Not His [on hold]

Chapter 14

2015 Words

Chapter 14

Over the course of three days, I spent most of it with Gran. We talked a lot, she told me lots of stories. Some I heard before, and some I hadn't.

It was truly a filling week. But on the fourth day, Gran didn't wake up. Doctor Kasser stopped me at the front door and told me Gran had passed.

I sobbed nonstop, my eyes were akin to a river of salt.

The funeral was a small one. Just a few of Gran's old friends, Ben, and myself had attended. We grieved as her coffin was set into the ground. She was buried behind the house, under a small tree.

Ben and I sat silently in my small run-down house. It felt a lot emptier without Gran rocking in her chair.

Staring to the side, I feel Ben pat the top of my hand. "She was happy."

"Yes." I answered, hoarsely. By now, the tears had long dried up, but the lingering sadness was still present in my heart.

A sharp banging on the door made Ben and I glance at each other.

Who'd possibly be at the door.

The service has ended already, but perhaps it was a friend of Gran's that was late. Standing up, I twist the door handle, opening it slightly.

I gasped at the sight of the person behind the door.

It was Alpha Tuvon, he loomed over me. A dark look engraved on his face.

"Ah, Alpha... Are you perhaps a friend of Gran's?" I squeak out.

His eyes narrow in confusion, before redirecting to one full of cold indifference.

"Boy. Are you from Vohn's territory?" He barked out.

Ben peered from behind me, "We both are, Alpha. We were in the batch of new recruits sent up almost a week ago."

Ignoring Ben, Alpha Tuvon glared at me, a frown imminent on his face. "It was reported that a person from the small villages owned a sizeable treasure, a gem."

Reported? Who would have...?

Realizing he was probably talking about the ruby Vohn had given me, I bit the inside of my lip nervously.

"It was suspicious, so I came in person to investigate it." He said, scrutinizing me.

"It was... A reward given to me."

"A reward? Bring it here, I want to inspect it."

I glance back at Ben, his eyes were swirling with nervousness.

Allowing Alpha Tuvon to step inside, I made my way back to the table next to Gran's chair. The velvet pouch laid on top of it.

Brining the ruby into my hands, I allow Alpha Tuvon to look at it. "I swear I did not steal it. This was given... As a loan."

"A loan?" Alpha Tuvon raises an eyebrow, his indifference turned into sourness.

Soon his sour face thinned out, and he barked into laughter. "This is The Heart of Phoenix. A priceless gem such as this could never be given out as a loan."

"After the great war, ten years ago, Vohn had only asked for a single thing. It was this very gem. Since then, this ruby hadn't been seen by a single soul."

A look of surprise was etched into my face. "A-are you sure you are not mistaking it for another ruby?"

"Are you questioning me, boy?" He snarled.