Ch. 17

My scream can be heard throughout the city.

Tears pour from my eyes as I look at what was once my spouse. "Comac!" I scream his name over and over again but he doesn't wake up.

He's covered in large cuts and bruises. His hair looks like it was ripped out in spots. I take a closer look and see that he's covered in blood, they cut him open like an animal to slaughter, I can fully tell with all the blood.

I run to him and caress his pale face. I stare into his empty eyes, waiting for that spark. My heart waits for it, but it won't come. I feel for a sign of life and can't find it. My body collapses into his and I just cry.

Arkell stands behind me, letting me cry.

I hear Damien and Nobu rush into the house with the kids.

Arkell stops them and calmly tells them what happened.

The kids start to cry and howl.

"Where are the cubs?" Damien's voice is full of anger.

"I'm going to have a team look for them. No one will rest until they are found."

He takes a deep breath "Stay with her, no one else comes in here. I need to investigate this."

I hear him leave and a pair of footsteps come up behind me.

There's a hand on my shoulder. "Fae."

It's Nobu, speaking softly. "May I examine him?"

I hold Comac tight for a minute. "Are you going to clean him up?"

"If you'd like me to, I can."

"Thank you, I'll need to figure out what to do with him." I try to stand up but my legs buckle underneath me.

Nobu catches me. "I got you." He takes me to Damien. "Please clean her up my love."

He doesn't say anything but nods.

We go to the bath and he sets me down.

He grabs a cloth and dips it into the warm water.

"May I?" He asks quietly.

I look down and see that my entire front is covered in blood. I give him a little nod, I don't speak.

He dips the cloth in the warm water and gently touches my face. After a long while of silence, he whispers to me. "Can I tell you something?" He takes my hand and wipes it off.

I look up at him, feeling numb.

" I just want you to know, that I would never do something like this. I may have disliked him but I know he cared for you more than anything. Here, look at this." He takes the cloth and wipes at my shoulder.

I look at it and his mark is still there.

"He is still with you in spirit. Even now, he refuses to leave your side, damn Fox." A small smirk pokes at the corner of his mouth.

I smile a little bit. "Thank you. I needed that."

"Now, let's get you cleaned up. We have a long day ahead of us."

"Okay," I say softly.

The day goes on and Arkell has a small team of wolves to help investigate,

One male in wolf form comes up to me. " Where do you keep your pups.?"

I show him the basket and he sniffs it repeatedly.

"I'll start the search for them. It's treason to injure someone's young." He hurries off into the trees.

I can't believe they took my children and my spouse. The only question I have is why?

"Fae, I need to ask you something." Arkell places his hand on my shoulder.

"Of course." I continue to stare out the window, locked on the trees.

" Do you have any idea who would do this to you?"

The only thought that comes to my mind is Junko.

"Maybe, one of my students. Her name is Junko, she's a Panther cub. She's been off lately and calls me a Feral Breeder." I run my hand through my hair. "I just, can't believe all of this."

He takes a deep breath. "If this is who I think it is, we will have problems."

I look up at him. "What does that mean?"

He sits me down. "A few seasons ago Junko's father was killed by a Feral. My guess is she thinks Comac was the one who did it."

"That is not an excuse to murder my spouse and kidnap my children!" My heart races and my cheeks burn with anger.

"Calm down, I agree. Once this is figured out, you get to decide the punishment."

"What?"

He nods. " It's fitting, and you are almost a Queen.." He trails off.

If I had a drink right now I would drop it. "This is too much to handle right now." The tears come back once again.

"We can talk about that later." He calls one of the Wolves over.

He's large with silver fur, just like Damiens'. "We meet again, I wish it were under better conditions. I'm very sorry for your loss Fae. If I may be of any help, I'm just a howl away."

He nods.

"Thank you, your highness."

He bows his head at me.

"Please have the Panther king find a young female by the name of Junko. I want her at the castle for answers."

He nods.

Suddenly there's a howl in the distance.

Damien's father tenses. "It will have to wait a moment my king, my apologies. Bruno! Derek! On me, Micheal has encountered a Feral Snake! Move!"

They rush out of the building faster than lightning.

Something tells me to follow them. Suddenly my feet move on their own. I do my best to keep up. I'm running through bushes, over tree roots. My arms and legs are being scratched and cut, but I keep going. The same thought goes through my head. 'Are they safe?'

I finally manage to catch up and there is a large black snake. It's curled up in a coil and ready to strike.

"Dammit, what's the situation?"

"The pups are behind the snake. I can't tell if they're being protected or guarded to be eaten later."

I stop listening after that, all I can see are its eyes.

They're red and sparkle just like his did.

My feet move forward on their own again. "Comac?"

"Why is she here?"