The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 12 : Rare Breed

Vēnātrīx • [ven-a-tricks]
A female hunter; a huntress.

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~ Samuel ~

Naturally, I've been always labeled as a ruthless leader; with the upbringing I had, I was practically born to bear this gruesome lifestyle. But this war and onslaught and terrorization on my pack and people have all brought me to my breaking point. It feels as though I'm crumbling my own foundations just to keep everything upright—just to keep the people I love most safe.

I weave through the endless trees, pounding my paws into the snow just to keep up with the two rogues. So much fury—so much hatred and self-blame runs through my veins. This should've been preventable. I could've stopped this if only I hadn't left Anastasia alone—if only I had been more careful. I wanted to give her the freedom she deserves, I wanted to make her feel safe and independent as she adapts to this new normal. But everything is hanging by a thread in front of my face and I don't know what the hell to do anymore.

Edging closer, I snap to nearly grab one of their tails until they whiz further forward. A moment later, golden-brown fur appears beside me as it joins me in my frenzy. I don't have to look over to realize it's Killian who's assisting me in my pursuit.

Send an alert out to border patrol and every warrior near the South wall. Tell them we have a pair of rogues who just attempted to kidnap their Luna, I mindlink him. Killian releases a loud huff through his snout in response, backing off slightly to allow himself a moment to mindlink them.

I'm wholly concentrated on this chase though, speeding and zipping past the timber, every fiber of my body working to keep up with my pounding heart. Somewhere deep within my conscience, I had felt that ripple of terror. I had felt her wolf because of the sheer amount of fear that was coursing through her mind. Even without my mark, our bond is still two entwined souls that relentlessly tug on one another.

So I sprinted. And I didn't hesitate in my decision. It was either going to be a false alarm or her blood all over my fucking house. It didn't matter if I was wrong; I've learned that it's dangerous to leave her on her own without any proper training. It's why I've been pushing for her marking ceremony. It's the only guaranteed way to keep Maddox away from her--to keep him from binding her to his barbarous clan of rogues.

But I can't piece together how these two wolves slipped past our walls. Border patrol has nearly doubled its security since the beginning of the war. Wherever they came from though—whether it was some stray group or Maddox's army—, they've got quite the guts thinking they'll make it out of this alive.

A low, boiling growl releases from my throat, warning the intruders to stop this madness. They only bark back in retaliation, and it makes the rage within me rise immensely. Their scents reek of mutts—savages. But one of them catches my wolf off guard; Jaxon's conscience ripples through my mind a moment later.

What the hell is that? he suddenly demands down our bond.

What are you smelling? I shoot back.

The female wolf. Her scent—it's not...normal...

I perk my nose up, attempting to identify what he's talking about. Keeping my eyes intently on her shiny light-brown coat—a rare color for any wolf—I pick apart the odd features of her scent. He's right; her irregular smell is like nothing I've ever sniffed before.

Flashes of fur appear in the trees beside me and Killian as about two dozen warriors join in our chasing game. The female rogue increases her pace as soon as she spots the horde, but her partner—the man whose paw and leg continue to leak blood, staining the bright snow below him—falters more and more in his speed. One of my warriors lunges for him, catching the male by his back leg and taking him down in one swift motion. A handful of warriors split from the hunt, assisting the first in restraining the male rogue. The other half dozen remain though, following my movements as I continue to dodge rocks, brush, and fallen trees just to keep the female in my sights.