Werewolf

Ch-19

“When will this be over with?” Randolf demanded, leaning back in his chair with an annoyed sigh. He wanted to return home and comfort Klara. He hated to leave her, especially in such a distraught state.

“We can’t leave until the Prince excuses us.” The female white leopard beside him said lazily as she sharpened her claws. “So relax...”

The meeting was supposed to be over an hour ago, but for some reason the Prince hadn’t arrived. He hadn’t even shown up for the search party for Carina, which resulted in nothing. The description of the older woman from the deer spirit was no help. It was as if the princess had completely vanished. Randolf’s instincts told him something was wrong, but he wasn’t about to say anything. Gerrick sat a seat away from him and the tension the younger wolf had could be felt throughout the room.

Gerrick stood and said, “Well, seems like Claus is a no show... So I shall take my leave.” Randolf stiffened when he walked past, anger surging through him. Gerrick paused then said, “Oh Randolf, I was curious... where is my darling Klara, hmm? I was hoping to see her...”

Randolf launched to his feet, snarling heavily. “She’s safe from the likes of you! You would never touch her again!”

“Is that so..?” Gerrick cackled. Randolf clenched his fists, almost ready to compromise the truce of the Council. Everyone stood, worried about what was going to happen. Gerrick shrugged and turned away however. “Well, I’m sure you took every precaution...” At the stair landing he paused, looked over his shoulder, a glint in his golden eyes as the room started to shake and said, “But it wasn’t enough!”

He stepped back and rocks collapsed all around the entrance to the stairs, completely blocking it. Everyone ducked out of the way, coughing from the dust and debris that filled the air. Randolf’s heart stopped dead.

He threw himself at the rock pile, yelling loudly in panic as he threw huge boulders out of the way. The Council members tried to stop him, telling him he needed to be careful but he refused to listen.

“He’s going after Klara!” he growled. “I have to get back to her!” The dwarf grabbed his arm and threw him back out of the way.

“Out of the way, wolf! You’re too slow!” he roared. Raising his large axe about his head he swung as hard as he could. Bright light exploded and a new tunnel was formed with the sealed rocks. Randolf bolted through.

“Please be safe,” he begged over and over as he transformed and dashed through the forest. ‘Klara, can you hear me?!’ he called in his mind. He’d trained her how to use her magic to communicate with telepathy. But there was no answer. As he leapt over a fallen tree, his foot landed in an enlarged bear trap, the silver tipped iron nearly cutting clean through. He yelled, crumpling to the ground in agony.

“I had hoped this was going to be more interesting…” a female voice sighed in annoyance.

Randolf looked up and saw the human girl walk forward. But something was different, there was a dark aura around her this time. “But you’re still a pathetic love sick pup...”

“Gertrude.” Randolf snarled, wanting to rip her throat out. The witch cackled and waved away her disguise.

“Didn’t even pause to realize it was a trap, only thinking that your precious Klara was in danger.” She walked toward him and clicked her tongue. “Like I said, I had hoped for something more interesting.”

“What have you done with her?” Randolf demanded, trying to wrench free of the bear trap. Gertrude chuckled.

“Come here, my dear.” She called over her shoulder. An even darker presence sprung forth, making Randolf’s very blood turn ice cold. Silence overcame the Forest and a shadowy figure emerged. At first he thought it would be Gerrick, but horror struck his heart when he realized it was a female figure. Her dress was tattered and dirty from a struggle, her hair loose and falling around her face. The amulet she treasured pulsed a strong evil aura similar to Gertrude's. Her head was bowed but he knew it was her.

“Klara…” he cried.