Chapter Text
“We are guests here at the castle and this is how you choose to treat us?!”
Amelia saw Edmund glare at the man and his fellow companions. They were a group of monster hunters that had shown up after several rumors had spread about the slaughtering of livestock across several cities in the Dark Kingdom.
Edmund’s strong, authoritative tone filled the room as he answered them.
“We treat guests well, until they show us disrespect or hostility towards anyone in our kingdom.”
The man snorted and plopped back into his chair, “And my sister said Corona was a bunch of milksops.”
“We ain’t milksops,” Hector snarled. “Werewolves are a part of our history, asshole.”
“Alright,” Amelia stood up from her seat that was between the Brotherhood and the monster hunters. “Let’s not resort to name calling. Jedrek-”
She looked their leader square in the eye.
“-you will respect our culture and the sacred regard we hold for werewolves. You will not continue to harass the citizens of our kingdoms looking for this werewolf. If these killings are actually from a werewolf, it will be handled by our warriors and you will help us by following our terms and conditions. If you do not, you will be banished from the kingdom and escorted to the border. Is that clear?”
Jedrek cocked his head to the side and gave her a sly smile. Amelia felt her stomach squirm at his narrowed blue eyes. She was used to being treated like a docile and stupid creature to many people, especially cocky men.
But there was something about him that made her uneasy, like she should be cautious about what she said and did around him. He was a larger man, more muscle than Hector, just shorter than Adira, but still just as wide as Quirin. His four companions were varied in their appearances, but they didn’t exude this same worrisome feeling like he did. Amelia saw a brow rise in smug defiance and she lifted her head up, ready to show him she wasn’t afraid of him.
“I said, is that clear, Jedrek Creighton?” Amelia demanded and in the corner of her eye she saw the Brotherhood smirk. By now, they knew that voice meant business. “Or should I have you escorted now?”
Jedrek’s playful expression melted to disdain, “We understand Madame Ambassador.”
“Good,” Amelia seated herself once more, exchanging a quick forearm bump with Adira under the table. “King Edmund, what will be the plan to help stop our livestock from being slaughtered?”
“Actually, one of my knights recently suggested a plan that I think will work perfectly for what we are trying to achieve. Quirin?”
He nodded to Edmund and surveyed the table before speaking, “There is a large herd of cattle that have been targeted a few times. We are sure they are still the main target and will be attacked again.”
“Are you referring to the herd owned by the Stoll family?” Amelia quickly interjected.
“Yes,” Quirin answered. “They have been keeping the animals in their barn with farm hands watching them there overnight. We could use the herd as bait.”
Hector scoffed, “I dunno Quirin, that's risky and puttin’ the animals in danger. What if some get killed?”
“It's a risk we are going to have to take Hector,” he solemnly answered. “The last attack almost made it into the barn. A few lost in this plan is better than the entire herd being wiped out.”
“What exactly will the plan be? Just wait until they strike?” Adira asked.
“If we are there to watch, we can trap the creature before they get into the barn. The area where they almost infiltrated into the barn is still very weak. I’m sure they will attack that same spot again. Some guards can wait inside the barn on the other side just in case it does get through. We will be outside the barn and in the wooded area there so that we can trap them properly, especially if the creature turns out to actually be a werewolf,” Quirin explained.
“And what if it’s stronger and craftier than expected?” Jedrek interrupted. “Why are we even here if we aren’t a part of the plan?”
“You could be in the barn as the last resort, since you are trained to kill rather than humanely trap,” Quirin sharply suggested. “But you should know, killing a werewolf will be a last resort that won’t even need to happen.”
Jedrek’s lips curled into a dangerous smile, “Careful with your assumptions Sir Quirin. Especially when there is still unknown information on the table.”
“What unknown information is on the table?” Amelia asked before any of the others could.
“You assume so much for a group of warriors that has not fought werewolves in many years. Sounds like overconfidence to me,” Jedrek sneered. “Werewolves have adapted to many of the old ways of hunting and trapping them. How sure are you that you can actually contain this beast?”
“My warriors have sufficient training and knowledge on the matter, Jedrek. There is no need for your concern other than being a last resort should things get out of hand,” Edmund asserted.
Amelia glanced between the Brotherhood and Edmund, also concerned at Jedrek’s question.
He does have a point. Most of the texts on their methods of werewolf hunting are centuries old. If what Jedrek says is even remotely possible, they could be in serious trouble .
“That settles it then!” Edmund called out to the table, startling Amelia from her thoughts. “Tomorrow night we will stop the slaughter of our livestock and help protect a sacred creature that is within our borders.”
