Cold Welcome

After Sue woke up and the orb fiasco happened, they didn't move again. Aria wanted her sister to feel better, and she wanted Ivy to mourn before they moved again. Garsam was not too happy about the arrangement, but he couldn't do anything about it. He was busy finding reasons to turn Ivy away. The girl had insisted on speaking to Sinbad since he was the one with her sister's core. She said her sister had snuck out of their coven over a year ago, but since Ivy was used to her sneaking out to have fun, she didn't think much of it until a month passed and she didn't return. Another month later, and she told the coven head, she was punished for it. But even they didn't look for her sister. She could only comfort herself that the twin's bond would alert her if she died, so at least she new she was safe. Until now. "He's still not awake?" Ivy asked. "His injuries were very severe," Garsam repeated, just as she had for the past few days. Ivy turned and left. Her back radiated infinite loneliness. Lev had summoned a simple black dress for her, and she had buried her sister's core with the box Aria got from her mom. Garsam did pity her; she was also curious as to why Sinbad had her sister's core, but he wasn't in a good state right now. Besides, Ares kept emphasizing that Sinbad must not be revealed to Aria. She returned to her tent, divided into two sections. Sinbad lay in one, and she slept in the other. She walked into his section. Sinbad groggily looked at her. The medicine Aria's mom had stuffed in her hand seemed to be working, but its side effects left much to be desired. Sinbad was barely focused since taking it; he was also dizzy and tired most of the time. "Time for another dose of awful?" he slurred. "Not for another two hours. I came to check your wounds," Garsam peeled his bandages and was pleasantly surprised. "Good, it's scabbing over. You should be fine in another day or two; the fever's gone too." "Oh thank Selena. If I took that drug for much longer, I think I'll become a fool," he turned his head with difficulty. "Who are those people outside?" Garsam wrapped up the bandages. "Don't concern yourself with them. Just focus on getting better." "Oh, okay." Garsam went to her side and lay down; she listened as Sinbad's breathing evened out. Then she exited the tent. Ivy was in the girl's tent. When Aria saw Garsam walk out, she came over and pulled her aside. "Did you ask him?" "What?" Garsam asked. "Did you ask your friend why he was with Ivy's twin's core? From what Ivy told us, a witch's fighting chance is greatly reduced without their core..." Garsam's eyes narrowed. "And you're saying?" Aria looked at her like she was dumb. "I'm saying your friend indirectly killed her sister!" "I'm sure he did not mean for that to happen. I mean, her sister is a witch in a wolf pack. He probably took her core to ensure she didn't harm anybody while he was gone. You might not be aware since you're new to this and all, but witches and werewolves aren't exactly best buds." Garsam walked away. Garsam didn't walk far when she heard movement. She groaned in frustration. It must be either Aria or Ivy coming to question her again. She was sick of it! "Please, could you give me a break for fuck's sake!" She turned around and froze. Three buff men in midnight black outfits thumped down to their knees. "Princely Heir," they greeted. Garsam looked them over. She didn't recognize them, but the bright yellow insignias on their vests told her they were her pack members. This meant her father had arrived. She felt a distinct curl in her stomach; she was gonna be sick. "Princely Heir," one of the men called out. Garsam snapped out of it and realized that she had not said a word. "Yes, My father sent you, I presume?" "Yes, your highness." "Is—Is he at Clearwater Pack?" "Yes, your highness." Her breath caught in her throat. There goes her last hope. At this point, she wished the great evil would arise already so she wouldn't have to deal with this. "That's good," she replied. "The heir of Clearwater is injured. Come with me to take him back." The three men followed her. Just before they entered the camp, she instructed, "Do not call me Princely Heir or your highness in front of them." The three men nodded. There was no question or curiosity in their eyes; they simply obeyed. Lev was the first to see them enter. "Oh charming, who are your forest friends, Garsam?" "My father sent them; we've been gone for a long time. It's good anyway; they can lead us to Clearwater Pack." Everyone slowly trickled out of their tents. The three guards stiffened as they watched them. They could smell the scent of witches in the air. Why was the princely heir with witches? He didn't seem to be held captive. Their indifferent masks slowly cracked. Garsam must have noticed because she added, "They saved our life when we were captured. Unfortunately, the other heir got injured." The head of the guards nodded in understanding. The Royal pack guards still regarded the group with suspicion and wariness. One of them entered the tent Garsam had pointed out and retrieved Sinbad. He swung Sinbad over his shoulder and started moving. Lev groaned in his seat. "Whyyy and just when we were getting comfortable." He looked up to see everyone picking up their backpacks. Only him had a table laid out with tea and snacks. The rest had not even opened their bags. The remaining two guards flanked both sides of Garsam, and they left as well. Jerry carried Sue, and everyone followed them, leaving Lev to clean up. Lev stared at their departing back bewildered. As they went out of sight, he turned and rushed into his tent, picked up his bag, and came out. He snapped his fingers, and the tents, table, and tea set disappeared. He hurried after them with a petulant yell. They didn't walk for two hours before they saw a patrolling guard. Clearwater Pack was close. Garsam's eyes twitched, and she glared at the unconscious Sinbad. When they left the pack looking for Aria, they had walked for hours on end before getting to Unity, yet the return trip barely took two hours? They walked another ten minutes before entering the Pack's territories. Someone must have sent a message ahead of their return because a small group of people waited for them at the border. Alpha Kain looked at the few youths but didn't see his son. His heart quivered in trepidation. Suddenly, a guard walked up to him. The guard was carrying someone. "Your son, sir," the guard said. His voice was clipped. When two Clearwater Pack guards noticed it was Sinbad, they hurried over and took him from the Royal Pack guard. Alpha Kain looked at the bandages on Sinbad that had blood soaking it. During their walk back, the guard hadn't taken much caution, so Sinbad's wound had reopened. Alpha Kain hid the anger and fear in his eyes. "Thank you," he said simply. The guard gave a single nod and returned to Garsam's side. He gestured to Garsam. "Your father awaits." Garsam nodded and turned to Alpha Kain. Alpha Kain looked her over. "It's good that the Princely Heir is not hurt." "Thank you, Alpha. I would be if not for your son's help. Do make proper arrangements for my guests." Then she followed the guards. Alpha Kain finally took a good look at the group. Initially, he had just glanced at them when looking for Sinbad, but now he recognized Aria and her siblings. His expression turned stormy. His foolish son really did find her! "You dare return?" He roared. A few guards surrounded the group. Aria frowned but didn't reply. She had been within reach of Garsam's friend for a few days. Although she was curious, she didn't try to see him. Now he turned out to be Sinbad! Why was he with Unity? Ares stepped forward, blocking her from Alpha Kain's glare. "We saved your son's life, and the Princely Heir demanded you treat us as guests." When Ares stepped forward, Alpha Kain was hit with an all-too-familiar smell. He scowled and spat, "Witches!" More guards surrounded them, spears and various weapons were pointed at them. "Take them," Alpha Kain ordered. Ares summoned a bolt of magic, and a broadsword appeared in Lev's hand. But before a fight could ensue, a monotonous voice spoke. It was one of the Alpha King's servers. He was dressed like a typical butler, and his expression was one of detached boredom. "If you will excuse me, sire, the Princely Heir requested that I place his guests in suitable accommodations," he droned, as if he didn't notice that both parties were one step away from scratching each other's throats.