Chapter 4

I struggled to get up. I don't know if it's because of adrenaline rush due to the danger. I didn't notice the pain in my shoulders.

I was focused on getting off the truck silently.

Just a little more, Ayesha!

I cheered myself. I move as quiet and quickly as I can but luck took me as its enemy. My foot was caught onto something and I literally cursed all evils in the world when my eyes came into contact with a two glaring golden orb of light before falling into the ground.

The fall created a loud thud that echoed inside the silent forest.

My heart jump and literally skipped a beat when I heard a terrifying growl. A huge black wolf pinned me into the ground towering over me. The smell of blood instantly hit my nose. His blood stained face was just few inches away from me. The red liquid trickled out of his mouth.

I gasp in fear.

He narrowed down his stare and look sharply directly onto my eyes. His eyes were cold emanating a golden light.

The familiar white spot on his chest gave me a hope.

But...

He lock his stare at me like I was his prey. I instantly lost the sliver of hope I previously had when he bared his fangs at my neck as if ready to bite me to death.

Tears fell like a stream from my eyes out of fear. My body is shaking profusely. I didn't know I was holding my breath. The only thing that runs to my head right now is my death.

His glaring eyes instantly change and filled with worries when he look at my state. I don't know but I feel like he wanted to comfort me so he started to lick the unending tears streaming down my face. But I just felt more scared.

Scared that he will suddenly bite me and tear me apart. Like he initially tried to do.

I heard Hector's voice coming closer but the wolf above me growled at him.

"Can't you see how terrified she is? Move away if you don't want her to die!" Eleonor said on the side.

The wolf was quiet hesitant at first but he still listened to her.

Eleonor pulled me up and comforted me in her embrace. She rub my back and told me breathe.

"Come on, inhale... exhale..." She supported me until my breathing becomes normal. I cried so much that it echoed all over the forest. I was so scared! I thought I'm gonna die.

"Hush now, sweetheart. You're safe. No one will hurt you." she assured me but I don't believe it. How can I be safe when I know I'm the only human among them. They can literally tear off my limbs any minute they want.

"Priestess, the ritual isn't completed. We cannot wait for the next full moon!"

Eleonor look conflicted. She gently stroke my back. I hugged her tighter. I don't want to be left alone. She's the only person I feel safe with. I knew Hector can't protect me. That black guy threatens him. I can only count on Eleonor.

I heard her sigh.

"Sweetheart, do you want to come with me?"

"Priestess, she's a human! She can't---"

"She's a child who grew up with us. She's now a part of us, Karen." Eleonor responded.

"But---"

"No more buts! That child is already terrified let her be." My heart felt a little bit at ease when I heard the voice of the granny who always gives me treats whenever she sees me.

I look to her side and with a grateful heart. She smiled softly the wrinkles on the side of her eyes become more define.

I tried to get up but my knees failed me. A large hand supported my waist and helped me to stand steadily.

I look up to glance at the person who helped me. I saw an unfamiliar man smiling sweetly at me. The familiar feeling of comfort and safety I feel made me wonder if he's that little guy.

"A-are you... perhaps Bailey?" His smile become wider when he realized that I recognized him.

I smiled weakly. The little wolf that I previously tease and cuddle turn out to be a grown man that shifts into a big wolf.

Noticing my reaction he patted my head like I always did to them.

"No one will hurt you, sister. I will protect you. So, don't be afraid anymore." he assured me.

My eyes glistened when I heard him call me sister. When he was still a cub I often tell them that this sister will protect them and free them when time comes.

Now, I'm the one who needs protection. He's here willing to do the same. I never thought he would grow to be such a good guy.

Yes, Ayesha. They grew up to be amazing wolves as you wish just not like how you imagine. They are still the cubs you grew up with.

I smiled at him sincerely while my tears are still falling. I raised my hand and ruffled his hair like I always do. His hair is as soft as I remember.

"Thank you..."

He was taken aback for a moment then he smiled sweetly with his eyes almost closing.

He ushered me where the other females are. Telling me he will come back after the ritual. I felt reassured and nodded.

