Chapter 4

4

Unfortunately, my wounded shoulder bled in desperation. With all the strength I could muster, I pushed myself upright—struggling and barely managing. I stammered to get myself together, but the lifeless corpses of wolves nearby obscured my line of vision, making my head spin with odd contemplation. The scene felt familiar but also unusual. I tried every piece of memory I could garner, but none came about. 

Alpha Strevus plowed right through the bloody mess as his orbs met mine, and instantly my heart accelerated. 

 "Heal her," He instructed, his tone deadly and devoid of any emotions.

Martha immediately obliged when Alpha Strevus instructed her.

I regarded him with a puzzled expression. My memories must hold a significant value for him to tend to my injured shoulder. Based on his previous demeanor, he seemed largely apathetic toward my presence. And yet, here he stood, akin to a chivalrous knight, coming to my rescue. It often crosses my mind whether he's deliberately crafting an image, one I find hard to resist being drawn to. Maybe he truly embodies virtue, while I'm a figure from a more sinister past. If that holds true, I wish for nothing more than to be viewed in a different light by him.

"Is the pain still lingering?" Martha inquired, her expression etched with concern. But it wasn't for me—it was for herself, for how the Alpha might chastise her. Her gaze lingered in my mind, those neutral green eyes, relentlessly tormenting me with silent abstractions.

I shook my head and answered. "No,"

She nodded instinctively. "You heal well...for someone who hasn't yet shifted,"

The term "shifter" had been mentioned countless times, yet its true significance had never quite sunk in—as if they were insinuating that I was one of them. But even if I were to be counted among them, why did I not sense any distinction? Instead, I felt utterly ordinary, as if nothing particularly peculiar resided within me.

Fionna had mentioned that the typical age for the transition was eighteen. I, however, don't bear the appearance of an eighteen-year-old; I appear older. Maybe I fell into the category of those rare cases she had spoken of earlier. Or maybe, just maybe, I don't belong to their kind at all.

Instead of probing too much, I straightened up when Martha wrapped a piece of clothing on my wound. It took a lot of courage to not make a sound while she was tending to me. I must admit it hurts badly. However, I want to appear courageous and kind of competent. It wasn't just me, members of the group were severely injured too, and I didn't want to appear weak.

While I was being assisted, Alpha Strevus silently studied me, he was standing from a distance, calmly but neutrally gazing. His attention made me shift uncomfortably in my seat. Finally, realizing that I was very much aware of his stare, he looked away and proceeded to converse with the group.

"Done," Martha stated after my wound had been thoroughly cleansed. While I quietly expressed my gratitude, I couldn't be sure if she caught it. Just as she was preparing to depart, I perked up, my curiosity prompting me to speak up eagerly.

"Will they attack again?"

"Who? The rogues?"

Is that what they address them as? "Yes,"

"Perhaps..." She mused, "...that's why we need to keep moving. Though, given your condition, it's hard to predict if you'll be able to keep up."

My mouth gaped at her upon knowing I was indeed a hindrance. I thought of ways to cope with my dwindling strength, but none came to mind. Though I am fully conscious and alert, my body was beaten up, dried, and deprived of rest and food. I was not in a better shape yet, but I still had a lot going on here, and if another onslaught whirled, maybe I'd be one of the many emotionless corpses lying. 

"What about the bodies?" I implied, head-turning towards the sprawled-out carcasses of wolves scattered.

"Leave them. They're none of your concern, not unless you know our attackers,"

"No. I don't know them,"

Martha sounded culpable when she sort of pushed the narrative that I was involved with this bloodshed. I wasn't.

"Even if I was, I wouldn't be attacked in such a way that could leave me dead," I added.

"Don't be absurd prisoner. You are an enemy to a lot of packs out here. Of course, they would want you dead—but seeing how vulnerable you are, I can see now why Alpha needed you,"

I barely responded when she finished dropping her anger toward me. Whirling in confusion, I silently reaffirm my stance. 

A few moments later, Alpha Strevus walked right towards me, holstering me without permission as I gasped in response. He did it unexpectedly and I wordlessly responded. Martha opened her mouth as if to question but quickly closed it, the same goes with our companions. Stumbling to regain my wits, I retaliated from my unresponsive shock a while ago.

"Put me down," I almost squeaked, eyes going wide. But, instead of paying heed, he started marching his way toward the snow-cladded path, leaving the faintest of footprints on his way. Fearing our loss of balance, I grabbed onto his shoulder for dear life.

The group in charge of transporting me gave meaningful glances to each other, however, they just followed suit. And by the time we set off, the camp was no longer visible even from a distance.

"Stop staring," Alpha Knight Strevus uttered without sparing me a glance and making me inch away from his face. I couldn't help my attention upon digesting our proximity. He was eminently beautiful now that I could see him clearly. My gaze reluctantly slid down to his lips, then I saw a scowl gracing it, thereby yanking me away from staring.

"I'm sorry..." I mumbled apologetically.

We continued our tread in silence, save for the howl of wind and the small chatters from the group trailing behind us. Then, obscured by the shadows of trees, I saw how Alpha's eyes brightened and turned into crimson. It made me wonder if they were capable of seeing in the dark. How amazing it is—remarkably using your skills to your advantage. 

My thoughts flew upon the interruption.

"Rogues never attacked this side of the camp. They knew what was ahead. What could possibly trigger their senses?"

Behind us, one man from the group shot me a glance. Unfortunately, he didn't know that I was also staring. Thus upon seeing me, he instantly took back his stare.

"You do not have the right to talk about this mess while we're in the wintry forest," Alpha emphasized, his breath still fanning a puff of smoke.

