Chapter 110: Missing Child
The mates left ananria to rest up and brought food for her at intervals, from morning till night time, they only permitted few assigned servants to her and made sure that they strictly warned them to make sure that she didn’t even pick up a single thing and threatened them with serious punishment if they catch her doing anything.
This made the servants to be extremely careful to the way they were handling her cause they knew how much lady Ananria meant to them especially to their leader, Rylan.
Rylan even took Ana from her for another night cause they didn’t want anything to disturb her but still Anaria couldn’t sleep well that night.
She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her body was still heavy. Her head still ached. But her mind was awake. She kept thinking about the southern settlement. The people there. Whether they were alright.
When morning came, she got up slowly. She washed her face. She dressed. She checked on Ana, who was sleeping peacefully in her crib. Then she went to find her mates.
They were already in the main hall. Kenai was speaking to one of the guards. Kai was checking a list of supplies. Rylan was looking over a map.
They all looked up when she entered.
"You should be resting," Kenai said.
"I rested all night."
"That is not what I meant."
Anaria walked over to the table. She looked at the map. "When do we leave?"
Rylan folded the map. "Within the hour. The guards are ready. The supplies are packed."
"And Ana?"
"She comes with us. Kenai will carry her."
Anaria nodded. She looked at Kenai. He did not look happy. But he did not argue.
"We will take two guards," Rylan continued. "Just enough to keep us safe. We are not expecting trouble."
"And we are only there to check on them," Kai added. He looked at Anaria. "Nothing else."
Anaria held up her hands. "I know. I remember."
Kenai stepped closer. "You will ride with Rylan. He can carry you in his wolf form. It will be faster and easier on your body."
Anaria looked at Rylan. He nodded.
"Fine."
They finished their preparations quickly. Anaria packed her healing supplies. She did not know why. The task was only to check on the settlement. But she packed them anyway.
She went to Ana’s room and picked her up. The baby was awake now, looking around with curious eyes.
"We are going on a trip," Anaria said.
Ana made a small sound.
Kenai appeared in the doorway. "I will take her."
Anaria handed her over. Kenai secured Ana in a sling against his chest. The baby fussed for a moment before settling.
They left Wolfrine just as the sun was rising. The air was cool. The sky was clear. The guards walked ahead. Kai followed. Kenai walked beside Anaria. Rylan walked behind them.
When they reached the edge of the settlement, Rylan stopped.
"Ready?"
Anaria nodded.
Rylan transformed. His body shifted. His fur grew. His shape changed. Within moments, a large wolf stood before her. He was grey and black, with eyes that were still Rylan’s.
He lowered himself so she could climb on.
Anaria hesitated. Then she walked over and climbed onto his back. She settled herself carefully. She wrapped her hands in his fur.
Kenai stepped closer. "Comfortable?"
"I am fine."
"Do not fall."
"I will try not to."
Kai laughed. "She will be fine. Rylan will not let her fall."
Rylan made a sound. It might have been agreement. It might have been a warning. Anaria could not tell.
She leaned forward and rested her hands on his shoulders.
"Let’s go."
They moved through the forest at a steady pace.
Rylan’s wolf form was large and strong. His steps were even. Anaria barely felt the movement. She held onto his fur and watched the trees pass by. The guards walked ahead. Kai walked on one side. Kenai walked on the other, Ana against his chest.
The morning was quiet. Birds sang in the trees. Sunlight filtered through the leaves. It was peaceful.
Anaria let herself relax.
She had not realized how tense she had been. How much she had been holding in. The collapse. The argument. The tears. It had all been too much. But now, on Rylan’s back, with her mates around her and Ana safe, she felt something close to calm.
The system chimed.
[Congratulations.]
Anaria blinked.
[You successfully used emotional blackmail to achieve your goal.]
She stared at the message.
"Seriously?"
[It was effective.]
She sighed.
"You are unbelievable."
[That is not a recognized classification.]
She waved her hand. The system chimed away.
Kenai noticed her expression. "What is it?"
"Nothing."
