Chapter 37 - Hurts?
Chapter 37 – Hurts?
When Hugo left me behind, I crawled towards the hole where he departed. I was worried about him, but before I could reach it, I looked back when somebody crashed into the tent. My eyes fell on the man who was on the ground. It was Winter.
"Winter?" I called, seeing him grunt as he stand up. I then caught a figure approaching inside and as soon as that person looked at me, his glowing crimson eyes seemed to pierce through my soul.
I held my breath.
The vampire's lips stretched into a diabolical grin before he disappeared when a gigantic wolf pounced on him from the side. I froze, blinking twice at the entrance, and the vampire wasn't there anymore.
What just happened?
"Ugh… I hate them," Winter grumbled. His hand was on his shoulder while he moved it in a circular motion. He raised a brow when he noticed my gaze, shifting his eyes to me.
"Oh! You're here?" he asked in surprise.
My mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. All I could do was to point at the hole he came from.
"Ahh…" He nodded in understanding as he glanced at where the vampire disappeared from. "Reks handled him already since I already did my job."
"Your job?"
"Mhm. That is to get defeated." He chuckled proudly as if getting defeated was an achievement. But what surprised me the most was Winter, the shy wolf, who rarely talked, seemed very carefree at the moment, despite the blood all over him.
Winter's brows rose, noticing the puzzlement plastered across my face. "Ah. I know I sound weird, but I already fought as hard as I can. Our pack looks out for each other and since I can't overpower the vampire, it's time for Reks to deal with him. I have no shame in it since can take this as an experience."
He talked a lot… I looked at him, wide-eyed. An explanation from him was the last thing I had expected, but it was a good thing they looked out for each other, even in battles.
"Don't look at me like that…" Winter lowered his head slightly as if he was starting to feel cautious under my gaze.
"Uh, I'm sorry." I looked away before he could curve himself into a ball to hide. "Hugo went in that direction. Will he be alright?"
I set my eyes towards the other hole with worry. I knew Hugo was strong, but I was worried about him. He had been risking his life for me. Not just him, but everyone had been risking their lives to save me.
"Why?" I whispered, clutching Hugo's bracelet tightly. "Why were you all risking your life for me?"
Was I worthy? Ever since that night, I had always thought that everyone was out to get me and kill me as well. Even my knight, whom I spent years, wanted to kill me. And yet, these people whom I just met were risking their lives to save me.
I moved my eyes back to Winter, suppressing the tears I had been repressing for a long time. He panicked when he saw a tear roll down my cheek, crawling with his knees and hands to me.
"Hey, why are you crying? I did nothing here!" he exclaimed before he pinched his cheeks and stretched it wide. "Look! Don't I look funny?"
I bit my lower lip, staring at his face. I didn't know whether to cry more or laugh at this reaction I never imagined happening.
"It's — it's funny." I wiped the tear with the back of my hand and he heaved a sigh of relief.
Winter then let out a sigh as he looked at me. "Why are we risking our life for you?" he repeated while staring at me, pondering for the answer.
"Hmm… I don't know? But if I ask you the same, if you are the one who got the strength and capabilities, will you save us if we're in trouble? Even though we just met, will you risk your life to save us?"
I pressed my lips into a thin line while staring back at him. If I had the power and capability, of course, I would. Regardless of knowing little about them. Because… no one deserved to die like this.
"See?" Winter cocked his head to the side as the side of his lips stretched into a stiff smile. "It's the same for us. Also, we hate those bats and their guts. Although this is just the second time we fought them."
My heart somehow calmed down at my brief interaction with Winter. He didn't sugarcoat his words, nor did he try to use comforting words. But that was just what I needed. After my encounter with Ashton, my soul sought the truth and nothing but the truth. No matter how painful it was, I could take it.
That was what I thought because the next truth I heard shattered me completely.
To reassure me that Hugo was fine, Winter suggested he would carry me for me to see it for myself. So, he carried me on his back as we cautiously entered the woods. But as we did, I heard Hugo asking Ashton why my parents kept me hidden in that palace. And what I heard was an answer I would never expect.
"They kept her locked in because a sacrifice should be pure! If we didn't attack Everfell, they will butcher her to — "
A sacrifice must be kept pure? If they didn't attack that night, Mother and Father would butcher me? Even though Ashton's words were cut short, the words he spoke were enough to shatter my heart, my beliefs, and everything.
'Lies…' I said, but my mind started questioning everything. With this new information in my head, I had to recall everything from a different perspective. The more I did, the more Ashton's words made sense.
I ground my teeth, lowering my head as I unconsciously clutched Winter's shoulder. I was in denial, trying to erase Ashton's words, but to no avail.
"Hey, are you alright?" asked Winter as he glanced back at me, but I kept my head down. Shortly, I sensed Hugo's strong presence before us.
"A — Alpha Hugo…" Winter's voice trembled as he took a careful step back.
"Put her down carefully, then help them clean up those insects," Hugo ordered, which Winter immediately executed. The latter put me down under the tree, but I kept my head down. When Winter jogged away, Hugo suddenly sat down beside me with his back against the trunk.
He didn't speak or scold me for sulking. Instead, he remained silent for who knows how long. After some time of silence, I felt a hand on my head, ruffling my hair lightly. It was heavy and rough and dirty, but that subtle touch made me release the tears I was holding back.
I heard Hugo let out a deep sigh. "Hurts?" he asked in his warm baritone voice.
I nodded, hiccuping as I raised my head. "It…. hurts."