Chapter 115


    25. A Coaward’s Words YILEYNA


    His apology had shaken me, but it wasn‘t the words he spoke that had gotten to me, it was the emotion


    in it, the pain in his eyes and the obvious regret. It gave me some rity. Even when Ailema had


    comforted me, I realised Theon was also suffering, far more than he showed. I had wanted to go to him,


    but my own emotions had overwhelmed me, the pain I felt... how could I still care for him despite what he


    had done? Even if he regretted it and was misguided, it confused me. There was pain and love within


    me, paired with the intense desire to pounce upon him.


    I needed to control myself. This hunger for his physical touch was beginning to scare me, and although I


    wondered if another man‘s touch would help, I couldn‘t do it.


    He consumed my heart and mind.


    The following day, the mention of that apology was not brought up again, but I felt a bit lighter. I just wish


    I had Mom or Dad‘s view on things, what would they advise me? Deep down I knew the answer to that,


    my parents had raised me well but I just wish they were here.


    We had arrived at Eastcourt, and despite it being a big city, it was not as weing or busy as


    Westerfell. We split from the crew and Theon, and I made our way towards Lochfox.


    We had cloaks on and had our hoods up. Thanks to Flynn‘s distraction, we were able to sneak away with


    the help of heavy fog.


    We had travelled by foot, and we were away from the city, I nced over at Theon frowning. I had


    suggested shifting twice, but he had refused. “I don‘t think a bright white wolf with a fluffy tail is going to


    blend in.” He remarked after the third time I suggested it.


    “Oh really? Or are you just afraid that I‘ll be faster?” I challenged. “The fog will hide us.”


    “We travel by foot.”


    I frowned and came to a stop.


    “We are wasting time, Theon.”


    “Then shall we take horses?” He shot back, his irritation rising.


    I was about to argue when I frowned, turning and looking up at him sharply. “Is it because you are unable


    to shift?” I asked, stopping in my tracks. His heart skipped a beat, it was slight and his face remained


    almost the same, but I had caught it.


    “I just don‘t want to–“.


    I cut him off, cing a finger to his lips as my gaze dipped to his chest.


    “Theon... how are you not healing?” I asked, frowning as I grabbed his shirt, ready to push it up, only for


    him to stop me.


    His grip on my wrist was tight yet not painful.


    “I‘m fine, it‘s just a small injury. We carry on, on foot.” He growled.


    “I want to see it. How did it happen?”


    Our eyes met and I could see he was mulling it over. “As I said, let it go, we are wasting time.” “No. We


    are wasting time because you are behaving stubbornly. Stop being so childish, Theon!” I snapped, my


    frustration growing.


    His eyes shed gold as he red at me. “Fine. It happened when you rejected me.”


    My eyes flew open in shock as I stared at him in sheer surprise. I felt as if someone had just pped me


    across the face.


    The memory of that moment returned to me, finding out the truth about my parents and then losing it. I


    had dug my nails into him and ripped through his chest, with the aim to kill... So all this time, he hadn‘t


    healed?


    My stomach lurched as I pulled free from his hold, lifting his shirt up to reveal the bandages that were


    wrapped around his entire torso. The faint pink that was already staining the bandages told me he wasn‘t


    healing.


    My heart thumped as I looked him over. “I’m fine, it‘s healing, just a bit fucking slower.” He tried to move


    away, but I didn‘t let go.


    “Why... Why didn‘t you heal already?” I muttered, worry and fear filling me. He pulled away forcefully,


    yanking his top down. “Theon, tell me.”


    Our eyes met and he clenched his jaw, he knew we were wasting time. “A siren‘s touch in rage is.”


    “Death.” I whispered, my heart thudding as I stared at the man before me.


    Death.


    He was dying slowly. Now the dullness in his eyes made sense. Gawking up at him beyond those sexy


    looks, I realised he looked pretty pale too... “I deserved it, now shall we carry on walking?” He asked me


    pointedly. 1 I frowned, wanting to see the wounds, but I didn‘t push it. “How about I shift, and you can


    ride on my back?” I suggested. 2 He stared at me as if I had just grown another head. “Not happening.” 2


    “What‘s wrong with that?” I huffed, falling into step by his side. The guilt I felt was still eating up at me.


    “Put your ego aside.”


    “No.”


    “Theon. Please. We‘ll be faster, we need to head to Naran...” I trailed off, realising what was in Naran...


    Something that could heal all illnesses and injuries. “What is it?” He asked, noticing the change in my


    beating heart. I shook my head, trying to hide the ray of hope that ignited within me. “Nothing. Nothing at


    all. Let‘s hurry.”


