Chapter no 6-Casted out

'Tears well up, a heart adrift,

Only your thought, a precious gift.

Though love denies, and mocks my plea,

My soul finds solace, thinking of thee,'

Amara

"She is your sister," He said, and then he turned and walked back in. The room was dark and I could not see him.

Should I follow him in? Should I go in?

Walking into a dark room behind this man was at the top of my Not to do list.

I stood by the threshold of the door. I put my head in and peeked inside. Where did he go?

There was a silhouette of a bed, a large floor-to-ceiling window on the front wall, supposed to be emitting morning light, covered by heavy curtains. There was other furniture.

My heart skipped several beats. Is this his bedchamber? Why did Emily bring me here!

It was his personal space. Why would he want me to come in? My skin danced with excitement.

But where is he?

The lights turned on, and my heart darted out of my chest, finding him standing ever so close to me. His chest almost touched my shoulders. His face inches away from my cheek. His breath now fanned my hair.

"You will visit her, at least," He spoke. It took me a few seconds to rewind the conversation we were having.

Get a grip, Amara!

"I won't," I whispered, my throat dry. He dislikes me so much that he doesn't even want me to visit my sister once in a while.

This was a lot to give up, but I was willing for Erica's happiness.

He left my close space. "Maybe once, twice? When she has babies. When she gets sick. When she dies of old age,"

He was now walking further in the room.

I take a deep breath. What is wrong with him? How can he say that so easily? How can he demand something like this from me?

He sits on one of the couches and takes the cup in his hand. He sips his tea.

Will I really be able to resist these events? Will I never be able to see my sister again?

Ever?

And most of all, why does he hate me so much that he does not want to risk a visit even in a hundred years?

The latter question makes its way to my mouth, souring it with its taste.

"Why do you hate me so much? What did I do?" I whispered, looking down at my feet.

The room felt eerily quiet. It was uncomfortable. As if the space has shrunk, magically, making me closer to his wrath. I hear my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I bet he can hear it too, for how silent it was there.

"...I think it is not unknown to you...that we ar-"

"Yes, we are," He cuts me off. I look up at him. My eyes reflecting the questions I did not have the courage to ask.

Why can't I stay?

Why can't you want me as your mate?

Why do you want me to go?

He stands up, and walk to me, until he was in my personal space again. He takes another step but I don't back away. He takes some of my hair that fell over my shoulder into his fingers.

Even His hand was beautiful. Long fingers, big palm, attached to a thick veiny arm. It made me sigh out a huff of air.

"This is a peculiar shade for red," He said thoughtfully about my hair. Such important discussion I was trying to have with him and this is what he wants to talk about. The shade of my hair?

"Like a city burning," He whispers.

My skin heats up. He was so close. I could wrap my hands around him, hold his neck. My eyes fall to his lips. I could kiss him.

I bite my inner cheek to stop myself.

Get a grip, Amara!

"And I don't hate you," He said, his warm breath fanning my cheek. , "...I, don't want a woman around me. Women are feeble-minded and inept. I am the Lycan king, I cannot be associated with something so...weak," He left my hair as if he was disgusted by it, and not admiring the shade just a minute ago.

It takes time for his words to make sense. For his words to register. Even though they were clear and smooth.

Hell with getting a grip. As if cold water was splashed on my body, I jerk back.

White hot rage takes over every sense I have left. He is one of those. Of course he is. What else could I expect from my fate than the absolute worst?

He thinks we are weak. We are a liability. Something to tarnish his oh-so-godly name and rank among the mere beings, beneath him.

I laugh a crazy laugh. "You are so Pathetic...You will break just from my presence. Scared that if I visit Erica, you will be so disheveled, your people would believe you don't deserve the title of The Lycan king," I spat at his face. His eyes flare up, and his hands tighten by his sides as he straightens his back, standing over me like a bloody tower.

"Terrified that something so weak can crumble you," My eyes mirror the rage brewing in his. If I were a sane woman, I would have backed away. Hell, I even would have begged him to spare me. But too bad I wasn't.

