“You should go and visit Julian.”
Vivianne paused halfway through her pancake and turned her attention across the table to Oswald.
“Why?”
“He knows more about Phoenixes than anyone we’ve met so far.” Oswald picked up another piece of bacon.
“If you want answers about your past, he might be able to help.”
That actually made sense.
Julian had already told them things about Phoenix traditions that Vivianne had never known.
If anyone could explain the strange connection between Phoenixes, their husbands, and the Flame Brand, it was probably him.
“Then I’ll go to Balto today”
Oswald’s ears twitched.
“This afternoon? That was fast.”
Vivianne smiled brightly before remembering something.
“Wait. Ophelia has already gone to Balto, right?”
“Yeah. She left a few days ago with the Beta groups Julian sent to protect her.”
“Oh.”
Vivianne’s smile faltered for a moment.
She had grown rather fond of Ophelia.
Still, she was glad Ophelia was safely back at Balto.
“I’ll visit Julian, ask about Phoenixes, and then come back before dinner.”
Oswald gave her a look.
“You’re making that sound suspiciously simple.”
“Because it is.”
Vivianne ignored him and continued to make short work of her French toast.
Oswald sighed.
He hated that he was about to break the promise he’d made to her.
“I can’t go with you.”
“Why?”
“Canavar still needs me here. The rebuilding isn’t finished, and there are still pack matters I need to handle. I also need to speak with the Balto representatives about everything that happened.”
“No worries, Oswald.”
He shook his head immediately, “You’re not going alone.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I’m still sending two Betas with you.” His answer was calm enough to stop her argument before it started.
Vivianne narrowed her eyes.
“To babysit me? I’m perfectly capable of going there by myself. No more getting lost!”
“To protect you. Just in case.”
She huffed.
Apparently, after Ophelia had nearly been killed by House Segrave, Oswald wasn’t willing to take any chances with Vivianne’s safety.
“Beta George and Beta Neil will escort you. They’ll leave with you around noon.”
Vivianne sighed dramatically.
“Fine.”
She returned her gaze to the sliced fruits on her plate.
Then she glanced at him.
“Do you think Julian will actually know something useful?”
“He should.” Oswald reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“We’ll figure it out together.”
It wasn’t fair to be so handsome and attentive at the same time.
Oswald was really kind.
By noon, Vivianne was ready to leave.
Beta George and Neil were waiting at the edge of the village with their weapons and light travel supplies.
Oswald had instructed them to prepare for more than a simple trip to Balto.
She glanced back toward the village.
Oswald stood near the gate.
His arms folded as he watched them prepare to leave.
Vivianne waved at him.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he raised one hand in return.
“Come back safely.”
“I will!”
George cleared his throat.
“We should go.”
Vivianne glanced between the two Betas as they set off toward Balto.
“We’re escorting the Alpha’s mate,” Neil answered.
Vivianne sighed.
“I’m going to hear that sentence all afternoon, aren’t I?”
Neither Beta answered.
She narrowed her eyes and sighed.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
They continued along the forest path.
For the first few hours, the journey was completely uneventful.
The forest around them was bright and open, with wide clearings scattered between the tall trees.
Warm sunlight spilled through the leaves, and a gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and wildflowers.
Vivianne chatted casually with the two Betas as they walked.
George remained several steps ahead while Neil stayed behind Vivianne.
Eventually, she glanced between them.
“You know, you don’t have to look so tense.”
“We’re not tense,” George said.
“Balto isn’t that far from Canavar. Just a bit walk down past this hill and we’re good. Why so serious?”
“We’re alert.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Vivianne rolled her eyes.
“You’re both worse than Oswald.”
Neil snorted, clearly amused.
George said nothing, though his tail flicked once behind him.
Vivianne smiled.
They weren’t nearly as stiff around her anymore.
Neil had started teasing back, while even George seemed less guarded in her presence.
Thwip!
An arrow tore through the air.
George shoved Vivianne to the ground instantly.
While Neil drew his sword and examined their surroundings.
“Ambush!”
Another barrage of arrows ripped through the air, thudding into the ground around them.
