So this is a longer chapter than usual -but lots of books have long chapters...
Footsteps patter in the tight silence, Rhydian frowns, perplexed by the noise but curiosity still tugging at his instincts. Maddy carefully activates 'v' bomb whilst whistling a peaceful tune extremely loudly ( have no idea if Maddy can whistle although - seeing as she is really half wolf, and you can get people who can wolf whistle - I will say yes she can!). With the aid of each other, Maddy and Rhydian scramble out of the impaired window, of course as wolves (too small for humans to even try, let alone wolfbloods), and land on the wet grass, the bitter wind itching against their matted fur. Seconds to spare before a thunderous BOOM pierces their tender ear drums. The wolfbloods painfully fly into the air- gravity hitting them with great force, like a blanket covering their shoulders as their fear of fire dawns on them once more. The wolves yelp in shock, them landing in the entwined green bushes. Fire spits inside the labs, rubbing against the lush room like acid on magnesium, hissing with vehemence, destroying everything in it's massive winding path path. Smoke fills the intoxicating air, as humans and the rest of the wolfbloods - simply watch in horror, all of the scientists and other dudes, safe. Though their nerves shattered in two.
"Maddy." Emma says, concerned, her, Alric, Dan and Ceri all in human form, black veins scuttling down their arms. All of stand on a jagged boulder, darkness filling the sky.
"Wait -if the cub comes, she will come. Time will tell." Alric sternly says, though certainty rising his in voice - making Dan and Emma question Alrics line of authority even more.
"If anything happens to them." Emma hisses.
"Then it will be my responsibility. I am not as stupid as you tamed wolves think. My son's in there too you know." Alric remarks.
"Yeah I know -but Maddy will risk her life if Rhydian's in danger, we need to find them both." Emma argues.
"It's not just Maddy you know, what about Rhydian? Where's he!" Ceri booms, defending his eldest son.
"We will find him -but it will be too late, and we may not be able to get to them any time soon in a moment, I think Maddy just doesn't understand that she will risk her and everyone else's life." Emma dominantly says.
"And Rhydian won't?"
"I don't trust Rhydian that's all." Emma honestly replies, her heart becoming cold, due to the chilling winds.
"How dare you -I don't trust tame wolves but still I am forced to listen to them. What if Maddy deserts Rhydian -then what?" Alric judges.
"I know Maddy and she wouldn't."
"I know Rhydian and he wouldn't." Ceri vociferates.
"Well anyway - we can't let Maddy harm herself any more, or she could die! Saving Rhydian." Dan shots aggravated as he adds the last sentence on, as he notices Emma's distraught face.
"Maybe it's because Maddy cares for her Alpha! Maddy cares - you are meant to support Maddy, meaning supporting the things and wolfbloods she loves -Rhydian. Maddy wouldn't be pleased if you said to her, you don't trust Rhydian. " Alric fires, Ceri looks smug concurring with Alric.
"At least we have been there for Rhydian -not lying to him, treating him like dirt or nearly killing his Alpha - our daughter. Where's your trust and respect, you fat hypocrite." Daniel states maliciously.
"Alric, it's been too long now - we need to hurry." Ceri urges, her eyes blustering yellow.
"Come on you lot -lets face the music." Daniel sighs, the four of them dash towards the blistering scene, though the humans scamper away, admitting that they are cowardly.
