"Thank you again, for back there," I thanked the elder, sitting on the couch as I wrapped up my legs in bandages."It's nothing you need to thank me for, child. If anything, it is those dogs who should be ashamed of themselves, ganging up on a single werewolf. In broad daylight," the woman said, prepping some tea for us. “Are you sure you don’t need help with those injuries?”“No, ma’am. It’s just a bunch of scratches I got while running, is all.”After what happened with the Bluemoon wolves, the elderly woman took me by the hand and led me straight to her house. That being a fairly nice cabin right outside the pack. There were some werewolves who tried to stop us, but one glare from her was enough to stop them. Literally, with the added pressure keeping them down. Once it finally dawned to them how formidable this werewolf may be, they gave in at last. Although...'I have doubts it will stop Duncan from trying anything to me. Finding me, and potentially hurt me…' I thought, worried a
I stood in sheer bafflement, when I saw Pularis standing right out the door, paling in his presence. I had planned to return to the mansion as soon as I could after finding Justin, but now..."Mommy!" I was snapped out of my fright when I heard a familiar voice call out to me, followed by a small figure bumping into me at full force.I looked down hesitantly, wondering if I was just hearing and imagining things. If stress and worries got piled up in me to the point that it was making me hallucinate. My eyes widened when I laid them on the one figure I never thought I would see."Justin?" I breathed out, prompting the boy to look up at me. His eyes filled with tears, relief, and joy."I missed you, Mommy!" he exclaimed.Relief washed over me as I knelt down, taking in his appearance and scent. The young puppy smell mixed with cinnamon that I knew well. There was no mistaking it, as I took him in my arms in a hug."You're okay. Thank goodness, I was so worried!" I exclaimed softly, bury
The walk back to Pularis's mansion felt like forever, as I followed behind the Alpha to his abode. As we walked, I noticed the patrols that were once around the pack seemed to have dispersed, and any citizens walking around would often stop and glance at us. Some seemingly in fright, and distanced themselves from us. Whether it was due to my poor reputation, or news that a member of the Council of Wolves was amongst their midst, I wasn't sure. Though I could not say the distance was not appreciated.Justin, on the other hand, seemed fairly comfortable being around him, to my slight confusion. Not for his actions- considering Pularis did find and save him as he promised- but more about the Alpha in question. He who did not seem bothered by my adopted son's antics. Getting led by the hand, having a small chat with him... He's even letting him ride on his shoulders. Looking at them like this, the pair looked almost like father and son. If it weren't for what happened last night, I would
We finally arrived at the mansion. By the time we got there, Justin was practically depleted of his remaining energy, for he was no longer bouncing around the way he did during the walk.“Looks like someone is ready for bed,” I said, picking Justin up in my arms, as he gave a yawn.“No, I’m not sleepy…” he tried to lie.I chuckled at his attempt to lie, and gently rocked him in my arms. “Sure you aren’t~” I said with a slight tease in my voice, gradually pulling him deeper into slumber.A throat cleared itself, though not from Justin, nor from Pularis. I lifted my head and saw Ayla looking at me with a small pout. One look at her, and I was reminded of what I did to escape from this mansion.“Welcome home, Alpha,” Ayla greeted Pularis with a bow. “My deepest apologies for being unable to keep our guest… ‘entertained’.”“It’s fine. I understand you were put in a difficult spot,” Pularis assured. Though his tone didn’t sound as sympathetic as his words. He slowly approached Ayla, causin
"Be an Alpha candidate for this pack. If it means so much to you that you want to still help everyone here, be their next Alpha. Do that, and you and your son can live a happier life, compared to living in the woods like rogues. That’s not a life for a pup young as he to have, don’t you think?”I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, especially from a councilman. While it was true that the option can both save the Bluemoon Pack and ensure a better life for Justin, I was still hesitant. Particularly considering… “I-I would. Except… that won’t happen. As you may know, I have a criminal record here, now. Even if I were to run for the title, no one would support me. Even if I do have supporters, I doubt they’re any more than Duncan’s, or whoever else may run for the position.”“Only because you were framed, correct? In that case, we clear your name. Find out what truly happened, and reveal the truth to the pack. Simple as that. Of course if you have an alternative idea, let’s hear it.”I a
I was frozen stiff, unable to move a finger, as Pularis continued to inch closer to me. The thought of pushing him away did cross my mind, as did the thought of consequences that would follow had I done so. The latter that most especially left me at a frightened loss, as the Alpha continued to move closer.“Let’s make another thing clear. For as long as I live, no one- not a single mutt- has made a deal with me, without giving their everything to me. And no dog has ever laid hands on what is mine and gets away with it,” he said, as I could feel his hand brushing up my arm.I jumped and shivered from his touch, wanting to get away from him even more, only to hold back when I thought about the consequences from doing so. With how Pularis was towards people who abuse their authority, proved themselves unworthy of their position, I did not want to know what happens to people who go back on their deals with him. All I could do, as he continued to lean closer, was close my eyes, feeling his
