Chapter 1

Author's Note:

This book is based on fiction and any resemblance to a real object, place, person or situation is highly coincidental. Some parts of the story may not conform with how werewolf stories are commonly depicted to form a distinct plot. Please be advised.

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I was at the tender age of 10 when I became an orphan. When I develop consciousness about how the world turns, I already knew my biological father left my mother when she was still pregnant. And the father figure who I grew up with was not my real father. So, after my mother died, my stepfather, Hector became my guardian.

We moved into the countryside and left the city as per his decision saying it would be better for me to grow up in a quiet neighborhood. At first I was adamant in mingling with others because I thought it would be hard to get attached if we ever move again. However, contrary to my worries we never moved unlike when my mother was still around which we had to constantly move due to unknown reasons.

Now, it's only a month away until I turn 18. The life here was peaceful. Although I kinda feel bored because had no friends with the same age, I don't feel lonely because the people here treat me so well like I'm their own child. They welcomed me warmly when I was still hesitant to socialize. They were very patient with me. Maybe because I'm the youngest one around here and they knew my back story from dad. He was pretty close with the people here and became the village leader right off the bat when we came back. I sometimes tease him if he bribe them with game meat and he just laugh at me.

I decided to go to the shed and visit the cubs Hector was raising. I can never understand how a hunter is raising wolf cubs instead of killing them. Actually the neighborhood people were all like this. I wonder if it's some kind of tradition for them to keep cubs in their homes. Even the totems they used is a wolf. I would even teased sometimes about the place becoming a wolf village and people would look at me weirdly. Yeah, right! They're a bunch of hunters, I'm the weirdo here for saying nonsense. Tsk!

Although I just find it weird that throughout the years that I lived here, I never saw a full-grown wolf so I wonder if they ate them. Argh! Nevermind.

"Kids!" I called cubs as I arrived and they immediately came running. Well, they seemed to be excited seeing me so I pet them except for one.

I grew accustomed with raising them like puppies. When I first saw Hector come back home with the four of them I thought they were puppies but when he told me it was a litter of wolf I shrieked in fear. I was holding one of them that time and I literally throw it away out of shock. Luckily it didn't die or got severely injured but it got bruised and until today it still growls whenever it sees me.

Hector was kind of mad for what I did but it eventually fade when I told him I'll tend to the cubs. He was quite hesitant at first maybe because of what happened but later on he let me do it. He just reminded me to never feed the cubs anything except for milk.

I bet that's the reason their growth is stunted. I mean they've been with us for almost five years now. I had a dog before and he grew into a full grown mutt in just two years. Sometimes I can stop thinking that what I do is animal cruelty. I wanna give them meat but maybe it's for the better since Hector might cook them if they become fully grown.

"My poor babies!" I can't help but hugged them. They're so soft! Actually they're so plump and healthy but they look a bit small for their age. For someone who doesn't know they would think they're just a few months old.

Leo barked at me from the side. I just grinned and hug his three brothers tightier. He got more angry and growled at his brothers. I heard them whimper and pulled away from my embrace. Leo gave me smug look when he saw his brothers move away.

"You always threathen your brothers!" I scolded him. Sometimes I wonder if they understand me. He just stood silently in the corner but still look at his brothers intently as if telling he's watching their every move.

The kid was the youngest but he outgrown his brothers and other cubs in the village. I know because we would gather sometimes and let the cubs socialize with the neigborhood cubs.

Leo never stayed near me. I feel like he's always onguard when he's around me. I think he got traumatize when I throw him when he was young.

I served them their milk and cleaned the place. I always get amazed how trained they are. I don't see them pooping around the place although I get frustrated with their fur sticking on the floor mat and cushion.

After cleaning the whole place I lie on the sofa and grabbed Bailey beside me when I saw him passing by. He tried to get off of me but I didn't let him.

Nothing beats a living stuffed toy! He's the cutest among the four he resembles a husky that's why I always like to hug him. Russel the oldest was big brown wolf almost the size of Leo, the second cub which is Flynn is a mid-size silver wolf that is always at odds with Bailey and then there's the big black wolf Leo who dominates them.

