Chapter 145 - Their Reckoning
Chapter 145 – Their Reckoning
Hugo had ordered to close off all exits and forts in Belcoot. Since a howl was enough to reach signals, the message was passed from one werewolf to another faster than a pigeon flying to send a letter. Therefore, the vampires who abducted Rinnie were forced to hide in one of the abandoned houses near the fort.
With a fire growing large, he rushed to it without delay, catching multiple figures within the thick smoke. He didn't even cower in the face of danger, ignoring his pelt from catching fire.
HOWL…
Hugo gnashed his teeth, standing in between Edge and the vampires. In his wolf form, Hugo slowly shifted to his half-human and half-wolf to stand on his two feet. His hands were large like a hand of a monster, thick hairs on his rear, canines at full form.
He looked back in Edge's direction. The very second that his eyes fell on Rinnie in Edge's arms, his entire world stopped revolving. His eyes dilated, stunned at seeing her blank eyes.
"Rin…" His already red eyes glowed menacingly. All he could see was red, leaving his mind blank as he entered a primal state.
"Alpha…" Edge gulped, wide-eyed. On instinct, he lowered his head, keeping his knees from giving away. Hugo's aura was suffocating, especially for a wolf, as it was enough to subdue one.
Letting out low growls, Hugo cocked his head back to the vampires. His eyes barely blinked, like a maniac about to murder anything he sees.
"Edge, get Rinrin out of here." He roared, pivoting on his heel as he faced his enemies, who drove her to a state of shock. "Stay far away from me or I might slaughter you myself."
Edge froze, but his body already listened to Hugo's orders. He said nothing further as he lurched away, protecting Rinnie's head while blocking the falling debris out of the house. As soon as Edge ran into a distance, meeting the rest of the pack in the empty street, a sense of dread ran down their spine.
HOWL
He looked back while the wolves came to a halt, gazing at the fire bringing light before the sun does. The howling continued and each time, the killing intent in it grew stronger. It sounded like the sound one would hear in front of the fiery gates of hell.
"Edge," A wolf, Ivo, approached Edge and gazed at Rinnie. His eyes flickered with bitterness, seeing she was in a state of shock. Even if they already executed Adelia, the traitor, the harm this caused Rinnie was irreversible.
If only Ivo knew how accurate and inaccurate his assumptions were, he wouldn't feel so sorry. Instead, he would fill with dread — they would fill with nothing but dread.
All they could do was stare at the fire tower as if it would reach the sky. No one helped Hugo. Heck. They couldn't even come close to where he was. They already kept their distance, but they could still feel his suffocating aura. Just what would happen if they approached him?
Hence, they stayed silent. Edge sat Rinnie down on Tito's broad back, covering her with a thick coat. And yet, she still wasn't responding. Rinnie was just staring into nothingness and with dead eyes. Some of the wolves, Mitch and Ivo to be specific, shifted into their human form.
"Edge, just what did you do to for our Luna to be like this?" Mitch glared at Edge, who already sported a pained look.
"If I were you, don't show your face to Alpha Hugo until his head cools down," Ivo advised solemnly. "You know what will happen once he finished those bats off. You're next."
Edge let out a deep exhale. With Hugo's current state, it wouldn't be a surprise if he tore Edge's limbs. He should've protected Rinnie, but his fearful nature overwhelmed him. A problem of his that he never overcame, even when Rinnie was already in danger.
"Go. I will call for you once Alpha Hugo could punish you with a clear head." Ivo jerked his chin, hearing that one last howl in the burning estate.
Edge reluctantly cast Rinnie a look, gritting his teeth before he tilted his head down. He turned around, jogging away until he slowly shifted into a wolf to hasten his speed.
"Damn that bastard," Mitch grumbled, watching Edge, his partner in the pack, desert them temporarily. "If he wants to die so badly, he should've stayed. Alpha Hugo will kill him for sure."
"Mitch." Ivo shook his head before he shifted his attention to Rinnie. "Luna…"
Rinnie was looking down with lifeless eyes, but not really unaware of what was going on. In fact, she was aware of her surrounding. What was keeping her silent and distracted was something else.
'Wherever the lamb goes, the wolf will surely follow…' she whispered in her head, understanding the real meaning behind it. It was not because the wolf was devoted to the lamb or it wants to save her. The truth behind that was something deeper and dreadful.
For the wolf… would always follow the lamb to devour her. She was his prey, and his wish was to become one with her.
They said the truth was often harsh, but this truth was worse than cruel. She wished this night didn't happen. If only it didn't, she wouldn't have to remember what was already lost. She could've lived normally like she did, oblivious to the tragic tale of the lamb and her dear wolf.
'I wished to come back…' Rinnie gazed up at the dark sky, barely catching the moon because of the thick smoke smothering it. '… for my deep hatred for him. And yet, you allowed me to live at the same time as your favored son, knowing my intention. Mother, you are the cruelest. I should've ended you too when I had the chance.'
'Do you think I will give him mercy this time?' Her eyes narrowed as bitterness flickered across from it. 'How can you… give the life's conclusion in the hands of a sinner?'
Her thoughts trailed off when a hand grabbed her shoulder. Rinnie looked down and saw Hugo's pair of murderous, yet terrified eyes. That second, an answer came clear to her.
Their reckoning.
"Rinrin…" Hugo choked as his grip around her shoulder tightened. "I…"
He trailed off when Rinnie's eyes softened as tears formed in its corners. She then lurched forward, tossing her arms around him, pulling him into her embrace.
"Hugh," she whispered, feeling his large palm on her back.
His brows relaxed, clutching her back as he buried his face in her shoulder.. "I'm sorry."