It amuses me that some of you have nicknamed me 'Queen of Cliffhangers'. How many of you agree? *wiggles eyebrows*
Early update! WOOP WOOP! I mean, in my book anyway seeing as I usually update once in like...2 weeks!
IMPORTANT NOTE: The first part of the chapter is IMPORTANT, so even if it's frustrating, DON'T SKIP IT!
Dedicated to ALL MY READERS. I love you guys!
A huge shoutout to Maya250 for all your encouraging votes, comments and amazing support and not to forget, your bio OMG! You're amazing! Thank you!
(QUITE A LARGE PORTION OF THIS CHAPTER IS IN ITALICS. IF ITS DIFFICULT TO READ, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL CHANGE IT BACK TO THE NORMAL FORMAT)
This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors. Enjoy!
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Zuerien's POV
Something's wrong...
For the tenth time in the last minute, I rubbed my chest uneasily. I didn't know why but there was a strange heaviness in my chest that was just making it impossible for me to concentrate on anything else but that.
As I sat opposite to Cole looking through the important documents that had just come in from the Central Library, I couldn't help but feel distracted. We had both just come out of a secluded mindlink with the highest authorities of the Central library and the matters we were currently sorting were important, but I couldn't.
My mind kept wandering to the weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, a sinking feeling.
Something's wrong...
"Alpha?"
I looked up from the document to find Cole frowning at me, "Are you alright?" he asked.
I frowned and nodded before going back to scanning the manuscript in my hand. My eyes scanned numbers, letters and figures on the documents, all extremely important information of utmost importance that I, as King, needed to look into, was now in my hands.
And I couldn't concentrate.
Damn
Anxiously, I stood up and walked to the window that overlooked the Game Grounds. Preparations for the beginning of the second round of the Treasure Hunt were almost finished.
Marco had gone into the woods to re-inspect the mazes, two of them in particular- The one for Intercession, and the one for...Neutrals.
For my Suzzanah...
I had mind-linked her about 15 minutes ago, just before I had entered into a secluded mindlink with the high officials of the library regarding an important matter. Being in a 'secluded mindlink' meant that nobody else could contact us via mindlink until the secluded mindlink had come to an end.
When I had ended the mindlink, I had immediately checked my phone for any calls or messages from her, Rino or Prophecy, but I had none.
I frowned, Is she still waiting at the restaurant with Megan for Rino and Prophecy to arrive?!
That uneasy feeling in my chest returned and I exhaled a ragged breath, rubbing the somewhat sore area.
Something was definitely wrong...
I wanted to mindlink Suzzanah but she still wasn't used it. If I ended up mind-linking her while she was in the middle of a conversation, then the other person was bound to notice, especially if it was a werewolf.
Damn it!
I hated that there were so many restrictions on me when it came to my mate. The only reason I was even remotely trying to stick to them was because it was to ensure Suzzanah's safety by keeping her true identity as Queen, a secret.
But why does it feel like she still isn't safe?!
Frustrated, I was about to take my phone and dial Rino's number when suddenly I felt the distinctive familiar clearing of my mind which was characteristic of a mindlink. Someone was trying to reach me.
Suzzanah?
Immediately I let it through.
Sweetheart?
Uh...Alpha, it's me
John?
My shoulders slumped in disappointment and I heard a muffled sound from opposite to me. I looked at Cole who was biting back a laugh. His eyes were glassy, just like mine, telling me that he was also in on this mindlink.
I apologize, John said, sounding amused, it seems you were expecting someone else's uh...call
Have you gone through the Book? I asked, ignoring his comment.
I have, he replied, And I've found some rather interesting things too
I exchanged anticipatory glances with Cole. Finally, a piece of good news!
The Business that John had had to urgently leave on had been an extremely confidential matter that only I, Cole and Marco knew about. He had left to go to the Central Library in order to look through the one Book that could possibly hold some answers to the questions that had plagued our minds since the day that Prophecy had foretold the coming of the Lunas.
'The Book of Ages'
It was the oldest documentation of Werewolf civilization that contained all the significant events that had ever transpired in Werewolf History. It was the most important and most confidential document of all time and was preserved under extremely tight security at the Central Library.
Everything, from the birth of the very first Werewolf to the crowning of the current King had been recorded in that one book. Normally, no one had access to the book, seeing as if the information in that book fell into the wrong hands, it would prove to be disastrous for the Werewolf kind.
They would know all our little secrets, our strengths and our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Therefore, the book was under 24-hour supervision in one of the deepest and most heavily guarded chambers within the Central Library.
Only once in a decade, the 'Book of Ages' was brought out of the chamber giving the then ruling entities to have a look at it, if they wished to do so. And that day, for this decade, had been today.
Only three persons in the whole Kingdom had the authorization to view the contents of the 'Book of Ages'-
The Alpha King
The Alpha of Wisdom
The Elite Overseer
The Elite Overseer was the oldest Werewolf alive. He was a part of the Elite Council of Overseers which was a council composed of the oldest and most knowledgeable persons of each Supernatural Species. It was the Council responsible for maintaining peace between the Supernaturals, a little like the UN for the humans.
In the event of the Werewolf Overseer's death, John would be his successor. I had never laid eyes on the book myself, simply because the speech was much too complicated for me to be able to understand it.
The 'Book of Ages' contained many secrets, all inscribed by a magical hand, woven together in the form of parables and puzzles that only someone extremely wise like John or someone extremely old and knowledgeable like the Werewolf Overseer could understand.
And now that John had read through it, I hoped we had some more answers regarding the lost Lunas.
What did you find out? I asked John, eager to know any new information.
In terms of quantity, it is not very significant, he replied, But that little I have discovered, you will see, is quite valuable. But before I tell you the information, may I ask, how are the Games proceeding? Has the first round come to an end?
I looked at Cole, who wore a dejected expression, just like me.
It has, Alpha, Cole replied, But the results were...rather disappointing
Oh? John replied, And by that you mean...neither of them turned out to be what we hoped they would
That's right, Cole replied, Neither is Megan the Luna of Intercession, nor is Suzzanah a Neutral
And most importantly, nor is Suzzanah the Luna of Intercession, I added begrudgingly.
