Chapter Seven

Rose

I whipped my head around after Harriet whispered his name. His back was macerated, claw marks exposed raw skin. Thin trails of blood trickled down his body. I just saw this body yesterday...the current sight made me recoil and gulp. His head started to twitch like he was searching for someone. His body slightly turned; only then is when we realized he was holding someone in his arms.

“Heather,” Harriet gasped, and she clambered to her feet. Matt whipped his head once he saw her voice. Matt immediately ushered Heather to us. “Is she okay?” Harriet croaked, and she reached her hands up to her baby sister’s cheek.

“Just knocked out. I found Heather unconscious near the flower and herb fields. There were some burning branches on top of her. I think she will be fine. She has some burns, but I think the smoke got to her. It was the worst area I had been in.” Matt kneeled and gently laid her on the ground as Harriet brushed Heather’s hair out of her face.

“Dumbass…” muttered Harriet as tears threatened to escape out of the corners of her eyes. Matt crouched behind Harriet as I pulled Heather into my lap. I was still confused about what the hell Heather was doing in the forest.

I looked up at Harriet about to ask when I noticed the romance novel cover in front of me. Matt was holding Harriet’s hand to his chest as she looked lovingly into her eyes. Harriet was carefully avoiding the wounds that were still red and angry. If we had not just been attacked, our village set on fire, and most of our surviving park were injured, I would have gagged or dramatically fake vomited. Correction Heather and I would have gagged or dramatically fake vomited. I looked down at Heather. I frowned and tucked a lock of her hair behind her hair.

“Why was she in the forest? I thought you both came to the safe houses.” I decided to break up their moment to feed my curiosity.

“She went after you. We got here and realized one of the safehouses was already destroyed. She said that you should not be fighting for your life while we were safe.” Harriet dropped her eyes to her sister. “I tried to convince her you would be fine. Honestly, I don’t know what scared me more, you alone fighting the rogue or having her darting back into the forest, not even knowing if she would make it to you in time. She was so determined.” Her voice trailed off as I reached for her hand and gently squeezed it.

“Hey, we both are here in one piece. Plus, Matt was the real hero who found her. He protected us.” I winked and secretly wanted her to focus on him. Matt nodded and pulled Harriet close to him.

“What do we do now?” I turned to see another one of the teenagers in the pack, Janet crying. She was a short girl, only fourteen years old. Her blonde hair hung in matted, dirty strands.

“We should gather the survivors and see what is left of the village,” Matt spoke with such authority that I almost found him attractive...almost. I knew Harriet was beaming at Matt without even having to look her way. “We need to gather the injured in a safe location and hope that the pack doctor is safe somewhere.” I felt like I had a fishbone lodged in my throat when I heard him mention the pack doctor. My dad, how could I forget about my parents? Panic licked down my spine as my palms began to sweat. I was so self-centered. I had only focused on myself and my friends. I needed to find my parents as soon as possible. “For now, let’s bring the injured away from the fires.”

There were about twenty of us huddled around the safe houses. Everyone started to disperse. Matt picked up Heather, cradling her as if she was a newborn, as he carried her off. Harriet stretched her hand out to me as I groaned, getting up. My legs felt like jello, but I forced myself to stand. Harriet and I threw our arms around each other, leaning into another as we followed behind Matt.

“Let’s find our pack,” I whispered, and Harriet nodded.

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Unknown Point of View.

It was early morning as I leaned up against the door frame leading to the balcony outside of my office. My office was a large room with deep maroon walls. One of the walls had floor-to-ceiling cedar bookshelves. Two deep brown leather comfy chairs and a chess table were nestled by the fireplace in the corner of the room. In the center of the room was a sizeable curly ambrosia maple desk and a leather chair tucked behind it.

The misty morning air was being threatened by the first rays of sunshine creeping through the trees. I see this site all the time. I rarely sleep. I was always a restless sleeper prone to night terrors. I attempted a few hours of sleep last night, but screams and flames took over my dreams. After that, I would instead do paperwork. My body doesn’t understand the need to rest anyways. I sipped my coffee as I zoned out, watching the first morning rays dance across the lake. My ears perked up at the sound of footsteps approaching. Internally counting the distance, “Twenty feet, fifteen feet, ten feet, five feet...here.”

There was a knock on my office doors before they crept open. I didn’t even bother looking his way. I knew who it was.

“Another attack occurred last night,” he said.

“And?”

“Silver Crescent was hosting the Starlight Carnival. Rogues took advantage.”

“Didn’t I say weeks ago that the Carnival should only be held at packs with warriors. How many were injured?” Sometimes talking to the council is like talking to a brick wall.

“Forty-two Injured.”

“That’s not bad.”

“One hundred seventy-six dead.”

“What?!?!” I whipped my head at the number and dropped my coffee. The mug shattered as soon as it hit the floor. “Get Alpha Dane immediately on the phone.”

“I cannot do that... He’s dead.”

“How could this happen?” I sank down in my chair behind my desk. I caught my head in my hand as I leaned on my desk. “How many survivors in total?”

“From the report I received, they believe a few rogues slipped in during the Carnival. Once the Carnival was in full swing and everyone was distracted, the rogues set their forests and village on fire. The Alpha and Beta perished. The Beta’s son has stepped up to lead for the time being. There are eighty-nine survivors. This might be ill time, but it could be beneficial to us.”

“What do you mean, Alastor?”

“If we absorb these survivors, we can claim their land. This would allow us to expand our territory and strengthen our numbers. I know it’s not the typical protocol….” Alastor trailed off. I gnawed on my bottom as I thought. I pulled my hair out of my face as I looked up to meet Alastor’s eyes.

“Alastor, how do you feel about a road trip?”

“Shall I prepare the vehicles, Alpha?”

“Yes. Let’s go to Tennessee.” I never would have thought I would be headed to the middle of nowhere when I stared at the lake just twenty minutes ago.