Maddy arouses from her dark sleep, her head pounding, smoke coiling round her throat as her eyes scream in agony, everything becoming a blur. Maddy forces herself up, her raw lungs starved of oxygen. The burning flames shining brighter than the stars. Thick blood trickles down Maddy's forehead, Maddy sighs - thankfully in human form. The female wolfblood is greeted by the rest of the pack, who fuss and grapple at Maddy's arms, attempting to get themselves away from the boiling blaze. But Maddy's head starts to ring alarm bells -no Rhydian. Dan and Emma carry their daughter away, who is screaming and kicking, fury quenching her twisted stomach, salty tears streaming down her face, though only one set of hands come to Maddy's rescue, freeing her from Maddy's exhausted pack, but Maddy doesn't look back, in fear of loosing precious time -like drops of pure cool water, in fear of getting caught once more - Maddy Smith just runs, smelling Rhydian's sweet scent, though fractured, his fragrance still lingers in the dying air. Maddy, who is on the verge of transforming, due to the anger (of her pack stopping her from saving Rhydian or eve tracking him down), the pain (mentally and physically) and the fire. The one thing that all wolfbloods have in common -actually two- fire and the secret being found out by humans. She just follows her withered heart, all wolfbloods have a heart -it's how they use it that matters. Maddy trips over once of twice, gaining deep gashes all over her face, but it doesn't stop her, Maddy travels through the woods in a heated pace, the serine ambiance gone. Maddy kicks the ground in fury -the scent gone, as the smoke blocks her nasal passages. Maddy looks around in every direction, her heart pumping more blood as he head feels lighter.
"Rhydian?" Maddy shouts, though it is more of a whisper -her voice husky and cold. The winds sways in the freezing wind, still nothing.
"Rhydian -are ya here? RHYDIAN!" Maddy's voice breaks, the evanescence of hope evaporating into the cloud of tangled smoke.
Just then strong arms grab Maddy from behind, lifting Maddy up into the air, Maddy lets out a mangled squeal, and she tries to kick her way out, due to blind animal instinct. Maddy growls, fatigued, failing to free herself from the wily grip from this 'mystery' person. Just as Maddy is about to retaliate back, she is turned around and place back on the ground, as tepid lips close on Maddy's, his cut hands, gently loosening the grip on Maddy's waist. Maddy melts into the kiss, loosing herself completely, suddenly forgetting everything around her - everything that has happened, her mind gone blank, just love pulsing through her sizzled body. Maddy breaks away, and steps back.
"Rhydian I thought you were dead -you idiot!" Maddy says, whacking him on the arm, Rhydian grins, a bit battered but he'll live.
"Sorry Mads, I had just woken up, then I heard you shout -and here we are." Rhydian tells, serious but by the end, his voice full of humour.
"Well you nearly gave us a heart attack, you can be unbelievable at times!" Maddy smirks, relief flooding into her eyes but is glaring at Rhydian harshly, Rhydian laughs pulling Maddy closer towards him, not wanting to loose Maddy or even risk loosing here -not not after all those pointless, countless number of times. Not ever.
"Well if you thought of better plans -like not getting ourselves killed." Rhydian whispers, his voice as gentle as the warm summer breeze.
"Then we would all be caged, and mostly likely be dead." Maddy states, her eyes burning into Rhydian's.
"I guess Maddy -just it would be nice for once, if nothing went wrong, I think we're cursed."
"I think you're cursed -it was quiet before you came to Stonybridge!" Maddy exclaims, Rhydian's smile stretches.
"I think you started my curse."
"Well I don't think it was a curse at all." Maddy confesses, smiling like she's never smiled before.
"You don't?"
"I think it was the best thing that has ever happened to us -even the consequences, it's worth it -being with you I mean." Maddy gently confesses., looking away as the blood rising to her face.
"Maddy, since when did you start going all romantic?" Rhydian inquires.
"I have no idea." Maddy shrugs.
But both of them only understanding the length of their love - how it feels to get your heart ripped heart, then put back in your body in seconds, only they know how sturdy their love is - and only Maddy and Rhydian know that their love is so strong, it can conquer anything. Silence fills the forest as they just gaze into each other's glistening eyes, feeling their own heart beat, nothing else mattering - only them.
The fire being sorted out by specialists -who would believe the humans anyway? That they were testing a secret race called 'wolfbloods' - against the law, and Whitewood has left, no help from the government to bail them out. It's over. Or is it?
"Anyway - so how did you evacuate everyone from the building Mads?" Rhydian asks, his breath taken away because as always he is finding it hard to breathe when his Alpha is near him (which is a good thing!).
