Unknown POVI stood on a hill and looked down at the Blood Moon pack. From this distance, I could see the whole of the pack, though each city looked about the size of two palms. There were six cities in a horseshoe shape, surrounding the capital city. Between the cities and the capital city was a forest, running the whole curve of the horseshoe and spilling out at the open end into a very dense forest that stretched farther than my eyes could see. I have been told that in that forest resided a branch of the Sulfur Hands that consisted of just four women and two men. It has always fascinated me. How are they able to tarnish the silver in a medium sized pack with such a small number? I would have very much loved to visit that branch had I been left to my own devices, but that was not my destination. My destination was the capital city. According to the alpha, the very first part of the prophecy had stated that I must be completed before I can accomplish my destiny. And that my mate w
Unknown POVWhen I woke, I nearly leaped in shock. I had tried to keep half awake through the night in case some wild beasts got hungry, but I had fallen into deep sleep somehow without even knowing it. Sighing, I leaped down from the tree and returned to my human form. I thanked the goddess I had passed the night safely, though I slept deeply. I followed the sound of water to a clear stream which I used to rinse my mouth and wash my limbs. The water was a little cold from the recent snow, but it wasn't enough to bother me. After that, I chewed the mint leaves I had wrapped in the folds of my turban. It was time to continue the journey. I couldn't stop the excitement from building in me. I was so close to my dreams now. I had always dreamed about finding a mate, and now, it was about to happen. I just needed to cross the forest and I would be in the capital city. Changing my mind, I wolfed out and ran into the thick forest. Luckily, I didn't encounter any beast big enough to engage
Unknown POV"What?" I asked in confusion. "You heard me," the lady repeated, her eyes still searching every face that passed within miles of us furtively. "Wait…one is executed for speaking the truth in this pack?" I asked in shock. The lady didn't reply. She threw her face away and tapped her feet on the floor impatiently. I could see she was tense and nervous. She hadn't been when we started walking, so I wondered what got her so tense and nervous all of a sudden. Just as the silence started getting awkward, the lady said"Well, if you don't have anything else you want to know…" And made to walk away. "How about your pint?" I called out. "Worth less than my life, stranger." she called back. I sighed, but I was getting intrigued. This little pack was getting more and more mysterious. Seems a lot of changes had taken place here that my alpha was not aware of. He would appreciate it if I got him some useful info, so I was determined to get the full picture of what was happening
Mia's POVI stood before the tree, sizing it up. It was taller than the ones I was used to, but Maya had said it was time to move on to higher levels, so I guess I have got to climb it."Thinking of ways to back down, you wimp?" Maya taunted from the top branch. Her voice carried down with the wind, giving it a kind of distant halo in the morning air."You know that tactic never works on me, even if it works like hell on Martha!" I called back.Her laughter carried down. "You know that sentence is a lie, even if you have been saying it for two months!"I sighed, irritated. She was right. I keep saying that every time she insults or mocks me, but the truth is that she rarely insults me when it won't hurt. She always picked the right moment when I was feeling frustrated, or very likely to snap, and used the insults to push me to new feats.I wasn't about to tell her that to her face though, even if we both know that. Ignoring her repeated jabs at my inability to transform, and my being
Mia's POV"Are you sure?" She asked, the corners of her lips twitching. I immediately got suspicious. "Yeah?" I replied cautiously.Maya smiled sweetly. "I need an answer dear. That doesn't count for one." I cocked my head as I contemplated her. What new horrors did she have in mind? I must admit that Mason's training was always boring, but they were never as tasking as Maya's. And I always knew what to expect. But not Maya. "What do you have in mind?" I asked suspiciously. The sweet smile remained firmly in place and I got even more suspicious. "Oh, the usual. The good old running to build your stamina that you've been used to." Maya's sweet smile betrayed the mischievous undertone beneath it.I instantly knew there was nothing usual, or good, or old either about the running. Maya had a knack for turning the most basic activities into grueling challenges. My previous experiences with her made it clear that her version of "running to build stamina" was more likely a marathon thro
Maya's POVI listened to Mia speak, and didn't know what to tell her. She had valid reasons to be riled up. It turned out that the previous night, she had had a little chat with Mabel, who didn't think she was doing her absolute best.The fact was, Mabel was too hard on Mia. And sometimes, I am tempted to think that I am too. Maybe, I am. But we're all anxious about her, and us as well. She is the only hope we've got if we ever have to redeem our loved ones.All of us in this branch of Sulfur Hands have had our loved ones corrupted. It was another kind of pain, watching our loved ones in a fate worse than death.Our only hope of them ever recovering was in the savior prophesied. So, we're naturally hard on her.I made up my mind to let up on Mia for the next few days though. She needs it. Though the prophecy had clearly stated she wouldn't have a wolf till the blood moon, she still couldn't let go of the mindset that she was inferior to us that already had our wolves."Sorry dear," I
Mia's POVWhen I came out, they were walking towards the chasm. As I watched, they transformed into their wolves and leaped over the chasms. There was something suspicious about the way they looked back to the cottage before bolting away and I instantly decided to follow them. It seemed I would be needing those stealth tricks Maya taught me sooner than she thought. Just as I reached the chasm, I had second thoughts and went back to get those claw gloves they had made me formerly. Who knows, but I might be needing them.Curiosity and a sense of exclusion washed over me when I returned to the chasm and couldn't find them. Why must they keep protecting me like I was some weak stick that would snap at the slightest touch? And worse, they insult my intelligence by thinking that I don't know about all the time they sneak out on some assignment or the other. I had always let them get away with it because I had always felt, despite my indignation, that I might be a burden. But not today.
Unknown POVI thanked the lady for her troubles, then walked to the counter."You want more milk?" The bar man asked me in that grating tone. I smiled."I might. Depends on what you can do for me.""Sometimes, I'm lame. And sometimes, I'm blind. Depends on how far your purse is," the man replied without even looking at me.I dug in my sack and found a small horn, which I slapped on the counter. His face lit up, and I finally had his attention."That's a fat purse alright. Are you looking to buy the pub?" he asked me. There was amazement and awe on his face."Nah. Just your time, and network," I replied.He looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?" he asked me.I smiled, then leaned on the counter. "I need to gather some information. Apart from Mia, do you know if there is any other lady that was rejected by her mate this past few months?" I asked him.The bartender's eyes widened with surprise. "You're asking about rejections? That's rare. Most folks are interested in the alpha king