Chapter 50: A Hunt

CONNOR

A growl to my right had me sliding across the open ground in the heart of the abandoned woods.

I snapped at my friend, who jerked aside to dodge my teeth.

The wind whipped fiercely, tousling our fur as we stood in the center of the clearing, glaring at each other, my massive red lycan against a gray and white alpha wolf.

I watched, studying his every move.

Jyn began to circle me, looking for a chance to strike. I wanted to laugh, but all I could do was bare my teeth in what might pass for a sneer.

~“You look awful,”~ Jyn said through our mind-link. ~“So, are you just going to stand there and watch me, or are we going to actually fight?”~

~“Your call. I’m waiting for you to make a move,”~ I replied, causing him to huff.

Shaking my head, I lunged and tackled him. We both tumbled on the ground. Small, sharp branches jabbed our skin as we rolled, teeth gnashing until I finally got a grip on Jyn’s tail.

He stiffened for a moment before I yanked on it without a second thought, dragging him across the clearing and dropping him over a branch.

I shifted back, laughing as he snarled in my direction.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a good run and stretch like this,” I said, stretching my arms up towards the sky. The wind was chilly as snow began to fall softly from the overcast sky.

Jyn’s bones snapped back into place as I surveyed our surroundings. He sat down next to me, patting my shoulder.

“Feeling better?” he asked, and I nodded, my eyes still scanning the area. “Ever wonder what happened to this place?”

My gaze flicked to the side. Jyn didn’t notice my stare.

“Everything is dead here,” he continued. “Like nothing can grow here.”

He was right. The first time I came here, I couldn’t help but notice how desolate and lifeless this place was.

It was devoid of any living thing, even birds.

Sometimes, during full moons, you might see an owl perched on a nearby branch, but not for long. They always vanished after midnight as if they were never there.

I once asked what had happened, but the only response I got from one of the pack’s lycans was that I should mind my own business.

It left me with more questions, so one day, while eating with Enora, I asked her in front of her people. She angrily slammed her hand down and had her guards drag me out to punish me.

Her reaction confused me, but it was the first time I’d seen any emotion other than anger in her.

I saw pain, worry, sadness in those eyes that carried the weight of a secret only she knew.

After her first punishment, Enora locked me in my room, only letting me out once a week, with her guards always watching me, of course.

I wouldn’t dare to leave the place or visit Elaine.

My ears perked up at the sound of footsteps crunching leaves. We both looked at the figure emerging from between the dried trees.

Seeing us, he looked up, surprise crossing his face before a frown formed between his brows.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, causing Jyn to look at me with concern.

I remembered his name: Darian, Enora’s grandson and the prince.

“Go back,” he said, stepping closer to us, his hands twitching at his sides.

I watched him, amused by the guy.

When Enora abused her power and punished me, it was Darian who always suggested what my punishment should be.

Sometimes he would choose whipping, sometimes lashes with a long silver rope, other times kneeling in front of every lycan with silver powder that burned my skin.

She never commented on his tortures, but I had seen how Darian winced every time he saw me bleed, as if he had no choice but to do as his queen commanded.

All this time, I’d never once asked her why she punished me.

But if there was one thing I learned from it, it was that every time I asked about Elaine, or mentioned anything related to the woods surrounding the pack, she would become furious and order her men to drag me out.

I couldn’t question her, and I wouldn’t. If this pleased her, then I had no choice but to comply, since my only reason for being here was Elaine.

“No.” I stood up, dusting off my pants. “I need the fresh air before your queen calls me back.”

“You want to get punished again?” Darian asked, anger flashing in his blue eyes. “You know—”

“I know what I’m doing,” I cut him off. “Don’t tell me what to do. Your words mean nothing to me.”

Jyn whispered my name, his hand on my shoulder trying to calm my anger.

“Yes, my words might mean nothing, but I’m telling you this not because I care, just… Think about Elaine,” he said and turned away.

My hands clenched. Angrily, I snarled at him. Khan got irritated, so I let him take over without thinking.

My teeth sank into Darian’s neck as Jyn yelled my name.

