Chapter 22
By the time I realized what was happening, Neil had already torn a mouthful of feathers out of Noro’s wing.
Colton and Ramsay shifted instantly, the white and red wolves flanking me like a powerful wall. Eric ran towards the scene, his expression filled with fury.
As this happened, the gryphon screeched again and grabbed Neil in his talons, slamming him into the dirt. Neil grunted and shifted back, dazed by the blow. I gasped when I saw the extent of his wounds. Dried blood stained his skin, his clothes were torn, and he sported a black eye. But they weren’t inflicted by Noro--they were all tooth marks from other wolves.
“Leave him to me,” Eric growled to Noro, who backed off. Eric grabbed Neil and hauled him upright, snarling right into his face. “What the hell are you doing?”
“What the rest of you are too cowardly to do,” Neil spat. “Getting rid of the enemy!”
“How did you even get here?” Then, more angrily, “How did you escape my guards? What did you do to them?”
Neil glared at him. “Your precious guards are fine, although I gave them a few bites to remember me by. And as you can see, they returned the favor.” He lifted his lip. “The only reason I lost them was because they love their pack leader so much that they went grovelling for you when it was clear I’d slipped away.”
Eric’s face was a mix of anger and guilt. He didn’t need to say it out loud--we all knew his guards couldn’t find him because he was deep in North Pack territory, and then arrived here at the island.
“Why did you hurt the gryphon?” Eric demanded, shaking Neil.
I turned desperately to Noro, touching his feathery shoulder as he sat down. He was breathing heavily, and blood trickled down his wounded wing. A chunk of his feathers were missing, now blown away in the wind.
“You trust that beast more than you trust a wolf?” Neil asked almost pleadingly. “One of your own kind?”
“Yes,” Eric said, his voice deadly serious.
Neil was shocked at his reply. His face twisted more deeply into anger. “Don’t you see all of this is one big trap? He’s using you to gain Matheson’s trust, and then he’s going to steal him for himself!”
Eric’s grip on Neil tightened as he growled, “Like you tried to do?”
That made Neil shut his mouth. Eric threw him on the ground.
“Stay there, and don’t move,” Eric growled.
Back by Noro’s side, I grew increasingly worried. Noro shut his eyes as blood continued to trickle down his wings.
“Noro, are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes,” he murmured. “The pain will pass. Feathers grow back eventually.”
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Ramsay snapped at Neil, who was lying pathetically on the ground a few feet away. He didn’t look like he'd been injured in their scuffle--except for his pride.
“You’re all idiots for trusting that beast,” Neil said quietly. “What does he have to gain by working with you? He already said it himself that his pride is slowly dying and only an omega can save it.” He barked a nasty laugh. “What do you think he’s going to do when Matheson’s magic is unlocked? Give him a big hug and fly home?”
Everyone fell silent. Eric gave Noro a glance I couldn’t quite read. Colton and Ramsay remained close to my side, growling softly--but at who, I didn’t know.
Then Noro laid down, resting his head on his front talons and shutting his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was soft from pain. “I’m no threat to you. Take me as a prisoner if it will make it easier to believe.”
“Get up,” I told him firmly. “No one’s taking you hostage.”
Ramsay’s eyes flashed. “Mathe, maybe we should take him up on that offer.”
“What?” I demanded. “Are you seriously listening to Neil, of all people?”
“He has a point,” Eric muttered, eyeing both Noro and Neil. “As much as I hate to admit it.”
“Then don’t admit it,” I snapped. “Noro has done nothing but help us. I’m not taking him as a fucking prisoner. Besides, Neil tore half his wing off! He can’t even fly!”
Noro stood, his expression determined. “Then I will come willingly. Like you said, I can’t leave in this condition.”
