CHAPTER 146: GOING IN CIRCLES

[ Blackmoon Territories - The day after the Ritual Binding ]

Lyla sat perfectly still in the center of a glowing circle of salt and powdered silver.

Her back was straight, lips slightly parted, eyelids lowered in a serene composure. Her hands rested gently on her knees, her hair pinned back tightly so not even a strand dared to stir.

A dozen witches and seers in Blackmoon hoodies stood all around her, chanting. Their hands swayed in fluid motions as soft smoke curled from bowls of crushed moonroot and firepetal.

A small crimson flame flickered in front of Lyla’s chest...measuring aura...strength...vitality...life.

And possible...conception.

Standing in the shadows, leaning against an obsidian pillar, was Roanoke ...clasping his hands in front of him tightly. His gaze didn’t shift once from Lyla, though his fingers twitched from time to time, betraying his tension.

Near him stood Maelis, one of the important sitting members of the Council. He looked on like a vulture sizing up prey...narrowed eyes, wrinkled lips pressed together. Watching. Measuring. Waiting ( Ah! Always after Kieran. Don’t they get sick of it!)

Everyone was still.

Even the smallest creak of boot or a whispered breath was swallowed without disturbing the moment.

And then... One of the witches stopped chanting.

Her hand stilled.

Another followed. And then the rest of them.

And finally, the head of the Seers, stepped forward and raised her staff.

"We have seen enough."

Everyone leaned in slightly. Roanoke stepped forward.

.

The head of the Seers nodded slowly and declared, "The Luna... has conceived.Blessed be the Alpha spawn! "

A breathless hush washed through the chamber like a breeze...and then the crowd erupted.

Roanoke closed his eyes for a brief second, relief breaking across his face as he fell on his knees.

Clapping echoed.

Councilman Maelis smiled, finally, and muttered something to Roanoke.

One of the elders of the Blackmoon pack,Elias (remember him from Garrick’s case? ) gave an excited chuckle and turned to Maelis.

"Come," he said. "Let’s go give the Alpha the good news ourselves. It’s a day to remember."

[ Shifting to the Blackmoon Training Grounds- almost Midday ]

Kieran Blackmoon stood shirtless, chest slick with sweat, panting like a beast on the edge of his instincts. Orange eyes glowing faintly beneath brows furrowed in unprovoked aggression.

He wasn’t sparring.

He was on the verge of butchering his pack mates.

The Deltas...his most seasoned warriors...moved around him like cautious wolves. Every blow he delivered felt like thunder. Every parry from them shook their wrists.

He was pushing them.

No punishing...them? Or himself???

More clang of metal.Too many thuds of fists.

He was taking on two groups at once, the swordsmen and also the hand to hand combatants.

The training ring, usually filled with comradery and calculated practice, was tense with fear today. No one spoke. No one joked. No one dared challenge him longer than necessary.

When Elias and Maelis approached the edge of the ring, even they halted for a moment, unsure if it was wise to interrupt the Alpha now.

Kieran’s blade twisted through the air, striking one Delta’s shoulder with enough force to throw him to the ground. He didn’t even look back before swinging again at another.

Sweat rolled down his spine, mixing with some blood and dust. His knuckles were bruised, but his grip didn’t falter.

Elias cleared his throat, forcing his spine straight.

"Alpha," he called out, voice projecting calm confidence. "Apologies for the interruption..."

Kieran didn’t stop.

Another blow landed. Another Delta dropped.

Elias tried again, stepping forward with a smile and extended hand. "Congratulations, Alpha. You are going to be a father. The witches confirmed it just moments ago..."

Snap!!!

Kieran stopped mid motion.

Turned.

And in one terrifyingly motion, lunged forward and grabbed Elias by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

Gasps rang out.

Even Maelis stepped back, startled.

Kieran’s fangs were bared in a snarl. His breath was ragged, his muscles taut. "You know what, Elias?" he growled.

"I don’t need you to tell me that. I can feel it alright. "

The orange in his eyes flared. Everything about this bond... about Lyla... seemed to burn in him like acid under his skin.

He gritted his teeth tighter, veins popping in his neck. "I feel her," he said through a clenched jaw. "That child. That connection...and it disgusts me." ( ...more like not being able to feel the ones he really want to feel...was like iodine on his injuries)

And then he laughed...dark...hollow.

With a sudden shove, he flung Elias backward, sending him sprawling on the gravel.

"I don’t need pests interrupting my routine."

He turned away from them, eyes dark, chest heaving.

"Fuck off."

[ Right at that moment : At the entrance of the training grounds ]

"Let me in! It’s urgent!"

The voice echoed from beyond the gates of the training yard. It seemed like there was a scuffle.

"Stop him!"

"You can’t just barge in here...This is a restricted area for..."

"Please sir, I have to see him!"

Kieran paused.

The sound wasn’t muffled anymore. It wasn’t just noise...it was familiar.

The gloves in his hands dropped to the ground.

He turned, eyes narrowing. His pace quickened as he made for the entrance.

The guards stood in front of a dust covered boy in leathers worn by travel...hair matted, cloak torn,eyes wild with desperation.

"Rory?" Kieran’s voice came like something between a gasp and a whip crack.

Rory turned instantly and relief on his face was overwhelming. He shoved past the guards, breath hitching, as he ran straight to Kieran.

He dropped to one knee, bowed deeply, then grasped Kieran’s hands, kissing them with reverence.

"Thank the Moon, Alpha, I finally found you..."

But Rory’s words choked as he spotted Maelis and Elias in the corner of his vision, slowly brushing themselves off.

Kieran growled, grabbing Rory by the arm and walking straight away from the crowd.

He didn’t stop until they were out of earshot.

"Speak," he demanded. "Where have you been? Why didn’t I hear from you earlier? You were with Autumn, weren’t you?Where is she?"

Rory exhaled shakily. "I was. She was attacked just outside the Bloodfang border. Alpha Velor took her in...offered protection. But they suppressed my mindlink, Alpha. I tried...but I..."

Kieran paused...

Then he suddenly laughed out loud... a dry, humourless laughter.

Rory flinched.

"I knew it was her," Kieran punched the air.

"I thought my mind was playing tricks again. I thought my feelings were getting swayed...but...I could actually sense her...if not feel. My eyes tricked me...But not..." He pointed at his heart, shaking his head.

Then he paused again.

Suddenly he clenched his jaw, " But hold on...she knew it was me, didn’t she???Yet...yet she rejected me? She refused my touch? And chose to stay with Velor instead?Huh?!"

He looked as though someone had carved a hole in his chest and filled it with fire.The burn was real!

"She chose him over me? Did she now? "

Kieran turned as if to leave.

But Rory shouted, "Wait! Alpha...she is no longer at Bloodfang!"

Kieran stopped.

The wind stilled.

"What did you just say?" His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

"She’s been... apparently kidnapped," Rory added softly. "Also...I saw Healer Mango in the dungeons...of the Bloodfang Pack."

That was all it took.

Kieran turned like a blade unsheathed in battle.

His hand shot forward, gripping Rory’s shoulder with crushing force."What?!"

Rory nodded. "I swear. She was locked up! And Autumn’s gone.No trail.I heard there was some Seer and that she was cursed...but then...she was just... gone."

Kieran’s chest rose and fell once.

Twice... then at rapid successions.

And then he moved.

Fast. So fast Rory barely had time to breathe before sprinting to keep up.

"Alpha!" Rory called after him. "Where are you going?"

Kieran didn’t even look back.

His voice thundered aloud.

"To pay Velor a visit,Rory!!!"