Jedrek scoffed at the last line and Amelia saw Hector glare at him. Once Edmund had dismissed everyone, Jedrek and his group left the castle. Amelia stood in the Great Hall with the Brotherhood, who had watched to ensure they left out the front doors.
“Forgive me if I am overstepping, but I don’t see what was wrong with Jedrek’s question? Concerning your methods for fighting the werewolves?” Amelia carefully asked the three warriors. “If there is any kind of credence to his claim that werewolves have adapted to previous methods of containing them, shouldn’t we at least hear him out? I know from reading several different texts that the Dark Kingdom werewolf methods are very old.”
“It ain’t a concern Amelia,” Hector gruffed out. “He’s just tryin’ to be an asshole and make us doubt ourselves.”
“The methods may be old, but they are tried and true,” Adira added on.
Quirin nodded and gestured to Adira and Hector. “They are both right. If you find the sources to other methods of werewolf hunting or trapping, the majority of them are from right here in the Dark Kingdom. Due to the Moonstone’s location, werewolves were more prominent in our kingdom than any other. That may change now that the Moonstone is gone, but it also may not. We will stick with what we know rather than trust an outsider whose only goal is to kill werewolves for money and fame.”
“We wanna protect the werewolves, all they wanna do is kill ‘em and skin ‘em. Desecrate ‘em,” Hector snarled. “Bunch of fuckin’ monsters themselves if ya ask me.”
Amelia went to speak, but stopped herself now that she saw the dark faces they each wore. This was a very serious matter to them.
“I understand. I apologize if I was overstepping in any way-”
“It’s fine Amelia,” Adira’s dark expression lifted to a confident smile. “You aren’t as familiar with our history and culture as we are. I appreciate your concern, but it isn’t needed.”
“Yes, we understand it might seem strange to dismiss their statements, but they have a much different goal in mind than we do,” Quirin explained.
Amelia nodded, happy they weren’t upset, but she could still feel a wall that was between her and them. In her time here at the Dark Kingdom, she had grown a strong bond between the three of them, but there was always a barrier around the subject of werewolves. She knew they were sacred to their culture and wondered if that was the problem. Was she still too much of an outsider to be let in?
“We needa get goin’ and do that patrol for Edmund tonight,” Hector reminded the other two, who nodded and headed for the front doors.
Hector stood alone and stared at Amelia for a moment. She rubbed her worry stone, afraid he was going to be angry at her for questioning them.
“It’s nice that we have ya here. You’re open to hearin’ us out and ain’t afraid to learn new things,” he stated, averting his eyes.
“Of course,” Amelia replied, unsure of what he was trying to say. “I understand that we come from different places and cultures, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be open to embracing them. Differences between people is what makes us unique. It makes us who we are.”
Hector nodded as he reached out and grasped the hand that held her worry stone. Amelia froze and gazed at him, waiting to see what he was going to do. He brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
A blush spread over her cheeks at the intimate gesture. His eyes locked with hers, his breath still ghosting over her knuckles.
“I’m glad you care about us enough to worry. It ain’t something we get a lot to be honest. But ya don’t gotta worry about us. We can handle this.”
Amelia only nodded in reply. He lowered her hand to her side and left out the doors.
_________________________________________________________________
The next morning the Brotherhood were absent from breakfast. Amelia quietly ate as Edmund discussed a trade route issue with Tegan. She kept watching the doorway, hoping they would appear, but they never did. Afterwards, Amelia was headed to the library when she spotted the three of them. It was obvious that their patrol last night had kept them up late. Adira and Quirin had bags under their eyes and Hector’s were darker than usual.
She approached them with a cautious smile. “How intense was that patrol last night?”
“Just a late night,” Quirin answered, his voice was gruff. He glanced at the others, “Don’t forget King Edmund needs us to go over the plans with the guards as soon as possible. I was told they are already gathered and waiting.”
Amelia frowned, “If you would like I could see about postponing that meeting? You all need to get a good meal and not rush. I don’t mind-”
“We’re fine Amelia,” Hector barked out. She winced at his harsh reply and he sighed. “We gotta get this done. Don’t worry about us, we’re fine.”
The three warriors passed her without another glance. Amelia turned and watched them for a moment.
I’m still an outsider. One step forward, two steps back. That’s how things seem to be going for me lately…
_______________________________________________________________
Amelia’s weary eyes raised to gaze out her window. It was dusk and the guards had all gathered in the courtyard. She set down the correspondence she had been reading and decided it was the best time to take a break.
