Streak And Pack

Chapter 12 - Bargain

Night came. Lexer, attempting to meet Amaris through the dungeon's window, went to the Lycan territory once more. He peeked through the dungeon window and Amaris immediately saw him.

"Lexer! What in the world are you doing he-" "Shh! We don't want the other Lycans to catch us, do we? Keep your voice low." Lexer said. Amaris reached out towards the window to grab Lexer's hand and the rebel Lycan took her hand. "How are you? I met Zarina lately. She told me that you're under her care." Lexer smiled. "Yeah. Well, i'm not the only one who's under her care. See all the girls here? I believe all of us are under her care. If only you saw how she dared to bite Dracyian to protect Quamara. Heh. That's my bestie!" Amaris proudly said.

"Good to know. She's working for the Lycans now huh?" Lexer asked. "Uh, duh! We work for her!" Amaris smirked. "I see. If you're under her, then, I suppose I am too." Lexer smiled. "What do yo-"

The door of the dungeon entrance slammed, meaning someone came in and the half-asleep prisoners woke up. Zarina immediately stood up and went near the grills of the cell to protect the girls by putting them behind her. Amaris pushed Lexer's hand out of sight and Lexer hid but kept his ears open.

"Zarina, I need to speak with you." Kiara appeared. "What can you possibly want from her at this hour?" Merlara asked, standing up. Zarina raised her hand to stop Merlara, silently telling her that she can handle Kiara herself.

"Wait, you trust this demanding and brutal Lycan?!" Amaris snapped and Zarina turned to Amaris. "Long story, Amaris. I do trust her. She's a friend." Zarina revealed. "Ugh! Really Zarina?! You keep befriending everyone, including your enemies! Careful who you trust, my girl." Amaris sighed. "Hm. It's about time we noticed that she's befriending almost every Lycan who bears power and works near the queen." Merlara scoffed. Zarina just kept her silence and faced the Lycan chief huntress.

"Speak." Zarina said. "I have to get you out of there. This is exclus-" "Is this about Dracyian?" Quamara butted in. Kiara turned to Quamara. "How did you know?" The Lycan chief huntress asked. "Whenever I see your expression bothered or troubled just like what you have now, I know it has something to do with Dracyian when he speaks with the queen. Is that it?" Quamara said. Kiara kept her silence but she nodded gently.

"What about it, Kiara? Why come to me?" The Ailuran asked. "It's about you and... I can't tell if the others are listening to us." Kiara said, glacing at the other girls behind Zarina. "Is that so? Worry not about them. They... know what I am. They know my true identity." Zarina smiled. Kiara hesitates but she nodded.

"I saw Dracyian lately before I interrogated you. It seems like he's snooping around but I didn't investigate because I have to keep my eye on you. Then, just before I come here, I heard Dracyian talking to the queen. He told her that he's got something to tell her about you and... I believe it's about your identity." Zarina explained.

"No. It's bad if the queen found that out. She can execute you." Ertha said, worried. "Tsch! How can you say she's telling the truth? She could be lying!" Amaris scoffed. "Can you snoop, Kiara?" Zarina asked. "We can't risk her getting caught if she's really on our side now." Quamara replied. "Know anyone else who's up for the task?" Zarina asked.

"I can't trust Vossler. He's sticking up on Delaneia and Dracyian's side." Kiara said. "I guess, we're hopeless. We can't do anything." Zarima sighed. There was silence before Amaris spoke. "Wait, I might know someone if you're really out of choice now." Amaris said. The attention turned to her. "Zarina's my bestfriend. Totally reckless, yeah, but I love her and I will help her in any way I can." Amaris smiled. "Hey, Lexer, still there?" Amaris called. "Lexer? What's he doing here?!" Kiara asked.

"Calm down, Kiara. He's on my side too." Zarina smiled. "Hm. I bet it wont be long when our Zarina befriended every Lycan that lives here." Merlara let out a soft laugh. "Indeed. She kept surprising me." Kiara said, still shocked.