Four

"Saye, what is that you want me to see-" I say as I enter but pause with wide eyes and back hitting against the wall, shocked. "What the hell is that?"

One of the boys, the youngest, has some one-eye creature. It's like a dark gooey substance paste, and someone just glued those plastic eyes for arts and crafts. Its round yellow eyes look around frantically. I feel a chill running down my spine, seeing how disgusting it is.

"In the Demon Realm, these are called Carcurus; they are low-level creatures that find a victim and stick themself on a host sucking the life force out of them."

"So, they are like you and Arlo?"

"Sort of, but once the host loses its life energy, the carcurus will use it as its body like a puppet."

That's fucking creepy.

"How the hell did this happen?"

"My guess, even though these boys only took a whiff of the miasma, it didn't have the chance to turn the boys into ferals. Those hunks got there on time."

When Saye says hunks, she is referring to Dominic and Malik.

A low growl built up in my throat when she called Dominic a hunk.

What the fuck?

"So, the miasma with a mind of its send it little children do the dirty work. Luckily, the older boy is free, and I gave him the pill you made, but the other one, that thing came into view."

"Are you telling me it can do that?!" I almost scream.

This situation is getting out of hand. Inhaling the miasma is one thing, but life-sucking alien demons are a whole lot of problem. If anybody comes into contact with the miasma just a tiny bit, this world will be in chaos.

"Wait, how come Dominic and Malik didn't get caught by those things? They were also close in contact," I point to the ugly demon and ask.

Saye rubs her chin. "They only grabbed the boys and thus, made contact with them. You see, the miasma has a mind of its own. They can have it go into you like planting a seed. The carcurus is made from the miasma. Even though the little boys didn't stay long, the miasma had time to plant the seed," she explains. "Thing of the miasma as a parent and the seed as its child. If these boys were to stay longer, the seed would have already become fully grown because of the help of its parents. It will bloom inside the host, which causes a certain person to become feral. The seed implanted on its host drains the life force off them and feeds the miasma."

"In other words, like plants, this ugly thing didn't get enough juice from its parent and turned into that to finish the job?"

"Correct."

This is all too crazy, I say in my head. I need to gather my thoughts before we proceed to save the boy. I know the miasma is a living thing. It will take on anyone brave enough to go through. But the ultimate question is, who started this?

I know a demon had unleashed it but who?. Saye and Arlo said that the dark demon magic resonating in the miasma is full of malicious and evil.

I haven't figured it out because I was hooked on finding the what source instead of looking for who the fuck did it?

"Okay, so how can we remove it?" I asked Saye and made a face, not wanting to touch that thing.

"Of course, your foxfire, Master," she smiled cheerfully.

"But that will hurt the boy," my foxfire is no different than a regular fire. My fire burns like hell and can never be washed away with water.

If I were to use the fire on these low-class demons, I would have killed the child. And that is not the way to save him.

"Is there another method?" Hoping there is.

"There is another way, but..."

"But...?"

I'm getting the feeling that this other method sounds more dangerous than me using the foxfire. 

"Carcurus, besides sucking the life energy, they love the smell of blood. His boy probably got hurt in his face, which explains why the ugly thing is on the face draining the energy.

I guess I'm not the only one who finds these things hard to look at.

"So, I have to unleash my magic energy to get it to attach to me."

"Pretty much," Saye says with a smile. All you have to do is cut a bit on your hand, unleash your energy, and burn it once it launches into your hand. Don't worry; you may have a high amount of magic energy. You are a high-level fox demon, after all.   low-class demon like him can't hurt you."

I glance at the little boy. What Saye says is true; I can attract this thing and latch onto me. His little boy can be saved.

Man, I knew facts about demons are scary, but witnessing it is terrifying, especially when it comes to someone so small as a child.

"Okay, I'll do it." Pull out my dagger from my belt. I hissed as I cut a little on the palm of my hand.

I released a little of my magic energy, had the little ugly thing look at me, and then removed itself off the little boy and latched onto my hand. Cringe. I could feel something icky as my blood and energy began to drain. Having the idea of it sucking my magic, I turned that energy into my foxfire. The demon starts to screech in a high-pitched tone as I watch it burn. The door burst open to expose me burning the thing into nothing but ashes.

