The Wolf that Binds us

The Wolf’s mark

CHAPTER 8

“This is where their trail ends.”

Xandros reported to Rowan and Ethan, who seemed to be growing impatient with the futile search. It had been 24 hours since Luca and Odessa disappeared and the whole city was already buzzing with various rumors both online and in the streets. Some think that the youngsters eloped together, others conclude it as a supernatural a*******n, others say that the dark days had begun and Odessa and Luca were the first victims.

“That’s not possible. This is the middle of nowhere and there is no logical exit.”

Ethan argued.

“This isn’t a natural mystery, and it’s a futile journey to begin to examine it from surface lenses.”

Tharros chirped in. The capital police had combed all the forest in Moonstone bay and were still combing all of Ursaria to find the duo, but no positive response had been recorded. Their trail still ended up there in the forest. Ethan’s heart was going crazy, but he struggled to hold himself in because of the search party that camped in the forest.

“You should have some werewolf with vision or supernatural prowess in your pack, Maximus.”

Ethan commented.

“I should, but none of them have activated their senses in years. I’ve reached out to my contacts in Shadowbrook. They should get me a medium before nightfall.”

Tharros expressed himself in a discrete tone.

“That may be too late; we have spent 24 hours already. Who knows what our delay might cause?”

“Do you have a better idea, Ethan?”

Tharros rhetorically asked with his face buried in his palms.

“Elara still has her seeing powers. She can find them for us.”

Rowan suggested. The idea lightened up the space and Ethan immediately ordered for her.

“Tharros, clear the space. You know the circumstances surrounding Elara’s use of powers. It should be a discrete secret, call only your trusted men.”

Ethan suggested. Elara had buried her powers ever since Odessa was born and the quest to keep her alive started. She feared what would happen if her use of magic affected the elemental balance which Ethan sacrificed everything to maintain. Tharros cleared the air and ordered the capital police out of the forest. Rowan and Xandros stood on guard monitoring the process.

“I can’t do it.”

Elara pleaded.

“What do you mean? This is your forte. What other time to engage it than now?”

Ethan urged.

“That’s not it, Ethan. Tempering the elemental balance has its effect, and it’s not always good. It could open the lunar portal and put us on the enemy’s radar.”

Elara insisted.

“Elara, look around, I don’t need visions to know that the balance has been tempered. Someone had opened the portal as a means to send threats already.”

Tharros added. Elara insisted on not affecting the balance, but her fear of Odessa was, was eating her up.

“Elara, please.”

Ethan pleaded in retreat. He couldn’t force her, but he was sure that he could help. Elara retreated to his pleas as she lowered herself to feel the earth. Her iris became white and, for the first time in 18 years, her inner vision was opened and just as quickly as it opened, it closed. Her breath pace roughened and Ethan rushed at her to resuscitate her.

“Calm down! Elara I’m here.”

Her eyes met with Ethan’s and her body gained its strength back.

“The portal…was opened…it shattered…it drew them…something was calling them.”

Elara attempted to express herself. Ethan and Tharros shot each other looks of confusion.

“Elara, I don’t understand you.”

Tharros expressed. Xandros’s heart was beating at an unusual pace. It was the first time that he had seen anything as real as that. Elara’s eyes turning and her body fidgeting all appeared absurd to his human mind.

“A dark force pulled her, it launched her, and she came to it. There are pieces of the orb scattered around. He must have tried to destroy it in defense, but it took them both.”

Odessa reported attempting to control her fright.

“So you mean someone launched the orb to summon my daughter? Why?”

“That’s not important now. Elara where are they?”

Tharros interrupted .

“I can’t say but with the orb shattered, they definitely didn’t arrive at the expected destination.”

“Where was the expected destination?”

Ethan asked

“The beam pushes towards Nightshade ville, hence they must be somewhere in between.”

“Rowan, get the men ready. We are moving out of town to find my daughter.”

Ethan ordered.

***

The break of dawn brought a strange clarity to things as Odessa arose with the c**k crow to observe the old woman’s space. Her crib appeared like a junk shop with a million items all clustered together in no particular order. Odessa observed how she lined her collection of wolf fangs and what looked like a vampire’s set of teeth.

