The Truth.

Chapter 21-Unexpected Allay

My snarl seemed to echo throughout the forest clearing and would have caught the attention of the men if it was not the other creature roaring. I could feel their pain and all their anger.

Four cages that held two Hippogriffs, a centaur, who was glaring heavily at the two men that were teasing the most dangerous of the four. A manticore. It's anger was radiating off him as he snarled in rage. They laughed as they hit a particular sensitive spot on his body. Manticores were known as one of the wizarding worlds dangerous creatures below dragons. Remembering reading about them when Lucian has finally updated the books.

Manticore:

The manticore or 'man-eater' is a legendary and rare creature. A deadly magical creature that loves hunting, humans or otherwise.

They have the body of a lion, and tail of either a dragon or a scorpion. Some even have the head of a man as their face or on their tail to lure its victims into its jaws. Some may also have wings which they can use to fly, though they prefer the ground.

They used to be hunted before they went into hiding. They are a deadly predator and thrive to hunt and kill, the magical creatures are hard to kill, and if you come across one that is hunting you or is defensive, watch out for its tail, especially if it has a scorpion tail, the venom is lethal, killing men in mere minutes.

Despite its size, it is fast, it is stealthy, and it is deadly.

I snapped out of the memory and readied my wand. But before I could step forward, I felt something trying to enter my mind. Not sensing any lethal intent, I looked up and realised that it was one of the magical creatures. Due to me being an alpha, majority of the magical creatures could mind link with me, creating a temporary pack bond. I opened my mental barrier and a deep soothing voice spoke. "You are not human. Interesting. Have you come to hunt this prey?" I realised it was the manticore that was speaking to me due to the anger and excitement of 'it's prey' knowing that manticore's loved the hunt.

I glanced over at where I knew he was located and meet vibrant green eyes. Its face was lion like as well as its body with a dark orange mane, golden fur with blood splatters; leathery wings that were tucked tightly against its back; much like dragon wings but smaller, and I caught a glimpse of the scorpion tail that was strapped down on its back leg which I knew would be uncomfortable. Its eyes expressed his anger but also his desperation to escape. I was confused slightly to how he knew I was an alpha, let alone why he had created a link to me, but I brushed it off for later.

He inhaled deeply and I saw his eyes show intrigue and excitement. "Ah, you are a very special kind of human. A wolf but not. Something much more powerful. A worthy opponent." I could feel it's excitement of a challenge. I knew manticore's loved to fight but I had to dissuades its bloodlust for a fight. I responded 'I am not here to fight you but to free you. These men should have never captured you or any of the others. I am an Alpha. The protector.' He seemed to become gleeful and I could sense it's excitement that seemed to be increasing. He laughed, more like huffed and said "I will gladly help. My hunt is not over. Perhaps a fight one day?" I chuckled in the link and replied with 'Of course.'

I re-readied my wand and quickly sent a stupefy towards the men. They didn't have any time to react, their bodies slumped to the ground, unconscious, but I did not care what would happen to them as I advanced towards the cages. Sending a Bombarda towards the cage doors, knowing that the others would have heard the explosion, I ushered the creatures out of their cages. The hippogriffs walking straight up to one another, rubbing against each other's necks, obviously mates. The centaur paused before bowing towards me. I bowed my head towards him in return and he smiled before heading off just as the Hippogriffs flew off. Most magical creatures knew of my existence and could scent that I was something more. Those three must have known about me before their capture.

I turned towards the manticore and its head was tilted, much like a dog would, in curiosity. I walked towards his back legs, trailing a hand along his side as you would a horse to let him know where I was going, and unstrapped his tail. I backed up away as he stepped out of the cage and stretched to his full height. I gulped a little as he stretched the scorpion tail and then rested it above him. I was in awe at the mere power that he was giving off. I could sense he was an alpha as well and a very powerful one.

He grumbled low and mind linked me, "Let the hunt begin." An almost grin crossed his face before he released a growl as the men arrived, some froze in fear once they saw what had escaped but some pushed away their fear and attacked. I knew that the manticore was angry, so I let him tear those who had hurt him to pieces without much care. They had abused the creatures that they had captured and used them for their own gain or where going to, so I did not flinch or feel guilty as the manticore tore them to shreds, screams turning to gurgles. One had been pierced by his tail and had convulsed seconds after, poison filling his body, blood dripping from his lips before he collapsed, dead within a minute.

Soon, it was over and the manticore looked back at me and bowed. "Thank you Alpha. You may call me Linus. If you need me, I will know." Before I could say anything back, he was gone. I blinked back my shock. I have respect from a manticore. And what did he mean if I need him, he would know? I shook it off and looked around at the mauled bodies, sighing as I knew I would have to clean this up and track the rest of the group down. But a smile soon broke out on my face as I felt Bella's excitement and glee. She had succeeded, not that I would expect anything different.

Sorry for the wait on this chapter but I had rewritten this about five times as I didn't like how it was, but I hope this is good enough. 

Hope you enjoyed!