Chapter 20

Chapter 20: A Storm is Coming

Dried leaves whipped into the foggy air as Calgary and I ran faster through the woods. His wolf kept on challenging Auror, but with us finally gaining back our strength, she showed him we were their equal. Auror jumped over a fallen tree and rolled over the thick bed of dried vegetation before she gained her momentum again, but Calgary's wolf was fast enough to stop Auror from jumping over the cliff.

Auror let out a whimper of affection as Calgary's wolf licked her face. She rubbed her head on his neck, gaining more power from the bond we share with our mate. We had been running for hours, but our hunger for freedom felt insatiable. Auror and I had never been permitted to roam around Nirvana this way, but with Calgary accompanying us, we knew we would be safe.

Calgary's wolf howled, telling us to finally go back. I felt Auror's desire to ask for a little more time, but when thunders began roaring in the sky, she changed her mind and followed Calgary's wolf.

"That was fun. I've never been this free to explore the other parts of Nirvana," I said with evident happiness painted on my sweaty face.

"We still have a lot to visit. You gotta be familiar with every corner of our District. It will help you find your way home." Calgary came forward while holding his shirt. "This is clean, don't worry," he said before he started wiping my sweat. I couldn't help but stare at him as he showed me care, my heart was melting with his simple gesture.

When he noticed me staring, he gave the tip of my nose a slight pinch. "Let's go back to the village before it starts raining."

"Why? Scared to get wet?" I teased but he gave me devilish smirk before he said the words that turned my face into ruby red.

"With your sweetness? Can't wait."

I smacked him by his arm and gave him a glare but he just laughed at me. When we're done wearing our shoes, Calgary let his chiseled upper body remain on display while his shirt and jacket hung on his broad shoulder.

"The feast of the Blood Moon is in two weeks. Quira is afraid Sigma will take advantage of the time everyone is busy mating." He breathed out a sigh before he anchored his arm on my shoulders, slightly pulling me closer as we walked.

This Alpha is surprisingly clingy.

"What should we do then? Mating season is very sacred to our kind."

I watched him lick his lips. "The mated ones will guard the borders. We might seek help from the nearest district as well."

My forehead wrinkled. "But the closest to us is Evermore. We're not in good terms with them."

"We're not, but we can try."

I sighed. "I don't know, Cal. I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why, hmm?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I just have a bad feeling about Evermore. If Zenios had been isolated for several years, Evermore is a total outcast. They're the only ones who do not honor other pack leaders, and I heard they kill whoever tries to enter their territory regardless of the reasons for paying them a visit."

"What do you suggest then?"

My eyes blinked. "You're asking me?"

He gave me a nod. "Why not?"

"But you're the Alpha. You're supposed to make the decisions... and all the decisions."

His lips curved for a smirk. "That's not how leadership works, Nadine. True leaders know when to listen. You gotta show your people that you believe in them, too, or else you will be nothing but a Boss everyone will secretly despise."

I found myself smiling. "Maybe that's why despite your cocky attitude, everyone in your pack loves you, huh?"

His brow raised. "And who are you calling cocky?"

I escaped from his hold and ran, giggling while he chased me, but when we heard a lou, terrifying growl coming from the other side of Nirvana, the sweet curve on my lips slowly disappeared.

Our worried pools met before we ran towards Prudence. It didn't take us long to reach their village, and when we got there, Alpha Hyrum was already throwing a fit while a dozen of his men were on the ground with their chests cut open.

Calgary worriedly hid me behind him but I stopped him. "I've seen worse. I'll be fine." I gulped before I returned my gaze to the people mourning for their fallen members while Calgary went to Alpha Hyrum to ask what happened.

"They're guarding the East border where the cemetery is. When we came to check on them, they're already dead."

I saw how Calgary's forehead creased. "And you didn't sense it?"

Hyrum shook his head. "No. Nobody did. It's like a spell was put around that aread of my territory before they were killed."

"Were the remains of your ancestors stolen, too?" I asked.

Hyrum looked at me. "Yes. All of it."

Calgary's lips pursed as his expression darkened. He then went back to me and told me we have to go back to Claivan as soon as possible. I could feel the brewing fear in his heart, as if he knew it would be either Mayhem or Claivan that the Sigma would attack.

A storm is coming to us, that's for sure, but I have faith that Calgary would be able to come up with a plan to stop all these.

"Cal," I called but he was so mad he didn't look at me. I sighed and blocked his way. "Cal!"

As if his mind snapped back to reality, he rubbed his palm on his face before he breathed out heavily. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"

I swallowed my inhibition and lifted my hand. When my palm finally rested on his cheek, his expression slowly softened as if he badly needed my touch for him to calm down.

He pulled me for a hug before he spoke in a low voice. "We can't lose our district. We can't let them win."

I patted his back before I slightly pulled away so I could place my palms on his cheeks. "We'll go through this. You're strong."

"Thanks, but as long as I am tied to Calla's mother, I cannot reach my fullest potential."

"What should we do then?" I asked.

His eyes met mine in a concerned way. "It means I have to mark you as soon as possible for my sworn connection with her to break. That, I'm afraid, is the only way..."