Chapter 4: Trinity Mountains

The walk towards the mountains was eerily silent; the only sound that could be heard were the rocks under their shoes that crunched with each step. Night had passed and transformed into dawn, with the sky changing colours rapidly, from deep blue, to red, then pink and orange. The sun peeked over the eastern horizon, bringing with it a new day.

From the minute Waverly realized who this man was, she was absorbed in her own thoughts. What was he thinking? He was… composed…so familiar with the procedure. I suppose after a decade, you would be. However, one question remained prominent in her mind: would he be the one to kill her?

A shiver passed through her body as they reached the vast, open field. At the bottom of the path sat an old-style 1960s car, coated in a dark grey paint.

"We're driving?" Waverly asked, trying to mask her surprise.

"You thought we were walking to Trinity Mountains?" he rebuked, with a hint of annoyance.

"I mean, no…I assumed we'd run."

The Crimson Wolf pulled a set of car keys out of the pocket of his cuffed denim blue jeans and slid his finger through the key ring that held the symbol of the Crimson Shadow to his starter.

"Nope."

He walked ahead of Waverly and opened the door for her. Waverly stopped abruptly, not expecting him to pull such a gesture. The Crimson Wolf stood still; his tall frame enhanced by the morning sun.

"What now?" he questioned; his affect still indifferent.

From the stories she had heard growing up to the gossip that spread between packs, the Crimson Wolf didn't seem like the type to drive a car, let alone open the door for another, especially a sacrifice.

Waverly blinked quickly and then shook off her bewilderment. "Nothing," she responded as she climbed into the car. "Thank –"

But before she could finish, he shut the door. He got into his own seat and started the car.

"Wait," Waverly began. "Did you say Trinity Mountains? That's—"

Waverly looked at the Crimson Wolf, who kept his gaze fixated on the road ahead. She laid her head against the windowsill and watched as the trees passed by, one by one, picturing being free to run through them, going anywhere she dreamed. She let her eyes flutter until they fell shut and the sound of the car faded.

Once again, Waverly was standing in front of the shadowed man. The red smoke was still in the air, but this time, it flowed around him instead of keeping them apart. As she cautiously approached him, she realized that his shape wasn't black, but rather a deep grey, almost as if it had faded. On either side of him stood two white wolves, with stained fur.

The man motioned for her to come closer, except once she moved, the ground under her feet violently shook. She reached out her arms, trying to regain her balance, only to fall backwards when the ground rumbled a second time. It kept shaking as she fell, deeper and deeper…

Waverly sat up in her seat and looked around her as the car shook as they moved from paved road to gravel. The Crimson Wolf's eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses, but she knew that he sensed she was awake.

Waverly squinted and shielded her eyes from the sun. At the base of a serene mountain landscape stood a village full of mixture of both wolves and humans. Tall green grass and flowers covered the ground, complimenting the trees that lined the road.

As they got closer to the town, Waverly watched as two pups chased each other, tumbling over the dirt patches that were raised above the ground before nipping at one another and racing back to their backyard.

"You're able to stay in form here?" Waverly asked, not taking her eyes off of the town.

The Crimson Wolf turned his head towards her, indicating he heard her, but then once again faced the road ahead as they drove past the town.

The car continued and turned down a side road, following a winding path full of the same trees they had passed earlier. Waverly observed as they dispersed and opened into a large field occupied by an even grander mansion that overlooked the entire village.

The car came to a stop as the Crimson Wolf shut off the ignition. He stepped out of the car without saying a word and Waverly followed suit.

"This is your house?" she questioned as they entered through the doorway into a stunning entryway featuring a spacious staircase and several paintings.

Waverly propped her hand on the wall, lifting her foot to take off her shoe.

"Sir," a man in a black t-shirt and matching jeans nodded as they entered. The Crimson Wolf took off his sunglasses and continued ahead. Waverly set her foot down and followed lead.

"This is…I can't even describe this." She peaked into the room they passed, noting a mid-sized dining table with only four chairs set at it. The table was bare, except for a single salt and pepper shaker that were placed there by a woman in black, wearing an apron.

"This way," he said, his voice husk and robust.

Waverly followed him down a small hallway with sculptures every so often on either wall. He led her down another staircase and past a library, home gym, and several other rooms whose doors were shut. People in the same black clothing passed by occasionally, bowing their head as they moved on.

The Crimson Wolf stopped in front of a room and pulled a second set of keys out of his pocket. This door was different than the rest. It was a wooden frame with a stained-glass middle. He placed the selected one in the door and turned the handle, allowing Waverly to step into the room.

Inside, a queen-sized bed sat atop a lofted area, facing a window that looked out into the town. The walls were bare and there was no other furniture occupying the space except a small circular table with a letter.

Waverly walked towards the table, her senses raising.

The letter read: Welcome to your new home. I hope you enjoy your stay. CW.

A vast amount of dread washed over Waverly. She turned and noticed that the Crimson Wolf was watching her the entire time, with almost an apologetic look upon his face. Waverly lunged forward and hit her head against the base of the wooden door frame as it shut, locking her inside.