That last bit had been the reason why John had decided to put both Megan and Suzzanah on the same Team. Even though earlier opposed to the idea that Suzzanah could be the Luna of Intercession, John had realized that there was no harm in testing her along with Megan.
By putting them both together on the same team, it gave Marco the opportunity to assess both of them simultaneously. Also, in the event of either one of them being the Luna of Intercession, it could mean that they would enhance the other's hidden abilities, and help us discover them with ease.
In case Megan was Intercession, it could bring forth any other hidden abilities Suzzanah had within her.
In case Suzzanah was Intercession then being close to her could bring out any latent Shadower abilities that Megan had.
But it turned out that neither of them was Intercession, and that Suzzanah wasn't a Neutral being either. The maze that Marco had cast for the Neutrals had been right there in the Sequoia forest, but Suzzanah hadn't been able to see anything that a Neutral should have been able to see.
Suzzanah...
The restless feeling from before intensified once more and I rubbed by chest again, struggling to concentrate on what John was saying.
So Megan didn't respond at all to the objects in the maze meant especially for Intercession's eyes? John asked and we both hummed in agreement.
Makes me wonder, John said thoughtfully, If she really didn't see them, or just pretended not to
Both my and Cole's eyes met in confused questioning as we asked in unison, What do you mean?
Just this, he said, That a woman who could avoid answering our questions truthfully, despite being bound by your Absolute Command, probably could also avoid being tangled in Marco's maze
That's ridiculous John! I said, If traversing Marco's mazes were as easy as that then anybody could do it!
Not anybody, he replied, Just those who already knew what they were meant to evade in order to avoid being caught
Cole frowned, So you think...that Megan knew there was a maze there, and how it worked and deliberately avoided all the things that could get her discovered
Yes
And how exactly would you explain this absurd theory? I asked.
You see, he began, The very last confirmed documentation of the Luna of Intercession was 1024 years ago. But there are entries of the vampire female whom we suspected to be Intercession 300 years ago, remember?
Of course I remembered. Those dirty bloodsuckers had killed her just because she was mated to an enemy werewolf. Just the thought of it made my blood boil.
What about those entries? Cole asked.
Well, according to those entries, he told us, she and her fellow vampires had noticed that she possessed strange abilities, for the first time, when she was 103 years old
Somehow, he continued, in the years that followed, the young woman had managed to keep her powers hidden from them till she turned 193 years old, he continued, until she discovered that she was mated to a Werewolf. And immediately afterwards, her fellow vampires started trying to kill her
I and Cole exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what John was trying to get at.
Despite many attempts at her life, John said, she had still somehow managed to protect herself singlehandedly from them all for the next 19 years till she was killed, almost as if she knew of their attacks before they even carried them out
Realization dawned on me on hearing his words. It was just like what Megan had somehow managed to pull off last night. She had somehow known that I had used an Absolute Command on her, which led us to suspect that she was a Supernatural, but it also very distinctively hinted towards the fact that she could be one of the lost Lunas.
Because if she wasn't one of them, then she wouldn't have had to lie to us...
What I'm trying to say here is, John said, that apparently Intercession has some inbuilt ability to be able to sense or be informed of other people's motives, even before they strike. With such an ability, it wouldn't be a surprise if she really did evade Marco's mazes just like she managed to miraculously slip through your Absolute Command
He did have a point. Right now it seemed like that woman had been making fools of us all too easily, but with an ability like that, it would be understandable. But exactly what ability could possibly confer such great powers to someone?
But John, there is still one thing I don't understand, I said thoughtfully, It's one thing that the vampire from 300 years ago tried to hide her powers because she couldn't afford to let the other vampires know that she was associated with Werewolves. But if Megan is Intercession, then what reason could she possibly have for hiding from us? Werewolves would never hurt either of the lost Lunas
You're right Alpha, Werewolves wouldn't, John said, But Megan isn't a Werewolf, is she now?
My eyes widened in realization, No, she isn't...
She could be a human, a latent Shadower or any other Supernatural species she has somehow managed to conceal, John said, And if she is either of the two former options then its understandable why she would want to hide her identity
If she is a human, then everyone will think she is some kind of freak for possessing such powers, Cole said, And if she is a Shadower then...they'll kill her for being associated to us...
Exactly! John exclaimed.
Somehow everything was making sense now, but question was, how would we confirm this theory. What could we possibly do to discover the truth?
What do you suggest we do now, John? I asked, Our best bet at discovering the truth had been Marco's mazes, but if what you've told us is true then Megan has obviously managed to breach his maze
Marco isn't going to be happy to hear this, Cole said with a sigh.
Where is Marco right now? John asked.
He's re-examining all the mazes once again, I told him, Apart from Suzzanah, he was the one who was most disappointed to learn that neither Suzzanah nor Megan was intercession
How is Suzzanah? John asked and my breath caught in my throat.
For someone reason, I found myself unable to reply with the words 'she's fine', and I couldn't understand why.
She's okay, Cole replied on my behalf, when I remained silent for a moment too long, She's waiting in the restaurant for Rino and Prophecy to arrive
I see
My gaze immediately returned to my phone. Where the hell was Rino and why hadn't he called yet? Excusing myself from the mindlink, I snatched my phone off the table, but just as I was about to call him, my phone screen lit up with his number on it.
Rino Perez (nuisance) calling...
I picked up on first ring.
"Wolfa!"
"Where the hell have you been?" I couldn't help but shout, "I told you to get to the restaurant asap!"
"Sorry about that, Wolfa", he replied, "I couldn't get network anywhere in here unless I stood on a table"
I made a sound of disbelief, "Are you-"
"I am", he replied, "If I knew that I would get network if I got on higher ground, I would have just borrowed someone's high heels. If only I was a little taller!"
"Rino!" I grit out in frustration, "Never mind all that. Give it to Suzzanah!"
"Okay, where is she?" he asked and I could have literally thrown a chair at him.
