Chapter 63
Two blurs raced over the mountainside, one fawn and the other silver.
Justice gripped the silver fur beneath him.
What was supposed to be a joke had turned into something serious.
Of course, they would pick now to take him seriously.
Why not the time he wanted to try spreading his seed across the swim team? No, they laughed that off.
Riding on the back of a speeding lycan was actually terrifying. Especially with how Aedan leaped off boulders and free fell to the ground. Abe was following them in flashes that only he was capable of, and he had more energy now that he and Lucie had a stronger relationship.
Lucie was racing happily alongside Aedan.
It had been a while since she was able to run and stretch her legs.
Same with Aedan. They were both enjoying this moment.
It was even more fun since Derrick was riding on her back.
His hands curling in her fur made her body tingle, and she imagined a different scenario of pulling hair.
Good thing he couldn’t read her thoughts, though he still knew her emotions.
She felt his other hand rub through her fur as he chuckled lowly.
“I feel the same way, little mate. We have some reconnecting to do after you shift back, now that you’re finally all healed up. I’m in desperate need of some Lucie therapy.”
One of the good things about being in her feral form was that he couldn’t see her blushing. Even if Derrick understood her feelings, he kept quiet and gently stroked her side. Just being close like this had a comforting effect on both of them.
They came to a wooded area that was shrouded in mist. Off in the distance, they heard a screaming sound. Abe materialized between the two wolves and stared quietly in front of them.
“The shriek …” Abe said, inhaling sharply.
The shriek was a dangerous, vengeful spirit that claimed the lives of anyone who feared death or wished to live.
Bitter from the lives they’d lost, they now claimed the lives of whoever they encountered.
Who didn’t want to live? This was true for most, except for Jester and Freja.
In fact, Jester had lived in the woods with the shriek.
It kept him isolated and private. That was, until the day a girl with auburn hair named Freja entered his forest. A girl who also didn’t fear death or care if she lived.
“Uncle Jester told me about that.” Derrick tightened his hand in Lucie’s fur. “Is there no going around?”
Lucie looked over at Abe. She’d also heard of stories of the shriek from her mother, and that there had also been another, more dangerous one out there.
There was a chance there were more vengeful spirits in the woods than they knew of.
Just then, they heard two more terrifying screams in different locations, confirming Lucie’s thoughts.
There was more than one. But the fastest way was through those woods.
Can we outrun them? Lucie asked Abe.
I don’t know. I can hold one off, but I don’t know how many we’re dealing with.
The woods have become infested after the demon war.
It would be wise to go around … but to go around would mean going through the mountains.
His eyes darted to Derrick for a moment and then back to Lucie.
Going through the mountains would be dangerous for you and Derrick.
There are no friends of the vampires there.
Lucie knew Abe was speaking about the Children of the Moon.
Three remaining packs of wolves that had banded together.
They hated vampires and killed them with a vengeance.
Her father had tried to unite them with the rest of the packs, but they wouldn’t budge because of how accepting others were of vampires.
The Children of the Moon were a strong pack, but the five of them would be able to overcome them.
The problem was that they would have to annihilate the pack, and it was always Hunter’s hope to assimilate them.
They were wolves too. Aedan could probably command them, right?
They’d never tried to give an order to rogues before, though it should be in their power.
She looked at Aedan and asked him what he was thinking. Through the forest or mountains.
It isn’t worth the risk, Lucie. If the pack is hostile, we’ll have no choice but to wipe them all out.
It’s faster to go through the forest. Aedan stared at the woods, growling lowly.
We’ll run straight through, not giving them a chance to catch us.
We stop for nothing. Don’t look back and just keep running.
Lucie had to agree with him. She hardly wanted to kill the isolated pack.
For the most part, they just want to be left alone to live their own lives.
They’d never caused trouble for anyone. They did have a strong hatred for vampires, but given what happened to them before, it was understandable.
Long ago, way before her time, there were three packs that rested on the outskirts of the vampire kingdom.
This was back before Alaric took over as king.
The vampires wanted to expand their territory and went to talk with the packs to come to an agreement.
This was where things got cloudy. Each species accused the other of starting the attack.
In the end, three packs were destroyed, and the survivors united as the Children of the Moon.
All that remained was the alpha’s son of one of the packs, and under him, the remaining members united.
It was hard to tell what really happened that day, but the vampires were adamant that they only went for peaceful talks and they were attacked.
In either case, the hatred the Children of the Moon harbored for vampires would not be extinguished.
Still, Hunter was hopeful in time they would be able to resolve the ill feelings of the past.
Shrill screams erupted nearby, the eerie sound echoing through the forest. It was enough to make Lucie step back nervously. Going through the mountains would mean a fight. But going through the forest could mean death.
Lucie, we can do this. Let’s see which one of us is faster, eh?
“I don’t think we should travel through the forest.” Derrick could feel Lucie’s nervousness, and he was anxious about it as well. All of them had something to live for. It wasn’t the fear of death but the fear of leaving the ones you loved behind, which would be enough for the shrieks.
Lucie took in a deep breath, calming her nerves. She lifted her head to Abe.
Tell them to hold on tight and not to let go. We’re running straight through. We need them to duck down and hug our bodies tightly so we don’t accidentally knock them off running through the trees.
Abe slowly nodded his head. He relayed the message to Justice and Derrick before turning his focus back to Lucie.
“I’ll do what I can, princess.” Abe didn’t fear death. He was already dead. He could only do what he could to hold them off, but the numbers were against them. All he could do was distract them and fight off any that got too close.
