Unleashed

Chapter Twenty: Felix

3rd PoV

Felix stepped through the hole in the wall and scanned the bedroom. Apart from the door that laid shattered on the ground, Mila's bedroom seemed to be untouched. The rest of the house of Xavius, however, was a different story.

After Felix had heard what had happened —an unexpected attack that left everyone in Liandro mortified— he rushed over to the Lanista's villa as fast as he could to see if Mila and Darius were spared during the slaughter.

He was left shocked at the sight. It was a battlefield with only humans left for dead. The few wounded that still lived were in such terrible shape, Felix and the other members of the council decided it would be best to put them out of their misery.

Blood, limbs, bowel, organs, and pieces of skin and flesh laid sprinkled all over the residence. The sight and stench of the corpses was enough to cause at least a dozen men to empty their stomachs.

And then came that fateful moment he had found his dear friend. Felix had fallen to his knees and tried to close Darius's eyes, but failed as the man had been dead for a while and the muscles were stiffened already. The lanista kept looking at him with those dead frightened eyes. Felix would never be able to forget that look. He wondered about the last thing those eyes had seen.

He walked further into the bedroom. There was no blood or signs of battle here. He opened closets and cabinets, but nothing seemed to miss. However, in one drawer of Mila's desk laid a piece of papyrus. It was a drawing of a Lycan, the beast depicted in black charcoal with Mila slung over his shoulder. A breadcrumb she'd left to let him know she was captured.

Felix grabbed the piece of paper and held it so tightly in his hands, the paper tore at the bottom and it left his fingers numb while anger took hold of him.

She must be so scared.

How could this have happened? This wasn't how things were supposed to play out.

Several Days Ago

"Wouldn't it be nice to be that age once more?" Darius asked, standing next to Felix, who looked at Mila and Lir giggling together in the garden.

He hadn't slept at night. The moment he and the girl had shared on the balcony kept playing in his mind, again and again. He really thought Mila opened up to him, but it was only the wine and curiosity of the younger one.

"We're not that old, my friend," Felix replied, patting Darius on his shoulder. "What did you want to discuss with me?"

"Something quite serious, I'm afraid. Let's sit down."

"You're worrying me now."

"As I should," replied a nervous-looking Darius.

After they sat down, Darius called for a servant to bring them sweet white wine.

"It's still morning," Felix said, raising his eyebrows.

"That's fine by me."

After the servant had brought them two chalices and a jug of wine, Darius first finished his drink before he started talking.

"I'm offering Mila to you."

"...?"

"Her hand in marriage, I mean. You fancy her, don't you?"

"Of course, I do. You know I do! But, did Mila ask for this? Does—does she even know you're telling me this?"

"She does not." Darius shook his head.

"Then why are you—"

"There is more to tell." Darius took a deep sigh.

Felix had never seen the man act like this before. He seemed anxious, biting the inside of his cheeks. He ran a hand through his silver hair.