"What do you mean 'where is she?!'" I shouted, immediately making Cole tense opposite to me, "You should know! You're the one at the restaurant!"
"I am", he replied, "But Anna obviously isn't"
My breath caught in my throat and immediately a wave of anxiety washed over me, "She isn't?"
"No Wolfa", Rino replied, "She isn't here. I've looked everywhere for her"
My eyes met Cole's wide ones. I could see the tension in my eyes reflected in his gaze.
"What about Megan?"
"She's not here either", he replied in puzzlement.
No!
Without wasting another second I mind-linked Suzzanah. The link was abruptly cut off and my agitation grew. I tried again, and again and again, but every time I was unable to reach her.
It was just like before, when she had unknowingly blocked us out and even though she had denied anything distressing having happened, I knew that something had occurred that had disturbed her, causing her to block everyone from mind linking her.
But why? Why would she block us out?
Could it be that she had entered the 'no mindlink' territory with Megan and that was why I couldn't reach her? But then again, why would she leave when I had specifically told her to wait for Rino and Prophecy?!
"Hello? Hello?! HELLO?!" I could hear Rino calling out repeatedly on the phone.
"Find her", I said firmly, immediately walking towards the door, with Cole hot on my heels, "Forget about everything else and find Suzzanah"
Rino must have picked up on the tension in my voice as he said seriously, "I'm on it", before adding, "We'll find her. Don't worry"
The line went dead and outside, a bolt of lightning struck the cloudless sky. Within seconds, the sky started to darken and I knew that even though he had told me not to worry, he himself was worried too.
Suzzanah...
The uneasy feeling in my gut had grown enough for me to be able to recognize it now. It was the kind of dread which came with the anticipation of something ominous. The kind that clouded all your thoughts, haunted your entire being and made you incapable of ignoring it.
Suzzanah...!
The minute I stepped out of the building I was hit by the first droplet of rain falling from the now dark sky. All the wolves on guard bowed deeply as I and Cole rushed towards the cobblestone pathway.
All day today I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Ever since I saw that Megan and Suzzanah were on the same team, a strange anxiety had been clawing at my mind.
I knew that John's reasons for having them put on the same team were valid, but it didn't stop me from worrying the hell out of myself about it. It was the reason why I had decided to personally keep an eye on their team. But because of the sudden matter with the rogues, I had to leave, and now I was regretting it.
Dammit!
I ran faster, shooting through the woods towards the restaurant. It had been nearly 25 minutes since I had last mind-linked Suzzanah and that was enough time for things to go terribly wrong. My heart was hammering against my chest in desperation. I needed to see her, I needed to see my Suzzanah or I'd go crazy.
Please be okay, Suzzanah...
Heavy rain poured down from the skies, creating an ominous atmosphere all over the Game Grounds. The feeling of dread within me was now consuming my whole being, nearly unbearable to think to about.
Zuerien? It was General Reginald, Is something the matter with Rino? Why is it suddenly raining?
I didn't reply, I was too worried about my mate right now to think about anything else.
Zuerien? He called again, this time sounding worried.
Have you seen Suzzanah? I asked him, still racing through the woods.
Suzzanah? He said surprised, No son...Why?
Look for her, I said, without answering his question, Locate her as soon as you can, and if you find her, inform me immediately!
He was quiet for a moment before he asked concernedly, Zuerien...the Queen is alright...is she not?
DAMMIT!
The fact that I couldn't reply with a yes to him either was driving me crazy. In my mind, Kai howled loudly, desperately trying to reach out to our mate.
Please Suzzanah...please be okay heart, please...
I had blocked General Reginald out, unable to answer his troubled questions. I could feel Marco trying to mindlink me as well, but I didn't let anyone through. Each breath that I drew in was strained at the thought of something bad having happened to my mate.
By the time I and Cole reached the restaurant, we were soaked from head to toe. I stormed inside, making everyone jump to their feet in alarm and bow deeply in respect. I immediately found Prophecy in the crowd, who was now hurrying over to us with eyes wide in concern.
"King", she whispered worriedly, "Any news yet?"
I shook my head, making her shoulders sag in disappointment. The distinctive discomfort in my chest intensified and with it so did my desperation. While Cole asked her where Rino had gone, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.
In the plethora of different scents in the room, I could pick up the faint distinctive Arabian scent of my mate coming from one of the tables.
Her scent made my heart clench painfully and longingly.
Where are you Suzzanah...?
I tried to trace the scent across the room. It was extremely faint, but I could pick up the scent trailing towards the back door of the restaurant and out.
I immediately followed it to the door making the troubled crowd part as I made my way towards it hurriedly. Pulling the door open, I stepped back outside into the pouring rain.
Suzzanah's scent was stronger close to the steps outside, as though she had lingered there for a little longer, but then it abruptly disappeared and I couldn't pick it up anymore.
I didn't know if it was because of the rain or the wind, but her scent had been completely wiped out from there on. I tried to mindlink her again, but I still couldn't reach her. It was like my precious mate had disappeared from the face of the earth.
Suzzanah...!
My aggravation grew so intense that my body started to shake and my canines elongated. Kai was howling inside of me, raging to get out. I could feel myself close to losing control again.
Where is she? What is she doing? Is she alright?!
The water around me started to evaporate and form steam from the heat that was radiating off my body. The grass around me charred to ashes leaving behind the characteristic smell of burnt soil.
A few lamps and glasses in the restaurant cracked and shattered and I could hear the slight panic that had taken over the others who were inside.
Suzzanah...Suzzanah...SUZZANAH!
Cole was by my side in an instant, his face wrought with concern. But when a voice spoke to me, it was not his.
"King"
My eyes barely moved to find Prophecy looking up at me with wide terrified eyes, "King, there is s-something...I need to t-tell you", she breathed out, her voice small and panicked, "T-his morning, during the Games, when I had wandered away...I had stumbled upon Team B!"
Cole sucked in a sharp breath, while my eyes widened infinitesimally.
"I-I saw Ms. Megan there", she said, the agitation in her voice growing, "And along with her...there was another woman...one with brown hair and brown eyes"
SUZZANAH!
