THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

For a second, Derek wished that he and Curtis had a common telepathy, so that they would be able to communicate through their mind links, out of the hearing of prying ears.

Throwing a suggestive look at Curtis who nodded his head in understanding, they stepped tentatively, their feet almost making no noise as they brushed the leaves and damp soil, in the direction of the smell, the blood smell.

The scent got realer and stronger as they approached a big oak tree, some degrees west of the area they had been standing on before.

They came to a halt, few feet from the tree, before turning to themselves and giving themselves a nod, after which Derek indicated with his hand that Curtis should go the other way, while he moved the other way so that they can intercept the unknown person at the same point.

Curtis, understanding this sigh, moved hastily, strengthened by his wolf, the body pains and sores all gone now, towards the left angle of the oak tree, all the while knowing that Derek was moving hastily from the opposite side.

They almost hit one another as they got around the oak tree in a jiffy.

There was a girl at the base of the tree, and she was bleeding furiously.

Noting her pink, strapless gown which stopped way above her knees, they both knew that she was one of the party poopers, that had escaped from the pack, when the attackers had come.

Curtis believed that she was from the Faugers Pack, since she looked unfamiliar.

“She is bleeding much from her right leg, and she’s losing air too.” Derek said, squatting down and patting the girl on her shoulder.

The brunette, with blood smeared all over her body, opened her eyes wearily as if it was of great effort, then closed them back, and then opened them again with slight force, staring at them as if she was seeing them both for the first time.

“What’s your name?” Derek asked her, trailing his eyes over the petite figure.

“Penny.” The girl muttered, before closing her eyes again.

“We have to take her back to the pack.” Curtis stated, which Derek agreed to with a nod.

He carried the girl in his arms, wondering if it was best to shift to his wolf. But then, he thought against it. They were almost at his cousin’s pack. And the girl didn’t weigh much.

****

Curtis watched as his cousin carried the girl in his arms, and mused, wondering why he had held a grudge against him all this time. He was good. He thought.

After a while, his curiosity got ahead of him. He was sure that the girl was unconscious, asleep perhaps.

“What happened the previous night? How were we attacked?” He asked Derek, who was caught up in his own thoughts.

“Well, it had happened suddenly. We were in the ballroom, watching the dancers and the musicians, drinking and partying as it should be, when all of a sudden we heard shouts; shouts which were clearly for help, and not of joy. And so, we rushed out of the great hall to see large wolves attacking and killing the pack members. That’s how it started. The fight, I mean. We had to fight back. It was an open confrontation.” Derek replied, still facing straight ahead, not wanting to stumble against the tree stumps, and lose his grip on the frail girl he was carrying.

“Are the identity of the attackers known?” Curtis asked, annoyed that his pack members had been killed.

“Not yet then. But perhaps now, they must have found out their identity. I think Maya would fill us in when we get to the pack.” Derek answered.

“Right. But how did you find me?” Curtis queried, picking up twigs and breaking them, as he walked side by side with Derek.

“I was with Maya when she had mindlinked you, and asked about your well-being. When she began fretting in worry, and about to rush back towards the directiom of the training grounds, I had stepped in and asked her what had been the matter. She had told me about it, and your last location, so I had volunteered to check you out, while she went forward with Leo to save your pack members. So, I had run to your last stated location, and had then seen the scenario where you were about to be eaten by two ravenous wolves.” Derek stated, causing Curtis to heave in relief, and appreciation again.

He already knew what would have happened if his cousin hadn’t come for him.

” Thanks again.” He stated.

But Derek turned and looked at him, a slight smile on his face.

“You shouldn’t be doing that. We are family.” He said, before turning away and focusing ahead.

“I know. But still… thank you.” Curtis mentioned, before looking straight ahead.

They were few feet from the gates of his pack.

They were home.

****

The high mahogany doors of a castle-like opened, and a young man ran through it to meet an aged man who sat on a big throne with rubies coating its apex, a thin gold, diamond studded, crown on his head.

“Greetings, my King.” The young man said, postrating flat on the floor.

“Get up.” The King-man commanded, of which the young man obliged.

“What is the matter?” He asked.

“I bring news.” The young man replied tentatively, looking around the empty throne room, as if in search for something or someone.

“Good news or badnews.” He asked, bending his shoulders forward, as he peered down at the young man, who was one of his messengers.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

“Both.” The messanger replied, his voice cracking a bit in fear.

” Hmm, Let’s hear the good one first then.” He said, leaning back into his seat.

“Princess Diana is in the pack. The plan worked.” The messenger stated happily, knowing that the news would please the King.

“Beautiful.” The king muttered, with a toothy smile.

“Then the bad news?” He asked, his smile disappearing to reveal a deep frown.

“The troops are all dead. None came back alive.” The messenger replied, shaking like a leave in the winter.

“How did that happen?!” He shouted and stood up. And immediately, the room started quaking all of a sudden, and the messanger was suddenly on the ground, his right hand on his neck, gasping for breath, while his left hand stretched out towards the King, in plea for mercy.

“Call me Diego now.” He finally said, after taking in a deep breath, releasing the messanger from his death hold.