1: We get to pay our debts

FELYNDRA

Tears slipped from my eyes as I stared at the warm intestines in my bloody hands. My eyes traveled to the pair of dead eyes staring back at me, reminding me that I had taken his life. It happened again. As I lifted my head and looked at the waxing crescent moon, I knew it was that time of the month. The time when I sneak out and go on a killing spree. Spilling the blood of those who I found guilty of one crime or the other.

The intestines dropped to the wet earth and as I kept staring at the crescent moon that had turned me into a murderer, a soft silver glow emanated from me, and with a sickening crack, my bones began to snap, shifting, twisting as I was forced back into the beast I feared to become.

A faint glimmering trail like moonlight on water followed me as I fled into the woods, the voices of people who would soon discover the aftermath fading into the distance, swallowed by the dark.

Stopping at our backyard, a gust of wind swept me over, and the next thing I knew, my world shifted and I saw myself on my wooden bed, still in my brown nightgown which was once stained with blood but now completely clean. My hands were completely clean too. No trace of the gore that had clung to them moments ago. It wasn't normal but this has been happening to me for 105 days since I turned eighteen. The judge I killed tonight is my sixth victim.

The relentless knock on my door jolted me awake from my sweet peaceful slumber. I'd just fallen asleep barely an hour.

With a frustrated groan, I stumbled to the door, unlocking it with shaky hands. Standing there were my sisters, with their blankets wrapped around them, their eyes wide in fear. I arched my brow at them and the eldest, Gini spoke first.

" The beast was out last night. It killed the judge and tore his intestines out." She said, her voice trembling and my other sisters clutched their blankets tighter, their faces pale, shivers running through them.

" After pulling his intestines out, it ate some and left a moonlight glow on its trail but this trail disappeared inside the woods," Gini added, her voice barely above a whisper, and my eyes widened. I don't remember eating the judge's intestines. The thought of it made me want to empty my gut on the floor.

" Felyndra is scared," Xena my immediate younger sister who is seventeen said, pointing at me.

" Mom and Dad have gone to the pack meeting which was summoned by the alpha."

" So early?" I murmured. My mind racing. Why would the alpha call a meeting so early? Was he afraid of something?

" It's 7 a.m., Lyndra. “ Gini replied, her voice soft, almost pleading. “Your room is warm and safe. Let's stay together until Papa and Mama come back," They ushered themselves in and I just watched as they made themselves comfortable. If only they knew the person they came to for safety was the beast the whole pack feared. Their nightmare.

I wanted to tease Gini for being so frightened despite having found her wolf but I was too exhausted. I grabbed my blanket and slept on the floor, leaving the bed to my elder and younger sisters.

Hours passed in silence and as I knit the sweater in my hands, I saw my parents from afar, approaching the front lawn. My heart tightened. Something felt wrong. Their movements were stiff and their faces.. grim.

When they settled down, I served them breakfast, my heart still racing as Gini was busy plaiting Xena's hair in the backyard.

" Is everything okay?" I asked my parents. I've noticed the grim look on their faces as if something grim has happened. Did they perhaps find out who the beast was? I panicked as I placed the water jug slowly on the table.

" The alpha has placed a bounty on the beast. Anyone who can tell who and what it is will get a huge prize that will change their lives forever." My father said and a chill swept through me as I slowly sat on the chair next to my mother. I couldn't help but feel fear in my heart. What will happen after finding the identity of the beast? Did they know it's me? Is that why they are sad?

I slowly gulped at the thought and looked my father in the eyes before asking meekly, " Do you know the identity of this beast?"

Silence loomed over us for some seconds but it felt like forever and my palms were starting to sweat.

" No," Father shakes his head and I didn't know when I let out a sigh of relief that made them give me a questioning look.

" Observing the scene earlier, I noticed something. The beast only kills during crescent moon and it tends to leave moonlight glowing on its trails which brings me to the conviction that the beast, " he paused and my heart pounded in my chest. I didn't realize I'd left so many clues. I can't blame myself. I didn't plan for this. That beast isn't me. It has a mind of its own.

" The beast is a crescent Fox. Cunning, witty, and sneaky. It's probably a white fox," he added and my heart pounded harder. Is this his clue to say he knows who the fox is?

Mother cleared his throat, drawing me out of my panic and I looked in her direction briefly before looking away at the sweater on my lap.

" Let's forget about such trivial things. We all know there is no Fox in this part of the world. Besides Foxes are not allowed in our land. Let's talk about what is more important." She said and I was relieved that the topic of discussion had changed. The tension almost sent me to an early grave.

" A daughter from our family has been chosen to be sent to the Alpha King of Ironfang as a breeder." She paused and our eyes met. I tried reading the look in her eyes but her gaze was cold and calculating.

Even though I had an idea of what it was, I chose to dwell in ignorance.

" Felyndra," she calls and my heart leaped into my throat, beating against the walls of my esophagus.

" We are sending you,” My heart sank into my stomach and the sweater dropped from my hand, sliding to the floor.

" Why me? “ my voice cracked. “Why not Gini? She is older..," my lips trembled as my hands curled into fists by my side.

" Gini is a werewolf.” my father cuts in, his words cutting through me like a blade. “She found her wolf when she was fourteen. But you, Felyndra, at eighteen, you still haven't found your wolf. We cannot bear to waste Gini. She's worth more than that. But you…., you have brought nothing but shame to this family. Being the breeder of the alpha king is the only worth you are to us and this pack." My father said his words raw and unmerciful that they hit my nerves and cut through my heart.

" But he is cruel! He doesn't have a heart. He is ruthless, Father!" I screamed, hoping it would change their minds.

My eyes burned with unshed tears. My hands trembled and my teeth sunk into my lips

" We get to pay our debts and Gini will have a good dowry for when she finds her mate."

The taste of copper filled my mouth and at that moment, I wanted to dig my claws into their chest and rip their intestines out. How could they sell me? And then it dawned on me, I am not important. My life is not. The money and Gini's dowry are more important.

Tears streamed down my cheeks and I swallowed the big lump in my throat. It hurts so much. Swallowing hurts but not as much as their betrayal.

I won't let them sell me.