Twisting his arm, Darian pulled out a silver dagger and stabbed me in the paw. I whimpered and backed away before shifting back.

He stood calmly. Blood soaked his shirt, but the wound had already closed.

“Bastard,” he hissed.

I clenched my bloody hand as Jyn stood by my side. Turning away from him, I let Jyn tend to my wound. The sound of fabric tearing made me forget about Darian, who just stood there watching us.

“This will leave a scar,” Jyn said. I winced as he tightened the piece of clothing around my left hand.

“I don’t care,” I replied.

“Yes, since you have too many scars to care anymore,” Darian chimed in.

“Shut up!” Jyn growled, but I shook my head, stopping him.

I couldn’t let any of them get on the queen’s bad side. It was enough that she tolerated their presence here.

“But—”

“Enough, Jyn,” I commanded, and he sighed. “Go back, Darian.”

Darian’s gaze lingered on Jyn. “You don’t look a thing like Elaine,” he murmured, causing me to furrow my brow.

“Obviously. We take after our father,” Jyn shot back, his tone laced with bitterness. “Now, go on. Get back to your place, ~lycan~.”

His disdain was palpable. Was it jealousy, or did he despise him?

With a dismissive snort, Darian turned on his heel and retraced his steps. I watched him until he was swallowed up by the dense forest.

“What did he mean about you being punished, Connor?” Jyn asked, turning to me. I sighed, weary, and sank back down.

I stared at my injured hand, let out a heavy sigh, and then managed a strained smile.

“Just like he said, I’ve got so many scars I can’t remember them all, let alone care.”

“You mean…,” Jyn began.

“Yes.” I nodded. “I’ve been punished so many times that all I have left are scars that would make Elaine despise her grandmother. And I don’t want that.”

Jyn fell silent, looking at me in a way that made me feel uneasy.

After a moment, he laughed.

“Elaine wouldn’t hate it,” he said, chuckling. “She’d be glad.”

“How would that make her glad?” I asked, frowning, but Jyn just laughed again.

He stood and stretched, his smile fading as he stared into the distance.

His eyes flickered as he blinked once.

“She has her own scars, enough to fill a lifetime,” he said, looking at me with a sad smile that tugged at my heartstrings.

I knew what he meant, and I felt foolish for forgetting.

I stood and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“Want to race back?” I suggested. He nodded, transformed, and took off down the path leading back to the pack.

I shook my head, chuckling, before shifting and chasing after him.

***

By the time we got back, the sun had already sunk behind the clouds and towering peaks.

Jyn and I had barely stepped foot inside the mansion when a loud howl stopped us in our tracks.

I frowned as a group of lycan guards sprinted toward the pack’s gates.

“Do you think something happened?” Jyn asked. I shook my head, deciding to ignore it and head to my room.

“Let’s go,” I said, and he followed.

Inside the mansion, urgent voices echoed as guards and other lycans scrambled to their posts.

Jyn paused, looking confused, while I kept walking.

“Hey,” Jyn called, catching up to me. “Something must have happened. Shouldn’t we find out what’s going on?”

“No,” I said, cutting him off.

I’d seen this before. It usually happened once a month, two days before the full moon.

Something strange would occur around the pack, sending all the lycans into a frenzy as if they were defending against some unseen threat.

I didn’t need to ask. The fear etched on their faces told me everything I needed to know.

They would never tell me what it was, but Enora’s orders and the increased security around my room were enough.

I grabbed Jyn’s arm and started pulling him up the stairs.

I didn’t want anyone to notice us, not with the tension already running high.

Jyn started to protest, but a stern look from me silenced him.

I quickly led him to my room, opened the door, and pushed him inside. Before I could lock the door, I caught sight of three guards, weapons at the ready, standing outside.

“What’s going on?” Jyn asked, looking at me. The lock clicked into place as I took a step back.

“Just stay here,” I instructed, turning away.

Jyn stubbornly followed me to the window, where we could see all the guards taking their positions.

It was always the same. They’d bark orders and line up along the walls, staring at something I could never see.

I’d spend hours watching but never saw what frightened them.