This is the perfect time to wish them all luck and apologize for being so nosy earlier , Amelia thought hopefully as she made her way down the stone steps.
In the courtyard, she searched through the sea of people trying to find those three individuals that practically towered above the others. As she wandered around with no luck, her stomach started to knot together. Circling back around she saw Captain Rylen and walked over to him.
“Good evening Captain Rylen.”
“Good evening Ambassador,” Rylen nodded to her. “What brings you out here?”
“I was hoping to speak with the Brotherhood, do you know where they are?”
“They have already left out across the chasm, Ambassador.”
Amelia’s heart sunk in her chest, but she kept her expression the same.
“Oh, that’s alright then. I had just wanted to wish them luck on this mission.”
“I can relay the message, if you wish?” Captain Rylen mentioned, his stony eyes had softened.
You didn’t hide your disappointment well , Amelia thought.
“Yes, if you see them. I don’t want you to have to go out of your way. And thank you Captain.”
“Of course, Ambassador.”
Amelia stepped back and watched Rylen call the attention of the guards. As he went over their order, Amelia slipped back into the castle. Once she was out of the sight of others, she couldn’t help but let her face fall. Her troubled thoughts tumbled around in her head when she heard an unfamiliar and angry voice.
“Why the fuck do we have to listen to those idiots?! They don’t know what the hell they are doing! Probably monster fuckers.”
Amelia slipped behind a pillar and held her breath.
“Shut it Smythe. If one of ‘em hears you sayin’ that shit we're gonna get kicked outta here. Jedrek will rip you a new one.”
“I just wanna rip apart another one of those monsters. Hear those cries as we finally end them.”
Smythe said that. Gods he sounds demented. Even if werewolves are real or monsters it isn’t right to torture them.
“Seriously Smythe shut up. I know you get off mutilating the damn things, but I don’t wanna hear about it. Besides, Jedrek is waiting for us with the others and if we take too long he’ll kill us. He’s got a plan in mind for when we get to the barn.”
“Maybe we will get to slaughter a werewolf tonight after all? And maybe some arrogant warriors as well.”
Amelia’s heart thudded wildly in her chest.
Gods they have to be talking about the Brotherhood. Could they actually kill them all and get away with it? No, I won’t let them.
As the two individuals made their way down the hallway, Amelia did her best to follow them without being caught. They entered one of the small side rooms that used to be for greeting guests. Amelia hovered at the doorway and peeked into the room. Jedrek and all his followers were there.
“Now that everyone is here,” Jedrek pointedly glared at Smythe and the other person. “We can discuss the plan for tonight. We won’t be following their stupid plan to trap a werewolf. Our plan will be for a select few of you to cause as much chaos as possible to stop those Brotherhood warriors from trapping the monster. Hopefully, it will attack a few people and then we will kill it. This will make us the heroes we deserve to be and get us the attention we need throughout this continent. Then we will be swimming in jobs.”
“What kind of chaos do we need to cause?”
Jedrek gave them all a wicked grin, “Whatever you can come up with.”
Amelia pressed herself against the wall next to the doorway.
This is an idiotic plan. I have to tell the Brotherhood what they are planning. I have to make sure they don’t get people killed!
She turned to go down the hallway when an iron grip seized her right arm and yanked her back towards the room. Crying out, she crashed into a solid object. Her eyes met with Jedrek’s cold gaze.
“Well, well. Seems like you aren’t as innocent as you seem Ambassador,” Jedrek crooned.
Amelia clawed at his hand and snarled at him, “Let me go you bastard.”
“And let you warn your cocky little friends? No, I think not.”
Jedrek swung her around and forced her to walk backwards while facing him.
“I have a much better plan in mind for you.”
Before Amelia could say anything, something solid hit her ankles, causing her to topple backwards. Her head collided with what felt like a wall. By the time she realized she was in a wardrobe, the doors to the wooden prison were shut. Amelia threw herself at the doors. They opened slightly, but stopped short.
“Don’t worry Ambassador. We won’t kill your friends, unless they give us a reason too.”
Amelia banged on the doors, yelling and cursing at them. After a moment she fell silent only to have the same response ringing in her ears. They had already gone.
Calm yourself. Attacking the doors like this won’t do you any good. Calm down and think.
She felt around in the darkness, trying to come up with some kind of idea to escape. There was nothing of use in the empty wardrobe. The bar above was embedded into the wooden walls and not removable. Amelia leaned back against the back of the wardrobe feeling defeated, when she noticed something. With her body against the back wall, she still had room to lift up her feet and press them onto the doors.