Susan's POVI was only trying to find my way to my room, when I walked down the steps to hear Pularis chat with his guest. With my benefactor who saved me from the Bluemoon wolves earlier. More than that, that very benefactor was his grandmother? I could barely see the resemblance between them.“What are you doing there?” Pularis questioned me.“S-Sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you or anything,” I apologized. “I was just about to make my way to my room when I heard you two talking.”“You’re no bother to us at all, dear,” Patricia assured me. “In fact, you came at a good time. Please, come sit with us. I promise this won’t take long.”I know she was practically lying in that ‘reassurance’. In fact, given how Pularis made me leave her cabin earlier, I could only guess that she would want answers. Particularly about what Justin said earlier. I glanced at Pularis, wondering if I should just leave to my room. Hoping he would give me permission to, rather. To my bafflement, though, he inst
Pularis's POVWe watched as Susan took her leave, looking quite happy as she left. Once she was gone, I turned back to Grandmother.“That was awfully kind of you, Grandmother,” I stated.“Whatever do you mean? I believe what I did was more than appropriate,” she retorted. A claim that brought me some confusion.“How do you mean? You have never personally lent an aid to any of our wolves back home, even after you’ve retired from the council. What is it about her that is different from the rest?”When I asked that, Grandmother looked at me with wide eyes, as though I grew an extra head. “Is she not someone special to you?”I was taken aback by the assumption she made. Had it been anyone else, I may very well pull their tongue out for making such a joke. Otherwise ‘demand’ them where they get such idea. My Grandmother, on the other hand…“Where and how did you get that sort of idea?” I could only ask, as calmly as possible. A question that seemed to surprise her somewhat.“Oh? Had I been
Susan's POVI roamed about in my room, concerned with how quiet it suddenly got downstairs. Even though I knew all witnesses were to remain in our respective room until our summons, I couldn't help wondering if it was also appropriate for us to not at least greet the judges and jurors sent by the Council of Wolves. Particularly when some of those wolves are the councilmen like Pularis. "Miss, you need to stop that worrying. Everything will be fine," Ayla assured me."Do you even know what I'm anxious about?" I lightly retorted."If I were to make an assumption, perhaps something along the lines of properly meeting the other councilmen in the lobby?" I was taken aback by how accurate her guess was, in which she giggled at. "You're not the first werewolf who is troubled by such thought, as is this is not the first time the councilmen had to be directly involved in a trial."Hearing that made me feel a little bit better, as I sat down on the bed. “Yeah… Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel,”
Pularis's POVI stood amongst the many judges and jurors who were summoned for this case in Howler's Inn. If I may dare admit, I was surprised to see the large number of people coming for this from the headquarters. Helpers from their respective packs or general acquaintances who practiced for trials, maybe. But not-“Pularry~ How’s it going, my man?” a werewolf greeted so casually, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, as I sighed at his action.“Anderson… Carefree as per usual, I see,” I groaned, far from pleased to see this wolf. And not just because he annoys me about as much as any foolish werewolf with much ego and arrogance. “And here I thought you would learn to actually behave as any werewolf in your position would by now, councilman.”“What? And be an uptight mutt?” Anderson retorted with a chuckle. “Nice joke there. See? I knew there was a real funny bone in you.”A hand chopped down on his head hard, causing him to fall on his knees, his arm slipped off me, as he held his he
Susan's POVTo say I have become somewhat of a nervous wreck may be an understatement. Given what today was, how could I not be? If anything, I believe it was normal to be nervous on a day like today. The day of Duncan’s trial. The trial that was to determine his fate, his followers, and the very Bluemoon Pack itself.I was more than ready to say my piece of what happened the day of my arrest, and what Duncan has done to me despite my ‘serving my time’ in prison. Of course, whether or not people actually agrees on it was another matter entirely. I may speak the truth to them, and Pularis may vouch for the facts I speak, but what of everyone else? Not all Alphas can see through lies, as proven by Duncan. And though the judges were people sent by the very Council of Wolves themselves, who was to say if these people were reliable? I don’t want to doubt Pularis and his people, but it’s hard to put my trust in people I don’t know. Especially given what I went through.“Are you okay?” Ayla