“What about everyone else?” Jyn asked. I sighed.

“They’re probably in their rooms,” I said, pulling a stool over to the window. “Enora will have them locked in, so don’t worry.”

“What? Why?” Jyn asked. “You’re not explaining anything, Connor. What’s happening?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “It happens once a month. I have no idea what or who is lurking outside the pack.”

I glanced at him.

“I really don’t know what’s going on.” I shrugged again. “Just relax. Everyone else is safe.”

Jyn finally relented and nodded. He turned and lay down on the couch, draping an arm over his face. I turned my attention back to the window.

At least twenty warriors stood guard, their weapons strapped to their hips or slung across their backs.

I watched each of them, their shoulders hunched as if they were expecting something to emerge from the darkness that had descended like a curtain.

***

Time must have passed because the moon was now high in the sky.

I hadn’t moved from my spot. My eyes were still trained on the other side of the wall.

“Do you think they’ll let us go outside tomorrow?” Jyn asked, handing me a drink.

“No, we stay in our rooms for the next three days,” I replied, grimacing at the bitter taste of lemon. “That’s how it works here.”

“Have you seen anything?” Jyn asked, curiosity piqued. I shook my head. “I should mind-link the others.”

With that, he turned away. I refocused on the window. The patrol had passed by twice in the last six hours, moving in a circular formation as if tracking prey.

The massive lycans ran back and forth, sniffing the air as if they sensed a nearby presence.

Another howl pierced the silent night, followed by another, and then the rest joined in. A chill ran down my spine, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I tensed, on high alert.

“Do you feel that?” Jyn asked, his wolf close to the surface.

I slowly nodded and stood up from my stool. Jyn stood beside me, both of us staring into the night as something flickered in the far corner of the wall.

A booming noise had us ducking, hands over our ears, waiting for the deafening sound to cease.

Two more roars echoed before a loud crash behind us caused both of us to half-shift.

~“What the hell!”~ Jyn mind-linked. I lifted my arm, shielding Jyn from moving away from me.

Another crash against our door, and we both assumed defensive stances, ready to confront whatever was lurking outside.

The other side fell silent when Jyn made a move and the door slowly creaked open.

We both growled, but as a figure came into view, I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“Damn you!” Jyn grumbled, shifting back. “What are you doing here?”

“We heard a loud crash from the hallway,” Yuki said, his brow furrowed. “The guards are gone.”

“What?” Jyn’s brow furrowed. “Connor?”

I stomped forward, nudging Yuki aside.

As he’d said, the hallways were deserted. I frowned at that. Where had the guards gone?

The last few times this happened, they’d waited patiently until morning, but now?

“Where is everyone else?” I asked, turning to face Yuki.

“In my room. The guards locked us in together,” Yuki explained.

Closing the door again, I turned to the window. Yuki and Jyn were behind me, peering over my shoulder.

In a blur, we saw two brown figures darting through the dense trees.

“They’re chasing something,” Yuki pointed out. Squinting, I tried to make out what I was seeing.

Straining my eyes to see the distance, the doors to my room burst open with a loud bang.

We all spun around to find Regulus panting.

“Did something happen?” I asked.

“You guys should come. I think you’ll want to see this,” Regulus said between gasps.

In a hurry, we all followed him down the mansion’s narrow halls, our shadows casting strange shapes against the gray walls.

“Where is everyone?” Yuki murmured as we dashed down the stairs.

“Should we go outside?” Regulus asked. I shook my head.

“Follow me. I know where we can go,” I suggested, making the group nod.

We rounded the corner and headed straight to the back of the mansion, a place I’d been a few times for punishment.

As we navigated the various turns, we heard a scream echoing through the mansion.

Yuki stopped. His eyes widened as I followed his gaze through an open door.

A circle of lycans surrounded something that was kneeling in the middle of the circle.

A grunt came from the figure, then blood splashed across the dirt.

I watched in complete shock as Yuki turned to retch.

“We should hide,” Arye whispered. I grabbed Jyn’s collar and pulled him behind some curtains where we had a better view of the scene.

