CHAPTER TEN

Draven

I stayed in the treetops, though I could tell Ophelia could feel my presence. Occasionally, I would see her glance up at the trees and pause before continuing as if searching for me. We feel everything within each other. The sores growing on the bottom of her feet as she continues to march onward through a dirt trail. Her worry for her brother whose breathing has continued to sound hollow against Christopher’s back. Her mixed feelings about leaving behind that man and the life she once knew.

But there was something I couldn’t pinpoint. I continued to hop between the trees, tailing them. Something I personally never felt before and it excited me to find out.

My Clan’s Elders all warned me about this. When a Core Link is confirmed, the mind becomes obsessed until the physical claim follows. It was driving me wild.

The sound of her thighs as they hit the trouser pants. Her breasts sweating underneath that peasant tunic. Her face, her sweet beautiful face of golden skin and eyes. I can barely control myself. Snapping the tree I was on and free falling until I caught another branch.

Surely, Christopher knew I was tailing them. I wasn’t exactly being quiet. But he’s always a good sport. Keeping up idle chatter as Ophelia follows. Her hand occasionally reached out and graced the frail child’s body before wincing away.

I can hear the camp just over that mound. Silently falling into a slumber as the party was actively waiting to attack at the first sign of trouble.

That’s something I can always depend on; the loyalty of my Clan. Even before I was Alpha, the members of Silverstreak Growlers recognized my growing strength. Appointed Beta at the first sign of puberty. My family was honored by the clan’s elders for such a strong offspring.

Alphas are not passed through bloodlines but through appointment. They are chosen by the fallen Alphas of times past. And it’s up to the current Alpha to find and train the replacement before their death. Ugor, the previous Alpha, is still very much alive. His title passed onto me as a precaution of his condition.

“Tell me about your Lord Draven, Christopher. Does he keep his word?” Ophelia picked up speed and began walking with her hands clasped behind her back.

I can’t fully make out Christopher’s expression-but his laugh told me he was of high spirits per usual. Christopher’s belly laugh made the birds fly off from the trees.

Ophelia

I continued feeling Oxwell’s leg from underneath his trouser pants. His small body truly began to sweat from his steady body temperature being so high.

“Is there drinking water anywhere?” I felt a pull towards the trees again. Unsure of what the causes was, there doesn’t seem to be any creatures about.

“We are almost at camp. His temperature is staying the same. If anything, the child’s body temperature is dropping slightly as my back is no longer on fire.” Christopher smiled at me. His eyes sparkled with genuine care and kindness but I couldn’t help not caring.

“What did you call your master? Darren?”

“My lord. I, milady, am a free man. And it’s Lord Draven,” Christopher’s voice seemed to shift suddenly at my question.

“Because there is a difference…..” I couldn’t hold my tongue. I am in unknown territories. I should have died a few nights ago. I brutally murdered someone. What would I care if I offended anyone at this point?

“Indeed there is. A master is someone you HAVE to report and follow. Your Duke for example, he’s a master. A lord may have a formal title in your world, but in mine it’s the chosen title for a respected leader.” Christopher smiled toothly at me.

“He is not my Duke. He is THE Duke.”

“According to whom? A king no one has heard from in generations? A Master from across the great sea?” Christopher stopped walking and simply stared at me.

“I am following you dude! We have to keep moving otherwise Oxwell could… This fever could be melting his brain. We have to get him help!” I pushed him with all my strength to try and get him moving but he only laughed at me.

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“It is time you are concerned with? Well, let’s pick up the pace!” And with that, Christopher took off, faster than I could even digest what he was saying.

Dust was in the air behind him as his silhouette quickly disappeared.

I started walking, trusting that I was being watched from something to ensure I was going the right direction.

I couldn’t help but hold myself as each step seemed to be predetermined without my consent or know of all.

“You can do this Ophelia. You got this. Take one thing at a time,” I tried to slow my breathing. In through the nose. Out the mouth. My cramps were kicking in, because of course they were. I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. “One thing at a time just like one step at a time. You can only do so much. Keep your head up… you got this. You-”

“Who are you talking too?”

