CARLYLE’S POV
Taking a look at the sky, I realized that time was far spent already. Aridah was calling as I thought of
what could possibly be happening in my pack without my presence. The Canthrastras weren’t to be
trusted or underestimated.
In a sudden shift of the conversation, she inquired with a tone that resonated with longing.
“How are my parents?” Her voice carried a depth of emotion, revealing a heartfelt connection to her
family.
“They’re fine. I made sure of that.” I reassured her as a sense of responsibility underlined my words,
and I probed further, “You miss them?”
“Of course, I do.” She affirmed genuinely. Her acknowledgment resonated with a touch of nostalgia and
a yearning for familial connection.
“You know, you can always return when you’re ready. They will surely wee your well. The pack
remains yours.” I offered her aforting pat on her shoulder which I supposed she very much
needed.
“Thank you,” she mumbled inaudibly, but it didn’t skip my hearing.
With a smile, I announced my departure.
“So, bye. I’ll be leaving too. I’lle visit you when I get the chance. By then, I need a definite answer
from you.”
However, she seemed very concerned and interjected.
“Wait, where were you headed? The road ahead is quite dangerous.”
“I know that, Donnie. But it’s a necessity for me to go. I need to gather information about the recent
happenings in the pack.” The intensity in my voice hinted at the importance of the mission.
Concern etched on her face, she inquired anxiously, “Did something happen?” A hint of fear colored
her tone, reflecting her worry for the pack.
“Nothing to be worried about.” I reassured her. Yet, her skepticism prompted her to press further.
18:49 Fri, 1 Mar
“I won’t take that for a response. If it’s not something to be worried about, you wouldn’t be heading for
the dangerous Mountain of Canth right now. So, tell me what’s going on. Her authoritative ione showed
concern and determination, revealing a strong, assertive side that resonated with familiarity. My
woman, she is!
“Okay, fine. Actually, I’m heading for thend of Aridah.” I told her, still amused by the way she
questioned me earlier.
“The forbiddennd of Aridah where the Canthrastras were sealed?” She gasped, surprised.
“Yes, I’m going to that very point.” I replied, “Some incident urred in the pack and suspicions are
that it is rted to the Canthrastras. I need to go there to inspect the seal and see if there are nning
anything.
“But why are you going alone? Shouldn’t you go with your better or Gammas, or probably the
garrisons? You might get hurt if you go alone. It’s been a while anyone ventured there. No one can tell
the current state of that ce.”
“Is this you been worried about me” I taunted her.
“I’m only being worried as member of your pack. Nothing more. If anything should happen to you, the
pack will be in disorder and my parent’s safety won’t be guaranteed.” She analysed the reason for her
concern but I knew she was feigning it. Her reasons were beyond that, the bonds were working.
“I’m an Alpha, Donnie. What harm can possiblye to me?”
“Sure, you’re an alpha. But some things are possibly done better when you have more hands to help.”
“You’re right, though. Just take care of yourself on the way. It’ste already.” I bade her goodbye once
again.
“No, wait! I’ming with you.”
“Did I hear you right? No, you’re not doing that.” I disagreed with her. “I want you to Don’t even think of
following me at all.” The sternness in my voice reflected a protective instinct, urging her to prioritize her
safety.
return home to Athena this want, Donnie.
‘No, I insist. I will follow you. You can think of it as having a pet around you to ward off evil.” She stood
her ground. Her deration holding both determination and a touch of humor, a surprising stance given
the seriousness of the situation.
18.49 Fr. 1 Mar D
“I won’t agree with that, Willow. That ce is very dangerous just like you know already and I can’t
stand you getting hurt. I won’t he able to take it if you get hurt.”
“It’s not necessary i get hurt, Alpha. I’m sure you’re capable of protecting me.” She walked up to me,
holding my hand like a baby begging his parents for something. Her words were true. I can protect her
but I didn’t want to take risk.