This time, I thought he was defending me, at least for a bit, but his eyes never left the trail and that made me realize he was avoiding the palpable speculation.

Alpha strode past with footfalls becoming heavier each second. Without thinking too much, I leaned my head against his chest. I knew that he was about to protest, but I felt him draw a breath when he noticed my quivering form. Hoping to convey my thoughts, I mustered enough courage to ask him.

"Why are you doing this?"

He briefly scrutinized me for my question.

"What do you mean?"

"You rejected me..." I trailed on.

"Do you remember now?"

"No..." Shaking my head, I further explained. "—the girl you sent me, I asked her a few questions,"

His gaze held understanding; still, it sent tremors to my heart.

"I told you, I don't care about your welfare. All I need is your memories to extract, nothing more,"

"What if I run away?"

"You think you can run away from here? The wolves are one thing, but surviving out there in the wild...I highly doubt you'd last for a day,"

I shrugged my heart in a faze of embarrassment.

"I don't want to be involved in your affairs,"

"Neither are we, but your kin claims otherwise,"

"I had nothing to do with them,"

"A forgotten past doesn't mean a changed person. Your essence remains tied to your bloodline,"

"Then I want to apologize for whatever it i—"

"Your apologies don't matter. It doesn't bring back the dead,"

I observed as his countenance grew somber upon the mention of my kin. Whenever his gaze turned to one of disdain, my heart felt like it was being squeezed with pain and abandonment, as though a weighty burden had collapsed within me.

"How can you be so sure that I am one of them?"

"Your eyes, the signature color of Silvermist pack,"

Silvermist...No matter how hard I try and make sense of the word. Nothing came to me.

Our brief exchange of words was interrupted when Martha intervened. She was suppressing a smile when her eyes met my own.

"Alpha...what would Lady Lorraine say if she saw her...let alone know who she is to—"

"She is nothing to me, Martha. We've made it clear between us. She understood the complexity of our strained past and history,"

I remained still and silent in his arms. The mention of a woman was a clear intention and an indication that I shouldn't overstep my boundaries. Something at the back of my throat clogged up. My heart was slowly plummeting in rhythm. I thought of marveling in Alpha's embrace, but that thought died away.

Who is Lorraine? I wished to ask, however, I was afraid to hear the answer. At the back of my mind, I already knew.

****

As we ascended, the path narrowed in conjunction with the thickening foliage. Groves of trees grew closer to each other with each passing time. The weather didn't falter, it became colder and more harsher. For the first time ever, I had to admit being near the Alpha—in his arms rather—made me warmer and cozier. As if this was the perfect moment and place to find shelter.

I must've focused too much on Alpha Strevus breathing to barely notice the bridge we were about to cross. Beyond the bridge, I could scarcely see the silhouette of a castle frontier etched against the orange-evening sunset, with its tall towers and barricaded walls capturing the hues of sunlight.

My mouth wide open in astonishment and my mind puzzled with the sudden shift of weather—I took in a deep breath. I simply cannot comprehend the magic the forest contains. One second it was dark and snowing, the next thing I knew was the change of seasons from winter to autumn. Where in the world am I? What in the world is this even?

Wolves and kingdoms, now magic. What more am I about to explore?

Alpha Strevus gently lowered me to the ground. He must have sensed my skepticism and confusion, but instead of delving into the matter at hand, he directed his attention toward someone who resembled an emissary. The figure met Alpha's gaze with a respectful bow as soon as he approached.

I paid no heed to them as I was still captivated by the scene in front of me. Even from afar, the Kingdom uphill is beyond massive, the dense clouds enveloped the momentum which appeared like a crown to the castle structure.

"This is beautiful," I mainly uttered to myself, however, Alpha seemed to catch wind of what I just said for he briefly took a gander at me.

It was fleeting, before turning to the emissary for the second time.

They spoke of matters in conjunction with my sudden appearance. Skittishly, I placed my hand on my stomach when I felt it twisting from hunger. And as if attuned to the rumble, Alpha stole a glance at me. I gave him a smile before opting to busy myself with anything else other than him.

"Prisoner..."

I surveyed my surroundings and found Martha, striding towards me. My stomach churned for the second time, but it wasn't because of hunger. The look she had on her face told me that what she was about to say would spur me into depression once more.

"Why did you call?"

"Just a piece of note. I am warning you, don't ever cause trouble between Alpha and his future Luna,"

"Future Luna?"

She didn't respond to that. Unlike earlier, Martha eyed me with animosity. I quieted down when her wariness perturbed me. I thought our conversation would be long but I sagged with ease when she immediately and somehow, hurriedly left.

"Wear this," Alpha Strevus instructed when he approached me, handing me a veiled cloak to wear. Without query, I wore it and hid my face inside the veil. Not daring to reveal my presence and identity to any civilians.

"Follow me," Alpha Strevus commanded. I didn't respond immediately, mainly because I was suddenly plagued by my uncertainty. Alpha on the other hand is fueled by impatience therefore without another word, Alpha Strevus grabbed my wrist and led me to a dark steed.

I saw one of our fellow members unload the strap from a white stallion. Others did the same. Martha on the other hand, still bothered me. Alpha Strevus urged the horse to move forward and when it did, it stopped in front of us.

"Turn around,"

I spun when Alpha instructed me and instantly I was holstered and strapped against the leather saddle, then he swung himself behind me and started holding the reins. With a lump in my throat, I gulped and was almost thrown off when the horse started galloping. Soon after, the group followed suit, all riding their own steed.

The scene flew by in the discordance of fields and rocky pastures as the wind slammed against my face with a bit of force.

Despite the promising land ahead of us, Martha's words rang in my mind.