The voice made me jump. Turning around, my heart pounding out of my chest, the tall muscular man who helped me escape. Immediately, I felt a pull to him as if my body needed to be fused with his in order to just breathe correctly.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” when he smiled, his fangs popped out slightly from underneath his upper lip. I was immediately swooned, my mind of nothing but kissing him and–

“What is this?!” I stopped. These are not my thoughts. My thoughts are on Oxwell and his well being. I don’t know this man.

“Ophelia, you really worry too much. The child will be fine. We can raise him as our own. Until we have our own of course, then he will probably need to move out or something. I don’t know. I am just spitballing here.” the man laughed at himself as he continued to walk. I stopped following.

He stopped laughing and turned towards me. His face suddenly became very serious and demanding.

I started to get flash backs to the night in the castle. The feeling of being in two places at once. I closed my eyes as my head started to throb.

“Sorry. It stops happening when your body starts to adjust to my presence. I have that effect on people.” The man was so close to me now. I could feel his breath on me. His cool, slick, sultry–

“I don’t care who you are. Just save my brother.” I pushed him. Well, I tried to push him. I only made myself budge. His body is so solid.

He turned and started to walk away. I followed but something in me snapped.

“You promised to save him so you will save him!” I screamed chasing after him to catch up. He ducked under my arm as I swung to hit him and carefully stepped away from me. Where I thought I had a good chance to hit him, I only got air.

“My lovely Ophelia. No need to be so hostile. I am true to my word. Your brother will receive the finest care these lands have to offer.” It was silent between us.

I frowned and kept my face on the dirt path before us. I can tell the man was walking near me.

“Names Draven. Though, I suppose you already got that.”

“It’s still nice to have introductions. I didn’t want to presume.” My words came out of gritted teeth.

“What has you so angry?” Draven stared at me. His eyebrows creased slightly as they were pulled together. His smile was gone.

“I.. I never asked for this! I was supposed to get my arranged marriage from the Duke. I thought saying goodbye to Trever and Oxwell and Father would be the hardest part but no. Father gets killed and eaten! I get promised off to some monster. Trever… Who knows what Trever is thinking of me right now. And Oxwell? My baby brother? The one I would give my life for in a moment's notice??? He gets poisoned by some rapist. What doesn’t have me so angry!” The words were falling out of my mouth before I could fully process them. Tears soon followed. My stomach ached. My feet were sore. I was just… just so tired.

Draven looked at the dirt path. He didn’t say anything as we continued onward. As a few moments pass, I come face to face with a huge camp with a giant bonfire smoking out and tents of animal skins everywhere.

“Welcome to camp,” Draven’s voice seemed gloomy and distant. I felt…disconnected from him somehow. Though, I fail to see when we were connected to begin with. I stood at the entrance, scanning for any sign of Christopher or Oxwell.

“He will be in our medic’s tent. The big brown one over there-”

Draven didn’t even have to finish his sentence. I took off running to check on my brother. Leaving Draven alone in the camp.

Draven

I could hear Dr. Xochil explain to Ophelia side effects if Oxwell was allergic to IC3. I could feel the despair in my heart as Ophelia collapsed next to her brother. Her knees scraping against the dirt ground.

“My Lord,” Christopher dipped into a bow on his knee.

“Christopher, stop. We don’t need formalities-“ I tapped the big guy on his shoulder trying to ease my-our-emotions.

He smiled at me. His jaw is missing teeth.

“I think your ma’ will be proud of this one,” winking as he groans trying to shift from a bow to standing on his feet.

I can’t help but roll my eyes. Then I felt a sudden murderous intent rising from the back of Camp. Turning my head, I witness Jared. Jared, Ugor’s second in command, approaching fast.

“Don’t forget-they killed Clyde,” he snarled at me.

Shit. Ophelia’s weakness is already coming through.

I stood up taller, flexing my chest to size him up. Jared sneered at me as if my actions were unfounded.

“After we ate her Father.” My words were hushed, weighted with a dark warning.

Jared snagged what I was dropping and moped off. His shoulders hunched in submission.