"Ariel-" Liz's voice sounded as she cut Ariel's train of thoughts.
Ariel looked at her childhood friend, cracking a half-hearted smile, "Yeah?"
Elizabeth's face softened, looking at Ariel with pity, "You know you don't have to be strong all the time. You know that you can tell me if anything's wrong..."
Ariel smiled, stopping in her tracks as she let out a breath she was holding, "I know, I just..." tears gathered in her eyes as she frustratedly tried to express her feelings in one simple short word, "I-I'm scared." She finally admitted, as she let a tear stray down her cheek.
"Me too." Liz started, "but you know what? That's okay, because you don't have to be scared alone, we can be scared together."
Ariel cried and laughed both at once as she listened to her best friend and reached out to hug her, she held onto her like dear life, "I'm sorry I've been a bad friend." She whispered.
"Hey! No, you're not. You've just got a lot going on; you were just kidnapped, twice! Well, the first time wasn't so bad, because he turned out to be your mate," Liz giggled, trying to lighten up the mood, "You're my best friend, Ariel, no, scratch that, you're my sister. And well, I understand that your life has been flipped upside down all of a sudden. That's why you haven't been free to talk to me or for us to hang out. Just know you can talk to me about anything okay?"
Ariel sniffled, nodding her head as she smiled, "Okay. I love you, Lizzy."
"Aww, I love you too Ari."
The pair continued walking towards the field, their arms linked together.
The field was outdoors, and there was a wrestling area, a fully equipped outdoor gym, a sparring area, there was an archery range and bulletproof glass shooting range. They were both located next to each other but in separate glass rooms. The range was also soundproof.
Ariel looked at Elizabeth unlinking their arms, "So, what do you think you'd be best at? The thing is with witches, is that you need to act fast before they do something to you with their magic. Speed is the most important thing."
Elizabeth thought it out raising a perfect brow, "A machine gun!"
Ariel smirked at her bestie, "That's what I'm talking about!" She hollered before they raced towards the gun range.
Liz got a hold of a machine gun, while Ariel grabbed a sub-machine gun.
They were fully loaded so all they had to do was aim. It wasn't the first time for them to hold these because they had weapon training back at the Blood-fang pack.
Ariel held the gun properly and pressed on the activate button. This activated random simulations of people on an attack stance heading towards her as if she were in the shooting arena.
At first, it was quiet, too quiet.
She tightened her grip on the gun her senses heightened, but she wasn't expecting what happened next.
As soon as an attacker came into view she shot him spot on in the middle of his forehead. She felt the skin around her eyes growing warm. It was like when you get a high-grade fever and feel hot all over. Little did she know that her grey eyes were practically glowing.
One after the other, the simulations ran at her, the difficulty level increasing with every successful shot. She attacked fiercely, dodging the simulator attacks that headed towards her, as shot her attackers all dead in the head.
A siren rang once, lighting the room white, indicating the end of the first round.
When she turned back to look at Liz, she was staring right back at her wide-eyed.
"What? How'd I do?" asked Ariel naively as she checked the target chart.
It read:
60 shots per minute.
Total: 300 shots
Ariel stared at the screen, eyes wide.
She looked at Elizabeth, "How did I even..?"
Liz's freaked out face turned into a wide grin, "Your mom was right!"
"My mom?"
"Yes! The golden streaks in your fur? Your 'true powers'? They must be kicking in! Maybe it's because you mated!"
Ariel gasped, "That's true! Oh my god!! And the timing is impeccable. I really need this..."
"I can't wait to see what else you can do."
"Same, girrrl," she giggled excitedly.
Suddenly Jake's wolf busted through the doors.
"Jake? What's the matter?!" Ariel inquired eyes wide with concern.
He growled loudly and gestured for them to follow him urgently, so they shifted into their wolves sprinting after him.
It was Aries, she knew it.
~
Ariel
Jake sprinted fast towards a faraway area at the other end of the territory.
I've never been to this part of the land before.
There was a high perimeter cement light grey wall with razor wire & barbed wire that were glistening in what looked like silver. Cameras, motion sensors, guard towers, and what seemed to be electrified fencing systems were installed in each corner of the exterior walls.
Why did Jake lead us to the pack prison?
I looked at Liz and she looked back seeming confused.
But as we got to the door, that was weirdly already opened, I understood why we had to come.
Dead bodies were everywhere.
But it seemed to be the bodies of prisoners only. They were all wearing red jumpsuits.