“I acquired them from every opponent I conquered.”

She whispered. Odessa jolted from shock but soon relaxed and watched the collection together.

“You must have had a very eventful youth then.”

Odessa commented.

“Not really. I would give anything for what you youngsters have in the capital city. Out here, it’s just war and survival. Kill or be killed.”

The old lady smirked she continued brewing her tea even as Odessa observed her stuffy house.

“So why did you summon me?”

Odessa found herself asking.

“Summon? Chosy, I didn’t summon you, I’m too old for that; probably a specie with sufficient power would do that.”

“If you didn’t call me, then who did?”

“Something you would have found out if your lover didn’t strike the orb. Although I can’t say you would have been warmly welcomed but at least you would receive answers.”

“Why did you help us?”

“You youngsters are destined to shake the universe. It would be a shame to see all of that just crumbles because you are killed in the wild. The heavens may not send us another, Chosy. Don’t ask any more questions.”

She giggled wryly.

“Take!”

She offered Odessa tea in a wooden mug, which appeared to be the most unattractive thing, Odessa had ever received. Odessaaccepted the teas as her eyes moved from the mug to the old lady’s blind eyes which could see clearer than hers.

“Lost the left one to a damn dhampir in a duel and voluntarily gave the second to secure my sight.”

She expressed as an answer to Odessa’s thoughts.

“How did you learn to do that?”

“I’m a werewolf in the wild, Chosy. I am built to survive and if I have to survive, all my senses, must be awakened; including reading minds.”

She scoffed.

Luca woke up seconds later and joined them in the conversation. The old lady gave them a change of clothes that enabled them to get along without raising eyebrows; the day past swiftly with Luca’s failed attempt to find home. He retreated back to the old woman’s home after placing some sign signals with his family bond to enable any search part find them.

“I have made your room, more comfortable. I hope you both are able to sleep without fear that I would eat you.”

The old lady joked. Odessa had grown fond of her seeing that they spent the day together. She locked the door and bade them goodnight.

“You seem to trust her.”

Luca queried.

“You seem to not trust her.”

Odessa scoffed as she slid into the robe that was provided for sleeping.

“I can’t. How could she just give two strangers a place to stay without ulterior motive? I went into town today. This place is filled with thieves and rogues.”

“So? My heart finds rest with her. I suggest you do the same.”

Odessa scorned as she turned her back to him feigning to be asleep. The previous night he was too tired to observe that they were both on the same bed in an enclosed area but at that moment, his whole attention was fixed on her; her natural hair that covered her neck, her slender arms and her familiar smell. He loved it and slowly as his eyes ravaged her body from behind so did the familiar fire that lit up his drive. He pressed his hands still to void any reflexes.

“I can feel your stare at me, stop it. Luca you have a mate.”

Odessa muffled without turning to face him.

“I know. I need to clear the air.”

“Is that the reason, you chased after me?”

“I saved your life, Odessa! I deserve a bit of appreciation.”

Luca scorned. He fix his eyes on her even as he raged on the inside, he couldn’t tell if it was the anger from her stubbornness or the anger from his dilemma.

“Thank you, I hope it helps you sleep tonight.”

Odessa sarcastically said. Her feelings were splattered and she felt so much anger at Luca’s inability to love her and stand by it.

“Odessa…”

He whispered. She could feel his breath on her, it was rough. It was full moon, and just like that night in her room. Her body felldefenseless. She turned to meet his hot thin lips and glued hers to his. His heart was panting at an unusual rate and he couldn’t hold himself even as his hands slip into her night gown and for the first time gazed on her bare body.

“This isn’t right.”

Odessa expressed breathlessly with her body helplessly dancing to Luca’s rhythm. He was going to be her first but her lustful desires had erupted in her mind and shunned her thinking faculty. Luca had no answer to Odessa. He loved her and every fiber of his being consented to their union but he was entangled with responsibility and duty to his father and pack but for that night. He just wanted to say that this Lucaloved Odessa and burned for her.

“I love you!”

He expressed slowly as his eyes fixed on hers and he shut her mouth with a kiss letting her moan in his from the pain of her first s****l affair. He moved to her neck at impulse and gave her a mark. It was his wolf’s doing, subconsciously marking his territory.