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R E M I N I S C E D

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Pacing back and forth with his hands interlaced together behind his back, Gideon could not hide the fact that he was severely anxious. His entire body felt restless as he waited in the common room, his son settled comfortably in a chair.  "We have just received news on King Ashton," Samuel informed in a hushed tone to his alpha.

"Let me see the letter," Gideon ordered as he stuck his palm out. 

"Yes, sir." The man handed over the sealed envelope but before Gideon opened it, he nudged his head towards the door. Samuel picked up on what his leader was getting at and nodded. He walked over to the entryway and checked if there was anybody lingering around, specifically Irina. When he saw that the coast was clear, he retreated back to Gideon's side. "No sign of the princess."

"All right," Gideon sighed. Slowly, he pried the envelope open and pulled the content out. Unfolding the letter, he recognized the penmanship of his good friend from Collier. The note started off with a greeting to him and soon after, the disheartening news was delivered.

To My Dearest Companion,

           It pains me to say this but things in Elysium are not looking too bright, especially for King Ashton and his family. News has already traveled throughout the kingdom of the felonious crimes he has been accused of committing and now he is currently being held in a high security prison along with his wife and children. There is also a search going on for the second princess who was able to escape. Flyers of her are posted everywhere and the high councilmen are even offering a reward for her capture. Everyone is keeping their eyes open for her because let me tell you, the money being offered for her is very hefty. It has been three days since the king has been arrested and it is said his trial will take place this evening. If he is found guilty, he and his family will be publicly executed tomorrow once the sun has set. I...I honestly cannot even fathom these illogical events. Everything is so out of order with the king no longer in the palace and rumors are even going around that this is some type of conspiracy conjured up by the high councilmen. There is no direct evidence linking his majesty to the heinous deeds but the words of anonymous witnesses who refuse to reveal their identities to the people of Elysium in fear that they too will be persecuted. If you ask me, this seems suspicious and I'm not the only one thinking in this type of manner. Everyone knows what a winsome and strong-willed leader our ruler is. He loves his people and would never do anything to harm them therefore it would make no sense for him to be corrupted and be involved in treasonous acts. The last three decades should be enough proof that he is not crooked. I would like to voice out my opinion and thoughts but a decree has been ordered by them that if anyone was to side and defend King Ashton, they will be taken in as well and be considered as an accomplice. Can you believe how far they are taking things? Just because the citizens want to stand up for the loving king who led Elysium into a time of peace and serenity, they could risk having themselves and anyone they know being executed. How ludicrous! Also, word is getting around that if the king is deemed guilty, after his execution a high councilman will succeed the throne and come to power. And if that happens, I don't know what to do. This occurred so rapidly, people are still having a hard time adjusting to the idea. Who knows how the new king will run things. But please, if the princess happens to wander into your land, keep her safe and do not let anyone know of her real identity. You know as well as I do that some of your people despise the royal family so if they found out, they would surely hand her over to the courts. If my suspicions are accurate and the king has been wronged, she will be Elysium's only hope. You must keep her safe for the sake of the people here. In the future we will need her to reclaim what is rightfully hers. Until then, please take care of yourself and I will inform you if anything else major takes place.

Signed, Reena

As Gideon allowed his brain to soak everything he had just read in, he stumbled a step back. The letter slipped from his hands and landed on the ground. He stared off into the distance, looking at nothing in particular as the words floated around in his head. The Alpha personally knew Irina's father. Long before he even became the King of Elysium, the two of them had already met. Ashton was, as one would say, his lifesaver. Gideon could recall the incident as though it had just happened yesterday.

{ 27 years ago }

It was a cold and freezing winter night. Gideon was only sixteen at the time when he had accidentally crossed over into the land belonging to the kingdom. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was heading and that was his mistake. As the wolf wandered further into the grand forests on his own, despite the brisk weather, an arrow skimmed right by his ear. He didn't know what was happening until he looked up and met eyes with three hunters all carrying bows and arrows. It was then that he realized he was no longer in Savage territory.

"Kill the beast!" one of them had shouted and then seven more men appeared. With their arrows all directed at him, Gideon went wide-eyed and was rendered motionless. He wasn't sure why they were attacking him so ruthlessly. It was an honest mistake on his part but it wasn't like they would listen to his explanation anyways. He was in his wolf form at the time, which made it much easier for the attackers to aim at him since he was large.

Gideon tried running and dodging but one arrow had pierced one of his back legs. His advances were crippled and he was able to hear the hunters chasing after him. With nothing left to do, he transformed back into his human form and sat helplessly against the bark of a tree, his body shivering from the snow while his lips began to turn a pale shade of blue. He knew they were going to find him soon because of the trail of blood imprinted on the snow.