That’s probably my best bet out of here.
Amelia felt like it was forever before something cracked and the doors opened. The fall to the bottom of the wardrobe was short and Amelia laid there for a moment, covered in sweat. As she gathered herself up, she noticed the long now broken cane on the ground. A quick glance to the wall told her that she had broken one of the ornate canes of one of the previous kings.
Hopefully King Edmund will forgive me for that…
Sprinting to the courtyard, Amelia saw that it was twilight now.
Whatever is attacking the cattle will be trying again soon. I need to get to the Brotherhood to warn them! Where is everyone?!
Amelia ran to the stables hoping to see a guard anywhere, but there was no one.
The remaining guards must be in the castle. They won’t be able to pass on a message quick enough , Amelia thought, trying to calm the panic that was welling in her belly. Her eyes found her horse in the stables, making the decision easy.
The wind wildly whipped her hair as she rode out across the bridge and to the farms. Her heart pounded with her horse’s hooves as she prayed the Brotherhood was still alive.
_____________________________________________________
Amelia had expected the darkness to engulf everything once the sun had made its full descent. The bright light from the full moon reminded her why she was out here. A chill shook her body, mostly from the cold, but also from the horrible thoughts of what was going to happen to her friends if she didn't warn them in time. Her heels dug into the sides of her horse.
We have to go faster. They don’t have much time. By the nine, please keep them safe! Please. I am begging you. They will listen to me right? I have to have enough rapport with them for that.
The barn was now in sight and her eyes combed the darkness for any figures that were moving around. The field was empty. The thought to yell for them crossed her mind.
But if Jedrek is near them I could do more harm than good. I have to be careful. I need to stick to the treeline and find them. The creature or wolves will be coming from the woods anyways. That has to be where the Brotherhood are right?
She and her horse were to the side of the barn now. Every sound made her jump and snap her gaze in its direction. Usually the woods were a calm place to her, but something about this night made her feel uneasy. As if something was carefully watching her from within the woods, something close by. She told herself that all the movement in the shadows was just her mind playing tricks, but something in the forefront of her mind told her to be vigilant.
No way it could be an actual werewolf right? I mean it is a full moon, but that’s just a coincidence right?
An unearthly howl ripped through the air.
Amelia involuntarily yanked on the reins, adding more to her horse's nerves. A shaky pat was given to the steed to calm her.
“I-It’s alright girl. Steady now.”
Another howl rang through her ears.
This was a mistake. Even if it’s not a werewolf, this could be a large pack of wolves. On my own I wouldn’t make it. But the Brotherhood can handle it, right?
Turning herself to the barn, she hoped someone there could help her find them. Then she saw it, stepping out into the moonlight.
A large wolf on all fours, but after several steps it paused and stood up on its hind legs. It sniffed the air, then returned to its four-legged stance. Before she could blink, it ran for the barn, when another deeper howl sounded from in the woods where it had come from. The werewolf stopped and lifted its nose. It’s head snapped to the barn and then it darted into the woods.
Amelia saw a figure with a torch near the barn and saw the light flung towards the stack of nearby hay bales. The flames grew at an alarming rate and quickly caught the side of the barn on fire. People began flooding out of the barn, yelling and scrambling to put out the blaze.
The hairs on the back of Ameila’s neck stood on end and she shifted her attention to her surroundings. That’s when she heard the discreet footfalls of something in the shadows. As she repeated the mantra to calm herself, she saw an obscure outline pacing back and forth in the blackness of the trees. Amelia froze, hoping whatever it was would pass by. It stopped and grew larger, grew closer. She opened her mouth to yell something when her horse whinnied and reared up on its hind legs.
Amelia’s whole world tumbled around her. She saw her horse running away and scrambled to her feet, realizing now that she was alone with whatever creature was in the shadows. The outline was faint, but she could still see the unknown threat stalking around in the trees nearby.
“Get to the barn,” Amelia whispered, willing her body to listen to the command.
Finally her body obeyed, spinning on the spot to face the barn, she ran right into something solid. She stumbled backwards and saw the solid object was a person.
Relief flooded her body for a moment, until she saw their face.
It was Jedrek.
Amelia’s eyes wandered over him, following a bloody path of cuts and other wounds. Landing on his face, apprehension filled her as she saw a fury in his eyes, but there was also fear.
“Ya couldn’t keep away could ya? What are ya? Their pet? Their little spy?!”
