Chapter 26 Chapter 26 GAMMA ABEL 4 90 % Ive seen a lot of strange things in my time as Gamma , but this … Watching Taryn , an Omega no less , handle a man who looks like he could break her anytime soon , like hes a damn puppy is definitely climbing my list . The man a rogue , no less stands there towering over her , built like he was chiseled out of granite and probably twice as strong . Yet , one word from Taryn , and hes nodding along as if shes the Alpha here . Its unsettling how much power she has over him . Stick with Gamma Abel , she says , poking a finger into his chest . Dont wander off , dont do anything stupid , and for the love of the goddess , dont eat anything raw while youre out there . Ive seen men submit before hell , its my job to make sure they do when the Alpha dermands it but this isnt submission . This is something else entirely . And its not just the obedience . Its the way he looks at her , like she hung the moon , the stars , and whatever other celestial bullshit you could throw into the mix . If Taryn ever snapped her fingers , I dont doubt this man would burn the world to ash just to keep her warm . But Ive learned not to dwell too long on things that dont make sense . Were moving out , I bark , pulling my focus away from the odd pair . Eyes open . Mouths shut . The warriors shuffle into formation , but not without the usual grumbling . Whys he here ? one of them mutters under his breath , but loud enough for the group to hear . He wasnt even accepted by the goddess on his ceremony , another adds . I whip my head around , silencing them with a glare . You got time to gossip , youve got time to scout the area . That shuts them up , though I catch a few sideways glances thrown in Enochs direction . I glance at Enoch , expecting him to react . A snarl , a glare , maybe even a fist to someones jaw . But he doesnt . Hes walking along , calm as ever , as if the whispers are static on a broken radio . Its unnerving . A man like him should be dangerous , and yet he looks … detached . The guy has no emotions . Unless Taryns involved , then hes practically feral . And thats the part that scares me the most . The forest is damp , the air thick with the scent of wet earth and decay , the thick canopy above barely letting in any sunlight . Were deep in the area where we suspect the attack happened . The ground is littered with broken branches and churned up mud . I signal for the group to stop , and we spread out , combing through the area . It doesnt take long to find the remains . Or rather , it doesnt take Enoch long to find them . What the fuck ? one of the warriors croaks . I turn , and theres Enoch , standing there as if hes just found the worlds most interesting artifact . Only its not an artifact . 1/5 Chapter 26 Its the head maids head . < 2.90 % Her dead eyes stare back at us , frozen in terror , her blood maned hair clinging to Enochs fingers as he holds her head up by starraforets Look , Enoch says , his voice disturbingly causal , like hes showing off a wildflower be picked . One of the warriors pukes into the bushes . Another stumbles back , mattering something about needing a drink Enoch , I say , my voice tight . Put it down He tilts his head , confused , but does as I say , lowering the head to the ground with the care of someone placing a precious relic . Kallias , of course , cant let the moment pass without making a scene . See ? he snaps , his glare fixed on Enoch . I told you hes the one who killed her . Who the hell else walks around holding heads like that ? I step between them before this turns into another fistfight . Thats enough , I growl at Kallias . He shouldnt even be here! Kallias spits . Hes a danger to the pack- And its my job to decide whos a danger , not yours , I cut him off . He glares at me , his jaw tight , but he doesnt push it further . 1 clear my throat and gesture for one of the warriors to wrap the head . Well take it back to the packhouse . The group reluctantly gets to work , gathering whats left of the head maid while I keep a close eye on Enoch . He doesnt look disturbed . Or curious . Or anything , really . He just … exists , watching the scene unfold with that same calm indifference . We press on , the air growing heavier with every step. Kallias stalks over to me , his jaw clenched so tight Im surprised his teeth havent shattered . This is insane , he hisses . Why the hell is he here ? Hes not even pack . I hold up a hand to silence him . My decision stands . You dont have to like it , but you do have to respect it . He looks like he wants to argue but thinks better of it . Smart boy . We continue the patrol , the lingering anger thick enough to choke on . The metallic scent lingers in the air , growing stronger as we approach a clearing . Thats when we find it . Hold up , I say , raising a hand . Everyone freezes , The tracks are faint at first , barely noticeable in the mud . But the deeper we go , the clearer they become . Large paw prints , impossibly large , dug deep into the earth . Deep claw marks rake across the bark of nearby trees , too high for any ordinary wolf to reach . 2/5 10:12 Thu , 20 Mar A M Chapter 26 What the hell made these ? one of the warriors whispers , his voice trembling . I crouch down , tracing the edge of a paw print with my fingers . The size alone is enough to make my stomach twist . This isnt just a rogue , I mutter , mostly to myself . Kallias steps up beside me , his face pale but determined . What do you think it is ? he asks , Before I can answer , I glance at Enoch , whos standing off to the side , his expression unreadable . What do you think , Enoch ? I ask , Kallias scoffs . Youre asking him ? I ignore him , my focus on Enoch . He steps forward , his eyes scanning the tracks with the same indifference hes had all day . Powerful , he says simply . Kallias snorts , crossing his arms . Real helpful . I shoot him a look , and he falls silent . Lets move , I say , rising to my feet . 