The Wolf that Binds us

Unusual Reunion

CHAPTER 9

“What do you mean we are going to Shadowbrook?”

Tharros asked Ethan.

“That’s where they are or don’t you want to find your son?”

“I do but Shadowbrook is Malakai’s territory and you know how his boy’s can be?”

Tharros expressed.

“I don’t care. I want my daughter back, safe. I don’t care whose territory I have to bypass not even the lunar queen herself.”

“Ethan!”

Tharros cautioned with a hushed tone.

“I know you want to find them but we have to be careful.”

Tharros emphasized. Shadowbrook had all the underdogs and rogue wolves who cared nothing for law and order and it would be stupid to barge into their territory unprotected.

“Sir, the alpha is right. We have to go with enough security to keep the rougues away and at least a legal pass from Malakai.”

Riven added. Ethan let out a forced laughter in frustration.

“You must have never met Malakai that i***t hates me with all he has and if he gets a faint idea that my daughter lies in his territory, I may never see my daughter again.”

He roared.

“Come on, Ethan. Once a brother, always a brother. No matter how much he hates us, he wouldn’t harm our children.”

Tharros explained with his head buried in his palms. He wished there was no atom of truth in Ethan’s statement but there was. Malakai is filled with rage and his angry heart would go any length to acquire satisfaction. He just didn’t know how far.

“To hell with the permission, get the men ready. I will inform the Mayor and Tharros, you inform your council so we would get the capital police on our side.”

Ethan ordered. He was losing his grip on himself with every second he spent in oblivion.

“Try and sleep now, we would leave in the morning.”

Tharros tapped Ethan gently on his shoulder, stepping out of the house.

***

The next morning brought a strange ray of hope for not just Ethan who had set off for Shadowbrook forest to find his daughter alongside his men, but also for Luca and Odessa. Luca was unsure of the next step to take after his passion journey with Odessa the previous night but he was at peace with just forgetting about the future but dwelling in the present. He tightened his arm on her bare body and let his nose find solace in her scent.

“Good morning, Odessa.”

Luca whispered into her ears.

“Morning.”

She responded with a hazy but calm voice. He used his thumb to lift her face and planted a kiss on her plump lips. He let her take control this time but their ecstasy was interrupted.

“Breakfast is not going to make itself, would it?”

The old woman’s knock led the harsh duties of dawn to them. Odessa was the first to stand up with the blanket wrapped around her. She was shy and he didn’t want to increase her discomfort by hungrily staring at her seducing body, hence he looked away. He waited some minutes before stepping out to join them for breakfast.

“I wonder how you get the best herbs and craft the sweetest meal with it.”

Odessa expressed in esteemed pleasure. Her eyes caught Luca’s making her blush and redden. He smiled too, mainly because he was just as drawn to her as she was to him.

“Ahem!”

The old lady expressed, calling the attention of the duo.

“Thank you for breakfast, ma.”

Luca mumbled with food stuffed in his mouth.

“I was thinking of stepping out to go source for help and plan our return journey today.”

Luca continued.

“No need!”

The old lady responded almost immediately causing their eyes to be clued to her rumpled face.

“Why? We have spent two days here already and I’m sure our parents would be raving mad with worry.”

Luca added. He still didn’t trust the old lady and he wasted no time in always expressing his distrust.

“Yeah, my dad would be extremely worried at the moment,’

Sasha chirped in.

“Yeah, he is. I said no need because they are already on their way here and leaving would only mean complications.”

The old lady smirked. Luca’s eyes were glued to hers searching for the truth in her unvoiced words.

“How do you know that? For all I know you have kept us hostage for two days and who knows your plan.”

“Easy boy! Just trust me!”

She reaffirmed.

“How can I trust a blind old lady who lives in the middle of nowhere and strangely extends the hand of support?”

“Luca!”

Odessa yelled in an attempt to caution him. Luca stumped out of the room in anger. He didn’t like that Odessa was relaxed with the old lady and he was determined to find his way out.

“So sorry ma, Luca is just frustrated.”

“It’s fine, youngster issues. How did you say you got here again Chosy?”

The old lady asked with an air of interrogation.

“A strange voice called me and led me through a mystical orb.”

“No not that part. Didn’t something awkward happen before the call?”

The old lady pruned. Odessa relaxed on the chair attempting to recall her experiences.

“I can’t say but my dad was making a fuss about some blood stains that he spotted by my curtains, that was the reason he consented for me to attend the wedding.”

Odessa reported.

“A blood bath call!”

The old lady resounded as her eyebrows bent in a cognitive process.

“Is anything wrong ma?”

“No, dear. Go get prepare, your folks would be here any minute.”

She assured Odessa who harkened and went back to the room to rearrange. She paced for some minutes wondering who would go as far as using a call as costly as the blood bath. It seemed deeper than she envisaged. Luca’s abrupt footstep back into the house halted her cognitive journey.

“You may not trust me boy and its normal but be careful with that one.”

She expressed.

“What do you mean?”

Luca inquired inquisitively. The old lady motioned out of the house and he bolted after her.

“Explain to me old lady!”

“There is nothing to explain youngster just that love..”

“Love what?”

“That emotion possesses the ability to make or destroy the strongest of us. A great destiny lies ahead for her but…buried in a maze of thorns if not properly executed, so much that Ignorance may just translate to safety and solace.”

She explained with her head facing upward to the sky.

“I don’t understand.”

“Tharros’ boy around you lies so much tragedy, a complication that might destroy her.”

“How? I love her?”

Luca questioned in utter confusion.

“Do you? Or does your indecisiveness spell doom? Nonetheless even a burnt soil can produce a great tree. This is greater than just your feelings boy, its for the whole Ursaria.”

“You are saying gibberish.”

Luca flared, attempting to walk away from her.

“The first gibberish spewed will occur in the next…two minutes but the rest lies whenever you spell doomsday for her.”

She laughed cynically with her eyes still glued to the cloudy sky.

True to her words, at exactly two minutes. Ethan, Tharros and their armed men stormed the forest arriving at the lady’s house. Ethan rushed outside with his examining the wild cottage and praying that Odessa was present. His heart leaped for joy when he sighted her running from the wooden door.

“Dad!”