The Beast Within

Congregatio Luporum: Chapter Seven

It took hours of convincing before the council agreed to let their prisoner travel alone with me into the woods.

In the end, it was Phelan's good word and my standing as a trusted member of the pack that allowed me to embark on my search with John. 

I promised to return in a few days, with or without my sister, and we left on the condition that John's hands be leashed with rope, while I held the end to keep him from running.

Faye knew something grim was on my mind the morning we departed. As I packed a small bag with a change of clothing, she kissed me and told me to be safe, but her eyes held a warning.

"Don't leap out of a fire to throw yourself into the ocean," she said. "Do you understand?" I nodded. She took the vial from around her neck and placed it in my palm. "Give this to Credence when you find her."

When we entered the woods, Flower took over to use his keen senses, carrying the leash in his teeth and my bag around his neck. John had been forbidden to change to limit his chance of escape. Three hours into our journey, Flower dropped the leash.

"I don't need to keep you bound," he snarled. "If you change without my command, I'll kill you before you can stand."

"A free beast and still taking orders," John mused as he loosened the restraints on his wrists.

After nearly a full day's walk, John paused and sniffed the air.

"Do you smell that? A subtle trace of lilies. That's Credence. She was here." He turned to the wolf expectantly. "Go on, smell the air." When Flower did not lift his nose, John continued, "This is proof that she's alive—and nearby!" 

Flower bared his teeth. "No. She's gone."

Realization struck John and he nodded. "You don't live a life like mine without learning how to hear a lie when it's told. I thought there was something off when you so readily accepted my offer to help." He released a heavy sigh. "You didn't bring me out here to find Credence, did you?" The wolf did not reply. "I don't blame you. I made you suffer. I took something precious from you."

"My sister."

John shook his head. "I took away time. You don't owe me anything except revenge, but please...just give me one more day. After that, you can end my life. I'll thank you for it, I'll beg you for it. But let me help you find her. Her scent is here, I swear. She's not far."

I'm not sure why I hesitated. There was a spark of hope in my heart, I suppose, that you were waiting for me. John could have been the last chance I had. One more day wouldn't change the fact that he would die. 

"Lead the way," Flower said. 

The next morning I woke up and John was gone. 

Flower spent the whole day following his scent, and I cursed myself for allowing him to escape. He must have slipped away in the night, knowing that when the sun rose and you were not found, I would kill him.

His scent was scattered throughout the trees, making it clear that John had covered a great distance in short time.

The sun began to set and I was no closer to finding him, so I resigned to spend the night in the woods before returning home.

What would the colony think when I returned with neither prisoner nor sister?

But John came back the next morning, approaching as a wolf.

Flower dug his claws into the dirt and lunged, taking the other wolf to the ground.

"I should have killed you before," he growled. "I won't make that mistake again." 

"I've kept my promise," John's wolf replied. "I'm sorry I left you in the night, but I found Credence."

"Liar!"

"Haven't you picked up the salt in the air? She's not a mile away, sitting in the sand and waiting for you." He pointed his snout in the direction he'd come from. "A ten minute walk will bring you to the edge of the woods. Credence is on the other side. I'd advise changing and putting on the clothes you brought before greeting her."

"You'll be coming with me, and if you're lying—"

"I know, I know. You'll eat my heart or something equally painful."