90 % 63 Whatever made these tracks , its still out there . My gut tells me were not dealing with just another rogue . And Im starting to think were not prepared to face it . *** We decided to take a break . The fire crackles low , its embers glowing faintly as the warriors sit in a loose circle , tearing into the deer we hunted earlier . The meats gamey scent mingles with the damp earth , clinging to everything as a stubborn fog . Its the only warmth weve had since setting out , and yet I cant enjoy it . Because Enoch is missing again . Where the hell did he wander off to now ? one of the warriors grumbles , ripping a chunk of meat off the bone . Hes probably out eating the head maids ghost , Kallias mutters under his breath , just loud enough for me to hear . I glare at him , and he has the decency to look away . Standing , I grab my plate and head toward the cliffside where I spotted Enoch slipping away earlier . Its not unusual for him to disappear , but something about tonight has me on edge . I find him sitting on a rock near the edge , the moonlight casting a pale glow over his shirtless back . The scars are the first thing I notice angry , jagged lines crisscrossing his skin like a map of suffering . Whip scars . Ive seen enough punishment dealt out in my time to know exactly what caused those . I sit down beside him , keeping my distance . Up close , his stillness is unnerving . What are you thinking ? I ask , breaking the silence . 3/5 Chapter 26 He doesnt look at me , his gaze fixed on the forest stretching out below us . Want to go back , he says , his voice low , rough . Back where ? To Taryn . I cant help but laugh . Its a dry , humorless sound . Youre sitting out here on the edge of nowhere , covered in blood , and all you can think about is Taryn ? He finally turns to me , his expression blank but his eyes softening just slightly . I shake my head , leaning back on my hands . Youve got it bad , kid. Silence stretches between us , broken only by the wind whistling through the trees . I nod toward his back , unable to ignore the scars any longer . What about those ? I ask . Whered they come from ? He shrugs , his shoulders moving stiffly . Enoch dont know . Its not much , but I get the feeling hes telling the truth . After a long pause , he speaks again . Feels like … waiting . That caught me off guard . I turn to him , Waiting for what ? His jaw tightens , and he stares down at his hands as though they hold the answer . Something to wake up . The wolf . Taryn said you cant shift yet , I say , watching him carefully . Maybe thats it . Your wolfs still dormant . At the mention of her name , his head snaps up , and for a moment , theres something almost childlike in the way his eyes light up . Its gone just as quickly , replaced by the usual impassive mask . Before I can say more , Kallias strides up behind us , his boots crunching against the gravel . Still brooding ? he sneers , his tone sharp . Maybe you should wake up too and leave the pack while youre at it . I see it then just a flicker . Anger an emotion I havent see him wear since , bleeding into Enochs green eyes . A warning shot . Kallias doesnt miss it either . He takes a step back , muttering something under his breath before storming off . I exhale slowly , more tense than Id like to admit . Youre full of surprises , arent you ? Enoch doesnt respond . He only sits there , his gaze once again fixed on the forest , as if nothing happened . By the time we decide to head back , the night feels heavier , the forest closing in around us . The tracks and scent weve been following twist and turn , leading us into uncharted territory . I dont recogin the terrain , and neither does anyone else . Were lost , one of the warriors mutters , tight with unease . 4/5 90 % Chapter 26 Im about to snap at him to shut up when Enoch steps forward , deliberately walking on his own . This way , he calmly instructs . The group freezes , exchanging uncertain glances . How the hell does he know? Kallias whispers , suspicion laced in every word . I dont know either , but theres confidence in that kids posture that I cant ignore . Follow him , I order , ignoring the murmurs of protest . He leads us out of the forest as though hes walked it a hundred times , his steps sure is steady for someone not from this pack . By the time we slip through the back of the packhouse , Im too baffled to say anything . How the fuck did he do that ? The others look just as confused , but before anyone can ask how the hell he did it , Enochs gone . Hes striding toward the garden , where Taryn is bent over , watering the plants . Taryn , he murmurs , carrying through the still night . She looks up just in time for him to sweep her into his arms , burying his face in her hair . His hands grip her tightly , afraid she might vanish if he lets go . Ah , young love . I glance at Kallias , whos standing a few feet away . His jaw clenches , his hands curling into fists . The jealousy rolling off him is palpable , but theres something else there too something darker . I look back at Enoch , at the way he holds Taryn so different from the man weve been patrolling with since earlier . Who the hell is this man ? 515 AD Comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!