"I would gladly not be with a man like you. I reject y-"

I was snatched from the ground I was standing on and pushed into a wall. A large hand clasped my face, so tight my first thought was the snapping of my jaw if this pressure increased.

"I will kill you,"

He growled. My hands raised to push him back, but he was quick enough to pin both my wrists above my head.

"I will kill you myself this time if you utter another single word,"

His hand muffling any voice I had left in my throat. Any cry for help. His nose touched mine as he spoke, daring me to look anywhere but into his eyes.

My heart was shattered all over again. A slow, agonising, unraveling of my sense of self.

Tears stung my eyes. I didn't allow myself the relief of crying. They won't fall, not in front of him.

I blink. His eyes soften. Just for a moment, his features eased, the eyebrows framing the eyes in a gentle arch.

And whoosh!

It was all gone.

"I don't want you here! I don't want any reason that would bring you back. But since you insist so politely. I would let your sister stay,"

He left my mouth and took two steps back.

"You!" He said, "would leave today. As early as possible And you will never return,"

His words sting. I pushed back a sob and tightened all my muscles, urging them to stop shaking. My spine steel, my head held high. Even a breath too deep would crumble my exterior. I cannot let that happen.

He turns his back to me.

"It is for your own good, Amara , "

My name slips smoothly from his lips and settles between us like a rough scratch.

He didn't want to reject me. He didn't want me to reject him. He didn't want me to stay nor he want me to come back.

I walk towards the door. From the darkness to light. But it all seemed the same to me now. From his bed chambers to the hallway and away from all this. I met this man yesterday. He was given the power over me the moment we met, and I was given the power over him. But I was weak; his hold was much stronger.

I met him yesterday and he was given the power to break my heart. To hollow me inside. To snatch away the light to my life.

And Despite all this, all he said and done, the insane part in me wanted him to stop me.

Please stop me!

Please!

Don't let me go!

I don't want to be alone!

Stop me!

I cannot be alone forever!

And the door slammed behind me. I thought the tears would spill now. But they didn't. I felt nothing.

Head high, spine steel, I walk down the hall, find the stairs, and I was at the double doors to the lawn, surprised how I made it here without so much as putting a thought to it.

Erica stood in front of me, smiling sadly, expecting bad news. "You can stay," I told her. Her eyes widened before she squealed and hugged me.

I embrace her as tightly as I can. I thought the tears would spill now, but they didn't.

"But he said I can't stay," I whispered. She tensed in my arms and let go of me.

"But Amara -,"

"It is non-negotiable, Erica. I cannot stay here. I have no reason to," I smiled at her, holding her chin.

"How can he do that? Why are you listening to him!" She demanded.

"He is the Lycan king Erica," I laughed. A sad laugh. It was enough reason.

"Don't ever let Damien scare you from now on. Stand your ground. You are the most powerful woman here now," I kissed her forehead. She was the mate to the beta. Damien had no mate. Well, he had, but she is leaving.

No tears fell.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

Chapter no 7-The battle

I moved past the only family I had left in this world, my sister Erica and walked away. I didn't look back when I turned the corner. I was determined to keep my promise to Damien. I would leave Erica for her own good. I would leave the city and never come back.

I walked and walked until I reached the palace grounds. It wasn't as gloomy as it was yesterday. The large gates mocked me, at the life I was leaving behind. The guards held it open, patiently waiting for me to walk out. I did, and I didn't look back.

Northern wind blew. I had to hold my dress together. Erica had offered me a jacket she had been given by Alex. It was very oversized, but at least it protected me from harsh winds and cold weather. I held onto it as I walked into the city. The screws in my brain turned, deciding on where I can go. I was a Rogue. I had no identification. The thought of going back to Seraphic aches at my heart-Jacob would kill me.

My heart pained at the thought. What have I done? It was my idea. It was all my thinking.

I forced Dad to leave.

Well, now it was all in vain. Jacob did get his hands on my sister, and she was saved by someone who was not me, nor was it my idea. The only thing my plan did was get my father killed and leave me alone to survive in this world.

I wish I could go back in time and reverse my decisions. I always got myself into trouble because of my hot-headedness; if only I knew.

I wanted to laugh.

