CHAPTER 459: GOODBYE JASMINE

The moon had long risen, casting slivers of silver light between the trees, but Jasmine had not returned.

Marro’s small fingers were twisted into Kire’s thick fur, clutching tightly. The young boy had refused to eat, refused to rest.

His face was streaked with dirt, tears crusted in the corners of his eyes.

Kire lay beside him, his ears twitching, his muzzle pointed toward the direction Jasmine had gone.

He hadn’t moved in hours.

And then, finally, Kire gave a low, broken whimper.

Maru turned his head slowly. "No," he whispered, voice hoarse, "we should wait a little longer..."

But Kire stood.

The great white wolf paced once in a circle, nose in the air.

He sniffed again, low growls rolling from his throat.

He could smell the danger. The scent of strange wolves, iron, smoke—and something darker.

Still, Jasmine’s scent had vanished long ago.

Kire whined louder this time, her body shaking.

His eyes met Maru’s, glowing faintly in the dark, filled with a sorrow that no animal should understand.

It was at that moment that Marro knew what this meant.

He had been hanging by a thread of anxiety and tension.

Dreading that it might have to come to this.

Jasmine had said if she didn’t return by dark, Kire should talk him and run off with him.

Marro burst into tears. "No... no, please... she said she’d come back..."

But Kire didn’t wait.

He dipped his head low and nudged him forward—firmly, almost angrily.

And when he stumbled toward him, he lowered himself , letting the boy clamber onto his back.

Then the wolf took off into the night.

Through the trees, dodging roots and slipping between narrow paths.

Marro clung to her fur, sobbing against her neck. "I’m sorry, Jasmine," he cried. "I should’ve done something. I should’ve stopped them..."

He was crushed.

First he had lost his family, been betrayed by his extended family and now he didn’t know if Jasmine was dead or alive.

Kire didn’t slow down

His paws pounded against the forest floor, each step a rhythm of desperation and regret.

He didn’t look back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Erik rode at the head of the pack, his jaw clenched, every nerve in his body fraying with unease.

Behind him, fifty warriors moved quietly, their wolves darting in and out of the trees.

They had gone in search of Xaden.

But after hearing of Jasmine’s escape, Erik’s heart had sunk.

He was beyond words furious.

How could she have done something so stupid.

Did she even know the dangers of the real world?

Wolves had been killed and from what evidence they had gathered Xaden was probably injured somewhere.

Still struggling to be alive.

And she,heavily pregnant, a woman and all alone with Kire.

Oh Kire, when he got a hold of that foolish wolf he would strangle him.

Strangle and force him to merge back with him.

As they went past they found the first sign.

A clearing soaked in blood.

The grass was matted and red. Strips of torn fabric littered the scene. A broken sword. And deep claw marks etched into the soil.

One of the men dismounted and crouched beside the blood. "Erik," he said gravely.

Erik went to find what they were calling him to.

It was a coat.

One that he knew so well.

It had the mark of Xaden’s pack crest on it.

And it was well stained with blood.

The blood was faint and it had been here for a very time.

His chest tightened.

"He was ambushed here," Erik muttered. "He fought hard. And he bled a lot."

"Do you think he’s alive?" one of the others asked.

Erik’s eyes scanned the area. "He’s not the type to die easily," he said. "But we’re running out of time."

He rose, the blade still in hand. "We keep moving east. Whatever took him... they didn’t do it alone. And Jasmine we need to find traces of her. Retain her scent. If we can find the both of them together. Better. But we might need to split up soon ig we don’t see either."

They rode again—faster this time. Wolves howled in the distance.

The scent of unfamiliar packs grew stronger. But then, just as they rounded the bend of a hill, a sound broke the forest’s stillness.

A sharp, youthful cry.

Then—howls. Not threatening ones. Familiar ones.

Erik yanked his reins and held up his hand. "Stop."

The warriors froze.

Another cry came. Closer this time.

He knew that goddamn howl anywhere.

Erik’s eyes widened. "Kire," he whispered.

A moment later, a flash of white fur burst through the trees, a child clinging desperately to her back.

"Kire !"

The great wolf skidded to a halt, panting heavily, and immediately dropped to her knees.

The little strange boy tumbled off her back and collapsed on the forest floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Erik jumped from his horse and rushed to them.

He looked at the boy with alert and then quickly grabbed his collar before raising his claws at him.

"Who the fuck are you and why are you with Kire?"

Kire howled at Erik.

"My name is Marro." The boy said quickly in agonizing fear. "Jasmine left me with Kire and I met Alpha Xaden."

Erik narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell do you mean?" Erik demanded.

Marro swallowed. "I found Alpha Xaden in the forest. He was almost dead and I wanted to help him. But the Alpha who almost killed him found out and killed my family. I found Jasmine when I tried escaping. She went ahead to find Alpha Xaden and told Kire that if she didn’t come back he should take me away."

Xaden looked at him closely.

"How do I know you are not lying." Erik asked.

"Kire never wanted to leave her." Marro said. "She was the one who made him stay with me."

Erik looked from Marro to Kire and then finally let him go.

Now Jasmine was all alone in goddess knew where?

He had taken it easier because he had known she was Kire.

But finding out she was now missing, pregnant and alone.

He wanted to go insane.

"Do you have any idea where Jasmine or Xaden is?" Erik asked the terrified little boy.

"They will be in Alpha hunter’s pack house." Marro said.

"Then we’re going." Erik said through gritted teeth.