HUNTED-Chapter 317: [Bonus chapter] Goodbye

With Damon safe, Cassius unconscious and wrapped in magic, the hunters following Chase’s orders and the lycans free, the remaining vampires began to surrender one by one. A few continued until the end, fully believing in Cassius’ cause, but they were swiftly dealt with.

Now blood stained the grass and walls red, bodies were scattered across the grounds, and the sounds of the helicopters filled the eerily quiet castle.

Slowly, Aila’s lycans, pack members and a few hunters brought vampires to Aila and Gabriel. But it was apparent who was in charge of dealing with their punishments. Aldric and Harry guarded Davian, but Zeph had also tied him up in those red beaming chains, so he couldn’t get loose once he woke up.

Chase marched up to them, his golden locks pushed back from sweat, his face full of grime, bruising and some dried, splattered blood.

Finn walked by the hunter’s side in wolf form with Sariah, whose hand clung to the fur at his neck. He nudged her face slightly with his, and she giggled, giving him a peck on his snout. It warmed Aila’s heart, even through the midst of all the drama, to see Finn’s mate returning his affection.

Another two hunters walked on the other side of Chase; they were older, eyes flicking to their surroundings, warier than their leader. When their eyes landed on Aila, they widened, and the pair stiffened and almost seemed to collapse when they saw their leader hug her. Chase clapped her back, then held her shoulders, eyes flicking between hers.

"Thanks for trusting me, Gabe," Chase spoke, but his eyes remained on Aila. Gabriel nodded once, though he continued looking over the vampires. "And you.." he sighed. "I’m glad to see you’re alive. Damon can stop bugging me now. Also, next time you want to wage war against the hunters, tell me first?

I was in the middle of dealing with the higher-ups when I saw your message. It’s like you want to make my life harder."

Aila smiled sheepishly, but not so much to reveal her fangs. She didn’t want to scare him off. "Sorry, I lost it for a moment there.. Thank you for helping. I think.." Aila glanced at Gabriel and then at the news still recording them. "We need to have a catch-up..

after all of this."

Chase glanced at the helicopter, its bright light beaming on them, and he nodded. Aila patted Chase’s bulky bicep and turned back to Gabriel’s side. Esme was rooted to his other side, her face impassive as she looked at the remaining vampires. Gabriel’s men, Niko, Luther and that other guy who was creepy, stood behind him, just as intimidating as the pair in front.

Yes, the small she-wolf, Esme, was fearsome as she stared the vampires down just as coldly as Gabriel. Aila scanned the small crowd; they were all kneeling, heads hung low, bloodied and injured.

Gabriel stepped forwards as lightning flashed behind his eyes. Every step he took forwards made those in the front row flinch and begin to tremble. He whistled a tune to himself, and Aila heard a few inhale sharply and some sniffle, eyes full of tears. If they feared Gabriel so much, why did they act out?

Or was that a reason in itself? Aila observed them closely. No, they followed Cassius because of all the benefits he had probably mentioned to them. He was a smooth talker, and yes, if his plans had come to fruition, then they would be ruling above everyone else, and they would have gotten everything he sold them into believing.

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Gabriel’s steps echoed, revealing the quiet tension among them. "I recognise quite a few faces here tonight. Supporting my brother and the death of me, your king. What to do.. Oh, what to do with all of you," he sang in such a dark, spine-chilling voice.

"Your majesty, we didn’t know-" Before the woman could finish her sentence, Gabriel grabbed her by the neck, his fingers on her tongue. Aila looked away, hearing her cries and the smell of newer blood filling the air.

"Anyone not badly injured, attend to those in need of help, and return them to their respective packs. I’d like at least a few werewolves to remain, Alpha’s make the decision among yourselves. I don’t want any of the vampires getting any ideas that they can get away because we are retreating," Aila mind-linked her pack and the Alphas of the surrounding packs.