Spittle sprayed across Amelia’s face at Jedrek’s last accusation. As she wiped the spit from her skin, she glanced at the three individuals behind him. They were also wounded and on edge. Her brow furrowed and she stepped back.
What’s worse? The creature in the woods or a pissed off Jedrek?
“Don’t play stupid! I know you know!” Jedrek roared impatiently.
“I don’t know what you’re talking-”
The back of Jedrek’s hand collided with her left cheek and knocked her to the ground. Amelia sat up and glared at him, shocked at his harsh aggression. Before she could do anything, he started hitting and kicking her. A steady stream of questions and accusations poured out from his mouth with each blow.
Amelia blocked the beating as best she could, screaming for him to stop. She could hear his lackeys egging him on, to make her suffer like they had. Finally, Amelia grabbed his arm and was able to hold him still for a moment.
“I was coming to warn the Brotherhood about you!” She screamed at him. “I have no idea what you were talking about earlier!”
Jedrek wrenched his arm from her grip, causing Amelia to sway. She was able to catch herself from falling back onto the dirt. Her head pounded, her body ached. The metallic taste in her mouth told her she was either bleeding or coughing up blood, probably from the multiple kicks he had landed on her lungs.
Scraping metal caught Amelia’s attention. She looked up at her assailant to see him removing his battleaxe from his back. Her heart thudded in her ears.
Jedrek swung the weapon around and pointed the spiked end of the battleaxe at her throat. Amelia flinched, but remained in the same position on the ground.
“Where are they? How long has this been happening here? Why are they more advanced than the others?”
Amelia swallowed, trying to think of what he was talking about.
“I don’t know what the hell you are talking about Jedrek. Who is ‘they’?” Amelia asked incredulously.
“I will slaughter you right now if you don’t fucking tell me!”
“I can’t tell you something I don’t know! I can’t read your mind,” she sneered. Jedrek raised his weapon so it touched the underneath of her chin.
“Don’t make me force it from you.”
His threat and cold eyes only sparked her anger and defiance.
“Even if I did know what you were talking about,” Amelia darkly stated, lifting up her chin to show she wasn’t afraid. “I wouldn’t tell a monster like you.”
Jedrek lifted his battleaxe behind him, poised for a killing blow.
“Last chance.”
Amelia locked her gaze with his for a moment, then slowly slid her eyes closed.
“Do it.”
He scoffed, “Fine.”
Everything seemed to slow. Amelia could hear the slight shifts in his leather armor and his breathing, no doubt him bracing to drop the axe on her. She began to pray, hoping she could try and dodge the attack or somehow Jedrek would miss.
I just hope the Brotherhood are okay…
Heavy footfalls sounded to her left, followed by an ear-piercing scream.
Amelia’s eyes flew open. Jedrek was gone. A few yards away, his followers were hollering and raising their weapons, their aim trained on something to her right. Time slowed again, as she turned her gaze to what they were yelling at.
A large, jet black werewolf was pinning Jedrek to the ground, biting into his right bicep and holding him down with its own body.
“Shoot it!” Jedrek screeched.
One of Jedrek’s followers, a woman, raised her crossbow, aiming for the black werewolf, when a white blur bolted from the treeline and tackled her. She screamed as the white werewolf held her down with one hand and crushed the crossbow with the other.
“Gods above there’s more than one of them?” Amelia managed to squeak out.
The last two men backed away from the werewolves and closer to Amelia. One of the men pulled out a lantern and shakily lit it, swinging it wildly around as if to ward off the werewolves. Amelia finally recognized him as Smythe.
The white werewolf threw the woman aside, her body violently colliding into a tree. The creature got down on all fours and started stalking towards the two men. Amelia gawked at the werewolf, their fur now luminous in the moonlight, thinking how she should be more scared than amazed.
The werewolf’s head turned to Amelia and their eyes locked. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she braced herself to dodge an attack, but then she noticed something. The werewolf’s eyes were a very dark brown and the gaze was soft, comforting even. Amelia relaxed, despite the attention being from a beast that had just tossed a full grown woman like a ragdoll.
A threatening growl rumbled from the white wolf, whose entire demeanor had now shifted to the defensive.
“Grab her!”
Amelia craned her neck to see Jedrek’s two remaining men were behind her now. Smythe was holding out the lit lantern like a barrier, while the other man reached to grab her. The werewolf lunged and sunk its razor-like teeth into the man's leg. He shrieked as the werewolf dragged him closer and stood on its hind legs. Two large clawed hands wrapped around the man’s arms and Amelia looked away, afraid of what was going to happen next. She ignored the sickening sound of him being torn apart, as well as Smythe vomiting.
