020 - The trap

CHAPTER TWENTY

NYMERA POV

"To make sure everyone can conserve their strength for the hunting, horses have been provided." 

Zephyros announced, and everyone murmured, but not loud enough to irritate the king, of course.

Zephyros remembered my secret. He didn't forget. The corners of my lips curved into an invisible smirk.

For someone who liked to push people to their limits, everyone was surprised that he was suddenly considerate.

Not that Zephyros really cares about people. Werewolves are naturally strong.

"But he cares about you," my subconscious reminded and I nodded.

It was suspicious to everyone. The murmuring continued for minutes, and I could almost hear the questions spiraling through the crowd.

"Enough!" he growled loudly, and everyone snapped their lips shut.

"Continue or quit," he added.

How rude? He called for the event, yet is so nonchalant.

My story hasn't ended. It seems like the moon goddess hasn't given up on me.

I looked over at him, and his hands were balled into fists. So tightly that his veins popped.

The crowd stood up, bowed and chorused. "All thanks to his Majesty for his care!"

He didn't reply to them, neither did he release them from their bowing position.

Both the young and the old remained like that. No one dared move, and my chest clenched.

The young might endure staying in that position for a long time, but not the old.

To him, they were ungrateful for questioning and doubting him.

Unfiltered rage was oozing out of him. If he doesn't calm down, he might lose control and kill.

It would be uncalled for to hear that the Lycan king killed members of his nephew's pack.

Zephyros is a man of few words, yet intentional in whatever he does. Good or evil.

Everyone knows better than to cross him, but unfortunately, these ignorant ones realized that too late.

I sighed heavily and stood up and knelt before Zephyros, bowing in obeisance.

The courage came out of nowhere. Although my mask was on, inside of me shook with fear.

"I, Luna Nymera, thank your Majesty on behalf of the people. Your wisdom is unmatched across the land. All the members of Caspian pack are grateful," I said.

The atmosphere thickened. No sound was heard. Even the breeze froze.

Zephyros may be lenient towards me, but he doesn't tolerate disrespect. I hoped my words could calm him down a bit.

"Rise!" he ordered, and we all replied.

"Long live the king!"

I raised my head and peered at him. His eyes blazed, and immediately I looked away.

He knew what I did, and he didn't seem very impressed. Zephyros would have preferred to chop off heads than control himself.

I sat right back on my seat. And although everyone was shaken with fear, they all faced me and bowed.

"Long live the Luna!"

My pupils were dilated. What I did wasn't a big deal.

I pinched myself to calm my anxiety and smiled at them. "Thank you. You may all rise"

Quietly, they all sat down. My face dropped, and my chest twisted painfully. Now they revere me. Would it still be like that when they realize that I'm a weakling, a curse?

How nice it is to live in ignorance. In a decorated lie to shield one from the stabs and torture of bitter truth!

I looked at Dorian, and his eyes were bloodshot. I needed no soothsayer to tell me he hated the recognition I got.

Besides, his people ignored me and acknowledged Zephyros and I. It seemed like we were a couple.

Dorian fumed, but he remained composed.

The horses were brought out, and I stepped down again from the podium, ignoring Dorian.

The least I could do was bask in the happiness of the moment because it would be short-lived.

A white horse was brought to me. I grazed its hair with my fingers. She was so pretty.

With the help of a stableman, I mounted the horse, and I grabbed the reins.

I and six other strong female werewolves had gotten our horses but stood before the start line, waiting for the whistle to go off.

After the count of three, we started and dashed into the woods. The horse was incredibly swift.

I was ahead of everyone else. We went further into the woods. This was all about hunting, but how was I supposed to do that if I can't shift or shoot arrows?

My thoughts were disrupted when the horse almost tripped. My forehead creased in confusion.

I looked back but saw none of the females. The horse continued to neigh loudly as if in pain. The clouds got dark.

My hold on the straps tightened, and my eyes welled up. What went wrong? The horse didn't seem sick or anything.

I panted as I gasped.

We were headed toward the forbidden zone of the pack.

"Ple... please stop," I sobbed.

I couldn't jump off because the horse was running too fast. One wrong move and I could break my bones.

We got to the boundary, and the horse collapsed while I fell off it and rolled down the steep.

Thankfully, I was quick to grab a branch of a root. My legs dangled. I glanced down and panted.

My hands ached, but I dared not let go.

Thunderstorms rang out, and soon, rain began to pour with so much intensity.

My tears mixed with the rain. Thunderbolts overshadowed my cries.

There was no one to save me - no Zephyros.

Mud water splashed on my dress, but I didn't care. Only my life mattered to me. I hadn't even saved Mama yet.

My arms went numb and gave out. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart threatening to leave my chest, and a loud cry tore from my throat.

I landed on the rough ground with a loud thud, and I heard the bone in my leg crack, probably a fracture. My cries increased.

I held onto it, and the pain raked my body. After a while, I wiped my tears with my dirty hands.

No one was coming to save me. If I would die, it should be in a safe place where my body would remain intact.

I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood.

I surveyed the area and saw a cave towards the north. That should be able to save me from the anger of the rain.

With a broken bone, it was impossible to walk, so I placed my hands on the ground and struggled to move to the cave.

The skin of my hands tore due to the friction. My tears streamed down my face freely, but I couldn't give up.

With every move that I took, my strength reduced drastically. My body was going limp slowly.

Thankfully, I got into the cave and lay there exhausted. My eyes hurt, but that was nothing compared to the bruises I had sustained.

Minutes turned into hours. I couldn't tell what the time was, but it was dark. I shivered profusely on the ground.

The coat and every piece of clothing I had on were wet. There was no form of warmth.

My eyes became droopy. I almost closed my eyes when I heard someone call my name from a distance.

A small smile was plastered on my face amidst the anguish. At least someone came for me, but who would be kind enough to help me?

My voice was gone, and I could only wish someone found me.

The voice came again, and it wasn't the voice I had been expecting. Their words made dread fill my stomach.

Would this really be the end? The chilly breeze smelt like doom, one that may consume me.