Chapter 3

Lily began to drive forward as soon as the other man moved from in front of us. Before we were allowed to enter and pass through a large gate that secured the pack, this occurred two more times. Lily was accurate. Undoubtedly, the security was annoying.

Despite popular belief, werewolves exclusively protect pack territory inside the gate's boundaries. Being noticed by humans was a pack's greatest concern, which is why they adopted the human shape.

"All right, the fun can now begin!" Lily's exclamation jolted me out of my reverie.

"Can I get a shower and, oh, maybe get something to eat?" She rolled her eyes when I asked in an overly irritated manner.

"Good, good. Before you phone your mother and let her know that I failed to care for you for the first several hours, I'll go feed you." She joked, I believe, "She'd skin me alive."

I had a much-needed shower as soon as we arrived at her house, and the effects were noticed right away. I stopped being irritable. Before I sank, I saw how I looked. I had short, reddish hair that was straight and sat just below my collarbone.My huge brown doe-like eyes and high arched eyebrows gave the impression that I was a snob, and my pale skin was slightly flushed from the hot water.

On a square face, my little, pointy nose made my round cheeks appear juvenile. I wasn't athletic or thin, but that didn't bother me. Unconsciously, the corners of my lips raised. I smiled as I skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen. I simply smiled back at Lily as she cast a doubtful glance my way.

“What did you break?” She accused, putting down the sandwich she was making to cross her arms over her chest. I pretended to be hurt as I lowered my jaw and widened my eyes.

“What? Lily, I'm offended." I said to her, placing my palm over my heart, "I would never damage anything in your home." Because I had sat on her living room chair a few years before and destroyed it, I knew it was complete BS. I still maintain that the chair was ancient and not at all because I was hefty. Her lips twitched, letting me know that she was probably also considering that.

She gave me a simple head shake, positioned a plate in front of me, then sat down herself in a chair.

"So, kid, how have you been?" It was her.

"Everyone is OK. A little anxious, but fine. How are you doing?"  I replied, taking up the sandwich and biting into it.

"I've done well here. remaining trouble-free. But just between you and me, I slip out every Friday to go to the library," she said, as if someone was listening.

I choked on my sandwich.

"B-but you don't need to sneak out; you live alone." I regarded her in disbelief.

"I know." She gave me a sneer. It took me some time to realize that she was kidding.

"I prefer a wild lifestyle." She swung her arms upward in exaggeration. In response to my eccentric cousin, I shrugged. She was unusual.

The entire two hours were spent catching up, but after a while, I started to feel tired and yearned for some alone.

I'm going to bed now. We'll have more time tomorrow if I go to bed earlier, I laughed hastily, getting up from the chair and heading for the stairs.

"Okay, OK. If you'd like, we can go for a run tomorrow." She stood up and waved me off while raising her arms above her head.

“Yes! I need that for my wolf. Lily, good night."I gave her a smile.

“Night.”

I detested jet lag, but happily, two hours later, I was able to fall asleep. As night fell, I slowly closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep. But that didn't last long since I was abruptly awakened from my sleep by a loud howling sound that suddenly ripped through the air. Screaming came a little while afterwards. In an effort to jolt myself awake, I rubbed my eyes quickly. A red light flashing outside the home and a loud noise initially led me to believe I was seeing things. My wolf started growling anxiously in my brain as loud stomps started making their way to my room, startling me.

I started to scream when my door burst open, but I stopped when I saw Lily, pale and panting. Her brown hair was wavy on one side, and her dread and panic could be seen in her brilliant, wild eyes.

I jumped out of bed and headed her way. She abruptly stepped forward as I drew near and grabbed my shoulders while trying to speak. A loud shout was coming from a megaphone at the same moment.

"Code Red: Women and children alike, proceed to the secure bunker. We're being attacked. Continue: Head to the bunker. We are being attacked."

We were slow to understand what was said.

