The werewolves say it’s been two weeks now. I can’t argue with that. For all I know, it’s been an eternity.

Everything I do now, I do to survive.

The werewolves are perfectly fine with eating raw fish they pluck out of the Mare, or the occasional bird they manage to skewer with their claws. But that’s not an option for me. While they were off hunting, I foraged for fruits and edible plants. It wasn’t ideal, but it will have to do.

At least they haven’t killed me yet.

For some reason, Markus still believed I was a valuable asset to their band, all because I have violet eyes. I don’t even know what they mean!

Leon and Maria constantly tried to convert me to the werewolves’ side. If I would just tell them my name, if I would just help them attack the Middle Ground, if I would just let them control my mind and turn me into one of them, they would free me.

Liars.

I’m sure Leon would’ve killed me a thousand times by now if it wasn’t for the leader. Markus wants me alive.

Every time I replied with “Ryder” when asked my name, he would stop Leon’s rash claws before they struck. And whenever Maria suggested I be chained so I wouldn’t be tempted to escape, he would wave away her concerns.

I think he knew I wouldn’t get far anyways…

But Markus’ patience had grown thin. Two weeks was too long for him to simply sit around and survive; he needed to act. To destroy.

Shortly after waking, he approached me: “Ryder, do you understand how important it is that you get us into that town?”

I stared back at him without answering. Knowing he wouldn’t kill me had made me bold.

“That irritating man you call Prince has set up new defenses around the town. It is impossible for our band to get in undetected. But you could stroll right in and open the way for us.”

“I’ll never do that for you.” I wished my glare could burn a smoking hole through his chest.

“But justice must be served. Those unicorns and the idiots who defend them attacked and destroyed our city. Are you going to let them get away with that?” Markus leaned closer, claws intimidatingly flashing.

But I knew he wouldn’t dare kill me. “You’ve killed enough already. The city was burned ages ago. Let it go. Revenge is unnecessary.”

“No!” he exploded. “I will not let all that suffering be forgotten!” Yanking me forward by the arm, Markus pulled my head close to his mouth and coolly whispered, “If you refuse to help me, I will personally make sure you and all your family is killed when I enter that town.”

Samantha.

Her last words came floating back, a haunting reminder of the ‘welcome’ I would likely receive if I returned. You never truly loved anyone.

Time to prove her wrong. “I love my family, and I won’t risk their lives and the whole town to save my life,” I said to the leader.

“Oh, you love them, hmm?” Markus taunted. “Well, I also happen to love my band, and my former city. And who was responsible for taking that away from me?” He mockingly paused to think. “Oh yes, the unicorns.”

“We invaded their world. They had every right to destroy it!”

“Since when was destroying others’ property a right?”

I faltered. He had a valid point. But… “You destroyed the unicorns’ property first when you build that city.”

“Boo hoo.” Markus shrugged. “So they attacked us in revenge. But, didn’t you just say that ‘revenge is unnecessary?'”

Crap.

As I stood there, desperately trying to think of some way to refute him, Leon mocked, “Ooh, you just proved yourself wrong, Ryder.”

“And now you know why supporting the unicorns makes little sense. It is foolish!” the leader chimed in.

“I… They’ve changed. They don’t attack people anymore.”

“Really?” Markus arched an eyebrow. “Have you ever wondered why your so-called Middle Ground never expands? Did you ever think that if your town grew a bit too large and became a city that the unicorns would not hesitate to burn it?”

“No they wouldn’t!”

“This is not about if they will; it’s about when they will.” He smirked. “Give it time. Eventually, you’ll see.”

Markus and Leon lapsed into silence as Maria and Dennis ambled up the hill. “Hate to interrupt, boss, but what will we do with the boy if he refuses to speak?” Dennis asked.

I glared at them all in turn, but they were too busy thinking to notice. Suddenly Leon’s amber eyes glowed, and an evil grin spread across his cheeks. “We starve him. Give him just enough to live, but no more. A week or two of pain and he’ll be begging us to destroy the town.”

“And that will be just in time for the next full moon.” Markus nodded. “Alright Ryder, last chance: tell us your name and get us into the city now, or be prepared to suffer.”

I sealed my lips shut. I couldn’t let my town be destroyed.

“Well, if that’s your decision…” Markus smiled. “You’re going to have a lovely next few weeks.”