Whisper of Hearts

"Sir Louis," Travis called the wise warrior who was leading their group.

"Yes, Sir Travis? Is something the matter?"

Louis glanced at the two warriors of Ideni who were handling the captured Alpha of Renada. Alpha Alexis' hands were bound to a silver chain and it was impossible for him to escape for the moment he even moved, the chain touched his hands, burning them the next instant. The only way he could lessen the burning sensation was to sit still as the two warriors of Ideni led his horse towards Aranill.

Louis' eyes fell on his burnt hands and he nodded in satisfaction. This was merely the start for what he did to Travis and his Commander. The man deserved more and he would get what he deserved once they reached Aranill.

"Should we have inquired him about the masked man who instigated Dariel to attack us?" Travis did not show any pain on his face even though his leg was aching badly. He bore with it as he rode behind his Knight Commander, wishing to reach Aranill as soon as possible.

Since the time he had heard about the gruesome incident at Aranill, he had been unable to sit still and all he wanted was to return to Aranill and make sure his Commander was safe. He wanted to find out if he was doing well. But he could not return until he finished the duty his Commander had given him but the man in question was playing a game of hide and seek with them, delaying their return by a few days.

"Do you think he would have answered us honestly given the circumstances he was caught in?" Louis questioned back and Travis started pondering about it. It was true that the man had put up a fight to save himself. But why would he not reveal the truth now that they had caught him?

Louis saw the young man's dilemma on his face and he smiled faintly. Though Travis was a great warrior, he was still from reaching the epitome of being perfect. He still had a lot to learn and Louis appreciated his desire to learn. The young man knew what his abilities were and was willing to train harder to become better. He was not arrogant, unlike a few people he knew who were clearly less capable compared to others but had the ego of that of an emperor.

An arrogant face flashed before his eyes and Louis smiled condescendingly. 

"We could only capture Alpha Alexis because we threatened him. But do you think that the masked man would not have warned him when he approached him with the plan?" Louis glanced at the Alpha behind him and Alexis averted his gaze away immediately after being caught eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Then, why did Dariel reveal about the masked man?" Travis' confusion only rose and the situation became more complex to understand what exactly was happening.

"Dariel and Alpha Alexis are different, Travis. They each have their own weaknesses and only when we make use of them to our advantage can we gain an upper hand. And as far as I can say, it is not that easy to make Alpha Alexis surrender." Louis said loudly and Alexis did not know if it was meant for him to hear or not.

"Then, will he still put up a fight when we reach Aranill?" Travis now slowly understood what was happening and Louis nodded at him lightly.

"Possibly. He has all the reasons to do so."

"And what might that be, Sir Louis?" Travis gave him an inquisitive look, curious to find out what exactly the wicked Alpha of Renada was planning.

"You will find out when we reach Aranill." Instead of answering him directly and giving a way out for Alexis, Louis decided to keep his notions a secret and not allow the man to foil their plan.

"Sir Louis," Travis wailed in annoyance and Louis just chuckled at him. "This is not fair." He complained.

"Patience, Sir Travis. Patience. Stay calm and patient and you will find the answers you so desperately seek."

Though Travis was still curious to find the answers, he did not probe further into for he discerned that he would not be finding out anything until he reached Aranill. He just took a deep breath and gave up speaking as he focused on the two warriors he was leading behind him and nodded at the men from Ideni who were in charge of the Alpha of Renada.

"I am so glad that Alpha Azimir sent two of his capable men with us. Otherwise, we would not have been able to handle Alpha Alexis."

Travis started again and Louis agreed with him. Alpha Azimir sure thought far ahead, he thought and smiled in relief when he realized that Aylin had such a brilliant man in her man. Considering how passionate and possessive werewolves were, especially the Alpha, he already had an idea where the young Alpha of Ideni and he was relieved that Aylin had him supporting her at such a sensitive time.

'Thank you, Alpha Azimir. Thank you.' He let out a breath and stared at the sky that was slowly turning orange as the sun moved towards the horizon. They were quite a distance away from Aranill and if they continued without stopping even for a moment, then they would reach some time past midnight.

