Sasha's P.O.V
《The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.》
My spine tingled uncomfortably. It's too quiet. I slowed my pace to a halt and lifted my muzzle to the wind. The stomach turning stench of vampires attacked my sensitive nose. I snarled softly and lowered my head, walking slowly deeper into the forest. Every single tree, blade of grass, hell even the sky itself, seemed to reek of vampire.
I shook my head roughly, and focused all of my attention on the faint, but sweet scent of my pup. Those bastards are going to pay for what they did. I vowed furiously, before raising my head, inhaling deeply. I took a sharp left and quickened my pace until it felt like I was flying through the forest. The wind whipping through my fur.
Time seemed to slow down as a flash of silver and black caught my eye, before I was savagely thrown off my feet and into a nearby tree. A grunt of pain escaped my curled lips as I collided with the solid bark. Shaking my head I glanced upwards and snarled at the blonde haired vampire. His bright golden eyes flashed with shame and he looked towards the ground. "It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you, now do you want your pup back or not?" He demanded quietly as he glanced over his shoulder quickly.
My head snapped upwards and my ears shot forward. What? He sighed and threw his black and silver coat towards me. I looked at it warily, then glanced back towards him. What game is he playing? "If you don't shift. Put that on. Then follow me. Your pup will be dead by sunrise. Now hurry up," He ordered as he quickly exited the thicket.
I raised myself from the grass and allowed my gaze to travel around the green cautiously. With a small sigh I shifted back to my human form and put on the coat. Luckily it was around floor length with what looked like military badges on the shoulders. I slowly stepped towards where the golden eyed man had exited. He sighed in relief when he saw me, then gave me a curt nod, before he began walking deeper into the green of the forest.
A small breeze carried the revolting scent of vampire, I nearly gagged but merely scrunched up my nose and kept a steady pace. "I'm sorry this is on short notice. My name is Ryker, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm even helping you. And I'm afraid that isn't something I'm willing to tell you, so you'll just have to trust that I'm a friend, and I will help you get your pup back." He said as he pushed his way through the dense greenery.
I stared at him with a mixture of shock and caution. "Why the hell should I believe you? I learned long ago vampires are nothing but cold blooded killers," I growled under my breath. His broad shoulders sagged and he glanced back towards me. "Sometimes what you are isn't who you are,' He murmured before turning his gaze forward and continuing on his way.
I stopped, the sound of pain in his gentle voice made my throat clench. "Hey wait up!" I called softly as I jogged after him. He slowed his pace slightly and turned his head towards me. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged you. I just have a bad history with vampires, and you didn't give me much character to base you off of, you know." I said matter-of-factly.
He flashed me a sad smile, displaying his sharp fangs. His head suddenly snapped forward. "Get down!" He hissed softly as he dropped into a crouch. I quickly copied his movements and felt the breath in my throat hitch as faint voices and footsteps reached my ears. Ryker moved one of his hands over his mouth, and glanced at me in horror. Before I could protest or even growl at him he enveloped me in his strong, lean arms. "I have to cover your scent," He whispered softly in my ears as the sounds of voices grew louder and louder until they were practically on top of us.
"Are you sure Viktor? All I smell is vampire, and all you can hear is the bloody wind. You sure you haven't lost your marbles with your old age?" A deep, hardy voice teased. I felt my throat constrict and tears well in my eyes. They're too close, they'll find us. We're dead, we're dead. " I may be nearly four-hundred years older than you, but I can still kick your arse all the way back to the 1600's," Another voice snapped back, high, and sharp as a whip. I was already shaking in fear as the sounds of their voices slowly faded away, deeper into the forest.
Ryker let out a small sigh of relief as he slowly let go of me. I slid out of his arms and immediately curled into a ball, shivers racking my body. "Hey what's wrong?" He asked as he crouched beside me. He ran a comforting hand along my back. His touch snapped me out of my memories and I quickly sat up, wiping the tears roughly off my faces with the palm of my hand. "Nothing. Let's go." I murmured as I pulled myself to my feet and took several steps forward, away from Ryker.
Reluctantly he stepped in front of me and continued leading the way through the forest. I nearly cried out in delight as the faintest tendril of Scarletts sweet, honeydew like scent touched my nose. "She's close!" I exclaimed in excitement, I launched myself forward. A hand caught the collar of my coat and yanked me backwards, I turned on Ryker, "Let. Me. Go," I growled acidly, spitting out every word harshly. His golden orbs flashed with fear but he kept his hand firmly locked around my collar.
"Do you know how many vampires are at camp right now? No. Do you have any idea where she is? No. Do you have any idea how you're going to get her and yourself out of their once you find her? No. So just calm down and take a deep breath, we need to come up with a plan," He grumbled as he sat down in the grass with his legs crossed.