"Alric knew the plan as well, he was going to transform with Mam, Dad, your Mam - and frighten the humans out knowing that there aren't proper guns, they weren't gonna be in danger, I whistle as a signal so they only have a few minutes before the bomb goes off -and Rhydian's your Alpha -jobs done!"
"Rhydian's your Alpha? Where did that come from?"
"Well, asks Shannon - used to say it to us before, to tease us before - she - they- went, er yeah..." Maddy stammers, sadness filling her Rhydian only needing to see it in her eyes to acknowledge her emotions -they know each other throughout most times.
"Maddy I know you feel upset -but you know that none of 'them' can be trusted, look what it got us last time, and the time before that, and the time before that!" Rhydian gruffly replies.
"I know -but I can't help thinking that they wanted to do the right thing, but their plan was a bit - dodgy." Maddy reviews, Rhydian silently giggles.
"Yeah it was -but they didn't even know Whitewood was OK at heart, anything could have happened to you." Rhydian reminds, Maddy frowns, sensing hurt in Rhydian's voice.
"I get it - they wouldn't of felt any pain - but they aren't robots, it will take time I know, but we shouldn't forget them -after everything this pack has been through."
"You could of died, and they would of felt no guilt -they hit me over the head, and they had a choice, but they lied to us - I thought we are all a team, a pack, but no Jana has to have it her way, Shannon leading the betrayal." Rhydian winces, his fiery whisper echoing in Maddy's head.
"Rhydian?"
"No Mads. Jana warned me this sort of thing would happen and you can forgive anyone, she said you always give in, and I wouldn't believe her, before you left to go to the wild -but you do, and Maddy I can't loose you, not again." Rhydian says, his voice beginning to break, flaking apart like the metallic paint on bikes.
"I know." Maddy manages to mumble, nodding her head, as Rhydian's warmth keeps her safe.
"You do?"
"Yeah -they are meant to be part of our pack, and they let us down -again. Best friends don't do that - I know what you mean, best friends don't desert each other - all about that bond and that wolf loyalty. What friends would we be if we deserted the people we care about the most. " Maddy explains in a wily fashion. Rhydian sighs, not surprised.
"Maddy you are unbelievable at times!" Rhydian mocks, his heart softening, feeling remorse for some of the stuff he said - only some though.
"So?" Maddy raises her eyebrows, the same voice she used when she was asking if Rhydian was jealous of her and Tom, during that sleepover (yeah wolfsbane...)
"Fine, they can be in the pack, but I won't trust them - instinct." Rhydian firmly assures.
"Thanks Rhydian."
"No problem but I can't talk to them. Not yet - when people break the trust it can be hard." Rhydian admits, opening his heart.
"That's understandable, I won't push you -take your time with them." Maddy says, nodding her head supportively, Rhydian bashfully grins the warm feeling in his heart growing again, and Rhydian thought his love couldn't grow anymore.
"You know- I'll do anything for you right? I'm here for you Maddy - I always will be." Rhydian murmurs, stroking Maddy's cheek with affection, Rhydian leans in and places his lips onto Maddy's, their kiss passionate but gentle, fireworks exploding in their head, the world becoming a blur once more. After a few minutes, they break away, and rest their foreheads on each other,feeling like they have just jumped over the full moon.
"I know Rhydian. I've always needed you."
"I'm glad,now that it's over apart from Liam and a few others but - our lives can never be normal, because of who we are, but I want to be there for you -properly, I want you to be mine Mads." Rhydian nervously utters, the anticipation of an answer tearing him up.
"Same, I love you Rhydian, wouldn't want it any other way." Maddy genuinely replies, though with caution.
"Me too, though I wish Mr and Mrs Vaughn ate meat, that is the only thing I would change."
"Actually Rhydian, now you've said that -you're cursed."
"Thanks Mads." Rhydian chuckles.