On a second thought, I felt it won’t be bad to take her with me. That way, we would bond more along
the way.
“Ok, fine. But won’t Athena be worried about yourte return?”
“No, she won’t. She knows I’ll surely return.” She smiled at me.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Together, we headed towards thend of Aridah. Silence endured between us at first when we started
the journey but she broke the silence just right when we got to the Mountain of Canth.
“How did you kill the assassins?” Curiosityced her question.
I have my ways. I responded cryptically with a smirk on my face.
Ever persistent, Donnie pressed on.
I know you have your ways, but I want to know. Else, I won’t ask.”
“It’s a secret.” I answered yfully as my tone conveyed a sense of reluctance to reveal the details. I
didn’t want to tell her about the Death force just yet for so many reasons. The matter of the Death force
has always been a secret and telling her before we’re mated would mean breaking the rules. That, I
couldn’t afford..
“Making it two secrets you failed to tell me.” Shemented, making me recall that I had told her the
method I used in healing her wound was a secret.
“Since you really want to know, choose one. Would you like to know how I heaked your wounds or how
I killed them?” I yed a gamble with the hope that she chooses how I heal her wound, cing a
probability of about eighty per ent on it. That was because I noticed her skillful care when uprooting the
White Dasier. It’s either she’s versed in healing, learnt it or she has a thing for it.
“I’ll rather know how you treated my wound than know how you killed them since I can’t know both and
I’m not nning to kill anyone anytime soon.”
As expected, I won the gamble.
“About that, it’s easy. Since we have a fated connection between us and I’m an Alpha, my blood could
heal your wounds when it reacts with yours.” I exined.
“Wow! That’s amazing.” She sounded surprised.
“So you can heal any sick person in the pack right?”
“No, not everyone. Only people that are directly connected to me in one way or the other. Like I said,
we have a bond between us which is why it worked.”
We continued our journey ahead and soon, we climbed the Mountain of Canth which was the only
barrier for us to reach the Land of Aridah.
“Wow, it’s so high here,” Sidonnicmented as she looked around us, studying the envoironment.
“Yes, it is.” I chipped in affirmatively.
“You know, sometime ago, I really wanted to walk up to somewhere very high and just yell out my pains
and worries into the space in the absence of everyone.
“And why didn’t you do it?”
“I didn’t have the chance to due to some reasons.”
“You cane here with me anytime you want in the future.” I assured, holding her hand but she only
stared up at me, avoiding my gaze as she kept mute.
“How were you able to cope during the past three years?” I changed our topic of discussion. Since I
saw her once again, I’ve always been wondering how she was able to pull it through all alone without
the support or directive of anyone.
“It’s not been easy,” she heaved a sigh. “But I just have to work hard. Out there, it’s all about survival.”
“It’s everywhere. Survival is key.”
“That’s true enough. But there’s difference in the way we all want to survive. Some really need it while
some only need to in little ways and little efforts. Those are the people who have everything already
made for them.”
“But do you know having everything made for one doesn’t mean one’s lucky. It will have to depend on
how well you can live with those things provided and left for you.” I pointed out. “You know, I’m a bit
jealous of you.” I confessed.
“Jealous of me? In what way?”
“Since childhood, I didn’t have the chance to do what I really want. It’s always for the pack, for the
future or for the elders. It’ll always be for something or someone asides. myself…”
“Wait!” Sidonnie interrupted suddenly and stopped walking.”
“What the matter?” I asked, fully alert while eye searching around for any signs of danger.
“Don’t you feel this ce is more silent than it should? Given the talks and legends. about it?” She
noted. Truth be told, she was right. We’ve entered the mountain boundaries for a while and no threat or
beast came out way. Something was wrong somewhere. But before I can conclude, I needed to get to
Aridahfirst.
“Let’s hasten up.” I said, holding Sidonnie’s hand tightly as we increased our walking speed.
SEND GIFT