He was biting his tongue back, not wanting to whimper from the pain and then he heard footsteps approaching him. Gideon was expecting the worst as he squeezed his eyes shut but then he felt warm fingers grazing his ankle. Immediately, he opened his eyes and was stunned to find a young man there who carried no weapons. "I threw them off track," he informed as he examined the wound.

"You did?" Gideon choked out, relief flooding his entire system as his chest deflated.

"Yes. But next time you must be careful. You were very fortunate I happened to be around. People in Elysium have a strong distaste against Rogues as you can tell. It doesn't matter if you're old or young. If you're from the Savage land, you're a beast to them," he pointed out. Then he looked at the injured boy, remorse written all over his face. "I'm going to have to snap the arrow in half and then pull each piece out. It's going to hurt so please bear with me."

After the bow had been removed and the wound wrapped, Gideon was hauled to his feet and led to an abandoned hut just along the borders of Savage Rogue vicinity. He was embarrassed not because he had been rescued but because he was completely naked. He expected it to be awkward but the other male seemed to be completely unfazed by the fact as he continued to assist him to safety. Once they arrived at their destination, the savior set him on the bed and covered his body with a blanket. Not many words were exchanged but neither boys minded.

"Thank you for saving me out there," Gideon finally said as he held the sheets tighter around his body.

"It's quite all right. It was the right thing to do," he replied as he placed his bag on the table and pulled out some containers. "I have some leftover food here. You should eat and rest before returning." He turned to the exit and as he pried the door open, Gideon spoke up.

"Wait—can I at least know your name?"

The lad looked over his shoulder and answered, "Ashton. Ashton Kavalier." And like the wind he was gone. Although Ashton never learned the identity of the young wolf he had saved, Gideon would never forget him.

* * *

"If he is found guilty, he and his family will be executed tomorrow," he muttered with his brows bunched. His hands moved to massage his temples and then entered his son. "Where is the princess?"

Kaleb tucked his hands into his pockets and shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't know, don't care. I don't want to babysit her."

"Kaleb," his father gritted. "You were supposed to keep an eye on her."

"That's what we have guards for, father. I'm sure she's somewhere lurking about. Why do you look so distraught anyways?" he questioned.

"It's her father," Gideon said. "Reena says his trial is today and if he is found guilty, he and his family will be publicly executed."

"What?" Kaleb's posture became uneasy at the news.

"You heard me, son. Do not make me repeat myself," he replied as he got up and bent over to pick up the letter. "It's not looking good for them so I am being serious this time, Kaleb. Stick by the princess and don't let her out of your sight. So far only you, Samuel and I know of the events in Elysium. Also, don't tell anyone about her real identity. The less people who know, the safer it will be for her. Let's keep it that way."

"Father, I know you respect King Ashton but he is a criminal. And we can't hide a fugitive in our land. It could create chaos. Do you know what will happen if this was to get out? We could get attacked!" Kaleb fumed.

"Do not raise your voice at me!" Gideon barked as he stalked up to his son. "Princess Irina is not a fugitive nor is her father a criminal. Ashton Kavalier is a righteous person. Don't say anything like that ever again. Do you know how much that man has done for our people? For our family? If it wasn't for him, you wouldn't even exist today!"

"And if you keep living in the past and acting on your petty emotions, you're going to get us all massacred! Just hand her over and keep your hands clean of this mess," Kaleb instructed fiercely. He wasn't going to lose this one. He was right. His father would just have to accept defeat. He needed to think about their people, not some weak girl who was a major liability to them.

"You were the one who brought her here if I remember correctly! Therefore she is your responsibility. And let me warn you, Kaleb Simon Blackwell, if you even think about turning her into the authorities, I will not let it go," Gideon threatened through grinding teeth.

Had the old man lost his mind? He must have! "What's the difference? You know very well her family will be killed tomorrow and kin means everything to us wolves. Do you think you can hide this from her for forever? How can you even expect me to be around a girl who doesn't even respect our kind? It would be better if she just died along with them. It would be less painful for her!" the boy spat, his eyes turning into a vivid emerald green.

A slap echoed through the air as Kaleb's head whipped to the side. He could taste the blood lingering on the corner of his lips and a dry, bitter chuckle left his lips. "Get out! I can't even look at you! Do you not realize how hard this must be for her? How could you even spew such things about the daughter of the man who saved your father's life?"

"I was taught not to consider other people's feelings and it's going to stay that way. Whether they die or not, whether she is the daughter of Zeus himself, I don't give a damn and I never will. Bringing her here was a mistake." As Kaleb glared at his father, the shade of his eyes seemed to darken as his Gideon's eyes turned into a deep, dark and bloody red. The two male wolves were so embroiled and infuriated with one another that they didn't even pick up on the feminine scent lingering just outside the door.

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Author's Thoughts: Meep. This chapter was okay. Thank you all so much for reading this story <3 Please vote and comment if you'd like! Ah, here is the heartless Kaleb I was looking for.