Two Red Strings

Chapter 19

The partnership emblem of White Fang.

"I need to show you something." Ethan added, readjusting his robe. He stood up from his chair and walked into the opposite direction. Magnolia shot up from her seat and followed closely behind. She followed her host to another room on the third floor. Switching on the lights, it revealed to be a geographical room, with a large world map on one of the walls.

On the right wall (from the door) was covered with additional articles and newspaper clippings. The world map had dozens of colored thumbnails, indicating a different incident. Magnolia walked over to read the first article she saw. "Over here." Ethan grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to the centre table, showing another map. The map was smaller and was the showed entire land area of Crescent Valley and his house.

"My father bought over the entire valley, in partnership with your father. In exchange for 'protection of the valley', he'd promised us land. At least that was what I could remember." Ethan explained. "Recently, we have been notified of unknown wolf packs. Two of them." He circled his finger around a certain area, close to the edge of the valley and near the pack house.

There were snapshots of round bell and another hidden under a stamp. "That's Golden Bell and another, right?" He asked. Magnolia slowly nodded. "We'll leave after breakfast. So be ready by then." Ethan left the room. She stared at the emblem of Golden Bell in the photo. Out of curiosity, she removed the stamp and her eyes widened...

・・・

As said, they left after breakfast. Myers had recently (and partially) recovered and insisted that he'd followed. Though unwilling and reluctant, Ethan agreed to the wolf-shifter's wish. "Where are we?" He demanded, about half an hour after they'd left. He slung the strap of his hunting rifle around his shoulder, using it as an armrest. Magnolia, having shifted, was still trying to sniff out tracks left by Golden Bell.

'Almost there!' She said for the umpteenth time. "You said that five minutes ago!" Ethan shouted, impatient. Myers staggered behind them, with the aid of a walking stick. Then, he heard a twig snap and turned around. "Someone's following us." He muttered. Ethan and Magnolia stopped, turning around.

"The qīnglóng of the East. The báihǔ of the West." A voice called out. "Is that some kind of code?" Magnolia asked as she shifted back. Ethan shrugged. "The zhūquè of the South. The xuánwǔ of the North." Myers said aloud. A strong built male stepped out, showing A rectangular hourglass mark on his forearm.

Myers showed his mark as Magnolia stepped forward. "Luna of the White Fang!" He dropped onto his knees. "The Alpha of Yellow Sand has requested to see you, seeing that you have arrived." He reported. Magnolia looked at the boys. They nodded, following the warrior wolf to the White Fang pack house, which was in the other way. "And here I thought you'd know where you live." Ethan commented, picking Myers up and hauling him over his shoulder, careful so as to not press on the wound.

"But I was trying to track Golden Bell." She replied. Myers grumbled with annoyance. Eventually, the quartet arrived at a large private and secluded estate, with several armed men patrolling the premises. As the Yellow Sand warrior led them in, the armed men watched them closely.

When Magnolia entered the pack house, she noticed that the only ones around were of Amber Claws and Yellow Sand. "Nolia!" She heard Diego. Magnolia saw her brother running down the stairs and threw himself at her. 'Now that"s new...' Lacrimosa commented. Magnolia agreed. It was very rare to see Diego running.

"I was so worried when I heard that you were attacked by Golden Bell!" He cried, giving her a bone crushing hug. "Diego... too much..." she gasped. Magnolia had almost forgotten how strong his hugs could be, although he sleeps all day. "Sorry, just a little... worried." Diego loosened his hug, just enough for her to breath and return the hug. Magnolia felt the sudden urge to cry when she felt the warmth.

At least one of my brothers are fine. Ethan and Myers sat down on the couch when a dark haired Asian, in his mid 30s, emerged from another room. He wore a bright yellow Tang-Zhuang, with black lining, and light colored pants. Black butterfly embroidery decorated his chest, directing towards his right shoulder.

"Hey hey hey!" He called, swaying as he walked. "No wonder I smelled something nostalgic, Xiăo Xīng." He clicked his tongue at Myers. "Sūn..." Diego groaned, parting from his sister. Then, Xiăo Lóng walked into the living room. She wasn't wearing a yellow cocktail dress, but instead a yellow-and-black variant qipao, with a long sleeved jacket, tights and flats.

Sūn turned to Magnolia and cheekily smirked, clasping his hands and hid them in his long and oversized sleeves. "Well, look who's here? White Fang's Luna, Magnolia." He joked, and ignoring Diego. She wasn't appalled. "What's the status now?" The brother asked, gaining the Alpha's attention.

The Alpha rested his weight on his hip. "White Fang, Black Arrows and Ruby Eye troops have made contact with Golden Bell." Magnolia's eyes widened, but she quickly regained composure to hide her emotions from the YS Alpha. "Amber Claw and All Blue have made contact with Coffin. Plum Swords, Violet Heels and Mistletoe won't make it in time." He added.

"So what about everyone here?" Magnolia asked. "Your lăobà wanted us to guard the pack house in case you arrived, which you did. But this is only about a third of each packs." Sūn explained. "I'm heading out to the front line and confront Aurora." She demanded. "Not on my watch." Sūn growled, pulling his hands apart.

The Luna sprinted for the front door. But Sūn was far swifter. Magnolia felt something pierce her neck. "Wolfsbane!" Ethan shouted, shooting up from his seat. Myers snapped his fingers and Xiăo Lóng swiftly grabbed the Russian's shoulders and pushed him back down. If there's anything to make matters worse, it would be Ethan acting recklessly.

"What are you-!?" Ethan hissed. "Don't worry. It isn't fatal." She assured. Though doubtful, he sat back down. As what she had said, Magnolia wasn't dead. She could still breath, but she was paralyzed in a way. Sūn casually walked towards her and crouched in front of her, making sure that she sees him.

"Pressure points. That one immobilize the patient." He explained. Magnolia moved her eyes to look at the Alpha. "You may be the Luna of the founding pack, but I'm still an Alpha, placed in charged by your father. You'll listen to my rules until Jëager comes back." Sūn snarled.

He took the needle out, allowing Magnolia to freely move once more. She gasped for air, as if she had been restricted from it. She slowly got up "Make sure she stays in her room." He ordered his men. The boys were left out.

・・・

Magnolia paced about in her room as Myers and Xiăo Lóng rested on her bed. "I came back to help. But this is what I get?" She asked. Myers grunted in acknowledgement. "Fùqīn is usually that 'go with the flow' kind of Alpha on most occasions." Xiăo Lóng commented. Magnolia threw herself onto her bed and rested her head on her mate's stomach. "I need to break out." She announced.

"And then what? You don't even know where your father is." Myers added. Then, someone knocked on her door. "Psst! It's Léi!" They heard a voice. Even so, the trio couldn't unlock the door. "Mā?" Xiăo Lóng called out as the door was unlocked and in came a blonde busty woman. The three sat up and crawled off her bed.

"So you're Magnolia." Léi grinned. "And Myers! Look how much you've grown!" She went over and pinched his cheeks. "Léi! I'm not your son!" Myers cried, slapping her hand away. The YS Luna was still smiling. "Xiăo Lóng, is that your mom?" Magnolia quizzed. She nodded. "I wasn't actually supposed to be here, but my dad asked me to come." She explained.

"Anyways," Léi let go of Myers, "Sūn is out of house at the moment! This is your chance!" She shrieked. Magnolia was confused. "Why are you helping me? Won't Sūn be angry?" She questioned the fellow Luna. "Nah, he won't lay a single finger on my hair." The other two members of Silver Hearts shuddered. "It was hell when it happened..." he groaned. Léi grinned.