Lilith stepped forward, her voice firm. "Step out of the way and let us pass."
The lead elf's face remained stern. "The law of our land doesn't allow strangers to pass without the order from our lord."
Lilith's eyes flashed with warning. "I advise you to step aside while things are still peaceful."
The elf sneered, "Who are you to order me around?"
Lilith's smile was cold. "We're the darkness you wouldn't want to consume you."
The elves laughed mockingly. "Introduce yourself," one jeered. "We might like your name and have you for the night. Then we'd skin you alive."
Another elf chimed in, "Pass her to me; even if she's not that beautiful, I can still have some fun."
Their laughter was short-lived. Lilith's eyes blazed with anger. "How dare you!" And charge forward.
The sorcerer's voice cut through the air, "Stop."
Everything froze. Even the elves shivered at the sound of his voice.
The sorcerer stepped out of the carriage, his eyes scanning the scene before him. The elves, frozen in place, seemed oblivious to the danger that lurked before them. The sorcerer's gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on the lead elf.
With a subtle gesture, the sorcerer raised his hand, and the air seemed to ripple with energy. The elves, still frozen, began to tremble. Their eyes widened in terror as they realized they were trapped.
The sorcerer's gaze swept over the elves, his eyes cold and calculating. "You should have taken the advice," he said, his voice dripping with menace.
You should have shown respect."
As he spoke, the elves were lifted off the ground, suspended in mid-air by an unseen force. They struggled and screamed, but their voices were muffled by some unseen power.
The air seemed to grow colder, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken thread destruction in his wake.
The sorcerer's eyes flashed with dark energy, and the elves were hurled backward, crashing into the trees with deadly force. The sound of snapping branches and screams echoed through the forest as the elves fell to the ground, lifeless.
As the last elf fell, the sorcerer stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving with exertion. His eyes gleamed with a cold satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the destruction he had wrought.
"We don't need your permission," he say, his voice devoid of emotion. Why should I ask for your permission when you can't even hold a single blow !.Pathetic fool.
The carriage door creaked open, and Morgan stepped out, his eyes wide with a mixture of horror and fascination. "You're... you're really something else," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ember emerged from the carriage, his face pale. "Must we always resort to the conflict?"
The sorcerer's gaze locked onto Ember, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I am the conflict," he said, his voice dripping with menace.
The sorcerer's eyes seemed to bore into Ember's soul, and for a moment, it seemed like Ember would say something more. But he remained silent, his eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and understanding.
The sorcerer's gaze lingered on Ember for a moment before he turned back to the carriage. "Let's go," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
As they continued on their journey, the silence between them was palpable, the tension between the sorcerer and his companions a living, breathing thing.
***************************************
Meanwhile in the darkwood pack Ash approach Kiel with a concerned look on his face and said, "Alpha Kiel, you called for me?"
Kiel replied, "Yes, I noticed you've been going out of the park a lot recently. Is everything okay?"
Ash responded, "Everything's fine. I went out to check out the new house they built in our town."
Kiel's interest piqued, "Oh, I heard about it. People are saying it's 'eye-catching.' What did you find out? When are they moving in?"
Ash shared what the housekeeper told him, "Apparently, they're on their way. They're coming from a faraway place and should arrive in two days."
Kiel picked up his wine cup, sipped it, and said, "Ah, I remember when the man purchased the land. He mentioned wanting a change of scenery. It's nice having new people among us, isn't it?"
Ash expressed his concerns, "Yes, it's nice, but I'm worried because the man didn't share any details about the owner. What if..."
Kiel cut him off, "There's no 'what if.' The man is harmless, and he's human. Don't get yourself worked up over nothing. When he purchased the land, I told our pack captain to investigate him. They said he's a businessman and a rich person looking for a change of scenery, just like he said."
Ash remained skeptical, "I'm sorry, but are you sure about this? I'm getting a weird feeling about this house. It doesn't feel right for an ordinary person."
Kiel raised an eyebrow, "Are you doubting my judgment or my instincts?"
No, Alpha, I'm not doubting your judgment," Ash said.
Kiel nodded, "Good, let's forget about that. I called you here for something else."
"Yes, please," Ash replied.
"The elders have been bothering me about being alone without a mate," Kiel explained. "In our last meeting, they said if I don't have a mate after my upcoming 11th anniversary as Alpha King, I we have to choose among the daughters of the Alphas. It's getting on my nerves. I don't understand why they don't get it – I don't want any woman in my life right now. Even if I later find my mate, I won't let mate bonds tie me down. Am I not doing well without a mate?"
Ash hesitated, "You're doing great, Supreme Alpha. But I agree with the elders that you need someone in your life. You've always taken care of everyone else; it's time you allowed someone to take care of you."
Kiel's expression turned stern, "What do you mean? I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone, and don't I have you?"
Ash's voice took on a gentle tone,am going to say this "As your friend, Alpha, not just your Beta. You need someone in your life. It's time to open your heart. Your heart needs to love, don't be so hard on yourself. Don't you ever feel lonely? Don't you want someone to talk to after a long day? Someone to welcome you home, warm your bed, and love you ,when you're tired or sad don't you want someone to comfort you?"
Kiel's anger flared, cutting Ash off mid-sentence. "Just because you're close to me doesn't mean you can say whatever you want without consequences! Let this be the last time you speak to me like that!"
Ash stood frozen, his eyes locked on Kiel's. The air was tense, heavy with unspoken words. Kiel's anger seemed to simmer just below the surface, threatening to boil over.
Finally, Ash spoke, his voice measured, "I'm sorry, Alpha. It won't happen again. As your friend, I just want what's best for you."
Kiel's anger still simmered, he say in voice low and even, "Get out."
Ash stood up, his movements fluid, and left the room, leaving Kiel alone with his thoughts.
As the door closed behind Ash, Kiel's composure began to crack. He strode to the window, his eyes blazing with unspoken emotions. The moon was full, casting an eerie glow over the land. Kiel's thoughts swirled, torn between his duty as Alpha and his own desires.
As Ash reached the corridor, he stopped, his expression contemplative. "I wish you could be yourself again, Kiel," he said softly, his voice laced with concern for his Alpha's well-being. "Open your heart. Be the Kiel I once knew."
He paused, looking down the hallway, his eyes filled with a deep concern for Kiel's happiness. "I hope someone's out there who can help you find what you're looking for, Kiel. You deserve to be happy."
Ash's gaze lingered on the door for a moment before he turned and continued down the corridor, his footsteps quiet on the floor. His thoughts remained with Kiel, wondering what the future held for his Alpha.