We pass through Wellmore and can see the army up ahead. King Fenris and his army set up camp outside the forest.
‘King Fenris looks angry about something,’ Hugo says.
‘I wonder what has happened? It won’t be long until nightfall, we can watch them from here, and as soon as it’s dark enough, we can move closer and find Maia,’ I say.
Hugo nods.
‘I will go into the camp first. Hopefully, they haven’t noticed that I haven’t been around,’ Hugo says.
We sit and wait until nightfall.
‘Alright, Alpha, I’m going in. If you don’t see my signal within the hour, then you can suspect something is wrong. Otherwise, if you get my signal, you know it’s clear to sneak in,’
‘Hugo,’
‘Yes, alpha?’
‘Thank you for helping me save Maia,’
Hugo smiles,
‘Whatever you say, Alpha,’
Hugo walks towards the camp.
It has almost been an hour since I saw Hugo.
‘Come on, Hugo, what’s going on?’ I say out loud to myself.
Finally, I see Hugo’s signal. I quickly but quietly make my way toward Hugo.
As I approach, I can see the silhouette of someone. It must be Hugo.
‘Hugo?’ I whisper.
Suddenly I feel something heavy and cold clink around my neck. I shift into my wolf and swipe my claws around at the soldiers that suddenly appear.
Argh! I’m chained around the neck with silver. It was burning me as I pulled and fought against the collar.
‘Well, well, well, what do we have here? If it isn’t the big bad wolf,’ King Fenris laughs.
I growl and snap my teeth ferociously towards him, only to whimper as King Fenris hits me across the face with a blunt, heavy object. Everything is blurry, and I fall unconscious.
Slowly waking, I’m in human form. The silver collar is still around my neck. My wrists are now also in cuffs, and they have chains dangling down that attach to the stone wall. There isn’t much light, I pull the chains to rip them from the wall, but nothing happens.
The sounds of mumbles and moans nearby receive my attention.
‘Who’s there?’ I ask.
The sounds of chains rattle.
Someone else is chained up.
‘They got you too, Alpha,’ Hugo mumbles.
‘Hugo, what happened? You gave the signal for me to come?’ I say.
‘I’m sorry, Alpha, it wasn’t me that gave the signal. The soldiers beat me, Alpha. They even cut my finger off my left hand. I refused to speak. I was hoping to get through the hour of torture so you would know something was wrong, but then they held my arm down, and they were about to cut it off. I caved. I had no choice but to tell them that you were waiting for my signal. They were already onto me when some of the soldiers saw that I had stayed behind at Garnet falls. They claim Maia also escaped earlier today, and King Fenris has a banged-up nose. I’d say kitten put up another good fight,’ He chuckles.
‘It’s okay, Hugo. You did well, considering the circumstances,’
‘Alpha?’
‘Yes, Hugo?’ I sigh.
‘At least we don’t have to save the princess anymore,’ he says.
We both burst into laughter at the irony of us now being the ones who need to be saved.
‘Do you think she will save us, Alpha? or do you think this is our end?’ He asks.
‘After everything she has been through, I don’t think she will give up on us without a fight,’ I say.
Alpha! It’s me, Troy.
I flinch. The mind-link catches me off-guard.
‘Alpha?’ Hugo asks.
‘My Beta, Troy is mind-linking me,’
Hugo nods.
Troy, Maia escaped from King Fenris today. I need you to find her. I mind-link.
Alpha, Maia is fine. She is with us at Thistle Well. Maia found us in the forest after she escaped from King Fenris. The warrior pack have also met her, and you forgot to tell them she is a primal sprite. You should have seen their faces when Maia used her abilities. She is eager to see you as we all are Alpha. You must be near the border now? Troy mind-links.
Actually, Troy, I have a bit of a problem. I’m with Hugo, and we have been captured by King Fenris. I’m chained in silver, and Hugo has been beaten up pretty bad. I mind-link.
Maia is not going to like this. She is here with me now. She wants me to tell you she is safe and wants to be by your side as soon as possible. What do I tell her, Alpha? Troy mind-links.
You will have to tell her the truth. Just make sure she doesn’t do anything that will put her in any danger.
I wait for Troy to inform Maia. A few minutes pass. I mind-link Troy.
‘Troy?’
‘Sorry, Alpha, I can’t talk right now. I’m trying to stop Maia from burning our camp down and stop her from running into King Fenris’ camp. She is distressed you are being held captive,’ Troy mind-links back.
I inform Hugo of the conversation and that Maia isn’t taking the news too well.
Soldiers enter, take hold of Hugo’s chains, and drag him away. They return and try to drag me out, but I stand and willingly walk.
I can see the army is armed and ready to march forward. Silver spears and swords poke into our backs as the soldiers order us to walk. We can see King Fenris ahead. He orders his army to march through the forest and kill any wolf that stands in their way.
