Rat

Lucius called out an important meeting. This time, he included Lucian and me. The docile-looking, yet actually unswerving Lucian, was still half-asleep as he leaned against my shoulder while the meeting went on.

He wasn't going to show any interest in the topic any time soon, even if the issue at hand primarily concerned him.

"There's a rat in the boonies," Lucius sternly announced. "That's the only explanation why number XII figured out where our hideout was."

He held the token that we extracted from the corpse of BEBE between his thumb and index finger.

Lucius' face showed a silent umbrage that screamed the triviality of this situation. He was definitely perturbed that someone from an organization that he took pride in was a double-agent. This kind of thing shouldn't be a surprise.

No matter how eminent and tight-knit an organization was, a rodent will always be able to create a hole to live inside. I give Ulmer and Basba as my primary examples. Those two lived up to the title of "shitty and shittiest" to the best of their abilities.

If we can only get a hint of what kind of stench this rodent emitted, then we'd waste no time and hunt the pest down. It could be anyone. That anyone could actually be in this room, containing the most important figures of this group.

'Lucian must need snacks to wake him up, droog. When are we going to go to the kitchen?'

My instincts kicked in. I caught Lucian's head that was slipping off my shoulder. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. His innocent and faint snores came out as soothing breaths.

'Lucius won't appreciate us going out while he's aggravated like this, breux. We must be involved in this meeting. Someone in the scums is working with the people who want to take Lucian from us,' I explained to my wolf who gasped in horror.

'Say it ain't so droog! Fenris is going to start digging for graves!' my wolf growled.

"I see no other possible explanation unless knights from the Kingdom were able to keep up with Aramastus' speed," Laeroth supported.

"Or Aramastus could be the rat, no?" Lettice suggested.

"Do you want me to skewer a bamboo stick in that windbag of yours and suck out all your blood?" Aramastus calmly threatened.

Lettice giggled, playfully smacking his shoulder with her delicate-looking hand.

"You really can't take a joke, can you?" she giggled.

"Any jokes coming from a tasteless vegetable are greatly unwanted," the vampire-scented ancient retorted.

I really wanted to bet on the blood-sucking scented swine, but Lucius was always with him. Then again, what if he sold out the hideout's location while claiming that he created a diversion to confuse the knights?

"Aramastus will be the last person to betray us. He was willing to take his life when I got to him after the war. He hates the kingdom more than anything," Lucius defended his subordinate.

Sounded reasonable but he still stunk like those leeches.

"What do we do about this, Lucius?" Ikesha asked.

"Only a handful of people are allowed to interact with my brother. Strengthen our security, closely monitor food preparations, and keep an eye out for people who are wandering suspiciously. I'm leaving my brother's safety in Caleb's hands. Crowley and the other newcomers can be included in his security."

Garrison hummed in interest.

"You're going to trust the newcomers that easily?"

Lucius smiled bitterly. "I have a feeling that the rat is someone who has been with us for a long time."

"Do you have proof of that?" Laeroth questioned.

"I only have my intuition for now," Lucius simply answered as if his intuition had never failed him.

The meeting was adjourned. Before Lucian and I could stand up, Lucius told us to remain for a bit after the others had left.

"Lucian, don't go walking in the hideout without Caleb or Crowley. You did listen during the meeting, didn't you?" he asked a still drowsy Lucian.

"Yes, I was open ears the entire time. I was wide awake in my dreams," the blonde monotonously replied.

Lucius' expression changed to that of a sibling's playful annoyance.

"Someone is spying on us, chii, and that person is targeting you,"

He wanted to elicit some kind of panicked response from the passive boy.

"I see, my reputation can definitely make plenty of enemies. I have lived a righteous life and many are unhappy with that," the blonde male deadpanned.

I think between Lucius and I, Lucius should be the first one to know that it would take a lot to give this boy a scare. Did he expect Lucian to scream and sulk in the corner or find a cave to hide in until the heat died down?

Not a chance.

