Wolfariane felt the exact moment the lightweight on his back stirred from her sleep. So, he switched back to half-shifter because he knows she is not ready to face his full-shifted form as the werewolf or the mountain lion. My bed is moving. Why is my bed moving? Ismena's brows furrowed as she stirred on her...bed? Her eyes opened, landing on trees...so many trees. She is in a forest. What is she doing in a forest at someone's back? Then, the memories rushed through her head; pawning a ring... Wolfariane at her doorstep... His lips devouring hers... His announcement that he'll hold her captive until his ring is found... Being attacked... BEING ATTACKED!? She raised her head from his back and surveyed her surrounding. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong filled the air. It's early morning, she decided, seeing the way the night's darkness hasn't cleared completely. It's obvious they aren't at their destination yet, but at least they must be close because he is no longer running. "
A hand grabbed the edges of her skirt and tugged hard.She looked down to see a small boy of about three-year-old smiling widely at her. The boy spread his little arms wide and pipped, "Up, up, up, up,"Instinctively, she knew the boy was asking to be picked up. Ismena can safely say that she avoids children because they cry a lot and she doesn't understand them. She's almost a stranger to them because she hasn't been around much of them in years.But, as this blond little boy kept his arms spread, looking at her with big brown-eyes wide with trust and asking to be picked up, she couldn't resist bending to the waist and lifting the boy up. His little arms went around her neck, and he held on.That gesture seems to be what all the others, who were watching her warily before, were waiting for. They threw themselves at her. She almost fell if not for the strong arm that shot out around her waist and steadied her. "Easy." Wolfariane's voice filled her ear, the deep baritone causing a s
Alphose and Degar led the way back to the Alpha King's tower, in quick steps and tensed silence. The sentinels at the guard scented them before they got closer and opened the gate for the three of them, bowing their heads in greeting to their King. The King beside Alphose said nothing. His muscles were bunched and tensed, his face a blank slate. But, everyone around can practically feel the tension radiating from him in waves. Inside the big tower, they walked through the long hallways with large picture frames hanging on them, to the curved stairway which they climbed to go up to the third part of the big castle. Their footsteps were soundless as they walked through the tiles of the long hallway, towards the door at the opposite end of it. As they got closer, they began hearing a faint howling that sounded like a wolf in anguish. Snarls and enraged roar. They got to the door, Alphose stepped forward and opened it. It was dark inside. Degar walked in first, going straigh
"Of course, Alpha King. But what about the ring?""We will make plans about it later. Gather the Enforcers for a meeting in the evening. They need to know what is going on." His eyes remained closed as he issued these commands."I will do as you wish." He inclined his eyes and faced the door."Degar?" His tone was low. Too low.The quiet tone told Degar how badly he was hurt. How terribly he is losing blood. How urgently he needs to start healing."Yes, Alpha King?" He answered."When you are done with your duties, check on the female. You or Eline can take her around town later, so she can familiarize herself with this place. But stick to the Werewolf Clan and the Cougar Clan." He paused, "Inquire about her illness and meds from her, so you can arrange for getting the new meds she can live on.""Of course. As you wish.""Don't forget to send a message to Cronus, Josiah, and all Changelings out there about the resurfacing of the Wolfhunters." Just the thought of it made his tone harde
Bathed and feeling refreshed again, Ismena glanced at herself in the big mirror of the bedroom. Eline had been kind enough to lend her her clothes because they were almost the same size. It's her waist that wanted to disgrace her at first, rejecting all the clothes Eline picked out before. But now, she's in a simple loose dress that only hugged her waist before it flowed loosely down her legs. Feeling satisfied with what she's seeing, she walked out of the bedroom only to see Eline and Alphose putting on their extra uniforms. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Ismena. But there was an emergency in the market we're posted on this week, that requires our attention. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take you around town today, after all." Elaine informed her as she hurriedly strapped her guns to the bandoliers on her waist and shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You go attend to business. I'll wait right here." "Thank you. The television is old but it's working, so you can keep yourself busy. Bye...!"
"Wolfariane...!" Ismena cried out in sheer fear and panic, as she looked up at her rescuer.Then, she moved quickly behind him, climbed onto his back, squeezed her eyes closed, and wrapped her arms and legs around his neck and his waist. She held on tightly."You are safe." Wolfariane heard the deep growl, it took him a moment to realize that it was coming from him. She whimpered, her arms tightening around him.It was a struggle to control his wolf at the smell of terror pouring out from her. Her small form perched on his back was trembling in soft vibrations. Then, he stared ahead of him at the cougar who ran towards them but came to a sudden halt as it got in front of him. "What do you think you are doing now, Tim?" He meant to question, but his tone came out harsh. A harsh growl.The cougar whimpered, clear confusion in its green eyes as it stared at the Alpha King. "Shift. Now." He ordered, barely reining in his temper.The cougar shifted, taking mortal form. A young boy stoo
"They are Changelings who have lost their sanity for one reason or another and take to the wild. Our mortal forms tame us, Ismena." He rounded another part of the forest, his arms behind his back as he continued, "Without our mortal form to keep us contained, we will become worst than wild animals. Wild Ones have lost their mortal forms, they only ride on basic instincts.""Basic instincts?" She asked, enthralled."To kill, to fúck, and to hunt. Mostly, to kill." He paused, "Fortunately, they mate with each other during the full moon, so we do not have to worry about mass brutal forced intercourse with our women. But they kill and hunt us. Wild Ones are the most dangerous because their mind is gone. We kill them at sight."There was no change in his demure or his voice, but Ismena felt his pain in that last statement. She has no idea why, but she suddenly had the fierce urge to offer comfort. "I'm sorry." She whispered, sincerely."We have to kill them before they kill more children."
"Aaah," Ismena was starting to understand. "That is your present position right?" He nodded once, leading her through another lane. Out of the corner of his eyes, he can see the surprised glances and jaw-dropping gazes of his people as they stare at the human walking excitedly beside their Alpha King. "As you can already deduce, it is the highest position in Naturiah, led by the strongest of the strongest. It comes with a lot of responsibilities too." The way she was looking at him in that enthralled, fascinated way forced him to continue. "So, clans kill themselves to be the general leader of all the clans. That was the dominant war. It went on for years and years until other clans either lost the war or they gave up on it because of their innocent blood that has died from the war. It continued until the werewolves and the cougars were remaining. Two strong clans fighting each other for the throne." He took a deep breath, "Ares and Dogota. Ares was the Alpha leader of the cougar cl