Speaking of Leo, he's at it again. He stood infront of me while I was hugging Bailey and barking nonstop. I didn't pay attention to him and just let him do whatever he wants. I'm so tired cleaning their mess! I deserve a rest, okay?

Bailey began to whimper in my arms when I heard the other two growl together with Leo. I became worried because the last time they did it I saw Bailey got bruised. I patted the little and give him a few strokes to calm him but I think I just agitated the three more.

"How am I supposed to know what you want?" I cried. I got a little frustrated and worried about Bailey's reactions. Leo just bark as if saying something but I don't have any clue what does this wolf wants.

Then all of a sudden he began howling and the two followed suit. Moments after, I heard the door opened and I saw Hector came rushing.

"What happened?" I asked worriedly. He glanced at Leo and then move closer to check up on me.

He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that I was doing fine.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" I asked because I thought he went hunting with his friends.

"Oh, I suddenly heard the cubs howling on my way here so I rushed over"

"But you just left an hour ago, did something happened? Why did you got home earlier than usual?" I probed. Usually he'd be out until sunset if he goes out early and recently he was going out even late at night and comes home before sunrise.

"I left something I needed for the trap so I had to go back" I answered but I feel like he's lying because he avoids my eyes. But I asked any further because it was not that important.

I'm more concern with how Bailey was acting. His body is all tensed up and he's been whimpering since earlier.

"Dad, can you please check on Bailey? He's shaking!"

He touched Bailey's body and frowned. He check for any visible injury but there was none. He heaved a sigh of relief and look at the other cubs while shaking his head.

He carried Bailey and lay him down near the three others. Russel and Flynn began to lick him all over after a few moments his body stop shaking.

I was about to go over but dad stopped me. Leo growled as if warning me not to stay near them.

This guy! How possesive can you be with Bailey? You always bully them but you don't want them to play with me!

I groan and look at dad.

"It's better if you don't go near him for now, sweetie"

"But I wanna play with Bailey!" I protest. Leo bark at me when he heard me say that.

You don't even want to come near me. Now you will also ban your brothers?

"You're so spoiled I'm starting to get tired of your antics!" Leo was still barking like crazy. It was so annoying to hear. I decided to just get out there so I grabbed the bottles of milk and put them on the basket I had earlier and quickly went out of the shed. I heard dad called me but I didn't look back.

I just wan't to play with the cubs but that stupid Leo always gets in my way!

I took a deep breath and decided to go on my secret spot. I put the basket down and climb up on the tree at back of the cabin. I leaned on the trunk and look at the forest below. The village was situated on an elevated area and our cabin is atop of the hill-like base. This big tree right here was like a perfect spot to look at the horizon.

I was having a nice deep thought while admiring the view when a loud, irritating noise break my solitude. How the hell did he follow me here?

"Can you please stop barking? It's so annoying and loud!"

I don't know if he understood but he immediately stop. His barks was replaced by whimpers. I feel frustrated for a moment. Did I actually expect an animal to understand human language?

I took a deep breath to calm myself and then decided to go off the tree. Just when I was about to jump Leo suddenly went under my feet. I was force to divert the direction of my fall in the last minute causing me to get off balance.

With a loud thud I instantly felt a seering pain on my shoulders as I fell flat on the ground. I can't help but mutter a few curses.

"Argh!" I groan. I look at Leo and felt relieved that he wasn't dragged with me when I fell down.

I tried to get up using my left hand as a support and lean my back on the tree. Leo look at me while whimpering. I almost laugh out loud. He looks as if he's the one who got hurt when I was the one who fell off the tree.

I was stunned when he walk beside me and started to lick my shoulders.

"Oh! Are you trying to comfort me?" I smiled. This is the first time this big bad fella came near me. I ruffled his fur and let my body fall on him.

I thought he's gonna protest but he was unexpectedly cooperative. He's so soft, much softer than Bailey.

I close my eyes but I can't really focus on relaxing. Shit! My shoulder is so painful. I wanna cry so bad!