Chapter 130: The Guard’s Summons And The Journey!
Neve and Popi got to the main cave and their jaw dropped.
Neve had thought someone had broken in and attacked the kids. He had imagined the worst possible scenario. His heart was pounding as he prepared himself for violence.
It was something similar, but not quite what he had feared.
The stranger, the bastard guard from yesterday, had almost attacked the kids. But when he tried to grab one of them, Aldric had stepped in to protect them. The shy bear beastman had thrown himself between the guard and the children without hesitation.
The guard had hit Aldric hard. Once. A single punch that had sent the bear beastman flying backward. Blood was now pouring from Aldric’s mouth where his teeth had cut into his lip.
Popi rushed over to check on Aldric immediately, her hands fluttering over his face as she tried to assess the damage.
Neve walked toward the stranger with cold determination.
He looked at the man and a grin crept up his face as realization hit him.
"Finally found you," the guard said, his voice filled with satisfaction.
Neve clenched his fist. This was obviously the same man who had sneaked in on their conversation yesterday. The one who had listened to everything they discussed about eliminating Soren. The one who had reported everything back to the chief.
"Why the hell are you here?" Neve asked, his voice sharp with anger.
The guard spread his hands wide as he walked toward Neve, completely unbothered by the red panda’s hostility.
"Why would I be here?" the guard said casually. "Your mate has asked me to bring you. The chief wants to see you."
Neve’s stomach dropped.
"Which of them?" Neve asked, trying to keep his voice steady even though panic was rising inside him. "Because there’s no way my mates would be in contact with you. There’s no way they would send you here."
"Oh you know who I’m talking about," the guard said with a smirk. "The chief. Soren. He has asked for you. Follow me."
Neve’s mind was racing. This was bad. This was exactly what he had been dreading. Soren was calling for him after publicly claiming him. And now he was sending someone to drag Neve to his cave.
"I’m not going," Neve said firmly.
But the moment he said those words, the kids started shivering. Their little bodies trembled as they realized something bad was happening. They were ready to cry. Their eyes were already filling with tears.
Neve could not handle watching them break down. Not after they had just lost their sister. Not after they had just started to stabilize emotionally.
He sighed deeply and turned to the guard.
"I’ll come with you," Neve said, his voice defeated. "Just wait outside."
The guard walked toward the cave entrance, but not before glaring at Neve.
"Wait outside? You do not have any rights to order me," the guard said, his tone condescending.
"Please," Neve repeated, his voice softer but more sincere. "Just step outside for a moment."
The guard smirked, clearly enjoying having power over Neve. But he turned and left the cave anyway, waiting outside in the snow.
.
.
Neve immediately turned to Aldric.
The bear beastman was still bleeding from his mouth. Blood dripped down his chin and onto his chest.
"Are you alright?" Neve asked, his voice filled with concern. "Does it hurt?"
"I’m fine," Aldric said, standing up and wiping the blood away with the back of his hand.
But Neve could see the pain in his eyes. Aldric was hurt. Aldric was suffering. And he had done it trying to protect the kids.
Neve felt a surge of gratitude toward the shy bear.
"I’m glad you’re fine," Neve said. "You’re the only one who can come with me."
His voice was trembling. He did not want to go see Soren. He did not want to face whatever the chief had planned for him. But if he refused to go, the guard could come back and hurt more people. The guard could harm the kids. The guard could destroy everything.
He turned to Popi.
"Popi, can you take care of the kids?" Neve asked.
"I will," Popi said immediately. "Take care of yourself. You should take one of those sharp knives from the kitchen for protection. You need something to defend yourself with."
"I have my own protection," Neve said, looking at Aldric. "I’m sure Aldric would protect me. He has already proven that."
Neve was surprised by Aldric’s courage. The shy bear, the quiet one, had stood up to protect the kids when no one else was there. He had faced the guard without hesitation. He had put himself in danger to keep the children safe.
That was the kind of person Neve could trust.
They walked out together into the cold where the guard was standing.
The man saw Aldric and immediately frowned.
"I never said he could follow," the guard said, his voice harsh.
Neve lifted his chin defiantly.
"It’s either he’s coming with me or I stay back," Neve said firmly. "You can go tell Soren that I refused to come if you want."
The guard looked at Aldric with contempt. He saw the small bruise on Aldric’s face where the single punch had landed. He clearly doubted that this injured bear could protect anyone.
"Do as you want," the guard said dismissively, and walked ahead without waiting for them.
Neve and Aldric followed behind him, walking through the snow toward the chief’s cave.
.
Aldric walked slightly behind Neve as they traveled.
When they got close enough to the chief’s cave, Neve reached back and snaked his hand into Aldric’s. The bear’s hand was cold from the snow, but his grip was warm and firm.
"Whatever you do, stay close," Neve whispered urgently to Aldric.
Aldric nodded silently, understanding the message. Stay close. Do not let go. Be ready for anything.
Aldric took a step closer to Neve, so their bodies were almost touching as they walked. The message was clear to both of them. They were in this together.
Neve’s mind was working furiously as they walked. He had no plan. He had no defense. He was walking into Soren’s cave completely unprepared. Completely vulnerable.
The only thing he had was Aldric. The only thing he had was the hope that whatever Soren wanted, he could talk his way out of it.
’If I was going to see Soren without a plan or defense, at least I must find a way to come out of there alive, with Aldric.’
The stakes were high. The danger was real. But Neve was determined.
’At all cost!’