I immediately turned towards Prophecy, all my attention focused on what she was saying. Cole too stared at her in disbelief.
Prophecy gasped, "W-Was that", she said, clutching her chest, "Was that the-"
"She was!" Cole cut her off hurriedly, "But why couldn't you pick up her aura?! Didn't her presence seem familiar to you?"
"It did! It was...vaguely familiar", Prophecy said, now sounding panicked, "But...I-I didn't sense anything out of the ordinary. She was human...and that was all. Her presence was small. Nothing like the aura of either of the lost Lunas but-OH GOD! I'm so stupid!"
She fisted her hair in aggravation, "Of course her aura wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary, she is a normal human!" she babbled to herself, "But there were those other times when I did sense a powerful aura from her! Like that day in the library, just before I disappeared. But that too, only seems to happen in sudden bouts-"
"Prophecy what's the point of this?!" I all but growled out.
"King", she said, her voice suddenly sounding tense and scared, "I had a vision. A disturbing one. And...it was either about Megan...or about...!"
My heart rate spiked and Cole released an alarmed breath, "WHAT HAPPENED?" he cried out worriedly.
"There was a small wardrobe....in a dark room", she said, her breath coming out in tense puffs as she spoke, "There were chains and a large lock around it...and I don't know what exactly it was but there was just something really ominous about the atmosphere"
With every word she spoke, I felt the discomfort in my chest turn increasingly unbearable. Prophecy looked up at me, her eyes brimming with confusion and concern.
"I didn't know what to make of the vision so I simply shouted to both of them to...stay away from wardrobes", she told me, "But I don't know why...ever since I had that vision, there's just been this really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I...I feel like...the she is in dan-"
Before she could even complete her sentence, a ginormous wave of panic so intense and powerful washed over me that all breath was knocked out of me and my body was thrown forward in shock. I heard many alarmed and terrified voices as my feet dug into the ground, and my hand shot out to grab the nearest column for support as my entire world spun dizzyingly.
My other hand desperately clutched my chest which felt like it was on fire. Searing pain radiated down my body, the intensity of which was so unbearable that it made my vision blur.
And my heart nearly shattered into a million pieces when I realized that these were not my feelings.
Oh God no! SUZZANAH!
A plethora of shouts, screams and groans sounded from all around me, and I raised my head, taking in the sight before me.
I sucked in sharp shocked breath when, through my blurred vision, I saw that not only me, but every single person around me was hunched over or kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath and crying out in agony.
K-King! Marco's pained voice filled my mind, S-something's wrong!
Zuerien! General Reginald cried out, What's happening?!
S-Sire! E-everyone is i-in pain! Talon shouted.
My eyes widened in shock when Alphas from around the world stared to mindlink me in alarm, their voices laced with pain and panic.
And that's when I realized what was going on. It wasn't just me, or the people around me. No.
Every single werewolf in the world could feel what I was feeling right now. They could all feel my mate's emotions- no!
Their Queen's Emotions!
Zuerien! John's desperate and pained voice filled my head, What's happened to her?! What's happened to Suzzanah?!
"ALPHA!" Cole cried out, his features scrunched up in alarm and distress. Beside him, Prophecy was crouched over a table, her eyes wide in the fear that came with knowing what was going on.
A hand grabbed onto my arm and my head shot to the side to find Rino, clutching his chest.
"Anna", he gasped, his face painted with dread.
The terror I was feeling was reflected clearly in his eyes as one overwhelming thought bombarded our minds, making me feel like my soul was being torn apart.
SUZZANAH! SUZZANAH! SUZZANAH!!!
Heaving my body up, I tried once again to reach out to my mate. It didn't work. My heart clenched in overwhelming pain and horror at the thought of what had happened to my Suzzanah. Kai let out a loud howl that probably reverberated through the minds of every single werewolf in the world.
Heart! Suzzanah! Please answer me!
Another wave of intense pain and terror tore through my body and I cried out in both rage and agony at what my mate was going through.
SUZZANAAAAH!
MARCO! I shouted through the mindlink, Destroy the maze that prevents mind-linking, NOW!
Within seconds the maze had disappeared my mind was immediately filled with the most heartbreaking sound I had ever heard.
My precious mate's agonizing screams for help.
****
Suzzanah's POV
Get me out! GET ME OUT OF HERE! PLEAAASE! GET ME OUT!
I hurled myself against the hard doors of the tiny wooden cabinet that I had been locked in. My body screamed in excruciating pain but I ignored it, crashing my burning shoulders into the wood, trying again and again and again, desperate to get out.
HELP ME! PLEAASE! PLEAAASE! ZUERIEN! KARINA! SOMEONE PLEASE!
My frantic cries of distress were muffled into the rag that bit into my bruised skin. I kicked my bound legs and flung my tied arms around, throwing my body against the wooden walls of the tiny prison that contained me.
I can't breathe! I can't' breathe! Karina! Zuerien! Someone help me pleaaasee! HELP ME PLEAAASE!
My entire body throbbed torturously and my lungs burned from lack of oxygen. I gasped for breath, feeling suffocated, like I was being choked with a metal chain.
I couldn't see, I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe!
All I could hear were my own anguished bellows. I felt like I had been crying out for help for hours, but no one heard my cries, no one answered my pleas.
I could feel myself falling apart, drowning in unbearable despair. The pain in my body was nothing compared to the terror that gripped my heart like a vice.
PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE! I CAN'T BREATHE!
Tears of agony slid down my cheeks soaking the rag between my chapped and bleeding lips. Never had I felt this terrified, helpless and alone in my entire life. I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to get out, I needed to get out!
I screamed into the dirty rag, again and again and again. My teeth bit down hard and I tasted blood. With each breath, my heart hammered painfully against my battered chest. I desperately wished that I could lose consciousness, but my mind remained terrifyingly alert, exaggerating the intensity of this torment.
Mocked, beaten and locked in like an animal, I was so broken on the inside that I felt like I was dying. Every part of my being was wailing in torment.