I had lived my whole life in Seraphic. It was not perfect but it was ours. I loved that land. It was what I always called home. It was what my parents called home. It was where my mother embraced the earth. My sister and I grew up in.

The only thing I hated was the Alpha, who ruined my beautiful land, and I felt nothing but pity for the people who let it happen.

For years, they had suffered at the hands of their Alphas.

I wipe away the thoughts. What is the use of all this? It was gone. I need to think ahead.

Unlike Seraphic, the city of Enigma was big. A labyrinth of wonder. The people were happy. The markets were large and filled with chatter. The streets clean, no dumpster at the ends. The fruits were fresh. The air was fresh.

I wished Seraphic were like this.

It took me hours to walk to the Main road. I crossed the river to the other side. I sat near the river and drank some fresh water, washed my face, my hands, and my feet. Some dry dates were scattered on the ground near the river from the tall trees of beyond. I ate those.

It was evening and I was tired. I decided to stay the night here, and I will leave tomorrow.

The entire night was uneventful. I had shifted to my wolf and slept soundly, knowing I was safe in the grounds of the city. I had the desire to walk the jungle. To stroll around, experience the clean and beautiful nature. To discover the other edge. It was as big as my eyes could see. I never saw something like this before. Only read about them in school. Jungles! Inhabiting exotic animals and surreal plants.

I woke up to birds chirping. The sky above was gloomy, with black clouds covering the earth. Trying to procrastinate, I lay there a little. I would give my left kidney to be able to stretch in my bed. An hour passes before I finally get up and rub my face with cold water.

It was like a jolt, similar to drinking three coffee mugs. Upright, I searched for food, found some more dates.

The only date I could find, since my mate refused to look at me, I told that to the dates and smiled at myself. It was official that I had gone crazy.

Reaching the city gates, I finally turn to look back. A long road, and A river by its side stared back at me. The water remembers, I thought to myself.

I leave.

.

.

.

.

I hear footsteps. Bigger, louder, merging the sound of a thousand boots. They shook the earth beneath me.

Half an hour to the south, I felt men coming. There were a lot of them. An army marched to the city, their armor glinting in the sky, seen from a long distance, howls of wolves.

The plain lands made it difficult to hide, and panic settled in. My feet are carrying me back to the city.

As I neared the city, the clouds began to weep. Big drops fall over my head, and my clothes are wet when I reach the gates to find them wide open.

I stumbled to a stop, confusion and fear warring at me.

The main road was covered with wolves.

The Varkyrs.

The strongest army in the world. As far as the eye can see, I saw damp wolfish hair.

Damian was standing at the front, human. An umbrella was held over his hand by one of the guards. His eye met mine, and he muttered something under his breath, which I was pretty sure was a curse word.

A war!

Hey fates! The feelings are still mutual. You still hate me, and I do too.

My doomed steps into a beautiful land, and it ends up in a war the very next day.

The two armies now stood near the gates with me sandwiched between the two, too paralyzed to run, and too stubborn to enter the city.

I look between the two armies. The other one was led my Jacob. Of course!

He looked at me, and muttered something under his breath as well, which I was sure was a curse as well, directed specifically at me.

"Amara Kane!" He announced, "The reason I am here,"

My blood ran cold. No damn way!

I look back at Damien.

"What do you mean?" Damien asks, his voice echoed over the vast lands, making goosebumps appear on my skin.

"My newest conquest was taken away from me," He said, his hand rising to his cheek. I believe this is where Alex slapped him. I believe it was swollen, but it was hard to see perfectly under the gloomy sky.

"Your Beta, found her to be his mate," He announced, "But this little wench, She is mine,"

"Excuse me!" I yell, at his face, not caring he had an army behind him. Not caring that he was once the Alpha we feared naming in our own homes. See I am not a better woman.

"I belong to no one, and definitely not you,"

"You are a Seraphic woman Amara . You wandered way. I am here to retrieve you back safely," He snarled, his eyes getting red from anger.

"I am a rogue now," I yelled, "You have no power ove-,"

My hair was in his hand, as he harshly pulled me to the floor. I hear an army growl behind me behind the city walls.