Both I and Ashley were shocked with the decision Father made. Ashley, specifically. "W-Wait! You can't do that!" she exclaimed."Seeing as this was bought under the Alpha's name, and what its properties are, I will be doing exactly that. If you have anyone to blame, it is only the two of you. You with your everlasting greed, and you…” Father stopped as he laid eyes on me. The disappointment clear on his face. “I should’ve made my last task as Alpha to change how Alphas are to be selected in this pack.” When those words left his mouth, something in me felt empty. Heavy, that made me lower my head in shame. Father said nothing else after that, and left the room."W-Wait! Father!" Ashley cried out, before turning to me. "Duncan, don't just be silent! W-We have to stop him!"I didn’t know if it was because I was still feeling that shame, but hearing Ashley say that? Something sounded a little suspicious, especially with how she was acting."Why? When that is only poison? What use would
Duncan's POVI sat in the living room, my head down in disbelief from everything that happened in a span of a few hours just a little earlier. What have I seen? What did I witness? If it was a miracle, I much rather it be that than... Than whatever else that was revealed.It was one thing that Ashley- the love of my life who had been poisoned by that slut mutt, Susan- recover from the ailment that made her suffer. Find the strength in her that helped her take down that bitch that was beating her so. In fact, for all I know, that must be what happened. And everything else- every word said that was making me think otherwise- were nothing but lies in the end. All that was 'revealed' were nothing but fabrications. Tales that were being told differently than what the action truly showed."ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!" Or so I would have preferred it, if my father was not sitting across from me on the sofa, presenting me and Ashley with the package set on the table between us. The package was
I looked up at Pularis in stupor. What was he trying to tell me?“S-Sorry, I think I got a little woozy there, Alpha. I could’ve sworn I’m hearing you tell me that I will be fully healed if my wolf awakens,” I said.“I am saying that.” My bafflement grew at his confirmation. “Now, don’t take my words seriously. I am no healer, and I am not some expert on wolves. The ones with us werewolves, that is. From what I’ve heard of your friend, there hasn’t been quite a case of an illness similar to yours in any medical records or books she knew of. Or am I wrong?”I was not a doctor myself, but from what I knew, Pularis was not wrong. Even Caitlyn said so, and hoped that his pack would know something about my condition that is not known in the Bluemoon pack.“I don’t know much about the role, you were born into the role of Werewolf Priestess, it is possible that there are plenty of differences about you compared to other werewolves, just as there is a difference between an Alpha werewolf and
I was just closing my eyes when I heard light knocking at my door, marking me open them again. ‘Who’s at my door this time?’ I wondered.“Yes?”“It’s me. Mind if I come in?”“Alpha Pularis? Uh, sure. You can come in.”Once I gave him permission, the door opened, and my soon-to-be new Alpha entered. “Apologies for suddenly leaving. Had matters to take care of,” he said.“Would they have to do with Duncan and Ashley?” Pularis gave me an odd look when I asked that. “I was told by Miss Patricia.”He sighed at the response. “I thought I smelled her scent earlier,” he muttered, before turning back to me. “To answer your question, yes. Yes, it does have to do with those two.” He then stopped for a moment, looking me over. “You mind sitting up? I need to talk to you about something important.”Curiosity washed over me when he said that. “Yeah, I’ll try.” I was about to sit up, only to be reminded of how painful it was even adjusting myself on the bed. Unlike before, though, Pularis quickly to
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. What? I’m sorry, what? Huh? Ashley was what?”Those were the only things I could say after what Patricia revealed to me. News I never thought I would ever hear from… Well, anywhere. Nor did I think it to be that possible.“Like I said, child. That ‘Ashley’ girl has her lies exposed. The ‘illness’ she was said to be harboring was nothing more than a fake. A lie. An act. All with the right prop to use.”I was still in stupor, hearing that again. Replaying it in my head, even. This whole time, like Duncan and many others, I had thought she was truly affected by whatever aftermath that position had inflicted onto her. Now I’m hearing that there was no such thing? It was all nothing but some sick act Ashley had put on? But, that made no sense.“How could she have faked her illness this whole time? We’re not talking about ‘days’, but ‘years’. Even if Duncan was that blind to his love for her, he had to be sharp enough to realize the difference between fake and
Susan's POVI couldn’t sleep at all. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had already ‘slept’ enough that I didn’t need any more sleep, or if it was because I was starting to be conscious of the state of my body that I was not comfortable sleeping. I didn’t know which one it was, but I just couldn’t sleep.‘I wonder if I’m allowed to take any walks in the mansion. Or at least in my room. I don’t think I can sleep otherwise,’ I thought.I slowly tried to sit up from bed, though had some difficulties in doing so. My body was feeling quite sore, which made it a little tough for me to move. It especially hurts when I put pressure on some of my worst, bandaged injuries. That is, the bite and claw marks, according to Caitlyn.Eventually, instead of getting out of bed, I settled only for readjusting myself on it, and looked around the room.“I should’ve asked for a book to read or something,” I muttered.A knock was heard at the door, surprising me a bit.“Who is it?” I asked.“It’s me, dear. M