More followed from the trees, cutting through the clearing before they could even catch their breath.
Vivianne threw herself behind a fallen log as George stepped in front of her, shielding her from the forest.
Her heart fluttered violently against her ribs.
Like a trapped bird beating its wings against a cage.
“Stay behind us!”
Shapes began moving between the trees.
Multiple rogue wolves beastmen rushed around them.
More and more wolves poured from the forest, until their numbers seemed endless.
George charged the first attacker who emerged and intercepting the blow aimed at Vivianne.
The Betas fought back fiercely, refusing to give the attackers an opening.
They were outnumbered.
One of the rogue wolves managed to slash Neil’s arm.
This wasn’t good.
Vivianne jumped and hurled her magic at another beastman who tried to stab George.
Unlike the pathetic little flame she’d managed before, [Fire Lv. 2] burst forward in a bright tongue of fire, licking fiercely across the wolf’s fur and scorching his face.
Money well spent!
This upgrade was much better than that pathetic matchstick fire.
The thought barely crossed Vivianne’s mind before something slammed into her shoulder.
Vivianne cried out as an arrow pierced through her flesh.
It hurt like hell.
Her hand shot up, fingers closing around the shaft to rip it out.
Blood immediately soaked through Vivianne’s dress.
She sucked in a sharp breath and glanced at the arrow in her trembling hand.
Something thick and purplish coated it.
Her stomach twisted.
What the hell was that?
A strange numbing heaviness immediately began spreading through her shoulder within seconds.
“Something’s wrong. Can’t feel my arm.” This story is hosted at g.com.
Neil glanced at the arrow lying nearby as he was deflecting rain of arrows that were targeting Vivianne.
His expression changed.
Another arrow jabbed Vivianne’s leg.
She yanked it free, but the same numb heaviness soon overwhelmed her.
Her left leg felt like lead now.
George struck one attacker across the shoulder and sent him stumbling backward.
Neil intercepted another, twisting his arm until the weapon fell from his hand.
They were good.
But there were too many.
Every time George knocked one down, another replaced him.
Neil’s breathing grew heavier.
Vivianne tried to move backward but her leg gave up on her.
Then one rogue slipped past the Betas and closed his hand around her arms and dragged her farther from the Betas.
“Let go!”
She drove her elbow backward, catching him in the ribs.
He grunted but didn’t release her.
“Lady Vivianne!”
George tried to reach her but three rogues blocked his path.
“Go!” Vivianne shouted.
“We’re not leaving you!”
“Go get Oswald!”
Neil’s expression tightened.
“No.”
“Go back for reinforcements. Ask Oswald.”
Vivianne struggled against the rogue’s grip but her feeble attempts were in vain.
“Tell him there were at least twenty! And tell him they used poison!”
Neil looked torn but Vivianne met his eyes and gave him a sad smile.
She did her best to raise her hand and healed his arm.
“That’s an order.”
George’s jaw clenched.
The words carried the authority of the Alpha’s chosen mate.
He knew what she was doing.
They couldn’t defeat well-organized twenty rogues while the enemies already captured her.
Their best chance was to get help.
“Neil. She’s right.”
Neil hesitated but George grabbed his arm and gave Vivianne a concerned look.
The Betas fought their way through the attackers and disappeared into the trees.
Several rogues attempted to pursue them.
“Leave them!”
A rough voice stopped them.
The rogue holding Vivianne tightened his grip.
“They’re not our target.”
Vivianne’s heart pounded.
She only needed to stay conscious until he came.
They were going to get Oswald.
Be safe Neil and George.
Then something pressed over her mouth and nose.
A wet cloth.
A sweet, unfamiliar smell filled her senses.
She struggled violently.
“Get… off…”
Vivianne’s paralyzed limbs barely responded and soon her vision blurred.
“She’s going down.”
“Move. Before the Alpha comes.”
Vivianne’s thoughts became sluggish.
Oswald.
Please help me.
Vivianne tried to cling to that single thought.
But something about the poison and wet cloth made her vision blur.
And soon everything went black.