Just stay safe. Don’t do anything rash. Lucie returned her focus to the wailing woods in front of them. It was as if the shrieks knew they were coming and were excited about it.
Alright Lucie, are you ready? Aedan took a step closer to his sister and stared into her eyes. Maybe this was part of their test?
Don’t get killed. Lucie watched as Aedan’s wolf panted happily at her.
What are you talking about? I’m faster than you, Aedan said, trying to provoke her competitive spirit. They needed to think of something else besides running from certain death.
Ah ah ah, I don’t think so, dear brother. Lucie wagged her tail slightly. I guess this will prove who is the fastest, agreed?
Agreed. You need a head start …
You’re the one who needs the head start.
Alright, Lucie. See you on the other side.
Lucie gazed ahead and shifted her feet beneath her while Derrick wrapped himself around her back. She glanced over to see Justice doing the same thing. The look in his eyes told her that he was anxious about this idea.
Let’s go!
The two wolves flew down the ravine and crashed into the thick forest. The dark woods were covered in a thick mist, but they knew their destination was straight through.
They continued racing and barreling through the trees.
The sound of shrieking was drawing closer from all directions, and a loud wail began following them.
The branches beat against her face as she plunged into the unknown forest, jumping over fallen trees and through bushes, Aedan running parallel to her nearby. Behind him, she could see three glowing energies following and wailing angrily. Faster. Faster. Faster. She needed to run faster.
Screams were closing in, and the loud, howling cries multiplied behind her. She couldn’t worry about what was behind her. She had to focus on what was in front of them. Only in front.
A glowing light appeared in front of Aedan, and in a flash, Abe kicked the energy to the side, allowing Aedan to race through. The two lycans glanced at the other, periodically checking on each other and their pursuers.
Lucie’s paws pounded against the ground.
She was pushing her legs as hard as she could, but she couldn’t widen the distance between herself and the cries.
They continued to close in on them. The screeching cries were almost deafening now as their numbers increased.
Closer. Closer. Closer. The colors of the forest all blurred together as the thick clouds of mist covered her view.
They weren’t going to make it. She couldn’t even see the light to show the end of the forest yet.
Could she fight against them? Was there a way to stop all of them?
She knew they might have a chance against a few of them, but these numbers?
She didn’t know how many there were, but she guessed there was about a hundred, maybe more.
Why were there so many? Were these the demon souls that had gathered after the war, all becoming vengeful spirits because their lives were taken from them?
Closer. Closer. Closer. She could feel the cold they emanated getting closer to her. They were right on Aedan’s heels as well. Abe couldn’t stop this …
A heavy pulse shook the area. Lucie and Aedan continued to speed forward, yet the wails sounded farther away now. She didn’t dare risk looking back. She assumed Abe did something. She hoped he was alright.
The earth rose from the ground and the shrieks collided into the magical earth barrier. Abe hovered just above it, looking down on their savior.
“Could you shut up already? All this noise is ruining my mood.” Ken turned and eyed the shrieks. They glowered near him. One of the shrieks charged toward him, wailing. Ken gazed at the annoying menace and it evaporated.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Ken chuckled lowly. “You will all pay for interrupting my walk.” A thunderous crack echoed through the woods, and instantly the vengeful spirits all combusted.
“What the HELL do you think you’re doing?” Lycaon growled, appearing in front of Ken.
“I was trying to enjoy a peaceful walk. These menacing spirits and their loud cries were making it impossible for me to enjoy myself. Problem solved,” Ken said, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Who do you think you’re fooling? You were aiding MY lycans,” Lycaon growled angrily. He was a towering man with fire red hair. His muscles bulged in anger as he clenched his fists.
Ken looked around at the empty forest. “I don’t see any lycans.”
Lycaon growled at Ken angrily and took a step toward him. Ken turned his head sharply and fixed a dark gaze on the deity.
“Careful, Ly. I’d be very careful.” Ken watched as the deity froze in his place with a scowl on his lips.
“I don’t know what your game is, but stay out of this. This is my trial for MY lycans. I invoke the code on you. You would be mindful to follow it. I’d hate it if you ended up trapped again … maybe underground this time.” Lycaon scoffed in irritation.
“You think you can rise up against me again? Try it, friend. Go ahead. The truth is you fools know you need me. And it just so happens we have a common enemy.”
“Erebus,” Lycaon said quietly, and Ken nodded. This was true. He wasn’t a fan of the Kraken, but when it came to being a god killer, Ken was a force to be reckoned with. After all, he’d done it before. “Fine. I guess this means we’re on the same side this time. Just don’t interfere in this again.”
Ken smirked as the deity disappeared. He turned toward the distance where Lucie and Aedan had disappeared. He owed her for what she’d endured, pretending to be his mate. And whenever he got the chance, he’d be there to help her. What he did just now was his simple thanks.
“Tell your master not to be so reckless. I can’t always pop in and save the day. And where the hell is that blue lizard at?” Ken looked up toward the tree canopy. He knew Abe was up there.
Abe flashed in front of Ken and lowered his head to him in appreciation. “Thank you. I believe Leviathan is watching them but was waiting until the last second to intervene, since Lycaon had invoked the code upon him.”
Ken rolled his eyes. He looked back in the direction Lucie had gone. “Keep her safe.”
Abe watched him vanish and a smile spread over his face. Ken was also protecting his princess. He closed his eyes and transported himself back to Lucie.