I exhaled as the cut wound on my hand healed, and I could feel my energy coming back. aye went back to the little boy by touching her hand over his face using her magic to analyze his condition, and popped a pill in his mouth.

"He's going to be okay." She says. Both are going to be okay."

A flow of relief left my whole tense body. That is good to hear.

My whole body suddenly feels heavy, and a large body crashes into mine before I can hit the floor. Look up to see two beautiful light brown eyes.

"You okay?" Dominic asks, concerned.

I realized the position I'm in. I push myself away from him.

"I'm fine," I say, maybe a large gap between us. Dominic gave me a long face about what I did. But it's dangerous for me to be near him. e saw my past life memory, and it's too late to hide them now.

"What the hell happened here?" Ask Marcus.

"Are the boys okay?" Lisa asks in worry. Although Marcus and Lisa had retired from their position as Alpha and Luna, they still can lead this pack and its well-being, knowing that everyone within this wolf pack is safe from harm.

"Yes, we have them take medicine." I land eyes on the boys' parents, who were getting up from when the magic Saye and Arlo knocked them out. Clayton is with them, probably going to tell them everything. I returned my attention to Lisa, handing her the pill bottles. Can you give these to them? f I give them myself, they won't accept it, but if it's coming from you, well, they trust you."

"Lippy," her tone is soft but in guilt because of what happened while I lived here. You saved their boys. I'm sure Tracy will appreciate your help."

"Yeah, well," I stutter a chuckle. Just instruct them on what I had said earlier. Since they were also in close contact with their sons, they had to take the pills. here is enough for all four of them."

"Lippy, how can we ever repay you?" Marcus stands behind his mate. Seeing them together and well made me happy to know they are alive.

"Don't need; I had already got what you paid for."

They look at each other and then back at me in unison. Confused is what's plastered on their faces.

They don't know what I meant, and I will keep it that way. Marcus and Lisa are like my second family, and I appreciate them raising me and repaying them is me leaving by saving their lives.

I could feel a stare, and once I looked, Dominic seemed down for some reason. But I'm not going to waste my time to know.

"Saye, Arlo, let's go," with the twins following behind me as we step outside. Turn around and see a glimpse of the most significant moment when the two boys wake up, and their parents are there with tears and joy. Feel a wave of relief that they are safe and sound.

"Well, if it isn't Calliope Carter."

As I descend the steps, I groan once the group of girls I know steps forward. Among them is Leah, who looks as if she's crying. Her looks tell me Dominic gave her brother's necklace and told him what happened.

"What is a bitch like you doing here?" The same voice which called me out was the girl next to Leah.

"That is none of your business, Gwen." I snarl at her.

Leah can act so innocent when she is back up like Gwen Conway. Hey, double team into making my life hell.

"It is our business," Gwen spat. You came to our pack unannounced and stayed with our alpha. ven if you left the pack, your bitchy-slut attitude never changed."

"Gwen, please, don't," Leah says quietly, wanting to stop her friend, but she's instigating the taunting more.

"Leah is the right woman to be our Luna, and she is pure while you are full of shit."

Anger is building up inside as I spore my magic surrounding my body.

"The alpha told us that you found Wallace's necklace," Gwen continues. I find it fishy that you found it and claimed he is dead. e are all wondering, how did he end up dead, and how did you come by his body?"

I clench my fist tight, and my blood is boiling to a high temperature that I can feel my veins popping.

I knew this question would come to mind about Wallace's death. It was no coincidence because I was patrolling that night and found Wallace munching on a camper.

I feel Dominic and the others' presence behind me as Gwen continues to instigate me.

Gwen crosses her arms. I knew you are a bitch but never knew the killer in you."

"Gwen, that's enough," Leah pleads with her crocodile tears. Calliope can't be a killer. he may be out of line sometimes, but a killer, no."

I exhale heavily.

She's not wrong, but if I didn't kill, Wallace would attack another human, and more dead mauled bodies are found in the forest. The forest rangers will call the higher up and investigate. The existence of werewolves and other non-human beings will be in jeopardy.

But how can I explain to them that Wallace and his friends were too late to be saved? Their life energy has been taken away, leaving a lifeless body.

