Chapter 211

Almara’s Pov

Night has blanketed the sky. The only sources of light are from the spread of twinkling stars. Many animals have nestled into the beds for the night while the nocturnal creatures come out only to be heard and not seen. Owls sound their presence, crickets chirp, and zacatecas scream in harmony.

Arthur and I continue in the direction of vampire territory. It’s where the aroma of the dress is leading us, confirming what we already thought to be true.

Though the sun as set some time ago, the temperature has remained the same. Though maybe it’s from all our hiking that’s keeping our bodies warm. We’ll have to set up camp soon if we want to maintain our strength for the rest of our long journey, I just hope we won’t have to light a fire.

The light and the smoke would only serve as a spotlight on us and so far we’ve been able to avoid some run-ins with others. The last thing we need is any surprise attacks while we’re sleeping.

We’ve probably already walked ten miles. We only stopped once to hunt some wildlife for food. Even in the midst of everything going on, I still can’t help but notice how much of a great team Arthur and I make.

We hunted down a couple of rabbits and our tactics complemented one another perfectly all without saying a word. It made me think that maybe we could take down anyone or anything that stood in our way.

For a moment, it felt like we were just a couple of young wolves making our way in this world. The rush and thrill of the hunt and catch. I even caught a proud smile slip across Arthur’s face. However, once the meat was in our bellies, reality hit once again.

I could only manage to eat half of my rabbit because I wondered if Grace had any food tonight or if she was hungry. Arthur made me put it in my bag and save it for later.

Surprisingly, Arthur hasn’t needed to rest because of his wound, or if he has he hasn’t mentioned it.

I’ve tried to keep my eyes peeled for any of the necessary ingredients for the potion to disguise us, but with no luck.

My mind has mostly been on finding Grace and worrying about her instead. Just then, I’m pulled from my somber thoughts.

There’s a shift in the air. I look at Arthur, he feels it too. He’s stopped walking and holds firm in his stance. Naturally, my body falls into a fighting position next to his, and good thing because a couple of gammas creep out from the darkness, the moon illuminating their teeth.

Tomorrow is a full moon, which means everyone is ramping up their energy and feeling the moons effect. It also means we’re all a little unhinged, no one’s mood or reactions can be predicted. There’s no reasoning with a wolf when we’re nearing a full moon.

“Well, if it isn’t the power couple,” one wolf says and I realize she’s a girl. Based on her size alone I would’ve thought her to be a male. Still, I don’t let myself get intimidated.

“What do you want?” Arthur asks, refusing to tone down his authoritative voice which only makes the gammas smirk with mischievous delight.

“Probably the same thing you want,” The other answers. He’s a male who’s about the same size as Arthur but something in his eye has me questioning his stability. He probably could’ve been the alpha of his pack, but without a grounded consciousness he could be extremely volatile.

I can tell his reply struck a cord with Arthur who’s muscles are now quickly doubling in their size. “We’re all on the same page, right?” The male says, taunting us with this false comradity.

“Right,” Arthur agrees, “So, why don’t you let us handle it.”

“Ooh,” The girl blows out like she’s sympathizing with our misfortunate event. “I wish we could do that, but see there’s this lack of . . . what’s the word?”

“Trust,” her partner finishes for her and a knowing smile creeps across her face.

“Trust,” she repeats.

“Well, like you said we want the same thing,” Arthur says though his body language is still tense and combative.

“Right, so let us get her and you two take care of the land”

“Not gonna happen,” All heads turn to look at me.

“Well, look here. She speaks!” The woman says and she inches closer to me.

“Don’t touch her,” Arthur growls.

“Why not?” The girl says moving mere inches away from my face, I can feel the hot breath of her snout against my fur. “It looks like someone already did,” Just as quickly as she finishes her sentences she opens her jaw and goes to snap it shut across my face, but I duck in just enough time.

This pisses her off and she growls at me with a venomous hatred that she must’ve kept hidden during our banter but now it comes out full force. She dashes towards me and once again I move.

Meanwhile Arthur and the other male are holding each other off in a stand off, keeping one eye on their feminine counterparts and another for any sudden lunges. The girl dares to look at her mate and I take the opportunity to jump.

I land right on top of her and have her pinned down beneath my paws. Just then I hear a howl of pain and we both know it’s Arthur. She looks at me and laughs and I don’t dare look away from her, no matter how badly I want to check on Arthur.

I clamp my jaw down on her neck and she whimpers, but is quick to respond by thrashing her body about, her back muscles making direct contac with my side and throwing me off of her.

She’s in the air when Arthur leaps and intersects her just before she can reach me. They land with a hard thud and I look for her mate who lies on the ground. He’s not dead, but he doesn’t look too good either.

I go to help Arthur who has the girl pinned to the ground. Though she’s in the vulnerable spot she’s growling and showing her teeth like we should be the ones afraid.

“Let her go,” I say. I can see her debate with herself if she should look at me, or if that would men she’s falling for bait. “Her other half is going to need her,” I say and this catches her attention. She flashes me a look of worry.

Arthur growls at her, leaning in real close and whatever he says to her makes her hang her head in shame.

Arthur steps off of her and she quickly scampers over to her mate. She nudges him with her muzzle and Arthur and I continue on our way.

Something about that fight just felt off. At least with the others there was a sense f pride in defending our honor, or protecting our daughter. Now these are just personal. The people are beginning to just see us as one of them.

Something that Arthur and I had wanted back when we were making amends for the orphanage situation, but now is proving to be an issue. There’s no respect for the supreme Alpha or the Luna. With no respect means no order.

Though even more than seeing us as no different than them, wolves are beginning to see us as less than them.

With the orphanage we were hated but we were still at a higher rank in the hierarchy of power. Now, we’re hated and seen as below.

I open my mouth to ask Arthur what he said to that girl, but my phone rings and cuts off my voice.

I pull it out and see my mother is calling. I quickly answer it knowing service in the hospital is spotty and we may only have a couple minutes at most.

“Almara?” My mother says, relief pouring from her voice. “Oh honey, tell me what’s going on?”

I speak quickly, “I’m with Arthur. We’re okay we’re-” I cut myself short, realizing I don’t know how to break the news to my mom.

“You’re what? Honey? Did you cut out?”

“No, I’m here,” I say. I decide to be a tough-love kind of nurse and rip the bandaid off. “Grace and dad are missing,” I instantly feel bad for how cold I sound. When my mother doesn’t answer, it’s now me who worries. “Mom? Are you there?”

“I’m here,” She says, though she sounds a million miles away.

“We’re going to find them,” I promise her, and by telling my mother I also promise that to Grace and my father.

“I know you will, sweetie. Please be careful. And watch over Arthur, his wound. . .” my mother trails off.

“I know,” I say and I do. Arthur would literally rather let himself die than take a much-needed rest for himself.

“I will let you know when we find them,” I say but the phone call drops.