I huffed in frustration and sat beside him. "So what is the plan, O'great Ryker?" I asked mockingly. He scowled then turned away from me. "We need to get her soon, but we need a distraction, she has two guards posted on her at all times because Xavier is paranoid. Smart bastard," He snarled. I felt my eyes widen and my jaw hang open. His brows furrowed in confusion as he caught the look on my face. "What?"
"You just called king Xavier a bastard. He's your king! Don't you serve him or something!?" I exclaimed in shock. He laughed humorlessly and glared at the ground, his golden eyes burning with unshed tears. "He doesn't deserve my service, nor loyalty. The only thing I owe him is a painful death." He hissed coldly. He inhaled and exhaled slowly then turned his brilliant golden eyes towards me.
"The only reason I'm on of his top generals is because of my experience, and because he thinks I'm just another brainwashed servant he can control with the flick of his wrist. This is my chance to prove him wrong," He said in soft pride. His eyes flashed as he pulled himself to his feet. He lowered his hand for me to grab. I gave him a small smile and gratefully took it. His face lit up as he turned and walked towards where the stomach-churning scent of vampire poured from. "I've got a plan. It's insane. But you've got to trust me. Can you do that?" He asked without glancing at me.
I smirked and stepped forward till we stood shoulder to shoulder. "Anybody who hates Xavier is trustworthy in my book. So what's the plan?" I asked in excitement. Silver paced restlessly at the thought of getting our pup back, to safely hold her in our arms. "I'll say I scented werewolves close by, everyone will go into a frenzy, it'll be pure chaos. The vampires here are a useless excuse for an army. When this happens I need you to put up the hood and get your pup. Shes being kept about ten yards southeast of camp, tied to an old oak tree. You'll only have one chance, got it? One. You can't mess this up or Scarlett will be dead come sunrise. So no pressure," he whispered blankly.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and punched him half-heartedly in the shoulder. "I can do it. Just go, I'll be ready," I murmured as I pulled the hood over my long blonde hair and blazing eyes. He nodded curtly, before he turned and stepped out of the trees. I followed slightly and watched through a small hole in the wall of leaves. His pace was measured, but his posture was stiff, but calm. Must have something to do with him being a general or something. I thought to myself.
He threw back his head and let out what sounded like a war cry. It was wild and sent a jolt of energy racing down my spine. I never understood why wolves did that before racing into battle but now I do, his cry sent my heart racing and my body on a hair trigger. Vampires raced from their tents, fumbling for their swords and lances and bows. Ryker waited patiently until they all hand their swords in hand and their bodies in fighting stances. "Werewolves! I have scented werewolves in the woods!" He cried loudly, his gentle voice now changed to a cold and menacing persona.
The assembled men glanced at each other in shock. A tall, raven haired man shoved his way through the crowd. His silver eyes practically blazing in anger. "Where have you scented them?" He demanded Ryker. Ryker looked Xavier steadily in the eye as he answered. "Less than a mile from here Sir, twenty degrees northeast of camp. Shall I send a small group Sir?" He asked formally. The other vampire shook his head, then trailed his gaze in a wide arch over his assembled men. "Find the dogs! Then bring them to me!" He ordered loudly.
The men scrambled in every direction, intent on pleasing their king. I took my chance and made a B-line from the trees towards Scarletts scent. Ryker was right, it's pure chaos. Vampires pushing and shoving in every direction. I pushed my way through them until I came to a small clearing. Two large men stood on either side of the tree where my pup was tied. A low, feral growl rumbled in my chest. I quickly side-stepped behind a tall pine tree and inhaled and exhaled slowly.
Calm down, calm down, we can't take both of them. Not without help. My wolf snarled at my cowardice but accepted my decision. "What can I do now? Ryker where are you?" I whispered under my breath as I stole a glance at the bulky men. A flash of blonde hair caught my eye, Ryker stepped out from behind the tree line. "Hey you two! Didn't you hear your king? Find the werewolves in the forest! I'll watch the little brat," He hissed coldly. The men glanced at each other before they quickly bolted into the forest.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief as I stepped out from behind the tree. Ryker was already crouched next to my pup and was undoing her bonds. I ran forward and engulfed my pup in a hug. My wolf howled in protective delight as I nuzzled Scarlett affectionately. "Mommy?" She whispered in shocked awe. "It's okay I'm here. It's okay sweetling," I cooed gently. Scarlett sighed in relief and wrapped her arms around my mid-section. Ryker cleared his throat urgently. "You need to go. Hurry!" he ordered.
I nodded and quickly pulled off his coat, before I shifted into my wolf once more. I lowered myself to the ground, nuzziling Scarletts side. She purred softly and climbed onto my back, her tiny hands curling into fists full of my midnight black fur. I turned towards Ryker and dipped my head to him. He nodded, then ushered me back into the green. "Run!" He called. I took off through forest, not daring to look back.