CHAPTER 26
That evening, Helena came to get me so we could go for patrol. I had told her about the rogue incident as we made our way to the patrol grounds and I could see that it was really bothering her.
Before we got to the others, she pulled me to a stop, “Do you know how to use the mind link?”
“I didn’t think I had one with you guys,” I looked at her with scrunched brows, “Don’t I have to be part of the pack first?”
“The palace isn’t like a pack; we are linked to every werewolf,” she explained, “You are leading a group to the place you were attacked. We need to know if the rogues have a lair there and I want you to call for us if you are in trouble.”
“I will,” I promised and she gave me a curt nod.
We finally made our way to the others and Helena gave them a summarized version of the attack I had told her about. She warned everyone to be on the lookout and to make sure that they are careful about where they go.
It felt weird having a bunch of people listening to me and looking to me for instruction but I tried not to let my inexperience show as I led them back to the attack site. It was empty and the faint smell of rogue still lingered in the air. The bodies had been taken away by the pack guards to burn- Helena told me that was how they disposed of rogues.
“This is where the attack–happened,” I said, “We need to be watchful and quiet in case there are still a few rogues around here.”
0.00%
2126 D
CHAPTER 26
“Their lair probably isn’t far from here.” a girl I know as Jenny said, “They probably wouldn’t wander off too far.”
“You’re right Jenny, they-,” I trailed off when I heard footsteps close to my right. I peered through the bushes and saw a rogue but when his eyes locked with mine, he took off. “There!”
My team and I wasted no time in chasing after the guy in hopes that he would lead us to their hide out. He made complex twists and turns and then he burst out in a clearing where a group of them were camping.
When they saw us, they took off in opposite directions and without speaking, we split up as well. I followed the guy I saw earlier and I have to admit that he is fast as hell. He must know the woods well because he expertly weaved through the trees even though they seemed to be getting thicker and denser.
I don’t know how long I spent chasing him but then he stopped. He turned to me with a wicked smile and I realized I didn’t know where I was anymore. That was his plan all along, to make us split up and attack us one on one.
I prayed my other team mates were safe and I wasted no time in shifting and taking off. I could hear him chasing me and I knew he was catching up to me. I noticed a tree that wasn’t quite sturdy and I threw my body into it. The tree shook and fell giving me enough time to make a clean escape from the rogue.
I eventually found the path back to the patrol site and when I got there, I saw Helena pacing in worry. She saw me and breathed a sigh of relief then ordered someone to get clothes for me. I shifted back and quickly put on the shorts and baggy shirt that she handed over to me.
“What happened out there?” she asked and I quickly relayed everything to her as she ran her hands through her hair in frustration, “I’m glad
19.18%
21:25
CHAPTER 26
288 (Voucher?
you’re safe. A few of your team mates are back too.”
“Who isn’t back yet?”
“Jenny Kyle and Sarah,” when she saw my expression, she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, “it was not your fault, Lyla.”
“I should have known better than to chase a rogue. What if they don’t come back?”
“They will,” she assured me although I could see that she was having a hard time believing it herself, “We have guards combing the forest looking for them. The moment we find them, I will let you know but until then, you should go in and get changed.”
I didn’t want to but I knew I was no help here so I forced my feet to lead me into the pack. As I passed the doors, I saw a few of my team mates. Thankfully, no one looked extremely hurt but it still didn’t ease the feeling of guilt in my chest.
Zander wasn’t in the room when I arrived and a part of me was grateful for it because I didn’t want him to see me as I was now. I also didn’t know how he would react to the news and I didn’t want to be the one
to break it to him.
I just paced in my room for what felt like hours until Helena knocked on my door. I felt what little hope I had left deflate like a balloon when I saw the somber expression on her face. She held up a ripped piece of fabric that I recognized as Jenny’s shirt.
“I am so sorry,” she began but I shut my eyes to ward off the wayward emotions, “If it is any consolation, she may not be dead because we didn’t find a body.”
”
“She might be alive and be tortured for information.”
CHAPTER 26
“Lyla, try to be positive.”
“I would like to be alone for a while.”
She looked like she wanted to argue but ultimately she nodded and decided to adhere to my wishes. I buried my face in my hands and tried to catch my breath. The room felt too stuffy and my skin was itching for me to just get out.
I changed from my casual wear into ripped jeans, boots, a corset like top and a jacket then slowly snuck out of the room without anyone noticing. I came across a girl from patrol, I didn’t know her name but we were fairly civil with each other.
She saw me and gave me a sad smile, “You’re going out too, aren’t you?” I shrugged, “don’t worry, I won’t tell. There’s a bar down the street where a lot of us go when there’s been a tragedy like today.”
“Will you be there?” I asked and she shook her head.
“I’m spending the night with Jenna’s little sister.”
Hearing that she had a sister broke my heart even more. I thanked the girl for the directions and started to leave. I realized I didn’t ask her name but when I turned to ask her for it, she had disappeared.
The bar wasn’t hard to find, the hard part was getting out of the palace without the guards seeing me. The bar wasn’t over the top, in fact it was a small building with flashing neon lights and cheap beer but it gave me the perfect release that I needed.
I ordered a martini and sipped my drink slowly. I didn’t want to get drunk, I just wanted to get out of the stuffy palace and have a little breathing space which is ironic considering the fact that I came to a
CHAPTER 26
288 Vouchers
stuffy bar. But the loud music and the dancing invaded my senses and I didn’t have to acknowledge the numbing feeling inside of me.
I don’t know how long I sat there just sipping my martini and staring at the dance floor but then I decided I had enough. I stood to my feet to settle the bill but I felt my legs wobble. My vision blurred and I had to lean against the bar for support.
I started to panic instantly because I didn’t drink much. I drank one glass of the weakest martini; it shouldn’t be able to get me drunk. I remembered what Helena said earlier and tried to mind link her but I couldn’t get to her, Zander or Lucas.
I tried to focus on them but it wasn’t working when I felt a little nudge in my mind. I opened my senses to it and was Ender. I wondered how much he knew about mind links because I could feel his confusion.
“Ender,” I wanted to make sure I had his attention.
“Lyla, you’re in my head,” he squealed, “That is so cool.”
“Ender I need you to focus. I am in trouble and I need your help.”
“What’s wrong Lyla?”
“I went to a-,” suddenly the link cut off, blackness filled my vision and I fell into the cold abyss of sleep.