And all this from the people whom I was supposed to rule one day...
I always thought that the werewolves were a unified people. They had strong ethics and were fiercely loyal to their comrades. And they cherished their mates and loved their children.
They were supposed to be...a family!
So how could they be this cruel to me? I was also a woman. I was also someone's baby. How could they do this to me? How could they do this to me?!
"I didn't do anything", I wept quietly, my cries being muffled into the damp cloth between my lips, "I didn't do anything...why are you torturing me?"
My body shook and trembled as I sobbed bitterly, with no one to hear my cries, no one to wipe my tears. My heart ached for my loved ones, clenching painfully in my chest.
"Zuerien, Karina...", I whimpered, tasting my salty tears as I cried, "Where are you? I'm really scared, please help me...please help me..."
Please...please...please...PLEASE....PLEEEAAASSEE!
ANNA?!
In what felt like forever, I finally heard a reply to my pleas.
I sucked in sharp breath, and my eyes shot open at the sound of a that familiar voice. I blinked in the dark, unable to believe that I had really just heard-
Anna?! Honey, is that really you?!
A muffled cry escaped my lips and a fresh bout of tears slid down my cheeks at the sound of that beautiful voice that I hadn't heard in what seemed like forever.
Karina...! I breathed out, my heart aching in recollection of my beloved sister.
ANNA?! ANNA, WHAT'S... WHAT'S GOING ON?! HOW CAN I HEAR-?!
I sobbed loudly, moaning painfully into the rag, Karina help meee, please help me, I bawled to my sister.
ANNA! WHAT'S WRONG HONEY?!
I could hear the sheer distress in her voice which made it sound all the more real. I didn't know how I could hear her speaking in my mind. Honestly, I didn't even care if I was hallucinating. I just wanted to keep hearing her voice.
Karina, they locked me in, I sobbed, I didn't do anything but they still locked me in a small wardrobe. I'm so terrified!
WHAT?! WH-WHO LOCKED YOU IN?! WHAT HAPPENED HONEY?!
She was screaming now, her voice cracking in anguish. I knew that she was probably going out of her mind worrying about me.
I don't know Karina, they're such terrible people, I wept, panting for breath, It's dark and crammed in here and I'm so scared. I can't breathe...
Shhh Anna, don't say that honey, just p-please hang in there, she spoke frantically. I could hear her voice shaking and knew that she too was crying, Big sis is here honey, hang on. I'll find a way to help you. Just please be strong Anna, be strong for a little bit longer
I whimpered in pain and exhaustion. Even the darkness within the small cabinet seemed to be closing in around me.
Karina...I'm scared..
Close your eyes, honey, Karina told me, just like she used to when I was younger, Close your eyes Anna, and think of me
I did as I was told and thought of her face. Warmth flooded my body as I envisioned her and my desperation to get out and see her grew tenfold. If Karina was with me, this wouldn't have happened. If Karina was with me, I could have been strong.
I wish you were here, I whispered to her brokenly, my inside burning in anguish.
But despite waiting for a few seconds, I received no reply. My eyes shot open to the darkness around me and my fear spiked.
Karina?!
She didn't reply and all the fear that had numbed slightly after having heard her voice returned with a vengeance.
Sucking in a horrified breath, I called out to her again and again, kicking and thrashing against the walls around me. My body throbbed with each movement and after a few seconds my limbs went limp underneath me. I coughed and gasped, feeling utterly suffocated.
I can't breathe Karina...I wheezed, Please help me...
I got no reply and more pained tears rolled down my eyes.
"Karina! Don't go!" I cried, "Please don't leave me here alone!"
She didn't reply and I felt my hope crumble once again. The desperation and terror peaked once more and I found myself screaming in despair all over again. I felt like I was going insane.
Waves of agonizing pain and fear washed over me- pushing me, crushing me, choking me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I coughed violently into the rag, gasping for breath only to scream again, till my throat ached and lungs burned.
PLEASE LET ME OUT! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! PLEASE, PLEAAAASEE! ZUERIEEEENNNN!
SUZZANAH!
I gasped in shock when yet another familiar voice filled my mind, one that made my heart warm even when it was broken.
SUZZANAH?! HEART?! BABY CAN YOU HEAR ME?!
ZUERIEN! I yelled desperately, not wanting to let his voice disappear too, PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE!
Suzzanah...! Despite my condition, I could still hear it in his voice, the terrible anguish and despair he was feeling right now, I'm here sweetheart!
Please don't disappear! I begged.
I won't baby, he told me firmly, I'm not going anywhere. Everything's going to be okay Suzzanah
I shook my head, weeping silently, I'm so scared Zuerien,
I'm here sweetheart, I'm here, he told me, his frantic voice filled with overwhelming affection and anxiety.
I can't feel you, I whispered in languish.
Tell me where you are baby? He begged desperately.
I don't know...I cried, I'm locked...inside a tiny wardrobe in a dark room. I'm so scared Zuerien...
A thunderous growl echoed in my mind making me suck in terrified breath and whimper in fear.
Shh sweetheart, it's going to be okay, he told me, I'm coming. I promise you, everything is going to be okay
His voice, though still laced with deep concern, was still strong and reassuring. I inhaled short ragged breaths, every part of my body aching.
It hurts...I told him, fresh tears filling my eyes.
He let out an anguished cry, Suzzanah...sweetheart, please hang on, just a little longer
I can't breathe, I cried, Please help me...
I'm coming for you baby, please don't cry. I'm here. I will never abandon you.
His voice only made me want to weep harder. I wanted to see him so badly. I felt like I would die if I stopped hearing his voice.
My hands slipped underneath me and I winced at the feeling of being bent in an odd angle. The tight ropes dug into my raw skin making me hiss in pain.
Suzzanah?! Are you alright?!
Zuerien...I breathed out, It hurts
I'm almost there, hang on!
I feel like I'm dying...
Shh, you're not dying Suzzanah. You're going to be okay, the strength in his voice amazed me, Keep talking to me baby
I can't do this...
Just a few minutes more sweetheart, hang on for me!