"Alpha Damien. I am sorry to disturb you. I was under the impression that you sheltered this bitch as well," He tugged at my hair again, "But since she is outside the gates and not in, I assume I was wrong,"

He look down at me, sprawled on the ground, my hands clawing at his hand holding my head. I realized I still feared him. But there was another feeling trying to fight its place.

Vengeance.

I wanted to kill this man. I wanted to kill the one I have feared a better part of my life.

"Thank you for sending her away," He said. He dragged me by my hair, pulling me with him. I cried in pain.

"Jacob," A voice echoed again, "Leave the girl right now,"

He stopped. The water hit my face making it hard to breath.

"Alpha, I don't want a war," He laughed.

Damian stepped out. "Leave the woman or you will get one," He growled.

"You will get your men killed for a wench you casted out? This is ridiculous," He tugged at my hair again, making my eyes water in pain.

Damian stride over and held Jacob by his neck. "I have had enough now,"

"Hands. Off. Her,"

The whole army behind Jacob shifted. Jacob let go of my hair and I scooted away hurriedly before he changes his mind. Being held by head at an arms length is not a good angle to kill him.

And I was still scared of him, But seeing my mate holding him by his neck in front of his whole army. It gave me a fresh confidence.

Damien takes his sweet time to let Jacob go. He was now drenched in the rain. His perfect brown Jacket turned dark brown and his hair stick to his forehead.

"She would not go with you," Damien said. "What really ridiculous is you think you can win," He sneered.

Jacob raised his hand, brushing away non-existent dust on Damien's wet shoulder.

"War it is then," He spat in front of him and turned back to his army.

Chapter no 8- Triumph's sleep.

'A lifetime's thirst, at last, slaked deep,

The bitter cup, a triumph's sleep '

Amara

The air was thick with tension, and anticipation. The scent of fur and ozone hanging in the air, carrying a low hum of growls.

Damein looked at me. His eyes flared in anger. I snatch myself off the floor and stand up.

"Go in," He said to me, tilting his head once towards the gates, "Take shelter with the city woman."

"The hell I will," I yelled at him, "I would watch the demise of this man with my own damn eyes, or I will die tonight." If I were in a comic, my ears would be releasing smoke from how fried my brain was with hot rage. My hands ached to wrap around Jacob's neck and watch his eyes as they drained out of life because of me.

If I were a better woman, I would follow Damien's commands and expect him to let me stay. But I wasn't. I will fight; otherwise, all the pent-up anger from years in my land, it would kill me.

What Jacob did today was the last straw.

Damien stepped forward to give me a piece of his mind for rejecting his direct command, but there was a howl. A piercing sound that cut through the air.

Seraphic pack charged forward like a dark tide.

The rain-soaked ground vibrated like an earthquake under my feet.

The sounds of claws hitting the ground and launching forward. Fear is crawling under my skin like spiders. A rush of adrenaline flies over my body, raising goosebumps.

I watch as the two tides merge. I watch the very first Enigma wolf pierce the neck of the Seraphic wolf, and my heart yelps in pain. The head came free, like a gruesome trophy.

The chaos was overwhelming, the scent of blood and mud freezing me.

Damian had approached Jacob away from the battle. It was rule the Alpha's fought separately, and no one was to interfere between them. The Alpha that dropped, loose.

I wanted to laugh. I was a battle, who cares. This was my chance.

I needed to kill Jacob.

A wolf walked towards me. I backed away instinctively. It snarled.

I shifted into my wolf, saved by a second of it attacking me. It was a member of my pack, my home. And he was ready to kill me.

I skid forward, the mud sticking to my claws that I raked across its face and neck. I played nastily.

The wolf wasn't expecting this and stumbled back. I continue to claw at it, finally biting at a shoulder. We rolled on the ground for a while. There was a sharp pain in my arm, and I retorted by biting its neck. I tasted blood and felt utter disgust.

I untangled myself from its body. Its neck is bleeding. I didn't want to kill him, but if I didn't, he would've killed me.

The battle raged on, the rain-soaked world a blur of teeth and claws.

High on adrenaline, I charged forward out of the tides. I was covered in wet mud all over my fur.

