Chapter 6: THE DISAPPEARANCE
Chapter 6: The disappearance
The silvery moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack's gathering spot. Kael, still reeling from the recent unthought betrayal of Ren, “Ren won't betray me, he won't Betray the pack,” Kael mutters to himself, unsure of what to believe anymore. He sits on a rock, his eyes fixed on the ground.
“He was overpowered by Loren”, Kael tried to convince himself.
Miera approached him, a look of concern etched on her face. "Kael, it's been three days since Ren’s disappearance with Loren. I think something should be done by now, we can't keep staying like this", As if taking a breath she continues, “And besides the witch hasn't woken up yet”
Kael looked up to her with menacing piercing eyes. The thought of her calling Zara a witch made him even more upset, but he decided to ignore it.
As Miera continued to speak, Kael started to feel a bit uneasy. Miera's words seemed rehearsed, and her eyes gleamed with an intensity that made Kael's wolf senses tingle.
Kael Vehemently stood up and stood on the rock making all eyes of the pack members on him
“Listen and listen attentively, you all,” Kael commands the pack. “We've been through a lot together, and you all are here in this dense forest together…because… you believe in me!! You know how I was unjustly banished by my father!! And replaced by Loren!!”Rage hovering in his voice, “but if you feel you no longer belong here, this is the final chance I'm giving you to leave; no betrayal would be tolerated anymore,” he said, his bold voice thick and piercing, casting an eerie silence to the gathered pack members.
“My word is law, and you will abide by it!!." "Questioning the Alpha's word is an offense.!!”
"I am the absolute authority in this pack!!."
"Bow to my dominance or suffer the consequences.!!”
“Disloyalty will not be tolerated. Traitors will be dealt with!!."
“Anyone suspected of disloyalty will face dire consequences.!!”
Narrowing his gaze to Miera, “Remember your place in the pack's hierarchy. Challenge the hierarchy, and you challenge me.” he said with a tone of finality, leaving an unsettling silence in the camp.
As the pack settled in for the night, Amid the suspected betrayal of Ren, silence took hold of the Wyldblood clan; Brody approached Maddie, his voice low and concerned.
"Maddie, can I talk to you for a minute?" Brody asked, glancing around cautiously.
Maddie nodded, her ears perked up. "What's on your mind, Brody?"
"It's Ren," Brody said, his brow furrowed. "I've been noticing some strange behavior from him, now I Know he's up to something."
Maddie's expression turned curious. "What kind of strange behavior? And why didn't you say it, since?"
Brody hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He's been sneaking off on his own, and when I ask him what he's doing, he just brushes it off. And I've noticed he's been acting strange around Kael. He seems... distant."
Maddie's ears folded back slightly, “ But Ren has been with us for years, Brody. He was probably overpowered by Loren, Ren won't betray us. He's loyal."
Brody's expression remained skeptical. "I'm not so sure, Maddie. I've seen the way he looks at Kael sometimes... it's like he's sizing him up."
Maddie's eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a warning tone. "Be careful what you're suggesting, Brody. Ren is a trusted member of this pack."
Brody nodded, but his eyes still held a hint of doubt. "I know, Maddie. But I've got a bad feeling about this."
—
EASTERN COAST
The grand throne room echoed with the soft murmur of guards and advisors as the Alpha King, Kloar, sat upon his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on his commander, Loren. Loren stood before him, his broad shoulders squared, but a hint of unease flickering in his eyes.
"Loren, where have you been?" Kloar's deep voice demanded, his tone laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "I sent for you hours ago."
Loren's expression remained neutral, but a faint sheen of sweat slipped down his forehead. "I was... attending to some matters in the Eastern quadrant, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice steady, but a fraction too loud.
Kloar's eyes narrowed, as if searching his thoughts, his gaze piercing. "I was told you were seen leaving the castle grounds, heading toward the Darkwood Forest."
