03 - The Listening Company

The blood-bringer was made especially for them and could cause them to bleed from their ears if ignored—hence its name.

It sounded three times. Any longer and most of them would be screaming and covering their bleeding ears.

The ringer—an Omega called Wadou from Wesley Pack— would let it ring longer if he didn’t see more than ten people filing out of the room by the third ring.

This had happened twice before. No one was looking to make a third occurrence.

As everyone around her sprang into action, Baka looked for Bessia amidst the chaos.

She found her trying painfully hard to rise up from the floor, her brunette hair a maze of tangled webs at her back. She winced as she tried to pull at the strands of hair stuck on her angry, red bruises.

Baka’s heart ached for her. Moving to Bessia’s side, she sat beside her and gently began lifting each strand of hair.

“Thanks, Baka.” Her voice was soft and shaky.

“Of course.”

Bessia looked up at her. “Is the Luna Queen really dead?”

Baka’s eyes widened.

“I heard you and Massey’s conversation,” Bessia explained.

She hadn’t realised they’d had a listening company. Who else had heard them?

“It seems like these wounds have given you heightened hearing abilities.”

Bessia smiled a slow, lazy smile, her big dark eyes penetrative. “You guys weren’t as quiet as you think.”

Somehow, that unnerved her.

When the last of the strands had been pulled out of her wounds, Baka stood up.

“Wait here for me till I return.”

The young girl nodded, happy to continue lying on the matted floor.

Baka waited until everyone had prepared and left for their various duties before getting ready herself.

It wasn’t until then that she realized that her mother had forgotten to give her money for the herbs for Bessia.

With much dread, she checked the mouse traps she had set in the room.

To her delight, one had caught a game. What were the chances of that! After weeks. She stuffed it in a bag and stepped outside. Maybe healer Freya would accept a trade.

Usually, Healer Freya was not to be visited till late noon. But Bessia couldn’t wait that long.

The boys on the other side of the compound had started working. Some chopped wood, others carried cement blocks, while others could be heard sharpening weapons in the blacksmith shed.

She headed into the greener pastures of Khandom City where the werewolves lived in stark contrast to them. Clean streets, spacious environment, and splendid decor. No one who lived like this and left their servants to rot in rat infested rooms could be good.

A familiar voice called out to her and she released a small sigh.

“Hi Stranger,” Bekon greeted, matching her strides.

“Oh, it’s stranger now, is it?”

They were once inseparable. Amidst the war and trying to stay alive, Baka had wanted to forget her troubles and become lost in something—anything. They both did. And they had done so with each other.

But things were different now. Though Baka enjoyed the pleasure of his company, she found that when he wasn't around, she hardly noticed.

“You've been avoiding me,” Bekon accused.

“I’m not.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Aethelite pack. You?” She didn’t want him to know about Bessia just yet. They needed no more reminders about what their lives were really like.

“Wesleyan pack,” he replied, just as she had suspected. “Alpha Wally is going hunting.”

”As always.”

“This catch is especially for the Luna Queen’s burial.”

Right. She couldn’t care less. All she could think about was her mother. But he didn’t need to know that either.

“Does that mean Alpha Aziz is going hunting as well?” she asked.

“I doubt it. He would want to do something different from the others.”

True, Baka mused, remembering how narcissistic and competitive both Alpha Aziz and Luna Amie were. No one kissed ass more than those two.

“I saw you walk by,” he said, a charming grin on his two-toned lips. Lips she’d kissed desperately during late nights. Lips that brought back so many memories. “I've missed you.”

Bekon was very attractive. His shiny dark skin was enough to write a novel about. Built like a god from head to toe, he certainly stood out amongst other boys his age. She knew that better than anyone. Even the werewolf girls pinned after him. Their lustful gazes didn’t go unnoticed whenever Bekon passed by them or stood next to his master, Alpha Wally.

“You know we’re not allowed to cross over to each other’s side.”

“I know. But you could have waved.” He sounded genuinely hurt and Baka didn’t know what to do with that.

She drew in a slow, quiet breath. “Sorry. I've had a lot on my mind.”

“What exactly?”

“Just basic stuff.”

“More important than me?”

Yes.

He read the answer in her eyes, but Baka offered no further explanations. She was too busy being oppressed to have time for love. Especially a love that would no doubt end in a tragedy. Either he would be killed, or she would be, or both.

Their lives didn't afford them such luxuries as love. They were slaves, period. They lived solely for their beastly masters. They were completely at their mercy.

Without warning, Bekon’s fingers grazed her arms, tracing it’s length as he leaned closer to her.

“I would kiss you if I didn’t think you’d slap me for it,” he whispered.

His hot breath fanned her neck, sending soft tingles down her spine. She wanted so badly for him to do exactly that.

“We're not safe out here for this.”

“We’re never safe.”

“Still…”

With a sigh, he planted a kiss on her neck and sauntered off.

Baka stood still, aware of the old feelings that had arisen within her. She had believed that the years of oppression had chilled her passions. But they hadn’t.

She hurried over to Healer Freya’s shop which stood north of Aethelite pack’s territory.

Before she got within twenty paces in, she heard voices. They were harsh whispers, as though in an argument.

Baka stood silently, wondering what to do next. Should she wait, or should she turn around and leave?

The latter was not really an option. The former would most likely put her in trouble.

“What would you have me do?” said a voice that sounded very much like Healer Freya’s but was riddled with fear.

“What I pay you for!” Another voice boomed. “Or would you like to go back to that filth you called home before I rescued you?”

“No, my lord.”

My lord?

The realisation that Healer Freya was speaking to a royal member of Trinity pack took her completely off guard as she stumbled and snapped a twig in the process.

The voices fell silent, and Baka knew she had been caught.