Chapter 11

He didn't know how much time had passed as he sat there mesmerized by the fire, he was brought back to the present by a familiar voice, “Oh thank the Moon Goddess you are here!! Everyone has been looking for you for hours! I even tried calling out to you through our link, but you never responded, I could feel your pain and despair. Are you ok?” His twin sister, Rochelle, rushed in worriedly.

“No, I’m not,” he then proceeded to tell her all about the events that led up to him staying in the cave. 

“Oh, my gosh, Ryker, I am so sorry,” she gave him a tight hug and they both cried together for a few minutes. He finally pulled away from her, wiping his tears and face. 

“I don’t know what to do, Chelle. I can’t look at myself without feeling pure hatred and disgust at this thing that I am cursed to be. This wolf that is inside of me, and a part of me.”

“You were protecting Garrett and those who Shadow considers his pack. You, mom, and I have never really been a part of the Blackthorn Pack, we are just unlucky enough to have the name. I didn’t think Iliana had become part of it either, I guess I was wrong. Did you know that she had joined the Rogue Hunters?

“No, I had no idea.”

“Do you think that is why she never wanted to reveal herself to you as a wolf?” Rochelle said gently, trying not to hurt his feelings.

“No, I can’t believe she would lie to me!” Ryker said forlornly.

“And you are sure you saw the crescent moon on her hip?”

“Yes, with my own two eyes. Why would she join them? It doesn’t make sense. That’s not the Iliana I knew and loved! She would never be so decietful.”

“In the two years you guys were dating, you never once saw the tattoo on her hip?” 

“No, Chelle. When we were together, we always kept our clothes on, if that is what you are asking. We had planned to reveal ourselves in wolf form tonight at the Twelves Celebration. I thought she might be my mate, Chelle, and if not, that was ok because we had already talked about releasing our mates from the mate bond if we ever found them. We wanted to be together, always. I even talked to mom about it, and she asked if I was sure, and I told her yes, I was never more positive about anything else in my life.”

“You guys planned to release your mates?” Rochelle asked, astonished, “That is a serious commitment, I didn’t know you two were that serious.”

“We were Rochelle, we were so sure of each other. But I guess I was wrong. I should’ve known something was up, I’m so stupid!”

“Ryker don’t say that! You had no idea she was so secretive. It’s not your fault, no one knew.”

“I bet father did, he never lets anything get past him.”

“Except this place,” she said and smiled wistfully. 

“Yeah, except this place,” Ryker agreed with her. “This whole attack was probably some sick twisted joke, or way to try and trap me into joining the Rogues. Bastian said father brought the Rogues in and that they thought it was a coordinated attack. What the hell is father up to?”

“I don’t know, but you know mom is worried sick about you, so is Garrett and the rest of the Everwood Pack. He found me at the Blackthorn Estate, at the risk of father finding out, and asked if I had seen you or if I knew where you would be. He’s really worried about you, so is Mr. Everwood. He said they looked everywhere for you and couldn’t find any trace of you.”

“Chellie, I killed one of our own, a wolf just like us, they aren’t worried about me, if anything they want to find me and punish me. You know what it means to kill another wolf. The rule is to avoid killing at all costs since the population is at its lowest, because the Hunters and Rogues have joined forces to bring about our destruction. Mom tried for 10 years to have a child, until she finally had us, and we aren’t the only family of wolves that have had problems conceiving recently.”

“I know, litters are getting smaller and smaller. But I really think that the Everwood’s are worried about you. They know you were just trying to protect Garrett.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t have to go for the jugular and the kill. But it was like I couldn’t control myself; Shadow had completely blocked me out, that has never happened to me before, it happened again earlier when I fell off the tree crossing the river. I had to force him back down and it took me a minute to gain control again. I am worried Chelle, it's like Shadow is trying harder and harder to take control away from me. Have you ever heard of that happening before?

“No, I haven't. Although rumor has it that the Rogue's wolves control them more than they control the wolf. That's why they are so vicious and enjoy the kill so much. Do you think Shadow had a bad instinct about Iliana, and he was trying to protect you as well?”

“I really don’t know, the whole time me and Iliana were together, he hardly ever spoke to me, when before, we would always talk to one another. He helped me get through some of the harder times with dad when you or mom weren’t around, and even when Viktor started trying to act more like father, to prove himself.”

“I think maybe Shadow sensed something about her that you didn’t and viewed her as a threat. Especially since you were planning on releasing your mates. That is something that is very rarely done.”

“Stop trying to make it ok, it’s not! Even if Shadow thought that, I loved her, and he shouldn’t have meddled. You just don’t get it, I killed her, Rochelle! Just like father always said I would! I have to leave the area, get away, and start a new life somewhere else. Far, far away from father and the fact that I killed Iliana.”

“And what about me and mom? Huh? What are we supposed to do when you leave, and we are left here with father all by ourselves?”

“I’m sorry Rochelle, I made up my mind already! I’m leaving tonight after the party; I’m going to say my goodbyes to the Everwood’s and ask for their protection for you and mom. They’ll take you both in, I know they will.”

“Mom will never agree to this.”

“Yes, she will, she will because it is the only way that both of you can be protected from father, and the Rogue Hunters after I leave.” 

“But --”

“No, I have made up my mind. I’ll see you tonight. Ok?”

“Sure,” she said. He gave her a big hug and left the cave determined.