"Leah, she found your brother's necklace," Gwen states with an argument. It's proof that something happened with Wallace, and it involves her. he's getting back at you because of Dominic." She spat at me while pointing a finger.

"Calliope," Leah rush to me, claps on my arm, and pulls on her innocent look at me, adding on the tears. You wouldn't do that to get revenge on me. ould you?"

I can feel an ominous awareness coming off behind that angelic mask of hers.

I'm not going to fall for it. Push a wave of my magic to let go as she drops to the ground.

"Calliope! You don't need to push her," Gwen snarls.

I didn't even use 100 percent of my magic to knock her out, but she made it that way by hitting the floor. Leah brought more tears as more pack members gathered to see the villain bullying the weak heroine.

Such an award-winning actress goes to Leah Larson.

"I don't have time for this," I snarl and walk past Leah and the girls.

"Hey!  e are not done here!" Gwen yell. I will not let a killer like you out of here alive. s pack law, you will be punished."

Ignoring her declaration, I sense her rage ambiance behind me, and with no one stopping her. he shifts to her wolf, growling and flashing her canine fangs running towards me.

I sigh and stop in my track.

Turn to see Gwen striking me in the air. N a blink of an eye, I grab her by the throat. She whimpered and changed back to her human form, struggling within my grasp.

"L-let...me...g-go," she struggles for some air.

I hear voices from the crowd, wondering how I'm strong without a wolf. See the surprise look on a few of their faces. Itching to ruin her, I don't want to make things worse. I loosened my grip around her throat and threw her as if she was a rock.

Gwen went stumbling on the ground and coughed to catch her breath. Leah and the other girls came to her side.

"Stop!"

I and the others all look up to see Tracy at the door of the infirmary ward. Behind her, Allen follows her out and stands in front of Gwen.

"Stop this, please," Tracy cries out.

"Tracy, are you going to defend this killer," Gwen heaved and coughed more as she spat at me.

"I know Calliope has a reputation in this pack, but even though she left, she came to help us."

"She killed Wallace, and you allowed her to get close to your sons. he was going to kill your sons too."

Everyone who agreed with Gwen started to rant, throwing harsh words at me. The words that I'm used to.

"No, she saved them. My sons are awake and safe," Tracy says in a convincing tone and looks at me. The alpha told us about people becoming ferals if we are close to the swamp. Wallace turned into a feral and probably attacked Calliope."

Is Tracy defending me?

Before she denied my help, she probably changed her view of me after I saved her sons.

"But she didn't need to kill him. here has to be a way to cure him."

"She cured my sons, and I'm in debited her," Tracy turned to me. Did you kill Wallace in self-defense?  

She's waiting for an answer. I peer at Dominic, who is curious if my answer.

I guess I don't have a choice. I did kill him. But not in self-defense."

The crowd muttered to each other at my answer, probably building up tension.

"See!   fucking knew it. he is cruel and a murderer."

The word murderer echoed from the crowd. Some even ask Dominic to execute me.

"Calliope, how could you?" Leah burst into tears, and Gwen comforted her.

"Kill her!  he murdered my boy!" This was coming from Leah's father, Doug Larson, and Angela, his mate, is crying next to him.

"My son, my Wallace."

"Where is my daughter?" Says another mom.

"What happened to David?!"

"Marcus are you going to allow a killer like her just enter our pack and leave," Doug addressed the retired alpha, who was in a dire situation.

Another sigh escapes my mouth.

"Let me explain," I state, having everyone quiet, but Doug and his family won't allow me to talk.

"Why should we trust a killer?!"

"The miasma appeared two months ago without any of you knowing its existence. They live in the swamp because it's dark and gloomy. They had warned your alpha not to let any of you step foot in the swamp. f it were me to tell you, none of you would believe me." Why waste my breath on them when they are never convinced.

I look up at the sky with a shade of orange and yellow. It's almost sundown. If these people don't believe me, then I'll show them.

"Kaze." Calling through a mind link that I only have with my family.

"Yes, master."

"Catch me a feral after nightfall, and bring it here."

"Of course," he ends the mind link.

"If you all don't believe me, then in the next hour or so, I will show you what feral looks like," I announce.