Damon walked out of the cave and found himself in a dense forest.
Trees, plants, scents… everything was unknown. This was not the Dark Howlers' territory.
Damon didn't remember the girl he left behind in the cave, and even though her expression seemed sincere, maybe she was just a good actress. He always hated when women cry, like that will solve anything.
She spoke like they had some history together, but he couldn't remember. And who would believe the nonsense that they are mates? Shouldn't there be attraction and sparks and his wolf should confirm that they are mates? There was none of that.
'Old guy!', Damon called, but he got nothing in response. Useless wolf, showing up only when he feels like it.
Damon frowned at the narrow entrance from where he emerged. He was born for the forest and freedom, but this was not his forest.
Was this really the territory of the Midnight Guardians pack?
He pursed his lips while thinking about his options.
It is known that members of the Midnight Guardians pack are not kind to intruders, and if that girl brought him to the cave, they were definitely not welcome here. Who knows how many people conspired with that girl to keep him stuck in a cave? Why would they do that? Is this some ploy to keep him away from his pack while they attack the Dark Howlers pack?
His skin crawled in need to go home.
Damon remembered the intelligence documents that spoke of a portal that separates the territory of the Midnight Guardians pack from the rest of the world. That portal is the reason why no one knows exactly their location and size. As much as this was a good opportunity to scout and gather information, he had no idea how long that girl held him there, and if he was away for more than a few days, the Dark Howlers pack might be in danger.
But how could he leave? Should he go back and ask that girl for directions?
He rejected the idea. There was no guarantee she would tell him the truth, and he didn't want to deal with a weeping woman.
He thought of something. A portal would cause disturbance in the energies and if Damon taps into his wolf's powers, he might be able to sense the location of the exit.
It took him only a few seconds to look to his right, and then he moved stealthily that way.
Axel rushed toward his father's study.
Since Talia and Damon escaped, Axel was mostly in his room, listening to various mind-links in the hope to get some information. There was nothing. He also checked on Cassandra, but she was only praying and avoiding all other duties. Her helpers believed that she was on the verge of some epiphany or developing a new way to strengthen one's soul, but Axel knew that this was Cassandra grasping the straws in the hope to regain her powers.
Three days. For three days, there was nothing, and now Axel overheard that a young woman was brought in, wanting to talk to Alphas. Was that Talia? If it was, then, where was Damon? Or did something horrible happen to him and Talia came to seek revenge while disregarding her safety?
His stomach dropped at the sight of two warriors standing at the door. They never guard this place.
"Are my parents inside?", Axel asked warriors.
Both warriors nodded in unison, and one said, "I apologize, future Alpha Axel, but our orders are that no one should disturb them."
Axel lifted his chin proudly. "I am the future Alpha. If they have any problems with me coming, I will handle it. Now move aside."
Axel didn't have his powers, but he had his Alpha aura and a helluva lot of pride.
After a moment of hesitation, two warriors moved to make way, and Axel put his hand on the handle while silently praying that Talia was not inside.
"Talia", Axel called in disbelief when he saw the familiar face. She was sitting on the sofa, with Alpha Sophia and Alpha Isaac facing her from the sofa chairs, their backs facing the door.
Axel moved swiftly to sit by her side. "Are you alright? Where is Damon?"
Talia shook her head. "I don't know where he is. I came here because I want to talk to Cassandra. I need to know about black runes."
"Nothing good comes out of black magic.", Alpha Sophia said, and she groaned when Talia cocked an eyebrow at her.
"They refuse to summon the oracle.", Talia said. "I would rather not harm them, but if they don't cooperate…"
"I will get her.", Axel said with urgency.
He had no idea how Talia can harm two Alphas, but his parents were sitting there and not moving even after Talia's threat. Normally, his parents would blow a fuse at this provocation, but now they just sat there obediently.
At first, Axel thought that their stern expressions were because they were angry, but now he had a feeling that their displeasure is because they can't get up. What exactly are Talia's powers?
Actually, even Talia was not aware of the power boost she got after Damon marked her. Talia was stronger and faster, and her aura became almost tangible.
For this operation, Liseli told Talia to focus on interrogation and that Liseli will make sure those two can't move without breaking any bones unless it was necessary.
"You will do no such thing!", Alpha Isaac squeezed through his teeth at Axel. "She is keeping us hostage! Will you give in?"
Alpha Isaac was furious. Talia just appeared and demanded to talk to Alphas, so warriors brought her there thinking that she is the esteemed guest from outside. They saw her in the cafeteria with Axel, so they didn't suspect anything.
Alpha Isaac and Alpha Sophia didn't alert anyone that Talia is a fugitive, so it backfired on them. They saw Talia as an ignorant girl, and they were confident that they can talk her into giving up on Damon's location. Who would have known that Talia could use her aura to suppress them to the point of their limbs not reacting? Alpha Isaac tried teleporting, but even that didn't work. Did she drug them?
"Father", Axel said sternly. "Don't you want answers? Cassandra has them. You said that she is not willing to talk to us, but maybe she will talk to Talia."
Before Alpha Isaac could object, Axel's eyes lost focus for a moment as he mind-linked Cassandra, 'Come to the main study. Alphas need you.'
'I am praying. Is it urgent?', Cassandra responded.
'This is related to the Moon Goddess.'
'I will be there in a minute.'
Axel's lips lifted into a smile. "She is coming." He turned to Talia. "About Damon…"
Talia shook her head. "I really don't know where he is. He woke up and left."
Axel blinked. "He left you behind?"
Talia's chin shivered. "He doesn't know who I am, Axel. Runes did something to him and he is not himself anymore." And Sapa was not reachable either.
Alpha Sophia bolted to her feet. With Talia (and Liseli) being distracted, she found that she can move.
"SIT!", Talia said through her teeth and Alpha Sophia plopped back into the sofa chair, like someone yanked her there with force.