Chapter 32 Time Waits For No One

• "Lady Rosaria. You promised to trust me. So, I warned you not to say a word. Don't make a sound and make sure to make a sound ONLY when Lord Varick arrives." These were her words before she locked me in the underground cellar. Yet, I couldn’t bear to just watch a young beta brimming with optimism faced an uncertain grim fate. I started banging the door, screaming to the enemies that I was here! "I AM HERE! TAKE ME, PLEASE! DON'T HURT THEM!" But none of them couldn’t hear a word I said. I stopped myself, as I panted, losing my breath from my wails and I learned a bit later that Lenalee sealed not only the door but the sounds within. H-How did she learn such magic? Is she... No, now wasn't the time for speculations. Lenalee knew I would break my promise and still placed that spell on the barrier. “LENALEE! OPEN THE DOOR! LENALEE!” I continued pounding the wooden planks and I didn’t care my hand was numb from the pain. Yet it was all futile as I witnessed Lenalee finally morphed into her wolf form. White as snow and a figure of a young one, she jumped out and tackled the man Heinfield before he could move. "FUCK!" He dropped down and Lenalee didn't wait a second before biting off his ear. “FUCK! WHAT THE FUCK, BITCH?!” He roared in pain as blood spurted out before Lenalee spat its skin. Then, Lenalee jumped and bit the man's arm which clutched Pete and he dropped him on the ground. "GOOO!" Lenalee growled and Pete didn't hesitate to run off. As soon as Pete ran away, they didn't pay attention to him as their eyes glaring dartedly at Lenalee as she continued growling at them. Just then, Heinfield whacked her wolf body off and threw her against the wall with a loud bone cracking noise. I screamed for her name as Lenalee laid on the ground as blood dripped from the corner of her fangs. Now, he slouched a bit, Heinfield held his torn bleeding ear as he glared at her. “You started this, lass!” He turned to his men and grinned. "Shall we teach her a lesson, boys?" There was no need for a command as they had already transformed into fully-pledged wolves. Lenalee attempted to get up, regaining her momentum as she had her attack stance ready as the wolves cornered her against the wall. I couldn't stop the tears of my eyes as I kept banging the door. I knew it was futile. I knew none of my actions could save her. “What should I do, Hati? What should I do?!” I cried as I kneeled down as I wept. I felt so weak and pathetic and this situation reminded me how useless I was! = Why not let her get what she deserved? = "No, I don't want to hear from you," I snarled as I stood up. "Why do you show up whenever I am at my most vulnerable?!" = But isn't she the reason why your pack was attacked? She let these savages enter. They are all in this together. = My own voice ignored my question as it ranted. = Many wolves probably died because of her. She is just doing this because you were the luna = I shook my head. "No, you're wrong." I continued banging the door. "She tried to protect me because she is kind!" I decided to continue kicking the door. "Even if she brought them here, there is a reason!" I continued kicking the door with all of my might. "I BELIEVE HER BECAUSE SHE IS MY FRIEND!" Then the door broke open, much to my surprise as I slowly walked the stairs to reveal myself to them. All heads turned, surprised by my sudden appearance as I scanned the surroundings. Lenalee was severely bruised as a huge cut was on her neck and her shoulder, her wolf form laid on the ground and I couldn't sense her breathing at all. N-No… Suddenly, I felt nauseous again, as my eyes widened. Was I too late? = Your foolishness will only bring you misery = My lips trembled and as mortification dawned on me. = You broke the door the moment the spell died along its user. You should have stayed quiet = I shook my head as I walked in a staggering motion as my hand reached out to her. But a hand flew and gripped my arm, stopping me to get closer. "I knew the bitch hid you here the moment we arrived." I couldn't say anything. My eyes glued on her wolf and my mind was telling me morbid thoughts that I continued to deny. "Looks like I don't need a Hatiist brat to lure her out anymore," Heinfield snickered. "Lenalee…no…." I sobbed as I stepped forward to get closer to her. Then suddenly, his hand gripped my head, and