Transmigrated: The Lycan King’s Pet

Theo's grip on my arm didn't loosen, even when Damon emerged from the trees like some silent ghost.

His eyes were unreadable. A part of me breathed out in relief… relieved that he was reliable, and he kept his promise.

"Let go," Damon said coldly, his voice flat but commanding.

Mr. Four eye's jaw tightened, but he obeyed, releasing me without a word. I stumbled back a little, my balance still weak. My eyes flickered between them, unsure what to feel.

Damon's gaze met mine.

There was something behind those dark eyes… mixed feelings that were difficult to understand. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but instead, he looked away.

"You came," I said quietly, breathlessly, before I could stop myself. "I thought you wouldn't…"

"I said I would," Damon replied. "I don't break promises." His eyes softened.

He turned his head slightly. "We have to go."

'Go?'

My eyes darted to the shadows of the forest. The soft crunch of leaves in the wind. The empty silence.

Yet, White wasn't here.

I shook my head, stepping back. "I… I can't leave. White's not back yet."

Damon's brows pinched slightly, but he didn't speak.

"I'm not leaving without him, I don't even know if he is in danger now." My voice cracked despite how hard I tried to hold it in. "He wouldn't just disappear this long if he were not in trouble."

"Aeris…"

"Let me call him. Just a little longer, please." I pleaded, my fingers trembled beside me.

I turned my head and shouted, "White!"

The name echoed into the forest like it was mocking me. I called again, but there was no sound. Not a single pawstep or even a growl.

He was gone.

Still, I couldn't stop myself. "White! Where are you?"

Mr. Four eyes and Mr. Green eyes shared a knowing look behind Damon.

Damon's voice cut in again. "Aeris, we need to leave. Now."

My heart beat faster. I didn't want to go without White. At least I need to know that he is alright.

But before I could argue again, the ground beneath me shook, and the soil loosened.

Then vines shot up and wrapped around my ankles.

"What the…!" I gasped, trying to jerk back.

But more of them sprouted from the ground like snakes, wrapping around my legs, my waist… pulling me backward.

I screamed.

Damon moved across the forest like lightning, pulling a knife from his coat.

He dropped to one knee and began slicing through the vines in a fluid motion. The green tendrils hissed, fighting him with sharp thorns that tore through his arm.

Mr. Green eyes and Mr. Four eyes stepped in, slashing at the ones behind me.

The vines shrieked and twisted, lashing out at all of us.

My skin burned where they touched me. One coiled around my throat, choking the air from my lungs.

I clawed at it, gasping.

Damon moved to my side, cutting the vines with a clean slice.

"Stupid vines." He cussed under his breath.

My body fell into his chest as the vines recoiled. He caught me, steadying me just long enough before he pulled me behind him.

I quickly unwrapped the vine remnants around my neck. Fear skittered down my spine.

The others circled me, guarding from every side.

"Zeir," I whispered. "He found us…"

The air crackled with energy. More vines surged up around the clearing, faster, angrier, writhing like they were being controlled by rage itself.

We couldn't fight them all.

"We can't stay," Damon said, voice grim.

I looked at the forest, which had turned into a vine mess. If we stay longer, we might not even get the chance to tell the tale.

The more they cut through the vines the more they regenerated.

Suddenly portals appeared from thin air, and guards stepped out of them, running towards us. Some took to the sky, throwing magic bombs at us.

'No, no.' I stumbled back in horror. Deep down I knew there was no way we could escape them.

Just then, something fell from the folds of my cloak.

It hit the ground with a soft thud, then began to glow. Changing from white to a light blue.

I bent over to pick it, narrowly escaping the vine charging at me.

My eyes widened. "Rhydian?" I called, dropping to my knees and clutching the stone.

The light pulsed in response. His voice came through, faint and strained. "Aeris…?"

"I didn't mean to activate it…"

"Aeris, move!" Damon's urgent voice made me look up, my body froze. And for a moment I saw death opening his arms for me.

The magic ball was heading towards me, I knew I should move. My mind screamed for me to move, but my body refused.

'They actually went this far…' A tear rolled down my cheek as I stared at the incoming danger.

I closed my eyes to brace myself for the impact. Then, I felt someone hug me, his hand protectively wrapped around my head.

My face was buried in his chest.

"Damon!" Mr. Green eyes yelled in panic.

I pulled out of the embrace, only to find his bloodied state. My breath hitched, and for a moment I was taken aback by his action.

'Why did he do it?'

He spat out blood, and his shirt had burned, revealing the burnt skin on his back.

"Damon." I cried out, my finger trembling as I reached for him.

"I'm fine," he muttered, before dragging himself to his feet.

"I'm sorry… I… I…"

"Hide. I'll protect you. No one is taking you back." He staggered, however he charged into battle again.

"We need to get out of here!" Mr. Four eyes yelled, struggling against one of the guards.

Then, a crack split the air in front of us, and a portal ripped open, swirling with blue energy.

My face fell, 'more are coming.' I staggered, and I watched how the three of them struggled against the vines and the guards. I clenched my fist tightly.

This was all because of me… I won't sacrifice anyone for my freedom.

Rhydian stepped out with his sword already drawn. "Aeris!"