Loren's jaw clenched, and for an instant, his mask slipped, revealing a flash of desperation. But he quickly regained his composure, a bland smile spreading across his face. "Oh, that? I must have... uh... gone for a ride, Your Majesty. Yes, that's it. A ride."
Kloar's gaze lingered on Loren as if searching for any sign of deception. But Loren's expression remained neutral, and the king's attention eventually shifted to the matters at hand.
As the conversation continued, Loren's thoughts drifted back to the battle-scarred terrain of the Darkwood Forest, where his men lay fallen by their claws, and his pride was wounded. He knew he couldn't reveal the truth to Kloar – not yet, at least. He still has a lot to learn about Zara, and Ren is the right person to dispose of the information he needs.
The weight of his failure threatened to crush him, but he stood tall, hiding the pain and the shame behind a mask of loyalty and duty.
The Alpha King, Kloar, paced within the grand room. His piercing gaze swept across the gathered guards and advisors, but his attention was focused on his commander, Loren.
"Loren, I've been reviewing the patrol rosters," Kloar said, his deep voice tinged with a growing unease. "It appears we have several warriors unaccounted for. Warriors who haven't been seen for days."
Loren's expression remained neutral, but a faint tremble in his hands betrayed his growing anxiety. "I'll investigate, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice measured.
Kloar's gaze snapped to Loren, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "Investigate? I didn't make you the commander for you to investigate, Loren. I made you the commander for you to lead our warriors, to protect our kingdom. And yet, it seems you've lost some of our finest wolves."
Loren's composure began to crumble, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the king's words. "I... I can explain, Your Majesty," he stammered.
Kloar's voice dropped to a menacing growl. "Explain? You'd better explain, Loren. Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you took our warriors to war without my permission... without my consent!! And you lost them."
The room fell silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of the king. Loren's eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape, but Kloar's gaze pinned him in place.
"I... I was trying to protect the kingdom, Your Majesty; it was a threat I felt I could handle," Loren whispered, his voice barely audible.
Kloar's laughter was a cold, gloomy sound. "Protect the kingdom? By disobeying my orders and getting our warriors killed? You've failed me, Loren. And you've failed our kingdom. I should have known Kael is better than you"
The king's words hung in the air like a challenge, and Loren knew his fate hung in the balance.
—
“Where is that son of a bitch” Loren spats as he angrily walked into the dimly lit cave that reeked of mold and decay, where he had hidden Beta Ren, his wrists and ankles bound by rusty chains, struggling against his restraints. His eyes blazed with defiance as he glared at Loren.
Loren's face twisted with rage and grief. "You're going to tell me everything you know about that witch," he snarled, his voice trembling with fury. "The one who slaughtered my entire armies."
Ren's jaw clenched, his muscles tensing. "You are going to regret this Loren. Kael will be coming for me"
Loren's eyes blazed with hatred and laughter. "Coming for you, haha?!..., or coming against you? They would probably think you've betrayed them and fled with me! Tell me everything you know about her and I will let you go”
Ren's gaze remained steady, but the thought of Kael turning against him scared him more, but he masked it with boldness.
Loren's face twisted into a snarl. "You're going to tell me everything. What's the extent of her powers? How can I stop her?"
Ren's eyes flashed with anger. "You'll have to kill" he willed.
Loren's expression turned cold, calculating. "We'll see about that." He nodded to one of his pack members, a burly man with a cruel grin. "Make him talk."
The man stepped forward, his fists clenched, and Ren steeled himself for the pain to come. But he refused to say anything about Zara.
DARKWOOD FOREST
Miera gradually approached Alpha Kael. "have you finally let her go," she said, her voice low and menacing.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What is it, let who go?"
Miera's gaze seemed to bore into Kael's soul. "Zara is gone. Your precious witch vanished without a trace."
Kael's expression turned thunderous, his eyes flashing with anger. "What do you mean she's gone? How could she just leave?".
“Why should she leave, no, not now….”