"We must leave right away," she exclaimed.

I turned to look at Lily, who was quaking with fright. Why was the pack being attacked? Could it possibly be. And why had it to happen while I was asleep?

My hand was quickly grabbed by her, and she dragged me down the steps. She yanked open the door and peered out. I could feel my heart racing like a hummingbird. I was exhaling loudly. At the back of my neck, a thin film of chilly perspiration had started to develop. When we turned to look, we noticed people in sweatpants and loose-fitting shirts rushing in all directions out of dread.

Lily said, "Let's go," and she walked away. I chase after her because I don't want to be left behind. When I heard distant gunfire and roaring snarls, I accelerated. I had to remind myself to maintain my composure as my body began to heat up and my blood began to rush more quickly through my veins.

Keep calm. People do stupid mistakes when they panic, and trip.

"Lily, what's going on? What—” I stopped and struck her in the back. She turned to face me and appeared to be speaking quickly.

"If your parents had known this, they wouldn't have sent you here, therefore they didn't. Shit! If we survive, they'll kill me. Sorry, I should not have permitted you to enter. My pack received a warning that we were the next target, but since it went outside their usual pattern, we discounted it as untrue. Oh my God, what a mess!" As she talked, she hesitantly turned to glance around. The alarm was silenced, but the sound of gunfire and a flashing red light persisted.

"What warning? When?!” I was yelling at her. No matter how hard I tried to breathe, it felt impossible. The air didn't appear to be able to enter my lungs. I can't  have a panic attack, I'm too young!

"We need to head to the bunker, but I'll explain later. Stay close, please!" The area of the jungle that everyone else appeared to be moving toward is where we ended up. I felt like I was wandering about aimlessly and didn't like this at all. My pack wasn't this one. I didn't have much knowledge of this territory, and if I had, I would have decided to avoid danger rather than bringing myself closer to it. The fighting and shooting stopped as we fled, letting me know we were secure, but I was nervous knowing that others were still in danger. Everyone was trying to get in when a big building came into view, and I saw ladies and kids pushing their way inside. I was pushed aside and separated from Lily when we attempted to enter.

“Lily?” When I couldn't see her, I spoke aloud. Everyone was speaking while also sobbing. “ Lily?! ” I sobbed more loudly. Lily was family and the only person I had, even if we weren't as close.

"Oh, fuck, thanks." I shouted.

"I got distracted at the door, I'm sorry." She walked us quickly up to a wall, where she quickly descended. In spite of my painful legs, I did as they said. My wolf agreed with the solution that my thoughts had been demanding.

"Lily, what's going on?" She suppressed a sob as she turned to face me. While tears streamed down my cheeks, my jaw constricted. Even though I wasn't sure I was helping, I decided to control my emotions and put my hand on her shoulder in an effort to calm her down. She inhaled deeply for a little period of time before tightly clenching her eyelids shut.

"Tell me, what's happening. What type of warning was issued to your pack? Who is attacking? And if your pack is in danger, why the fuck did you let me come here?" The last one I didn't speak out loud, but my wolf's irritation was definitely feeding my own. She took a trembling breath in but kept her eyes closed.

"I'm constrained by my alpha, so I can't tell you everything, but what I can tell you is that he wants someone or anything. I have no idea! When my alpha received a letter a few months ago stating that we were the next target, he ignored it because it didn't follow the pattern and said that we would be safe. But he felt insulted."

"He didn’t like it. We offended him, insulted him, and lacked grace. And we will now pay for it.  Alpha believed he was a scam and a myth. Alpha was arrogant." She said, ostensibly more to herself than to me, "Alpha was incorrect." I was frightened to witness Lily behave in such a childlike and choppy manner. However, that wasn't what worried me.

"Lily, who is it? Who did . . . Alpha disrespect?” I questioned, unsure of how to further frame my inquiry. She gave me a blank look as she turned to face me.

Lupus Deus