The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 209: Nothing Remains Unchanged ()

"What is on your mind? You may speak freely." Zariah said to Allen.

They had been walking quietly through the woods for quite some time already and Zariah could tell that Allen was distracted, lost in his own thoughts.

Zariah had allowed the time pass on in silence, perfectly comfortable in Allen’s company, the two had known each other for so long, even the shared silence was a meaningful exchange of its own.

They had spent many nights like this within the crimson barrier...many quiet moments, easing the strain left behind by the responsibility they shared...a leader and her right hand man, Alpha and a second in command.

These times had forged a deep and unbreakable bond over their common burden, loyalty and respect for one another.

However after a while, Zariah felt the need to say something. Not because she was bothered by the silence but she could sense that Allen had thoughts he wished to share but was not sure how to.

Allen did not have to say it out loud for Zariah to be able to tell, she just knew him so well.

"I am not sure, it just feels like...it has been so long we got to share a moment like this. Like the days back home are so far away now, so out of reach... merely an illusion..."

"There are so many things that are different from what we know out here. The people here... their ways are far removed from ours."

"The world here is uncertain, but beautiful in that... only these uncertainties make apparent the routine we have built within our walls, it is safe... predictable, but there is so much more than that to life."

"It has one wondering, why have things become so different and after all of this is over, would things return to the way they used to be? For any of us?" Allen asked with a quiet sigh.

Zariah smiled slightly, she had also felt much the same. That the life within the barrier was truly caged in and though unintended, brewed naivety and an ignorance to what the world truly was. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

For an existence within the barrier, that much was more than enough but in the real world, it just fell short.

Zariah understood it was why many crimson wolves who chose to leave the barrier after their coming of age were like completely different people when they returned.

The Crimson Moon pack had long chosen their lot, they let the world go by them, untouched and untainted by the passing of time and the ever changing events of the supernatural realm.

Zariah did not loathe such an existence but if such times had come to an end, then they would just have to live with it.

"Nothing remains unchanged. Must we hold so closely onto it? Must change be something we approach with fear? What must change should change and we will build on what is left after... because we have always done so, shaped the path for our people." Zariah said to Allen in a low tone.

"Nothing remains unchanged..." Allen murmured.

Zariah hummed quietly beneath her breath and left Allen to contemplate over her words.

"Do you think I have changed?" Allen asked Zariah.

Zariah was quiet for a moment, contemplating over it.

"You did not change, Allen...you gained clarity. I think we all have..." Zariah said quietly.

"You are right. All except you, you have changed... Zariah... truly changed. And you did, even before we left the barrier." Allen murmured quietly.

Zariah knew Allen did not mean those words in a bad way but her heart still sank down to the pit of her stomach.

_______________

Zariah had long been suspicious of Allen and so she was not at all surprised when after a long and seemingly aimless walk through the woods, they arrived at a clearing.

Leaning against a tree not far ahead of them was Askel, his arms crossed over his chest. The moment Zariah stepped into the clearing, her eyes found his first,

Askel’s countenance visibly lit up and Zariah’s heart also did a flip but she was quick to suppress it. Zariah kept her expression calm and cold, instead she breathed a quiet sigh.

"Really, Allen?" Zariah asked, passing a glance over to her second in command.

Allen winced visibly at Zariah’s look but Zariah breathed a sigh and chose not to comment on it, she could hardly muster the strength to be furious at Allen.

"What is this about, then?" Zariah asked, her question directed at both Allen and Askel.

"Zari, this was all me. I just... wanted to talk." Askel said to Zariah as he pushed off the tree he was leaning against and walked over to her.

"Come with me? It won’t be long, I promise." Askel coaxed in a low tone.

Zariah raised a brow before she passed a look at Allen.

"We will have a talk about this." Zariah made it clear before she returned her attention to Askel and gestured for him to lead the way.

Askel nodded gratefully to Allen before he strode off, leading the way through the woods while Zariah followed behind him.

They walked in silence for a short distance before they arrived at another clearing.

Zariah was not unfamiliar with their surroundings, she had taken enough walks through the woods to clear her head. Enough to have gotten familiar enough with the outskirts of the Royal Lycan pack, bordering the unclaimed lands.

And so, Zariah was not at all surprised to see the rapidly falling waterfall and the stream it cascaded down into.

Askel continued forwards, crossing the stream halfway before he stopped.

"Come on." Askel encouraged Zariah, offering her a hand.

Zariah ignored Askel’s offered hand and followed after him, crossing the stream on the small rocks herself.

Zariah’s foot met a particularly slippery rock and she slipped slightly, nearly losing her balance but Askel caught a hold of her shoulders.

"Easy now..." Askel said quietly.

Zariah shrugged off Askel’s hold and continued across the stream.