"I've not done trekking in a long ti," Karn said, glancing at Aisha as they finally reached the base of the hill where the tallest waterfall in the kingdom was located.
"Then you shall start today. It's so much fun," Aisha remarked. The air was filled with the lodic calls of various birds as they moved deeper into the foliage.
She slowed her pace, glancing around at the quiet surroundings. "Why does this place seem so empty, though? I heard from my friends that it's quite popular."
Karn scanned the dense trees and the winding path as they both began walking toward the distant sound of falling water.
"Maybe because it's not the weekend," Karn answered. His hand reached out and grasped hers, his fingers locking firmly with hers to ensure she stayed close to him as the terrain beca steeper.
"True," Aisha agreed, stepping carefully as the terrain grew steeper and the air mistier. After another ten minutes of trekking, they finally rounded a final bend and ca to a halt.
Above them, the water seed to gush from sowhere deep within the clouds, plumting from a height so great their eyes couldn't even find the source.
As the spray collided with the massive, ancient stones at the base, the sunlight fractured into dozens of tiny rainbows, creating a shimring, srizing sight.
"See! I told you the fall is majestic," Aisha said, jumping slightly with excitent, her face lit up by a wide smile.
"You were right," Karn whispered, his eyes fixed on the cascading white water. "I've been living here for so long, but I never knew such a place existed."
"That's because you're always so buried in your work. I'm sure Gabriel knows about it," Aisha teased. She gently pulled her hand away to retrieve her phone, eager to capture the view.
She suddenly turned toward him, aiming the lens. "Cheers, Karn!"
Aisha expected a dashing smile, but Karn looked uncharacteristically nervous under the cara's gaze.
"Tsk! Just smile. I'm taking a picture of you," she urged with a laugh.
Karn managed his usual, steady smile, and Aisha snapped the shot. She then flipped the cara to selfie mode, adjusting her angle to ensure the towering waterfall and the shimring rainbows were perfectly frad behind her.
"I'll click so for you. Give your phone," Karn offered, reaching out.
She readily handed it over and struck a few poses, moving gracefully against the backdrop of the mist. Karn snapped several pictures in quick succession.
"They've co out beautiful," he said, handing the phone back to her with a look of genuine admiration.
Aisha checked them, her smile deepening. "Let's click one of us together."
He nodded, stepping in closer as she switched the phone back to selfie mode. Karn rested his hand steadily on her shoulder while Aisha tilted her head, making a small heart sign with her pointer finger and thumb tucked close to her cheek.
Just as she was about to press the shutter, the sharp rustle of dry leaves cut through the sound of the waterfall. Karn's posture shifted instantly; his relaxed expression vanished, replaced by an attentive focus as he whipped his head toward the source of the noise. Aisha lowered her phone, her heart beginning to race.
"What do you think? Is it an—"
"Maybe a rabbit?" Karn murmured, though his eyes continued to scan the thick brush.
Again, the bushes rustled more violently this ti, and Karn decided to investigate. Aisha followed close behind, having no intention of being left alone in the clearing.
The mont they pushed aside the thick foliage, they found a tiny wolf pup huddled in the dirt. It wasn't in human form, which took them both by surprise. Aisha was quick to kneel as she gently scooped the small creature into her arms. The pup let out a series of soft, high-pitched whimpers, shivering against her touch.
"Who would leave them here?" she murmured, her brow furrowed with concern as she tucked the pup close to her chest for warmth.
"Who knows? But why isn't the pup in its human form? Why this shape? Most don't shift until much later in life. This is truly exceptional," Karn stated, his brows knit together in confusion as he observed the small, furry creature.
"Maybe the pup awakened the wolf side too early. We can figure that out later," Aisha suggested, her voice laced with urgency. "First, we need to get them to the hospital. Their fur feels far too cold, and the shivering isn't stopping."
"You're right. Let's go then," Karn asserted. He placed a protective hand on Aisha's back, guiding her as they both turned to hurry back down the steep trekking route, leaving the majestic waterfall behind.
~~~~~
After reaching the hospital, the pup was imdiately admitted for a checkup.
"You two will need to wait out here," the doctor explained. "I would also recomnd informing the Sentinel Departnt so they can begin an investigation to locate the pup's parents."
"I've already taken care of that. Thanks, Doctor," Karn said. "The pup needs to transform back, but since they are so small, they can't do it on their own. What do you suggest?"
"A higher Alpha can help us," the doctor replied. "If a high-ranking Alpha exerts their presence, the pup's instincts will submit, allowing them to regain their original form."
"I see. Thank you," Karn said.
The doctor nodded and disappeared back into the examination room. Aisha walked toward the observation window, watching as the staff carefully examined the small creature.
"Gabriel is the only higher Alpha we have in the area," Karn noted.
Aisha turned to him, her expression urgent. "You have to call Prince Gabriel. Please, request his presence here right away."
Karn humd as he tried to call Gabriel, but the phone went straight to voicemail. He realized that since it was already evening, Gabriel might have switched it off to spend ti with his family.
He tried to reach out through a mindlink, but the distance was too great; as a Beta, his capability to maintain a long-range ntal connection was limited.
Karn quickly dialed Alie instead and waited for the line to connect.
"Karn, good evening!" Alie greeted warmly.
"Alie, I need to speak with Gabriel urgently," Karn said, his voice laced with concern.
"Of course. One mont." She passed the phone to Gabriel, who had been busy playing with Noah on the floor. "It's Karn."
"Yes? Is everything all right?" Gabriel asked, his tone shifting into his authoritative Alpha frequency.
"Umm... I need a favor, Gabriel. Aisha and I went to the tallest waterfall today and found a pup there, in wolf form. The doctor says they can only transform back with the touch of a higher Alpha. We're at the hospital now; if you could co, it would be vital for the pup's treatnt."
Reviews
All reviews (0)