CHAPTER 54

I opened my eyes to find myself in a dark room. Rubbing my eyes, I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes to the darkness of the room.
I groaned, feeling a sharp pain shoot through my skull. I sighed, sitting up. The past few days flew into my head. The cave. The faerie. The revelations.
I couldn't remember how I got here. I remembered hearing Olivia's screams as Leo beat me up and my blood started to boil. I could feel it tremble beneath my vines and my wolf started to growl.
"If they fucking hurt our mate, Julian. I would spill blood. I would rage hell on earth."
My wolf's anger was slowly getting to me and I took in deep breaths. "You need to calm down. We can't afford to make irrational decisions due to anger. If we are going to find and save Olivia. We need to have a plan."
My wolf scoffed, and I could feel him roll his eyes. I ignored him, looking over my body. I remembered Leo beating me up till I passed out, but my body was void of any injuries.
Even with all our power, the wolf doctor could not achieve such results in a short matter of time. My regeneration could not achieve such either.
Expect. I wasn't asleep for as short as I thought I was. I was asleep for even longer. I winced, holding my head in my palms. I didn't want to remember.
The cave with the faerie started rushing into my head and I relaxed my thoughts to gather everything I needed under my grasp. If I was going to go back to get Olivia back, I needed to piece the timeline back together.
"I'm a faerie." The man answered simply.
He was one of the wingless fairies. My wolf commented. I nodded, trying to remember our exact conversation.
"How did you end up where I found you?" The faerie had asked me.
"Where did you find me?"
I was in the car. I was driving then I became unconscious in the next second after that.
"In the car. I bought you over here through magic." The faerie explained to me.
"Why were you in that car, young man? In the unconscious state that I found you?"
"It was nothing, faerie. I merely fainted due to excessive drinking from the party I had attended."
My wolf snorted as I recalled my response and I refused to ask him why. In retrospect, that lie was not one of my best.
"Then, why could I smell a witch aura on you when I found you yesterday?"
The faerie had got up from where he was sitting then and floated to my side. He sniffed my body for a few seconds. He was checking if I still smelt like Esther.
"It could be a lot of my business. I had a dream about a week ago. What happened back then between the witches and the werewolves clans is about to repeat itself."
"The war where the werewolves and the witches had nearly eradicated each other because of the tree that its fruit gives powers to anyone who tasted of it."
"Have you forgotten who the fairies are? We have the power to see into the future."
The meeting with the faerie had only done nothing but make me more confused. I had thought it was a huge problem then, but it was only just the beginning.
My wolf laughed. I didn't like him.
I nodded, moving back to piecing my memories together.
Olivia and I had met after that. I winced as I remembered what I had gone through before meeting Leo. His witch had met me at the gate.
I asked them where they had kept Olivia and they had told me. I went down to meet her at the dungeon. My stomach started to twist as I remembered the pain I could feel through our link.
We need to find her, Julian. My wolf whined, moving around in my head.
I nodded, feeling his anguish pouring in through our link.
I know. We would. We wouldn't let them take her away from us.
He stopped pacing, sitting down instead. I knew better than to disturb him so I closed my eyes instead, trying to curb my headache.
I heard voices sound outside the door and I narrowed my eyes. I didn't exactly recognize the room I was in.
I swung my leg over the bed, slipping my feet into the pair of slippers waiting there. It took a while before I could stand, because everything felt sluggish and slow.
I made my way across the room, opening the door. The bright light made me wince and when it cleared, I saw my people standing there. Holden turned to face me, concern flickering across his face. "Oh thank heavens. We were getting worried."
I waved him off, moving to the stand. He gave me a weird look, moving forward to hold me steady. "I am fine, Holden." "You look pale. What exactly happened?"
I looked over the crowd of people looking up at me. "I would tell the pack." "That's fine, Julian. But I think you should sit down. You look really pale. Like you are going to drop any minute."
I shook my head, shaking his hand off. "I know. But Olivia is more important to me right now. How would you feel if you lost Niamh?" Holden didn't respond, but stepped back.
As if on cue, his mate stepped forward, the same look of concern written across her face. I took in a deep breath, looking over the crowd.
Someone was missing. I turned back to face Holden and we both voiced out our suspicions at the same time. "Where's Jane?" I turned to Niamh, who shook her head.
"I am sorry. I don't know. Last time I saw her, she was with Vanessa." I narrowed my eyes, a bad feeling settling in the pit of my belly. "And where is Vanessa now?"
Niamh shook her head, worrying her bottom lip. "I do not know either." Holden stepped closer to her, looking at me as he spoke. "We would send out a search party later if we don't find them, Julian. Address your people first."
He smiled slowly, shrugging. "I am sure they are around somewhere." I shook off the bad feeling crawling in the pit of my belly and turned to face the crowd.
They immediately stood at attention and I was grateful for them. They were my family. I cleared my throat, channelling my alpha aura into my voice.
"Our Luna as we know, is missing. No, to be more correct. She has been taken. She was taken by my brother, Leo. Leo is working with a witch."
A ripple went through the crowd and I lifted my hand to silence them. "I am not entirely sure what they plan to do, but I know it has to do with the Khoyata tree and my mate. Your Luna."
"We would run them down, my Lord. Just give the order." Voices of assent went up through the crowd, most agreeing with what the first speaker had said.
