The Second Mate

TWO

Remus Morduex is the image presented in this Chapter.

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Marianne kneeled on the ground and caressed the gravestone. Her fingers grazed the letters that were engraved on the stone slabs.

Gerard W. Davis

He was the Red Talons' Beta. The Full Moon Pack, a pack of old descent, is the largest pack in Northern America. The appearance of the Red Talons and its fast influence became a threat to the northern pack that it soon became their agenda to infiltrate and ambush. They commenced their attack last autumn which caused minimal casualties that included the life of Gerard and six other pack members. It was minimal compared to Remus eradicating a whole pack.

"I-I do-don't know what to say." Marianne's voice was weak.

"I can't imagine what the pack went through." She added.

"The pack mourned. The Alpha blamed himself for what happened." Nefera, who accompanied her, intently looked at the headstones.

"We really appreciate you coming back, Marianne." Nefera kneeled and placed her hand on Marianne's back.

Marianne stared at the names engraved on the stone tablets a little longer before she stood up and took a deep breath. Without a Beta, the pack would be vulnerable but Nefera eased their Luna's mind. Remus is strong enough to handle the affairs of the pack and working as a doctor besides taking care of training and various agendas regarding the pack, proved that.

"Nefera!" A female sentinel ran to them, panting.

"Is everything alright?" Marianne asked in concern.

"Luna." The sentinel bowed to greet her. "I know this is against protocol but you have to stop the Alpha. A young girl was caught by one of the patrols a-and.... and..." She trailed off. The idea of a little girl being tortured disturbed her thoughts, she was at a lost for words.

By the fear and uneasiness, itself, Nefera understood that the pack had detained the girl. She was unbothered by the idea, everyone was guilty to her unless otherwise proven. She had lived decades to see the extent of evil and a child is amongst many tools that have been used by men as vile as the devil.

Nevertheless, her morality is not the one in question. She faced Marianne and saw the same fear.

"Do you trust me?" The witch asked.

Marianne was trembling as she brought her eyes to Nefera. "Nefera?" She questioned, wanting her thoughts to be denied. A little girl, they wouldn't hurt a child, would they?

Nefera gave her a solemn look and the witch's hands balled to a fist. "Trust me, okay."

With a single touch, they were teleported to the underground prison of the pack. Her body worked faster than her mind, Marianne ran and covered the little girl before the silver chains could hit her. Her back arched in pain as it received the strong force of the silver chains but it was the least of her worries. She bit back the pain, her body didn't deceive her as it trembled. Her arms were careful as she unlatched herself from the young girl.

"Are you okay?" She looked at the little girl and recognized her. She was the girl at the diner.

Realizing what he's done, Remus discarded the chains from his hands. Guilt flashed his eyes. He didn't know what to do, his mind was telling him to approach her but his body resisted.

The little girl's hold onto Marianne's clothes were tight, begging her not to leave her.

"A child. You were willing to hurt a child." Marianne spoke, not just to one but to everyone in the room.