my face slammed on the floor. I coughed as I felt blood dripping from my temples. “You dared ignore ME, cultist whore?!” He roared with seething anger. “Sun Devil worshippers like you are what ruined the natural order of our race!” He kicked my side and I was groaning in pain. Everything hurts. I couldn’t move as I laid there like a fool without resistance as I let him beat me. "Heinfield, shouldn't we hurt the luna?" He turned with dilated eyes as he gritted his teeth. "Our job was to bring her the Red Moon Pack. They didn't say anything about bringing her back "unscratched"." While they were having a brief conversation, I crawled with each aching motion to reach the young wolf then a foot stomped on my back. “ACK!” I coughed and my body ached so much from the assault. "Oh, the Hatiist bitch wants to get closer to the baby whore?" He cooed. He yanked me up, moved me forward, and tossed me right next to Lenalee. "Like they all say, birds of the same feather flock together." The wolves hollered. Once again, their sadistic amusement aroused at the sight of my misery. "Don't you dare call her that!" I glared at every one of them. "She's alive! She's still breathing!” She must be! She was a strong one! I knew I could save her! Then, my eyes closed, now in full concentration as the light circle widened around her wolf form. “Purifica, domine, potentiam tuam extingue…” “What kind of bullshit magic is this?” The chant got interrupted as he grabbed my hand. “I-I’m trying to save her,” was my attempt to explain to the monster who did this to her! I glared at him and pulled my hand away. "Woman, can't you see the large bite on the neck? She couldn't survive after we mauled her." “She helped you here, right?! How could you do this to a young girl?!” “She betrayed us first. If she just handed you to us like a good girl, this wouldn’t have happened to her,” he replied. “Well, even if you have healing magic, it won’t work. She is worse than dead.” “No! She is alive, breathing right here!” I gestured at her with my hands. “If you let me heal her first, I’ll go with you!” "You are one annoying bitch." He stepped forward and gave a strong kick on Lenalee’s stomach. "NOOO!" I screamed and I saw that Lenalee hadn't moved at all. "This is for my ear!" He spat on her wolf. He grabbed my body and placed me on his shoulder. "LET GO OF ME!” I struck his neck with my knee and jumped from him while he dropped on his knees. "YOU PIECE OF SH—FUCK!" He seethed through the painful impact on his neck. Without hesitation, I grabbed Lenalee’s wolf body and wrapped my arms around her as I slid back until I pressed against the wall. The wolves once again cornered me just as they did to Lenalee. And a drop of sweat fell when I thought of three things: they couldn’t kill me as they need me alive, that’s for sure. I could escape by transforming into my wolf and hopefully carry Lenalee on my back. And find Varick before they catch me.. But as I scanned around, these rogues were used to cornering defenseless wolves. I couldn’t find the opening of our escape. Times like this show how I wished there were any offensive attacks from Hati’s teachings. There was one spell that came to my mind… but it would only work if it means… ...to end my life. As the wolves were in a small proximity, my breathing became erratic. Why was I hesitating? "Let's eat her arm. Like you said, boss. The Red Moon Pack doesn't give a damn," one of the wolves' smile widened. I opened my mouth, ready to chant but my voice couldn't come out. My eyes widened as I held Lenalee in my arms and let the tears flow. "Then, let me have a taste!" The gray wolf leapt towards me and I was ready for the incoming pain of my limb being torn from my body. However, next thing I knew, his body flew away and crashed to the walls. It was a quick, unexpected death. I turned back and before me was a large dark wolf which came crashing from the window. The rogues backed away, mortified at the sight of his presence. "FUCK! HE'S HERE!" "S-shit. Fucking great," Heinfield growled as he stood up. I looked at the wolf–a larger wolf with magnificent jet black fur and onyx blue eyes glaring at the intruders. I felt something. My heart raced, relieved to have him here. I never thought I could be happier to see him again. Just like the times when I was in trouble. Varick was always there to save me.