"You made a face."
"I did not."
"You did."
Kai glanced over. "She made a face."
Anaria looked at both of them. "I am fine."
Kenai did not look convinced. But he let it go.
They continued walking. The forest began to thin. The path widened. Anaria could see open fields ahead.
Ana made a sound. Kenai looked down at her.
"Are you hungry?"
Ana made another sound.
Kenai adjusted the sling. "We will stop soon."
Anaria watched them. Kenai was gentle with Ana. He always was. He carried her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Kai walked closer to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Your head?"
"The ache is fading."
He nodded. "Good."
They walked in silence for a while. Then Kai spoke again.
"You know they were scared."
Anaria looked at him.
"Kenai and Rylan. When you collapsed. They were scared."
She did not answer.
"I was too," Kai said. "But they show it differently. Kenai gets angry. Rylan gets quiet. You know that."
She nodded slowly.
"I know."
"Good."
He said nothing more. He walked ahead to join the guards.
Anaria watched him go. She looked at Kenai. He was murmuring to Ana. She looked at Rylan. She could feel his steady breathing beneath her. She could feel the strength in his body.
She leaned forward and rested her cheek against his fur.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Rylan made a sound. Low. Soft. She knew he heard her.
They continued on.
By midday, the settlement appeared in the distance. Small buildings. Smoke from cooking fires. People moving between the homes.
Anaria sat up straighter.
They were almost there.
They reached the settlement gates.
A guard stepped forward. He saw Anaria on Rylan’s back. His eyes widened.
"You came back."
Anaria slid down from Rylan’s back. Her legs were unsteady for a moment. Kenai was there immediately, his hand on her arm.
"I told you I would check on you," she said.
The guard nodded. He turned and called out. "She is here! The healer is here!"
People began to emerge from the buildings. They gathered around. They recognized her. They smiled. Some bowed. Some reached for her hand.
"Welcome back."
"Thank you for coming."
"We are so glad to see you."
Anaria smiled at them. She felt warm. She felt welcome.
A woman stepped forward. It was the one who had first spoken to her before. The one who had been wary.
"You look tired," the woman said.
Anaria laughed softly. "I am fine."
𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
"You should rest."
"I will."
Rylan stepped beside her. He had transformed back. He looked at the crowd. "We came to check on you. To see how you are recovering."
The woman nodded. "We are better. Much better. Thanks to her."
She looked at Anaria. Anaria felt her cheeks warm.
They were led inside. A small building was prepared for them. Clean bedding. Fresh water. Food.
Anaria sat down. She was tired. More than she wanted to admit.
She made to get up. She wanted to see the people and check on them especially the sick ones
Kenai stopped her. His hand was on her shoulder.
"Rest."
"I am fine."
"You are not."
"I want to see them."
"They will still be there in an hour."
She looked at him. She wanted to argue. But she was tired.
She sat back down "Fine."
Kenai nodded. He looked at Kai. "Stay with her."
Kai nodded. Kenai left with Rylan to check on the settlement.
Anaria sat in the quiet. Kai sat beside her. He did not speak. He just waited.
Then the system appeared.
[Task Completed.]
Anaria looked at the message.
[Congratulations. You have successfully checked on the southern settlement.]
She waited.
[New Task Available.]
She frowned.
[Task: Help this settlement improve their well-being.]
Anaria stared at the message.
"What?"
[Task: Help this settlement improve their well-being. Required: Assess their needs. Create a plan. Implement changes.]
"I thought the task was just to visit."
[Apologies. This information was withheld to ensure compliance.]
Anaria’s mouth dropped open.
"You withheld information?"
[Affirmative.]
"You knew I would not accept if you told me."
[Affirmative.]
She rubbed her forehead. She did not know what to say.
Then she heard sounds from outside. Voices. Loud. Panicked.
She stood up.
Kai stood too. "What is it?"
She did not answer. She walked to the door.
People were running. A leopard beast woman was crying. A lion beast man was shouting.
"A child is missing!"
Anaria’s heart stopped.
She rushed outside.