CHAPTER 14.Meeting Old Time Friends(2)

>>>>>>Meeting old time friends (2)

“Who is out there?” Akira let out a shaky roar, her voice attempting to mask her fear. “Come on out, I’m unarmed!”

With that, Zain let out a small chuckle and walked out of the darkness to reveal himself to Akira.

Once she saw him, recognition washed over her. Her eyes went wide, and she gasped, running into his arms. “Uncle Zain!” she cried excitedly, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

Her eyes immediately welled with tears as flashbacks of how he had promised to help her escape Dominus came rushing back. He was risking his life for her due to his loyalty to her father only for her to end up back in the North again.

Akira blinked once, and hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She never believed she would see Captain Zain again, she thought Dominus might just kill him after her escape.

It was easy for anyone to connect the dots, especially since it was his side of the door that wasn't locked. Captain Zain enveloped her in his embrace as well. He wasn’t sure he would see her again after she jumped into the water,but he was confident she would survive. The Eastern packs were known to be survivors from ancient times.

But seeing her back at the Northern palace broke his heart.

A few minutes ago, he had been seated at the roots of a tree when he watched a wolf zoom off. At first, it caught his attention, but as he got closer, he noticed her eyes were unique—not just one color or two, but they seemed to change and blend with the environment until you got close enough to see they were just one color. He wasn’t new to the werewolf kingdom. Despite starting off as a rogue raised by rogue parents, he knew which kind of wolf belonged to which pack. From the skill of her eyes, he quickly deduced that she belonged to the Eastern pack.

Akira buried her face in his shoulder for a few minutes, inhaling the familiar scent of him…earthy, strong, and comforting. She hadn’t been with anyone who knew her family, someone she could be comfortable around.

“I thought I’d lost you,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his cloak. “I thought he was going to kill you after I was gone.”

Zain tightened his hold, his breath hitching as he fought back his own emotions. “No, he didn’t, Akira…” He furrowed his brows, his tone edged with concern. “What are you doing here? How did you get here?”

“I don't know. I came out of the waters, and they picked me up again,” she explained.

“Akira, it’s dangerous in this pack. You can't stay here, okay?” he whispered, and she became tense. She swallowed hard, whispering, “What is happening? Why is it dangerous here?”

“Prince Dominus,” Zain didn’t mince words. “He is here. He’s back, and he’s back to stay. Akira, you can't stay here anymore for your safety, you hear me? He is back.”

Akira pulled back slightly, searching Zain’s eyes for answers. “What do you mean? You’re scaring me, Uncle Zain.”

Zain’s expression hardened, the warmth of their reunion replaced by urgency. “You can’t be here, Akira. Not with Prince Dominus around. Not just Prince Dominus—everyone. I can't let you stay here.”

“What is going on, Uncle Zain? Why did they burn down the pack eight years ago?” Her voice was low and cracked as she asked the most important question she had always wanted to ask.

Captain Zain narrowed his gaze, looking at her. He didn't know what to say, he didn’t know how to explain to her that she was the reason her family was dead. If only her father had given her up when she was just a two-year-old pup, they might still be alive. But he didn’t, which is why they all died. He couldn't bring himself to tell her about his late king… Alpha Edward.

He was one of the few people who knew, and he had promised never to say it to anybody. Not even to Akira herself.

“This is not the right place for this, Akira,” Zain breathed in and out before responding.

“Then what is?” she demanded her patience wearing thin.

“I have asked you a million times, and you never give me an answer!” Her voice rose, a mix of defiance and fear. “You can't just come out of nowhere and tell me what to do.”

Zain clenched his jaw, his brows knitting together. “I’m not trying to frighten you, but you need to understand the stakes. This place is dangerous. You can't stay here, Akira. I won't let you stay here.”

Akira shook her head, frustration bubbling inside her. “I will only go if you tell me everything. Something is not right, and you're going to tell me everything right here.”

“What did my father do to the Iron Wolves?”

“Oh, come on,” Zain snapped, his voice beginning to rise again. “This place is not safe for you. And I can't let you hurt yourself.”

She stepped back, crossing her arms defensively. “So, what? I’m just supposed to run away like a coward? That’s not who I am. I need to know what really happened in the East and what really happened since you won't tell me.”

Zain ran his hand through his hair. “You’re not ready for this fight. You don’t understand what is at stake here.”

She rolled her eyes, her fingers curling into fists as Aya stirred angrily inside her. Eight years after the death of her whole family, and no one was willing to tell her anything. She was frustrated enough. She raised her gaze to Zain, her face a picture of deep disappointment. She stood up. “I am not leaving until I avenge my family.”

Zain scoffed. “Revenge?” He shook his head in dismissal. “Don’t do that, Akira. What if he recognizes you when he meets you?” His eyes swept over her and paused at her dress. “You might be a slave now, but it’s just…”

“He doesn't know it’s me!” she cut him off, turning to face him. “He doesn't know it’s me yet.”

“And when he knows? What do you plan to do when he knows?”

Her eyes glistened with tears, but she sniffed. “Anything, anything to make him pay.”

With that, she turned to leave, but Zain held her back, yanking her with brute force and forcing her to face him.

“You're weak. You're a weak wolf who hasn't let out her wolf since when?” He chuckled mockingly. “Almost ten years, and you think you can win?”

“You think you want revenge?” He turned to the silent, whimpering and panting Akira. “Whom do you think killed your family, Who? Prince Dominus? Brevin? The women? Who are you planning on fighting exactly?”

“Don’t you think I’d also want revenge on the people who killed my king?” he roared, and Akira shuddered, taking two slow steps backward. “I also want the same, but I’d rather you stay alive first.”

However, Akira wasn't listening; her mind was made up. She was not leaving the Northern pack until she knew what really happened to her family. She glanced at Zain before turning on her heels, but his words stopped her.

“How many more royals from the East do they need to kill before you stop being stubborn like your father?..... I guess it’s until they kill the last one,” he growled, and Akira walked away without looking back.