My body started to go numb and my breath came out in strained shallow puffs. Even the darkness, which my eyes had grown accustomed by now started to blur as exhaustion took over me.
Heart, talk to me! I heard Zuerien's strong yet desperate voice pleading in my mind.
I...feel faint, I whispered to him.
Stay awake baby, I'm almost there! He cried out.
His words gave me hope and I forced myself to stay to not lose consciousness. I wanted to see him. I wanted to see him so badly.
But...it hurt so much...
A strange mumbling sound filled my mind and I cringed at the discomfort it brought with it. It felt like a thousand voices were whispering in my head all at once. I tried to clear my head, but the voices only got louder until I recognized one of them very distinctively.
Suzzanah! Please hang on child!
Mr. Talon's voice...
I breathed deeply, unable to reply. My body felt cold and numb
LUNA! We're coming Luna!
Cole...
Queen! Queen! Please stay awake!
Marco...
LUNA QUEEN! PLEASE HOLD ON!
Del!
Please hang on honey!
Roma...
Suzzanah! Don't you dare give up!
A-Annabelle!
I couldn't understand what was going on and why I could suddenly hear all their voices in my head. I tried to sit up straighter, but my body wouldn't cooperate. I could feel myself giving in to the darkness around me.
Queen please don't give up! Hang in there!
P-Prophecy?...
ANNA! WE'RE COMING ANNA!
Rino?!
Even through my daze, my brow furrowed in confusion. How could the two of them...
Suzzanah! We're almost there dear!
General...Reginald...
Suzzanah! My child, don't let go
Alpha Penson...
Tears pricked my eyes once more when I realized that they were all worried about me. They cared for me. They loved me.
Suzzanah...please be okay, a small voice whispered and my breath hitched.
...Was that...Megan?!
ANNA! DARLING, PLEASE BE STRONG!
I sucked in a sharp breath.
KARINA!
HEART! I'M ALMOST THERE BABY!
ZUERIEN!!!
I struggled to concentrate on their words, which were now starting to fade. I forced myself to stay awake and blinked repeatedly. I felt like I couldn't move any part of my body at all. I couldn't even feel the pain anymore. Only a cold dark numbness.
Hang on Suzzanah
That last voice resounded in my entire body as though it was my own soul's desperate cry to my broken heart.
They're coming for you, it will all be over soon, don't give up, hang on
I knew that voice, the sweet, gentle voice of that spirit I had met for the first time in the woods. The woman with dark hair and kind eyes. The woman who had told me that she would always be with me. That we are the same.
Hang on Suzzanah... her voice repeated and I closed my eyes, breathing deeply.
You can do this Suzzanah, I told myself, They're coming for me, Zuerien's coming. Everything is going to be okay.
Calming myself as much as I could, I opened my eyes. In the darkness, I saw a blur of bright blue. I frowned and blinked, trying to clear my vision. The bright blue object didn't disappear. On the contrary, it seemed to have gotten closer to me.
With a sudden rush of adrenaline, my mind suddenly became alert and my vision focused on the two blue floating balls in front of me.
And my blood ran cold in heart stopping horror when I realized that those floating balls of blue, were a pair of eyes.
Oh my God!
A silent scream escaped my lips and I flung my body backwards, my back hitting the hard woods painfully as I did. Terror gripped my heart once more as it thundered inside my chest.
My eyes were wide in horror as they stared into the cool blue ones, and my fear only spiked a hundredfold when I realized that I knew those eyes.
They're his eyes...Terrence Magnifis' eyes!
And that meant...that right now, there was a Supernatural Shadow in this wardrobe with me!
ZUERIEN!
I heard him cry out a reply, but it sounded distant and muffled in my mind. The floating blue eyes approached my face and I screamed again, desperately thrashing around in the tiny wardrobe.
No! Oh God! Please no! Go away!
I felt something cold slitter across the skin of my legs and I shrieked into the rag knowing that it was the shadow.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I cried into the rag, frantically moving my bound legs.
The eyes stayed glued to my terror-stricken face, the shadow's cold tentacle-like appendages still sweeping across my skin making me tremble in disgust and horror.
I could hear Zuerien's voice calling out to me, but it was very faint, barely even there. I desperately prayed that he would find me soon, I couldn't take it anymore!
I couldn't take it anymore!
I felt the cold tentacle-like things slide up my form and I flailed around vigorously, trying to get it off me. The Shadow's eyes remained cold and observant, never once leaving my face.
I felt its appendages slide behind my back as I sucked in a sharp terrified breath. What was it doing to me?!
"Let me go! Leave me alone!" I shouted in desperation.
I felt its tentacles against my burning wrists and I cried out in alarm, tears sliding down my face. The shadow's ice cold form almost felt moist against my skin. Suddenly I heard the sound of some small hard objects falling around me and I gasped in fear, not knowing what they were.
As the shadow's glowing blue eyes approached my face, my features contorted in absolute revulsion and in one desperate attempt to get away from it, I flung my bound arms forward.
And to my utter bafflement, the bounds came undone and slid off my hand, leaving them free. I stared in shock at the dark silhouettes of my hands now held up before me. Alarmed, I moved my legs, and found that they too were free, no longer tied up by the tight ropes from earlier.
Realization hit me like a cold bucket of water and my eyes shot towards the shadow's blue ones, which now floated before my face.
They were cold and distant, just like they had been last night at the Game Grounds, but somehow, I couldn't bring myself to look away from them. They glowed dangerously in the dark, narrowing slightly at me.
Something gave way between my lips, making me gasp and my eyes lowered in shock when the rag was pulled out of my mouth. I swallowed hard, finally able to bring my lips together and tasted salty tears and dried blood.
My gaze shot back towards the blue floating orbs which now floated near my feet. My heart was still hammering in my chest in shock, as the eyes glowed brightly one last time before abruptly disappearing into the darkness and not reappearing again.
A few seconds passed and I sat there stone still, stunned out of my wits at what had just happened. And then, I released a ragged breath as one thing become crystal clear to me.
That Shadow...had just...helped me...
