Chapter 5

Amanda's Pov:

My heart was pounding against my chest, my head was spinning even when I stood still, nothing made sense, hot strokes of tears rolled freely down my cheeks.

My world crashed in my laps, my children were gone! how could this have happened.

"Calm down babe, the general will see us in a minute, I promise everything will be fine" Christopher's warm voice was all I've been hearing since yesterday night.

I don't know how it happened, and somehow nobody has any reasonable explanation for me.

"Amanda!" I didn't need to look up to know it was Naomi

"I rushed down here the moment I heard what happened, please stop crying it's going to be fine" I know Naomi was going to pull that card.

"How" I wailed "How can it be fine, my life, my children are the reason I live, they are..... " My words were supressed by tears.

"I told you she's unfortunate now your children will atone for sin they didn't commit" Naomi spat out bluntly.

"Don't do that Naomi!, this is definitely not the time and place for that, so stop it!". Christopher's words came flying like arrows.

I wasn't offended by Naomi, although her words were banging in my head, I wanted to hear more.

"How so? What do you mean?" I sniffled.

"Well, rumour has it that....".

"You're seriously going to seat here and confidently talk about rumors in this type of serious situation Naomi!", Christopher only got angrier.

"I'm sorry for starting like that, but you know I don't spread false information I've confirmed what I'm about to say".

"Come on Naomi, I believe you, tell me!".

"Okay, okay, as I was saying, Nora Alli's parents are the reason why all of this is happening. Like three years ago, her parents were working as domestic staff in the South-eastern palace".

"How does that even relate to what's happening?" Christopher cut in.

"Please calm down and allow me finish" Naomi fired back.

"Well, when war broke out between the South-eastern pack and another pack, Nora's father betrayed his pack and supplied the other pack with secrets about the South-east and actively surported the attack".

"Why?" I asked with pain in my heart.

"Because he thought he was going to be paid handsomely, but he didn't get a dime and the truth about his betrayal got to the ears of the King and he ordered his banishment" Naomi paused,

"He could have simply left as a rouge with his life, but his greed didn't allow him, he went further to steal the king's precious stones before he ran away".

Then it hit me, the note had a request for precious stones, that's what they wanted, but why did they have to leave with my babies.

"Nora and her mother came to our pack two years ago, because her mother is actually from this pack. Nora father died mysteriously, nobody know how he died or where his body is and Nora's mother was unfortunately run over by a bus".

"Just like that?" Pity accompanying my words.

"Just like that, no one knows where the bus came from or where the bus left through, it just crashed into the woman and zoomed off".

I began to do the maths, the king still wanted his precious stones and from this story he never hesitated to kill anyone in his way.

"The General will see you now!" A sergeant walked in and informed us.

"Okay Naomi, if you can please wait for us outside as we speak to the General". Christopher took my hands and lead me to the door.

"Okay!" Naomi answered in a small voice.

***Inside the General's office**

"Dear heavens, Amanda were you attacked by the warriors" The general asked deeply concerned.

"I wish I was" my tears preceded my words "I wish I had injuries and my children were fine" I crashed into a sofa by his table.

Christopher left me and went towards the general.

"Don't tell me it was your children that they captured yesterday".

"Well they were the ones, all three of them" Christopher answered because I couldn't.

"Those men have bitten more than they can chew, this is highly unacceptable!" The general protested.

"Please, I need to find my babies, they are so young and fragile, they are all I have, please you can't let them spend another night with those beasts" I cried bitterly.

"I wish it was this easy Amanda, but it isn't, the South-eastern pack is the strongest pack in the whole of this region" He let out a loud breath "And this power and might is getting to the king's head".

"Why do you say so?" Christopher asked while I wept.

"Other kings are present here, yesterday night wasn't funny at all, the warriors did a clean sweep of the Delta pack for no reason and they also invaded other packs, so far our pack had the least impact from yesterday nights massacre".

I lifted my head "Aren't are soldiers strong enough to attack them?".

The general sat beside me, he shook his head and looked me "Amanda, there's no way we can attack alone, even if we are going to attack!".

"You just said other kings are here, let's join hands together and come up with a plan, those children are feeble, we need to act fast!" Christopher paced around the small expanse of the room.

"Right now one of the king's present is on his way to see me, so we can begin planning." He placed his hands on my shoulder "Don't worry Amanda we already received information on what happened yesterday night and all hands are on deck".

I tried to speak, I searched for words but only tears came out.

"It's okay, I promise you with the help of our packs we will be able to rescue your kids".

"Is there time?" I asked breathlessly.

Our attention moved to the door as it gently opened.

"Sir the king of the Crimson pack is here to see you" The sergeant that entered announced.

"Oh, king Xavier please let him in".

My heart stopped for a second, that name rang a familiar bell, I hope it's not what I'm thinking.

"You're welcome King Xavier!" The general greeted.

I turned my eyes to confirm if it was really him and I got the confirmation I feared, my knees grew weak.

"Amanda?" It was him, Xavier. His voice barely rose above a whisper, yet it cut through the tense air like a blade.

His entire body stiffened, his gaze locking onto mine. Shock, disbelief, and something else, something deeper flashed in his eyes.