"Come on, lets go -everyone will be thinking we've died." Maddy suggests, Rhydian reluctantly steps away, a sigh escaping his lips, Maddy slips her hands into Rhydian's, not wanting Rhydian to fade away, Rhydian grins, and they plod through the undergrowth, towards home once more.
Maddy and Rhydian arrive at the Smiths rustic cottage, laughing and nattering about normal things, though both secretly bewildered to why their family's haven't met them any time sooner. What are the doing? Rhydian opens the heavy cracked door, and the two wolfbloods trudge in, the door shutting with a loud THUD. They both look at each other, with uncertainty -where is everyone? Suddenly, Emma, Daniel and the rest of the pack barge through another slender door, the tension extremely high.
"Mam, Dad!" Maddy exclaims her lips stretching into a smile.
Suddenly the wolfbloods all reunites, as hugs and tales are shared all around, even Bryn joining them, they all break apart, everyone shattered. Ceri senses uneasiness for Maddy and Rhydian, who have gone rather quiet, although the atmosphere is casual, relief being passed around.
"My beautiful boy -what is the matter?" Ceri utters, concern growing on her face.
"Well, me and Mads were wondering where did everyone go to? No one came to find us." Rhydian shrugs, picking his words thoroughly.
"Well, we couldn't see you, and we knew you are well."
"How?" Rhydian demands, finding the how matter ludicrous.
"A mother can track down their cub but also have the instinct of knowing if their cub is in danger or not."
"So you based the welfare of my'n and Maddy's lives on instincts?"
"Rhydian you are becoming too tame - we do it any way, all wolfbloods follow their instincts, don't forget that." Ceri snaps though in a caring sort of tone, her wild side getting the better of her.
"I won't mum."
"Good -Bryn, don't touch that light thing, it could kill you!" Ceri diverts her attention to Bryn, Rhydian smiles faintly watching his little brother adjust to the human world.
"Rhydian -are you OK?" A voice echo's in his head, Rhydian turns around to see Mr and Mrs Smith, smiling graciously at the ragged boy.
"Yeah I'm fine, just tired, it's been a long day and all." Rhydian lies, his problem pitted at the bottom of his stomach.
"Not surprised, though glad to see you're not dead!" Dan says, cheerfully.
"Me too." Rhydian replies happily.
"Well we'll see you later yeah? Tomorrow maybe?" Emma hints.
"Maybe." Rhydian walks off. Needing fresh air, Rhydian leaves the house breathing heavily.
"What are you doping out here Rhydian?" Maddy inquires, perching on a thick branch, in front of the house, also needing fresh air. Rhydian jumps a little, startled -making Maddy smirk.
"Could say the same thing for you." Rhydian replies, managing to climb the tree, with only the energy of the moon keeping him awake. Rhydian sits comfortable next to Maddy, watching the world go by.
"You could - so spill." Maddy blurts out, her face becoming serious again.
"Needed fresh air, because after everything that has happened over the last couple of months has got a bit too much, everyone nearly dying to Shannon, Tom and Jana betraying us, and no one is seeming to care -just forgetting it, all if this is too sudden, all my brain is thinking of is what the next bad thing will happen -we never get a break, then when we do, it doesn't feel right." Rhydian reveals, feeling like he's lost a massive weight on his chest.
"Of course it will be hard, I mean not everyone has gone through what we've been through, I guess they tend to forget that." Maddy presumes.
"Sometimes Maddy it's annoying, like no one ever listens to us." Rhydian responds his voice smooth like chocolate but serious, looking at Maddy with deep concern.
"Sometimes people don't want to remember the bad things in the past, and like to move on too. It don't mean they don't listen to us, it just means they don't want to, because we are Alphas. But you got to relax, you don't have to do everything you know -you got us. You've got me." Maddy mumbles squeezing Rhydian's hand, before jumping off the tree, yearning to sleep and to leave Rhydian thinking about Maddy's words, Rhydian can't help but smile, about the last sentence.
You've got me.