Breathe

Chapter Ninety-Eight – Breathe.
Jaden’s POV
Hunter snapped his head at Jake. My hands fell from him. The border warriors were dead? We just passed by there now.
What caused it? I attempted to run back and check, maybe chase whatever did that but Hunter held my arm.
“Don’t go, that wolf is really scary. Don’t go!”
What was he saying?
Jake pulled him away from me. “Who are you? He’s an Alpha and has a duty to his people! Jaden, let’s go check it.”
My brother tried coming with me but I held him back, still gazing at Hunter.
The little boy’s jaw fell. “You are an Alpha? Well, that scary wolf chased my wolf from Silver Pack to here, he could kill you!” he begun crying.
“You were chased by a scary wolf?” I asked, he hadn’t told me that part. He said he got lost!
“Yes, I shifted and found myself outside my pack but not far away but then he begun chasing me, and I ran here.” Hunter sobbed.
Why didn’t he hint on this when we talked? I could’ve handled it before now. And a scary wolf that killed my warriors but not a kid?
It was becoming obvious that this wolf wanted me to meet the kid. He was a distraction, and my border warriors paid for it.
I stormed out, ignoring Hunter’s pleas. Jake was behind me. Why didn’t this wolf dare attack Hunter and I while we were outside?
My wolf came to the surface with low growls. “This design is very Lycan.” and I had to agree.
Jake stopped behind me, turning away when his eyes landed on the body of the border warriors. Other warriors tried to pick their pieces.
I just locked eyes with these men a minute ago.
My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. I couldn’t sense any energy. The Lycan must have been so quick and disappeared.
Jake held unto my arm firmly. “That Lycan would die in this manner. He doesn’t deserve to see tomorrow’s sunset.”
Was he insinuating we go after the Lycan now? I wiped a tear that strayed down without my knowledge.
My wolf was burning with rage and that was all I could do. Indeed he was the stronger version. Not that crying is weak.
“Silver Pack. The Lycan will do the same thing to them!” I pronounced backing away from Jake.
He looked at me questioningly, before realizing. “Go then. Get him before he does. You and Rihanna should kill him!” he barked.
Hunter ran out at that point, rushing towards me. “Let me go with you.” He was already heading to the forest.
I wasn’t interested in a distraction or some pup to slow me down. I forced a smile at my brother, for encouragement, and ran off.
I was stunned to see a dark brown pup already running ahead. How quick was Hunter to shift? There was no sound of howls, or groans.
Trying to get to him, I shifted and took off in blinding speed. I surpassed him, but feeling no energy around, I knew nothing would hurt him.
And I could be a source of training to help him gather speed.
Nearby Silver Pack, I inclined my ears to hear for screams or fight sounds but only chattering.
I was panting, losing breath from running miles within seven minutes. I shifted besides a tree, wore shorts, before getting close.
“Dara!” I called, then breathed in and out.
She turned to me, and her jaw dropped. Was it by my presence? “Bro, looking good. Who did you come to meet, eh?”
She raised her brows in a teasing manner. I was confused. Was there no havoc happening here?
“I came to see your Alpha, where’s she?” I answered Dara’s question but my legs failed me as I collapsed, mid way.
It was then I realized why she was teasing me. The SHORTS, though slightly above the knees, were tight, especially around the groin.
Dara’s teasing expression changed to worry and she snapped her fingers, ordering warriors to call her Alpha.
“What happened? You sound like you’re dying.”
Maybe I was. My insides were collapsing. “The Lycan… He wiped out my entire border warriors. I wondered if you all… are safe?”
She had been nodding every time I made a pause to breathe. “Oh, he did that? Nothing super unusual happened here.”
“Except that Beatrice’s son is missing!” it was Rihanna. My wolf felt at peace seeing her, and she looked completely recovered.
Dara backed off and Rihanna held out a hand for me to get up with. “And you? How are you?”
It was the first time she bothered ask. Even if I wasn’t fully in the mood.
“I’m good. And don’t worry, I found Hunter. He was the one who told me about the Lycan.” I nodded at my words.
Rihanna looked at Dara and then back at me. “His name is Hunter? Weird.”
Wait, she didn’t know her Beta’s child name?
“And how did he get to Black Rose now? Beatrice just announced him missing few minutes ago.” Rihanna pointed behind her.
“He was chased by the Lycan, when he… shifted.” I noticed their strange expressions.
“Yes, the Lycan brought the boy to distract me actually. I’m glad he didn’t come here.” I rested on a tree again.
Dara shook her head. “I’m really sorry. That Lycan openly declared war again you.”
And he’d get it… after I catch my breathe.
“Where’s the Hunter? Beatrice is going crazy over him while he was used to cause the death of many!” Rihanna huffed.
Just then soft paw steps came to us. My eyes shot open, I wasn’t expecting him yet. He looked so exhausted, and naked.
He must have shifted halfway.
Hunter fell before Rihanna and I. “You left me.” He muttered, looking dead.
I smiled, he was really a special wolf to arrive at this time. Dara rushed and covered him with her jacket against the cold.
But I noticed Rihanna wasn’t smiling. “You shifted and the first thing you think of doing is run to the forest? Now, warriors died!”
Hunter had a proud smile when he reached me, but it faded into oblivion as Rihanna towered over him, yelling.
She may really not like him.
I forced myself from the tree, staying by Hunter. “He shifted and got lost. And he’s going to be a special wolf. You should treat him better, Rih.”
She rolled her eyes, still glaring at the boy, but it softened. “It’s kinda cool he shifted at eight. He out did me, I shifted at nine.” She smiled.
Hunter smiled back, looking down at his toes shyly. “Well, run in now. Before your mother goes crazy!” Rihanna added. He ran in.
Rihanna’s smile fell. “But if Logan can attack your warriors, it means that he’s healed already? How come?”
I shrugged. She hadn’t filled me in on her fight with him. And she was healed, so couldn’t he?
“Wait, what if this is another distraction? What if Logan is attacking your pack now?” Rihanna’s eyes widened.
My heart stopped beating. I turned towards my pack. My brother! Ralph! My uncles! The pack!!
“Rihanna, please don’t follow!” I shouted as she made to follow back with me.
I had hardly caught my breathe. This Lycan was really shit.