Chapter 5: monster wolf

Xena's heavy eyes slowly opened to the mourning sounds she heard. Her back ached due to her abnormal position, causing her to adjust to an appropriate one.

Quietly,she watched the uncomfortable sight before her. She was sure she had never seen anything like it before,never even expected it. The almighty and always capable Margaret was crying…

Her gaze remained fixated on the crying Margaret who had covered herself with a blanket. Looking around the carriage, she discovered everyone else had gone to bed. Great! Now she would have to strike up a conversation or at least find out the reason for her tears or she would be considered inhumane.

"You okay?" She questioned, staring intensely at her stepmother. She had expected it, no one took the loss of a husband that easily. Most would have thrown themselves on the floor but she handled it like a warrior ,didn't even flinch as she took on responsibility. Her heart sank to her stomach as she watched Margaret wipe her eyes immediately. The woman wasn't just crying. She was covered in snot and her eyes were already swollen. Red cheeks did nothing but compliment her ruined face. As she looked at Xena,the compassion held in the girl's eyes was obvious. A chuckle came through as she noticed one thing she had always said. Despite their differences,they were alike in some way. Both were never willing to show weakness nor tears. It had gotten her that far and she silently hoped it would do the same for the kid.

"I'm fine, get back to sleep." Margaret pushed her away with words. The last thing she needed was seeking remorse from her stepdaughter. Expression of emotions would always go south for her.

Again with the harsh tone! Would it kill her to be polite for once?

Xena's teeth dug into her tongue,holding back the words she had to say.

Xena most definitely felt bad about her father too and the situation seemed to be causing her head to spin in dizziness and nausea , it was affecting both of them and they had to find a way through it.

Margaret would need her help with navigating through official things once they got back,she knew almost everyone. As expected,women weren't expected to have any ideas on any activity in the pack but her father had broken every rule for her. Zain,her brother, would lead the family as expected but he wasn't quite old enough. Sixteen wasn't the appropriate age for taking on a family's duty.

***

Zain's grip on the whip loosened as they walked through the forest. Slowly, he pulled out his pocket watch in an attempt to get a glimpse at the time. It was past midnight and they couldn't rest in the middle of nowhere. His legs hurt, his eyes seemed to be blurry and his head was banging but he couldn't stop. He had spent the entire day searching for his sister. The entire scenario seemed to be driving him crazy. What in heaven's name had occurred between Xena and their father. Why did she leave her wedding?

He simply couldn't wrap his head around whatever hate she had for mating that would cause her to take such actions. The disgusting churn in his stomach increased at the realization that he never even got to his father one last time. By the time he had gotten home,his father had already been taken to the morgue.

"Halt!" The lead called out with a raised palm to the air. Their trotting horses stopped. They all stood in the silent forest,listening to the pattern of the wind which jingled in their ears.

The lead mumbled a word and soon they stepped down from their horses.

He watched as they moved forward. At that moment,he knew he had to be there too. He hopped off and was on the floor in no second.

"Please stay back, it's too dangerous." A warning came through but he ignored as he pulled his sword out.

"Why?" He question as his feet dragged towards them.

"There might be something or someone dangerous ahead."

" Let's find what it is." He ordered, taking the lead.

His feet froze in his tracks as he saw the sight before them.

Flesh eating wolves?

How possible was that?

***

Xena looked out the window as she heard all the horses stop. Her eyes squinted in a desperate search for a better view of the place. They couldn't have gone that far.

Soon, everywhere had grown oddly quiet, even the maids had stopped gossiping.

Her heart jumped as she heard Zain's cry come through.

"My son!" She heard Margaret spring up from her sleep. Before she could say a word, Margaret was out of the carriage with a dagger in her hand. The woman seemed damn blood thirsty. Regretfully, she stepped down hoping to find the cause of the cry.

Margaret felt her pulse cease as she saw her son's head fly towards her. Bile rose up to the back of her throat as the blood splashed her face. Her son's blood! Her head moved up to see a wolf standing opposite her with a blood stained mouth and chest.

The wolf had chosen the wrong prey as she was definitely ready to obliterate every obstacle in her way.

Xena watched in horror as the wolf moved in a pace no one could compare nor understand. In less than a minute, she was surrounded with bodies to her left and every other direction.

Her bone shook and she felt her legs weaken as she felt the moist of his breath on the nape of her neck. A silent growl came through then he stood directly before her. Her breath seized as she watched his beauty under the moonlight. With a deep breath,he took her scent in. His finger touched her hair. The wind seemed to obey his every movement as she felt it in his direction. His fangs pulled their long, red marked, sharp and glistening selves out.

Today wasn't her wedding day, it was the day of her death.

He wanted to kill her.