Bidding farewell

While they approached the dock, Bal was beyond agitated and restless. Her eyes were wandering and she’s adamant to leave the island. She doesn't want to leave her mice friends behind. But she was thinking about whether to tell everyone or Kaylon about it. Bal was aware that the communication would be her number one hindrance.

“Miss Bal? Are you okay? Do you want to ask something? Aren't you happy to leave this island? We are going home. To the Dominant island. The castle there is big. And most of all, the people. Your people are gorgeous. They will surely love you.”

Monta’s so much talking which Bal doesn't understand is just adding to her problem. Her eyes were constantly moving and so was her wrinkled forehead. Upon sensing something uncanny, Bal immediately lowered her body.

“Hisss!” She angrily stomped on the sand. Her defense is up while looking at those huge men that she's going to save from the human eater kind of floor. Bal was touching the sand while waving to the people who were following her and Monta to stay back.

“Miss Bal, it's okay. See? It's just sand. You don't have to be afraid of it,” said Monta. Bal was now staring at Monta who was jumping and dancing on the floor that she named sand. Showing her that it's not a dangerous floor or anything that close to being a danger to the pack. That's when Bal's idea hit her. Bal began looking around trying to find a piece of wood. Seeing that the floor can give off a mark just by stepping on it, she assumed that it would be paper too. Bal thought that she could only draw on paper, just like Kaylon taught her. But at that moment she realized that there can be plenty of materials around her that can be used as a paper.

“Sss-sssh!” Her hand is unstoppably moving in the air trying to get Monta’s attention. Bal wanted to say the word ‘See!’ But she ended up hissing like a snake. Acting strange in front of everyone and appearing to be a lunatic that was out of reach.

“Yes, I'm sorry, Miss Bal. What are you trying to show me? The Alpha is currently busy. Maybe he has something for you inside the Wildrift. Oh! My bad. Such a talkative mouth.” Monta giggled, which made Bal awkwardly smile too. ‘Just listen!’ Bal cried inwardly. Then she began to draw her mice friends on the sand. Though her drawing is vague, the mouse's figure was still visible.

“You want us to catch a mouse? Are you hungry, Miss Bal? We. Don't. Eat. Mice. We. Eat. Fish, fruits, meat, and vegetables,” Monta explained, which gave her an obvious headache. Bal began pulling her hair and was starting to lose her patience. She began stomping on the ground and was relentlessly circling around her drawing.

“Hey, Tracker Monta. The Luna might be telling something about the mice,” said one of the warriors who was carrying a bunch of gold stuff. His bulky figure was covering the sun, making Bal the shed that she needed for the blinding sunlight.

“Eh?” Bal’s eyes began to flicker when she noticed that the warrior might understand what she meant.

“See? It looks like a family or friend inside a box that gets along together. She acts like a mouse. So, maybe . . . I'm sorry for being blatant, Dear Luna.” That's when Bal started to draw and elaborate herself and put it in a box line together with the two big mice.

“Can you call the Alpha? Thank you.” The warrior acted quickly. And after a moment, the gusting wind blew and Kaylon was now standing tall in front of them.

“What is it?” Kaylon asked, and kissed Bal’s forehead.

“Sir. What does Miss Bal mean by this?” Monta showed Kaylon about Bal's state-of-the-art drawing. Bal was smiling . She's proud because her drawing looks the same as her friend's looks. While on the other hand, Kaylon was thinking about what he was looking at. For it appeared to be a tangled knot for him. A tangled knot with ear and tail.

“Ago told me that it's a mouse—family or friend, something close —get along . . .” Kaylon tried to explain which made Bal’s eyes roll in dissatisfaction. “Oh! I got it now. Kindly call Lider.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I’m sorry for not thinking about that earlier. Of course you have a family too.” Kalylon rubbed Bal’s face and helped her get up from the sand.

“Sir? You were asking for me?” asked Lider.

“Yes, Lider. Let's head to where you first found Balvina. She left her friends there. So let's go and get them.” Kaylon was mimicking Bal’s hand gestures while explaining.

“The underground dungeon where we found the Luna, Sir, is located just under the main mansion of the late pack.”

“Oh. So I supposed that cowardly old man did this to her. Bal had that man's kind of distinct smell. And there is only one explanation for that; they are related.” Kaylon’a brows narrows as he was remembering about Balvina’s situation in the dungeon for years. “So there's still wolves around the world who can do despicable things like abandoning a child for power.” Kaylon gently rubbed Bal’s hand.

“Yeah, I think so too, Sir. Especially . . . The Luna is kind of tall. If she gained weight, she'd probably be a giant.” Bal could see the smile on Kaylon’s face when he looked at her. She was just walking with them while holding on to her mate's arm. She couldn't understand a bit. But she's still vibing with them.

When finally came into the right place . . .

“Are you okay?” Bal pretended to smile as she was looking at the place, even though she was afraid. Bal knows that she can handle the place's presence, but it's different when it comes to her horrible memories in the cold empty room. When she experienced the outside world, Bal could say that she had a cursed life for the last nineteen years. So when it comes to her new life now, she is certain that her previous life can never rival what she's been experiencing on Kaylon's side. So Bal wanted to protect her peace as long as she could.

“Hey . . . It's okay. I'll be coming with you down there.” Bal could tell that they had arrived. Because she could now smell the familiar rotten smell of the place where she thought that was normal before. The place reek of smell that was giving off a bitter taste of life for her.

“You. Stay here. I'll. Be. Going. Down.” Bal could understand what Kaylon was trying to say for the first time. But she didn't like the idea. After all, if she leaves the place for good. She should at least bid farewell to it. So she constantly shook her head and started making her way down.

“Lider! The torch.” Even without a torch, Bal knew that she could still clearly see everything. Her eyes were badly beaten by the dark for the previous years. Her life three days ago had no light and colors. There was only darkness and filth.

As she got closer to the slightly ajar door, Bal then began to understood why Lider and his men were beyond disgusted when they found the place. She can now tell what smells good, and what smells hell. Bal could tell that her previous place was absolutely hellish. To the point of feeling good and being proud of herself because she's a survivor, a fighter indeed.

Standing outside the door, Bal began squeaking. She was trying to call her two friends. A kind of communication which Bal and her friends could only understand.

“Squeak! Squeak!” Bal couldn't help but smile seeing the two black mice running on her way. They were even fighting whoever could stand on her hands first.

“Hey. I'm sorry if it took me a little longer just to get down. This place is kinda lit—” Kaylon paused upon seeing the two huge mice, like the size of a kitten in both of Bal's hands, staring at him directly. Thier gazw were piercing like they're trying to read his inner thoughts and soul. A protective family to be exact.

“Em! Mm!” Bal said, while raising the two mice one by one. There, Kaylon understands that Bal was introducing them to him.

“Glad to meet you, Em and Mm,” he said with a smile. Balvina smiles and begins rubbing her forehead with Kaylon’s shoulder. She was being affectionate in her own way. Being thankful in a way that Kaylon would under her.

Before leaving, Bal stood there for a good time. Suddenly a smile crept into her lips that reached up to her heart. She's undeniably proud. Bal was aware that she's tough. She endured everything. So everything paid off.

She closed the door tightly again and began making her way up. Bal promised to herself that she would come back. Not in a bad way or anything unpleasant. But she wanted to make her old island a better place someday. It was the island where she met the most beautiful creature that she knew. The reason why she will never hate the island.

While heading back Bal couldn't help but shed a tear. She was beyond happy. She looked up and saw Kaylon’s perfect face. When she looked at her side, she could see Em and Mm walking with them. What else could she ever ask for? She thought.