Lucius roughly ruffled Lucian's hair.

"Baka (Idiot), take this seriously. It's fine to rely on others but you should be able to watch out for yourself. Don't let anyone take you by force. Learn how to resist, do you understand me?" he firmly pushed on.

Wishing to get a sane answer from Lucian was like wishing for the sun to stay for the night.

"Understood onii, I won't let them take me by force. Will them saying "please" suffice perhaps?"

Lucius smiled with great irritation. He wrestled his younger brother first before finally letting us off.

I had to be extra careful from now on. How many times had Lucian got into the worst of situations just because I blinked? Ah yeah, countless. But blinking will always be a part of a body's natural set of activities, just as how natural trouble was in his everyday life.

The blonde wasn't as helpless as he looked. He can put up a fight if he wants to. Heck, he can kick my ass any day.

The problem was: how can we make him want to fight?

The hideout that we moved into was less hidden compared to before. It was a white-brick abode with three floors and multiple rooms located in the middle of the forest. I believed we were still going to move into a more secure place. Laeroth sent out ancients to search for the perfect spot to rebuild the Boonies.

As soon as we returned to our room, Crowley, Ziru, and Kox were already settled in. I was bothered that my scent combined with Lucian's was already mixed in with theirs, but I had to push aside my territorial behavior for the sake of Lucian.

"You guys were already briefed about your duties?" I asked them.

Crowley, who was leaning beside the window with crossed arms, nodded.

"That's why we're here," he coolly responded.

Ziru rose up from the bed and welcomed Lucian with a hug.

"How was the meeting, big brother?"

Lucian petted Ziru's head.

"It was interesting. I'd like to partake again in such activities soon."

I wanted to laugh at his lack of enthusiasm, but I was too anxious to even smile.

"Anyway, what was Lucius thinking of moving into a place like this? It's too exposed," Crowley pointed out.

Kox nodded. He was sitting on the chair beside the bed. His oversized book continued to turn its blank and glowing pages.

"Indeed, but if we immediately move into a new and more secretive place without finding the mole, the hideout will be a lost cause like the last one."

Crowley hit the palm of his hand with the bottom of his fist in realization.

"I get it! Lucian, your brother definitely thinks with logic," he praised.

"I'll walk around for a bit," Kox informed us, standing up.

Crowley pushed himself off the wall with a look of disapproval.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're forgetting that we have to guard Lucian. No work, no meals."

Kox turned his head to the direction of Crowley.

"I need to look for clues about the mole. I'll be right back."

He walked out before Crowley could even process what he said. The hanuman furrowed his eyebrows once his words sunk in.

"But uh... He's blind. How can he look?"

That was a question that I would never be able to answer. That kid was clouded in mystery. He was blind yet he could oversee everything. He was deaf yet he could hear all the truths behind every lie.

The day went on. Crowley invited me to spar outside of the house. Lucian and Ziru read a book together. I was hesitant to do it, but Crowley persisted. He said it would prevent our skills from rusting. I wanted to become stronger to be able to protect Lucian better.

I noticed that Ziru had become attached to the passive male in a short amount of time. I didn't mind the sudden closeness between them. I was truthfully sympathetic to what had happened for the young boy. I knew how it felt to lose everything and suddenly become an orphan.

"Too weak, werewolf!" Crowley howled.

He tossed Fenris away like he weighed nothing.

We had a few spectators who were training like us. Since Crowley and I used pure brute force against each other, they enjoyed the show even more.

"Crowley is strong, droog!" Fenris excitedly cheered.

Before Fenris' body could land on the soil, gentle and swirling winds made the impact lesser for him. Fenris snapped his head in Lucian's direction. The blonde was entirely focused on the book he was reading, but his cryptic way of being supportive made us fall even more for him.

'Droog, I wanna lick mate all over!' Fenris whined.

'Please don't…' I begged.

Lucian was very attractive. His obscurity and unpredictable behavior would keep you wanting more from him. Did he even think of me other than being his friend?

