The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 238: Deja Vu ()

"Faster, Allen. Go Faster!" Zariah thought to Allen anxiously as he dashed through the woods, weaving swiftly between trees through the shortest route to the human settlement.

Allen’s wolf form was gigantic, yet lithe and agile. His speed was already extremely fast, but Zariah just could not settle her anxiety as she held on whilst he took them to their destination.

Though Torin had returned, Zariah had difficulty shifting into her wolf form. Torin had assured Zariah it was only because she needed a short time to heal completely.

Zariah’s abilities were also slowly beginning to show up, however Nile had instructed Zariah to never attempt to force a shift into wolf form or wield her element as that would only hinder Torin’s recovery.

Being unable to shift herself, Zariah had to rely on Allen to get them to the human settlement so she could make certain Askel was unharmed.

Zariah had not gotten there yet but there was a deep unsettled feeling in her heart and she could sense some level of urgency through the newly consummated bond with Askel, though it was hard to tell since Zariah’s senses were not at their best yet.

However, one thing Zariah did know for sure was the fact that Askel was in danger.

Nile’s wolf form was not far behind Allen, and Kristen rode on his back. After tracking Caedmon, Nile had also discovered Caedmon had been hidden in the human settlement all along.

This meant that wherever Askel was at the moment, was the same place all the Ethereal Alphas plotting against his reign had gathered, it was equally the same place Queen Sancia had taken the royal lycan elders and some royal lycan warriors to,

And above all, it was the same place Caedmon’s trail was leading at this very moment. It was not a good blend at all.

Zariah had sent word to Declan to summon him back to the Ethereal palace, since Lucas was by Askel’s side.

Whatever happened, someone would need to keep the royal lycans under control till it was resolved.

’We are close. I can sense them.’ Nile thought to Zariah through their mind link.

Allen soon broke through the forest into the human settlement, and even at that moment, it was obvious something had gone terribly wrong.

It was absolute pandemonium, hoards of humans dashed down the streets in a panic, giving Allen a wide berth as they sought shelter.

There were panicked screams for help coming from different locations, the pungent stench of blood and fierce growls sounded from a far distance.

"It’s a monster! There is a monster among the royal lycans!" A few words were finally audible to Zariah from the cacophony of panicked screams and cries for help.

"No...no...no...no..." Zariah thought in panic.

Allen dashed through the settlement, and even before they arrived at the location, Zariah sighted some royal lycan warriors quickly guiding the humans to safety.

A little further and the cause of the panic was within sight. Zariah’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach the moment she caught sight of Askel.

Surrounded by the Ethereal Alphas who were clearly at a loss on what to do, Askel was in a state of partial shift... the state Zariah had witnessed in the basement...but this time, there were no silver chains to hold him down.

Zariah leaped off Allen’s back before he stopped and she dashed towards Askel but was held back.

"Zariah, you can’t! Askel is not in his right mind now! The royal lycans will restrain him!"

It was Lucas’s voice, Zariah stared up at him, her eyes wide and frantic. Lucas’s own gaze was equally devastated...there were hundreds of eyes, thousands, if the fleeing humans were counted.

They had all witnessed it, they could all see Askel’s most closely hidden secret. Yet that was the least of the troubles, because strewn around Askel were bodies, dismembered and blood...wolf and human alike.

Zariah did not dare look further to know the extent of damage Askel had already dealt.

And she also could not bear the sight of the royal lycans circling Askel, whilst he was barricaded by a witch’s barrier. A barrier that was quickly failing from Askel’s relentless attacks.

Where they had gotten a witch, Zariah had no clue. But from the strength of the barrier, it was no powerful witch... the barrier would be useless against Askel in just a moment.

"How...how...?!!!" Zariah shrieked in rage.

"Forgive me...it was Caedmon..." Lucas reported.

"Lucas! Quickly! We must restrain him before the barrier crashes!" A royal lycan warrior called Lucas.

Zariah’s gaze searched frantically through the crowd. Her eyes soon settled on the culprit, standing amongst the Ethereal Alphas.

The moment Caedmon’s gaze met Zariah’s, he could read the murderous intentions in them.

"I only did what I had to do Zari! To show everyone his true face! To show you! You are better off with me!" Caedmon immediately defended himself.

Zariah could not believe it, even at this moment, Caedmon still hoped to mislead her.

’I must have seemed that foolish in his eyes...’ Zariah thought.

Seeing Zariah’s murderous expression did not change, Caedmon made a run for it.

"Nile! Take him down!!" Zariah roared furiously.

At that same moment, the barrier crashed. Shards of magic exploding everywhere.

The world seemed to slow down...a sense of Deja Vu kicked up in Zariah’s heart as the scene before her death played through her mind.

’Yes...it had been a moment quite like this. Where everyone who once looked up to you now looked on with scorn and horror...’

Zariah dashed for Askel, forcing a shift. She leaped over the Ethereal Alphas, her gigantic wolf tackled Askel down to the ground.

Zariah shifted back to her human form almost immediately, unable to maintain the form. Her entire body was wracked with pain at the forced shift, but she could not afford to dwell on it.

Now, she stared straight into the savage eyes of the furious half man, half beast that Askel was... While she was human and vulnerable.

One swipe of his claws and Zariah knew her head would go rolling off, but she did not attempt to protect herself... she wanted Askel to understand, that she would rely on his protection this time.

And so instead of moving away, Zariah laid her head down on his chest. His furious breathing and the rapid rise and fall of his chest did not phase her.

Not even when she felt his large claws graze along her exposed back.

"Zariah!!!" Allen’s panicked call reached Zariah but Zariah could barely take notice of anything else, but the man she had just tackled.

"Askel... Draskovï, come back to me!... I need you to come back to me now, Druhá! Please! Please!" Zariah pleaded, communicating to Askel in the ancient wolven tongue.

Zariah’s heart dropped when she did not get a response, but she still did not move away.

In the next moment, the claws moved to the back of Zariah’s neck and instead of ripping her head off, Askel held her... gently, so his claws did not hurt her.

"I...am here...Mhijani..." The words were said with difficulty, but it was Askel...his consciousness had returned to the surface.

~~~~~~

~Draskovï: King of My Heart

~Druhá: Beloved

~Mhijani: Queen of My Heart