Among The Mountains

Chapter 13

Morning arrived late for some of the members of the pack. While some rose before dawn, others slept until the sun was completely awake. Ember was the first to wake from her slumber, her hair hiding part of her face. She used one hand to brush her hair back as she slowly slid out of her bed. She looked in the mirror after she washed herself then she walked out of the room feeling a little hesitant to come downstairs. She decided to sit on the upstairs couch and wait a while.

Downstairs, Telka and Raiden were in the dining room waiting on their pack members to wake up. They were a little questionable about seeing anyone after last night, but they didn't want to let the doubt prevail over their hope. Then again, whole pack probably chose to stay away from them for all they knew.

" I won't blame them." Telka said, looking towards the stairs.

" They can't stay mad at us forever." Raiden said.

" They have a right to be furious in my mind." Telka hissed.

" It wasn't our choice to make." Raiden reminded.

" You try explaining that to what's left of this pack. I don't think they will ever-"

Their attentions were caught by the footsteps of at least two of the pack members. It was Chase and Ember, but Chase was not looking very well nor was he walking on his own. He was holding his stomach and his hair was messy and damp. He couldn't look at anyone as he laid his head on the table feeling awful.

" Here. Drink this."

Ember gave him something to calm his stomach and possibly his nerves.

" Thanks. I thought a shower would help." Chase groaned.

Ruby was the last person to come downstairs, but she didn't want to acknowledge anyone. She sat away from everyone as she held her head with her hand. Ember looked concerned for her friend, who is usually the one to cheer up the group during troubled times. She saw that Ruby was looking tired like she did not sleep enough last night. She was trying to hide her eyes with her hands because of this. She would have phased out if it had not been for a noise that made her snap into reality.

" Chase!"

Raiden caught his brother, who nearly fell out of his seat after passing out. He was not responding to his brother or the rest of the pack. They tried everything to wake him up, but nothing was working. Raiden picked up his brother and carried him outside to the back porch.

" Where are you going?" Telka asked.

" I'm going to the river. Stay with them."

Raiden took the same path from the last time and disappeared with his brother in his arms. Telka ran upstairs to knock on the door of Alara's room, but there was no answer. She noticed that the door was not closed all of the way as she pushed open the door. The room was empty and there was no trace of the young pure blood as Telka searched every area of the room. She started to search every room upstairs, but she could not find Alara anywhere. She rushed downstairs and paused at the doorway outside. She was looking at the sky with glassy eyes.

" Alara." She whispered.

Ember and Ruby watched as Telka fell to the ground with her head facing down. They could hear her sobbing as they walked over to her. They stood beside her as she continued to sob knowing that she may never see her adopted sister again. All she could do was hope that Alara did not blame herself for anything that happened last night.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the river, Raiden laid his unconscious brother on a patch of grass that was close enough to the water. He used the earth and water to cover Chase's face in a mask as he buried his brother's hands in the dirt. He waited for a while before he took water from the river and poured it over Chase's face. When he removed the mask of mud, he saw that Chase's face was returning to it's ivory color. Chase let out a hard cough as Raiden lifted his head from the grass. He held his brother in his arms as he removed some hair from his face.

" I'm sorry Chase. I'm sorry for everything."

It would be some time before Raiden could find the strength to carry his brother back to the house. He wrapped him in a blanket and laid him on the couch before sitting at the table. At this moment, he was willing to do anything to take the place of his brother. As Raiden held his head in his hands, Ember and Ruby watched from the top of the stairs. They never seen this side of him or his mate. 

Their hard feelings towards their alphas began to soften as they set their eyes on a sleeping Telka, who was passed out on the couch upstairs. The girls grabbed a blanket from their room and covered her with it. In one day their views had changed towards their alphas, but it wasn't bitter anymore. They see them in a more positive light now and it has redefined their respect that was nearly lost for them.