    We finally arrived at Lochfox, but I could tell something wasn‘t right. Theon was frowning deeply as he


    looked around at the rundown buildings. Some looked charred by fir,e and others were extremely ill–


    kept. The further into the small vige we went, the worse it got. But there were still no signs of his pack,


    or much life, save the few lone wolves or humans.


    “Have you ever been here before?” I asked quietly. “A few times, we once had some of our people here.


    There was also another Pack that resided here. Seems they left...”


    “Then where do you think they have gone?” I asked.


    “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” His reply was cold, and I could sense the


    anger in it. We carried on in silence, the roads bing rockier. It was obvious no one had been here in


    a while. “I don‘t think anyone has lived here recently.” I murmured, my foot slipping on some rubble.


    Theon‘s arm shot out and he grabbed my wrist, steadying me.


    “Careful.” .


    My heart skipped a beat when he pulled me close, his arm snaking around my waist as our eyes met. My


    core clenched as I felt his entire body against mine. I slowly tugged away, trying not to focus on how


    good his body felt, and looked away as we continued, but his hand didn‘t leave my waist. Theon led the


    way further in, he clearly had a goal in mind. But with each passing minute, my worry for his sister was


    growing. I just hoped she was ok, wherever she was.


    It was a short whileter when we finally saw a small home standing alone, it wasn‘t in much better


    condition than the rest of the town, but the puffs of smoke from the window and the glow of a fire from


    inside beckoned us.


    Theon knocked on the door, and it wasn‘t long before it was pulled open by a middle–aged man. His


    smile vanished upon seeing Theon, who pushed his way inside. “May Ie in?” I asked, smiling


    warmly. The man looked me over, his gaze lingering on my eyes before he nodded, but I didn‘t miss the


    fear in him.


    “Wee to my humble abode, A–Alpha Theon.” Theon frowned as he turned to the man, I shut the


    door behind me.


    “No need for formalities, I came here to find my sister, only to find that there‘s no sign of any of the pack


    in Lochfox, yet you are still here.”


    “Why would youe to find your sister? Did your father not tell you where she is?” He asked keenly,


    almost curiously. I frowned, as Theon looked at him sharply. “He told me she‘s in Lochfox.”


    “Then does he know you havee here?” The man asked, wiping the bead of sweat from his


    forehead.


    I watched him sharply, seeing the slight tremble in his hand as he looked at Theon.


    Why was he so afraid?


    “What has that got to do with anything, Cadoran?” Theon asked sharply.


    “We won‘t hurt you.” I promised, giving him a gentle smile. “We are only here for answers.”


    The man gave me a small grimace, that I was certain was meant to be a smile. The suspicion didn‘t


    vanish from his eyes, although he let out a deep breath.


    “W–well I mean no wrong, after all, you are my alpha.” Cadoran bowed to Theon, making me frown. “But


    I didn‘t think Alpha Theoden would send you on a wild


    goose chase when he knows she isn‘t here.”


    Theon‘s heart was beating as he stared at the man, about to walk over to him when I stepped in front of


    him, cing a hand on Theon’s chest, shaking my head slightly. Our eyes me and he frowned, despite


    obeying me and staying in his spot. I didn‘t move away, turning to Cadoran once more. “Will you tell us


    everything that happened here?” “Wh–who are you, mydy?” He asked, taking out a handkerchief. Fear


    filled the room as the terrified man looked at me and wiped his forehead. There was nothing to hide. “I


    am Yileyna De‘Lacor, daughter of this kingdom and the heart of Kadia. We havee for answers,


    Cadoran, to fix the wrongs of the kings before us and we need to know anything you can tell us. It is


    obvious you are scared, but why? What happened?” “The heart... then you should–should not be here...”


    He mumbled, looking at Theon with fear.


    “It‘s ok. Theon can be trusted.” I said, looking up at the man I loved and thought I hated. Somehow that


    hatred was fading...


    “I wouldn‘t trust him, my queen.” He whispered.


    The bravest attempt he had made.


    “I assure you I‘m questioning my father‘s actions. So, if you can tell me what has happened here for the


    last two years, I would appreciate it.” Cadoran sighed before he motioned to the worn–out sofa in front of


    the hearth.


    ‘Then I suggest you sit down; it is a long story.” He said quietly, his eyes shadowed. I looked up at


    Theon, only to realise I still had my hand on his chest and was right up against him. My heart skipped a


    beat and I slowly moved away. I thought I saw a small smirk on his lips as we took a seat.


    “Would you like tea?” “No, thank you.” I declined politely, giving him a smile. He took a deep breath,


    putting distance between himself and Theon as he sat on a stool near the hearth, cing his hands on


    his knees and taking another shuddering breath.


