**Chapter 5 - His Trail**
**TALÀ**
The switch occurred once more. I lifted my hands and moved them deliberately. It appeared that my consciousness had once again assumed control of Camillia's body, after she had fallen into a deep sleep.
I raised up, got out of bed, and walked to the nearest mirror. I placed a hand against it, seeing Camillia's swollen, red eyes. "You cried yourself to sleep again." A fleeting feeling of sadness came over me. Whenever she's under extreme stress, a mental block forms between us. Pushing my consciousness forward, while suppressing hers.
"What?!" A voice carried through the hall, as footsteps grew louder. I could sense many people nearby, as my hearing searched throughout the manor. "The Patriarch is missing?!"
Our mate is missing? I sped to the window, opened it, and sniffed the air, picking up his distinctive scent that mingled within the atmosphere. I climbed up, preparing to jump down. I have to be careful with Camillia's body, for our healing abilities are limited due to my weakened state. I jumped down, bracing myself for landing.
When I landed on the ground, I glanced up, seeing that I had come down from the third floor. I had fallen into a luminous area, as I looked at my surroundings, noticing a forest beyond the gates. I sniffed, picking up his scent again, he went North.
The heat intensified within Camillia's body, her skin tingling with anticipation as I felt the transformation take hold. My muscles rippled and stretched, reshaping beneath the surface as I shifted into my wolf form. The air around us seemed to thrum with energy, heightening my senses and awakening instincts long buried.
I must find our mate before we become feral again.
After jumping over the gate, I dashed through the dense forest, my heart racing, as exhilaration coursed through me, the wind brushing against my fur, carrying with it the earthy scents of pine and damp leaves.
How many years has it been since I was able to run freely like this? A memory flashed, the screams, the blood, and them. I skidded to a stop, almost crashing into a tree. Uh right, since that day. A memory only I am aware of; one that I've hidden away from Camillia.
I looked up at the sky, through the limbs of the trees. Strange, there's no moon here as well. The cause of my weakened state.
My ears flickered at the sound of cars and voices in the distance. I sprinted deep into the forest, navigating my way until I reached the edge of a road.
"Where the fuck is my brother?!"A familiar voice shouted, his name was it..Tristan?
When Camillia first met him, I sensed her irritation, and brought myself forward, observing the situation. He seemed decent and the woman who was with him cared for Camillia, which eased my spirit, enabling me to shift when they were in danger.
I peeked through the bushes, seeing a car turned upside down, and multiple men standing around. Tristan grabbed hold of a man by his shirt. I sensed anger coming from him.
I sniffed, picking up our mate's scent again. I turned my gaze towards the trail it was heading, and began to run in its direction.
**SAMUEL**
I groaned, the shooting pain lingered in my body. My ear rang, my vision blurred. The only thing I remember was something crashing into us.
"Patriarch, you're awake." Cassid's voice trembled as I felt my arm being lifted.
I looked around as my vision cleared up the darkness surrounding us. Cassid wrapped my left arm around his shoulder, pulled me up from the solid surface that was beneath me.
"Cassid," I said, "Where are we?"
"Patriarch, I found a small cave after carrying you, and hopped through the forest after the car flipped over," he replied.
I chuckled, "Looks like those old fucks wasted no time to attack me again"
I took a step, sliding my hand against the stones.
"Are you able to call Logan, Cassid?" I asked, guiding myself near the opening of the cave.
"No, sir, our phones were damaged from the impact." He said.
""Enough with the formalities; it's just the two of us. You can drop the formal act." I said.
"Pfft", Cassid snickered, "Samuel, what's the plan?"
"First, we have to travel on foot and head to the village on the outskirts of town. I must find out what those old fucks have been hiding and I must know what caused my grandfather's grievance"
Cassid pressed his fist against mine, a gesture we have been doing since our childhood as we stood at the entrance of the cave. "As always we'll get through this together." Cassid said.
I tilted my head back, exhaling for a moment. We'll take back everything that belongs to us and find out what happened to our parents. Our first goal has been completed, with me becoming the Patriarch. Our second goal, acquiring the Graystone family and bringing them to ruin.
****
TALÀ
My breath hitched, my vision began to waver. I wasn't sure how long I've been running, but time stood still in an instant. Oh no, I'm becoming feral again. I must find a safe place in case I shift back into Camillia's body.
I took a step, my legs quivered with each one. The temperature in my body had risen. I continued to walk, huffing as the saliva dripped from my mouth. I don't think I can take another step.
I lay on the ground, the broken limbs from the tree branches resting under my fur. The sound of footsteps made my ears perk up.
"My, my, You and Camillia are such a handful", A familiar voice said, I blinked, just as a figure bent down in front of me, rubbing my head. "I'll take it from here Talà"
"Mariam," I said, as I closed my eyes.