I didn't shift back because I had no spare clothes, but I really wanted to so I could ask Jake what happened. I couldn't mind link him since Aries and I still haven't completed the ritual.
I tried to mind link Aries but I didn't get a response. It was as if I was reaching out into a void.
We passed through the spacious yard which had a fountain and a couple of trees here and there.
We walked into the building and Jake shifted.
I kept looking ahead looking for any sound of Aries, while Elizabeth gave me a wolfish grin.
What he's hottt! she linked me.
Not the time! I growled playfully.
The building was empty; everyone was either evacuated or dead.
We followed him deep into the building until he lead us to where the jail cells were, downstairs.
All the cell rails were open wide. I dared to take a peek inside and all I saw was blood, everywhere. It was gushed all-around a dead body, his head dismembered and thrown sloppily to the side. I winced and kept going behind Jake, panic rising within my chest.
There was a faint sound of growling and tearing from afar. Jake stopped mid-step and gestured for me to go into the cell straight ahead, to the cell where all the growling came from.
"I need to go get Eric from the border. Try to get him back. Try to reach out to him," he stated looking at me sadly, before looking at Elizabeth, "It's probably safer for you to wait upstairs."
With these words, he quickly shifted back and ran back up with Liz right behind him.
Be careful, link me if anything's wrong, she linked before disappearing around the corner.
I gulped heading towards the cell. The growling and munching sounds grew louder. My stomach flipped and I felt like gagging, A) because I was worried, and B) because I knew this was going to be nasty.
I trodded into the cell cautiously, finding Aries' big black wolf over something or rather someone.
I shifted back seeing as nobody was around and it was only us.
"A-Aries..." I whispered frightened.
The growling stopped and his head propped up before turning to me revealing the body underneath.
I screamed covering my mouth trying not to barf.
It was Alpha Blake.
Or what was left of him.
His two legs were torn apart each on a side of the cell. And his scalp was gauged out revealing his brain that was almost fully popped out of his skull.
One of his silver eyes was gashed and the other open wide.
His stomach was slashed open it's contents threatening to fall out.
Aries' wolf growled at me, his eyes black, his snout drenched in blood as it seeped down his mouth and dripped onto the ground. His te
eth were tinged with blood as he snarled at me menacingly.
Tears filled my eyes. I didn't know what to do. All these people are dead...he killed them...he-he killed them.
He roared loudly, his eyes narrow and fixed on me with no emotion, and no recognition.
I shook my head in denial as I backed up against a wall, and sobbed. Feeling weak, he was my mate, I couldn't fight him.
We are not weak. You have to reach out to him. My wolf hissed.
I sobbed some more before stopping myself, wiping my tears and taking a deep breath. I gathered myself straightening up before approaching him cautiously.
He growled once more but lowly, in a warning tone.
"It's me Aries, its Ariel, your mate," I said touching his side. He jolted backward and I retracted my hand.
Aries' eyes widened, as realization set in, and he began to come closer to me slowly.
I reached out again to touch his head and stroked his fur. I needed to get on his good side first, I'll yell at him at home when he's okay.
I got down on my knees as I welcomed him into my arms, he growled once more but it sounded like a sound of pleasure.
I sighed, knowing that it was still not Aries in there, it was his wolf.
"Aries' wolf?" I spoke unsure.
Aries' wolf howled.
"C-could you please bring Aries back?"
His wolf growled; hurt pooling into his dark eyes.
"Please, I-I love you both but I need him back. He's my everything, p-please," I sobbed as more tears fell from my eyes.
Aries' wolf looked conflicted...but he nonetheless backed up, bowed his head as he finally shifted back.
"Aries!" I gasped feeling relieved.
Aries' figure wavered seeming unsteady and completely out of it, "A-Ariel?" He breathlessly inquired before his body gave in.
I quickly held onto his heavy limp body to steady him before he crashed on the ground. I sort of slung him over my back before shifting into my large wolf.
I trotted out of the cell and headed upstairs careful with him so that he didn't get hurt.
I met Liz halfway as she sprinted towards me.
I heard you scream!
I'm okay! We need to get him home.
Lizzy's wolf nodded as we both hurried. On our way out, Eric, Alpha Blake's Beta came in with Jake. Jake was wearing shorts, thank god, and he held up a bag for me.
I looked at Liz and saw that she had stopped dead in her tracks as she stared...at Eric.
Chapter 33 - Pluto
Ariel
Eric was the Beta of, the now deceased, Alpha Blake. He was also the one who saved me from that monster.