Oblivious to my surroundings, I never knew that the exchange I made with Bailey would make the peering eyes of someone to become filled with resentment.

The newly changed wolves gathered on the center eyeing each other like sworn enemies. I saw Bailey turned into his wolf form. His clothes ripped and a huge gray-back wolf with a solid white undercoat emerge.

The silver and brown color wolves stood in front of him bearing their teeth. I believe those two are Russel and Flynn. Behind them was the black wolf I presume to be Leo.

I caught Leo staring at me. He's eyes is still as mesmerizing as I remember. I immediately look away when I heard Eleonor started talking.

I told myself never to get near that guy ever. It's better to avoid that him. He tried to kill me. No one knows what he will do next time.

"Children of the Moonlit Pack, your generation will continue the might of our wolf tribe. The right for the seat of power will fall only to the victor. May the the bloodline of the Spirit Wolf awaken in you."

"Goddess of the moon bless our warriors!"

"Goddess of the moon bless our warriors!"

After Eleonor speak the others chanted. I don't have any idea what's happening. I was about to ask when the wolves including the four brothers started to pounce each other.

"What... What's happening?" I started to panic when I saw them biting each other.

But the others look at them like it was a natural thing.

"Didn't you hear the priestess? Only the victor will claim the seat of power. He's going to succeed uncle Hector being the leader of the tribe." A white she-wolf stood by my side. My eyes twinkle in amazement. She actually talks!

Strangely, I don't feel any fear towards her. Maybe because she looks beautiful with her white fur.

I shook my head and tried to pull myself together.

"What if they kill the others?" Looking at how aggressive they were it felt like their lives depend on it.

"They won't kill each other. Mother will never allow such thing to happen besides uncle Hector will surely stop them." She pause turned to look at me.

"They're all important members of the tribe. Everyone is given a chance to contest. It's an important part of their lives so it's a bit messy."

I felt her shrugged.

I never knew Eleonor has a daughter. She looks like the wolf of her mom.

"Then why didn't you participate?"

After I asked her she looked at me like I grew another head. She scoffed.

"I'm the chosen daughter of the Moon Goddess. A snow wolf. I'll become a priestess like my mother. Besides female wolves don't participate in that kind of bloody fight."

When I heard her my eyes travelled to where the wolves are fighting.

She's right. It was a bloody fight between them. A lot of them are already down. Some gave up not wanting to fight. I looked at Leo who's standing perfectly fine.

He's like a beast covered with a dominating air. The few panting wolves cautiously circled around him waiting to find an opening. But his eyes were as calm as a lake. Not giving them a chance to attack.

Russel and Flynn worked together and attacked Bailey on the other side. They're all covered in blood from the scratches and bite.

I know it's part of the tradition of their tribe but it felt too inhumane to let them fight like that.

"Is it really that important to be the leader?"

Everyone looked at me. Some raise and knit their brows. I instantly felt embarrassed for saying my thoughts out loud. But this is how I feel.

"Child, power means right and right means freedom. Have you ever wonder how a tribe of wolf like ours let a human child like you live amongst us?" Rona, a middle-aged woman spoke.

Now that I think about it, it's weird that they just let me mingle with them and even treated me greatly while I was growing up. Even though not everyone are as welcoming as the others no one harmed me.

I blink at her telling I'm clueless.

She let out a laugh.

"Remember how Hector suddenly became the Chief of the village? He defeated the previous leader of the tribe. As the leader and strongest wolf in the tribe no one can go against his will to take you, a human child, to enter the tribe."

So, it was because of me that he got himself injured that time. How silly of me to believe that he fell off a cliff while hunting. He's a veteran hunter how can he make such a newbie mistake. Besides falling off a cliff, he would've had broken bones not a huge scar.

I scan the area and saw him looking seriously at the wolves fighting.

Thank you, dad. I'm forever grateful.

How I wish he was my real dad. I smiled bitterly. My biological father left me and my mom. I guess the heavens blessed me and my mom with someone like Hector to fill the gap inside our hearts.