    “I have always been a lone wolf living on the edge of the territory, not wanting trouble, you know that


    Alpha Theon. After all, the pack‘s ways were not for me...” He cast a furtive look at Theon, who remained


    silent. “After you left... your father‘s ways became more obvious, with you gone there was no front to put


    up. He pulled back the search parties for that wretched siren who killed our Luna. He said our focus was


    on getting stronger... Even though we were growing, we weren‘t enough. He wanted an army, one that


    would be far more powerful than any other, and so... he started selling them...”


    His eyes became haunted, and sadness filled them, making the man look older than he probably was.


    “Them?” Theon asked sharply.


    “Our women.” 1


    I stared at him stunned, as silence fell in the room, but Theon‘s heart was thundering louder than ever. I


    took his hand in mine, trying to calm the raging aura that now erupted around him.


    “Exin.” His hoarsemand came, his chest was heaving, fighting his emotions.


    “The Beta argued but he killed him, telling us anyone who disobeyed him would end up the same. For


    each young woman, depending on her beauty and her status, not to mention if she was a virgin... He


    sold them to other Alphas, or anyone willing to trade for men.”


    “No... Dad couldn‘t... What about Thea?” Theon asked, his voice cracking as he stared at the man


    intensely. 1


    Cadoran looked at him with sympathy, now clearly realising Theon knew nothing. “She was an Alpha‘s


    daughter. At first he didn‘t even consider selling her,


    knowing what she meant to you, but when The Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack came offering him two


    thousand men for her, the Alpha agreed... She screamed and shouted, saying she wouldn‘t forgive him;


    the entire pack heard it... but he simply said she should be grateful that an Alpha was taking her and she


    should be proud to do this for her kingdom.” Cadoran‘s eyes filled with sadness before he looked up at


    Theon. I too turned to look at Theon, who was trying to hide his pain, his grip on my hand tight as his


    entire body shook with the revtion. ? “Did no one else try to stop him?” Theon asked quietly, his voice


    shaking with anger. “Those who did were killed. Before he left, he killed anyone he didn‘t trust, that‘s


    when I ran... like the coward I am. With the help of a serum from a witch, I staged my death, the serum


    stopped my heart beating for a few minutes. I wasn‘t a concern for them and they didn‘t do a thorough


    check on the small folk. When they destroyed the town, Iy there waiting for them all to leave... and now


    here I am, in my home that they forgot to destroy as it‘s so far out. Alone.” Theon pulled his hand free as


    he stood up, turning his back on me, running his fingers through his hair.


    “When was she sold?” He asked.


    “Six months back, Alpha.” “Fuck!” Theon growled, punching the wall.


    Cadoran flinched and I stood up, my heart breaking for all those women who were sold.


    We had to find them all... but how?


    “Theon...”


    “I won‘t forgive him. How could he do that to her... to any of them... This isn‘t right.” “I know it‘s not.” I


    whispered softly, cing my hand on his back. “I can‘t believe I listened to him like a fucking fool.” He


    whispered, his voice barely audible. 2


    “Theon, you didn‘t know. Don‘t me yourself, everything that‘s happened has been staged by Theoden.


    We need to defeat him. I know he‘s your father, but you need to take over and be the Alpha of your


    pack and” “My pack? He killed my pack! Those men are mere soldiers whom he has purchased! I‘m


    going to fucking destroy him.” “Theon!” I shouted, cing my hand on his chest as he tried to push past


    him.”


    Calm down! We will do this together.” Theon ran a hand through his hair, looking back at Cadoran, who


    was watching us curiously.


    “What else has my father done? Tell me the truth. Everything you know, I want you to tell me now!”


    Theonmanded.


    Cadoran lowered his head, before he looked up at Theon.


    “If I speak, and I will, what guarantee will you give that my safety will remain?”


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “I give you my word, nothing will happen to you.” I spoke before Theon could, knowing in his anger he


    may not be so pleasant.


    Cadoran looked towards the window, fear once again settling into him.


    “Alpha Theoden has dark allies, my queen, and I fear for us all, but I am a coward and I don‘t wish to


    die.”


    “You fucking won‘t, now spit it out.” Theon growled.


    “Theon please, give him time.” I whispered. I could feel the bandages under my fingertips, smell the faint


    smell of blood, and I knew we didn‘t have much time. “Please tell us, the more we know the better.”


    “Then we go back, back to the time I first realised he was up to no good... a time when he killed


    someone very dear to you, Alpha Theon. Perhaps you have forgotten her... but she became a distraction


    to you, and although she was the daughter of his good friend, he didn‘t care. He had her killed in such a


    horrible way by our own men. I was there... but my job was to cry for help.”


    I could feel Theon‘s heart pounding violently, but my curiosity heightened.


    What girl?


    “Her name.” Theon‘s asked dangerously.


    But something told me he already knew the name.


    “None other than your first love, Alpha Theon. Iyara. Your father had her killed when she became a


    distraction for you.” a)