Chapter 7

The Cave

The entrance completely hidden by thick bushes, the opening only a few feet wide. All the wolves had to crouch down to avoid hitting their heads. Alpha Aiden shoulders scraping for the first few feet even though he was crawling on his belly.

Nicolas wouldn’t go back in; he could barely stop gagging long enough to point out the opening.

After ten feet or so the tunnel opened up widening into an oval shaped chamber the size of a car. A dozen small animal carcasses lined each side of the chamber. A path through the remains leading to a smaller opening they followed the trail of bile. All but one female omega had to shift to get through the second opening.

This channel shorter than the first, only a foot to squirm through before it opened. The second chamber massive compared to the first. Heaving trying to catch their breath from the tight space of the tunnel the smell hit them first. Unlike the first chamber littered with animal bones and hide. This chamber smelled strongly of decay and rotting flesh.

Eyes straining to adjust to the lack of light reaching this far in. Alpha Aiden cautiously walking forward fighting his own urge to gag. The smell is rancid, burning his nostrils and so strong he could taste it. Taking small steps in the dark his foot lands on something squishy and tacky. Oozing between his toes he quickly lifts his foot away. The gooey, suction cup noise the object makes releasing his foot has Alpha Aiden on the verge of losing control of his stomach. As saliva forms in his mouths reaches out to a few warriors back home. “We need lights.” He gives them a general location before moving the men he has with him back outside.

Alpha Aiden turns to Beta Darien retrieving a small bag they brought with them. “Take these men home, they have had a long day and need to rest.”

“And you Alpha.” Darien asks.

“I’m going to take the flashlight and the few lanterns we brought inside and see what I can with those.”

“I should stay with you Alpha.” A rare look of concern danced across Beta Darien’s face.

Alpha Aiden placed his hand on Darien’s shoulder. “They need to rest and I’m not sure….” He trailed off as he looked back to the cave entrance. “I don’t know what I will find in there, but I don’t think anyone needs to see it unnecessarily.” He finished.

Beta Darien’s pride was hurt at Alpha Aiden’s orders to head back without him. They could all sense that whatever was in that cave was terrible.

Alpha Aiden wanted to protect them from the unknown horrors lying in wait there. A sinking feeling in his stomach told him what would be seen in there could never be unseen or forgotten.

Beta Darien reluctantly shifted with the other men and headed back down the mountain. The nagging feeling kept growing the closer they got to the lake. Darien reached out for the worriers heading to the Alpha. “Find a higher gear guys, Alphas up there alone and I don’t like it.”

After losing sight of Darien and the others, Aiden grabbed a lantern and flashlight. Sticking everything else back in the pack he made his way back into the cave.

Walking back into the first chamber he took his time looking over everything. Figuring out the story this place had to tell. Crouching down to examine to animal remains he saw that most had been squirrels and rabbits. Ends of the bones charred by fire, these ones had been cooked. A few had been torn apart raw bits of fir and meat still hanging on the bone. Small teeth marks punctured the hides trying to tare meat from them.

Juxes was overcome with sadness. “It looks like someone was taking care of her at one point.” He said as Aiden searched the remains. The cooked animals looked to have been caught in snares and other kinds of traps. Cleaned, skinned and prepared whereas the fresher ones were mauled and mutilated.

Aiden climbed his way back into the second chamber the lights doing little to eliminate the vast area. “This can’t be the main entrance.” He said more to himself than anything.

Setting down the pack and lantern he made his way to what he had stepped in earlier. The myths and legends had not prepared him for what he saw next.