Although Aila was no innocent, especially with her recent escapades, she couldn’t watch Gabriel rip a woman’s tongue out. It was a little too gruesome for her. Plus, she could feel the werewolves growing disgust for the vampires and their king. It was better to have them distracted.

Aila couldn’t, however, get in contact with that damned helicopter and tell them to go away. Her eyes returned to the vampires kneeling. Five of twenty had been killed, making her wonder if Gabriel was going to kill them one by one. She looked at Cassius on the ground and then at the warlock hovering nearby.

"Zeph, can’t you put up a screen or something to stop the news from recording all of this?" Aila asked once she stood by his side.

"U-um.." The warlock gulped as he stared at her fearfully. Aila wondered what she looked like or if he was fearful of her name or something. She had been name-dropped in the news. It was her fault for leaving that message. "Sure, I can do that."

"Good, do it now before Gabriel shows more of the vampire’s laws." Zeph nodded and clapped his hands together; that red glow, like what was wrapped around Cassius and Davian, beamed out of his hands, and he mumbled a chant before throwing his hands up.

Aila watched as the red sparks shot out towards the sky, and before they reached the hovering helicopters that had gradually been getting closer to the castle, a wall formed, floating over them in a large dome. The magic dissipated, and she could still clearly see the helicopters, but Aila could hear the news crew complaining that they had lost visual of what was happening there.

The hybrid returned her attention to Gabriel and the vampires. Ten remained. Luther and the other vampire, who she now knew was named Vinnie, had helped Gabriel, their hands now bloodied from the hearts ripped from their bodies. Gabriel was telepathic, so she knew he could tell who was really submitting and possibly who might betray him again.

Gabriel stopped and stared at the last ones. "Return to ONYX. If you flee, I will find you." He said it so nonchalantly that it was more frightening than if he were to threaten them. Gabriel didn’t need to threaten them, giving long speeches; his reputation made others cower before him. Brutally torturing their friends before them added to it.

The Vampire King turned his back on those remaining and retrieved a handkerchief from Niko. "Aila, I think it’s time you returned home," Gabriel spoke softly, completely different from before, even as he wiped away the blood from his hands.

"Home," Aila muttered, feeling her heart tighten and tears spilling from her eyes before she could hold them back. But then she looked at Gabriel’s brother. "What about him? What should we-"

"There is no more we in this, Aila. He is my responsibility. Cassius will never bother you again. I vow it." Gabriel dropped his bloodied handkerchief on Cassius’ body.

"Are you going to kill him?" Aila whispered, hating the way her voice filled with sadness like she might cry. Was it the bond or their twisted friendship?

"Aila." Gabriel walked to her side and slid a hand onto her shoulder, and he spoke to her in her head. "Davian despises Cassius, and if I were to mention killing him, he would only struggle to help his master. That is all. There are no other feelings behind it. Cassius taught you a lot as a vampire, and I think a friendship did form under such a situation.

Maybe it’s a little bit of Stockholm syndrome as well. I thought you might want to know."

Aila glanced at Cassius again. The bullets fell from his face, and he was beginning to stir. Aila nodded at Gabriel. "Don’t tell me anything else. I might try and attack you or something." She turned to Cassius on the ground, who was trying to move under the red bindings and his eyes fluttered open. "Cass.." Aila trailed off.

She didn’t know what to say.

Cassius locked eyes with her. "I’m.." Aila stopped. Was she going to apologise to him? She wanted to know what Gabriel planned to do to him, but she would have to wait until it was done. Her heart pinched again, and her teeth pulled on her bottom lip. "Thank you for the good times, considering.

Goodbye."

Aila turned away from him, her steps echoing with the grief she was already beginning to feel for the vampire.

"Goodbye, my little wolf," Cassius’ words floated into her mind, making her pause for a moment.

Aila almost looked in his direction, but she refused. Tilting her chin higher and straightening her shoulders, Aila walked away and looked forward to where she was always meant to be. Her home. With Damon.