As Amelia repressed the urge to vomit as well, she saw the black werewolf’s attention was on her. The creature’s face glistened in the dim lighting and below it, Jedrek lay on the ground unmoving. Her stomach rolled, realizing why the wolf’s face was wet. Again, she suppressed the urge to heave. The black werewolf stepped towards her and Amelia dug her heels into the ground, pushing herself away.
“Please, don’t…”Amelia’s plea trailed off as her eyes locked with the wolf.
They were bright green. A strange and familiar bright green. Her body relaxed and a calm feeling came over her, one she had felt many times before. A feeling she had felt with-
Pain erupted along Amelia’s scalp and caused her to cry out in pain.
“Shut up, shut up!” Smythe yelled as he yanked harder on Amelia’s hair.
Her hands flew to the fistfuls of hair Smythe had grabbed onto, hoping to alleviate some of the burning that was spreading over her scalp. With every tug he made, Amelia would yelp and flail one arm around.
“Don’t come any closer you fucking inbred mutt! Or I’ll gu-”
The black werewolf had tackled Smythe before he could even finish his sentence. Amelia flopped to the ground and held her head as she sat up. The lantern Smythe had been carrying was now smashed and had set the nearby grass ablaze. It gave Amelia the perfect amount of light to see the werewolf eviscerate Smythe.
How ironic, being torn apart like that as the werewolf hears your cries , Amelia darkly thought.
An iron grip seized her right arm and Jedrek’s bloody face came into view. He roughly slid her closer to him and then proceeded to climb on top of her. Amelia tried to wrestle free, but the blood from his wounds had soaked his arms making them slippery and difficult to grip.
“Killing you will at least hurt them in some way,” Jedrek thought aloud, his voice hoarse. He whipped out a dagger from his belt and placed his palm on Amelia’s forehead, pinning her in place. Her legs kicked and dug into the ground, but it was no use. She felt the stinging start on the right side of her neck.
Then it stopped, as did the pressure from Jedrek’s hand on her forehead. His hand slipped out of her line of sight and that’s when she saw it.
Jedrek’s head was gone.
Amelia screamed in horror as his headless body slumped forward. She shoved it to the side before it could completely collapse on her, blood spraying everywhere. Her hands traced the misted blood that was on her skin and clothes, then they rested on the ground in front of her. She slowed her breathing, hoping to calm herself enough to gather her thoughts.
There was a strange moment of relief then. Jedrek and his followers were all dead. That immediate threat was gone now. Amelia’s arms shook as the adrenaline wore off. She could feel all the pain from her injuries now amplifying. It was too much.
The world around her spun as she crumpled over, the side of her head thudding onto the cold ground.
In the distance and past some trees, she could see the barn was still up in flames. The fire that had started near them was dying out, the charred grass smoking. She could see the people rushing around the barn, they looked like strange dancing shadows.
In her periphery, Amelia saw the black werewolf approaching. A whimper escaped through her lips and it stopped. She wanted to run and live, to find out if the Brotherhood were still okay. To tell King Edmund what all had happened.
But now you won’t even get to tell anyone what really happened.
Amelia opened her mouth to try and beg for mercy, but nothing came out. She could feel her consciousness waning. The werewolf disappeared from view and she waited to feel a new pain somewhere else on her body.
Behind her it sounded like dry branches being snapped in half, then there was some guttural groans.
A blurry person came into her line of sight and walked closer. All she managed to make out was the fact that they were naked, covered in blood, and had long black hair. As they came closer her vision focused and Amelia felt a cold shock through her veins.
It was Hector.
He knelt in front of her and Amelia saw his eyes examining her. His hands soon followed. They were gentle and careful as he moved her slightly to check her side and other areas of her body. Then he leaned back and locked eyes with her. It felt to her that he was looking into her soul with those eyes.
Those bright green eyes.
Amelia’s head started to pound as things slowly fell into place.
The black werewolf with green eyes.
The white werewolf with dark brown eyes.
They never attacked me, if anything they protected me.
The Dark Kingdom history being so closely intertwined with werewolves.
The Brotherhood are always out on nights with a full moon.
The sacred regard for werewolves, to the point of being protected and seen as great warriors.
Amelia’s vision was fading in and out more and more. The darkness between consciousness and not growing longer and longer. She wanted to scream at her own stupidity as her last thought before passing out occurred to her
The Brotherhood are werewolves.