His Prowl

Part 28

Chapter 28

Amaya lifted the bag further onto her shoulder and winced as it dug into her back.  She may have been the only one attempting to carry a heavy bag through the forest, but she wasn’t about to leave a few essentials behind.  The air next to her shifted as someone took her bag.  Tilting her head to the side, she listened to the person’s footsteps, as they turned heavier under the weight.

“Thanks, Blake.”

He kept quiet, but she knew it was him who took her bag.  Usually, she would dissuade the help, and show them that she was capable of doing things on her own.  But, with Blake, she felt no need to prove herself.  He somehow understood her, and for that, she was glad.

“Where are we going exactly?” Barron asked in a quiet tone.

Amaya shivered as his voice flowed through the woods.  It wasn’t a good shiver, the kind she felt when Blake brushed against her.  Barron, she knew was a force to be reckoned with.  He had an unmistakable power, but for some reason, others didn’t feel intimidated by him.  This made Amaya intrigued.  Did he have a certain look in which made others feel comfortable about him?  Was it her blindness that allowed her to realize what a danger he could be?

She wasn’t scared, because she knew for a fact that if it came down to it, Zeke would protect her.  There was no one as powerful as Zeke; that, to her, was a simple fact.  Someone shifted closer to her, but no scent met her nose.  “Your soap annoys me,” she mumbled only to be met by laughter.  The laughter did not come from Blake nor Zeke, but from Barron.

“Believe me,” he said with a chuckle.  “We were pleasantly surprised when Ally decided to share with us.  Who would have thought that there was such a thing, and that the enemy gave it to us?”

“Who was that?”

Blake took the time to speak up.  “Michael.  He was Sebastian’s grandfather.”

“Was?” she asked in a tone that let them all know that she was more curious than she should have been.

“Yes,” Zeke said in a clear voice.  “Sebastian killed him.  Drop it Amaya.  Some things are better left in the past.”

The words were left unsaid, but Amaya couldn’t help but think that their conversation was hitting a little close to home for Zeke.  Seb had killed his fatherly figure, and now, Zeke would be required to kill his father.  How would Zeke deal with the murder?  Without Ally, Amaya didn’t know how she would be able to handle Zeke once it happened.

“I’ll be fine, Amaya,” Zeke grumbled.  “Stop worrying about me. It’s beginning to get annoying.”

“Well,” she snapped.  “Stop reading me.”

The air shifted around her right before she was pushed into a body.  Immediately, by the feel of him, she could tell it was Blake who she had been pushed into.  “I would,” Zeke said, “if the two of you would stop projecting your emotions at me.”

Hands gripped her shoulders, lingering for a moment before steadying her.  “Zeke,” Blake growled, “that was uncalled for.”

“Oh, suck it up, Blakey Boy.  No one cares what you think.”

Amaya went to open her mouth, to tell Blake that Zeke only did things when he wanted results, but she stopped herself. What was Zeke planning?  What was the shifter planning on doing?

“Stop, Zeke.”

“What are you going to do about it?” Zeke mocked.  “Run to Ally and tell her how mean I’m being?”

Blake let out a growl as she heard her bag drop to the ground.  “Shut up.”

“Give me a break, man.  You can’t even hold onto a woman’s attention for longer than a day.  Sydney is with Isaac.  Just wait.  In a couple days, Amaya will be snuggled in Barron’s arms.”

She let out a little yelp as she heard the loud noise of the two of them slamming into each other.  Growls echoed through the woods, limbs cracked, and the scent of blood filled the air.  Wanting to split them up, she took a step forward, only to be stopped by a hand.

“I wouldn’t,” Barron whispered in her ear.  “Zeke has something planned.  You worked with him for a while; you should know this.”

She nodded before pulling away from his grip.  The fight noises had halted during their short conversation.  Amaya held her breath as she listened to their conversation.

“You feel better now?” Zeke asked as he spat something.  Amaya had to guess it was blood as the scent entered her nose once more.

Blake let out a chuckle.  “That was your plan the entire time.”

“No,” Zeke admitted.  “I wanted to beat the hell out of you, but I’m also tired of your pouting.  You’re a grown man, and someone else was controlling your actions.  There are only three people that I know of who can resist my father.  Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“You’re attempting to make me feel better about killing your sister?” Blake asked in a shocked voice.

Zeke let out a sigh.  “No, I’m trying to tell you that you need to move on.  You’re second in command.  You can’t let death bother you this bad.” Zeke stopped talking before whispering, “Was she your first kill?”

“Yes,” Blake mumbled back.

“It will take a while for you to get over it, and longer since you actually knew her.  Don’t worry though; the guilt will pass in time.  Just don’t let it linger.  Kris wouldn’t want you to let our father win by making you beat yourself up over her death.  Don’t let the bastard get the best of you.”

“Okay, Zeke,” Blake whispered.  “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.  Truce?”

Their hands slapped against each other’s.  “For now,” Zeke said in a strong voice, “but once we handle this problem with my father, all bets are off.”

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