ITHRAI hadn’t set my eyes on Zadok since the last time at the Greenhouse. Despite his sudden disappearance, he stayed true to his words. My training with Athaliah continued. Every day, I returned to my quarters with an aching body. One thing was sure - I was getting better. With my constant training, I got better at defending myself, alongside learning valuable skills to add to my offence game.I couldn’t lie. Athaliah was one hell of a teacher. She wasn’t my friend, and every lesson felt like an opportunity to show me how much of a weakling I was - compared to her. I took it with good faith, expounding my knowledge of her tactics and getting stronger. As time passed, her hits weren’t as defeating. In my current state, I felt I could take on a warrior wolf. As time passed, I discovered that l anticipated training every day. So much that I spent my nights sparring alone in my quarters in the dead of the night. This week was different. My training was cancelled without reason, pe
ZADOKMy jaws tightened as I saw Alpha Cole of the BloodMoon pack walking towards me with his flavour of the night. It was one of the reasons I despised social gatherings. I put on a fake smile and met them halfway. “Alpha Zadok! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I thought you would miss this year’s ceremony too.”His words were a double-edged sword. “It’s hard to miss when I am the host. I’ve been quite busy these years. I didn’t realise I was causing an uproar by my absence.”“Nonsense! We are all busy, Zadok. We all have packs even bigger to run. Yet you don’t see us shying away from the public’s eye.” He gestured around the hall - as though aiming to drive a point. “One will think you are hiding something, especially with your status as an unmated Alpha wolf. Don’t you want to find your mate? Or perhaps choose one from the strong females that attend the ceremony this year.”“Don’t blame me if people find it hard to mind the business that pays them,” I force a chuckle,
ITHRAI watched in horror as Zadok took on the wolves that suddenly poured out of the bushes. He leapt to the air and midway transformed into a gigantic wolf that scared the wolves to a still. Within seconds, the air filled with bone-cracking sounds as the wolves transformed into their beast one after the other.What in the world?!My back found the oak tree behind me as I watched the confrontation between the wolves and Zadok's wolf. It was clear which wolf belonged to Zadok because it was the largest and most commanding. Not to talk of its demon-red eyes that struck a chord inside me. It's just training. I remembered the words of Shilhi and swallowed hard. If this was indeed the test she spoke of, I had every plan of acing it. She mentioned it would be a beastly test, but I didn't take her word to mean that. Without further contemplation, I joined Zadok in the fight, throwing myself in harm's way as I dragged a knife into the bowels of a wolf. Everything stilled as the wolf
ZADOK“They are coming! We need to run.” Ithra’s voice was panicked. As well as concerned. I managed to get on my feet, holding the bleeding gash on my stomach. With my movement, I felt pain all over again. “Why the hell was this taking so long to heal?” I mumbled, gritting my teeth in pain. “At this rate, you'll die before we get help.” Ithra's eyes fixed on my wound, which poured out blood. I could understand her concern, but I didn't have it in me to remind her I was an alpha and I couldn't die from loss of blood. With my delayed healing, I was losing blood and getting weak fast. The rogues used a silver weapon. Ithra helped me to an oak tree, and I relaxed, trying to preserve my breathing. “I'll just find some herbs to stop the blood.” She said and got up, “Try reaching out to the others with what you guys do in your mind.” My eyes perked at her words. Before I could ask what she meant, she was gone. Grudgingly, I tried to reach the others via mind link, all to no avail.
ZADOK “It’s a dream. It will be over soon.” Ithra said, tapping her face. My eyes narrowed at her, and she didn’t seem surprised. She didn’t seem like this was strange to her. It seemed like it was business to her. I walked to her and held her by the arm, “Have you been here before?” She struggled out of my hold and continued pacing, “It’s all a dream, Ithra. Focus.” Irritated at her constant pacing and refusal to speak, I walked to her and pinched her cheeks, and she let out a screech. “Do you still think it’s a dream?” I deadpanned. I watched as her eyes grew large, and she took in the environment again. “W-what? H-How?” She stuttered, looking around like she was only finding out where she was. “I should be asking you that,” I said, holding her again. “Have you been here before?” “Leave me alone,” she pulled her hands and put some space between us. I didn’t like the sound of that. But I persisted nonetheless. “We need to figure out a way out,” I said, and my des
ZADOKWhere is she? I wondered as I trudged through the dark forest alone. I heard the snap of a branch, and turned to see a giant spider walking towards me with the intent to kill me. Not today. I thought and immediately picked up a large, strong tree branch. Before it could get to me, I charged towards it and hit it severally till it reduced to tiny pieces on the floor. I threw the branch as I continued my search for Ithra. I can’t believe she wandered off on her own. What exactly did she think going off to her death? I followed her trail eastward, carrying a decent tree branch, just in case anyone else tried something funny, hoping I got to her before danger did. “Zadok...” I heard a voice behind me, and I turned around with a swift movement. Nobody. There was nobody behind me. I continued my journey with vigilant eyes. I had heard stories about the deadliness of the dark forest. And how it reduced even the greatest to a delusional moron. I was determined to make a mess of t
ITHRAI knew I shouldn’t have gone. I knew it wasn’t the right call. But I did it anyway.After our little fight yesterday, we decided to stick around for the night and go our separate ways at the crack of dawn. However, I got another vision, urging me to find my book and begin the journey to the heart of the forest. I didn’t want to get into another fight with Zadok concerning my decision. While I trudged farther away from him, I contemplated telling him of my vision and getting him to work with me, but I remembered what a controlling arse he was and decided against it. I believed I was ready for this. I spent the last few months of my life getting strong for this journey. There was nothing I couldn’t face. I hoped. Shaking off the fear that plagued me, I headed deeper into the forest. Dark shadows cast on my path as I walked forward, moving eastward. Just last night, Sarai visited me, telling me to find the ancient witch’s book I lost during my transition here. According to he
SHILHI’S POVI threw the last mandrake into the cauldron pot as I prepared another set of potions for Alpha Zadok. Joy filled my heart at the thought of his face when he finally realised what a fool he was - A joy I planned to share with the exterminated clan of witches after I sacrificed them at the heart of the dark forest. Poor Ithra. I wondered how she would feel knowing she was but a means to an end. The pot’s content boiled under the threshing fire, and I put in the secret ingredient of the Alpha’s potion - A sealing spell. My mouth moved, and murmurs of chants filled the air. The pot grew green, and a wicked smile touched my lips.Everything was perfect. It was only a matter of time before I took my revenge and made the werewolf race pay for the evils wrought against the witches. After 12 years, everything was finally coming into place. I dished the potions into small bottles and left them on a table in the greenhouse, just beside another bottle that held the consciousnes