"Hellooo boys, working hard I see!" Lettice greeted.

She carried a plate of freshly baked pastries. She grabbed a piece and took one big bite before giggling.

"Oh that's good!" she moaned with her mouth full.

Crowley was about to get one from her plate but Lettice slapped his hand away. "Nah ah ah, these are all mine. Get your own from the kitchen," she selfishly scolded.

Crowley grunted.

"So you just came out here to make us salivate?"

"I came to tell you that there are more from the kitchen! But if my coming here made you slobber then that's a bonus!" she playfully teased.

'Smells like cocoa and vanilla droog!'

'Maybe a little snack time won't hurt?' I suggested, much to my wolf's delight.

"Before I let you off how about sparring with lil' ol' me?" she requested.

"You're challenging the both of us?" Crowley snorted.

Lettice's eyes went beyond us and stared at Lucian.

"His Highness can join too. Stretch those young bones and show off," she dared.

"You got a lot of confidence. You must be really good," Crowley said amusingly.

Lucian slowly rose from the ground and walked to Fenris' side. Don't tell me he'd really accept the challenge? I never thought of him as someone who'd easily say yes to an invitation that involved roughhousing.

"I'll pass," Lucian replied.

'Thank the goddess,' I sighed.

This was the first time he said 'no' to trouble.

A mischievous look flashed on Lettice's face. The leaves from the trees began to rustle. They were all swept away from their branches and flocked above us. Each of them abruptly stopped in midair with their apex pointing in our direction.

"Oi oi, you're getting way too serious!" Crowley shouted in awe.

The rest of us stared up in shock except for Lucian.

"The prince is no fun!" Lettice yelled out.

By some form of power, she was able to turn the leaves into steel. The ancients who were watching backed away to call for help. Lucian stared at Lettice.

"Let's see what you got, Your Highness!" she drunkenly bellowed.

The steeled leaves swirled precariously, heading towards Lucian's direction. Crowley, Ziru, and Fenris acted fast to respond to the danger posed by Lettice.

Ziru formed an archer's stance and leaped up to shoot her. She dodged and divided the flock of leaves heading towards Lucian, directing half of the flock to Ziru's direction.

Crowley lunged, attempting to slam his huge fist down to where Lettice was. She nimbly flipped away, sending more leaves that stabbed Crowley on the torso. Fenris shoved Lucian out of the way but not far enough.

'Fenris!' I shouted. The leaves were going to lacerate my wolf.

Fenris closed his eyes tightly yet no pain befell on his physical form. We heard metal clashing against metal. Fenris opened his eyes, our heart was stung from the image.

'Luci...Lucian!' Fenris mewled.

Our mate had reached over and had caught the leading leaves with his hand. A few of them got stuck to his steeled palm. There were mild twitches to his expressionless face. Sweat rolled down by the side of his cheek. His other hand manipulated the following leaves, moving them back to the branches where they were taken. Blood dripped down from his palm. Lucian gazed at his wound.

"I am fine, but are you okay?" he asked.

He looked away from his hand to assess us.

Lettice snorted and chortled while she was hauled up by an enraged Crowley.

"Oh keep your bushy hands off of me you hairy primate!" she laughed, shoving Crowley away.

"I was only playing!"

Anger bubbled inside Fenris and me. The longer we stared at Lucian's torn hand, the more vexed we became. We snarled at the drunkard who continued to be undeterred even when Lucian was evidently injured.

What was with her?

"You almost killed the prince!" Crowley snapped at her.

Lettuce was supposed to reply but Ziru shot her with his ivory glowing arrows to which she effectively dodged.

"You're mean to my big brother!" Ziru yelled.

I merged with Fenris' physical form, seizing a few of Ziru's arrows with my mouth and claws. I engaged her into a fight out of our heated frenzy, aiming nothing more but to put her obnoxious giggles to a full stop for eternity.