I used to think that Aries was the youngest and most ruthless Alpha. But it turned out that his immortality stopped at 24, and in reality, he was the oldest werewolf in all of history, considering he was the first of his kind. This made Alpha Blake the youngest, well, when he was alive. He was 28. The rest were closer to my father's age. Their ages ranged starting from 35-60. 13 packs in total. 12, now that Alpha Blake was dead, his pack would probably have to merge with another, unless Beta Eric wanted to take over.
Beta Eric stared at Elizabeth, his eyes widening at first before they darkened.
They were mates.
She found her mate! My wolf yipped.
A wolfish grin made its way to my face, given the circumstances, as I watched their exchange.
"Mate..." Beta Eric's voice breathed.
Jake's eyes widened, as he raised an eyebrow. He then reached forward towards me to help me with my unconscious mate. He also handed me a duffel bag filled with some clothes.
He had brought me a pair of black jean shorts and a grey hoodie. Jake kindly carried Aries, placing him gently on the ground before handing me my clothes as I carried them between my jaws and headed behind a tree.
I shifted, changing into the clothes then returned to them.
Jake had helped Aries into a pair of shorts before he slung his body over his shoulder.
Is there anything for me to wear? Liz mind linked me.
I rummaged through the duffel bag and found a plain white cotton dress.
Pulling it out, I handed it to her and smiled, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
She gave me a wolfish grin before heading towards the same tree to get changed.
"Beta Eric," I called out to him as his eyes trailed behind Liz.
He looked at me alarmed as if I'd cut his train of thoughts.
His cheeks slightly tinted as he gave me a sheepish smile.
"Alpha Ariel or should I say, Luna," he greeted me with a warm smile spreading on his face.
"Alpha Ariel," I corrected, a playful smile making its way onto my lips.
He laughed, "It's nice to see you're looking healthy again."
I blushed, feeling embarrassed, remembering how pathetic and weak I must've looked before.
I nodded slowly, as a chill ran up my spine, "I'll be forever grateful for your help, Beta Eric."
"Please, call me Eric." He said giving me a small smile, before reluctantly continuing, "And honestly, I did nothing more than I should've done. I-I was quiet for too long, letting Blake get away with all the horrible things he's done. It was the least I could do. Alpha Aries was right to end his bloody reign. I'm only here to collect his body," he continued some sadness seeping into his eyes.
"About that..." I trailed, "well, we could send some of our men to gather his body and send it back to your pack..." I continued awkwardly feeling uneasy.
Eric's eyes widened, as he looked towards the building behind and then grimly nodded a frown on his face.
"Uh, guys could we do this back at the mansion, he's getting really heavy," Jake croaked as he gestured to Aries' unconscious body who was still slung over his shoulder.
I inwardly giggled, before inviting Beta Eric to stay the night so that we could settle things.
Liz was back looking gorgeous in the dress and Eric gawked at her.
She giggled, her cheeks turning red, and I couldn't wait to tell Aries.
I nudged Jake forward so that we could give them some space, "We'll head over to the mansion and wait for you guys there, you two take your time."
Jake nodded before we headed out to the car and drove home.
"So, what are we going to do about Aries?" I asked, wondering what happened and what lead him to this outburst.
"I honestly don't know. One moment he was fine, the next he was on kill mode. He asked me to get a head start towards the prison, so that I could interrogate Alpha Blake further. It was weird if you ask me, Aries loves torturing people into getting what he wants, and he usually wouldn't pass up an opportunity at it." He said casually, not noticing the look of horror passing on my face.
He cleared his throat continuing, "He probably felt himself lose control and that's why he sent me first."
"And did you get anything?" I asked.
"Yes. But it's nothing we didn't know."
"And what did he say?" I probed further.
"Later."
I furrowed my eyebrows, before shrugging and deciding to make sure Aries was all right first.
"As soon as he got to the prison, it was like he went ballistic. He killed all the prisoners. There were 235 people. From serial killers to robbers. He left no one. I was interrogating Blake when all of a sudden; he busted into the cell and ripped him to shreds. I tried to mind link him, but it was like reaching into a void. I tried speaking to him he growled at me and kept at it. There was no recognition in his eyes. It was like he was just an animal. There was no Aries."
I looked at Jake worry in my eyes and then looked back at Aries' unconscious form.
"I don't understand, how could this happen? Why? Is it actually possible that our wolves could completely take over?" I inquired each question after the other.
Jake shrugged as he pulled up in our driveway.
I helped him get Aries out of the car as we rushed into the mansion.
Aries (Gods & Monsters Series Book 1) Page 28