I lifted my palm, silencing them. "I know you want revenge. Trust me, I do too. But we must think about what we are going to do before we charge in. Remember, we are working with a witch here. We don't know what she might have up her sleeve."
A soldier I recognized as Jack lifted his hands, waving a mace. "We would show that witch what it means to mess with one of us. Magic or no magic, we can take her down. Together."
This time, I had to use my alpha aura to silence them, because the pack went absolutely wild. I could smell blood shed in the air and it was making my wolf growl.
Yes. He said. Relish in this feeling, Julian. They want her back just as much as you do. We can take down your brother and his...witch.
I looked over the crowd, watching them talk amongst themselves. I could hear snatches of their conversations.
"I would die if I didn't get our Luna back."
"What is Leo thinking about working with a witch? Doesn't he care about the treaty?"
"I can't believe the Khoyata tree is real. I thought it was just a legend."
"I would use my teeth to rip out that witch's throat."
"I am dead sure Alpha Leo is under some kind of spell."
I looked back at Holden and he nodded, stepping forward to put an arm on my shoulder. He looked over at the crowd, smiling devilishly.
"If you are down to help us invade and find our Luna, let me hear your howl."
The howl started from the middle, till the whole pack was howling all at once. I smiled at Holden, feeling my resolve strengthen.
Esther and Leo had messed with the wrong pack. We were all too happy to show them how wrong they were. And even if I had to burn his pack down, I would do so. Willingly.
*Leo's POV*
Esther was staring outside the window, a look I couldn't understand crossing her face. She seemed to be pondering over something which was weird considering how far we have come.
I dropped the wine on the table, making her jump slightly. "Oh. It's was you." "Care to tell me what you were thinking about?" Esther smiled softly, turning around to face me. "It's nothing really."
I gave her a look and she waved me off. "I am serious. It's fine." I shrugged, pouring the wine into the wine glasses. "If you say so. I brought wine. I thought you might need it. After everything."
Esther's eyes started to shine. "We have achieved a lot, haven't we?" I nodded, putting the cork back on the wine bottle. "We have." "I am so proud of me. I knew I was capable."
My brows lifted and I paused in bringing the wine up to my mouth. She laughed, waving at me with her fingers. "Oh, you know what I meant. I meant us. We did this together."
She got off the windowsill, coming to stand close to me. "We are going to run this world together, Leo. You and me." She grabbed the wine off the table, her lips lifting in a coy smile. "Cheers?"
I clinked our glasses together, letting my breath out in a low hiss. "Together." She grabbed my forearm, her nails digging into it. I opened my mouth to complain, but she dragged me over to the windowsill.
"I am so excited, but we need to go through things again to ensure we didn't miss anything out." I took a sip of my wine, giving her a nod. She wrapped both fingers around the glass, posture suddenly shifting to something serious.
"I would start. If I miss anything or forget something, you can call me back. We are doing this together after all." I nodded, dropping my cup. "Okay, so we made it possible for you to sense the tree."
I nodded, folding my arms. "These are the basics." "Everything counts and matters, Leo. Don't interrupt me again." I held back my tongue, nodding at her.
"So we have gotten everything ready. We have awaken the Khoyata tree and we are ready to begin the next phase of our mission."
Esther laughed in relish, her eyes sparkling. "I can't believe this. We are actually going to get everything and anything we want."
I nodded, wondering why she didn't go over everything like she said she would. I didn't push her, instead deciding to drink my wine.
She glared at me, folding her arms. "If you have something important to say, Leo. Say it." I bit my lips, deciding to talk about something else instead.
"Olivia would kill the werewolves. She has Alexander's power in her now. She is fully capable." Esther waved her hands dismissively. "I don't care about that. I have what I want."
She suddenly gave me a look that had my spine shivering. I didn't show it in front of her, instead narrowing my eyes. "As long as she stays out of my territory, I don't give a fuck."
Esther spread out her arms, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "There you have it."
She leaned forward conspiratorially, eyes still sparkling. "If you ask me, she is making things easier for us. Clearing out the weaklings and what not for us."
I laughed, seeing it from her point of view. "It does make sense when you put it that way." Esther leaned back, grinning. "I am smart."
The door suddenly opened and I heard a guard scream. Standing there, looking battered and bruised, were Jane and Vanessa.
Vanessa had tears in her eyes, immediately rushing forward to fall at Esther's feet. "I am sorry, my lady. I only want to ask for a favor."
Jane was looking at me with a weird expression and I was suddenly struck with the realization that I had missed out on so much in her life. I gave her an awkward smile which she returned.
Vanessa was talking again, her head on the floor. "I want to ask for Olivia. In exchange, I would..." Esther waved her hand. "Don't bother. Olivia is not here."
Vanessa's head lifted and I saw despair flash in them. "I thought..." "You are correct. She was here. She isn't here anymore though. You can find her somewhere in Black Shrout."
Vanessa's eyes shone with gratitude and she bent down to kiss Esther's feet. "I am grateful, my lady." She got to her feet, bowing down before rushing out.
I turned to Esther. "You didn't tell her of Olivia's condition. She would kill her." Esther just laughed, downing the last of her wine. "Didn't you know, Leo? Sometimes it's better to see things for yourself."