Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 57

Tyree's POV

As soon as the Luna opens the door, the smell of blood is overwhelming. It isn't old and stale, like you would normally smell in a dirty dungeon. This smells like someone just sloshed buckets of it down the hallway.

How is that possible? The door was locked. I look over at the Elder, who looks pale and if I didn’t know better, guilty. I send a mind link to Marco and Beta Lenora, letting them know I need backup. Honestly, the Luna can handle anything going on down there. Even if she wasn't one of the strongest wolves I've ever met, with her powers she can defeat any threat, but it’s my job to protect her, not the other way around.

My wolf, Slayer, paces in my head, “High alert, my man. This clearly ain't right."

"Agreed, Slayer. Let me know if you see anything. If memory serves me correctly, there isn't a whole lot of room to move down there. We won't be able to shift if there's an actual emergency.”

"Ten four," he growls.

I let him come forward enough for my eyes to turn black and extend my fangs. Just one step closer to shifting if we need to.

"Luna, stand back,” I touch her elbow. She looks at me, trying to hide her fear, but her eyes are wide and her breathing gets heavier with building panic.

"It's alright, Luna. I've got this,” I reassure her and she steps back.

I look at the Elder again. He looks like he's about to bolt like a scared jackrabbit. I'm probably about to get fired for this, maybe even banished, but my wolf and my instincts are telling me not to let this guy out of my sight.

Goddess, forgive me. I pull my handgun from the holster and press it on his back. He lets out a little gasp and starts to look back at me, but thinks twice.

"W-what’sthe meaning of this?" he stammers like a coward.

"You first, Elder Randall,” I growl at the old man, pushing him toward the stairs.

"I-I'm sure this i-isn't, uh, n-necessary," still stuttering over his words,” probably just a leaky pipe or something of the sort.”

over her body and who shakes her head at me. She doesn’t trust him either. Maybe she will put ina good word for me when I have to go to trial for threatening a member of the Elder Council. Maybe I won't make it to the trial. Mom will

movin’, Elder,” I grip his shoulder with my other hand, pushing him forward. He makes his way slowly down the stairs, protesting the

it's her way of protecting herself, but it still makes me nervous when she does that stuff. You never know who she

the stairs, we can hear a child near the end of the hallway crying. The Elder looks around, scared to

door sure sounds like a child, doesn't it? Heh heh..." his face has a

we have to help her," the Luna whispers

first couple of empty cells to make sure they're empty. I remember being down

minutes,” he calls

this Elder. I have my gun on him to make sure he doesn't try

to tell me

bedroom is," the Luna says. I look down to see her head tilted, looking down the dark hallway, curious

in just a minute. We don't know who or what is down there," I warn her, "the more backup we

sadness? The fear?” her voice is barely a whisper.

Please! Wait!" I hiss

to help," she calls down the

hiccups can be heard.

face peeks out

okay, little one, come on. We can help you," the Luna squats down, urging the girl to come to

comes across the girl's face as she recognizes the Luna. Even from this far away,

charging down the stairs and steps in front of the Luna,

the face at the end of the hallway is a child, he holsters his gun

to

soothing voice I’ve heard from him in the twenty-three years I've known him, "You can come out. We aren't here to

again, pointing at the Luna, "It wasn't m-me I swear. I-I

shift uncomfortably under my grip on his shoulder. He looks back at me and whispers, "You know, maybe we should call security.

back to watch Marco. I’m dead meat when my mom finds out about this. Marco slowly makes his way to the girl. When he reaches

girl that she is safe, and no one can hurt her. Beta Lenora finally comes rushing down the stairs at the same time. She sees me holding my gun to the Elder's back. Her eyes widen, but