Though Louis wanted to keep going and reach home, he was unsure if the others shared the same sentiments as him. So, he stopped his horse, forcing the others too to stop and he turned to face them.

"Warriors, we are still far away from Aranill and I am afraid that we would not be reaching the place anytime before midnight even if we ride our horses without stopping anywhere in the middle. Now, I leave it upon you to decide if you wish to take a break and rest for some time and would you want to carry on without stopping." Louis stated his intentions and stared at the two werewolves in charge of Alexis.

"Sir Harvey, Sir Liam, we leave it upon you to decide." He continued and the two men looked at each other before they nodded lightly.

"Sir Louis, although we would have liked to rest for a while, we cannot for we have a criminal with us," Harvey replied while Liam just nodded in agreement. "I suggest that we continue with our journey. We can as well rest when we reach Aranill. And, as for starving our stomachs until then," Harvey looked at Travis who raised his brows at him in wonder.

"I am afraid Liam and I would be emptying your pockets the next few days. We will not let you go until we are satisfied and full." Harvey joked and Louis chortled in amusement while Travis just smiled helplessly.

"Definitely, Sir Harvey, Sir Liam. You are free to empty our pockets and neither Travis nor I would mind it. Moreover, you are our guests and it is our duty and happiness to take good care of you." Louis added, ignoring the look of contempt the Alpha of Renada was giving him.

"And do not worry, Alpha Alexis." But Travis did not and he took it upon himself to insult the man thoroughly. "We will make sure to take care of you well. Please look forward to it."

Alexis' lips twitched as he heard the man's blatant words of humiliation. Yet, he did not react much arising suspicions on Louis' mind. But he ignored them, brushing off his thoughts as his illusions.

The group started with their journey again as they watched the sun moving down the horizon and stars making their way into the sky. The warm breeze slowly turned cold and Travis shivered when another gust of wind blew by them again. His teeth clattered and he rubbed his hands to keep himself warm.

"Sir Louis, it is not colder than the past few nights?" He queried and stared at the tree branches that were swinging madly in the wind. "Did the northern wind change its direction?"

Even Louis felt the change in the weather and he frowned lightly. It was just the start of the night and the temperature around them had dropped significantly. It was completely not how it was supposed to be and Louis started to have foreboding about the situation. It was as though danger might fall on them any time.

"Warriors, be alert," Louis warned and pulled out his sword and the other three men followed suit, prepared to face the danger that might fall on them any time. 

Harvey nodded at Liam who nodded at him in return before he galloped towards the front. "Sir Louis, Sir Travis. Please stay behind." He requested and looked around carefully, making sure to keep his ears open for any hints of danger.

Louis and Travis were stunned by the man's sudden appearance. But they calmed down the next instant, impressed by the man's actions. Though neither he nor Liam was obligated to take care of them and protect them for they were not in Ideni, they still guarded them, ignoring that they were the guests here.

Harvey stopped suddenly and the others too halted. 

"Sir Harvey, is something..."

Travis had barely begun speaking when the wind started to pick up speed.  The trees started to sway vigorously and some of the weaker trees were even uprooted due to the intensity.

"Stay close," Harvey shouted and held his sword out, though he was unsure as to what kind of danger they would be facing for this was the first time he had faced such a situation. Even the other men were prepared to battle it out if necessary as they stayed close to each other with their weapons in front of them.

The men moved closer as they watched the dust rising in the air and they squinted their eyes. While they waited for the dust to settle, they felt a strong gust of wind move past them, sending waves of tremors through their bodies. The next instant, they heard a shout of anguish from beside them before it stopped suddenly.

The situation returned to normal immediately after and the men, who had their eyes closed to protect themselves from the wind and the dust, opened them slowly, still in disbelief from what they had experienced a moment ago. It was anything like they had seen before. Sighs of relief escaped their lips, finding themselves fortunate to have escaped a calamity.

"Alpha," Liam shouted suddenly and the men looked behind them, only to find the Alpha of Renada missing and the silver chains that were bound to him now lay on the ground, broken.