Chapter 65

Mark POV.

We were given the task to get the sacrificial lamp, and that was where we were headed, Amaia’s father and me. We’d left when everyone was busy preparing for war. We left early and no one would’ve noticed us leaving. We were almost at the place where the lamp was, and we’d walked for a long time now.

“How did you know Amaia?”

I turned and took large steps to walk on the same lane with him.

“We met a year ago, in the salmon forest. I met her with Louis. That was how we started living together.” I smiled at the memories. Amaia was weird, crazy, and loving. And was a great fighter too. I didn’t know she was cursed that’s why she couldn’t have her wolf. I thought it had been something normal. I’d been wrong. I was happy at least, she was mated to a strong wolf. And not just an ordinary wolf but the alpha of two packs!

“She didn’t cause trouble did she?”

I chuckled.

She caused a lot of trouble, she might start a fight with a wolf and run away, the wolf would chase her home, and then we would be the one to fight it, there where they would chase us out of the pack house. Those times were fun.

“A lot of trouble.”

“I know she would.” He smiled. How did he keep up with her knowing she was cursed and all that she could do? He’d taken care of her, not everyone could do that.

“Weren’t there any time you were scared of her?”

“Why should I be scared of her, every time I see her, she was just as little as she was then.”

Amaia was the sweetest despite being cursed, it must’ve been hard for her to stay with us without hurting us. Because she was not with her mate we weren’t safe with her but she didn’t hurt us even when she could.

“We’re there.”

I didn’t even notice, my gaze was on the old man. He wasn’t a wolf, he was human. Just like I was. For some reason, it felt good to have someone from your clan. And not a wolf but then, we were considered weak and not able to do anything. So we were left to hide. But now, this was something only humans could touch.

If there hadn’t been any, how would it have been? Fate already had it all planned out for us.

We walked into the cave carefully, I took fire that was out of the lamp that was out there, and had it on the wood. So we could walk in and see where we were headed.

“Keep calm.”

There hadn’t been any trouble since our journey and I hope it stays that way. Till we get out of the cranky cave.

“C’mon now. Hurry up. Go ahead of me.”

I nodded and walked ahead of him while he was behind me. But was close enough.

There was something about the cave that doesn’t sit right with me. But I said nothing and we keep on moving.

“Almost there?” I asked.

“Take a turn.” He seems to know the way, I wonder how he was able to do that. We didn’t even have anything to dictate which way to go.

“How do you always know which way to go?”

“I came here before.”

Now I understand why.

“But why?”

Before he could answer, I think I’d have a clue already about what it is about. He’d known about the curse and he came to find it. Or don’t understand though.

“I was told I was gonna get the lamp, but I had no idea where it was, so I came before this day. To prepare for it.”

Oh!

“You’ve seen it then, here’s save?”

“It is safe now I don’t know about after.”

After we get the lamp.

That would be where the problem was coming from. We’ve to get the lamp and see what happens next.

“This is the place it’s kept. Don’t move. You follow my lead.”

“It’s just like the place we passed.”

“It’s different, the ground here is different, you can see the crack lines be careful.”

I saw it then and nodded. I would follow his lead as he had said. We both walked carefully until we were at the spot where the lamp was, it was connected to the wall of the cave. And was a hooked in a small spot? We would have to pull it out from there and once we do. The cave would collapse.

And he knows it too.

“Stay behind me this time. I’ll take it out. And once I do, don’t hesitate to run as fast as you can.”

“You’re coming with me right?”

“You would know your way back won’t you, you’ve to go give them the lamp. Hasten up. We don’t have much time left.”

He didn’t answer the question I asked. I decided not to press it since he was already focusing on getting the lamp out. I watched from behind him as he struggled to get it out and then he eventually did pull it out of the tight spot it was. And just as we predicted, the cave was gonna collapse.

He handed the lamp to me and tuck the small glistening lamp into the bag I’d come along with.

“Go now!..”

“What about...” he fell before my words were completed. And blood was gushing out of his mouth.

“I...i..go..save Amaia!”

My lips were quivering, I didn’t know what to do, I wanted to bring him but there was no way I could run with him when the cave was collapsing.

“Go!”

“I don’t understand, what happened to you?” I yelled.

He pushed something into my hand.

“Give it to her. Go now!”

His head fell. And his eyes were shut before I ran out of the cave, ducking every rock that came my way.

And tried not to get hit by them. But I got struck by one of the rocks that fell on my leg.

I fell back and tried to push the rock off my leg. I was screaming and crying at the same time. To get the rock off. I was thankful it was a small one, else it would’ve been more difficult to get it off. And when I eventually took it off, I couldn’t run properly with an injured leg.

I’d to limp out of the cave.

My journey back to the pack was horrible for me, I was in pain. In and out. I still didn’t understand why the old died. I’ve been trying to figure it out. I wanted Amaia to be safe and happy. She would’ve been happier if the old man was here. But now he’s not. What would I tell her?

Did he die because of her?

I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

“Mark!” Creamy yelled, he was outside the moonlight pack. He must’ve been waiting for us or probably for me. I dragged my feet to him.

“What happened to you, where’s...? He’s resting now, probably.”

I stare at him with tears in my eyes.

“You knew this was gonna happen!” I flared up.

“Look, Mark Calm down!”

“He fucking died in there, after he got the lamp. And you knew he was gonna die!” I shouted in his face.

“He knew too Mark.”

“He knew?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

“That’s the only way to get the lamp. Someone who loves her dearly and has no hate against her or such with a pure thought of her could pull out the lamp. He was the only one who could do it.”

I sniffed.

“He gave his life for her! How many of us are gonna die?”

“Don’t say that.”

“This is insane!”

“Then What do you expect we do!” I asked him, gripping him by the shoulders.

“He wanted the same thing as we all, he wanted her to be saved, I wanted her to be saved, the alpha wants her to be saved, Louis wanted her to be saved too. And now everyone does. Let’s end this, once and for all.”

“..are you sure it would end?”

“You’ve my word.”

I wiped my face.

“Here’s the lamp. I heard it would be used for medicine too.”

He nodded but didn’t take it from me.

“You’ve to give that to the seer himself. C’mon, I’ll have you treated.”

“There would be a new beginning after all this...”