Blood Awakening Chapter 4: Meeting The Alpha

Long hours of driving had exhausted both Lily and Mari. Their car is parked a few meters away from the gate with lamps situated on both sides of the tall concrete post. Two large black wolves guarding, walking to and fro ensuring no outsiders nor enemies' force are lurking in the dark.

For decades and counting there were no narratives of fights and hovering war, but this place is always ready. They never put their guards down.

Lily's eyes penetrated those old iron bars; there she saw revelry among drunken guards who probably just finished their duty, laughter of young future wolves mimicking grown-ups and trying to pretend as if they had their lycanthropy had occupied the ambiance. This is the same scenario she missed. It's been a really long time of being away from her pack.

Lily's introspective sentiments made her think if everything she has done for Mari was worth the cost of not being with their pack. It's been many years of abandoning her pack—leaving her family. She doesn't want to but some situation has forced her to sacrifice a life with them. Suddenly memories became heavy to the extent that it appeared like a force so brutal that it was squeezing her chest. However, she had fully understood the reasons that pushed her to do so.

“Mari, wake up. We're here.”

Mari rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and lifted her gaze around the vicinity. With sheer disbelief, her eyes widened.

“Is this real?” she asked as her pupils alternatively shifted focus from one wolf guard to another. Since the pact between races existed, it became customary to see wolves or vampires freely roaming around, but to her surprise, such a wolf as big as the guards is something she had never never seen.

“Yes.” Lily heaved a sigh. “Welcome to the Caruso pack—the most guarded and prominent wolf pack in history,” Lily briefly explained. “We have to get out. The guards can be brutal to visitors coming unannounced.”

“Wait.” Mari halted Lily from opening the car's door. “What? Are you still opposing me with this?” “No. Look, my furs are not gone.” “That's fine. I'll handle everything. Just remember, be careful. They shouldn't know the mess you made.”

After a quick nod, Mari followed Lily as she pranced towards the gate.

The guards growled at them particularly on Lily. “And do you think we'll accept you here after leaving us?” one of the wolves said after shifting back to human form. He now has a coat made of wool over his naked body.

“And who are you?” The other wolf in his human form journeyed his eyes from Mari's head to her feet. His voice was full of contempt and unwelcoming.

Mari's heart is pounding like a drum roll. He is towering over her. And for her sake, she doesn't know how to answer.

Noticing the heat of the situation, Lily answered on behalf of Mari. “She's Maridelle. She's with me. And Mari, they are the twins known for their keen senses at night. They have a night-vision ability.”

“Tsk. What's the point explaining to a human,” the first wolf guard remarked.

Lily was going to respond; however, she had noticed that Mari's furs had gone. This is very opportune in keeping Mari's real identity until time is perfect for revelation. It's also good to note that their wolf senses had failed to detect any sign of Mari being extraordinary.

“Be kind. She's still a family after all.” A woman of dark chocolate complexion out of nowhere interrupted. “Come inside.”

“A family would never leave. They stay with each other,” the second wolf guard said.

“They're your family?” Mari blurted.

A heavy sigh came out of Lily. “I'll explain to you later.”

Shrugging the weight of the guard's painful words, Lily faced the woman and thanked her. Amari is one of their finest warriors.

“I've been wanting to see you and discuss—” Lily ceased herself from talking. “Can we have a private moment?” she asked Amari. The words she is going to speak are of importance. She cannot let anyone hear it.

Amari and Lily exchanged looks. Then a simple nod had signalled the twins and Mari who's been following them, to give privacy to both of them. Amari and Lily walked a distance, far enough to confide.

Meanwhile, Mari was left with the twins whose scrutinizing glares to Mari are comparable to sharp daggers slowly piercing her entirety. They have neither reason nor desire to accompany her. For that reason, they left her alone, unconcerned.

The twins' disappearance didn't bother Mari at all. Of all the things she needed the most now is solitude, to think of what she had gotten herself into.

She roamed her sight around the area. The pack's threshold is located atop a mountain overlooking the whole city. Trees are dancing gracefully according to the wind’s beat. Inside it are wolves from different walks of life. The brick walls are high. It's a bit dark inside but the lighted torches lined along the walls provided enough illumination.

People had found better lighting equipment and it was a surprise for Mari seeing the place with torches and lamps as a source of light. It's like a scene in the medieval era. Old, nostalgic, and nice.

Her eyes landed on a young man's physique. He's topless, sweat trickling profusely on well-sculpted abs, shimmering on the warm light of a torch. A double-edged sword is on his hand. He's swinging it making her biceps and triceps adorned with a circular arm tattoo displayed in a seductive manner. His brown eyes glinted along the light of torches, then, it suddenly squinted the moment he knew he was being watched.

Maridelle quickly diverted her gaze. She runs towards her Aunt Lily, who is also approaching her.

“I saw that one. Never look at him that way again. Never stare,” Lily initiated.

“It was not intentional. I was just trying to memorize some details. Who is he by the way?” Mari reasoned, tensed.

“Does it include memorizing the Alpha's body details?” Lily teased.

“Gosh! It's a no. I don't even know he's the alpha.” Mari felt the blood rushing on her cheeks.

“He's Lachlan Caruso. I know he's hot, but let me remind you, we are here to hide. It's better to have less interaction.”

“I'm sorry, Aunt Lily. I brought you troubles,” Mari blurted out of guilt.

“No. I'm sorry. This is a part of your past. I've been trying to hide this from you. Time has decided for us. Now that you have the peek to who you are, there's more to unfold. I want you to get ready for it.” Lily's voice is filled with concern. “And the council had agreed, though they had a fight with the decision, they agreed to let us stay.”

“Does it mean...I'll be with the wolves and those twins?” Mari has daunted the ill treatment she had received from the twins earlier. It is still too early to conclude but with what she felt in them, it's not impossible that she'll be feeling a life of hell from the twins.

“And with Lachlan too,” a teasing smile had formed on Lily's mouth. “So, don't worry so much. I'm here.”

“Aunt Lily, stop! It's unintentional. Besides you said we'll stay low-key to avoid our secret to spill.”

“What are you trying to avoid?” Alpha Lachlan spoke coming from behind Lily. Maridelle had said those last words loud enough to hear.

“Nothing.” Lily abruptly said. “And thank you, Alpha Lachlan, for letting us stay. The council said that you told them you don't have any objection,” she added.

“That's nothing. You are family.”

Alpha Lachlan is speaking to Lily but it seemed the lady beside her had gotten into him. He is fighting himself from staring at her. Well, he is actually thinking it's fine. She did stare at him awhile ago. He saw it.

Family. Lily felt the guilt of leaving them. But she has to do it. Her heart is filled with gratitude for accepting her again.

“This is Mari, Alpha. We're sorry for suddenly coming here.” Lily introduced.

He smiled. Now, he got the opportunity to behold her face. Long brown hair, fair complexion and expressive orbs. Lovely. However, lovely can be deadly. He heard it right, she said the word he doesn't like: “secret.”

“I see. Welcome to the Caruso pack, Mari.”