I ran as fast as I could down the streets, pushing my legs as fast as I could to the limit. As much as I wanted to transform into my wolf form and make this search fast, sadly, I never got the time to practice my shifts, much less feel my wolf. Not since the incident. Even now, when I most especially want to find Justin, I can’t feel my wolf.‘No…’ I thought, shaking my head. ‘Now is not the time for that. I can worry about my wolf after I save Justin.’My mind made up, I picked up the pace and ran faster down the streets. Soon enough, I made it back to town, where I took notice of the patrols walking about in the area. I grew confused at the sight, for there usually was never any need for this many people patrolling within the pack. Unless if...'It can't be because of me, can it?' I wondered. 'Even if Duncan has so much hate towards me, and possibly felt humiliated after what happened with Alpha Pularis, he couldn't be petty enough to think that it was some act, could it?'I didn't
Susan's POVI had been searching around town the whole night, and I couldn’t find any clue or hint as to where Justin had gone. Not that it should be surprising, considering how he has never gone outside the prison walls before. And yet, for the first thing to have happened to him to be a kidnapping, followed by an escape with a target on his back…‘He must be frightened,’ I thought in worry, hiding behind a barrel, away from patrols. ‘Everything out here is too new for him. He could be anywhere. If he was in a place any child would more likely end up in, they would’ve found him by now.’Worried as I was about Justin’s safety, for there to still be so many werewolves searching for him, I can at least be at ease that he was safe, away from Duncan and his men. I was relieved but, with the sun rising, I feared it was only a matter of time until Justin gets found. Whether it was by one of the patrols, or a citizen loyal to Duncan. Likewise, however, it also meant I wasn’t going to be able
"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
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
Time almost seemed to have frozen by the action. Not for me or my people, who know that punch did nothing to my Beta. For the Bluemoon wolves who thought that woman was so sickly, on the other hand- particularly a certain disgraceful Alpha...“Still believe her to be some flower to be protected?” Dingo questioned his son, who looked on in disbelief.“T-That… that’s just… an act! Yeah, that’s all that was!” the welp claimed, actually succeeding in baffling me that time, as several others were. “I know Ashley. She has a condition! She’s not able to cause any sort of harm on anything! That bitch of a werewolf only pretended that punch did anything to her! There’s no way Ashley actually-!”“You saw her take that Beta’s kick, and clearly that didn’t kill her as it would’ve any other sickly,” Dingo reminded him. “Moreover, as we saw, you claimed earlier her recovery is not like that of an average werewolf’s. Well, you may as well be right, seeing as she has recovered from her injuries faste
The welp remained silent at the question. I didn't know if it meant that he didn't understand how he wouldn't know, or if he was waiting for a response from his father. Regardless, both options are equally sad and disappointing. "He's telling you that someone else picked the package up, and never reported to you about it. 'Hid' the package, more like," I answered for the pitifully dumb mutt. He who looked at me with rage."There is no way that-!""That is exactly what happened!" Dingo interrupted, frightening his son to silence. "The fact that your name is on these packages, and shipped to your house every month for the past four years are proof enough!""I-It could just be that bastard-!" Dingo unleashed another dose of his authority, silencing his son to submission. "You are still blaming someone outside the pack for a case that has happened in your very home? He who just arrived at our pack for the first time last month? It is clear enough that the true culprit is someone from in
As expected, the moment it was made known what the book was, many in our little audience took 'interest' in the topic. To say the least. There were questions as to how the book was of any importance in this current situation, with several making assumptions that it would be about the lavishing spendings. I even overheard a few questioning what such info had to do with the matter at hand, noticing how troubled a couple sounded."How the hell did you get your hands on that?!" the welp demanded. "Ah, so you do know what this is," I said. "Now, as much as I would like to show here everything this book contains, we are not here to speak of the transaction history. No... What you want to know is details about this package delivered to you. From a shop called the 'Europhia Apothecary'.""I made no purchase to any apothecary, you fraudulent mutt!" the welp shouted.I rolled my eyes at him, surprised with how high his arrogance was. How fragile his pride turned out to be. "No one ever said yo
"What the hell is going on here?!"The chatters all ceased at my shout. Many turned my way, with some paling at the sight of me in my wolf form."I-It's the councilman!" a Bluemoon wolf barked out, as he and many others all parted, making a path for me to walk to the gate. I made no gesture of gratitude as I walked down the path made. Unlike most werewolves, who would usually reach an adult's waist in their wolf form, for me, I was pretty much as tall as an average adult in my form. Fitting for a werewolf whose wolf loves a good display of power. Fitting for an Alpha werewolf with a reputation like mine.As I walked, I could hear light whispers amongst the mass about my being here. And from what I was hearing, while some were assuming my arrival had to do with the suspicious package- an astute assumption from them- others assumed I was here to deliver news of the trial date, which was also not wrong.To say the least, the trial could've happened at any time. Especially when there was