My ears were ringing when everyone was rendered speechless at my declaration in challenging his position. ‘Belle, what is this about?’ I can understand where Ajax’s confusion is. We talked about me taking over the pack before, and we deemed that it wouldn’t be wise if I am not fully committed to the role. ‘Don’t worry.’ I reassure him. ‘My intention for the challenge isn’t halfhearted.’ I briefly meet Ajax’s gaze, hoping my gaze can convince him of my conviction. As much as I hate the alpha, this is still my home. This is where I grew up. And although I didn’t have the best childhood, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t grow up with love. Not all Lycans rolled their eyes on us or made fun of us. Not all humans and werewolves are bad, just like not all lycans are. If that were true, I would have grown up to become rotten since my dad is a lycan. It’s just a matter of how the leader leads their colony. Ajax steps back. A proud smile seemed to creep on his wolfish feature. ‘You got th
Lycans are a race of half human and half werewolf. When they shift, they become rabid and powerful beasts that could easily tear you limb from limb. They stand on their two legs like a human, but their overall appearance is that of a wolf. They are beautiful and magnificent creatures - well, unless you are the recipient of their attack. Their human forms are even more magnificent because it is their human side that prevails. “Belle,” Ingrid, my father, gently pats my shoulder to snap me out of my daydream. My father, unlike me, has auburn hair with a series of white streaks from old age. His right eye is blind, which makes others view him as a weak link in the Lycan pack. He isn’t, at least from before he lost one of his eyes. He was one of the strongest warriors in the Lycan pack, attacking the hunters head on to save the Alpha’s son a long time ago. “Are you nervous?” “Kind of.” I answer him. The leather dress that I’m wearing suddenly felt a little cold underneath the ceremonia
“That was a good match. It’s a little brutal for a girl, but hey, it is your debut as a beta. You just have to show the crowd who’s boss.” I have just finished arranging my clothes back on when I heard Max approaching. I fight the urge to roll my eyes when Max comes over to make a comment about my match with Alex. The ceremony for my debut as the pack’s beta finally ended with me emerging as the victor. I know that there will always be lycans who would be opposed to having me as their new beta, but they will just have to get used to it. Max knows this as well, which I guess is probably the reason why he’s here in the first place—to once again give me his offer of ‘assistance’. “Thanks, young lord Max.” I uttered my respect and lowered my gaze so as not to meet his. “What’s with the strict formality?” He sounds amused when he asks me this. “You used to call me Max.” “I am now the beta of this pack.” I tell him strictly, raising my head to see his expression. He wears a smirk on
“I beg your pardon, Alpha, but what do you mean by interrogating a prisoner? Do we have one?” I try to catch up with him as he heads out of his tent without even giving me a proper explanation of his plan. All I can do is follow him at the moment and hope that he will answer me. I caught glimpses of other lycans when they saw me following a few paces behind the alpha. Everyone is always busy in this pack, bringing along food, cooking, making garments, and cleaning. Training is done outside and at the far end of the territory where they can move freely. When we were nearing the pond, I paused, looking at the alpha in wonder. He notices me stopping and turns to my direction. “Come.” He beckons me to follow him. Soon, he starts to jump into the pond. I quickly run to follow him, plunging myself deep into the pond.I see my alpha underwater and follow him when he starts to swin under and behind the stone wall that hides our territory from the hunters. When we emerged once more, the ro
I inadvertently meet the girl's eyes. I get chills when I notice glimmers of hope in the little kid's eyes as she speaks to me. She is gazing at me as if I am some kind of beacon of hope for her, which makes me feel uneasy. “Are you here to save me? Did my father send you?” She asks me. At first, I was confused about why she was speaking to me without fear or hesitation, but then I just remembered that she must not have thought of me as a part of the lycan pack because I lack their physical qualities. My blue eyes and rounded ears must have made her think that I am human, just like her. No wonder the alpha wants me to get involved in this, but this is a child in front of me. What does he want me to do with her…? Human or not, I am not comfortable with lying to a child, much less use a kid, even if it is for the sake of our pack. I have a hard time finding my voice when I try to reply to her. “I-...I brought these to you. Hurry and eat before…the wolves return.” I avert my gaze
That night, I climbed to the top of the falls to clear my head. I want to bathe in the light of the moon as if I was receiving energy from it the same way humans get theirs from the sun. They say that creatures of the night like lycans are born as creations of the moon, which is why we are more powerful whenever the moon is full. Humans would hide during those nights and hope that the lycans would not appear. I take a deep breath for the last time as I gather my thoughts before I proceed with my plan. The Alpha expects me to give him my answer when the sun rises, which means that I no longer have any time to spare. I must deal with this right now. It stinks that I have to go against the alpha’s wishes, but it is not like I am not doing this for the sake of the pack. If things go as planned, maybe the alpha will forgive me. At least that’s what I hope will happen. I start to turn back, following the path that the alpha and I took earlier to head for the dungeon where they kept Hol
I managed to find an adequate location where I could clean and bandage Holly’s injuries. I was able to locate a secure hiding place where Holly and I could take a nap and wait for the medication to take effect. I have put enough distance between the lycan territory and me. From what I recall, this part of the forest is almost at the borders of human territory. No wolf who has no guts would dare to venture here. Resting is the main reason why I have stopped, but recalling my conversation with Maxwell, I just have a lot of difficulty in finding the time to relax. How could I after Max threatened me with the life of my father? Could I have made a mistake? Should I have not helped the little girl? She may be a kid, but she is still human. She’s not of my kind. The sun has just barely surfaced when I realize that I have been awake the entire night. A little movement to my side catches my attention, and I turn to see that Holly is beginning to stir awake. “Lady?” She blinks drowsily.
I don’t like this Ajax fellow. It’s not because he is strong, it’s because he acts like a petty child. Not only that, but he kept glancing at me, not the way that Max does, but the way that you would address a suspicious person. Which is kind of the main reason why I do not like him. This man could blow my cover. “Miss, what’s your name?” Holly asks, holding my hand as she eats the food that this hunter named Ajax brings. “Belle.” I tell her. “My name is Belle.” “Belle.” Holly repeats, eating her bread while she talks with me. “I like that name.” I smile and turn smugly to Ajax, who is walking a few steps behind us. He does not seem to be happy at all that I am close to the little girl. In fact, he is grouching. After our fight, he goes to Holly, like he is supposed to be taking her, but as soon as he tries to grab her, Holly runs towards me instead of him. Boy, I just can’t forget the look of sheer shock on his face and how he looked offended by the gesture. To him, I guess