“Is this what you saw?” I asked as we hid behind the walls and curtains.

Regulus nodded firmly.

“While Yuki went to your room, I focused on what was happening outside. Suddenly, the patrolling guards started chasing something through the woods, like they were hunting it.

“At first I wasn’t sure what they were chasing, since it was hard to make out, but then I saw it clearly when one stumbled through the front gate.”

“What was it?” Yuki asked this time.

Regulus looked at us before his eyes met mine.

“Rogues.”

I frowned.

“Rogues?” I echoed as if the word was foreign to me.

How could that be?

I turned my head and continued watching the group. Whatever was bleeding out on the ground wasn’t a rogue. It was something else, and I had a bad feeling.

A woman with long red hair approached the group, her long white dress trailing in the dirt behind her.

We couldn’t see what was happening or if she was saying anything, since her back was to us.

I noticed her lift her foot, and a loud crunching sound echoed, making me wince. Then blood splattered against her dress.

Kneeling for a better view, we saw who it was: Enora.

“Damn it, I can’t see the face,” Yuki muttered under his breath.

Feeling someone’s gaze on us, I looked around until I saw Darian’s eyes on us.

Pushing Regulus aside, I hid behind the wall. I panted, annoyed, as Yuki gave me a questioning look.

“Leave,” I commanded, but it was too late.

Hearing Arye grunt behind me, we turned to find Darian and his men surrounding us.

A wicked smile spread across his shadowy face.

“Spying... ~Tsk~. What a bad habit,” Darian growled.

I moved, but Yuki knelt in front of me, shielding me from Darian’s men who tried to grab me.

“Fuck off!” Yuki yelled. I cursed as I saw the group from outside looking back inside.

“Enough!” I commanded, but Yuki had shifted and lunged at one of Darian’s men.

Regulus, Jyn, and Arye followed suit.

Shouting at them to stop, I felt a kick in my gut. I doubled over, gasping for air as another kick landed on my face.

I growled as I found Darian looming over me. His face was a mask of hypocrisy.

As I bared my teeth, I heard the sudden click of heels.

“You really can’t keep your people under control, can you?” Enora said as she stepped into the hallway. Her hands were covered in blood, and her dress was splattered with what looked like skin.

Worried, I turned and noticed the figure was torn to pieces. The lycans that had been surrounding it were still there, as if blocking anyone from seeing what it was.

“You really enjoy getting under my skin, don’t you?” Enora gripped my face, forcing me to look at her. “Tonight, learn your lesson. Seize him and drag him outside.”

Yuki and Jyn started yelling, while Regulus and Arye growled at Darian’s men.

We were all dragged out to the open area where a group of twenty lycans stood. All had shifted into their enormous forms.

Yuki winced as they pushed him onto a platform that I recognized all too well.

“Don’t punish them!” I turned to Enora. “It was my idea!”

“Your plan?” Enora spat out, her voice filled with venom. “No, it was ~his~ doing.”

I followed her accusing finger to Regulus, whose eyes were wide with shock.

His body began to shake as a lycan hauled a pair of chains towards him.

“No!” Arye’s voice rang out. “Grandmother!”

“Quiet!” she barked back.

I glanced at Darian, who was standing off to the side, his gaze fixed on something behind us.

I tried to break free from his men, but a searing pain spread across my arm.

My face twisted in pain as the guard fastened the silver cuffs around my wrists.

“Connor!” Yuki’s voice echoed, but my eyes were locked on Enora, who looked at us with nothing but disgust.

“They’re your grandsons!” I shouted. “Let them go!”

Enora’s face twisted into a scowl, and with a snap of her fingers, her men grabbed Arye and dragged him to a wooden bench. I watched in horror as another man brought out a whip adorned with silver spikes.

“Enora!”

“You will learn my rules,” she hissed. “This is not your pack, alphas. I rule here, and if you are here, then you follow my rules!”

“You!” I strained against her men. “This won’t end well for you!”

“A threat, alpha?” she asked, as one of her men dragged over a heavy wooden chair. “Threats don’t work on me. Shall we begin?”