I slashed her abdomen yet she backed away quickly enough to kick me to the side. With an arrow in my mouth, I stabbed her leg, causing her to yelp and cuss out loud.

Crowley joined in and threw punches that would sometimes hit her. Even when fighting, she was tipsy on her toes. It worked well for her because she became unpredictable.

I took a step back. We chewed on Ziru's arrows. It felt like we were eating glass shards but the energy in his arrows tasted good.

"Shoot at me boy!" I yelled at Ziru who was baffled by my orders.

"Why would I—"

"Do it!"

Ziru visibly gulped and obeyed my order. The arrows melted against our skin, filling the meter of satisfaction of energy in our body.

I mimicked Ziru's stance. The same luminous bow materialized in our claws. Lettice tried to pull the leaves trick again when she got out of Crowley's range of punches, but Lucian overthrew her command.

With her outnumbered, she let out a sigh of defeat and said: "I lost this round."

"You were trying to kill Lucian, weren't you?" we asked her.

She might be the spy. There was no doubt about it.

Lettice rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips.

"I told you I was only playing. I knew I'm no match against Lucius' brother. And besides what would I...gain...from—" with her sentence approaching its end, Lettice lost consciousness, falling flat on her back. A thick and frothy drool oozed out of her mouth while she convulsed.

The bow disappeared from our claws. Garrison, Lucius, and Ikesha came running out of the mansion in a hurry.

"Don't eat those pastries— they contain passion flowers that can cause sedation," Lucius warned.

He knelt down beside the unconscious Lettice.

"Does it also cause unstable behaviors?" Crowley asked.

"No, that's just a Lettice thing," Garrison sighed.

Lucian walked closer while he plucked the metallic leaves pierced through his palm. Lucius was alarmed by his wounds. When he found out that Lettice had done it, his expression darkened.

"This is unforgivable," he seethed.

"Her pranks had gone way too far," Garrison murmured.

"Let's hurry inside and treat Lucian—"

"We'll do it," we interrupted Ikesha.

Neither Fenris nor I trusted anyone at this point. The spy was planning to distribute those pastries to everyone and steal Lucian once we were all asleep. That bastard almost succeeded.

We took Lucian back to the room and started to tenderly lick his injury. Lucian watched us mend him in a way that he must not feel used to yet. We were too bothered by seeing him hurt to even stop and think about what we were doing. The wound closed with the help of our saliva. Lucian looked at the scar and then at us.

"Don't sacrifice yourself for me. I won't accept it," he mildly scolded.

We didn't know how to feel about what he said. It was upsetting how he was willing to lose a limb for others yet wasn't fond of having others lose a limb for him.

"That's not fair. You can't make decisions for someone like that," I replied.

Lucian lowered his gaze, gently swaying his head in disapproval.

"It's the fairest thing I've ever said to anyone. If you met me a few months back, I would require you to withdraw from your life for my own."

What had caused you to belittle what value you had? You don't understand how much you meant to us.

I pulled Lucian for a hug, holding him tightly.

"Caleb?" Lucian queried.

"Someday, if you could, please forgive yourself."

Cherish your own name, be delighted by your own voice, and smile at the image you see in the mirror.

I know that it will be hard. I haven't fully forgiven myself yet, but I was slowly getting there.

I didn't want to lose him because of the reason that Lucian hated Lucian.

"Please understand…" the blonde spoke out. "That I haven't learned the concept of loving just yet."

Where did your heart go?

How can I get it back?

He fell asleep as I held him. I laid him down on the bed with a heavy heart. Kox gave two knocks against the open door. He walked in as quietly as possible.

"Have you found anything?" I asked him.

Kox showed me his index finger showing a paper cut that continued to bleed.

"It looks like someone from here is still grieving from the death of a loved one."

I scowled at his vagueness, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

"Are you telling me that Lucian has something to do with that death?" I asked.

I don't think he killed anyone from his own race.

"Perhaps," Kox murmured, raising his bleeding finger. "A papercut really is a sly way of nature for revenge isn't it?"