My eyes searched for Jacob. I could recognize his white and grey fur anywhere. I spotted him and stopped in my tracks. In front of him was the most enchanting thing I had ever seen.

The fur glistened with the water, black at the roots and crimson at the edges.

It was big. It towered over Jacob, who seemed like a dog in front of him.

I knew who it was.

My mate!

I was so distracted by the sight, when a force crashed into me and a pain surged at my shoulder.

For fates sake! Let me at least enjoy the view while I can.

I back away. Dodged another attack and ran towards Jacob.

There were faint whispers in my ear.

...Kill. him.

...kill. him.

...kill. her.

...Kill. her.

The voices grew, and a sharp pain rang in my head that was unrelated to the little battle wounds I earned.

I lose focus and launch forward and bite at whatever I reached. A clash of fangs met bone in a whirlwind of fur.

I pushed him onto the ground, with me. My claws marking his face.

...Kill. him.

...kill. him.

...kill. her.

...Kill. her.

Before I can bite into his neck, two strong arms wrapped around my ribs and pulled me back.

My skin heated with luscious heat at the contact.

I protested against the grip but it only got stronger.

"Easy woman, Easy!" He told me. I snarled.

Damian was torso flashing me while towering over me.

"This is not what we do in battles," He said.

I looked behind him, The seraphic pack was de-moralized and far less in number than they came in before. They had started to retreat.

There was blood and death everywhere. The battle had ended.

I didn't die.

I was left to live more, to torment more lives.

I was huffing. The air was not cold anymore. In fact my body was heating up in fever.

The pain, numbed from earlier, presented itself with sharp nails. I turned with the left over energy.

Damian had scratches all over his body.

My arm was bitten at the shoulder and forearm. My jacket was shattered and so were my clothes. I was standing there in a few pieces of rags, almost naked. Mud and blood everywhere.

"So, Tell me wild one," Damien said, "Do you want to punish those who have wronged you?" He asked.

The white on his eyes bled red, a storm brewing in his eyes similar to the one above us. A glimpse of madness that defied explanation.

I believe my eyes reflected the same, when I heard him.

I look down at Jacob.

"He took away my home," I spoke, talking a step towards him.

"He killed my father," My voice cracked with another step. My hands morphed into a fist beside me. My feet slipped past the wet mud.

"He took my sister," I was standing above the man guilty of my charges.

"He humiliated me, and made me kill my own pack members,"

I turned to Damien. My eyes conveying what I wanted to say. Yes, I wanted to kill the guilty one. Yes, I wanted to kill the one who wronged me.

Damien had his eyes focused on me, Appraising and assessing eyes. He nod his head once. It was so subtle, if I blinked I would have missed it.

I swing my leg over his body, and stood with my legs on each side of his body. Jacob was groaning in pain, all blood and skin.

I lowered myself and grabbed at his head. I bellowed pulling and twisting it, channeling the pent up rage of fifteen years.

There was a loud crack and the body went limp under me.

I hold the head in my hand for a couple seconds, before I let go. I wanted to spat at him but it was not ladylike.

I move away from him and kicked his lifeless body.

My knees finally gave up and I swing and fall down, breathing hard.

A smile covered my lips.

Triumph!

Damein

Of course there was war. She was here. I told her to leave, but her after effects lingered.

I stood by my men at the gates, waiting for Seraphic pack to approach.

She was gone so it was no use. I wanted to tell the fates.

But the moment I saw her running towards me, I froze.

Moirai be damned. Those three woman, I wanted the punch them in the guts.

I wanted her unharmed, even though I knew it was of no use. I saw Jacob hold her down but I didn't protest for her sake. I heard Jacob call her names, call her his, and I didn't protest for her sake.

I heard her scream and I protested, for her sake.

The battle began, and I stay close to her to protect her. That little vixen denied to leave the battle field.

I saw her fight.

I launched to protect her but he was already ripping at the throat of her attacker.

My divert of attention earned me a couple scratches on my back and a bite in return on Jacob.

I watch as she tore apart Jacob's head and kicked him.

I watch her survive.

I watch her not die.

I watch her smile,

and chills spread all over my body. This was not good.