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 small dungeon window grill located at furthest side of the castle near the ground. Since the dungeon is slightly underground and the small window grill is near the ground, Lexer had to crouch down to peek inside 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 having them behind her. Amaris pushed Lexer's hand out of sight and Lexer hid but kept his ears open to know what's happening inside.

"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 from arguing with Kiara, silently telling her that she can handle Kiara by herself.

"Wait, Zarina, you trust this demanding and brutal Lycan?!" Amaris asked, 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! I think you misunderstood the quote "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" very badly." Amaris sighed. "Hm. It's about time we notice that she might be intentionally 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. Am I correct that it involves him?" Quamara said. Kiara kept her silence at first, but she nodded hesitantly.

"What about it, Kiara? Why come to me?" The Ailuran asked. "It's about you and..." Kiara trailed off, glancing at the other girls behind Zarina. Zarina figured that Kiara is glancing at the ladies because they're listening in. "Oh, worry not about them. They... know what I am. They know my true identity." Zarina reassured. Kiara hesitates once more, but she nodded.

"I saw Dracyian lately before I interrogated you. It seems like he's snooping around but I didn't investigate further 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.

"Zarina, it's bad if the queen learns of your true identity. She can execute you." Ertha said, worried. "Tsch! How can you say this brutal wolf-girl is telling the truth? She could be lying!" Amaris scoffed.

"Can you snoop, Kiara?" Zarina asked. "Zarina, we can't risk her getting caught if she's really on our side now." Quamara replied. Zarina started thinking. "Do you know anyone else who's up for sneaking around?" Zarina asked. "I can't trust Vossler. He's strictly working alongside Delaneia and Dracyian." Kiara said. "I guess, we're hopeless. We can't do anything." Zarina sighed.