Chapter 21

My stomach had churned so hard, I can only assume the inside is of rotten butter.

The collar is made of fine leather, dyed a pastel blue and decorated with frilly embroidery.

I would slash off Wazir’s wrist if she brought it closer. My claws gripped into the grass and dirt, breathing uneven. My tail gave a hard swish, and another growl threatened to break loose. I felt unkempt, wild.

“Let…Go of me…!” Ivory rasped, pitched in aching pain.

My attention snapped over to the youngest, his limbs twitching but not thrashing as he’s pulled through the dirt. The lines left by the gravity trail are dark and haunting.

Three additional hunters had shown themselves. Possible bodyguards to the lone-acting queen. They were ones who helped Wazir fire off the first net shot. They dragged Ivory’s prone body like a fish in a net, staying away from his fangs but pulling the top as if he were a prize.

I was back on my feet in seconds, heaviness dying down as adrenaline ran through the pain. A claw curled with readiness, prepared to tear through flesh and bone.

A glint of metal froze my legs before I could attack, a thin sword above Ebony’s ankle.

Ebony himself was too out of it, but this didn’t stop him from growling, as if sensing the threat. He tried to turn to Ivory but his face collapsed onto the grass.

“Down, Girl.” Queen Wazir stiffly commanded as I remained frozen by the sight. “Unless you want to make sure your friend here doesn’t stand again?”

I mutely watched as Queen Wazir mocked us, tying the fang-jewel necklace to each side of the leather collar. A brand new accessory.

Soon enough, Ebony was also pulled into a separate net, but Ebony could do nothing but grunt from the forceful capture.

I quivered while my heart craved violence upon these Dullings.

“How about this, Beast,” Queen Wazir spoke gently, as if speaking to a young pup like Ruby. “You can become mine. A leashed butler at my beck and call,” Her eyes are intense, reflecting ice. “You cannot run in this world forever. The game was utmost amusing, but playtimes end back to reality eventually.” Her smile curved sharply. “There will be worse Dullings out there. Take this tragedy as a gift. Hear my deal,”

Her eyes lowered, shifting her stance to face my downed brothers, and my jaw snapped at nothing as Queen Wazir held up the collar and a hand. Her previous sword had been sheathed. “You bring back my wolves…And I’ll let you all stay together.” She smiled, sugar sweet and full of false promise. “I can treat you gently. You’re full of spirit, full of determination…I am reminded of the storybooks I used to read as a child. A true selfish hero.”

What is she blabbering about, I thought venomously as my ears burned from every quiet whimper from Ivory. I heard Ivory snap his fangs when someone reached for his prized gun, he wasn’t completely stunned from the vicious shock.

Nonetheless, I turned to Queen Wazir, whose smile looked victorious since my eyes had previously been on the twins.

She took my silence as compliance, stepping closer with confidence, then kneeling with the collar like a prized necklace. Queen Wazir smelled of lilies and pine, of soap and luxury.

I thought of Ebony, how he prized what I wanted.

I thought of Ivory, who wanted to be helpful, but on his own strengths.

I thought of the Gem Wolves, who decided to follow a stranger to be free.

And then I thought of my lost ward who died for a cause.

How this Dulling wanted me to disrespect the ones I valued.

I would rather rip out my own teeth and bleed out onto the dirt.

I threw myself backwards, without any restraint and with a ton of strength. The grass vanished out from under me, and I witnessed Ebony’s hazily relieved gaze as I fell off the cliff, into the waterfall’s vicinity. It would be a rough fall, a terrible journey of water and…

I am falling, and it felt nostalgic. My back remained toward the rushing river, but all I could think was trying to outstretch my claws, knowing it’s futile with each growing second.

I want my brothers with me. I don’t want to leave them behind.

Wazir’s flabbergasted gasp reached my ears, but most importantly, Ivory’s sniveling reignited the fire in my veins.

Not again!

Claws threw themselves forward, gripping into the rocky cliff-side. Rocks smacked into my cheek as gravity harshly pulled onto free-hanging legs. My tail trembled with anticipation, and I began to punch my way back up. Each inch higher was pressed on by slamming my claws into the earth as hard as possible, using the buried holes for stability.

“Shepard!” Ebony roared, and despite how uncharacteristically angered he was, there was a pitch of panic. “Don’t come up here!” Within moments, came Ebony’s pained yelp, then Ivory’s offended snarl.

At Ebony’s warning, I glanced up.

Several spears and other weapons were cocked down the cliff. If I proceeded further, the hunters would have a clear shot. Dodging is difficult when half your body is hanging freely.

I can handle it, Is my first thought. The resulting pain, the agony, as long as those two were safe, the twins should be safe.

(If I hurt myself for them, would they forgive me?)

My claws twitched deep within the rockwall.

(Would they forgive themselves? Did their counterparts ever do so?)

I retracted my arms from the rock, descending back into freefall.

I will not scream, will not sob from this choice.

A needle whizzed past my ear.

“You’ll regret it, Beast!” Wazir snapped from above like a vengeful soul. “I gave you a peaceful choice! Survive and bring me my wolves! Until then, I’ll keep these two as a deposit!”

I obediently allowed my body to hit the freezing water, and let the current take me away.

As my mind drifted, overwhelmed from the impact, I thought, may this water cleanse me from past failures.