We walked slowly the next evening. It was tiring and I wished I could help my mother by carrying her but I was tired myself. How could I help her if I couldn’t help myself?“Mum. According to this map, we are already very close to Shadowcrest. Don't worry. We'll just spend one more night in the forest and we'll be there in no time.” I comforted her while leading her too. “Okay.” She simply nodded, too tired to say anything else. When it was evening in the dense forest, we walked along a narrow path, the tall canopy above cast a patchwork of shadows on forest ground. Our clothes were smudged with dirt all over and I felt so dirty, my eyes fixed on the floor too tired to even lift a leg. I stared back at my mother and saw that she was feeling the same way. As night fell, the forest became more alive around us, the rustle of leaves, the singing of birds all made it relaxing in a way. My hair that I had put up into a ponytail was already a mess but that was not my concern at the mome

I watched Diane as she still lay on her bed, still not being able to move since yesterday when the ugly incident happened. Till this moment, I still blamed myself for what happened.Just this morning, I noticed her skin going pale and her breathing shallow. I was scared that I had caused this. I was afraid that I might have caused her the pain she was experiencing. I was still grieving about the fact that I was in search of my mother and now, this? What the hell was actually going on?“She'll be okay. The illness is making it hard for her to have a fast recovery but she'll be okay.” The doctor told us.I was relieved when I heard that. I.could easily breathe now but was still a little agitated.As I sat there waiting for her to open her eyes finally, I thought of all the ways I could help bring back my mother. I had hoped that the people of Shadowcrest would help me find her but who would help me anymore seeing that the only ruler they know is lying down, motionless on the hospital

How could we get into that place without getting noticed so no one would know that we came? I thought and wondered, trying to come up with what to do.Later that evening, I still hadn't made up my mind on what I should do and how I should go about it. I knew that Lucas would have the whole place surrounded by his men who were ever ready to kill so I had to plan well so I wouldn't get hurt or hurt my mother in the process.I thought of speaking to Laura first and convincing to be my friend again so she could help me save my mother but I was against that option.If Laura had truly turned against me because she loved Mascot and wanted to prove it to him, then nothing I say would make her change her mind. She was on her own now and she would face the consequences since she brought it up upon herself.After all, she plotted to have my mother kidnapped, why would she help me save her? She knew that we were going to Shadowcrest that was why she was able to kidnap my mother when I was there.

I followed them feeling dejected. The plans I had in my mind had been messed up by Damien. As we walked home I didn't want to think about the fact that I had saved someone I regarded as my enemy instead of my mother who was the core reason I organized an army in the first place.When we got to Stormclaw, I was tired and frustrated and Diane could see that by the look on my face.“What happened?” She ran to me when she saw the strange man that was brought with us. She expected us to come home with a woman who would be introduced as the Alpha's wife.“What happened?” She asked again.I was too angry and tired to respond so I went to sit. All the while, Alpha-king Magnus whimpered in pain as they carried him all the way to Stormclaw. “We had to rescue this man and not her mother.” Damien cut in, trying to save himself.“But that was the sole reason for going there in the beginning. Why would leave her mother out of the plan and save a stranger?” Diane complained.“Stranger? He isn't a

Diane was not going to take any attitude from the King and the fact that he actually kept quiet and listened to her made me smile. I finally found someone that could help keep the King's mouth shut and his behavior in check. It was beautiful to watch. As we sat some distance away from the angry Alpha-king, we asked him some questions.“You asked why you were here, right?” Diane started. “Well, it's because we were kind enough to save you.”“Actually, he was kind enough to save you.” I pointed at Damien while emphasizing on the ‘he’.“You never liked me.” The Alpha-king retorted.“You didn't like me either but why does that matter now? Let's go back to the questions.” I said, ignoring whatever he was trying to drive at.“So as I said, he was kind enough to save you but for good reason though, that you would answer all the questions that we have for you, truthfully, too.” Diane continued.“What questions are they?” Alpha-king Magnus asked rudely. “I hope it's questions that I can answ