Yuki’s cry made me pull harder against her men, but they were too strong. They didn’t budge.

“Leave him!” I yelled. Then a sharp sound echoed through the group as Arye screamed. “Stop that!”

I watched in horror as the whip lashed across Arye’s back. Regulus struggled against the men who held him down, while Yuki and I pulled at our chains, which burned into our flesh.

Jyn started to shift, but another whip lashed across his chest, stopping his transformation.

“You’re insane!” Yuki shouted. “You don’t care about anyone! They’re your family!”

“~Family~,” she hissed the word as if it was poison. “What do you know about family? You were abandoned by your own!”

Yuki stopped struggling as another lash cracked on Arye’s back. Blood dripped onto the bench and pooled on the platform.

Khan pushed through my mind as we both shifted. I pulled hard on the chains, but it was futile. Instead of freeing myself, I was weakening from the silver.

I looked around me as all the people I cared for were being punished by someone who was supposed to love them.

As I snarled at Enora, a loud wail, then a scream, made the entire group freeze.

The whip was midair as we all looked around us.

Another scream, then a thud behind Enora, caught our attention. I squinted my eyes, but I couldn’t see clearly.

Suddenly, a body rolled down the stairs, covered in a pool of blood, his face unrecognizable.

“NO!” came a yell, and Darian took a step back.

I watched with wide eyes as a figure descended the stairs slowly, calm and composed, her feet stepping on the bloody steps, her blue gown splattered with pieces of flesh and blood.

Another body was thrown to the side. Eyes bulged from their sockets as we all watched, stunned.

In disbelief, Enora stood, her face twisted into an expression I couldn’t comprehend.

“Who told you you could touch what is mine?” she said, wiping her hand to the side, blood splattering on Darian’s face as he watched in silence.

Her nails were elongated, and her hair fluttered in the breeze. “Is this your idea of entertaining your guest, or are you really seeking death from me, Enora?”

Enora, who had been watching with her mouth agape, took an involuntary step back. Her boots caught on her long dress, causing her to stumble.

“I asked you a question,” she said as she reached the last stair and her eyes met mine.

For a moment, everything else was forgotten, until she broke her gaze first and stared at Darian, who was trembling like a leaf.

Standing, Enora moved toward Elaine. What happened next was so fast that I barely understood what was happening.

“How could you hurt my brothers?” she asked, her hand on Enora’s neck.

“Understand—”

“~What~?” she whispered, her eyes on her grandmother. “How you hurt the ones I love? How you think that by doing this, I will submit to you?”

Enora squirmed under Elaine’s grasp, gasping for air.

We all watched as her nails dug into her skin as she tried to free herself from Elaine’s firm grip.

“You don’t touch them, Enora. No one does, unless they want to die by my hand!” With a yank, Enora was in front of Elaine’s face.

It was the first time I’d seen her scared. All these past months, she hadn’t shown a single sign of any emotion.

“I’m so disappointed in you!” she growled, but before she could do anything else, I yelled her name.

“Elaine, calm down,” I pleaded. Her irises were completely black, unfocused. “Look at me, ~please~. Breathe, my love.”

Elaine finally noticed me, and her grip on Enora loosened. I tried to move, but I flinched as the chains dug deeper into my flesh.

“Let him go,” Elaine whispered so quietly that everyone stared at her. Her voice was as cold as ice.

“I ordered you,” she said, turning to Darian. “Free him.”

Darian scrambled to his feet and ordered his men to uncuff me. I stumbled forward as pain shot up my arms.

My mind was foggy from the silver poison in my blood. Blinking, I raised my head, and two arms wrapped around my shoulder caught me off guard.

I tensed, then slowly relaxed against her.

In pain, I reached for her, tears burning my eyes as I pulled her closer. My whole body trembled as relief washed over me.

I couldn’t believe she was here, awake, with me.

“You’re finally awake,” I murmured, my words brushing against her neck. I breathed in her scent, that familiar fragrance I’d missed so much. “You’re finally here with me.”

“I’m home,” Elaine whispered, her smile warming my skin. “~I’m home, Connor~.”