The Last Spirit Wolf (Elena Norwood)

-Noah-

I hear steps approaching us fast. I sniff the air; they're warriors from the Castle.

One by one, I have carefully taken the guys out of the crater-like hole in the forest. Fortunately, all of they sustained.

When the warriors get to us, including Lucas and Eli, I instruct them to take the injured warriors to the "Tell me everything you remember," I tell Arlo and Ezra, the only ones awake.

"I - I don't know *what* happened, Noah," Arlo begins, "but we were making our way to the Castle as s approaching us, fast. and it was slicing through the trees like they were butter. I have never seen anyt

I nod, letting the warriors know to take him away to the Castle like the rest.

"It was magic," Ezra says, behind me. He's being carried to the Castle by two warriors.

"What?" I ask, frowning.

"It was magic, Noah. It was as if the wind itself suddenly became as sharp as a sword. Vera kneeled do woman took her away."

I'm shocked at his comment. First, because as I turn to look at the giant hole in the middle of the fore much less that Vera is one.

As if reading my mind, he continues,

"I figured it out," he says, "she just confirmed it."

"And this other woman, what did she look like?"

"All I can tell you is that her eyes were white. Noah, be very careful," he says grimly.

My blood runs cold.

That could only mean one thing.

I nod, indicating to the warriors to take Ezra to the Castle.

re alive. Ezra and Arlo are conscious, but very banged up. Colt, Emmet, and Rowan keep drifting in and out of consciousness, presumably from a head injury to be treated. But before, I need answers.

ed, nearing the campsite, when Vera just... stopped... she looked terrified and she wouldn't say what was wrong. Then, from behind us, something was e it in my life. I don't remember much after that, I just woke up in that hole. I'm sorry," he says.

ng her magic to create this hole. If it wasn't for her, that thing would have sliced us all in half. She was barely conscious, if at all, when Harriet and that other

o enough to be a water hole, it's hard to believe Vera did this. Secondly, because nobody in this party knew for certain of the existence of witches and magic,

Unlike them, I stay behind and when everyone else is gone, I start looking for clues, anything that could point me in the direction of where they might have taken her.

I make my way around the hole Vera created, trying to find at least a trail, her scent, anything to guide me to her, but after an hour of meticulous tracking, it's impossible. It's as if she was never even here.

A realization hits me like a ton of bricks. What was it Liam had said about Harriet's trail? That it had gone cold because it was as if she had vanished? There is little doubt in my mind that she's working with the witches. But what does that mean for my efforts to track Vera?

I'm about to hurry back to the Castle to come up with a plan, when something catches my eye at the bottom of the hole Vera created. It's a dark duffel bag, the one Vera was carrying when she left the Castle.

I quickly slide back down the hole, retrieving the bag and opening it, almost willing a clue to be in here.

I don't find any clues, but everything smells like her. With this, I will at least be able to send scouts and trackers with her scent to try and find her. As of now, it's the only way I can think of finding her. I make my way back to the Castle, defeated, angry, and frustrated.

Had I found Vera's scent, I would be going after her right now, but if this is the Witch Mother we're talking about, which I believe it is, I have to be smart about it.

By the time I enter the Castle again, it's already early in the morning.

As I make my way to Eli and the others, ready to distribute Vera's clothes to my trackers to try and find her, I'm met with an almost sardonic looking Alcott at the courtyard with a crowd of people. "Your Highness," he greets me with a smile.

Eli, Caleb, and Elden are standing off to a side, with the entirety of the Council up front, waiting for me.

It takes me a moment to realize what's happening.

Today is day seven.

The day of the trail.

Something inside me begins to stir, but I take a deep breathe and try to control it. This is not the time to let my emotions get the best of me, particularly my anger.

I move towards Eli, handing him Vera's bag.

"Hand it out to the scouts and trackers, anything that has Vera's scent. She's missing." I tell him.

Both Caleb and Elden stare at me, shocked. Eli grinds his teeth and nods, taking the bag from me.

Slowly, I step in front of the Council to stand trial.

"Well, Your Highness, here we are," Alcott says, "and as none of us actually have time to waste, let us cut right to the chase. The documents proving your lineage, do you have them?" he asks. My answer is instant.

"No."

I hear a gasp and the thing inside me twirls again.

It's not taking kindly to wasting time right now.

"Well then, I guess the matter is settled," Alcott says.

Someone else speaks.

"Dear Council members, I believe this matter can't, in fact, be settled today. I don't know if my fellow council members are aware, but one of our scouting parties was attacked today. Luckily, no one was mortally wounded but it is a matter we have to look into, and for that we can't be in quarrels with His Majesty," William says.

"Oh, my dear William," Alcott says, "there is no quarrel. It's been settled! There is no document proving he is the legitimate King, and therefore, this Council has to take it upon itself to find a worthy King."

I grind my teeth.

"Do whatever you want, Alcott, I really don't have time for any of this. So, if you'll excuse me."

I begin walking out of the courtyard but apparently, I hit a nerve. Behind me, I hear Alcott explode.

"You dare address me in such manner, warrior Noah?! You have no respect for tradition, you have no respect for what this Council represents! That is why you are not fit to be King! Not to mention, that little mutt of yours has been nothing but trouble since the moment you brought her here!"

I snap. This time for real.

Whatever awoke within me earlier in the forest is coming in with a vengeance.

I feel my lycan rise to the surface as I take long, quick strides towards Alcott, taking him by surprise. The height at which the Council chairs sit will do very little to protect him.

When I'm inches from him, my lycan ready to pounce, I stop.

This is something else, something I hadn't felt before. It feels unfamiliar to my lycan, but it feels very familiar to me. It's like a slow emanation of energy from within me, projecting outward.

I see Alcott and the entirety of the Council cower, frozen in place. They're staring at me with wide eyes and sweating profusely.

Without a second thought, my hand wraps around Alcott's neck, lifting him up in the air and choking him.

I watch the life drain out of his eyes as he claws desperate at my arm, unable to free himself.

Once he's dead, I let go. His body falls to my feet, unceremoniously.

The council is notably affected by this, but still, no one moves.

Eli comes in, standing next to me. He takes one look at Alcott's body and smirks.

"He had it coming." Eli says, handing me an envelope, "this was within Vera's bag, you might want to take a look at it."

I take the paper from him, hoping it's a clue, but instead, I find something else.

I stare at Eli and he nods, slowly.

"She got it for you, son," he says, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I growl slightly, feeling that energy within me again. This piece of paper, this Council, this whole fucking shit show is what put Vera in danger in the first place.

I toss the piece of paper in front of the Council before I crumble it in my hands.

"Here's your f*****g proof."

With that, I storm out, Eli following close behind.

"They're ready to go. I gave each of them a piece of their clothing and they've become familiar with her scent. Caleb, Elden and I are going as well; that old man has a better sense of smell than most." .1 I nod, turning the corner of the courtyard towards the exit of the Castle.

As I'm about to exit, I hear loud footsteps behind me.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Noah! Noah! Wait!"

I turn around to find Cassia running to catch up to us.

"Noah, I think I can help," she says, gaining my full attention.