The Runaway Huntress

CHAPTER 37

"What did you say?" Ezekiel wanted Rullo to repeat the name. He could have heard it wrong.

"Calicia Wymers."

Zek cautiously moved forward. He propped the wine glass on the table without even a thud. He leaned closer to Rullo. "Raise your head and look at me." He could have been lying. His eyes turned into orange lava, exacting power to command the truth. Rullo stared at him and had fallen into a trance. "What's their child's name again?"

His heart pounded slowly, anticipating the real answer this time. If he's lying, then a change of leadership is needed.

"Calicia Wymers." The answer was still the same.

Zek almost lost his focus on compelling him because of the sudden confusion. "Do they have another child?" The sound of the burning fire in the hearth was crisp in their ears. They couldn't even hear their own breathing.

"She's an only daughter." Rullo slowly blinked, eyes lost. Only the reflection of the fiery eyeballs of Zek can be seen.

"Is there any chance that you could be wrong?" He can't leave any doubt about it.

Rullow shook his head. "No. It's the absolute truth."

Maybe he's asking the wrong question. "Does she have another name?"

"None that I know of."

He's not getting anything from him aside from more confusion. Perhaps he was not the right person to inquire. He fisted Rullo's collars. Staring more intently at him to reach deeper into his thoughts. The man's eyes started to turn yellow, as his wolf was being uncomfortable with the forced compulsion. Zek's the only one who can compel the wolves, for he's half of their kind. But even that, their inner beings would fight back, and the trance wouldn't last. He hated using it on his people too, but certain situations call for it. He had to end this before Rullo's wolf disseminated his effect on him. "From whom did you hear that your son died?" The next person he'd hear would be his next target for interrogation.

"From Falkan. He was the wolf who died recently. We found his body in the forest."

Zek released his grasp on him along with his power as he leaned back in the chair.

Rullo crouched instantly as he felt the chains on his mind being released. He was winded and took a deep breath, panting for some air.

"Get up. Sit down." Ezekiel ordered. He propped a hand to his forehead as he closed his eyes, calculating some things. It's a dead end. Melisca killed the wolf last night. His eyes shut open in a sudden realization. Rullo mentioned earlier that the hunters murdered his son, but then Melisca was out killing wolves to avenge her parents. It doesn't add up. Maybe that Falkan was lying. For the vengeance he witnessed from his mate was too savage to be a mere faux.

But then, who is this Calicia Wymers?

Now that his thoughts went back to that name. He somehow felt his heart beat faster, and it made him uneasy.

"Please don't worry about their daughter, Alpha King. We will find her. I'll take responsibility in this matter."

"She's your granddaughter. Would you really kill her?"

Is the king questioning his loyal responsibility? Rullo had long thought it before. "Though she's my son's daughter, her existence brings demise and danger to our race, king. I can sacrifice one life for our people."

In that, Zek sighed again. Rullo had a point. She's a threat to the lives he protects. Whoever she was, if she was Melisca or not, he had to do something. He removed his hand to face the man again. "Let me handle that as well." He can't risk her getting caught and being hurt if the two were the same person.

"But you already have a lot on your plate. The hunter clan were more formidable this time for creating such poison for us."

"You think I didn't know that?" He snapped back, almost growling. Rullo immediately bowed his head.

Ezekiel was on edge for everything that was happening around him. For the tangled situations. But he had to organize his thoughts and know his priorities. That would be the life of his people, the race he vowed to protect and lead as their king. Frustration was gnawing on him. His mate was a damn one vengeful woman, and she's out there killing the lives he protects. How everything would be much easier if she was on his side. But he knew no talking would persuade her. And there's that new name he found out. Maybe it's time to finally talk to her once and for all to know who she really is.

*************

Melisca messaged Lorna on her newly bought phone. She had to slow down on spending her money because she broke her cards. She guessed it was useless now because the alpha who was after her managed to get to her anyway. Gladly, she thought of a checkbook before, and now it would be put to use.

