<
CHAPTER 155: Wolves Don’t Kneel
40%
We leave in broad daylight the next day, around afternoon. Kovas drives while I sit in the passenger’s seat. The forest stretches far and wide on both sides as the trees blur There’s a slight drizzle outside, and I’m thankful we took a car rather than running in our wild forms.
“It might take a while,” I tell him as we leave the territory of the pack.
“I know,” he keeps driving straight ahead. “I left Liam in charge in case anything happens.” His gaze falls on me for a second before coming to the road again.
There’s a small smile on my lips, one that’s hard not to have as the forest clears ahead.
“He’ll do fine,” I reassure.
“What do you want to see there?” He questions me a few minutes later.
I shrug. “I’m not sure.” It’s not completely true, “Just the place. The village. The last time I was there, Cassandra, the witch, she told me about the village that’s just east of the forest. That it’s filled with her kind.”
“I know of it,” He says, his voice going a little deeper, “But why? Another bond to break?” he raises his brow in a humorous gesture as he shades what I did with Aron.
“No,” I shake my head. “I rejected Cade that same day, before leaving.”
“You did?” He’s surprised.
“I did.”
“Why? I thought that’s what you wanted. Him. Your true mate.”
My hands curl and twist in my lap. “I didn’t. He helped me, I was grateful for that, but that’s all.”
Kovas nods before silence falls in the car again.
We’re out of our pack territory, in an area that’s neither under anyone’s rule. The forest is a little thinner, more spread out, with some areas having nothing but grass and ground in them.
The rain starts to get a little heavy now as the drizzle turns into small drops hitting the window.
We reach the clearing, the one I recall being in and past that clearing, is the village. The houses are spread out as we drive past them. The forest stretches on both sides, surrounding this land. There’s no one that seems to be outside even at this time of the day.
We stop by the main road, by the largest building that stands. There are a few shops here with people working inside them. Some look at the car from their windows, and some just continue on.
“Here we are.” Kovas cuts the engine.
I step out of the car and take in the fresh air as I close the door. The scent is a bit strange here. There are no wolves here, that’s for sure. Just the smell of witches. And humans.
“Who was the witch who helped Aron after his father’s death?” He comes up next to me with an umbrella as I ask.
“She was a woman we–I found. Her name was Liliana. That was the first and the last time I ever saw her.” He clarifies, “If that is who you’re looking for, then you won’t find her here.”
“Why?”
“She left. Long ago.”
“Hmm.“.
I nod and walk with him. My gaze wanders over the little buildings that are all scattered along with the houses and the shops. There are only a few cars parked and barely any people.
The land surrounding the village is the mystical land, the one with the spirits of the dead, and the power of those spirits that reside in this forest. It is a place of worship for them, the witches.
I’m not sure what it is that I’m here for myself. I’m certain I want to know how exactly I am alive, and if the body at the house, Rhea’s true self, is actually dead.
But to answer all that, I’ll need the witch who did the spell. And from what Kovas tells me, she isn’t here anymore. So the question is, where do I go from here? What do I do?
We walk for a few minutes before I catch something from the corner of my eye.
CHAPTER 155 Wolves Don’t Kneel
“What is it?”
“I’ve seen him before.” We stop near the alley of one of the smaller buildings. “At the council…” I trail off, recalling him from that place, from when I was there.
“He’s from the council?”
“I’m not sure.”
I start walking toward him without a second thought, but Kovas grabs my arm from behind and forces me to stop.
“We can’t take the risk of him knowing that you’re alive.” His tone is low as his eyes flicker over the man standing a few feet away from us.
I look back and shake my head, “It’ll be fine.” I assure him.
I turn and continue to make my way toward the man. He doesn’t pay attention as I come up right next to him and take a closer look. Only then, he turns to us.
“Yes?” He doesn’t know me, or perhaps he can’t tell.
“You’re from the council, aren’t you?” I question.
He clears his throat and nods. “Yes, and who are you?”
“I’m-“I pause, not letting the word out. “Did the council send you here?”
“Yes.”
“What for?”
“I can’t disclose that information.” He looks at me and then at Kovas, suspiciously.
Kovas steps closer, and the man takes a step back.
“What are you doing here?” Kovas repeats the same question again, this time more forcefully and threateningly. “Answer her.”
“And who are you?” He cocks at brow at him.
My gaze lingers over the papers he has in his hands, reports. He’s reporting to the council about this village and the land surrounding it. Kovas told me they were doing an investigation on the lands that Aron owned along with his territories.
That’s what he is here.
He’ll tell the council about the village and the witches. And they’ll come after it, after the magic that brews in these grounds, the power it can bring to the one who rules it.
“I’m not here to cause harm, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He answers after a beat.
“We’ll see about that,” Kovas says, snatching the paper out of his hand and beginning to skim over it. “They are aware, aren’t they?”
“What is the meaning of all this? You’re interfering in an investigation that is sanctioned by the Council.” He tries to grab the paper out of Kovas‘ hand but I step in between the two..
“What is in your reports?” I ask him.
“Information. And if you don’t let me go, there will be serious consequences for both of you.”
“Right,” I snort before pulling out the small blade from the pockets of my coat. It’s a silver one, and the moment he sees it, the man’s eyes widen.
“You wouldn’t. The council will know.”
“Oh, they will, and they won’t care.”
In a quick second, I drive the blade across his neck without even giving him a chance to retaliate. Blood spills, and he immediately falls onto the ground.
“Rhea!” Kovas steps forward, looking down at the man. “What have you done?”
“He’s working with the Council. He would’ve told them.” I wipe the blood with my sleeve.
He’s shocked, confused, perhaps even a little disturbed at how easy that was. And I am, too, a little. Certainly, there’s some part of me that I can’t control.
“You–you killed him.” His words are slow, his breathing uneven as his gaze flickers over my face. “You didn’t even hesitate.” “He would’ve gone back and he would’ve told them.” I try to explain, to myself more than him, “The council wouldn’t waste a moment before coming in and taking this land, the village and these witches.”
“Do you think they won’t question when he doesn’t return?”
“Maybe, or maybe not.”
2/3
