From Gamma to Luna

Chapter 50

Erika’s POV

We walked deeper and deeper into the forest. The deeper we got in, the more nervous Kent got. He kept asking where we were and he even couldn’t tell the direction. So he took out a compass from his bag and took a look at it from time to time.

I was speechless at his reaction.

Eyes on the road. Trust me, we won’t get lost. I mind-linked him.

“OK,” he said in embarrassment and put away the compass.

I sped up and walked in front of them and asked them to follow me.

Soon we approached the area where James went rogue-hunting.

I had gone rogue-hunting for many years and I knew the forest very well. I could go out of the forest with my eyes closed. I would change my route frequently and sometimes I would even explore new routes. But James had become the new Gamma for a short time and he was not familiar with the forest. Richard needed guards to protect him so James could only go rogue-hunting by himself. So I was sure that he would take the route that I once told him and he would be alone.

It was already ten thirty and we kept walking. We were walking toward a mark that James would definitely pass. It was a giant gnarled old tree. No one knew how old it was and it probably had existed for hundreds of years.

James will pass this old tree on his route. We can get on the tree and wait for him. I mind-linked Kent and Gerald.

“OK.”

“OK.”

They both nodded.

We began to climb the tree. I brought nothing with me so I was the first to get on the tree. I summoned my iron claws and wore them on my hands and feet. I drew back some paces and took a run and a jump. As I jumped to the tree, I sank my claws into the bark and climbed on the tree. Then I grasped a branch and swung my body. I got on the tree easily, crouched down and looked down. Kent and Gerald were still on the ground. They looked up at me agape.

I held back the urge to smile and asked them to get on the tree. Deep inside, I was mocking Kent. He always doubted me. He first doubted my loyalty and then my fighting skills. I had shown them what I got. Now it was their turn to get on the tree.

They tightened the bag around their body and began to climb. But they had no iron claws and the bag was too heavy. They began to pant soon.

I rolled my eyes at them. I wondered if they would hold me back when James appeared.

Well, change of plan. You two find another place to hide. I’ll be waiting for him. When I discover him, I’ll mind-link you and you just come out and sneak attack him. Keep quiet and don’t kill them.

I mind-linked them.

Yes, Luna.

Yes, Luna.

They mind-linked me.

Then I sat on the branch and closed my eyes. My vision was not bad, but it would be hindered at night. So I just closed my eyes and judged by the footsteps.

After ten minutes, I heard footsteps and I opened my eyes. Did James come? But it was still early. I pricked my ears and listened carefully. Judging from the footsteps, at least two guys were walking. I waited for them to approach and discovered that they were a rogue couple. It was not James.

Wrong person. I mind-linked Gerald and Kent. Then I crouched down again, waiting for them to leave.

To my surprise, the footsteps stopped right down the tree. Then the woman began to talk, which annoyed me greatly and disturbed my judgment. The next second, they began to make up. And they gave out a strange smell, a smell of mildew mixed with herbs. They made me want to puke.

Get them out of here. I mind-linked Kent.

Kent appeared under the tree soon and threatened in a low voice, “Get out of here if you don’t want to die!”

The woman cried out in fear and ran away with the man. The shrill voice got on my nerve again. Lucky for them, I would’ve killed them savagely if not for the task.

They left immediately and silence fell again. I closed my eyes and pricked my ears. Soon, I heard another guy running in this direction. Maybe he heard the woman’s voice and wanted to check what was going on there. I listened carefully. It sounded like a warrior because he ran very fast while his footsteps were tiny. Only well-trained warriors were able to do so. I guessed it was James.

A man is running in our direction. Probably it’s James. Get prepared. I mind-linked them.

They mind-linked yes.

I was on high alert and listened carefully. As the man approached us, I lay down on the branch on my stomach and peeped down at the ground. After half a minute, a man in dark clothes armed with two swords was in sight.

I see him. Ten o’clock. He has two swords. I mind-linked Kent and Gerald.

We hear the footsteps. We’ll pound on him as soon as he comes over. Kent mind-linked me.

James ran closer and closer. I craned my neck and watched him carefully. The instant he ran to the tree, Kent and Gerald popped out and pounded on James.

James was caught off guard and fell to the ground. Before he knew it, he was disarmed and pressed down to the ground. Kent searched his body, found James’ phone, and powered it off.

“Keep silent and don’t move!” Gerald said fiercely with his harsh and hoarse voice and placed a dagger to James’ neck. Now I knew why Gerald was always withdrawn and seldom talked. His voice was so hoarse and it could scare the hell out of people.

I jumped out of the tree and landed on the ground.

I stood up and walked toward James. He heard my footsteps and raised his head. His eyes widened with disgust and hatred when he recognized me. I realized immediately that Richard didn’t tell him the truth. Richard must shift the blame to me. What a rat.

Tell him that I didn’t kill Orsen. Richard killed Orsen. I mind-linked Kent.

Kent repeated what I said.

What Kent said left James dumbfounded. Then he glared at me and growled, “Liar! You are a liar!” He kept shouting and struggling. Gerald punched him in the face to silence him for fear that he might attract more people to come over. His nose bled and he stopped shouting, but he glared at me with burning hatred in his eyes. I didn’t doubt that he would jump on his feet and attack me if he wasn’t pressed down by Kent and Gerald.