The Alphas Prize

Chapter 33: Running out of time - Part 2/2

Erik's arm tightened around my neck, and things were starting to go black. However, I refused to die, not today and not by his hand. I closed my eyes and reminded myself of who I was, that I am a fucking warrior.

I lifted my arm and elbowed Erik in the stomach, causing him to release me. He stumbled backwards and clutched his stomach, but that only lasted for a second before he stood to his full height again, glaring daggers at me. I looked around the ground and spotted a large, fallen tree branch. I hurriedly picked up the branch and swung it at him furiously. However, Erik found this amusing and started to laugh at my feeble attempt to attack him.

I swung at him again, the branch brushing against his chest this time, and his playful expression quickly vanished. Erik leapt forward, coming straight for me, but he didn't get too far, as suddenly, he was lifted from the ground. Gunnar stood there, black eyes and snarling viciously, as he held Erik by the throat off the ground. Although Erik squirmed in Gunnar's hold, trying to get free, little did he know, his time was up. Gunnar tightened his hold on Erik's neck and crushed Erik's throat with little effort, taking his life in the process.

Gunnar dropped Erik's body like a wet towel, and he hit the ground with a thump, eyes now lifeless. I stood there, staring between Gunnar and Erik, a little shocked that Gunnar had taken Erik's life so carelessly and without a second thought.

I was glad this was finally over but saddened that so many people died as a result, and I had lost two people who were once so dear to me. But, aside from everything, I was grateful that Gunnar was still by my side, fighting with me and supporting my decisions, even though he was against most of them.

I ran to Gunnar's side and jumped into his arms, wrapping my arms tightly around him. Gunnar embraced me in his hold, exhaling heavily. "Are you ok?" He asked with concern.

I let my arms fall to my side and stepped back, nodding my head. "Yes, I am fine. Just glad you showed up when you did." And I was, although I wished he had shown up sooner, maybe then Eve would still be alive.

He sighed heavily and looked down at Erik's body. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. I should've just stayed with you and never left you alone if I hadn't shown up when I did...." I didn't let him finish as I put my hand up, silencing his words.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Gunnar, you are here now, and that's all that matters. Not everything is predictable, shit happens, and you can't always prevent it." I told him reassuringly, trying to ease his internal pain.

He groaned, unsatisfied with my words, and I could tell he was still reprimanding himself for letting this happen. Gunnar glanced around before fixing his gaze on something in the distance.

His brows furrowed. "Who's that?" He asked with curiosity while pointing in the direction of his line of sight.

I followed his gaze, and my eyes landed on Eve's body. I pursed my lips. "That's Eve; she tried to save me, but...." I didn't say anything else, feeling remorse that she had lost her life, trying to save mine.

Gunnar rested a hand on my shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. She died with honour and bravery." So he told me, and that was so much easier said than done.

I looked up at him. "Once we get back to the packhouse, we need to send a few people out here to retrieve both of their bodies. Eve deserves a proper burial, and so does Erik. Regardless of what they have done, they made a difference in people's lives and were both good people at one point in time." I told Gunnar, and he nodded his head, agreeing with me.

I looked to the sky and realized that the daylight was almost gone. "We really need to get going, the sun is going to set within the next couple of hours, and our time is almost up to get the cure back to Cain."

Gunnar followed my gaze, looking to the horizon. "I'll shift, and you can ride on my back; we will get there a lot faster that way." He said, and I couldn't agree more, the quicker we got back, the better.

I nodded. "Yes, you're right." Gunnar then stepped back and shifted into his massive, black wolf. He shook his fur and stretched his limbs before kneeling. I climbed onto his back, entwined my fingers within his soft coat and laid my head down onto his back.

Gunnar dashed forward, almost knocking me off his back as he did. The trees whipped past us as Gunnar darted around them, thin branches and leafs smacking us in the process. I lifted my head to glance around, and the sun was almost set now. The land was familiar, making me think we were close to the packhouse. The trip back was beginning to feel longer than it did going there, as I impatiently anticipated our arrival.

Gunnar picked up his speed, his broad paws thudding against the ground and kicking up debris. I could see the packhouse now, getting closer and closer as we continued. My nerves were now going haywire, my stomach churning, thinking about what could go wrong and what if I went through all of this for nothing, still losing Cain in the process.

We finally reached the packhouse, bursting through the gates. At first, the guards started to holler, attempting to stop Gunnar and apprehend him. Finally, he stopped just before the main door, and I jumped down. As soon as the guards saw that it was me, they all backed off, bowing as they did.

Gunnar shifted back and stood naked in the middle of the yard now. The contents of my stomach nearly made a run for it upon seeing my brother in his birthday suit. I turned around, my back now facing him. "Please go get some fucking clothes on, Gunnar. I'm going to the med wing; meet me there." I quickly told him before running off into the house.

I rushed throughout the house, going up and down the stairs and through the halls, my feet sliding along the floors, as I made my way to the med wing, hoping I wasn't out of time.

Finally, I reached the hallway that led to the medical wing. The doors were within my line of sight, and I swear, I almost flew towards the doors, unable to get to them fast enough. I burst through the doors, sending them crashing into the walls behind them. Upon hearing the commotion, Rose stepped into the middle of the wing, a curious yet irritated expression on her face, that was until she saw it was me.

Rose rushed over to me, embracing me in a hug. "Oh, Freja, I'm so glad to see you. Did you get the cure?" She asked in a rush.

I pulled back from her and nodded my head rapidly. "Yes, I did," I said quickly before moving past her and heading straight for his room.

I stood outside Cain's room now, grasping the door handle firmly. My heart was beating erratically now, and my breaths came out in sharp bursts as I pushed the door open. Cain lay there, motionless on the bed, his chest barely moving. His skin was nearly white as snow, his hair holding almost no pigment now, and he looked as if death had him in its icy grasp. My lip quivered upon seeing him and my eyes began to burn, tears threatening to spill. I sucked in a deep breath and walked over to the bed, sitting down next to him. I held his hand in mine, and a cold chill ran up my arm; if this cure didn't work, then I would lose Cain for good.

I grabbed the items from my bag and placed them on the bed. Rose came to my side, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently. I looked up at her, and she gave me a reassuring smile; no words were exchanged or needed. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath, knowing I needed to do this before there was no time left. I could only hope and pray to the moon goddess for the guidance I was desperately seeking and for this to work.