Before even a single other thought could enter my mind, I heard a loud click and suddenly the doors of the wardrobe were flung open. Light flooded the dark small wardrobe, just enough to illuminate my surroundings.
My still dazed and wide eyes shot upwards to find a pale and dazed Jason looking down at me, his features were contorted in horror. His body trembled at the sight of me, his chest rising and falling unevenly with each breath.
Several other faces joined his and I recognized them all, the horrified faces of my attackers. Every single one of them had a similar look of blatant shock etched into their features.
I didn't know why, but I felt nothing when I saw them- no fear, no anger, not even a flicker of anticipation. I just gazed up at them blankly, with hollow eyes, their pained faces blurring slightly when I blinked.
"I-It can't be..." Jason whispered in disbelief while the others clutched their chests. They looked like they were all falling apart.
My lips parted slightly, even though I didn't know what I would say, but before I could even make a sound, an ear-splitting explosion sounded from across the room and thick chunks of hard wood went flying in all directions.
Everyone gasped in shock and whipped around, and through the gaps between their bodies, I saw what had happened.
And in what felt like forever, the tears that filled my eyes this time were not from hopelessness, but from relief.
He's here...
A thunderous growl echoed throughout the large dark room as Zuerien stalked towards us with powerful strides. Rage and power radiated off of him in ginormous waves, turning everything around him to ashes.
The people surrounding me shouted in terror, backing away from me. When they had all cleared the path, my mate's form became clear and when he took in my pathetic state, he stopped dead in his tracks.
His handsome features contorted in so much pain that it literally made my heart hurt and I yearned to reach out to him and comfort him somehow.
"Suzzanah..." he breathed out in a broken voice, and I felt more tears fall down my dirty, moist face.
"Z-Zuerien..."
The minute he heard my pained whisper, his features contorted in terrifying fury and his eyes shot towards the others who were staring back at him in horror.
Zuerien roared loudly, his cry resonating throughout the large room. The walls cracked, the pillars crumbled and glass shattered all around us, as unlimited amounts of raw power exploded out of him.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Zuerien bellowed in molten rage, "HOW DARE YOU LAY A FINGER ON MY MATE!"
Several shocked and horrified cries sounded as everyone paled, their shocked gazes shooting towards me. Guilt and terror and dread shone through their wide-eyes as their eyes and Jason's lips parted as he whispered in disbelief,
"Luna...Queen..."
One of the women slumped to the floor in terror while the others covered their mouths in overwhelming regret and grief, "W-we...A-Alpha we didn't kno-"
"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" Zuerien roared furiously, "YOU DARE HURT YOUR QUEEN?! MY LUNA?! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ALL!"
The whole room shook and quaked violently from the intensity of Zuerien's power. A wave of raw energy burst out of him and crashed into them throwing them into the walls. I squeezed my eyes shut as their bodies collided with the cement and several sickening thuds echoed throughout the room.
And when I opened my eyes again, everything was fire!
Bright red-orange light lit up the dark room, turning everything to dust, ashes and smoke. The flames were so high that they reached the ceiling, burring furiously, consuming everything in their paths.
I heard Zuerien's wild growls growing more enraged with each passing moment, and my body trembled, desperately trying to get up and reach him.
The fire blazed all around me, but didn't dare touch me. It formed a wall all around me, as though protecting me from the world beyond them. Light clashed with darkness as the red hot flames cast long, lean shadows across the ruined room.
My eyes lingered on each of the dark shadows, watching them as they danced under the light. And I knew that somewhere in this room, there was one which did not belong here.
Shrill screams suddenly filled the room- terrified and agonized. They were the screams of my tormenters, begging my mate for mercy. I cringed and squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to see or hear anymore. With all the strength I could muster, I bit back the unbearable pain in my ribs and stumbled out of the little cabinet, trembling.
The flames immediately backed away to avoid even grazing my skin. But they continued to encircle me like a barrier of light. I looked up and through the gaps in the red-orange fire, I saw Jason's body being hurled across the room and crashing so hard into the wall that it cratered from the impact.
An anguished cry escaped my lips, and my hand flew to my mouth in shock. I saw Zuerien's elbow jerk backwards as he prepared to throw his fist into another guy's face, but just as his arm flew forward, two lean arms came around me, and my head was buried in a strong chest, preventing me from seeing any more.
The screams were muffled as the person covered me with a jacket, which smelt just like my mate. The person hugged me close and I knew that it was a man, whose touch though unfamiliar, was warm and protective.
"Everything's okay now, Anna", he told me and I sucked in a sharp breath when I realized who it was.
"Rino..." I breathed out weakly and I was suddenly lifted into the air.
"Let's get you out of here", he told me and I raised my head to look up at him.
His boyish features looked strained as he watched what was going on across the barrier of fire. When he averted his gaze to look down at me, my eyes widened when I realized that his brown eyes were glowing and rimmed with blue.
And for the first time ever, I saw anger in them, it was raw and feral and almost overwhelming.
He suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, as his glowing eyes zeroed in on my head and then something behind me in the wardrobe. Following his alarmed gaze, I turned my head towards the wardrobe and my heart rate spiked when I saw the tiny crystals glittering under the light of the flames like diamonds.
They looked exactly the same as the one Megan had given me, and the one Alpha Penson had said, had once belonged to his daughter.
How...
Not wasting another second, Rino turned with me in his arms and hurried towards the door. The flames parted for him before forming a way for us to walk safely through them. My breath hitched as I tried to look over his shoulder at Zuerien.
"Rino..." I rasped, "Zue-Zuerien-"
"He'll be with us in a minute, Anna", he told me.
I shook my head weakly, "But...t-the others...those people...he's-"
"He's punishing them", Rino grit out, his jaw clenching in anger, "They deserve it Anna"
I gazed up at him, stunned at what he had said. Never had I ever seen him so livid.
"They hurt you", he said, his voice cracking in pain as he spoke, "They deserve everything that the Wolfa is doing to them"
No...
A ragged breath escaped my lips and I turned to look over his shoulder at my mate, but all I could see were wild raging flames. So mustering the last of my strength, I closed my eyes and mind-linked my mate desperately.
