Tree

Ryan wanted to dig a hole in the ground with his bare hands and plant Louis there like a tree, so that he won't be able to reach anywhere and everywhere, the moment he got some time in Nora's presence.

But he knew that no matter how tempting the idea might seem, it wasn't possible. And now, he would not even get to enjoy the humiliation Nora was going through for a few more moments.

Then he had to forget about the eventual payoff of his dream about becoming a hero in her eyes once again!

Meanwhile, Nora was already humiliated enough to want to avoid facing the people who were present there; and on seeing Louis there, a sense of panic rose in her chest.

But the next moment, she heard his voice, enthusiastic as always, addressing her.

"Congratulations dear! On selecting The Authority Achievers house, I knew that only a capable Alpha would be able to opt for that house.

Otherwise, mediocre ones like me or Ryan... we would never have as much courage to opt for that house.

What do you say, Ryan?"

While Nora was trying to decipher whether what she had just heard was a praise or prank, Louis mentioned Ryan's name and his expressions changed within a second.

It was apparent to Louis that Ryan had indeed started drawing up detailed and elaborate murder plans targeting him, but he was quite enjoying the fact of seeing him get riled up.

That's why, he spoke up again;

"Do you know, who created this house and why? It was created by none other than Lyla Rovery, whom we know today as the daughter of Roston. And the reason was because she was a master of all three activities- archery, fencing and politics."

Louis' statement completely changed the narrative of the gossip going around in the gathered students, along with their perspective for the entire situation!

The same students who were just condemning Nora about how dumb she could be, made a clean 180° switch, and started praising her for her creativity and boldness.

As someone has said, the truth is that the rumors and gossip don't have a head of their own.

They just go on with the flow of the medium; and whichever direction they feel pressured to go in, they just adjust their waves accordingly.

"Did you hear that, so the princess is indeed that intelligent?"

"What have you been thinking? Why do you think that Moon pack has been hiding her for so long?"

"She isn't even completely eighteen yet and she is taking such a big decision by herself -"

"There is a reason she is an Alpha and you are not!"

The murmurs of gossip knocked on Nora's ear drums too, and this was finally when she raised her voice.

"Thank you Louis! But do you need something from me-"

"Something? Just something? Nora, seriously, you are asking if I need something from you!

Because if you have not forgotten, then I want the complete you to come with me, as we had a previous commitment."

"Oh? Oh… yeah, right!"

Nora replied, remembering the scheduled fencing practice that he was not ready to drop at any condition- be it an earthquake or a tsunami.

Then this was just an ordinary occasion in his eyes, wasn't it?

Besides it was already getting late in the evening.

So she turned towards Ryan and spoke;

"I am sorry Ryan, but I think I have to leave now. Thank you for the warm welcome though, and trust me, I am not angry with you."

After saying this, she didn't even wait for Ryan to say anything, nor did she even spare another glance in his direction before turning around and saying;

"Let's go! Louis, after you!"

Louis also turned his back towards Ryan, but only after giving him a curt smile with a sassy wave of his hand, to mock him one last time today!

But unexpectedly, Ryan reached out to grab Nora's wrist, and quickly took two steps closer to her as she turned around with a puzzled look.

With a smirk, he whispered in her ears;

"I am letting you go this time, but mark your calendar in advance: three days from today, we have a date on the cliff near the forbidden forest."

And before Louis could have raised any further questions, or she herself could have given him any answer, he abruptly let go of her hand and started walking in the opposite direction.

_________

Henry was all set for his journey.

Even though he knew that this undertaking was not going to be easy, but he knew he had to complete it anyhow.

Because no matter how many problems he was going to face, he knew that his best friend was set on a path where he was going to have much bigger problems than these.

Because fighting a physical war is always easier to cope with, than fighting a problem which causes us to struggle mentally.

And right now, even David was not sure about the things that were troubling him, then how could anybody else help him?

But still, Henry wanted to try his best… because even though his best friend wasn't seeing the changes he was going through, he could.

And he couldn't just sit back and let him go through this entire journey all alone.

While he was walking, immersed in these thoughts, he realised that he might not be the only one on this way…

Because at the moment, he heard some footsteps following him.

Was he being stalked ?

But who will be stalking him, and why?

Besides not telling anyone about it himself, he had also been careful enough to not let anybody hear about where he was headed and for what reason.

And apart him and David, nobody should know about the it, either.

Then who it could be; and no matter who it was, the major question was, how could he get rid of the person following him?

__________