Chapter 121: Doris’s Offer And The Sharp Weapon!
Neve furrowed his brows, trying to process what Popi had just told him.
It was his first time hearing about this. But there was no way he could know about the tribe that had killed his entire race. After all, he was not from this world. He was from a completely different place with completely different history and completely different tribes.
He clenched his fist, arching his brow when he realized something.
They were extinct too? Both his tribe and the tribe that had eliminated his tribe were dead. Gone. Wiped from existence.
It was surreal. It was depressing. It felt like the universe was conspiring against him.
"Who killed them?" Neve asked, needing to understand the full story.
"They suddenly went extinct all of a sudden," Popi said, shrugging like it was common knowledge. "They were part of the outcasts and suddenly, they went... Poof!"
She made a gesture with her hand, indicating their sudden and complete disappearance.
Neve sighed deeply, shaking his head, trying not to think about something negative. Trying not to spiral into darker thoughts about fate and destiny and the extinction of entire species.
"Since they are extinct, we need to find another way to get rid of Soren," Neve said finally, forcing himself to focus on the present problem instead of the tragic past.
"I’ll help."
Someone said from the entrance.
Every pair of eyes in the room went straight to the cave opening.
Neve gasped when he saw who it was.
Doris was standing by the entrance, shivering in the cold, her expression filled with determination.
Popi frowned immediately and stepped forward, folding her hands across her chest defensively.
"And who the hell are you?" Popi asked coldly. "Don’t you know it’s rude to listen to other people’s conversations? Don’t you know privacy exists? You can’t just show up and eavesdrop on important discussions like this."
"I’m sorry," Doris apologized immediately, pressing her hands together as her body trembled from the cold and fear. "I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude."
"Popi," Neve called her name gently and Popi looked over her shoulder at him.
"Don’t worry about it," Neve said calmly. "She’s good. Maybe."
The maybe was a hesitant addition, showing that Neve was not entirely sure but was willing to give Doris the benefit of the doubt.
Popi raised a brow but stepped aside, allowing Neve to walk to the entrance and stand in front of Doris.
"How much did you hear?" Neve asked, his golden eyes studying her face carefully.
"Uh..." Doris stuttered, her teeth chattering from the cold. "From the mention of golden frog poison," she said. "I didn’t hear everything before that. Just that part onwards."
Neve sighed with some relief. At least she had not heard their entire plan from the beginning.
Doris immediately looked up at him, her eyes pleading.
"I’m sorry," she said, slamming her eyes shut like she was bracing for punishment. "I went to your cave to find you but no one was there, so I decided to come here. I have something important to tell you. Something about Soren."
She opened her hand and reached out to hold Neve’s hand.
"Let me help you," Doris said desperately. "Please. I want to help you kill Soren."
Neve’s eyes widened at the directness of her request.
"If I help you and Soren is killed, and young master Cael becomes the chief instead, I’ll be able to survive the winter with my siblings," Doris continued, her voice breaking slightly. "I don’t want to lose any of them. I can’t lose them. They’re all I have."
She started sobbing, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Please, Neve. Let me help. I need to do this."
Neve looked at Cael who was standing across the room. The leopard prince’s expression showed surprise and realization. He looked like he was only now understanding how much damage his brother had actually done to the tribe. How much suffering Soren’s actions had caused.
He saw the frown on Cael’s face and turned back to Doris.
"If we try this and fail, we could get caught and killed by Soren," Neve said gently, trying to make her understand the danger. "Are you sure you want to risk your life?"
"Yes," Doris said without hesitation.
"Soren is using an imported weapon," Doris said quickly, moving on to important information. "It’s something very sharp. It’s like a twisted horn. From a bull or something that was sharpened so much that a single poke can break the skin and cause serious damage."
Neve nodded slowly, understanding.
"I see," Neve said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "If we’re able to steal his weapon and take away his defense, it’ll be easier to kill him. The problem is how to get close to him without raising suspicion."
Doris stepped closer.
"Please, let me help," she said. "I’m Soren’s mate to be, so I’m the only one who can get close to him without question. I’m the only one he allows to touch him. I want to do anything to show that I’m a part of this. That I’m committed to helping you."
Neve hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with putting her in danger.
"But..." Neve started to say.
"Just give her the chance, Neve," Popi said suddenly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
She looked back at Doris with suspicion still evident in her eyes.
"I still don’t trust you completely," Popi said bluntly. "But if you wish to help us, then prove it. Steal the sharp weapon from Soren and bring it here. Then we’ll be able to take the next step. Then we’ll know you’re serious about this."
Doris’s face brightened with hope and determination.
"I’ll do it," she clasped her hands together. "I’ll steal the weapon. I promise I won’t let you down."
She ran out of the cave quickly, her small frame disappearing into the snow.
Cael looked at Neve with uncertainty clear on his face.
"Is that alright?" Cael asked. "Is it right to let her go like that? To put her in danger?"
Everyone turned to look at him.
Cael’s expression was conflicted. His jaw was clenched. His fists were balled up at his sides.
"I should be dealing with this mess alone," Cael said quietly. "Soren is my brother. This is my responsibility. I should be the one to fix this problem."
Gideon shook his head and looked back at the entrance where Doris had just run out into the cold.
"But he’s chief," Gideon said. "Soren puts his position first before his relationship with anyone. He puts his pride before his brother. He puts his power before his family."
He paused, his expression becoming grim.
"If that girl gets caught trying to steal his weapon, I’m afraid she’ll die," Gideon said. "Soren will not show mercy to anyone who betrays him. Not even someone he was supposed to bond with."
Neve clutched his chest, feeling the weight of putting Doris in danger.
"Let’s just hope for the best," Neve said, his voice filled with concern and worry. "Let’s hope she’s smart enough to avoid getting caught. Let’s hope she can steal the weapon without Soren knowing."
He looked at the old man who was breathing slowly on the bed.
The former chief’s eyes were closed but his breathing was steady. He looked peaceful despite everything that was happening around him.
An idea occurred to Neve.
’And before I leave, I should check the old man’s condition,’ Neve thought to himself. ’It can be something I can treat, right?’