Zuerien...I breathed out, Please calm down...
I got no reply, but somehow, I knew he had heard me.
Zuerien...I repeated, Stop this now. Please...don't kill them...
A loud growl sounded from deep within the sea of flames. We were almost at the door now and I tried one last time.
Zuerien, I need you, I told him, from the bottom of my heart, Please stop this now...
The flame suddenly pillared and I added with one last breath,
Please...Come back to me...
In a flash, the flames disappeared as though having been put out by a gust of strong wind. The red-orange glow vanished into thin air and smoke and dust filled the now dark room.
Rino gasped and turned around to face the room which had suddenly fallen incredibly silent. A ghost of a smile played on my lips as I inwardly thanked my dear mate for having heard my desperate plea.
As thick smoke drifted out of the room towards us, both I and Rino coughed in unison before he quickly hurried outside. The minute we were outside, cool droplets of water hit my flushed skin and a soft sigh escaped my chapped lips.
Rino turned towards the large room that I had been held captive in and through my blurred vision, I saw that it resembled a large old abandoned shed of some sort. The doorway was still oozing thick bouts of smoke and Rino stepped away from it to ensure we didn't inhale any of it.
I continued to watch the door with longing eyes, waiting for one thing in particular to happen. And my heart leapt in joy when my mate stepped out of the dark room not a second later.
Zuerien!
The minute he walked out, his dark eyes found my small frame in Rino's arms. A cry of relief escaped my lips as the anger in his eyes immediately disappeared and unfathomable affection painted his face.
"Suzzanah..." he breathed out immediately rushing towards me.
Rino smiled, looking relieved and and stepped forward, handing me over to my mate who immediately took me from him, cocooning me in his warm embrace. The joy that flooded my body could not be expressed in words.
And in what felt like forever, I could breathe again.
Zuerien peppered my forehead and cheeks and neck with urgent kisses before hugging me impossible close.
"My Suzzanah", he whispered, sounding grief stricken, "Everything's okay sweetheart. I'm here"
A sob of relief escaped my lips as Zuerien placed gentle kisses over my shoulder and neck before raising his head and kissing my temple, "Its over sweetheart", he whispered against my skin, "You're okay now. You're okay..."
He pulled me closer, planting another kiss over on the top of my head. He suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, but I kept my eyes closed, listening to the soothing sound of the softly falling rain and his steadily beating heart.
"God..." he whispered in agony and my heart clenched at the pain in that word.
I knew that he was probably assessing my wounds. It had been dark in the room earlier, but now in the light, my injuries were out in the open. My body had started to numb all over again, and I could barely even feel the touch of Zuerien's skin against my cheek.
"Anna...!" I heard Rino breathe out in distress, but I couldn't open my eyes. They felt too heavy.
"Suzzanah! Baby, hang on!" Zuerien said frantically.
I thought I hummed a reply, but I didn't really hear it. The muffled sound of several other footsteps and voices approached us.
When they were close enough, they all cried out in shock and I heard Mr. Talon let out a whimper.
"Oh child...what did they do to you", he said, his voice trembling and cracking as he spoke.
"How is she?" General Reginald asked, his voice sounding strained and concerned.
I didn't hear Zuerien reply and I wondered if he had gestured the answer to him.
How was I? I didn't really know either...
"Take care of the mess inside", Zuerien said and I heard Del reply with a, "Yes Alpha", before two sets of heavy footsteps hurried away.
"Roma, hurry!" Zuerien said agitatedly and I heard someone run up to me
Zuerien moved me in his arms, and despite the numbing feeling, a sharp agonizing pain shot through my side, making me cry out.
A wave of extreme despair and anguish washed over me and I immediately recognized them to be my mate's emotions.
"Oh Suzzanah...!" Zuerien whispered brokenly, his voice strained and full of grief, "I'm so sorry heart...I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you from this..."
I wanted to tell him not to apologize. I wanted to tell him I was okay, but only a weak whimper escaped my lips. I was so worn out that even when I opened my eyes, all I could see was blurred shapes and colors.
My body felt cold despite the heat that was radiating off my mate's large frame. I felt someone press their hand to my neck, before taking my hand and checking my pulse. The next time when someone spoke, it all sounded like muffled and distant whispers.
So many things had happened in the past few hours, and somehow, I couldn't remember anything. My body felt drained of life itself, almost hollow on the inside.
They say that when you experience extreme pain and suffering, you come out of it much stronger than you were before. Had I gotten stronger? I didn't know.
But I did feel like I had changed somehow...
"Her hair..." I heard Zuerien's distant voice say to which Roma replied something I couldn't make out.
The only thing that I could make out perfectly, was my mate's anguish and despair that only seemed to grow with time. His grief continued to course though my veins like blood, but I didn't have the strength to comfort him right now.
I heard someone shout frantic orders to someone else and I faintly registered myself being moved around. I could feel the consciousness start to seep out of me and I hoped that when I woke up, things would be better.
I hoped that I would wake up...
Soon I could no longer open my eyelids and the only thing I could hear was the constant sound of the rain coming down around us.
I welcomed the darkness with open arms, wanting to sleep for a long, long time, but apparently, life had a problem with giving me a break.
Because the very last few sentences that I remembered hearing, had my heart beating so frantically that Roma cried out in distress.
"Alpha! The Shadower has been found! And I'm afraid it's a werewolf child, named Tony Garcia"
****
A/N
And that is a wrap!
Hello my darlings,
In what felt like forever, I finally updated, lol.
But I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I? *grins*
I didn't want to keep you waiting for much longer so I literally worked super hard and super fast on this chapter. Because I love you guys!
This chapter was an emotional roller-coaster, so much so that both my mom and sister were exhausted after reading it looool. In a good way, I hope XD
Anyway, things are going to be unravelling fast from now. So hang onto something folks!
And if you enjoyed the chapter, please please do VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE!
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED ME ON WATTPAD! I'M VERY GRATEFUL!
Until next time,
All my love,
Angel