For Me,There Is Only You |18+|

29. Helplessness

Each passing minute felt like an eternity as we remained huddled behind the grain sacks, our fear intensifying with every second.

Era nestled in her mother's arms, while Elsa peered outside through the hole in the wall.

From the tense expression on her face, I could tell Elsa was preoccupied with thoughts of Mason and worried about his safety.

I gently placed my hand on her trembling one, silently conveying reassurance, even though uncertainty clouded my own thoughts about what was happening outside.

But the haunting silence was soon shattered by the sound of many footsteps and the cacophony of groans and grunts of struggle. Our hearts pounded in our chests as Elsa and I peered through gaps in the walls to catch a glimpse of what was happening outside.

The central square, just a few meters away from the barn, came into view. I watched as people emerged from the direction of the border and began to gather under the oak tree.

Most of them were shirtless, wearing only shorts, and they were herding people dressed in military attire towards the oak tree.

My stomach lurched at the sight of two men among the captives who were with Mason earlier, forced to sit on the ground with bound hands behind their backs.

It was evident that the elementals had been defeated.

Elsa collapsed to the floor upon witnessing the dire situation unfolding outside.

"Dear villagers," a man's voice pierced through the tense air, prompting us to peer once more through the holes. "If you can hear my voice, come out from your hiding places. Otherwise, your beloved village chief and his comrades will meet their end at my hands."

A man, perhaps in his early thirties, stood at the center of the square, addressing the villagers. The numerous scars on his chest gleamed in the moonlight, and a menacing expression twisted his face.

Elsa visibly paled as two men dragged Mason forward. He appeared severely injured, blood oozing from multiple wounds, his hands bound behind his back as they compelled him to sit on the ground.

"Mumma, what's happening outside?" Era asked, noticing her mother's distress. However, Elsa was too overwhelmed to provide an answer to Era's question.

I moved forward and enveloped Elsa in my arms. "Nothing, Era." I reassured her, then glanced out once more.

Several minutes passed, but only a few of the villagers emerged.

"It appears my message didn't reach everyone," the man muttered with a smirk. "Search every house and bring them all out," he ordered, and his men sprang into action instantly, fanning out to search every house.

In the next moment, agonizing screams of women, children, and men echoed, and I quickly covered Era's ears with my hand to shield her from the sounds. One by one, they dragged everyone out, and if anyone resisted, they were struck forcefully to incapacitate them.

Trembling with a mix of fear and anger, I watched in horror as such cruelty unfolded before me.

The man wore a sinister smile as he observed the villagers being brutalized by his men, casually strolling among them as if trying to memorize each face.

"Where are his wife and daughter?" the man inquired, and a knot formed in my stomach along with Elsa's horrified expression as she glanced at me.

"Alpha," another man, perhaps the second in command, spoke up. "We searched the entire house but couldn't find them."