SOMEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE

Vivian and Ruza were seated on a raised platform facing a gigantic screen. An array of controls and buttons stretched out in front of them.

“Navigation control.”

“Check”

“Fuel Level.”

“Maximum.”

“Artificial gravity.”

“Working.”

“Oxygen levels.”

“Optimum.”

They ran all the checks according to their training. Vivian then put the spaceship on autopilot mode and relaxed in her seat.

Ruza ran a few more checks and relaxed too. With the factorial development in aerodynamics and quantum computing, space travel had become much more comfortable and convenient.

“Hey, do you have any idea how the planet was named as ‘The Lycan World?’” Ruza asked, turning towards Vivian.

“I have no idea,” Vivian replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“What! Ms. Encyclopaedia didn’t do her research! That is news.”Ruza exclaimed as her eyebrows shot to her forehead.

“I did research, Ru. But there is no information available.”

“I don’t believe you…” Ru said as she tapped the planet’s name in the search bar.

Even after reading for a long time, nothing came up.

“How is this possible, Vivi? All the planets are named after someone or other. We have digital records of the etymology of all planets but not this one.”

“Hmmm… I found that weird too. We don’t even know how this planet was discovered. It is like it is just there.” Vivian said, drawing in a deep breath.

“I guess we will find out more about it soon.”

“Hmmm….”

A week later….

The screen flashed ‘We have reached the end of the Solar System. Buckle your harness. Preparing to launch into Super propulsion mode.’

“No! I hope I come out alive after this.” Ruza said with a groan. She always dreaded this part of space travel.

The change of speed from sub-light speed to speed faster than light made her sick and dizzy.

Vivian drew out a small vial with a needle attached to it and stabbed it into Ruza’s arm quickly and then stabbed another one into her own arm.

She had barely managed to buckle herself when the spaceship started accelerating factorially… 800mph….1600mph…320000mph….

It finally stabilized at 100,000,000mph. The indicator of the navigation panel went haywire for a moment, but it returned to normal after Vivian pressed some buttons and turned on a lever.

Though Vivian could do some foolish things in excitement, she could work well in high-stress situations. This is what made her one of the best astronauts in the world.

On the other hand, Ruza was very calm and composed in familiar situations, but she couldn’t cope with stressful circumstances.

They were a perfect team. They evened out each other’s weaknesses.

“What did you give me? I don’t feel sick at all.” Ruza asked the moment everything stabilized.

“It is a mild preparation of Cannabis, made by my scientist friend. It lowers the level of neurological function for five minutes. So, we have to take it just before entering into the super propulsion mode.”

“Wow! Vivian. I could have never done that so quickly.”

“I know I am great,” Vivian said, fanning herself. Ruza instantly regretted complimenting her. There was no need to encourage her already swollen ego.  

“Let us run the security checks,” Ruza said, changing the topic.

“This baby works as smooth as silk,” Vivian commented once they were done with the checks.

“If everything went well, we would be in the orbit of ‘The Lycan World’ in a month,” Ruza said, stretching her hands.

“No…that seems sooo far away..” Vivian said with a groan. She was dying to explore the planet as soon as possible. She felt as if the planet was calling to her.

“Vivi..”

“Hmm….”

“What do you think we will find on the planet?”

Vivian pressed several buttons, and a hologram of The Lycan World appeared before them.

“The Lycan World has an atmosphere made of 40% oxygen, 15% carbon dioxide, and 45% Nitrogen, which is similar to earth.

The data from a space probe indicates that there may be forests and water too. The probability of finding life there is very high.

Gosh! I can’t wait to get into the orbit.

#### @ IN THE LYCAN WORLD@####

A group of about twenty men was seated in a circle around a bonfire; the flames lapping high into the sky.

They were all tall and well built, exuding a powerful aura. They had a wild look about them, long beard and unruly hair, but their eyes glowed with confidence.

Sweat beaded on their muscular chests due to the heat of the fire, but they weren’t bothered by it. They were used to the heat. All in all, it was an alluring scene.

A man with jet black hair and golden eyes swaggered into the clearing, followed by two more men.

Everyone stood up respectfully the moment they saw him. The trio exuded so much power that the others were forced to bow.

“Alpha, Sandilo,” they muttered in unison.

“So! What is for the feast?” He asked as he sat on a stone seat covered in golden skin.

“Alpha, we have caught some golden elks for you.” A man came forward and said, bowing deeply. He was slightly taller and well built than the rest. He was the Alpha of the Bloodhound pack, but his pack was nothing compared to Sandilo’s. So, it was his duty to greet the more powerful one.

“Ohk! Just the usual. Let us get over with the ceremony then. I would like to go home for dinner.” He said, tossing his head.

“But…” His words got stuck in his throat as a growl erupted from Alpha Sandilo’s throat.

His knees buckled, and rushed to get all the werewolf women. They were already waiting in a line ready to be paraded.

They filed in one by one. They would walk up to the Alpha, bow before him, and looked into his eyes before turning and leaving.

Sandilo’s fury mounted as he couldn’t find the one he was looking for.

“Alpha, all the women have been presented to you.” The Alpha said, standing up respectfully.

“There are 120 women in your pack; only 55 have been presented.”

“But, Alpha. They are mated.” The Alpha protested. How could he bear to do this with the women of his pack?

“You dare to defy me!” Alpha Sandilo roared as he overturned the stone seat, crushing it to dust under his legs.

The Alpha of the Bloodhound pack had to swallow the insult and call the mated females too in the end.

“Are you satisfied now, Alpha Sandilo?” he said in a pained voice.

“The Luna hasn’t come to greet me yet!” Sandilo said ruthlessly.

“Alpha Sandilo! This is too much. I will not let my mate be presented to you. She is the Luna of this pack. She is my pride.”

“Then, we fight.” He snapped as he grabbed his throat and lifted him into the air.

 “Mark!” A woman with golden hair and copper-brown eyes came running into the clearing.

“Please leave him, Alpha Sandilo.”

Sandilo sighed and released the man. She wasn’t the one either.

He broke into a run as he roared in frustration, “Where the hell are you?!”

Within a few minutes, he had reached his mansion. He wanted to go to his room before anyone caught up with him.

Unfortunately, he bumped into his father.

“So..” He asked, steadying Sandilo.

“So, nothing, father. He didn’t find his mate even today.” Sandilo’s brother said in a teasing voice.

“Mind your tone, boy. This is not a joke!” Conan reprimanded.

Then, Letting out a deep sigh, he said, “Why don’t you listen to me and accept someone as your mate. Sometimes, wolves can be born without mates, but we can’t have a pack without Luna.”

“No way, Father, I cannot and will not accept anyone but my soulmate as my Luna,” Sandilo said, staring into his father’s eyes.

In the glaring battle that ensued, Sandilo had to lower his eyes. After all, his father was technically the Alpha of the pack until he took over; and he couldn’t take over until he had his Luna by his side.

He let out a deep sigh and sauntered into his room.

“Why don’t you listen to Father, Sandilo. You have practically met all the females on the planet. None of them is your mate. Now, what do you expect? Will your mate come from another planet?”

“Maybe!” he shouted back and closed the door with a bang.

Sandilo knew that his brother was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to spend his life with someone who was not his mate.

His hair bounced in the light breeze as he watched the moon in the sky. He had faith that his mate must be waiting for him in some part of the universe.

His mate was drawing closer to him. But, will he recognise her when he sees her? 

We are often blinded by experiences and pre-conceived notions. When something out of the ordinary happens, it is quite difficult to sense it, believe it. 

By the time we realise its importance, it slips through our hand like the sand from a closed fist.