Lorna replied to her instantly that she had to get back to the hospital now for the decision if she was in or out. She was roaming around the town and was at a stop in some shop to purchase new stocks of cigarettes. If she's just human, her lungs would have given up years ago for constant smoking. She texted back that she was on her way.

Entering back the hospital premises sickened her again. And she had to be extra careful as always.

She parked her motorcycle and she saw Lorna standing at the entrance. Before stepping up to the girl, she paused for a moment and heightened her senses. Her ear searched for any suspicious conversation or any hidden people around. She can't use her vision openly for her eyes would turn yellow. Only wanting to be extra careful for who knows they found out who she is and were setting a trap for her using Lorna. Being paranoid has its benefits also.

"Liz!" Lorna called.

She flinched and that made her withdraw her hearing range. Her outcall rang in her ears. This girl was already giving her a headache, and she hadn't even entered the hospital yet. Groaning and wanted to shot her a glare but forced herself to act friendly as she proceeded in her direction with stuff in her hand.

"It's good that you haven't lost your way back." Lorna commented with a smile as Liz stepped up in front of her.

"I wish I did. I hate hospitals." The woman replied with a groan.

That made her chuckle and frown at the same time. Liz is so honest in her thoughts. It made her intimidating but she's really attracted to this woman's strong appeal. She wanted to be confident like her. They headed inside the building and walked together side by side.

"What's that?" She noticed a plastic bag in her hand.

"Oh, it's for you. I couldn't finish everything. So, I might as well share." Melisca replied. She offered the bag to her. "I haven't touched it yet. Don't worry." She added when she looked hesitant to accept the food.

Lorna grabbed it instantly. "I'm just thinking what could it be? A dessert?" She opened the plastic but it was wrapped in another paper bag. The logo printed on it made her gasp and she lifted her head back to her companion.

"What?" Liz asked in oblivion.

"It's Chizuro's." She exclaimed in excitement.

"So?" Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"Right." Lorna's shoulders sagged in Liz's ignorance. "You just got back after how many years." Her enthusiasm resurfaced when sharing the details with her. "Chizuro's the best restaurant and most expensive here in the city."

"Oh, that's why it was quite expensive. But the food's worth it." Melisca commented. She might dine there again when she finds a new way to have another income. She quit her bounty-hunting job in Vrona. So, after all this, she decided to get back on it maybe, but in another city or country. She had a lifetime to figure it out, considering she made it out alive after she accomplished her vengeance.

"Yes. It's worth the fortune." The girl agreed.

Melisca snapped back on her thoughts in the present. She didn't have to think for the future for her current situation could end her any time if she was too careless and distracted by unnecessary stuff.

"Thank you for this, Liz." Lorna's smile made her feel awkward and troubled. This girl is too sweet for her liking. She doesn't want to get attached to her. She nodded in response to her gratitude.

"You think I'd get in?" She inquired to get back on the serious matter.

Lorna shrugged her shoulders. A thoughtful look in her eyes and expression were on display. "I'm not really sure. But there's a high chance. Yes."

"You think you can convince them if I didn't?"

Their eyes met. "My opinion never matters to them and to what decision they make." Lorna's honest answer.

Melisca only nodded to that. They were right to be that cautious about who they allow to get into their organization.

"What would happen if I fail?" She doubted it they would just let her run around knowing that their clan existed.

Lorna's face turned pale and she avoided Liz's gaze, wishing the woman never asked about it. But she was also the one who put her in the situation. She might as well be the indirect suspect if the results were not in their favor. She wasn't supposed to reveal the consequence of failing. But she felt guilty for dragging the woman if it arises to that, knowing her intention for joining.

"Tell me, Lorna." Melisca urged, though she already had an idea.

Lorna stopped in front of a door, in her mother's office on the ground floor and knocked. While waiting for a response inside, she raised her head and finally met Liz's eyes. Worry and regret were now useless for the woman already knew about them. "They would take your life." She was exposed quietly.

Melisca snorted with a slight chuckle from what she heard. It confirmed her thoughts. "Well, Good luck with that."