B1)A Wanted Love

16) Worsen

Drake-

"A summons?"

"During the emergency summoning, the Elder informs the rest of the Leaders about the Great Wolf's decisions. This time, the situation is grave. The hunters' planned attack has displeased the Great Wolf, and now they seek retribution."

"I didn't think the Great Wolf would seek revenge." It never occurred to Drake that the Great Wolf would want to get revenge on the hunters. They always seem so peaceful.

Kiba leaned back. "Since you've been busy with your family, I wanted to update you on the latest news. How is your wife doing?"

"She isn't my wife yet."

"She'll be your wife soon enough," Kiba said.

Drake sighed. "Tiara is doing alright; she's awake now and bored out of her mind. She doesn't want to stay in bed."

Kiba belly laughed. "I can imagine how boring it must be. Being bedridden for such a long time is exhausting. I should know."

Drake does remember Kiba being bedridden after someone tried to kill him. To this day, Kiba still hasn't told Drake who was the assaulter. Kiba must have his reasons for protecting them.

"Daddy!!!"

Kiba was on his feet and out the door, Drake following behind.

Salome came rushing down the hall, agitated and blood on her face.

"What happened?" His first instinct was to check Salome for any injuries.

"That man is hurt."

"What, man?"

"Grandpa Amadeus."

Drake growled.

What has that old fool done?!

He rushed towards the bedroom; he couldn't make sense of the scene he was looking at.

"You are not the Great Witch, so asking favors to lift a curse is forbidden. Where did you hide the real one?"

Kiba enters, and his eyes widen. "Is that the child?"

Drake hurried over to Tiara, who was with the witch. The witch had a gaping wound on her temple. So that's where the blood came from.

"What happened?"

"That man brightened the temporary Great Witch. She tried to make a deal with Tiara, but Tiara refused." The witch glared. "She kept insisting and even tried to force the deal. Veronica came running in, and well, that happened."

"She's speaking?" Drake frowned.

Veronica's shimmering silver hair cascaded around her, and her eyes blazed with a deeper shade of red than usual. Her demonic features were unmistakable: ivory horns spiraled from the crown of her head, and a delicate white tail curled elegantly behind her. Then, as if materializing from the depths of her being, ethereal white bat-like wings unfurled from her back.

A dark aura started from Veronica's feet and slowly expanded until it hovered above her. It wasn't smoke because this was staring at them with glowing red eyes. Drake took a step back; that thing was dangerous. He felt it's murderous intent.

Drake glanced at Amadeus; he was against the wall, holding his twisted arm. He could only guess Veronica inflicted such a wound. Drake gazed up at the ceiling and saw the temporary Great Witch pinned in place like a delicate butterfly.

"It's you," she spoke the words with trembling lips. "You are nothing but a nightmare story told to naughty children."

Drake frowned.