CHAPTER TWO

On one of the branches of the Mango tree, that stood a couple of meters from the main building to Frank’s palace was Melnyk’s favourite place in the small castle. He could stay there for hours and win by being bothered by reality.

Even though, this curious prince had a lot that lingered on his mind.

Melnyk will always ask the big questions like; "why are Werewolves afraid of humans when they are just humans? Why are the werewolf races divided? Among others; that sets the precedent for the rest of his life because he shall dedicate his life to finding the answers to the questions in his head. He made it incumbent on himself that he shall do whatever to promote the dominance of his people.

“Melnyk, where are you?” his mother called out, bringing Melnyk back to reality from all his thoughts, through the leaves he could see his mother coming in his direction, looking wary as always.

His loving mother had been trying so hard to protect her only Son from the reality of the world he was born into.

Unfortunately, she was failing woefully because of her Son’s burning novelty.

“Yes Mother” Melnyk answered as he jumped from the tree.

“How many times will I tell you to stop disappearing, Melnyk?”

She asked as she came closer

"Are you alright? She added. Grabbing and examining his body carefully with her hand and eyes. Melnyk shrugged off her hands.

“I am fine mother, don’t worry,” Melnyk replied, dusting the dirt off his trousers

.

“Let me see,” she reached out again.

He shulved her hand and then began walking home.

“Your father is with some guest he will want you to meet,” She said as she caught up with him.

“Do I have to, mother?” He asked, with frustration all over his face.

“Of course, you have to; if you will be the Alpha Lord of Dass, there are people you must know,”

She answered, as they continue walking towards the main building.

“What have they ever done for us,” Melnyk murmured.

“What!” Melnyk looked at his mother and noticed the fury on her face. He decided to coward off the conversation by saying

“Nothing”

Nothing was mentioned as they walked toward the house.

Getting to the house Melnyk noticed people in front of their little palace dressed like royal guards, he had the hint that the guards were important.

“Oh yes, there he is,” Frank said excitedly as the rest of his family walked in.

Melnyk noticed the people in the house, he knew they were not just ordinary people, he took notice of a man that seemed as the same age as his father, this man was a werewolf, he was dressed in elegance and his grey eyes stood out.

This visitor had a blond son that sat on Melnyk's chair in the dining area, he seemed to be his age mate. Melnyk walked over

“Good afternoon sir,” Melnyk greeted him with a bow.

“Meet Alpha Lord Haimi of Karak and this is his son Baku,” Frank said pointing towards the boy that sat on Melnyk’s chair.

“What difference does it make?” Melnyk thought to himself. Then he said,

“Good afternoon, my Alpha Lord.” Alpha lord Haimi looked pleased and smiled, he spoke in his husky voice saying

“Good boy if you pay attention and learn from your father. You my son will be just as great,”

“Thank you my Alpha Lord,”

There was an awkward silence because Melnyk was struggling to ask all the provocative questions that bubbled inside of him.

“Let me get you more wine" typical of his mother, always saving the moment.

“That will be great my dear; may you remain blessed,” Frank admonished his wife.

Alpha Lord Haimi turned toward his son, and said “Why don’t you boys go outside and play.”

“OK father,” Baku said.

***

Zafira was doing what she loved the most and that was practising to be a great warrior among her pairs. Today she was distracted because of the thought in her mind.

All Zafira could think about, was how she wanted to be great as she also had that longing to be part of something big.

That was what she wanted the most. Even though she felt guilty because she had never admitted it to anybody but her maid, Agatha. Deep down in her ventricles that was what she felt.

As she sliced through the space with her sword,

“There is this void in my heart that I want to fill and that is being someone great and I won't stop until I achieve it”.

The young princess’s Zeal to become great was her driving force in whatever she did and felt happy having those dreams embedded in her heart. Yes, that same dream that everybody around thinks of her as a lunatic for it was termed impossible.

Zafira came from an average town of Werewolves with her father being his own Lord of the town, the town of Del. This marvellous town had Werewolves living in harmony with numerous rules and regulations everyone around ought to follow.

The same rules and regulations she wished she could change but can't because she is just Lord Halalnik’s Daughter, and that is what everyone will see her as; that fragile daughter of the Alpha Lord.

"When did you start waking up early?" a voice brought the young Princess back to reality.

Zafira raised her head and figured out it was Richard, her annoying brother who was also her trainer. Richard was often not around, he goes on battles and sometimes hunting, he is fierce and fast in everything he does and for that reason, Zafira loved, adored and admired her big brother.

Even though she knew that when he decides to be annoying, he does it with dignity. He was her family and she could not change anything about him.

"When did you come back, brother?" she asked as she ran towards him to give him a big hug.

Richard was huge and her small hands found it difficult trying to meet each other around his back.

“Emm I am just entering, and I haven't seen father," Richard said in his husky voice.

"He will be in the palace, you already know the speech he will give you." she chuckled

"Is it the I am proud of you speech or the I am disappointed speech?"

The two siblings all busted out into laughter. They were excited because they knew whenever Richard and their father discussed, Lord Halalnik always starts with either I am proud of you or I am disappointed in you before he continues to say anything.

"It will be the I am proud of you speech because I brought games this time, we caught a lot of gazelles in the Murky forest.

"Wow," Zafira said in admonishment

"Exactly, besides you know how that is his queen's favourite meat."

"Yes, I can't believe you guys."

"How many did you eat on the road,” Zafira asked teasingly as she fist-bumped her brother.

"Only one," he said as he winked at her.

"From the Murky forest, and then you passed all the towns in your way. To be very honest, I am impressed."

"I know you will be, even though we all know it is nothing compared to my achievements. Either way, I will gladly take the win," he said as he unsheathed his sword.

"You want to have a duel?"She asked.

"I haven't beaten you in a while," he answered with a smirk.

“You know I have been practising since you left, right?" she said.

Zafira began to take note of her environment, being cautious of the sun and thanks to the moon goddess it was backing her this time around.

She noticed he couldn’t see her face clearly; for the sun was intense on his face. She gripped her sword properly with her two little hands and took her ready position stand.

Zafira had become good at standing knowing the pain and troubles she had gone through to master it. She kept her elbow bent and close to her body, put her left foot ahead of the right foot and attacked him. He was so good a fighter, that Zafira ended up trying to defend his strikes. By stepping back from him, she was able to parry some of his attacks and took advantage by hitting him slightly.

Richard showed his kid Sis he was still a better swordsman by beating her in the duel twice. In the third duel, knowing fully well he let her beat him to it, Zafira cared less for she took everything victory had to offer. It was a happy moment for the Princess. Richard was certain she will disturb him about her victory for a long time. Richard was her role model; she had always admired the way he did his things, and how he was considerate about her and everyone around.

"You have improved," he said and then he added, "I am proud of you, I am glad at the woman you are becoming." He returned his sword to the sheath and went inside the castle to meet his father.