher and Mireya. Every word they spoke, every detail of the plan they were about to execute, sparked fear that quickly spread throughout his body. Worse, the dark memories he had buried deep within himself resurfaced, adding to the horror that pushed him to the brink of despair.
Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, then ran down his temples. Usher’s lips turned pale and trembled. No, this can’t happen again. Wasn’t it supposed to be later? Wasn’t it still a long way from that day?
Usher vividly remembered that the day Addy and Hilary had been captured by the Palace was still far away, not this day. But the conversation between The Past Usher and Mireya indicated that the event would happen again soon. Just as it had happened with him and The Past Vione, he had rejected The Past Vione earlier than before.
A growl rumbled in Usher’s chest. Fear and anger at himself hit him hard. He realized that the past was changing again, but unfortunately the change was not in his favor.
Usher’s eyes suddenly widened. It’s not too late. I still have time to stop this from happening again.
Usher pushed aside all the emotions that filled his mind. Now his focus was on saving the Munest family. No matter what, he wouldn’t let the palace capture the Munest family. He wouldn’t let Addy and Hilary die because of Mireya’s slander. He wouldn’t let The Past Vione lose her parents. He wouldn’t let it happen again.
A solution crossed Usher’s mind. There was still a chance to save the Munest family, but he needed the help of someone else.
Usher clenched his jaw. He immediately got up and left the secret room, convinced that the Amerotha Forest was the safest place for the Munest family. That was why he believed Rowena’s help would be crucial.
*
Addy had no choice but to stop. He couldn’t possibly break through the Palace Brigade’s blockade. The risk was too great. The Palace might become suspicious. So…
Addy’s eyes widened. His breath caught in his chest. A feeling of unease quickly spread through his body. Several questions echoed in his mind. Why? Why is the palace sending troops here? What is actually happening?
Addy tried to calm down. He told himself that there was no reason for the Palace to intercept his journey. Maybe the Palace was just doing a routine security patrol and they just happened to be passing by.
“Addy, what’s going on?”
Hilary’s voice made Addy blink. He turned as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “Stay calm. It seems to be just a routine security patrol.”
Hilary remained silent. She seemed to disagree with Addy. But there was nothing she could say.
“I’m going to meet them. You stay in the car. I won’t be long.”
Addy got out of the car. He calmed down, then approached Storm, who was clearly behaving in a way that contradicted his earlier thought-this was definitely not just a routine security patrol.
Addy’s unease grew. It became difficult to calm himself down, especially when Storm asked him directly and without any preamble.
“Where are you going so late, Addy?”
Addy smiled thinly. “We’re going on vacation.”
“Vacation?” Storm asked skeptically. He looked at Addy with narrowed eyes. “Are you really going on vacation when I checked and saw that neither you nor Hilary have requested any leave?”
Addy was taken aback. He couldn’t deny Storm’s accusation.
“So, tell me, Addy. Does your trip tonight have anything to do with the coup you’re planning?”
“Coup?!” This time Addy was shocked. “What do you mean, Storm? What coup? I’m not planning a coup.”
Storm took two steps closer while raising his right hand, which held a photo. He showed the photo to Addy. “Then can you explain the meaning of this photo?”
Addy was silent as he saw the photo of him kneeling before Usher. He couldn’t answer the question. Storm pressed him further.
“You can’t answer, can you?” Storm put the photo back in his bag. “In that case, I’ll take it as an indirect confession.”
Addy shook his head. “Storm, listen to my explanation,” he said, trying to calm the situation. “I don’t know where you got the report or what it’s about, but I swear it. I’m not planning a coup.”
“Kneeling to anyone other than the Alpha is an unforgivable sin, Addy. I’m sure you know that very well. Isn’t that right?”
Addy’s eyes closed dramatically. “I know that, Storm.”
“So, I think we have an understanding now,” Storm said while reaching into his back pocket. He took out a pair of handcuffs. “You and your family are under arrest for attempting a coup.”
Reflexively, Addy took a step back. He couldn’t possibly escape. Even if he wanted to, the risk was too great and the chance of success too small. But he couldn’t just stand there. He couldn’t let Storm arrest his whole family. Unfortunately, he couldn’t defend himself at all. He couldn’t explain everything that had happened because it was connected to the situation in the palace that Usher had mentioned.
Addy raised both hands. “Storm, I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding. Please. I’m not planning a coup. If you don’t believe me, give me a chance to contact the Alpha. Let the Alpha explain everything. I-”
“What’s going on, Storm? Why are you taking so long?”
Mireya arrived, pushing through the circle of warrior brigades. She looked at Storm with an annoyed expression. Storm closed his mouth tightly, as if to contain his own frustration.
“Don’t worry.”
Mireya smiled condescendingly. “Alright. Now, take him.”
Storm clenched his fists at his sides. He suppressed the uneasy feeling that made his chest burn. “Alright,” he said briefly. Then he turned to his second-in-command, Alvin Roberto. “Secure Hilary and Vione.”
Alvin nodded. “Yes, sir.”
This time there was really nothing Addy could do. He was powerless when Storm grabbed his hand as Alvin walked to the car. He saw a warrior open the car door and signal Hilary and The Past Vione to get out.
Addy was frustrated. Desperation set in. He cursed himself for not being able to protect his family. He panicked, trying to find a way out of the situation, and suddenly a growl thundered through the night’s silence.
Everyone was stunned. All movement stopped. Everyone looked around as they felt a change in the air temperature. The atmosphere heated up as the growling sound drew closer.
Tension rose. Everyone was on alert, each anticipating as their instincts warned them of the presence of something terrifying. Specifically, a large, golden-haired wolf that looked very angry.
*